Chapter Three: Spinning Plans Into Motion
June 19th, 2021, Van Doom Industries...
Lewis spent most of the day already co-heading the building of the shuttle with the astrophysicists and engineers of Van Doom's crew. While he wasn't bound to Doom Industries (as he was a freelance scientist), they made ample efforts and offered to finance incentives, advances, and exclusive offers to contract him to the space project. It helped that he was best friends with Johnny Storm, no doubt.
Still, because of his expertise in various fields and outside experience in them, many departments of the project looked to Lewis to handle key assignments and processing. Namely, the engineering departments and technologies, but Reed did his own thing in the mathematics and physics department.
Their relationship were more hesitant associates and close rivals than anything, considering both were super-geniuses, but Lewis was just glad for the help. He enjoyed molding and engineering work greatly; applied sciences were always his favorite, and, though he is immensely intelligent and always found the academic side of said sciences interesting, they were not so interesting to him when he was flow stating as he normally does during welding and engineering endeavors.
It had been 5 days since he joined the team and, as widely known and respected as he was of a genius, his associates couldn't help but be amazed, at times, of Lewis' dedication to his work. He was often seen working days and nights on end, with no sleep at all, ushering the project along surprisingly faster than expected.
By June 23r, the shuttle was finished, diagnostics were ran, and all the tests needed to be done were already completed.
No one said it, but they all knew Lewis played a major hand in the speed-up construction. After all, they had been working on it for 3 months before Lewis' contribution. After all, they predicted they would be done mid-august. Finishing two months and a quarter earlier was something, which, in and of itself, gave credit to Lewis' arrival and efforts.
Thanks to his efforts, they agreed to launch the shuttle after 6 weeks. It was to give time to quadruple check the tests and everything, officially, but Lewis didn't mind. The six weeks, it gave him time to initiate his plans and spin them into motion.
First, using the funds he had accumulated from his funnelled allowances of various crimelords across the Bronx and its surrounding area, Lewis founded an official research lab. Its announcement making both papers and news:
" 'B.L.A.K.E H.T. Industries,'or, as it is known, long-termed, Biological, Logistical and Advanced Kinetic Engineering of Health and Technologies – has already made leaps and bounds in productivity in the first few weeks alone. Reports say you have created a groundbreaking scientific device that consumes harmful waste and microplastics as well as nuclear radiation, and converts it into usable and renewable forms of energy? Tell me, Mr. Blake, is that true?" a reporter asked Lewis before a conference taking place before Lewis' company's new HQ.
[HQ Image]:
"Yes, Christine. Me and my colleagues, though few in number, are amongst some of the most capable scientists of our fields. Dr. Connors, our prime bio-chemist and biologist, has made immense progress on regenerative research. One of our lead engineers and nuclear physicists, Dr. Otto Octavius, is miles a step closer to wielding the raw power of the sun in the palm of his hands. And I myself designed and engineered my Energenesis Spheres— a new form of technology that consumes, transmutes, and transforms harmful wastes and energy sources into helpful energy sources.
"And this is only the beginning. Our goal at B.L.A.K.E Industries is to better the world around us and make it greener, cleaner, and more healthy tomorrow than it was yesterday."
The words caused a cacophony of claps, whistles, and cheering from the crowd. Reporters and citizens who had come to Lewis's company's public conference and had agreed with his words and answers alike couldn't help but see Lewis's view on life as inspiring.
It helped immensely that he was from a working-class family—Lewis could smell the public admiration and sense of community flowing at the knowledge that he made it by his own wit and ability, not just money, which, according to the masses, something he supposedly worked for.
'Yeah,' Lewis thought once to himself, 'I literally worked for all I have. I am quite the hardworker, especially at night, in a suit and against crime lords who fund my plundering of positive public image and financial capabilitic rise.'
"That was well said, Mister Blake," Christine Everhart resumed, smiling, her voice professional yet impressed. "And when can the public expect field trials of these Energenesis Spheres?"
"We've already begun field studies, Miss Everhart," Lewis said, startling the journalist.
"Even now, my spheres are being hauled into Von Doom's shuttles. I and Victor Von Doom are collaborating to use my spheres to store samples of the upcoming celestial event, the Cosmic Storm, to see if we can find out what origins the universe may have for us.
"Furthermore, planes have landed in New Mexico at various military nuclear sites to clean up the area of nuclear radiation. I've also deployed planes containing my sphere, bound for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine, various severely contaminated areas of Belarus, Russia, and to Bryansk Oblast, Russia. I've even dropped a few of my Energenesis Spheres in oceanic environments like Bikini Atoll, the Marshall Islands, Arctic Oceans (specifically the Kara and Barents Seas), and a few affected areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
"These areas are some of the most hazardous environments on our planet, and I believe we can't productively look to space if our home, Earth, is sick and can be well again. And with my spheres' automatic functions, I would say by Winter, all of these areas will be saved of hazardous effects and can begin to regrow and rebuild upon by Spring.
