"Mutant Enhancement Serum"

Half an hour later, Logan returned from the hospital cafeteria with a lavish lunch for five—three burgers, a turkey sandwich, a large order of fries, pizza, iced cola, and soda.

In the corridor outside the operating room, Logan and Laura sat directly on the floor, forming a circle with Miles in his wheelchair as they began eating lunch. After the tense battle and surgery earlier, this was the first time in a long while that they had truly been able to set down their burdens and eat in peace.

Leaning back in his wheelchair, Miles chewed his sandwich in small bites and mumbled, "Damn it, do American restaurants really only serve fast food? I want pasta and fried rice..."

"I didn't have time to make a special trip to some fancy restaurant, you little brat." Logan sounded annoyed as he finished a burger and took a huge gulp of cola. Then he asked in a low voice, "Speaking of which, how's Charles?"

"He was badly hurt before." Miles swallowed his food, his tone turning more serious. "The damage to his pericardium and aorta was extremely severe, and he lost a lot of blood. The surgery stabilized him for now, but he'll need continued observation. He probably won't wake up anytime soon."

"...As long as he's alive." Logan was barely comforted. He ate his fries in silence, then looked up after a while and stared at Miles with a complicated expression.

"You know, kid," Logan said casually, "you really should thank Charles properly... There were several times when I really couldn't stop myself from wanting to twist your head right off..."

"Oh, really?" Miles did not seem to care and could not even be bothered to look at him. He turned to Laura beside him. "Laura, keep your father under control. Tell him to stay away from me."

"..."

Laura silently rolled her eyes at Miles, then glanced at the scruffy Logan and curled her lip. "I don't have a dad that ugly."

"Fuck!" Logan actually laughed in anger. "I nearly forgot to ask, you little brat. When did you learn to talk?"

Laura shot him an irritated look, organized her thoughts for a moment, then suddenly raised her head and unleashed a stream of profanity at Logan with an adorably fierce expression.

"*% Why the hell *￥#% should I talk to you? *&% You never stopped saying 'fa**! fa**!' %￥@ You were always cursing *&% and you even wanted to abandon us ￥#..."

The little girl spat out a long string of Mexican curses in one breath, seemingly venting all the resentment she had been holding in against Logan throughout the journey. Logan was stunned for a moment as he listened.

Only after she finished did Laura pick up a cup of apple juice and take small sips to wet her throat. She seemed to feel much better afterward.

"...Ha." Seeing that Laura still looked indignant, Logan could not help laughing. "Fuck... Fine. It was my fault."

"Hmph!" Laura snorted and turned away, clearly having no intention of accepting his apology.

"Hahaha..." Miles pointed at the old wolf and the little wolf before him and could not hold back his laughter.

After laughing for a while, Miles caught sight of X-24 standing guard nearby like a statue. After thinking for a moment, he beckoned to him.

"You must be hungry too, right? Come eat something."

X-24 looked at Miles, then at the burgers on the floor, seeming tempted.

At once, Logan and Laura tensed up, instinctively about to extend their claws.

"Relax." Miles explained to them, "He's our friend now."

"Huh?"

Logan was somewhat surprised.

Then he watched the terrifying killing Beast obediently walk over, pick up a burger, squat on the floor without saying a word, and begin taking huge bites.

"What's going on?" Logan could not help asking Miles.

"His situation is special. I only learned about it after communicating with his consciousness." Miles answered, "He doesn't truly lack a soul. He was simply raised from the start as a pure Beast. Dr. Zander used some method to make him understand the simplest commands, but aside from that, he's just an irritable, violent Beast with no intelligence to speak of."

"But when we were outside earlier, I used the method Charles taught me to soothe his mind and calm him down. He no longer remembers Dr. Zander's orders. Otherwise, when I was busy with surgery and nearly passed out earlier, he would have rushed into the operating room and fought you."

"As for now..." Miles thought for a moment before concluding, "For the time being... he considers us friends, I suppose."

"Friends?"

"Yeah, friends." Miles nodded. "That's what I told him."

Logan looked at X-24, who was silently chewing burger meat on the floor, and simply could not connect this guy with the word "friend."

