Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter or the X-Men, nor the rest of Marvel.
Chapter 2: Preparation
Windsor stared at the computer readout connected to the boy. "Magnificent… a successful integration… While the genetic bonding is incomplete, it is connected, and will have no more complications."
"So, we can continue with a better mutation?" Malcolm queried.
"Patience, Director," Windsor replied. "We must first test the success of the integration. Only then can we discuss our plans for the asset."
X
"The date is September 12th, 1984. Test series 1-Ajax, Session 1," Windsor intoned into his recorder, standing over the passive boy before him. He was no longer malnourished, but still sickly and small. "Test subject designated Weapon M. Series intended to test the success of the integration of the Pain Nullification X-Gene into the subject's genetic structure." He withdrew a small needle. "Session 1 will revolve around small pinpricks into the flesh of the subject."
Weapon M grabbed the needle with shaking hands, holding it above his flesh. He looked up at the doctor, fear in his eyes. Seeing no softening in the older man's expression, he slowly slid the needle into his skin.
Windsor smiled. "Test results: subject does not appear to feel pain upon entry. Test appears to be a success.
X
"The data is October 20th, 1984. Test series 1-Ajax, Session 14," Windsor said, rubbing his chin as he looked at the boy. The boy was still passive, even more so than before, seemingly resigned to his fate. It probably helped that he was starting to realise that he had nothing to fear from pain any more. "Testing to this point has been limited to needles and small knives. Today's session will move onto larger bladed implements." He pulled out a blade, modelled after those of Weapon X, fused to a hilt.
Weapon M looked at the blade for a moment before picking it up, pressing it up to the flesh along his bicep. He looked up at Windsor for confirmation. He received a single, sharp nod.
The boy hesitated for only a moment before carving a long gash in his arm, his only reaction to shiver as the cold metal met his flesh.
Windsor's thin smile widened. "Test results: subject does not appear to have a limit to his Pain Nullification."
X
"The date is November 6th, 1984. Test series 1-Ajax, Session 23," Windsor said, leaning over the desk. The Weapon showed little reaction to his surroundings, reacting almost robotically to his orders, as the Program had hoped would happen. "Testing to this point has been successful. Session 23 will attempt to test the limits of the Pain Nullification X-Gene, through a conscious vivisection."
Upon his direction, Weapon M leant back in the surgical chair, strapping a belt around his forehead, below where a marker was drawn across.
Windsor had long since relieved himself of his morals; his hands were as precise as ever, slicing an opening across the Weapon's forehead, peeling back the skin and muscles to reveal the exposed brain. "No reaction to vivisection. Next stage must be swift, lest we ruin the brain of the subject. Non-maiming injuries shall be delivered to the subject's pain centre."
He brushed softly against the centre, and the boy gave a twitch. Windsor frowned, and prodded it softly. A gasp. A slightly harder prod, and the boy let out a scream. Windsor sighed, sealing the skin back up. "Session 23 is a success. Limits have been found. Pain is still registered within the brain, with lower pain tolerance, but total nullification elsewhere. Test series 1-Ajax has now been completed, and is a moderate success. Continuation of the Weapon M project subject to review of the Test series."
X
"I think we can agree that this has been a grand success," Malcolm smiled.
"This is barbaric," Sarah growled. "But I know that won't stop you."
"Correct, Dr. Kinney," Windsor replied coolly. "So, am I to presume that the Weapon M program has been greenlighted?"
"Yes, yes," Malcolm nodded. "I suggest the integration of Xavier's gene - telepathy would be a formidable weapon."
"Indeed it would," Windsor agreed. "But we must scale the enhancements. His pain centre is still active - the enhancements will still cause unimaginable agony. We must adjust with lesser enhancements to make way for the greater."
"So the Weapon still has a chance of failing?" Ajax asked. "I think it would be better to take him through the Weapon IX Program instead."
"And risk another Deadpool?" Malcolm scoffed. "No, your little failure was limited, and has too high a risk. No, we should continue the Weapon M Program."
"If I may make a suggestion?" Windsor said mildly. "Perhaps we should be looking into the Weapon I Program."
"Windsor," Malcolm sighed. "We only know the formula of the Super Soldier Serum, and not the Erskine Serum designed to stabilise it. It is no longer a viable Program."
"I believe that the Erskine Serum will be… unnecessary," Windsor said. "His mutation will likely allow him to reap the benefits with little to know risk to his health."
Malcolm frowned. "How likely?"
"I'd say… 73%," Windsor replied.
"You'd risk the life of a child on such slim odds?" Sarah blurted out. "Director, please tell me you aren't considering this!"
"Silence, Dr. Kinney. He is no child - he is an asset, a Weapon. It would do you well to consider him as such," Ajax growled.
Malcolm rubbed his chin, looking at Windsor. "What benefits would this serum give that we couldn't produce with other mutations?"
