Chapter 130: The Lurker in the Shadows

"Kahn, are you back?"

"What is it, Karl?"

Kahn was surprised. He hadn't been in touch with his high school friend for a long time; their last communication had been via email. He, Karl, and Connor had established a securities firm and a private equity fund together. It had been quite profitable, and thanks to his knowledge of historical trends, he had made a significant amount of money.

They were gradually making a name for themselves on Wall Street, and some people were now looking to buy into their private equity fund.

"I've been keeping your game progress saved for you, though I know you've been busy lately—you've even had someone else attend your university classes for you. It's a real shame you didn't go, though; there were so many beautiful..."

Karl remained the familiar chatterbox he had always been. If no one stopped him, he could talk his way from game levels to the Gulf War, and somehow make it all sound connected.

Kahn quickly interjected, "Karl, get to the point. Keep the save files for me; I'll definitely finish the game with you next time."

"Alright, alright. It’s about the banquet hosted by the President. Connor and I received invitations, but Connor said they aren't interested in us. The person they actually wanted to invite is you."

Though Karl was prone to rambling, he listened to Kahn. He quickly got to the reason for his call.

Kahn replied casually, "A banquet? Is it about the Middle East theater? I’ve already received an invitation. I’ll be there, though I’ll be attending as a representative of my pharmaceutical company. Who invited you?"

"Just those guys from Wall Street. I heard they’re quite interested in pharmaceutical companies. They’ve probably set their sights on you. Connor told me to warn you to be careful around them."

Karl told him everything he knew. He was no longer just an ordinary student; he was a shareholder of a securities firm and a manager of a private equity fund, though he generally followed Kahn's lead.

"It seems the breakup of Oscorp has something to do with them. Since Osborn didn't provide the products they wanted, they must have started digging into your affairs."

Kahn clicked his tongue and said, "I understand. We’ll talk at the banquet."

With that, he ended the call with Karl.

Oscorp. It was a group that had started with military backing. It had developed well in armaments initially, but then Oscorp had insisted on taking on the military’s human enhancement project.

Kahn remembered Ross saying that many people in the military were preparing for the Super Soldier project, with various factions vying to control their own squad of super soldiers.

Captain America’s performance had already proven that super soldiers would shine on future battlefields, and the military had its own channels for understanding the efficiency of super soldiers in completing missions.

In fact, more than one biomedical company was conducting research in this area, but Kahn had intercepted the Extremis virus and was the first to make a breakthrough.

The Extremis serum had allowed Thaddeus Ross to achieve success first, which likely gave Ross’s faction a significant voice in the military—much like those who had worked with Erskine and Howard in the past.

The military gained victory and power, Howard gained massive orders, and everyone benefited.

Kahn thought for a moment, but the intelligence was too scarce. He felt he needed Betty by his side.

He didn't know much about the behind-the-scenes machinations of these people. Betty might know something; although she hadn't been in touch with her father for a long time, she had recently had quite a bit of contact with the military, and given her status, she should be aware of a few things.

After returning home, Kahn contacted Betty. She needed another day, but she would definitely make it back in time.

...

Washington International Airport.

After half a month of negotiations, Betty Ross had finally concluded talks with the financiers behind the Eugene Biological Laboratory. It was a significant breakthrough, and they would now be able to get a piece of the action.

"Ms. Betty, over here!"

As soon as Betty Ross exited the airport, she saw a young man in a suit standing at the exit calling out to her.

"Why are you here? I thought you were waiting for me at the hotel."

Betty smiled happily and walked over to Kahn. The two bodyguards behind her followed closely; both were elites trained by Umbrella, bearing chakra curse marks on their bodies.

If the super soldier serum were perfected, these men would be the first to benefit. As for the side effects of the serum, others might have to worry, but those affected by the chakra curse marks did not.

If the side effect of the serum was to amplify the good and evil in one's heart, then Kahn’s subordinates would only become more loyal, as recognition and allegiance were their deepest instincts.

"You two head back to New York. Consider this a vacation for now; I'll contact you after Betty returns."

Kahn told Betty Ross’s two bodyguards. During his time in Washington, he was the only bodyguard she needed; he could handle everything, even at night.

After dismissing the bodyguards, Betty got straight into Kahn's car.

"I need a gown. Tomorrow might not be as simple as you think. You probably can't imagine their intentions; it’s not just about showing off merit..."