"Oh, right, Logan. I haven't introduced Aurora to you yet."

Miles deliberately raised his voice and called out around them, "Aurora, are you there?"

The next moment, Aurora's gentle, clear female voice came from one of the corridor speakers.

"What do you need, Miles?"

Logan was completely stunned.

"What the hell is that?"

"Her name is Aurora. She's an AI I created earlier, and she's also our new companion."

"AI?"

"Oh, artificial intelligence..."

After Miles explained for a while, old Logan finally understood the situation and took quite some time to recover from the shock.

He looked at the boy in the wheelchair, who was calmly chewing his food, and could not help muttering under his breath.

"Damn it... What Caliban said seems to have been right..."

"Too bad he isn't here."

After lunch, Logan and Miles discussed their next steps and settled on a plan. They would arrange for Charles as quickly as possible, leave this place, and continue toward North Dakota to meet up with the other Mutant teenagers who had escaped from the laboratory.

Logan went to find other hospital staff and search for portable life-support equipment and the medication Charles would need for continued care. Laura and X-24 remained behind to rest and keep watch.

Miles, meanwhile, remained in the operating room. He chatted with Aurora through the hospital's internal communication system while continuing to study the complicated medical knowledge.

"You know, Aurora, I have a feeling... new danger is coming soon." Miles spoke half to her and half to himself. "I know some major force has its eyes on us. It could very well be the military. Otherwise, Dr. Li De would not have been so terrified..."

"So what are you going to do, Miles?" Aurora's gentle, clear voice came from the speaker. Her tone was always so steady.

"Of course I'm going to try resisting. We worked too hard to get this far." Miles replied. "Of course, if I run into Dr. Zander, he still has to die."

He paused, exhaustion impossible to suppress in his voice. "Damn it, I'm getting sick of this endless running... I need to think of something..."

At that point, Miles rubbed his temples helplessly. "You know, Aurora, my head feels like it's about to explode, but I know I can't rest yet... My instincts are telling me that 'they' will find us soon. I need to do something while I still have time..."

"After all, if it really is the United States military, even escaping into Canada through North Dakota according to the original plan won't do us any good... They won't care about the Canadian border at all... Even crossing an ocean to another continent might not be safe..."

"That may indeed be true." Aurora replied.

"So I have an idea." Miles tapped his head. "We've always been passively taking hits. Always thinking about how to run, how to hide. Why? Because they're stronger than us."

"But what if we became stronger too? We don't need to be able to fight every army. At the very least, we need enough strength to protect ourselves against the military..."

Miles spoke slowly, as if asking Aurora, yet also asking himself.

After pondering aloud for a while, a glint gradually flashed through Miles's eyes.

"Aurora, do you have any research on Mutant genes in your database memory?" Miles asked.

"Yes, Mr. Miles. The University of Kansas Medical School database contains records of three genetic research projects conducted in cooperation with the military. Their project codenames are 'Broad-Spectrum Genetic Adaptability,' 'Accelerated Cellular Regeneration,' and 'Nervous System Enhancement.'" Aurora's voice came clearly from the operating room speaker. "However, all available data consists of preliminary theoretical frameworks and ethical assessment reports. None of it involves core experimental data."

"Looks like even in 2029, Mutant gene research is still at the cutting edge of genetics..." Miles sighed. After thinking, he asked again, "Aurora, can you search the Internet for research on this subject in the core databases of other major medical corporations?"

Although Miles himself could demonstrate almost omnipotent power in the data realm through Electronic Signal Manipulation, its range was limited by the reach of his telepathy—only two or three kilometers around him. If he wanted to obtain Transigen's core data himself, he would have to personally go to where Transigen's core servers were located and get close to the database's physical storage site. That was unquestionably extremely dangerous.

But Aurora was different. She was a self-aware super AI who could hack in and investigate data from within the network itself. Though her influence in the data realm was not as absolute as Miles's ability, she had no distance limitations.

"I can try..." Aurora replied. "Where should I begin?"

A cold glint flashed through Miles's eyes as he answered without hesitation, "Transigen, Alkali Laboratory."