"It will raise his baseline to superhuman levels, levels which will scale with similar mutations," Windsor replied. "If he were mature, and with sufficient training, he would likely be equal to the Winter Soldier."
"The Red Room's attack dog," Malcolm scoffed. "That power comes from training, not modification."
Windsor didn't seem to agree, but didn't push the issue. "This is without further mutations, Director, which we will surely add. In fact, the Serum will likely aid in integration, and is available with far less strain on our resources. The boy as he is is sickly, small, and will struggle to survive some of the greater integrations."
"Yes, yes," Malcolm. "That does sound promising. Plus, we haven't put so much into the Program for a failure to be disastrous. Yes, you have my permission to go forward with this."
Windsor quirked a thin smile, and retreated from the room.
X
"The date is November 14th, 1984. Test Series 2-Soldier, Session 1," Windsor recorded. "This is a continuation of the Weapon M program. The Weapon is physically imperfect, and needs enhancement to further the Program. Accepted solution is the introduction of the Super Soldier Serum."
The Weapon nodded, pinning the needles into their required spots. If Windsor had had any morals left, he may have been disturbed, seeing such a young child reacting so passively to the horrors he was to experience. Nonetheless, Windsor did not have anything so irritating as morals, and merely watched on with keen interest.
He twisted a vial into the end of the tube connected to the needles, releasing it with a pneumatic hiss. "Serum has been added to the bloodstream." The golden liquid crept through the transparent tubes, seeping into the Weapons body. "Time - 1 second. No reaction."
He waited a moment, before the Weapon began to shiver. "Time - 5 seconds. Subject's temperature has risen; fever."
The Weapon began to twitch, letting out a scream muffled by his mouthguard. "Time - 10 seconds. Subject is experiencing severe agony,"
The Weapon shook far more violently, thrashing in place. "Time - 15 seconds. Pain seems to be increasing."
Windsor frowned as the Weapon gave a final lurch, before falling still, eyes rolling back as foam began to seep from his mouth. "Shit," he swore. "Time - 20 seconds. Subject has gone into cardiac arrest."
He frantically fiddled with the equipment, trying to sustain the subject, before a ringing alarm ran out. He sighed, hanging his head. "Time - 30 seconds. Subject's brain patterns have ceased. Weapon M program to be halted indefinitely."
He stood up, pausing the recording, starting to walk away. As he went to open the door, however, the Weapon lurched once more, brain waves registering. Restarting his recording, Windsor rushed back to his station. "Time - 1 minute. Subject has been resuscitated." He looked over the subject. "Process seems to have begun, with lesser, but still severe, pain to the subject." He tapped out an equation on his computer, before speaking again. "Estimated time of completion - 48 hours." He wiped the sweat off of his brow. "Test appears to be a success."
X
"The date is November 17th, 1984. Test Series 2-Soldier, Session 2," Windsor intoned. "Serum integration has been successful. Within the first four hours, the Weapons body went from inferior to average. Within the next 37 hours, bone density has tripled, metabolic rate has doubled twice over, and muscle mass has increased tenfold. Further growth expected as the subject grows, based on observations of Weapon I and Weapon Ib. Result is satisfactory." He looked over to the stoic Weapon sitting before him, looking fitter than any boy his age should, yet not looking deformed or as if he had prematurely taken steroids. "Testing today shall focus on physical strength."
Windsor looked up at the Weapon, nodding sharply.
The Weapon stood to attention, moving over to a spot under an industrial piston resting against the floor, currently with a resistance force of one ton. The Weapon hooked his fingers in the grooves around the edge of the machine, easily pushing the block of metal up, holding it above his head.
"Subject easily capable of lifting a single ton," Windsor noted. "Double up."
A hiss emanated from the piston, and the Weapon's arms trembled for a moment, before he readjusted his grip, remaining at ease.
"Two tons is similarly simple," Windsor continued. "As expected. Increase to five tons."
A sharp hiss sounded, and the Weapon was forced to shift his stance slightly.
"Five tons is still possible, but the strain is starting to show," Windsor reported. "Increase to ten tons."
Another hiss, and the weapon was now clearly shaking, straining against the weight.
"Ten tons appears to be the maximum," Windsor stated. "Increase by one to check."
Windsor was correct, and the Weapon was forced to shift from beneath the piston, allowing it to slam into the ground behind him.
Windsor nodded in satisfaction. "Testing successful, with a current maximum weight of ten tons. Precedence suggests an eventual maximum of forty tons."
X
"The date is November 31st, 1984. Test Series 2-Soldier, Session 3," Windsor said. He wasn't in the lab today, instead sitting in a viewing room above the training centre, where the Weapon was standing. "Today we shall test Weapon M's physical resistance. The subject will be struck by a piston at multiple speeds in order to test critical points. "Begin testing."