Kahn looked at Betty’s attire and said, "I’ve already ordered a set for you, but I think you look better in what you're wearing now. It’s very sexy."

Betty Ross rolled her eyes at this, then asked, "Did you even read the documents I left for you?"

"To be precise, I didn't have time. I’ve only been back for a day."

"Where have you been? You can still lose contact for so many days in the 21st century? Did you take a spaceship to another civilization?"

Betty Ross had always wanted Kahn to at least stay in touch via phone or video, rather than disappearing for periods of time with no news. But that was difficult for Kahn to do—or rather, impossible, unless Betty also had a system.

"Father suddenly ordered another batch of Extremis virus serum. This is definitely not for backup or research. The most likely reason is that they need more super soldiers."

Betty got down to business, quickly leaking information from her father's side: "There’s no need for the super soldier squad to expand this quickly. This batch of serum is outside the plan, and Father is... afraid."

"Afraid?"

Kahn asked, puzzled. What could possibly scare a general—a general who managed a squad of super soldiers? Just yesterday, his conversation with Thaddeus Ross had been perfectly normal, yet his daughter was saying he was afraid.

"Surely no one in that hellhole of the Middle East could threaten a super soldier squad?"

Betty shook her head. "Aside from that, I can't imagine why the squad would suffer such heavy losses. You know, I haven't seen those soldiers in three months."

This surprised Kahn. The super soldiers injected with the Extremis virus were suffering heavy losses? Even if it was the watered-down version of the serum, one man could handle a squad of special forces. If they didn't know the weaknesses beforehand, there was no way to deal with an Extremis-enhanced soldier.

S.H.I.E.L.D.? Or Hydra?

It definitely couldn't be the "Middle East insurgents." They could handle ordinary soldiers, but a super soldier injected with the Extremis virus was a nightmarish existence to them.

And those who had approached him through other channels—no matter how he looked at it, it was a conspiracy. Were they after the Extremis serum in his hands?

Kahn hated such troublesome matters. He traveled through worlds and worked hard to become stronger precisely so that trouble would stay far away from him.

"Kahn, I know you are powerful, but there are people now who can deal with Extremis-serum super soldiers, so you..."

Seeing that Kahn was distracted, Betty kept emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, hoping he would take it seriously. Otherwise, even with the serum, the opposition would have a way to cope.

"I know, Betty. I take this very seriously. You’ll see when we get to the hotel."

Kahn patted Betty’s black-stockinged leg to reassure her. Compared to endless analysis, he preferred having them come to his door so he could use Legilimency or the Imperius Curse.

He would see which idiot dared to scheme against a powerful wizard.

...

Afterward, Betty didn't even have the strength to eat or shower. In fact, she had consumed quite a bit, and it was ten times more nutritious than milk.

"God, are you a bull? Don't touch me again tonight. I don't want to attend the banquet in a wheelchair tomorrow..."

Betty complained in a weak, hoarse voice. She didn't want to worry about anything anymore. Let the milk flow; the hotel staff would change the sheets. She was so tired she didn't want to move a finger; she just wanted a good rest.

Once finished, Kahn slowly pondered other matters. After the banquet, he could reveal a little good news to Ross.

If one Extremis virus serum wasn't enough, the Super Soldier serum would definitely make Ross's faction extremely tempted.

As the most prominent beneficiary on the surface, Ross had high hopes of moving forward. Perhaps he wouldn't become Secretary of State as quickly as he might have in a few years, but stepping back to become Secretary of Defense seemed possible.

Honestly, Kahn wanted Ross to wield more power. Even though they didn't like each other, with Betty between them, they were natural allies.

"If the military gets the Super Soldier serum, I have to be the one to get the biggest piece of the pie..."

Kahn mused internally. He had been interested in the declining Oscorp when he heard about it a few days ago. It was a company that started with military orders and declined because of them, but there was no denying that Oscorp was still a behemoth.

With the help of the military, it should be easy to take over the company. He believed many of Oscorp’s shareholders would be happy to see Kahn take over. Then, he could use Oscorp to integrate his own industrial holdings and leap into a pivotal position in both the American military-industrial and biological sectors.

Human enhancement, medicine, and the Arc Reactor would be the three core pillars of Kahn’s empire, from which he could branch out into every other field.

"Betty, I just thought of something I need your input on."

"Don't touch me... I really can't anymore~"

"..."