"Today is but the beginning. Tomorrow, we'll save our Earth for our children to inherit as healthy as possible. That is my goal—No, my promise—to the world!"
The speech garnered an even louder round of applause by the crowd. Many whistled, cameras flashed, and smiles and gleeful laughter were shared amongst the people watching both here and at home.
Lewis answered a few more questions before excusing himself aside, leaving the crowds of the conference to his secretary, Evangeline.
That day, Lewis earned various titles such as the 'Working-Class Philanthropist' and the 'Super Genius From Harlem'. They began comparing him to geniuses like Tony Stark and Reed Richards... again.
But Lewis didn't care. He had work to do, after all.
That night, Lewis and Dr. Connors (who had been released of Oscorp when he found him, his program abandoned) finally cracked the case of regeneration and made three vials of it, one of which Lewis tweaked privately to activate the Lizard, using the matter manipulation abilities of Captain Comet — Only not a sadistic version of the Lizard; one the doctor could control and use/activate at will, without the serum.
When the doctor injected it, he did regrow his arm. And gained much more than he thought he would. The Lizard. Entirely under Connors' control, was quite reciprocal of Lewis's mentally charged suggestions. In fact, Dr. Connors' loyalty to Lewis—which had already been great since picking up the doctor's program and research—only grew to exponentially higher heights that day.
By morning, their achievements were made public and various news anchors were covering it. And with it came the attention of various powers and factions…
S.T.A.R.K. Industries, Obadiah Stone
Obadiah Stone could leap for joy at the successive news on the status of his plan.
'Stark's been captured by the Ten Rings terrorist organization,' he thought, inwardly giddy. 'The news haven't even gotten the news yet! As Stark Industries' COO and stand-in executive, I am guaranteed my place as the new head of the company.'
As the chairman and acting CEO of Stark Industries tapped away on his tablet, concealing his excitement at the playboy's situation, an article caught his eye: "B.L.A.K.E. Industries Develops Highly Regenerative Serum Capable of Limb Regrowth Potential!"
Squinting, with nothing more to do for the next hour, the head of Stark Industries scanned the article before reading other related articles on the topic:
"Young Super Genius Finds Pro-Earth Lab 'To Heal Our Planet Earth'!", "Lewis Blake, the 'New Tony Stark?!'" and "Genius Scientist & His Energnesis Spheres – Aiding In Earth's Recovery, 'One Crisis At A Time'!."
After reading Lewis Blake's confirmed achievements and exploits, Obadiah got greedy. He wanted this scientist under himself—He wanted his serum and his special spheres, too. He would have them.
"Stark Industries has been wanting to step inside the Health and Medical fields anyway. Conquering a rising star to do so is child's play," the greedy bastard chuckled, before ordering his secretary to ready some deals in contract to bind and assimilate a third party, lesser company.
"Lewis Blake, huh?" Obadiah smirked deviously. "Super genius status doesn't mean much when I've been successfully scheming another one for over 10 years. You will sign onto my company, give me your research to bolster my company's standing in the fields and do so happily… Or you'll face the same fate as that soon-to-be-deadman, Tony Stark."
Oscorp Tower...
"And this… Lewis Blake…he aided Dr. Connors in accomplishing what our top geniuses at Oscorp could not even follow through to accomplish?" A sick, bed-ridden Norman Osborn asked his son, Harry, who affirmed his answer
A pause.
"I see. I need you to befriend this Lewis Blake. Get him to partner with us. He may be the person to cure our bloodline's disease, Harry," Norman urged his son. "Do this for me. While I approve of your friend, Peter, I'd say Lewis may be an even more important person to have as a friend than him right about now."
"I will do it, father. I will," Harry Osborn resolved, his brows furrowed and scrunched together.
As Norman rested for the day, Harry made a few calls before securing a meeting with Lewis Blake, who he surprisingly found to be around his own age group. At age 19, Harry was only a year older than Lewis.
"If all goes according to plan, Father will be cured and I'll never end up as he is now — No Osborn ever will again," Harry thought aloud, hopeful. "Please, don't be an asshole, Lewis Blake. Maybe… maybe friends are a possibility for me. At least, outside of Peter, anyway."
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier...
Director Nick Fury eyed the evidence holographically showcasing itself before him.
From images of the vigilante Redline, to the beaten pulp that was the end result of his victims—to bank statements of privately wired money, to an untraceable bank account that even S.H.I.E.L.D.'s greatest hackers have yet to breach, the only evidence of the account existing are breadcrumbs, wired transfers from other accounts to this one and from this one to others. He saw an analysis of the vigilante's combat style and ruthless, sometimes lethal, efficiency.
"He's ruthless, prefers non-lethal combat but still has quite violently brutal methods of handling his targets. And he's likely super-powered if the fact that none of our sources or agents have seen a bullet pierce his skin and he has some kind of energy manipulation from what we've gather on him. He also likely has either enhanced speed or teleportation, as he leaves the scene before even choppers can locate him, possibly even trained to vanish, though that last one is just a theory, however plausible," Agent Hill relayed from behind the screen.
