It was a chilly evening in New York City, the streets deserted except for the occasional soldier on leave or a woman rushing home to her family. The city seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the war to end so life could return to normal. The neon signs flickered, casting an eerie glow over the buildings that towered above the silent streets. As the scientists walked down 5th Avenue, they couldn't help but wonder what just how long this horrific war would continue on for. They knew the brave men and women around the world were doing everything they could to bring down The Axis Powers and end the war as quickly as possible. Especially poor Annabelle. They knew very well how invincible she was with her fantastic gifts and iron skin but they also knew that she preferred to work alone. Which meant that the poor woman was fighting and experiencing the unimaginable horrors of war all on her own.
That was why Doctor Raymond Lawrence and Doctor Max Hamilton were en route to The Lucian Household right now. To take the first major step on their own Super Soldier Project with the perfect test subject. If Raymond's research bore fruit they'd be able to simultaneously save a life, create their first superhuman, and use his blood both to create more of them and develop several vaccines and other medical advances from his blood.
The sound of a distant siren pierced the stillness, sending a shiver down Raymond's spine. They quickened their paces, not wanting to be caught out in the open when the all-clear signal sounded. As they rounded the corner, they saw the flashing lights of a fire engine racing towards the docks. A group of sailors stood watching, their faces grim as they realized what the sirens meant. Another ship had been hit, another group of brave men lost at sea. It was a stark reminder of the sacrifices being made every day in the fight for freedom.
Despite the somber mood that hung over the city, there were still those who found reasons to celebrate. A few blocks away, they could hear the faint strains of a jazz quartet playing in a hidden speakeasy. The music was a welcome distraction from the war, if only for a little while. They looked at each other and nodded, both of them having made a mental note to find the place after the war, to dance the night away with friends and forget about the horrors that had been inflicted upon the world.
As they continued their walk, they couldn't help but think about the future. What would the world look like once the war was over? Would there be enough men left to rebuild the cities that had been destroyed? Would there be enough food to feed everyone who had gone hungry during the war? These questions weighed heavily on their minds, but they knew that somehow, some way, the world would find a way to pick up the pieces and start anew.
Around the next corner, they saw a group of women huddled together, their faces etched with worry. They were talking in hushed tones about a friend whose husband had been reported missing in action. Their hearts went out to them, knowing that they were just one of many families who were facing the same uncertain future. They wanted to offer them some comfort, but they knew that words were inadequate in times like these.
Suddenly, they heard the familiar sound of marching boots echoing down the street. It was a group of soldiers, ready and eager to report for duty. Their faces were young and full of hope, but there was also a hint of fear in their eyes. They knew what lay ahead of them, and they were prepared to face it. As they passed by, the Doctors couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their courage. They were the ones who would win the war, and they would bring peace back to the world.
As night fell, the city came alive with a sense of determination. People went about their business, knowing that every small act of defiance was a blow against the enemy. The streets were still empty, but there was a sense of camaraderie in the air. We were all in this together, and we would see it through to the end. Even though the war was far from over, for a moment, the genius scientists felt a glimmer of hope. We would survive, and we would prevail.
Soon the gentlemen arrived at The Lucian Household and Raymond knocked on the door. They were met by Fiona, the boy's mother. She looked exhausted and anxious. Knowing full well the potential of the deal they made with Raymond but they were still well in the right to be concerned about Leon's operation. Seeing Max for the first time also threw her for a loop. The two gentlemen could not have been more different looking.
Raymond was classically handsome. With a crisp fancy white suit, a handsome gentlemanly face and well combed and styled blonde hair. His green eyes and smile gave of a feeling of gentleness and kindness. Raymond was tall and handsome but Max towered over him with the musclebound physique and facial structure of a Gorilla mixed with a caveman power lifter with his overdeveloped exaggerated musculature. His proportions, size, bone structure, and posture are similar to that of a Sahelanthropus. A result of using an untested version of the serum on himself after a botched assassination attempt from the Germans. Raymond had eliminated the assassin with a surprise gun but Max was forever changed. Aside from the facial hair problem though he didn't too much and was able to adjust relatively well after some practice.
Raymond took a bow. "Hello again, Fiona, how is everyone?"
"Oh Raymond. I fear poor Leon is taking a turn for the worse. Please, please, come inside."
"Thank you ma'am. Oh this is Max. The friend I told you about. Don't mind him he's a perfect gentleman."
"Good evening, ma'am. You have a wonderful house here." He complimented her in the most polite tone his deep baritone voice could manage as he and Raymond entered. Max ducked down and managed to slide his way inside and he stood up again while keeping himself ducked down.
Fiona lead them upstairs to where her husband Spencer was looking over their sickly bedridden son Leon.
Sickly was putting it lightly. This young man, this boy, was skeletally thin, with clammy pale skin, silvery white hair, pale eyes, a laundry list of diseases, medical machines and an oxygen mask attached to his face. It was obvious that his body was breaking down and failing on him. It was only by modern medicine and sheer willpower that this young man was clinging to life but they didn't have the technology to keep him alive for much longer.
That was where The Evolution Serum was going to come in. It was the boy's only chance to survive and if it worked, which Raymond was positive it would, it would change the world.
"This is him."
"Oh my. That poor kid."
Spencer walked up to the two, paused to look up at Max in surprise, and then he returned his attention to the matter at hand. "Is it true, Raymond? Is it true? Can you do it? Can you help our son? Please, please we'll do anything."
Raymond placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright now. It's all going to be okay. We're going to do everything we can for him. I promise." He assured him and walked up to Leon. He took note of The Bible Copy on the table. He guessed his parents liked to read it to him. They were good people. He returned his attention to Leon. "Leon? Leon, can you hear me? It's Doctor Lawrence. I came back to see you again. Can you hear me?"
The broken sickly young man turned his head to look at him. His voice was masked by an unholy, guttural sound and pained gasps like someone with razors stuck in their throat burbling from their maw.
"
Doc...Doc...tor...." He mumbled. "
Hel...o..."
"There he is. You're a strong young man. You're a good man from a good and wonderful family. You do not deserve to suffer like this. You have never done anything wrong in your life. So we want to help you."
"
Help...me...h-how...how...doctors...can't..."
"We made something new. A miracle cure. One that we believe will cure any and all diseases that you are currently stuck with, rebuild your body and bring you back from the brink. You will be healthy. You will be strong. You'll be a superhuman. The first in a new line of superhumans who will win this war."
"
Sol...der? M-me..."
"Not if you don't want to. We'll also be able make antidotes to diseases from you. Nobody else will have to suffer like you have."
"
I'll...save...people? Help....them?"
"We will. We'll be able to save countless lives."
Leon wheezed in pain and desperately sucked in air and he raised his head. "
I'll...save...them...save...people....I...accept...but...promise...one...thing. One thing...pr-prom..."
"Promise? Yes, sure, anything."
"
Promise...me...that...I won't....have...to...hurt...anyone. Don't...want...to...hurt. Never....hated....anyone."
"I promise. We promise."
"We both promise." Max chimed in. "We want to help you, Leon, not turn you into a weapon. You're a good kid and you deserve a better life than this."
Leon looked at him in clear surprise. "
....You're....big..."
"Long story there but yes I am. Gentle as a lamb though I assure you."
"
O...kay...alright...I-I...I-I...I'll...I'll do it. I trust you."
"Thank you Leon. I assure you. This is going to change your life. We're going to help you so that you can help change the world in return."
