President Ryan browses through Hannifat Lecter's papers, and Yugney Henry sleeps on his lap.

He inherited his own oval office from his predecessor, although it was square. McClung built living quarters in the bunker to house the genomes he hired; Each studio is about 20 square meters in size and includes a kitchen, washroom, bed and shelves.

On top of that, each room has a computer that has access to the base system. While the bunker uses several different independent networks to run its operations, Adam and Psyshock have collected a lot of useful data. It took Ryan hours to breach the firewall, but it was all worth it.

In addition to the bunker's map, the Time Traveler also gets his hands on several McLaren unclassified documents. Most are schematics of robots, but there are also some that delve into truly revolutionary technologies, such as life-saving cybernetic enhancements for spaceships. It's a shame that McLaren used his gift to destroy, not to serve humanity. Ryan has a feeling that the world would be a better place if someone else inherited his power.

The data was only a part of the central host, and Ryan shuddered at the thought that someone like Augustus would get his hands on it; Anyone who opens the bunker for full functionality has the potential to rule the world. This is a place where robots, weapons of mass destruction can be made, and, of course, control of the Bahamas.

On top of that, Ryan now knows how the Powers Gang knew the bunker existed. Big Fat Adam and Psyshock have been researching the remnants of technology in the ruins of Ancient Rome and have captured a still active research probe, reporting to the bunker's central AI. They tracked down the source of the direction signal to New Rome, hoping to plunder its technology.

Now, it's Ryan's turn to open this metal vault.

After reading the documents, the president used the bunker's computer system to contact several blue genomes. The first is Livia, who texts her asking for a neutral meeting to get things straight. The second is the architect, Yuki's girlfriend, who contacts her anonymously via an encrypted phone.

"So, let me be clear." Nora's voice came from the computer. "You're building a genius tech bunker, and you want me to see if I can turn it on as a stress test?"

"Yes, we are building a safe space to protect our customers from a second genomic catastrophe," Ryan lied, scratching his cat's ears, which made him wake up and purr. "We want to hire you to review these plans. See if you can find structural weaknesses that we can address. Of course, the work will be kept strictly confidential. ”

Nora would be given a well-edited plan so that she would not denounce the operation. At least until Ryan unlocks its full features.

"I've guessed," replied the architect with a chuckle. "Especially your image input is black, sir......"

"President," Ryan replied, having decided on the name of his supervillain. "Mr. President".

She shrugged. "It's a strange name, but I've heard something even harder. However, I must warn you that my counseling is not cheap and I already have the motivation to do the work. I don't think I can handle your project in the next few weeks. ”

"So from now on, you can only work for our government."

"I don't quite understand—"

"Check your bank account to see if there's a down payment."

After a brief moment of silence, Ryan heard a gasp from the other side. "That'...... That's a whole lot of zeros. ”

Thankfully, Ryan's second hidden superpower is money. "Is it enough to put your former obligations on hold for a moment, Miss Moore?"

"I guess it can be arranged!"

"Great," Ryan said, his cat happy that the plan had come to fruition. "I'll forward the data to you and get you started right away. Also, I heard you have a good relationship with Supergirl's Wardrobe?"

"Yes, we are close friends." Nora lied. Perhaps she is trying to minimize public knowledge of her private life. "Why?"

"Well, I was wondering, does she make costumes other than superheroes?" I was in dire need of a presidential outfit, but I didn't want to be thwarted by her agent. ”

Wisely, it would take you a couple of weeks to talk to her directly. The PR manager competition Bole is still bad. Of course, I can get her to contact you. What kind of outfit do you want?"

"Cashmere's."

Do you have any questions?

After recruiting his first genius, Ryan called one of his favorites Ryan. He was afraid to have such a conversation, especially since it meant interacting closely with her for weeks. Time has passed, but the wound is still alive.

"Who are you?" Her voice of surprise came from the computer. "How do you know this number?"

Ryan was furious at hearing Jasmum Vulcan's voice, but he still kept his role. "Do you like weapons, Miss Sharif?"

"Are we playing a 20-question game, or are you just playing tricks?"

"I love weapons, Miss Sharif," the president roared, ignoring his ex-girlfriend. "I like to build a cannon, charge it, and then unload the payload. I love planes, tanks and submarines. I like to order a drone strike in the morning. I believe that bullets are the best foreign policy. ”

"I'm hacking into your location. You'll regret calling me for pranks. Her confident tone turned into a bark of frustration. Damn, you're using a proxy server?"

"You think offensive Dy

How's AMIS HQ?" Ryan did it first. "Humiliate the Wyvern and crush the corpse with an unstoppable technological superiority?"

Of course, he knows how to please her in all important ways. "I'm listening."

"I'm Mr. President, and I'm going to be in Dy

Amis plays Teddy A.' Antitruster' Roosevelt. For too long, businesses considered themselves above the law. My law. ”

Because with Ma

The deal of ada requires the involvement of Psyshock, and Rya

Soon it will get rid of him, so the alliance will inevitably collapse. In addition, the president needs to get Dr. Terranor, who doubts that Dimenis will open the doors of the Sixty-Six Laboratory, even to their allies. Big Fat Adam confirmed in a previous run that this bunker has the infrastructure to produce elixirs, so couriers can produce their own.

