[50] Stem Cell Research, Natasha Romanoff (Patreon)

5th March, 2011.

As time flipped into the new year, the seasons changed again, with winter giving way to spring. The coldness of winter was replaced by the freshness and renewal of spring. There was hope in the air.

This change signified many things happening around the globe. When we talk about freshness, innovation, and, well, hope, one person comes to mind: Joe Petersen. He is the ‘young genius’ who remains the topic of most conversations almost everywhere.

Joe was the storm that was approaching. He was the hurricane that the nosy, starving journalists needed to enhance his fame further.

Well, it has almost been two months since the Game Awards ceremony. And with the crossing of that bridge, the gaming industry, as we know of, entered a new era. All because of one man whose unique, charming face has been gracing the front pages of the Vogue and Forbes magazines. Joe’s past also made people curious, wondering how he rose to prominence out of thin air. His modeling days took the limelight, further convincing the netizens of his capabilities. 

Joe had to use some restraint not to spread some of his previous world’s online brain rot like ‘mog’ ‘Mewtwo’ (pun intended), rizz, and all that ‘cringe.’ TikTok didn’t exist in Marvel. He felt he had no legitimate reason to bring a negative techno shift to this world. 

In one of the tallest skyscrapers in New York, Joe gazed down at the city that never sleeps. His deep-set eyes were calm and thoughtful as if he was contemplating how to make his empire flourish even more. Contrary to that notion, he could forego all those mortal shackles just for extraordinariness. Why settle for being a human emperor when you can be more - Like a god emperor of mankind, of the universe, and beyond? There was so much to be unearthed in this fantastical world. 

“It’s not surprising the world and society are all about material gains and appearances,” Joe looked at the magazine with a wry grin as his picture stared back at him. Shaking his head, he tossed the magazine on the table. 

“Well, I can’t deny that money makes life more convenient. But It’s not my life’s goal,” Joe murmured, placing his palm on the transparent floor-to-ceiling glass. 

Everything anyone has ever gained in this world could be lost in a single snap. Riches and beauty were nothing in the face of the Infinity Gauntlet. But ultimate power... Ultimate power was. The power to resist the mechanizations of reality itself was something to strive for. 

“I don’t want such a future...” Joe clenched his hand into a fist and softly sighed. 

“Do you ever get bored with your existential musings, Joe?” A low, feminine voice wafted into his ears. Then, a realistic holographic figure of a young woman materialized beside him. 

Joe shot Minerva a meaningful side glance and replied, “It’s part of me. It’s always a reminder of my survival—that I still exist.” 

“Well, you’re alive. That’s what matters to me. With your current abilities, there are very few in this world capable of harming you,” Minerva said matter-of-factly.

Joe chuckled, amused by Minerva’s naivety. “That’s... not funny, Minerva.” He wiggled his index finger at her before clasping his hands behind his back. 

“That’s only on the surface. There’s so much that we don’t know about this world. Even with super intelligence, a person will never know everything. There are forces that even I’m afraid to talk about.” 

“While I can run faster than the fastest car ever manufactured and even react to a bullet from a high-velocity rifle, I still can’t outrun a nuclear explosion.” 

Minerva’s eyes sparkled with interest. “It’s true. Your top speed of Mach 5 has nothing over thermal radiation that travels nearly the speed of light.” 

“Now I understand your concerns. You are still weak.” 

Joe’s lips curled into a grin as he absorbed the jab aimed at his morale. “For now...” 

“I know. That’s what matters. We have the present to shape the future in whichever way we want,” Minerva agreed. 

“So...” Joe turned and picked up the cup of lemonade from the polished mahogany desk. He sipped the chilled drink, savoring the tart and sweet flavor as it spread in his mouth.

It was just what he needed to enjoy his spring evening. 

“Ah, how’s the cloning project on Island X going?” Joe blissfully sighed before asking Minerva. 

“At the end of this month, all the results will be on your table. But...” Minerva reported, her voice tinged with uncertainty at the end. 

“But what?” Joe paused his actions, arching his brows. 

“The supposed clones of those death soldiers will merely be hollow vessels without consciousness for guidance. We’re currently limited to only bodily reconstruction, organ, and tissue regrowth at the Life Creation R&D.”

“The living consciousness, or rather the soul, is difficult to replicate. You’ll be truly exceptional if you can create a fully functional human being like God.” 

Joe shook his head in denial. “Don’t you know that’s pure blasphemy? You can’t just spout such heresy, Minerva.” 

“The light of judgment won’t catch me,” she lightly joked before thinking, ‘I hope it isn’t otherwise, or I might have shot myself in the foot.’ 

