The next morning, Sean drove to the new laboratory site on Long Island...
The research environment at SUNY could no longer meet his and Dr. Connors' needs, and certain confidential experiments that couldn't be disclosed to outsiders were also difficult to conduct smoothly.
After completing the collaboration with Oscorp, Sean and Dr. Connors had scouted a new location for their lab. From site selection to planning and design, the entire process had taken nearly a week to finalize.
The new laboratory was situated in Long Island New York, a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, dotted with numerous ports, offering convenient transportation and logistics.
It was also adjacent to several prestigious universities, including Stony Brook University where Sean had studied, making it an ideal location for recruiting top scientific talent.
By the time Sean returned from Hell's Kitchen, the relocation of the lab had already been completed under Dr. Connors' supervision.
The original research team and experimental data had been fully transferred, and a wave of new hires had been brought in.
Thanks to the fame brought by ALZ-112, Sean and Dr. Connors were no longer obscure figures in the scientific community, especially Dr. Connors who had recently been awarded the National Medal of Science and was now considered a strong contender for next year's Nobel Prize.
Once dismissed as a "mad scientist" and mocked for his obsession with cross-species genetics, Dr. Connors had finally redeemed himself, washing away years of humiliation...
Naturally, the one-armed scientist was deeply invested in the establishment of their new lab. After all, having a dedicated independent research facility was every scientist's dream.
The black sedan wound through a tree-lined path before arriving at its destination... a striking, towering structure in central Suffolk County, Long Island.
Stepping out of the car, Sean gazed up at the soaring spire of the building as a sense of satisfaction swelled in his chest.
Choosing Dr. Connors as his partner had been the right decision. The once-frustrated, disabled scientist was solely devoted to his research in cross-species genetics and free of ulterior motives... exactly the kind of person Sean could easily manage.
Entering the lab, Sean was greeted by a vast interior supported by high-strength steel beams, its framework resembling the spine of a colossal beast.
Irregular panels of transparent glass allowed natural light to flood in from the domed ceiling, refracting into dazzling prismatic hues. From a distance, the building looked like a mesmerizing crystal palace.
After passing identity verification, Sean ascended to the second-floor circular walkway. Below, the open plaza buzzed with activity... staff and interns hurried about, while others paused to rest on benches nestled in the lush greenery. Beyond the trees lay rows of upscale villas, home to New York's wealthy elite.
"Finally decided to show up?" Dr. Connors approached as soon as he heard of Sean's return and feigned exasperation, "The new lab was waiting for your approval, and you vanished without a word. Harry has been blowing up my phone. If you hadn't reappeared soon, he might've taken out a missing person ad in the papers."
Sean offered an apologetic smile, "I had some personal matters to handle. Next time you can't reach me, try Wesley."
His dealings with Hell's Kitchen's vigilantes and the Hand had taken longer than expected. Fortunately, Dr. Connors had handled everything flawlessly, ensuring the lab's swift completion and operational readiness.
"What was Harry so desperate to talk to me about? Did something go wrong with ALZ-112?"
As they strolled down the corridor, passing researchers occasionally recognized the pair, their eyes filled with admiration. After all, Sean and Dr. Connors had been dominating headlines lately... Sean, in particular, had been dubbed "the next Tony Stark", a flattering comparison in academic circles.
"Not exactly. It's about an awards banquet hosted by the White House and the Department of Defense next week. We've been invited," Dr. Connors explained.
Sean raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Since when did we get involved with the DoD? Or is Harry still dreaming of turning Oscorp into the next Stark Industries?"
Dr. Connors shook his head, "Harry just wants the DoD's backing. ALZ-112 is about to hit the market. With over 5.4 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a number that's rapidly growing due to an aging population, the potential profits are astronomical."
"Big Pharma won't just sit back and let us steal their market share. Where there's money, there are vultures. Harry's words, not mine."
The usually reserved scientist cracked a smile. He was a researcher at heart, with little understanding of corporate warfare.
"Ah. So Harry is feeling the pressure." Sean mused.
The launch of ALZ-112 was bound to disrupt the market. Oscorp's aggressive entry into biotech would undoubtedly threaten established pharmaceutical giants.
Oscorp wasn't some small fry, it was a corporate titan in its own right. Its sudden pivot into a new sector would inevitably trigger a brutal battle for dominance.
Rather than allow a new competitor to rise, these powerful conglomerates would likely strike preemptively, aiming to strangle Oscorp before it could gain a foothold.
Monopolizing the market had always been the ultimate goal of capital. Even with antitrust laws looming overhead, corporations would exploit every legal loophole to maximize profits.
As Marx once said: "Capital is bold when profits are sufficient. Given 50%, it grows audacious; for 100%, it tramples all laws; for 300%, it risks the gallows."
"Great. No rest for the wicked. I was hoping to take a vacation after the drug launch," Sean grumbled.
He wondered which corporate giant had set its sights on Oscorp.
Now that he was tied to Oscorp's success, any setback for ALZ-112 would directly impact him. The new lab had consumed a significant portion of his funds, and maintaining a world-class research facility wasn't cheap, especially as an independent entity. Sean had no intention of letting outsiders interfere.
If ALZ-112's market entry was blocked, it would sever a crucial revenue stream.
'Looks like I'll have to give Harry a hand...'
A surreal feeling washed over Dr. Connors as he studied the pensive young man beside him. More than once, he'd wondered if this was all a dream... going from an obscure, struggling professor to a celebrated scientist, all thanks to Sean's influence.
"Sean," he said suddenly, exhaling deeply, "I've been having this recurring dream. In it, I never got Oscorp's funding and resorted to testing the serum on myself… turning into a monstrous lizard. I lost my mind completely."
He shook his head, "Thank you, Sean. If not for you, I might've ended up just like in that dream... a mindless beast."
Sean listened quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips. There was something intoxicating about pulling the strings of fate, altering the trajectories of others' lives... like playing god.
"Dr. Connors, everything you have now is what you've always deserved," Sean replied softly.
Shaking off his melancholy, Dr. Connors turned to the young man who seemed to radiate warmth like the sun, "Then let's name our new lab... As you said, this is where our future begins."
Sean pondered for a moment before his eyes gleamed with recognition.
"Umbrella," he said, recalling a certain world-ending conglomerate from his past life...
"It'll be this world's protective shield..."
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01