"Ahhh!!!"
"Oh God! Please, stop."
Several people on the operating tables let out piercing screams, their bodies melting at a visible rate and turning into pools of pus and blood.
Dr. Radcliffe guiltily rubbed his chin and looked away from the clearly angered Hive. "Inhuman genetic composition is extremely complex. Complications are bound to arise."
"You promised me this would work."
"If I had suitable materials, it could work."
Hive looked at him coldly. "Are you blaming me?"
"No, no, no... Actually, yes, but it wasn't intentional.
I need the genes of a living Kree to complete the genome sequence. The genes you gave me—your blood—came from a dead host.
Handsome, but dead host. It's useless.
Great for you, but useless for this project."
"If that was the case, why are you only telling me now?"
"I wasn't sure before. I got carried away. I wanted to change the world." Radcliffe spoke emotionally, then his voice weakened. "Besides, you're so scary..."
Hive grabbed Radcliffe by the throat and lifted him up. "You are right to be afraid. I do not need you. I can kill you, then take your body, seize your brain, your memories."
"That is a terrible idea." Radcliffe struggled to breathe, his voice hoarse. "You can ask my therapist. My childhood was a mess. The swim team used to bully me all the time.
Besides, I can do it."
Hive pulled him close. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I want it to succeed. It could change the world and propel humanity into a new era.
Compared to that, all my previous achievements pale in comparison."
Hive stared deeply at him, barely convincing himself to put him down.
Then he walked over and pulled aside a sheet of canvas on the table, revealing a strange device that