"Master, is this the other 'good thing' you mentioned? It doesn't look like it!"
Viper wrinkled her nose, staring at the writhing, green, fluid-like substance sloshing inside the glass jar. Her expression twisted in open disgust.
It was no wonder she reacted that way—the symbiote's appearance was deeply unappealing, even repulsive. Most people couldn't stand the sight of such a slimy, wet, slug-like creature. Her revulsion was entirely understandable.
And yet, despite its grotesque form, the symbiote was remarkably powerful—if one overlooked its well-known weaknesses. It could grant an ordinary person immense strength, terrifying regenerative abilities, and the power to shape-shift into cold weapons or unleash multiple prehensile tentacles at will. In the right hands, it made its host stronger than most so-called superheroes.
Loren himself had no desire to bond with the thing. But outfitting his subordinates with it? That was a different story. Building a symbiotic army—loyal, enhanced, and utterly obedient—was one of his next great plans.
And right now, Viper made the perfect test subject.
Ignoring her look of revulsion, Loren crushed the glass jar in his hand and flung the wriggling symbiote straight at her.
Viper gasped as the sticky mass splattered against her chest. She instinctively tried to tear it off—but it was too late. Before she could even flinch, the symbiote had already fused with her body.
In an instant, her form was sheathed in a sleek, green, leather-like suit that clung to every curve. The symbiote didn't just enhance combat prowess—it optimized the host's entire physicality: strength, posture, even aesthetic appeal.
And Viper was already stunning.
Now, amplified by the symbiote, she was breathtaking—her silhouette sculpted into a flawless S-curve, her presence radiating raw power and allure.
Her disgust vanished in a heartbeat, replaced by wide-eyed wonder.
"My God… this strength… this body… is this really me?"
She ran her hands over her new form, stunned. "Master, why didn't you show me this sooner?"
Then she frowned. "Wait… Hydra has top-tier intel networks. They should've known about something this valuable. Why haven't I heard a single word about it before?"
"Simple," Loren said coolly. "Because I crippled S.H.I.E.L.D.'s entire intelligence grid."
"They don't even recognize their own agents anymore. How do you think your spies inside S.H.I.E.L.D. could possibly know?"
Viper blinked. "You sabotaged their network? When?"
"Every day."
"…What does that even mean?"
"I said I'd do it once a day. And I do."
"..."
A slow, wicked grin spread across Viper's face. "Master… you're absolutely evil… and I love it."
"Heh. I like it too."
"I feel incredible," she purred, flexing her fingers as emerald tendrils coiled playfully around her arms. "Stronger, faster—and I can summon as many tentacles as I want! It's… amazing."
Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she arched a brow at Loren. "How about we try out the tentacle series?"
Her first thought wasn't battle tactics—it was pleasure. Specifically, new, inventive ways to indulge Loren. Truly, she was a master of seduction.
Before he could react, a dozen green tentacles erupted from her back.
"Hey! Viper—wait! That's not what the symbiote's for! Stop right there!"
"Master, I understand… I understand everything," she cooed, licking her lips.
Two tentacles lifted her effortlessly and carried her toward him—until she hovered just inches from his face.
"!!!!" Loren's eyes widened.
\\\
Later, in the grand hall of Morgan Manor, Loren sat on the sofa, his expression calm but resolute.
Before him stood Viper, 2B, Tifa, and A2—lined up in perfect formation, silent and attentive.
The earlier… encounter… with Viper had finally snapped him out of his temporary indulgence.
Her boast that she'd "utterly defeat" him? Laughable. His current body was stronger than the Hulk's—dense, near-indestructible muscle and bone forged through forbidden science and alien enhancement. No amount of Super Soldier Serum or symbiote augmentation could let Viper overcome that gap.
Still, he'd held back during their sparring. She was flesh and blood, after all—unlike 2B, Tifa, or A2, who could take catastrophic damage and keep fighting. But now, with the symbiote's rapid regeneration, even that concern was gone. If she got hurt, she'd heal in seconds.
He'd gathered them for a mission.
"Based on Viper's intel," Loren announced, rising to his feet, "I've located the person I've been searching for. It's time to bring her home."
"2B, A2—you'll each lead your teams and accompany me. Our destination: Baron Strucker's hidden HYDRA base. Objective: rescue Wanda Maximoff and eliminate all hostiles."
2B frowned slightly. "Boss… this is just a retrieval op. You don't need to go yourself. I can handle it—or A2 can."
A2 nodded sharply, her eyes gleaming with quiet fury. "Yes, sir. I'll bring her back unharmed—and burn the base to the ground."
Loren smiled and shook his head. "This mission is different. I should be there."
Besides, he hadn't stretched his muscles properly in weeks. And after this? He'd likely enter deep seclusion to perfect his new body. If Wanda hadn't been in danger, he'd already be locked away in his lab.
"But—" 2B started.
"No 'buts,'" Loren cut in. "It's decided. Viper—you'll return to your covert base. Stay out of this; your cover must remain intact."
He turned toward the exit. "Now—let's move out."
As he spoke, his suit rippled, transforming instantly into a form-fitting black bodysuit with a faint leather texture—reminiscent of General Zod's battle armor from the DC universe, radiating raw authority and menace.
With his current physiology, he could shrug off artillery fire without armor. Defense was no longer
a priority.
Now? Comfort, style, and looking damn good while saving the day—that's what mattered.
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