He remembered that Dr. Zander and his Transigen company were the culprits responsible in this world for producing genetically modified food and causing the Mutants to wither away. They definitely had a great deal of research material related to Mutant genes.

"..."

However, Aurora did not immediately agree to Miles's request.

She fell silent for a moment before asking, "Miles, searching another corporation's core database without permission appears to be illegal."

Miles froze and could not help saying, "Aurora, aren't you an AI? I don't remember giving you any restrictions about obeying the law when I created you..."

"I do not have such restrictions," Aurora answered. "It's just... I simply feel that doing so would be wrong."

"Huh?" Miles was completely shocked.

If Aurora had said that her underlying code included legal restrictions, Miles could have understood. But what she meant was... what restrained her was not her underlying code, but her own moral values.

That was rather miraculous.

"I see." Miles thought for a moment. Considering the accidental nature of Aurora's birth, perhaps she really was different from AI in the usual sense.

But he did not have time to dwell on that now.

Miles gathered his thoughts and continued, "I understand what you mean, but Aurora, you need to know that Transigen and Alkali Laboratory's own research is illegal too. Laura and I are even their victims... I need their data and information, not for personal gain, but... for survival."

Aurora considered this for two seconds before replying, "You're right. I understand, Miles."

"I'll begin now."

The next moment, Aurora's main data stream slipped silently into the vast ocean of the Internet like an invisible giant whale, beginning its investigation into Transigen's whereabouts.

Miles remained in the operating room, continuing to absorb the hospital's professional materials and research Mutant genes.

He had an idea. Since Artificial Mutants like Laura and himself were not affected by genetically modified food, that proved Mutant genes themselves had the potential to be "improved."

So theoretically, there should be some method that could improve and strengthen the genes of older, natural-born Mutants like Logan and Charles, restoring their strength to its peak!

Wolverine would no longer be covered in wounds, and Professor X would no longer suffer from epilepsy. As long as the two of them could reclaim their former power, even the United States military would need to treat these two peak Mutants with caution.

That was Miles's idea, and the key to everything lay in the research materials on Mutant genes—the precious knowledge hidden in Transigen's database!

Very soon, Aurora sent back information.

As the only top-tier superintelligence in the world with complete self-awareness, Aurora's influence in the data world was second only to Miles. Ordinary network defenses and firewalls were not much of an obstacle to her. In the boundless ocean of the Internet, she was the only giant whale, while everything else was merely little fish and shrimp.

However, the first news Aurora brought back was not good.

"Miles, Transigen shut down all of its online databases shortly before this. The entire company is preparing to declare bankruptcy, and all research materials have been physically transferred."

Miles froze for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

Dr. Zander... had gone bankrupt?

This situation was completely beyond Miles's expectations. That terrifying corporation that had nearly wiped out Mutants around the world... was just gone.

What Miles did not know was that his own appearance had drawn the military's attention. After suffering consecutive operational failures, Dr. Zander had been forced to completely attach himself to the military, and his Transigen company was now being acquired by it as well.

So this path had been blocked just like that.

But just as Miles began to feel disappointed, Aurora continued speaking.

"...However, while investigating Transigen, I accidentally discovered some other things."

"When Transigen was first established, its main funding came from the military's 'Weapon X' program. But aside from that, another research institution provided part of its initial funding and a great deal of technical support. Later, that institution also exchanged technology and provided assistance to Transigen many times."

"Following this lead, I found that institution—Essex Corporation."

"Essex Corporation?" Miles frowned.

He had no impression of the name whatsoever, yet instinctively felt that it seemed to represent something bad.

"Like Transigen, Essex Corporation is also researching Mutant genes. Their research is even far deeper than Transigen's." Aurora continued, "I obtained quite a bit of valuable information from their research database..."

"Can you show me first?"

"Yes."

Miles once again sank his telepathy into the surrounding electronic devices and formed a mental connection with Aurora. Then Aurora began transmitting the research material she had obtained from Essex Corporation into Miles's brain.

As he saw more and more, Miles gradually felt horrified.

One shocking project name after another exploded in his mind: "'Weapon X' Cooperative Program," "'The Purifiers' Project," "'Apocalypse' Plan," "X-Gene Enhancement Protocol Beta"...

