"Zemo, I helped you clear out the HYDRA forces in Sokovia and saved your family. I hope there can be a little more trust between us, do you understand?"
Zemo belonged to the type of person who had many ideas; if used properly, he would be very useful.
But if used improperly, it's hard to say what kind of trouble might arise.
"I understand. The test subjects found in the HYDRA Base are already on their way to New York."
"Very good, then our agreement remains in effect."
The Oscorp will open a company branch in Sokovia, which basically means that Sokovia's economic lifeline will be completely monopolized by Osborn.
But with the entry of the Oscorp, this country will gradually become prosperous, the people will be well-fed, and the nobles will wear new clothes.
"Next thing, take a look at this."
Harry opened a box, inside of which was an ancient alien artifact known as the "obelisk".
The Hammer has already raided all the S.H.I.E.L.D. Bases, and the cutting-edge technology, alien artifacts, and super-powered criminals are all being transferred in an orderly fashion.
This obelisk was specifically requested by Harry, so naturally, it was delivered to him immediately.
"Alien relic—something left behind by the Kree."
Harry introduced.
Zemo's expression changed a little when he saw this thing—as a "HYDRA scholar" who had participated in a large number of HYDRA clearing operations, he seemed to have seen this before.
"This was once one of HYDRA's main targets to find. Red Skull thought this thing had some..." Harry forgot how Red Skull had evaluated this thing.
But Zemo remembered very clearly: "Power that can explain death itself. So what exactly is it?"
Harry smiled, "It's just an alien relic. As for Red Skull, that statement of his is like ancient humans' groundless speculation and deification of the Asgardian gods."
This is something left behind by an alien race called the 'Kree'. As for its function, I've collected some ancient legends:
Those myth-makers believed this to be a 'prophet'; anyone who is unqualified and touches it will turn into stone."
"And those who are qualified remain? Turning into some kind of super-powered person?"
Harry nodded. When it comes down to it, it's just a crude biological modification experiment.
Inside the obelisk is a terrigen crystal; the mist it releases causes living beings to "transform." Those who are lucky survive and become Inhumans, gaining superpowers.
Those who are unlucky turn to stone on the spot.
"So what exactly is it?" Zemo wanted to know the answer.
People are afraid of the unknown. Even if they know it's some kind of "advanced alien technology," in the eyes of believers, it will still be associated with "gods."
Zemo was no exception, but this thing infringed more on his personal philosophy—this was simply the perfect tool for supremacists:
A prophetic form of screening, the ultimate combination of theology and politics.
Everyone who survives could potentially become a theocratic leader, and whether or not they survive depends entirely on "some greater" unknown factor.
"Inside there is a complex alien crystal—it's natural, and even the Asgardians don't know how it was born."
"That sounds a bit unsettling."
"Nothing to be unsettled about. It's nothing more than genetic modification, and then turning into a super-powered person. But the Kree only wanted to create super-powered slave soldiers and biological weapons; they didn't want to create gods."
"The problem is that HYDRA had already started this experiment long ago—and some people survived, or rather, some people lived."
Zemo was stunned. What did this mean?
Humans on Earth are chaotic enough as a single species; this implies that they might have even formed an organization!
Adding another intelligent humanoid species is not the same as adding another race.
Harry continued: "The Kree's experiment was partially successful, but they terminated the experiment for other reasons, and then HYDRA restarted the experiment in '45."
"So in the worst-case scenario, they haven't just formed an organization, but potentially two organizations. What is their birth rate?" Zemo reacted quickly, asking the key question right away.
"Not high. And you can imagine, they have been living in small groups all these years—it's fine for a short time, but over a long time..."
Harry didn't have the heart to continue.
Over time, the population gets closer to inbreeding, and eventually, most of them won't have enough intelligence.
This stunned Zemo again: "They can't all be giant babies with superpowers, right?"
This was somewhat terrifying; Zemo shivered.
Harry shrugged: "I don't know, it's just a speculation. After all, there hasn't been a first contact yet. I just want to say, do you know the importance of universal enhancement now?"
"The technology is ready, and I plan to proceed in stages."
"In the first stage, as long as ordinary people reach a certain working age, they can undergo Level 1 longevity trait modification."
"On the surface, the longevity trait only extends life by 10-15 years, but in reality, it will give the body a second spring, extend the peak period of human physical function, and slightly enhance the body in all aspects."
"Then, based on the type of work they do, they will undergo a second enhancement."
"If they are engaged in security work, they can add the rapid recovery trait; if engaged in military work, they can add the strength trait; if engaged in scientific research or management work, they can choose Level 1 memory enhancement or logical thinking enhancement."
"At this stage, adding two traits per person is the most cost-effective. Anything beyond that requires them to make special contributions."
"For now, it will only be open to internal Osborn employees."
"So doesn't this still make Osborn..." Zemo stammered a bit.
"This level doesn't count for anything, Baron. You wouldn't tell me that your people and ordinary people live the same kind of life, right?"
The life led by the nobles of Sokovia and his subordinates was not bad, but the common people couldn't even get enough to eat.
Zemo couldn't refute this.
Harry continued: "Besides, this is your job—maintain stability and keep work proceeding in an orderly manner."
"Cheer up, Baron. At the very least, I can guarantee you that life will get better and better in the future."
"That is indeed a very useful advantage." Zemo knew he couldn't complain anymore.
Moreover, Harry was right; a future that keeps getting better is the best environment. In such an environment, people find it hard to notice the gaps between individuals.
After all, most people just want to live a good life, not ride on others' heads and do whatever they want.
The longevity trait is indeed the most suitable modification project to promote; the subsequent trait modifications are obviously much more complex.
Harry summarized the changes these traits would bring to people, which was enough for Zemo to study for a long time.
"I have one more request," Harry said, "This modification cannot be paid for with currency—Osborn will evaluate whether they are qualified based on their work."
"The work they perform, their seniority, etc., will all be evaluated internally by Osborn, and eventually converted into something called 'Osborn credit points'."
"In short, this thing determines whether they can use the modification service—and in the future, it will be linked to other Osborn products."
After taking a brief look at the function of these "credit points," Zemo gave Harry a deep look.
"They won't agree to this."
"They will agree. This thing can also be exchanged with cash—to them, isn't it just like a club membership card?"
"Besides, this is your job, Baron Zemo."
Harry said lightly.
Besides, this isn't prohibited by law—how could the law have anticipated an enterprise of Osborn's scale?
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