Hello all, I am very sorry for not updating the story for such a long time. I am still working on it and I hope to have two chapters coming out every month going forward.
Chapter 8: Zuion
"Zuion," Wade says looking down at a crude illustration in an old book. "This person has appeared throughout history going by different names, but his powers have always been the same and very similar to mine. Could he really be the same man or is the Soulforge a power that appears every so often? No I don't think that's it," he sits down and leans back in his chair and rubs his eyes.
"Wade you in here?" Casandra asks peeking into the room and walks in with a coffee cup in her hand when she sees him. "Are you okay?" she places the cup down in front of him.
"Yeah I'm fine. I just been wracking my brain over this for a while now. I guess I need to take a break and get some sleep," Wade says with a smile before leaving the room and going to his room to sleep.
**The next morning**
Wade is patrolling New York as Crimson Knight before heading into Prometheus to work on an expansion plan in the Genetics Division. The morning is very and mostly uneventful, just an attempted mugging that was easily dealt with. As Wade enters Prometheus headquarters he sees Jacob Hashinger, the lead on a new genetics project that could cure dozens of autoimmune diseases. Jacob has been with the company since its start and predates the large expansions that started relatively recently.
"Oh Mr. Clemons, it's nice to see you this morning," Jacob in a respectful tone and a large smile.
"Jacob, please call me Wade. Why don't we head up to my office and we can discuss your proposal," Wade advises and beckons Jacob to the elevator and he follows slowly.
The elevator quickly makes it to the top floor with no stops. The entire floor is for Wade, Cassandra, his father, and their assistants. Wade and Jacob walk to Wade's office where his assistant greets them.
The woman with white hair and green skin stands up and greets them. "Hello Mr. Clemons, I'll make you both a cup of coffee and bring it in when it is finished," the woman says respectfully. Seeing mutants working at Prometheus is not a rare sight at all and most employees are used to it, but some guests are not as use to it. Fortunately, most of the devices Prometheus develops are far too valuable to scare off business and customers because they are "mutant lovers." It does cause issues and boycotts have happened but never lasted too long.
Wade and Jacob sit down in his office and Jacob takes out a stack of files from his briefcase. "Mr…Wade, I think we have discovered a way to rewrite the immune response for autoimmune diseases. For example, someone who's immune response is no longer identifying an infection as an infection this treatment would be tailored to their circumstances and work to reboot their immune system. Kind of like restoring your computer to factory specifications or to an earlier state when it was working properly. This treatment would not be a permanent change to the subject's genetic structure and would require continued treatment for about a year before the body adapts to the corrected immune response," Jacob explains with increasing excitement pointing to graphs and diagrams spread out of the desk.
The door opens and Wade's assistant walks in with two cups of coffee and places them on the desk before quietly walking out. Wade smiles softly as Jacob explains his findings. "Jacob, you have put this much work into this already? I'm impressed. Of course we will fully fund the project after I look over your findings." Wade says with a large smile.
"Really? Oh thank you so much!" Jacob exclaims excitedly clumsily packing up his files and leaving the room.
"Sir, your next appointment is here. Do you want me to send him in?" a voice comes from his phone speaker.
"Yes, please send him in," Wade says pushing a button on his phone.
A well-dressed man with blonde hair walks in and walks over to the window and looks out. "You have a very beautiful view from here Wade." The man says.
"Yes I do enjoy it," Wade says and walks over to him and looks out the window as well. "So from my understanding you are looking for someone to buy research data?"
"No, I just knew if I made an enticing offer you would talk to me in person. Your Soulforge is quiet impressive for someone so young. I was in my forties before I could control it as well as you do." The man says with a smile.
Wade's expression changes completely. "Who are you?" Wade asks bluntly with anger in his voice.
"Oh, is that how a hero talks in this age? I've had thousands of names over the years, Zuion is my birth name." Zuion tells him.
"You were the one that told the Facility how to neutralize my powers. What do you want?" Wade asks sternly.
"That's simple. You have a Soulforge and I can't allow you or anyone else with one to live. You are the second person I have ever met with a Soulforge. I can't let someone else have access to this kind of power." Zuion says and a lance appears in his hand.
"So the Facility couldn't kill me so you are going to try? Sounds like you are just a coward that operates from the shadows. Well…." Wade is interrupted by the door opening and his assistant walks in.
"Sir…I was bringing coffee for your guest…" She says and notices the spear. "Is everything okay?"
"Poor timing child. Now I have to kill both of you." Zuion says and points the spear's tip at her.
The assistant drops the coffee cup and sends a green energy blast at Zuion carrying him out the window and leaving him falling to the ground. "Sir are you okay?" she says rushing over to Wade.
"Yes Kelly, thank you very much. You really saved me," Wade says with a smile.
"How did he get a weapon up here?" Kelly asks.
"I have no idea, but I doubt that killed him. Can you clear my schedule for the next few days? I am going to take some personal time." Wade tells her.
"Of course sir," Kelly says and starts walking out.
"Kelly. You just earned a large bonus on your next paycheck. Say $2,000 as a personal thank you." Wade says and looks out the broken window.