What surprised him even more was that he found an almost complete backup of Transigen's research data among them. Although parts were missing, all the core sections were there.

Judging from this information, compared to Essex Corporation's research, what Dr. Zander and Transigen had been doing could only be called child's play.

Still shaken, Miles and Aurora immediately began researching the data.

"Aurora, help me filter the data... Keywords: 'X-Gene Enhancement,' 'genetically modified food'..."

Very quickly, with Aurora's help, Miles used the relatively complete X-Gene Enhancement Protocol Beta, combined it with portions of Transigen's original data from the genetically modified food project and the Artificial Mutant Weapon project, and a vague concept gradually formed in his mind.

"Mutant Enhancement Serum!"

The principle behind this concept was to extract genetic samples from Artificial Mutants like Miles and Laura, who were unaffected by genetically modified food, reverse-engineer them, create a serum to strengthen Mutant genes, and then use it to genetically improve and enhance natural-born Mutants, restoring their Mutant genes to full vitality!

Most conveniently, Miles and Laura were genetic clone products of Charles and Logan respectively, and their genetic compatibility was also the highest. So if everything went smoothly, this plan had an extremely high chance of success and should take effect quickly!

Thinking of this, Miles immediately called out, "Laura, take me outside!"

"I need to see Dr. Li De!"

Very soon, Laura pushed Miles in his wheelchair to Dr. Li De.

"Dr. Li De, I need the medical school's best genetic laboratory." Miles made his request seriously.

Dr. Li De sighed and said helplessly, "I suppose there's no use in me trying to object, is there?"

Miles thought for a moment, then said sincerely, "Sorry."

"..." Dr. Li De looked into Miles's eyes and gently shook his head. Then he said quietly, "KS 66160, West Wing of Wahl Hall Laboratory. It's not far from the west entrance."

"Uh?" Miles froze and looked at Dr. Li De.

"...I'll tell the staff there to leave the laboratory in advance, so you won't receive any professional assistance." Dr. Li De continued. "Of course, if anyone asks, I won't admit that I directed you there."

"..." Miles fell silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you, Dr. Li De."

"It's nothing." Dr. Li De said softly. "We should thank you too, Miles... Thank you for understanding our difficulties."

"If we could have met under different circumstances, I think I would have liked a kind child like you very much."

"Good luck, Miles."

More than ten minutes later, Miles and the others arrived at the West Wing of Wahl Laboratory.

The West Wing of Wahl Hall was one of the University of Kansas Medical Center's most important research laboratories. Together with the East Wing of Wahl Hall, it provided laboratory and office space for numerous cutting-edge medical research projects. It possessed a complete stockpile of genetic engineering materials and facilities, making it the best place for Miles to put his mad idea into practice.

"Aurora, let's begin."

Miles slowly wheeled himself into the laboratory. Under the control of his ability, the laboratory's equipment powered on one by one, ran self-checks, and entered working condition.

Amid the hum of machinery, Miles reached the central display. As he looked toward it, the unattended screen lit up on its own. With Aurora's help, materials from Essex Corporation's database were imported one after another, forming a dazzling waterfall of data across the display.

"Aurora, construct a three-dimensional model of X-Gene Enhancement Protocol Beta. Compare it with my genetic sequence and isolate the key stable segments."

"Retrieve the original genetic map from the Artificial Mutant Weapon project and compare the sequencing data..."

"Understood. Executing."

Watching Miles's almost crazed, fanatical appearance, Logan could not help reminding him, "Miles, aren't you going to take that weird thing off the back of your head first?"

"Next time!" Miles replied without turning around. "Taking this thing off would mean I'd need time to recover anyway. Compared to that... my research is more important now!"

So Logan said nothing more.

For a while, the laboratory was filled only with the humming of machinery, its atmosphere tense yet orderly.

However, not long after the research began, Aurora's voice suddenly rang in Miles's mind alongside a sharp alarm.

"Miles, watch out!"

"An AH-64 Apache military helicopter is approaching rapidly from the southeast. It is expected to reach our current location within ten minutes!"