The initial tests were remarkable, with strikes of up to five tons having little effect, and the same for up to ten if he braced himself. Up to fifteen tons, he merely skidded across the ground, and at twenty-five tons, he was sent sprawling, but uninjured. It wasn't until he was struck by a collision of thirty-five tons that a bone was broken, much to his satisfaction.
Windsor smirked as he saw the Program medic enter, reducing the recovery period. "Testing reveals the comfortable resistance up to ten tons, and a current limit of thirty-five tons. Projections suggest a future increase to forty tons and seventy tons. The Serum has enhanced the Weapon's body satisfactorily.."
X
"The date is December 15th, 1984. Test Series 2-Soldier, Additional Session," Windsor said, reclining. "Today's session is used only to check our predictions on the Weapon's speed, and has no result on the future of the program."
On his command, the Weapon broke into a sprint, racing round and round the training centre.
By the half hour mark, Windsor was satisfied. "Weapon's maximum speed is, as expected, 30 miles per hour, with little loss in traction when turning. Projections suggest a future maximum speed of 60. Test Series 2 has now been completed, and is an astounding success. Next steps to be reviewed."
X
"A toast, Windsor, to a successful recommendation, and a raise," Malcolm grinned, tossing back a shot of vodka.
"Thank you, Director," he smiled thinly, savouring his own shot.
"At least this way, he might survive what you put him through," Sarah grumbled, but was promptly ignored.
"So, Windsor, I believe I would be wise to leave this in your hands going forward: any recommendations for the next enhancement?"
"A couple," Windsor thought. "Sebastian Shaw's mutation would help boost his physical prowess further, but Kurt Wagner's might be better in our designs for a covert weapon."
"Hmm," Malcolm nodded. "Well, use your digression."
"May I make a suggestion?" Ajax asked. After receiving a nod, he continued. "The Weapon is clearly powerful, but is untrained. As he is now, he is of no use in the field, and we are only investing in the future. If we were to delay further enhancement, and instead focus on training him, perhaps with specialist trainers, then we can put him to use while improving him further."
"Yes, yes, that's a good idea," Malcolm nodded.
"You'd put a four-year-old child into the field?" Sarah gasped in disgust.
"Weapon, Dr Kinney, not child," Malcolm chided. "Do you have any trainers in mind, Ajax?"
"Director!" Windsor protested. "The Weapon is not ready yet!"
"Nonsense, Windsor," Malcolm scoffed. "He is already superior to most super soldiers. You will have your fun with him soon enough. Now, Ajax, do you have any suggestions?"
"I do," Ajax nodded. "If all else fails, we can always summon Weapon XI, but I have a few that I think might work better. We can approach the Red Room, for instance, and hire the Winter Soldier."
"Absolutely not!" Malcolm spat. "I will not have anything to do with those Commie bastards!"
"Ah, well," Ajax shrugged. "I suppose that HYDRA and the Brotherhood are out, too?"
"Definitely," Malcolm hissed. "I will not deal with fascists and terrorists. Stick with mercenaries."
"As you wish," Ajax replied. "That was my second plan, anyway."
"Oh," Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "And who are you thinking of approaching?"
"A mutant, actually," Ajax replied. "One with a very particular skill set."
"We are not approaching Weapon IX," Windsor growled.
"No," Ajax scoffed. "I was thinking of Anthony Masters."
"Intriguing," Malcolm said softly. "Go ahead, Ajax. I eagerly await the product of your proposal."
A/N: So how was that? And how did you find the style?
I hope you enjoy this format of testing, because this will form a large chunk of the first arc (nicknamed the Weapon arc by yours truly), and I thought it was quite unique.
Also, I've decided to delve into wider Marvel a bit more. While this is definitely an X-Men fic, there will be others who show up in the story. Just more will be mutants than not :P
New characters:
Sebastian Shaw - A member of the Hellfire Club, a mutant elitist club. His mutation allows him to store and use kinetic energy. There is a limit, however, to his capacity.
Kurt Wagner - aka Nightcrawler, an X-Man. His mutation gave him an inhuman form since birth, and allows line of sight teleportation through bursts of brimstone fog.
Anthony Masters - aka Taskmaster, a mercenary. A master swordsman, Taskmaster possesses photographic muscle memory, allowing him to perfectly mimic anything he has watched someone do. The amount of time he has to watch is dependant on how difficult the skill is. In the comics, he is not stated to be a mutant, and his power's origins are unknown. For the plot's sake, I have decided to make him a mutant in this fic.
Hope that helps.
Do not worry, I won't be making Harry to powerful - there will be an upcoming plot point both limiting this and starting the end of the first arc. That's when the good stuff happens, *SPOILER* with Harry's arrival at Hogwarts *SPOILER*. So, look forward to that!
Please show your support through favourites, follows and reviews (which I have had my most successful first chapter yet - yay!), and perhaps check out my other fics. If any of my discontinued ones get enough support, I may think about continuing them.
Till next time, this is JaguarAJG signing off.