‘If Ultron was a thing by now, you wouldn’t have been spared. The good thing is your current strength. You have become stronger.’ Joe silently pondered before his thoughts shifted to the problem Minerva had presented. 

The cloning project at the Life Creation R&D capitalized on his advanced knowledge and expertise in stem cell research. He had stolen a glance at God’s answer sheet and saw all the answers needed to recreate a fleshly container. The sad thing was that the answers were not a hundred percent straightforward, and that’s where his human mind encountered an insurmountable wall. The soul was a mysterious existence; its value was immeasurable.

‘Better stick to genetic engineering. Even magic will find it difficult to create a soul.’

‘On second thought, this is the Marvel Universe where a child can create a whole new world out of nothing, and many other strange occurrences happen daily. Let’s leave it at that.’ 

Joe drank the chilled lemonade and returned the cup to the desk. He nonchalantly checked the time on his smartwatch out of habit and soundly exhaled.

“For that consciousness problem, don’t worry much about it,” Joe said confidently, his gaze drawn to the nimbus clouds and the abrupt rumble of thunder. 

“I already had a premeditated solution for that,” he added. 

And guess what? 

It was the STEM chip from the movie Upgrade. 

The brain will always remain a complex mystery, and describing how it generates consciousness is challenging. Similarly, correlating consciousness with the soul is not straightforward. Even Minerva’s existence, while merely artificial—a simulated replica of the real deal—has shown significant improvement in her level of sentience.

“What’s the missing link to the puzzle, Joe?” Minerva curiously asked. 

“It’s something that will surely capture your interest,” Joe replied, his voice tinged with mystery as lightning flashed, briefly illuminating his face.

‘It seems a storm is brewing. The dawn of the banished Asgardian God is nigh.’ 

Meanwhile, as the two planned their next steps, somewhere in Washington, D.C., the lenses focused on another character.

Inside Director Nick Fury’s office, an exotic beauty with wild red hair, dressed in a tight-fitting black bodysuit, nodded absently as she scrolled through her phone. Her booted feet were lazily propped on the desk as she indulged in her leisure.

“My spy senses keep telling me you’re not as simple as you seem, kid. But I’ve got to admit, you’re easy on the eye.” Natasha Romanoff playfully clicked her tongue before smiling, her gaze subtly shifting toward the door. She had already sensed Fury’s presence.

Director Fury arched his brows in surprise after spotting Natasha Romanoff, aka The Black Widow. 

“This is why I don’t trust even my own security, Romanoff,” Fury gave her a stern stare before smiling. 

“So, what got you all toothy like that?” Fury asked as he settled on the primary seat behind the desk. 

Natasha dropped his legs down before answering, “The current hot topic among women.” 

“I see. Joe Petersen. The man who appeared out of nowhere and swept the whole world on its feet,” Fury slightly praised him. 

“A high school graduate from Midtown High, and also currently undertaking a major in Biochemistry at Empire State University.” 

“Haven’t returned to school ever since he lost his mother.” Fury had already compiled the information of any person of interest. Also, the instincts he had cultivated since Goose played ‘eyeball snatcher’ with him told him the mother… the law-abiding citizen known as Joe, would overturn the world. Fury just hoped it would be in a good way. One Tony Stark was already a pain in the neck to deal with. 

“It ain’t surprising that you’ve kept tabs on him even though you don’t plan on doing anything to him,” Natasha showed a small smile as she leaned forward. 

“As long as he isn’t some two-faced psychopath. Like a wolf among oblivious sheep,” Fury replied, his brows furrowed as he thought about something. 

“That boy isn’t of importance right now. I sense something dark approaching, Romanoff. I don’t know how long humanity’s got before aliens from Mars pay us a visit,” He stated, a grave expression on his face. 

Natasha blankly stared at him, not knowing how to respond to that. 

“Did you find Dr. Banner’s location?” Fury asked, lacing his fingers on the desk. 

“Not yet. The doctor is pretty good at hiding.” 

Fury shook his head. “Just keep on posting me.” 

Then, Natasha removed a USB drive from her pocket and placed it on the table. 

“This is what I got from playing Stark’s secretary.” 

Director Fury took the USB, briefly examined it, and put it in his inner coat. 

“Agent Barton was looking for you,” he said, just as Natasha began to leave. 

“Oh? Okay, sir.” She nodded and left. 

Fury leaned back in his seat, many thoughts swirling inside his shiny, bald head. The operation of the Avengers Initiative needed to be accelerated as the world was slowly descending into chaos. 

***