Time passed quickly, as it always does. By the time Sebastian departed from Genosha, a full week had passed since the climactic battle with the Phoenix Force. During this time, Jean had undergone numerous inspections and experiments at Essex's facility, doing everything in her power to suppress the Phoenix Force and ensure that the inspections and experiments could proceed smoothly without catastrophic interference.
One day, Essex visited Jean once again in the sturdy observation room where she was being kept in the underground laboratory.
Looking at the golden cracks that appeared briefly on Jean's face before fading away, Essex pretended not to notice them and addressed her directly. "Jean, how are you feeling today? Are you managing adequately?"
Turning to look at Essex, Jean spoke in a voice full of suppressed anger and frustration. "I cannot suppress the power of the Phoenix anymore. I hope very much that your plan is truly feasible and will work as you claim. At the same time, I hope you will work faster. Otherwise, I cannot be certain whether I will be able to hold on and prevent myself from destroying your company and this entire building."
"Jean, do not worry yourself excessively. I came here precisely to tell you that we have made significant progress," Essex said, his tone remaining professional and measured. "One of your seven third-generation clones finally meets our exact requirements and possesses at least the ability and innate talent equivalent to a third-level mutant. This has reached the practical limit of what a substitute and carrier can safely be without drawing too much attention."
Upon hearing Essex's words, Jean felt a small measure of hope kindle within her heart. For her, Essex's words undoubtedly meant that she now had a real possibility of being liberated from the power of the Phoenix Force that had dominated her existence.
"Thank you very much for your help and dedication to this project. Although I know you are already working very fast, I hope you can work even faster if possible. I truly do not have much time remaining before I lose control completely," Jean said urgently.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Essex replied, "Please rest assured, I will accelerate the process as much as possible. I will not bother you any further for now. Rest, and let us handle the remaining work."
After saying goodbye to Jean, Essex closed the door of her room casually and walked directly to the elevator. He took it up to the top floor of the building. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator doors, he saw a strong, muscular bald man and a dark-haired woman who was even more imposingly built and powerful than the bald man beside him.
"Ajax, Angel, why are you both here today? This is unexpected," Essex asked, recognizing them immediately.
After hearing what Essex had asked, the bald man Ajax responded to him directly. "Boss, our mutant business operations have been shelved and suspended for a long time now. When can we resume our work? After all, we also need to make a living and earn income. Without business, there is no revenue coming in. The people under our command are not doing well recently, and morale is becoming an issue."
Glancing at Ajax with a measured look, Essex responded, "You should be very clear about the recent trends in the world around us. Humans and mutants are gradually merging together, and mutants are uniting and cooperating with human governments. We were almost tracked down and discovered before, were we not?
So to be completely safe and cautious, I suspended our mutual cooperation. This decision is for our collective safety and security. Or do you genuinely believe that the mutants you have hired can compete head-to-head with the X-Men or the Brotherhood of Mutants? Such a thing would be suicide."
Ajax heard what Essex had said and continued his argument, "Boss, of course I understand this reality. However, recently the X-Men have been struggling significantly to deal with the mutant named Jean Grey, and the Brotherhood of Mutants has effectively become a thing of the past and a non-factor. At this time, if we continue our business operations, there should not be too many serious problems. They will not find out about us, I am confident of this."
Essex turned his head and looked at Ajax closely, narrowing his eyes slightly in consideration. Then he suddenly smiled and nodded, speaking with renewed interest. "You are right about this. It is not that our business cannot continue operating.
However, there is one essential prerequisite. You must eliminate the person who keeps causing trouble for you and interfering with your operations. I do not want to see anyone who might potentially leak information about our cooperation or our arrangement.
In addition, that person called Deadpool—it seems that he was created by you secretly using my technology, is that not correct? There were originally thirteen experimental subjects created, but only one was successful in achieving full functionality. He also escaped from your experimental base and has become a considerable headache and problem for you, constantly destroying your operations and your facilities. With the existence of such a person, I seriously doubt whether you can continue to successfully complete our cooperation and arrangements."
Listening carefully to Essex's words, Ajax took a deep breath, considered what had been said, nodded, and responded, "These things are indeed faults and failures on our part. We will eliminate that person as soon as possible. At that time, I will prove to you that our cooperation is absolutely safe and secure, and no one will disturb us or interfere with our work."
Smiling and nodding in response, Essex said to Ajax, "I look forward to seeing you prove this to me."
After that, Ajax said nothing further and left Essex's company with his mutant female assistant Angel, departing with purpose.
Watching Ajax leave his facility, Essex waved to summon his personal assistant. The assistant immediately stepped up to Essex and stood waiting attentively, whispering, "Doctor, what may I do for you?"
At Essex's organization, he was customarily addressed as "Doctor" and nothing else. He believed his greatest pride and satisfaction was not derived from money or power. His company was merely a means to an end, a tool to achieve his greater goals. His greatest pride and source of personal fulfillment lay in his knowledge, his expertise, and his title of Doctor. This was what truly defined him.
Looking at his assistant directly, Essex spoke with blunt clarity. "Send the Sinister Squad to follow them. If Ajax solves the problem they created with Deadpool, then have the Sinister Squad take care of Ajax and his associates permanently. They need to disappear.
If Ajax and his people are defeated instead, then have the Sinister Squad return here safely. Of course, all of this is contingent upon ensuring that Ajax and his people's collaboration with us remains completely unknown and undiscovered. Are we clear on this?"
"Doctor, some people at the Experiment 13 facility are very interested in obtaining that person called Deadpool. We deliberately leaked the relevant technology and research information to them for research purposes. Do we not need to bring back that individual?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Essex glanced over with a sharp look that made the air itself seem to freeze.
Seeing the dangerous expression in Essex's eyes, the assistant immediately lowered his body in panic, his back becoming damp with nervous perspiration.
Seeing his assistant's frightened expression, Essex reached out and helped him up slowly, speaking in a conversational tone. "Binces, you have been with me for a long time now. I believed we could eventually become true friends and partners. But now it seems that your thoughts and loyalties are not completely aligned with my side, are they? I am disappointed to see this."
Upon hearing this, the assistant named Binces trembled visibly with fear. Just as he was about to say something in response or offer an explanation, a strong and brilliant light suddenly ignited and blazed in Essex's hand. The next second, the light extinguished itself completely, and Binces, who had been supported by Essex's arm only moments before, completely disappeared from sight. In his place, there remained nothing but a pile of black ashes at Essex's feet.