Stryker's expression remained unchanged. He knew these vulture-like capitalists would not seek him out without reason. They had to want something.
The cold-blooded soldier gave a slight nod, signaling his agreement with Marcus. His lifelong wish was to send those Mutants hidden within human society onto the dissecting table one by one, letting them end their filthy lives amid wails and pain.
"Worthington can offer you help, Colonel," Marcus said, casting out the bait once he felt the time was right.
The laboratory needed more data on Mutants for matching, comparison, and screening, but making that request outright would undoubtedly earn Stryker's refusal. Those vital core records represented the work of his entire life. Without paying an enormous price, how could they possibly get their hands on them?
Stryker smiled faintly. He had nothing to ask of Worthington, and when dealing with a predatory financial conglomerate like this, the benefits never ended up in his hands.
His mentor, Bolivar Trask, had not only been a scientist with visionary ideas, but also a shrewd and sophisticated businessman. He founded Trask Industries and had maintained close ties with government departments since the Nixon administration, earning his first fortune through political investments and illegal mergers.
Later, while studying the secrets of human DNA, Trask discovered the X-Gene contained within Mutants. He used it to propose to the government the creation of military weapons to exterminate Mutants, preventing humanity from being wiped out by Mutants who had advanced further along the path of evolution, just as the Neanderthals had been.
Unfortunately, when the Watergate Scandal erupted and Nixon, whom he had relied upon, fell from power, the brilliant scientist with considerable political skill and ambition was implicated as well. He was branded a political criminal and thrown into a lightless prison.
Stryker seized the