Chapter 11: Counterattack, Escaping the Base

Chapter 11: Counterattack, Escaping the Base

Five days later, at the Genetic Modification Research Institute in Mexico City.

Sander Rice stared at the young version of Wolverine, X-24, created using Wolverine's genes, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Finally, I've succeeded! A Wolverine who obeys my every command. The world will soon bow at my feet."

His father, Dale Rice, had been one of the scientists who performed the adamantium bonding procedure on Logan. When Logan escaped the lab, he had killed Dale in the process.

From that day on, Sander had vowed to eliminate all dangerous, uncontrollable mutants and create an army of mutants who would obey his every command.

Later, he founded Alkali-Transigen and used his control over food and beverage companies to distribute the M43 virus to the public on a massive scale.

This virus didn't affect humans but suppressed the abilities of existing mutants and prevented future genetic mutations in humans.

After more than twenty years of effort, no new mutants would ever be born in this world.

"Donald, since those test subjects refuse to obey orders, dispose of them."

Turning around, Dr. Rice coldly instructed a man whose right arm had been replaced with a mechanical limb.

Originally, his plan had been to use the mutant genes collected earlier and, through surrogate mothers in Mexico, breed a new generation of mutant children to sell as weapons to other organizations.

However, after months of experimentation, he discovered that these children, as they grew, developed their own thoughts and couldn't be fully controlled. Some even attempted to escape.

Now that he had successfully created a mutant clone that obeyed his every command, he no longer needed those failed experiments.

Moreover, he realized that if he could mass-produce obedient mutant clones, he could do more than just sell them as weapons—he could rule the entire world.

"Should we dispose of Subject 757 as well?"

Donald wasn't surprised by Dr. Rice's decision.

Dr. Rice hesitated for two seconds before nodding.

"Yes, dispose of him. Now that the cloning technology is mature, we can mass-produce Wolverines and perhaps even replicate Professor X and Magneto. There's no need to waste resources on inferior experiments."

"Understood."

Donald drew the pistol from his waist and left the lab.

---

Meanwhile, in his room, George was practicing wandless magic when he noticed the time on the wall clock and his expression grew serious.

"Something's wrong. Is it starting?"

Normally, someone would have come by now to take him to training.

"It seems it's starting."

At that moment, his door opened, and two familiar figures walked in.

Leading them was the instructor who had been training him all this time.

"I told you this guy was a waste of time. All that training, and now we're just going to dispose of him."

The instructor gave George a look of disgust before turning to the subordinate behind him, who was holding a submachine gun.

"Take care of him, then throw the body into the lab's incinerator. We'll burn it along with the other trash."

"Yes, Captain."

The subordinate raised his submachine gun, aimed at George, and pulled the bolt.

But just as he was about to pull the trigger, Subject 757 suddenly muttered something strange.

"Alohomora!"

With a *click*, the power inhibitor around Subject 757's neck unlocked and fell off.

Immediately afterward, the subordinate felt a cold sensation on his neck, and his consciousness began to fade.

As soon as George saw the two men enter, he had begun casting the spell. However, his subtle movements went unnoticed by the two.

With the inhibitor removed, his magnetic powers surged. The dagger he had hidden near the door earlier flew up and slit the subordinate's throat, temporarily neutralizing the threat.

*Clang!*

The instructor drew the dagger from his waist and deflected the one flying toward him, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"What the hell just happened?"

If he hadn't reacted quickly, he would have met the same fate as his subordinate.

The moment he saw Subject 757's inhibitor fall off, his instincts, honed from years of life-and-death situations, kicked in, and he immediately drew his dagger.

However, if Subject 757 had targeted him first, he likely wouldn't have had time to react.

"You've been hiding your abilities and strength?"

In his memory, Subject 757's control over the dagger wasn't particularly strong or fast. He could usually deflect it with ease.

But this time, although he managed to deflect the dagger, the sheer force behind it left his wrist throbbing.

"The dead don't need to know so much."

George controlled the dagger to destroy the room's surveillance cameras, then launched a relentless assault on the instructor, who had always easily defeated him in the past.

While George had indeed been hiding his true strength, he wasn't usually this powerful. The shared wizard bloodline had unexpectedly enhanced his mutant abilities.

The dagger moved too fast, at too tricky an angle, and with too much force. Within a few exchanges, the instructor was already wounded.

He wanted to escape, to close the distance and engage in close combat, but George gave him no opportunity. All he could do was defend, hoping his comrades would notice the disturbance and come to his rescue.

However, George knew time was of the essence and couldn't afford to waste it here.

"Gun, come!"

While controlling the dagger, George gestured toward the dead subordinate, and the submachine gun flew into his hands.

"Instructor... goodbye."

Aiming the gun at the instructor, who was still desperately deflecting the dagger, George pulled the trigger without hesitation.

He wasn't one to stick to principles when a gun was available.

*Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!*

"Oh, God—"

The instructor's eyes widened in terror, but before he could finish his sentence, he was riddled with bullets.

Retrieving his dagger and taking the instructor's as well, George grabbed the submachine gun and stepped out of his cell, making his way toward the exit of the lab.

Using the dagger to destroy any surveillance cameras and eliminate guards along the way, he soon heard the sound of intense gunfire and screams.

Clearly, he wasn't the only one being disposed of—all the mutant children were being targeted.

Perhaps that was why no guards had come to his aid when the trouble started.

Compared to him, the other mutant children were causing even greater chaos.

This was also why he hadn't tried to escape earlier and had waited until today.

If he had tried to escape alone, the heavily monitored lab would have quickly surrounded him with guards.

Facing a barrage of gunfire, he was no Magneto—he wouldn't have stood a chance.

(End of Chapter)