Smoke and dust swirled in the ruins, and the pungent smell of burning filled the entire underground space.
"Cough... cough cough!"
Dr. Selvig crawled out of the rubble, his white coat now a gray rag, his face covered in blood.
He didn't even bother wiping it off, and scrambled toward the control panel that was still Spark.
"The readings... where are the readings? That monster... that energy source..."
His trembling fingers frantically clicked on a cracked screen.
The screen flickered a few times, then displayed a set of data that he could never understand in his entire life.
Zero? How can it be zero?
Selvig stared wide-eyed, as if he'd seen a ghost.
"That kind of energy burst just now, and now the reading is zero? Has the law of conservation of energy been eaten by a dog?"
"Because it was perfectly absorbed, Doctor."
Adrien's voice came from ahead.
Selvig looked up.
In the center of the laboratory, in the area that had just been filled with destructive energy, all the smoke was pushed away by some invisible force, forming a vacuum zone.
The woman was suspended half a meter above the ground.
The liquid golden energy that had enveloped her had cooled and solidified, transforming into a suit of armor that clung tightly to her skin.
She slowly opened her eyes.
There is no white in the eye, and no pupil.
Only two azure Flame burned in their eye sockets, then quickly subsided, transforming into a pair of human eyes that were almost too clear.
But there was no emotion in his eyes, as cold as two polar ice caps.
"My God..." A surviving assistant collapsed to the ground, his crotch soaked. "Was she a human or a ghost?"
"She is a masterpiece."
Adrien dusted off his suit and walked towards the woman through the broken glass.
There was no fear whatsoever.
"Can you hear me?" Adrien stood in front of her, waving a finger in front of her eyes. "Report your status, code name 001."
The woman moved her eyes, focusing her gaze on Adrien's face.
In that instant, Adrien felt as if he were being scanned by some higher-dimensional being.
"Hearing system normal. Energy core stable. Body functions..." The woman's voice was somewhat mechanical, with a metallic reverberation, "... at peak condition. Awaiting instructions."
Selvig joined them, his instruments beeping erratically. "This is impossible... Her cells are being recharged through photosynthesis... no, through some more advanced form of radiation absorption!"
That's right.
Adrien's lips curled slightly.
He pulled a specially made black communicator from his pocket and dialed a number known to only a very few people in the world.
The communicator was connected after only one ring.
"Explain."
A young yet authoritative voice came from the other end.
Lynn Morris, CEO of Vought International.
"Boss, the first phase of the ' God-Creation Project ' has been a success."
Adrien stared at the woman before him, his eyes blazing with fanaticism. "It has even exceeded our expectations. The Kree engine and the energy of that space Cosmic Cube have fused perfectly, and the Skrulls genes have repaired the physical damage. We have created... absolute power."
There was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.
How strong is it?
Lynn asked.
Adrien glanced at the woman, then pointed to the three-meter-thick lead explosion-proof wall on the side of the laboratory.
"001, that's an obstacle. Clear it."
The woman did not hesitate at all.
She merely turned her head slightly, and her eyes instantly turned red.
"Zzz--!"
Two crimson Heat Vision shot out.
There was no explosion sound, nor a violent shockwave.
The thick wall, strong enough to withstand the impact of a nuclear explosion, was instantly sliced open.
The cut was as smooth as a mirror, and molten metal droplets were still flowing from it.
"I think her initial strength was probably comparable to that of the Homelander."
Adrien spoke softly into the microphone.
"Very good." Lynn's voice didn't reveal much emotion, but Adrien could sense his boss's satisfaction. "Now that this weapon is complete, it's time to give it a name. On this stage, a name is just as important as power."
Please bestow a name upon me.
"Since she is the legacy of that fallen alien civilization, and since we are going to create a new mythology..." Lynn paused, "Let's call her Kara Zo-El."
" Kara Zo-El?" Adrien repeated.
"Yes, codename ' Supergirl '," Lynn continued. "I want you to fabricate a complete backstory for her, a survivor from a destroyed planet, the last child stranded on Earth. It's a cliché, but the public loves it. Tragic heroes are always more appealing than perfect villains."
"Understood." Adrien nodded. "Then what is her role?"
"Checks and balances."
Lynn's voice turned somewhat cold.
" Homelander has been too arrogant lately; he really thinks he's an irreplaceable god. I'll keep this new card hanging over his head like a sword of Damocles. If he dares to lose control, Kara Zo-El will be the one to carry it out."
Adrien glanced at the Supergirl floating in mid-air.
What a perfect killing machine.
"Furthermore, Adrien," Lynn added, "While her body is divine, I don't want her mind to be either. Strengthen mind control and implant the thought imprint."
"Don't worry, boss," Adrien smiled confidently, "I've implanted over 30,000 Logic Lock deep within her consciousness. With me, there is no betrayal, only obedience."
"Very good. Take her to the ' Deep Well ' and begin practical training. I want to see her proficient in using every skill within a week."
"Yes."
The communication was disconnected.
Adrien put away his phone and straightened his collar. He looked up at the expressionless golden creature, his eyes darting around as if admiring something that belonged to him.
"Did you hear that?" Adrien snapped his the Snap.
" Kara Zo-El."
The red light in the woman's eyes faded, and her eyes regained their breathtaking azure hue.
She landed slowly on the ground.
"Yes," she replied.
"From now on, this will be your name." Adrien, hands behind his back, turned and walked out of the lab. "Keep up. Your lessons have only just begun."
Kara followed.
Each step caused the ground to tremble slightly.
Dr. Selvig huddled in the corner, watching that figure from behind, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
"Madmen... all madmen..." he muttered to himself, "This isn't superheroes... this is the prelude to the apocalypse."
Just as the two were about to walk out the door, Adrien suddenly stopped and turned to look at Selvig in the corner.
"Doctor, clean this place up."
Adrien pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses; the reflection from the lenses obscured his eyes.
"Remember to destroy all the data you just collected. If even a single byte leaks... you'll be used as animal feed for the test subjects downstairs."
After saying that, the door slammed shut.
All that remained was a desperate Selvig and a scene of utter devastation.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean...
The CEO's office on the top floor of the Vought Tower in New York.
Lynn put down the phone, picked up Goose in her arms, and went to the window to overlook the bustling steel jungle.
" Supergirl..."