After he spoke with his mother, Victor was a new man. He immediately contacted Dr. Lindor, who—unfortunately for him—was still serving as Victor's acting assistant commander. But that was about to change. Over the past month, the Given had developed a special stealth dropship that could be used to insert a team of Predators and Xenomorphs quietly into Hydra's base in Sokovia.
During that time, Victor also created additional troops. He decided to utilize the Skrull DNA he had acquired and made ten new operatives. They had captured a few Skrulls and learned a lot from them. The Skrulls had shared everything—culture, history, language. They were currently locked up and held in one of Victor's labs. The knowledge was integrated into the design of the ten Skrull operatives, growing in the incubation chambers. These ten emerged and, for the last two weeks, trained and began assuming various roles—leaders, spies, and more. They were being prepared to serve under Dr. Frankenstein.
The technology Victor had developed so far allowed him to build a certain affinity between himself and the monsters he created. Skrulls, as shapeshifters, were a dubious race; few trusted them. Their ability to impersonate anyone made it hard for others to trust those around them. Victor made sure that, like the Predators and Xenomorphs, they wouldn't betray him. The Progenitor Machine was still being researched. Some of the technology was incorporated into the training matrix and incubation chambers. He had previously used a crude version of homemade technology for the Predators and Xenomorphs, which worked adequately, but it still left him concerned about the future.
From this point forward, no monster would be created without strict safety protocols during its development.
For the last two weeks, the Skrulls had been sent on infiltration missions. Each had different objectives. The purpose was to test them, give them command experience, and bring them back with valuable field knowledge. While they were programmed with a baseline of training, real-world application was critical. Victor also wanted to see which among them was most suited to leadership.
They returned the day before, and one among them stood head and shoulders above the rest: Romulos.
Today, Victor was going to appoint Romulos as the commander of his base. Dr. Lindor gathering the troops was his final duty as commander. After that, he'd be free to return to his research, which suited him far better. Dr. Lindor didn't understand military matters, and his clinical, overly calculated approach hadn't worked well with the monsters.
Romulos, however, seemed born for this kind of role. His shapeshifting ability allowed him to take the form of a Predator, which let him intimidate and command them. Biologically speaking, Skrulls were fascinating. Typically, their shapeshifting was limited to beings of similar density and size, but there were exceptions. Some Skrulls were born with the potential to become Super Skrulls.
Victor had learned this through Ravage, his infiltrator, and his ladybug Remote Tracking Devices. Among the captured Skrulls, a few had this potential. He harvested their genetic material to create the ten new operatives, each with latent Super Skrull traits. The first to begin unlocking this potential was Romulos.
Hulk's genetic material was introduced to Romulus, and his body absorbed and adapted it to his body. With it, he could now increase his molecular density and adjust his size. He wasn't as strong as the Hulk—yet—but he could operate at about 20% of the Hulk's strength. This enhanced his healing, physical strength, and durability. If angered, he could grow even stronger. However, Skrulls weren't quick to anger. Their skill in maintaining disguises required discipline and control, which dulled emotional extremes.
That's why, in the comics, Super Skrulls typically only unleash their full power in their native form, not while disguised. Romulos could use only a fraction of his potential while maintaining his cover. And anger, for Skrulls, was rarely seen as useful—unless related to family, military matters, or life-or-death scenarios.
The team assembled on the launch platform below the roof, where their stealth jet was stationed. The roof could open, allowing the modified Blackbird to launch vertically. When Dr. Frankenstein arrived, he found his Predators, Xenomorphs, Dr. Lindor, Romulos, and another Skrull operative waiting.
"You'll be happy, Jauwa," Victor said. "Tonight, you and your juniors get to hunt. The excitement in the eyes of the Yautjas caused their eyes to sparkle. They threw their arms up and back to celebrate. Jauwa quickly controlled the young predators. The three Xenomorphs towered behind the Predators, drooling maliciously.
Dr. Frankenstein noticed the excited Skrull next to Romulos. Victor, as opposed to earlier, was excited for tonight's operation. He finally took control of the meeting.
"This will be a five-stage mission. Leading it will be none other than our newly promoted Commander Romulos. He's proven himself a powerful warrior and leader. All you have to do is follow his orders."
He turned to Dr. Lindor. "This will be the last time—much to your relief, I'm sure—that you serve as commander. You are released to return to your duties as Head of the Engineering Department."
Dr. Lindor looked at Victor and nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Frankenstein. I must admit this role wasn't suited to my skill set. I'm glad the command is being passed to someone as competent as Mr. Romulos. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll return to overseeing the apprentices and restoring order in the engineering department."
"One more thing," Victor said. "Lindor, excellent work on this ship. This modified Blackbird now features your custom upgrades, including increased weapon and shield output using the Arc Reactor, Chitauri-based shielding, and repulsor-lift tech for enhanced versatility. It also features a cloaking system, making it virtually invisible to radar. An ideal stealth vehicle. We're calling it The Komodo."
He turned to the last member of the team. "And we have our pilot, Regis. Regis, you may board and begin preparations."
Though Romulos had operational command, Dr. Frankenstein was still the ultimate authority. Issuing a few key orders now and then helped him maintain his control.
The bay doors opened—and Guinevere, Victor's mother, entered.
"Romulos, this is my mother. After this mission, give her basic combat training. She'll be joining our command structure."
Romulos didn't look thrilled but gave a respectful nod. He understood the chain of command.
Victor turned to his mother. "The rest of the mission is in your capable hands. Shall we?"
Guinevere smiled and walked with her son as they exited.
Romulos looked over his team—four Predators and three Xenomorphs and nodded in satisfaction. These creatures were his disposable fighters. The Xenomorphs were the most expendable, but even the Predators, for all their skill, were likely to die in battle. It was simply their nature.
Dr. Frankenstein had promised more warrior races in the future. The Predators were highly intelligent and technologically advanced, but their obsession with hunting alone limited their utility. They were better for assassination missions or destroying small bases. Other races, like the Givin, were better suited for stealth, logistics, or command.
Romulos signaled his troops to board the ship. The back ramp was lowered, allowing the larger beings to enter. The Xenomorphs were larger than the Predators; Jauwa, the biggest Predator, stood over eight feet tall.
The Xenomorphs were kept in cages—Romulus didn't trust them, no matter what Dr. Frankenstein claimed. They were vicious by nature. No amount of genetic conditioning could erase that. His approach was simple: assign them a target, tell them who not to eat or kill, and let them handle the rest. Their allies—and the two prisoners they were to secure—were on the "do not kill" list.
The Predators' gear was stored in the armory section. They carried basic weapons, but now began calibrating their helmets. These helmets would allow them to communicate efficiently with each other and with Romulos, who would remain aboard the ship with Regis. It also allowed them to use many weapons hands-free.
Skrulls weren't afraid of battle, but their strategic minds prioritized survival. Romulos, strong as he was, wasn't about to enter a fight with these creatures without knowing exactly what they could do.
At Romulos' order, Regis activated the roof mechanisms, engaged the ship's cloaking system, and initiated vertical takeoff using the repulsor lifts.
In just a few hours, terror would descend upon Hydra's base in Sokovia.