199. The Inhuman Mystery

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"Something's happening."

Stern hurried over, holding two vials.

One contained a dark, syrupy liquid. The other remained unchanged.

"This vial of cellular fluid reacted with the rubber compound. The molecular bonds have begun replicating its properties," Stern explained.

"But the second, just extracellular solution, didn't change."

Nolan examined both samples under a scope.

"So the transformation is internal. The absorption is molecular, but it's driven by intracellular chemistry, not surface exposure."

Stern nodded. "And when the absorbed material is removed, the altered cells revert to baseline."

Nolan's eyes narrowed as he compared Carl's X-gene to known mutant models. His screen lit up with genetic overlays.

"…Fascinating. This isn't Kree-made from scratch. They edited existing X-Genes. It's still mutant code but optimized for artificial triggering."

For mutants, their X-gene was a dominant natural power that emerged with emotional stress or puberty.

But for Inhumans?

Their X-gene was recessive dormant. And sealed.

The Terrigen Mist acted as a key, unlocking these sealed abilities and rewriting their genome to activate latent potential.

"That means most humans carry a form of the X-Gene," Nolan murmured. "The difference is only in how or if it gets unlocked."

Through centuries of genetic drift, interbreeding, and experimentation by entities like the Celestials, traces of the X-Gene code existed in almost every human being.

But Nolan still hadn't isolated the "pure origin" version of the X-Gene.

If I could find it… I could rewrite humanity from scratch.

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But there was a problem.

The Inhuman genome, while manipulable, might still contain a backdoor. A fail-safe left by the Kree.

If I create an army of Inhumans… can someone else control them?

It was a real risk.

Terrigen crystals, when exposed to non-inhuman humans, caused instant calcification. Their bodies turned to ash. That wasn't a side effect—it was a weapon.

"Initiate a new directive," Nolan ordered.

"Find dormant Inhumans—those with sealed potential. We'll unlock them ourselves."

A calm voice echoed through Os Corp's AI systems: "Understood. Free genetic screenings will begin in 72 hours."

Nolan turned to his lead scientists.

"Connors. Sterns. See if you can splice Carl's adaptive gene with Mystique's shapeshifting genome. I want a form-shifter who can not only mimic… but become what they touch permanently."

Connors blinked. "Permanently? That's… unprecedented."

"Which is exactly why I want it," Nolan said flatly.

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Carl stirred on the table, groaning as his eyes opened.

"Let me go…" he growled.

Nolan crossed his arms, then looked to Connors.

"Bring in the dimensional compound."

Connors hesitated. "If he actually absorbs it, and gets loose—"

"He won't."

Minutes later, Nolan stood in front of Carl "Crusher" Carl, holding a glowing sample of space-derived crystalline matter—a concentrated byproduct of dimensional anomalies.

He poured it into Carl's hand.

"This is your chance. Absorb this material… and I'll let you walk."

Carl narrowed his eyes. "Why should I trust you?"

"You don't have a choice."

Carl hesitated, then reached out. His body began to change.

Cracks formed along his arms, glowing with blue energy. His skin turned glossy black with streaks of pulsating dimensional light—space-matter incarnate.

"I've never felt anything like this…" Carl whispered. "It's—stronger than vibranium. What is this?"

He raised his arms, and the glowing rifts along his body pulsed with dimensional energy.

"You'll regret giving me this," he hissed.

But then—

He lost control.

The energy began surging.

"I—can't stop it—!"

His crystalline body cracked. Blue light exploded from within. He stumbled back, screaming, as the power overwhelmed his nervous system.

Nolan frowned.

> As I thought. Still too weak to contain it.

Carl collapsed, reverting to his human form. The alien energy within him lashed out wildly—until Nolan stepped forward, placed a hand on his shoulder—

—and absorbed it all.

The storm calmed.

Carl, panting and wide-eyed, looked up in disbelief. "You can absorb energy too?"

"I can do a lot of things," Nolan said. "But what matters is—I can teach you to control this."

He leaned in.

"So… Carl. Do you want to keep being everyone else's pawn?"

"…Or do you want to run with me?"

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