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Inside one of the United States government's research laboratories—a facility dedicated to creating human weapons—there were numerous tubes containing live test subjects for experimentation.
In a medical surgery room, a man lay motionless on an operating table. Around him, several doctors held scalpels, knives, and other medical tools. His abdomen had a large incision, and blood dripped onto the surgical table.
One of the doctors turned around, looking toward a shadow cast at the back of the room.
— "It's ready, sir. He's sedated, and the bomb has been implanted. Everything is working perfectly, and his condition is not at risk."
Steven, watching the surgery from a distance, couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
— "Excellent."
One of the soldiers near Steven hesitated for a moment before asking:
— "Sir… will this be enough to deal with the Viltrumite?"
Steven shot the soldier a serious, somewhat tense look before replying:
— "It has to be. If it's not… we're all screwed."
Brandyworth woke up after the surgery in a small, cold room. The metallic walls and lack of windows made it feel like a cell—but unlike a typical prison, the space was clean and organized, with only a simple bed and a sink in the corner.
Still feeling the effects of the sedative, he tried to move. The dizziness made it difficult, but with effort, he managed to sit on the edge of the bed.
— "Where… where am I?" — he muttered weakly.
For a few moments, his mind felt blank. He scanned the room, trying to recognize the place. Then, it hit him. It was one of the research bases where he had once worked.
He was back.
The memory struck him like a shock. Steven and his soldiers had captured him on the overpass.
But why wasn't he restrained? Why wasn't he tied up?
Before he could think further, a metallic sound came from the door. The heavy steel door slowly slid open, revealing Steven standing beside his lead scientist.
Steven raised his hands in a casual gesture.
— "How are you feeling? I hope you're doing well."
Brandyworth frowned. This didn't make sense. Since when did Steven care about anyone's well-being?
That's when he felt something strange inside his own body. Looking down, he saw the incision on his abdomen. And then, he realized.
Inside him… there was something.
— "You bastard!" — he growled, anger surging through him. — "What did you do to me?! You think you can do whatever you want to people and just get away with it?!"
Brandyworth lunged at Steven, trying to punch him, but before he could land the hit, a soldier stepped in and struck him in the face with the butt of his rifle. He collapsed to his knees, feeling blood drip from his chin.
But that didn't stop him. Fueled by pure rage, he tried to get up and attack again.
Another blow.
This time, the impact was even harder, sending his blood splattering onto the cold, metallic floor of the lab.
Meanwhile, back on the overpass, Henry and Eve were helping injured civilians after the fight. Most of the damage had happened before Henry arrived—once he showed up, the battle was brief. He had mostly just defended himself.
Floating above the ground, Eve used her powers to flip overturned cars and clear debris.
— "Thank you so much. I owe you one," — she said, looking at Henry. — "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up."
Henry shrugged as he effortlessly pushed an overturned car upright with one hand. The metal groaned loudly as the wreckage shifted.
— "It was nothing. I was just passing by and saw you could use a little help."
Eve landed gracefully in front of him and smiled.
— "Still, thanks."
She stepped a little closer, her eyes locked onto his.
— "What's your name, big guy?" — she asked, playfully poking his chest.
— "Henry."
— "Mine's Eve," — she said with a smile, adjusting her long hair.
Henry opened his mouth to say something, but Eve's expression suddenly changed. Her eyes narrowed, and she became serious.
— "He's in danger," — she said, worried.
In an instant, she took off, soaring into the sky.
— "Wait, Eve!" — Henry called out, immediately flying after her.
She glanced back, surprised to see him flying.
Eve stopped midair.
— "Henry, I have to do something. It was great meeting you, but I need to go."
— "I'm coming with you."
— "But… it's dangerous! I already got you caught up in trouble once—I don't want to drag you into this again."
Henry smirked.
— "I still want to help."
Eve hesitated but, deep down, felt grateful.
— "Thank you."
But there was a problem: where should they even look? How could they find him? He could be anywhere.
— "How are we supposed to find him?" — Eve asked.
— "I have a way."
— "How?"
Henry didn't answer right away. He closed his eyes, focusing. His enhanced senses started picking up sounds and vibrations all around him.
Eve crossed her arms, growing impatient.
— "Henry… Henry… Henry!"
After a few minutes, he opened his eyes.
— "Found him."
It had been difficult. In a city this noisy, he had to filter through countless sounds until he finally caught something:
— "It's ready, sir. He's sedated, and the bomb is in place. Everything is working perfectly, and his condition is not at risk."
— "Good."
Henry narrowed his eyes.
— "Come on, follow me."
The two of them shot through the sky.
The truth was, Henry already knew Brandyworth had been captured. He just didn't know how to explain it to Eve without raising suspicion. If he said he had "just seen" Steven and his men taking Brandyworth, it would sound way too weird. So, he chose not to interfere with Steven's soldiers.
Right now, Henry was flying side by side with Eve. He was much faster than her, but he wasn't at full speed. She had healed a bit, but she still wasn't in great shape.
Eve was flying with some difficulty, and Henry noticed.
— "Hey, Eve."
Eve, breathing a little faster than usual from the constant exertion of flying, answered:
— "What, Henry?"
— "Are you tired? If you want, I can carry you."
Eve felt a little embarrassed hearing that.
— "I'm not tired!" — she shot back.
But then, her powers briefly flickered, causing her to lose a little altitude.
She quickly recovered, but her face showed a hint of embarrassment. Her cheeks turned slightly red.
— "Maybe… a little," — she admitted, looking away. — "But I'm still not letting you carry me!"
Henry smirked.
— "Alright… just don't go faceplanting into the ground."