Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

After opening the iron door, a room simulating a tropical rainforest climate appeared.

Surrounding the area were various plants and trees, and at the very center lay a vast sea of red flowers.

The red blossoms were in full bloom, with flower cores the size of fists, and their petals, when fully opened, roughly the size of a basin.

Though vibrant, the flowers didn't seem excessively beautiful, appearing rather ordinary instead.

These were the legendary "Solar Step Flowers", extraordinary plants capable of bypassing cell walls and altering genetic structures.

After observing them for a while, Adam plucked a few of these "Solar Step Flowers" and left the laboratory.

He intended to experiment with the fusion of the progenitor virus and X-gene using these flowers, hoping to create an even stronger viral strain.

.........

Three days later, at noon~

At the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters in New York, Maria sat in her office with a disheartened expression. Sitting across from her was Nick Fury, who should have been retired.

"What's the matter? Even in retirement, I'm not allowed to rest?"

Hearing this, Maria gave an apologetic smile and handed him a stack of documents.

"We suspect the mutated zombie was captured by the Umbrella Corporation."

Nick glanced at the documents and said indifferently, "Doesn't matter who caught it. As long as they can prevent a zombie crisis, that's fine.

You made me come all this way just to tell me this?"

"No, it's about Polaris. Four days ago, she left S.H.I.E.L.D. with Magneto and a group of mutant followers. They're now in Iraq, plotting something.

With so many mutants gathering together, I'm worried about potential trouble."

"Did they pay back the money?"

Maria froze for a moment at the abrupt mention of money.

"Not yet."

"Then issue a warrant for Polaris and Magneto."

"For money?"

"Yes. We can't interfere in mutant affairs lightly, but using unpaid debts as an excuse gives us a reason."

"Hmm…"

Seeing Maria's continued low spirits, Nick shook his head.

"Alright, out with it. Why did you really call me?"

"Can I trust you?"

Hearing this, Nick's remaining eye narrowed.

"You feel it too?"

"Yes. There seems to be an external force infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. Four days ago, we could've received the mutant zombie intel much earlier…"

Nick sat back in his chair, silent for a long moment before finally speaking.

"In fact, I stepped down as director to secretly investigate this force."

"Do you have any leads?"

"No. They're very well hidden. Several of my men died without a trace, yet we've found no clues."

"How is that possible? People died, but no evidence of the killers?"

"On the contrary. The killers were caught on the spot but turned out to be homeless people and sanitation workers.

Later, they claimed to have no memory of the incidents. I suspect they were under some form of mental control."

"You mean like Charles?"

"Something like that, but slightly different. I'm not sure what their methods are—it's too mysterious."

At this, both fell into silence.

After a while, the door was knocked.

"Knock knock…"

"Come in."

Natasha walked in.

"Director, Polaris has just issued a declaration of mutant independence."

"?"

Maria and Nick were both stunned.

........

An hour earlier~

Lorna, along with a group of mutants, had taken over a TV station in Baghdad.

Dressed in a green leather bodysuit, she sat coldly in front of the camera.

"On behalf of the Brotherhood, I hereby declare to all mutants and ordinary humans the [Mutant Declaration of Independence]!

We mutants are also inhabitants of this planet. Our abilities are gifts from the heavens, and no one can strip us of our rights or discriminate against us.

We will establish a nation for mutants here in Baghdad, providing equality and freedom for all mutants!

The Brotherhood welcomes mutants from around the globe. Here, there will be no registration acts or unwarranted interrogations.

We will…"

......

After watching the video, Maria and Nick fell silent again.

What they initially thought was a minor issue involving Polaris had now snowballed into major global news.

Maria finally broke the silence. "What's the U.S.'s stance?"

"The State Department immediately condemned the declaration, stating that any attempt to split Iraq is unacceptable. They plan to deploy Sentinel robots and troops to quash this madness."

"What about other countries? How are they reacting?"

"France and Britain have echoed the U.S., rejecting separatism.

Meanwhile, Russia expressed support but emphasized that independence must not infringe on human rights."

"And what about China and Japan?"

"No comment yet. They're likely still deliberating internally."

After assessing each nation's position, Maria turned to Nick.

"What should we do now?"

Nick lowered his head, deep in thought, before finally speaking.

"Maybe we can use this opportunity to flush out the hidden hand in S.H.I.E.L.D."

"How?"

Nick looked at Natasha.

"First, we need to understand their motives before we can form a plan.

Natasha, go to Baghdad and make contact with Polaris. Don't say anything, just catch up like old friends.

Maria, quietly spread a rumor that Natasha is disillusioned with my removal and planning to defect.

Then we'll see who tries to approach her."

"Understood."

........

In Baghdad, nighttime due to the time difference~

The once relatively peaceful city was now engulfed in flames.

Rift zombies rampaged through the streets, tearing into civilians.

Screams and death dominated the night.

On the rooftop of a five-star hotel, Lorna stood with a group of controlled mutant zombies, coldly observing the blood-soaked chaos below.

She had ordered her zombies to spread the rift infection, but the situation seemed to be spiraling out of control.

Her original plan was for her mutant zombies to infect a wave of regular zombies, using them to dominate the city.

However, she discovered that her zombies could only control dozens, perhaps hundreds, at most—far fewer than the tens of thousands commanded by the mutant zombie.

Where had things gone wrong?

Was it because her zombies weren't strong enough?

Yet she had already ordered them to feast freely, and each zombie had gorged itself.

While their strength had indeed grown, it was nowhere near as terrifying as that of the mutant zombie.

Could it be a matter of time?

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