Deep inside Victor's mind, Ethan Cole had constructed something invisible yet terrifyingly effective—a mental cage.
In simple terms, Ethan had planted a seed within the deepest layer of Victor's consciousness. Most of the time, that seed would remain dormant, hidden far beneath the surface of his thoughts where Victor himself could never perceive it.
Only when Ethan spoke certain trigger words would the seed awaken.
Once activated, Victor would instantly enter the same obedient, brainwashed state he had displayed earlier.
Before the trigger was spoken, however, nothing about Victor's behavior would appear unusual. He would still think independently, act normally, and retain his personality exactly as before.
That was what made the mental cage so frightening.
It altered a person's cognition without leaving any detectable trace. Even the victim would remain completely unaware that their thoughts had been tampered with.
Satisfied with the result, Ethan turned his attention back to the laboratory equipment.
"With the X-Gene responsible for the healing factor," he murmured quietly, "there are many more things that can be done."
Everything he had done so far was part of a much larger plan.
Ever since arriving in this world, Ethan had been preparing for the future. No one understood the coming storms better than he did. The world would soon be shaken by conflicts far beyond anything people currently imagined.
The struggle between mutants and humans, for example, was merely a prelude. In the grand scheme of things, it was little more than a childish quarrel before the real disasters began.
Everything Ethan built today was preparation for what lay ahead.
He looked down at the restrained mutant lying on the operating platform.
"Very well, Victor," Ethan said calmly. "The next part of this process will involve extreme pain. Do not resist."
"I understand, sir."
Victor's reply was flat and emotionless. His face showed no sign of fear, anger, or hesitation.
Ethan nodded slightly.
"Svija, prepare to begin the experiment. Record all experimental data and assist with the procedure."
"Understood, sir. All systems are ready."
Svija's voice echoed through the laboratory speakers, carrying its usual faint mechanical undertone.
Above the operating table, a complex array of surgical instruments slowly descended from the ceiling. Various mechanical arms unfolded one by one, each equipped with specialized tools designed for delicate medical procedures.
At the same time, additional experimental devices rose up from hidden compartments in the floor surrounding the platform.
Ethan stepped beside the table while a mechanical arm helped him put on a sterile white lab coat. Another arm carefully sprayed disinfectant across his hands and equipment, completing the sterilization process.
Once everything was prepared, the operation began.
With calm precision, Ethan worked like a professional surgeon. The mechanical arms assisted him with surgical tools while Svija recorded every piece of data generated during the procedure.
Time began to pass slowly.
From time to time, horrifying screams erupted inside the laboratory.
Victor's voice echoed through the room again and again, filled with unimaginable agony. The sound was so sharp and desperate that an ordinary person would feel their scalp go numb just hearing it.
The pain he endured would have shattered the mind of almost anyone else.
But Ethan's expression never changed.
Throughout the entire process, his face remained calm and focused. His voice carried the same steady tone as he issued instructions.
"Record heart rate."
"Recording."
"Record blood pressure."
"Recording."
"Record tissue regeneration speed."
"Data collected."
"Calculate the energy consumption and regeneration rate of the healing factor when repairing damaged tissue."
"Processing calculations."
"Integrate all variables into the subject's biological model. Generate the most complete formula possible."
"Calculation in progress."
Ethan continued working methodically.
"Next step: begin extraction of the target's healing factor gene. Continue recording all data."
Minutes turned into hours.
More than three hours passed before anyone noticed.
During that time, the mechanical arms above the test bench moved continuously, carrying out precise operations under Ethan's guidance. Every motion was controlled and efficient, without even the slightest wasted movement.
Finally, Svija's voice sounded again.
"Sir, the X-Gene representing the healing factor has been successfully extracted from the target Sabretooth. The entire process has been fully recorded and verified. Separation of the gene sequence is complete."
Ethan paused for a moment before nodding.
"Excellent. Seal the experimental data and secure the genetic samples."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Next, we move on to the Adamantium injection."
The experiment he had just completed would have been considered almost impossible under normal circumstances.
When William Stryker bonded Adamantium to Wolverine's skeleton, an entire scientific research team had been involved. Dozens of specialists and technicians worked together to complete that project.
Ethan, however, had done everything alone.
Of course, with Svija assisting him, he didn't actually need additional personnel. In terms of efficiency and precision, Svija's capabilities were worth far more than ten ordinary assistants.
As the experiment progressed, a large transparent glass container slowly rose beside the operating platform.
Inside the container churned a swirling pool of silvery liquid.
Adamantium.
The molten metal glowed faintly as it circulated within the sealed chamber. Its temperature was currently maintained at 815 degrees Celsius, hot enough to melt almost any known material.
Once Adamantium solidified, however, its structure became nearly impossible to alter.
It was the strongest metal known to modern human civilization—a rare alloy created from extraterrestrial metal combined with advanced carbon compounds.
The formula itself was an absolute secret controlled by the United States government.
But through various channels, Ethan had managed to obtain it.
His plan required something far greater than a single experiment.
The healing factor was only the first step.
Originally, Ethan had intended to use Wolverine as the subject for this project. Unfortunately, Wolverine was currently under the protection of Professor Charles Xavier.
Attacking him now would attract too much attention.
So Ethan had chosen Victor instead.
Sabretooth possessed the same regenerative ability, making him the perfect substitute.
At this moment, numerous tubes had been inserted throughout Victor's body. Each tube connected to different parts of his skeleton and circulatory system.
These hollow conduits were designed to deliver the molten Adamantium directly into his bones.
The silvery liquid began flowing slowly through the tubes.
As the molten metal entered Victor's body, everything changed instantly.
Victor's eyes snapped open.
His entire body convulsed violently as unimaginable pain tore through every nerve in his system. His muscles twisted and spasmed while his face contorted into a monstrous snarl.
Even the coolant surrounding his body began to boil.
The liquid inside the cooling chamber churned violently as waves of heat radiated outward from Victor's body. His skin began to blister and burn in several places, leaving dark scorch marks along his flesh.
Large bubbles rose from the damaged skin, releasing bursts of scorching steam into the coolant tank.
The pain he experienced was beyond anything a human mind could endure.
Victor roared uncontrollably beneath the surface of the coolant.
The liquid flooded his mouth and nose as he screamed, causing him to choke and suffocate at the same time.
Yet Ethan remained perfectly calm as he observed the data streaming across the monitoring screens.
"You have to endure it," he said quietly.
Whether the project to mass-produce X-Warriors could succeed or not depended entirely on Victor.