"We believe he is young, somewhere between 17 and 24; he was around 14-20 when he first started his crimefighting, Probably a loner with either a strong sense of justice or a love of the thrill of combat. The possibility of him being corrupt is low-neg, despite his blatant robbing of gang leaders and kingpins. The money he relieves of his crimelord victims somehow traces later on to nearby orphanages, the local community, and one or two research associations for young scientists and prodigies, investing in rising talents and intellectuals, from what we have gathered.
"In fact, one of these rising scientists are on our Passive Observation lists—one Lewis Blake, a super-genius and head of B.L.A.K.E. H.T. Industries."
The Director stayed silent for a time, his one good eye squinting through arious files and data on his screen, mentally tagging everything before him. He said nothing for a few minutes, before nodding to himself. And he spoke.
"There's a link between Redline and this Lewis Blake, I have no doubt," Fury said, eyeing the reports of the young super-genius and comparing all known data on Redline.
"They're never seen out at the same time, but when they do make appearances in public on the same days —it's always within minutes of one another. Not enough concrete for even capable minds to figure out the conjecture or make the connection, but, for me? I see enough of the pattern to conclude a highly plausible and quite possible connection between the two.
"Hill?"
"Yes, sir?" Agent Maria Hill looked up from her screen, at attendance.
"Gather all data on both the super-genius and the vigilante Redline together under one private Level 8 clearance. Codename it: Redline," Fury ordered.
"Yes, sir," Maria typed away, doing as ordered without question.
Meanwhile, Director Fury pulled up his candidates on the Avengers Initiative.
'With a literal god descending on New Mexico last year, a raging green hulking monster tearing up Brazil just 4 years earlier, and these mutants revealing their presence back in 62., perhaps I need to try harder to convince the Council of its necessity…,' the director steeled his thoughts, decision made.
Back With Lewis…
After an encouraging meeting with Harry Osborn, who Lewis hit it off spectacularly with and became instant friends, the Oscorp-B.L.A.K.E Industries collaboration was a go, with Harry and Lewis agreeing to hang out from time to time to further what Lewis was certain would be a fine brotherhood in the future.
'Green Goblin's a plague I'd rather cure away than let manifest anyway,' Lewis had thought to himself after his meeting with Harry concluded. And, as he tore up the copy of a contract presented by Stark Industries' chairman, Obedadiah, Lewis already began plotting the greedy, tactless bastard's demise, after packing the pieces of the contract into a package, labeled 'GO FUCK YOURSELF!' in bold, big and red and adding its address to STARK Tower, addressed directly to Obediah Stone, specifically.
'I'll ensure his early failure. First, I'll have to wait until Tony returns, but his demise is indefinite at the blatant disrespect he's shown me today. He didn't even send the contract in person or by secretary — The bastard mailed it to me!. I'll play the long game, though. After all, vengeance is a dish best served neither hot nor cold, but somewhere in between the two extremes,' Lewis thought to himself.
"Now, test trials for the serum Connors and I've come up with starts around the same time I'll be in space. Thankfully, my A.I. should handle everything in my absence," Lewis muttered to himself, thinking about his masterpiece — an A.I. system he named OMNIS.
OMNIS was a merged, upgraded version of three otherworldly A.I. computer systems. With Lewis' superior technopathy, he had done a deep cleanse, recoded, upgraded, and merged them into a singular, superior, almost god-like Artificial Intelligence. He made it from Skynet (the Terminator franchise), the Machine (from Person of Interest), and SHODAN (from System Shock), and transformed it into something new — Something better: OMNIS.
The greatest A.I. on Earth and in the Marvel-connected universe, at least in terms of potential. It had universal potential right now, but, with the future upgrades and tweaks Lewis intends to make with it, it'll become a multiversal system in very little time.
In the first hour, it connected with every machine on the planet, already self-aware and completely subservient to Lewis — bound to the man by soul and matter and all things technopathic.
By its third hour, it released an invisible wave of electromagnetism from Earth outwardly, reaching and breaching into all satellites in orbit and the Moon within thirty minutes. Within another hour, the wave reached the edge of the solar system, transmitting its findings to Lewis faster than the speed of light — by hundreds of times. And it went even beyond that, evermore.
"I've got to meet with Reed and Victor in the morning to prepare for the launch the day after," Lewis thought aloud. "I should sleep, if only out of concern of being in absolute tip-top shape tomorrow."
'Hopefully, nothing goes wrong on my trip,' Lewis thought, hoping something did go wrong. He loved the challenge, after all. As he smirked, he did sense a mental tug at his mind — Nothing invasive. It wasn't able to breach his mental walls, but it was more of an invitation. He did, however, realised he would not be sleeping that night.
After all, he had a mutant professor to meet with psychically.