Ryan forwarded some of the robot's schematics to Vulcan. "That's Mech

o

technology," she said, half worried, half excited. "Where did you get that?"

"There's more to where I am. As for how to do it, it depends on whether we can ......" Ryan hung this sentence aside while communicating with the mastermind of the evil in his heart, "Help each other." Genius to genius. ”

"Well, this smells really suspicious now. You sound like one of those self-righteous supervillain cartoon characters on Saturday morning. ”

"Of course I do," Ryan replied bluntly. "But I have a vision, not a delusion."

"Yes," Vulcan chuckled softly on the other side. "I'll admit you have my curiosity, and if you're really going to hit Wynne's sore spot, then we'll get along just fine. But you bribe me with more than just technology. You said it yourself. You help me, and I help you. ”

Ryan loves Faustian trading. He knew exactly what she would ask. "How can I help you, Miss Sharif?"

“Dy

amis is currently in Sta

Studio shoots a new Wyve

Movie," she said, "throw it away, and then we'll talk about it." ”

She has never changed. "Give me some time to buy myself the right outfit and I'll set the stage on fire. When I do, don't forget to turn on your TV. ”

"Of course, I will. Make an impression on me. ”

Thus, Ryan's evil plans began to take shape.

It's time to reach out to the last genius on his list.

Ryan had been thinking about whether he should call him. He didn't trust that person because their previous partnership ended in betrayal and disaster. They hadn't spoken in years; From the point of view of the Courier, this is centuries.

But in order to safely transfer Ryan's memory map, he needs someone who can neutralize the devastation of the mental shock. A genius who specializes in changing the technology of the brain, he can perfect the machine and perhaps improve its design. If it was for Ryan alone, the courier wouldn't have done it.

But it's no longer about him.

Now, he has to save Ryan too.

Finally, the courier uses a long-unused channel, and a rough male voice comes from the other end. "What?"

"Alchemy." Ryan said, his fists clenched, startling his cat. "This is Quicksave."

The news shocked B

ai

dead。 "Rome? He asked, as if he wasn't sure about himself. But his confusion quickly turned to anger. "Damn it, you damn fool! It's been two years since you disappeared without saying a word, two years, and now you're calling me again as if nothing had happened?"

Yes, but that was after the genius tried to put Ryan's brain in the jar. While the alchemist does not remember his failed attempts, the Courier never forgets. Especially after Ryan confesses his deepest secret.

"You've broken the doll's heart, you selfish child!" The old genius complained. "I don't even know why I'm talking to you now!" Why, you feel lonely and decide-"

"I'm on the phone for me," Ryan interrupted their small talk.

This took the old genius by surprise. "Where? He asked, his tone changing from angry to a little worried.

"New Rome. I'll send you the coordinates. ”

"You'd better explain it to me, Romano, because I'm going to bring the doll. She won't accept rejection. ”

"Of course," Ryan replied, then abruptly hung up and texted the coordinates of the dump. Just as he was doing so, the president received another pleasant message.

Livia accepted his invitation.

There was a knock on the door of the president's office. It could be that the intern wanted to play Bill and Monica. "You can go in," Ryan said, putting his hand on Yugeney Henry's back. Shalin and Mosquito walked into the room, much to the disappointment of the president. "What's wrong, my dear cancer ad?"

"The land reports that an invisible genome is snooping around town, although whenever we try to intercept it, it always runs away," Shalin replied, not hearing the joke. Ryan guesses that Mr. Sephelit is investigating the activities of the Psychronic Gang. "Everything else is under control. What's the plan of action now?"

"In order, we are going to get rid of Psyshock, treat his victims, keep a low profile, occupy the bunker," the messenger explained. "We're holding Rusty for the time being, but we can't attack it again."

"And what about Augustus, boss?" Mosquito asked. "I mean, we've hit their people hard. Even if we stop targeting them, they won't forget that. ”

"It's funny that you're asking, because I just received Minerva's answer." She even agreed to his "special request". "We are going to offer Augustus a living gift of peace, and then we are ready to make peace with Di Dy

AMIS goes to war. ”

While sarin doesn't care at all, Mosquito seems to be a little apprehensive about the new foreign policy. "The battle with power?"

"Yes, we are fighting Dinamus." The time traveler noted. "We've been with Dy

Amis is at war. ”

"Boss, I don't think it's a good idea. Psyshock says we should avoid—"

"Am I dreaming, or are you becoming an outspoken minority?" Ryan asked, scratching Eugene Henry's ear. "Mosquito, are you going to leave the silent majority?"

The coachman bowed his head. "No, Mr. President."

"I love democracy," Ryan replied, at which point Jugne-Henry jumped out of his hand and took over the bed in the studio. "Let people do what I want."

"That's not what I'm asking," Salyn said, a little annoyed. "I'm talking about cures."

"Well, I have an idea," Ryan said, thinking it over. "Did you see Monger?"

"Yes, he eats rats in the garbage dump. How is he?"

Ryan explained, "His abilities allow him to drink multiple elixirs and use multiple abilities, although that doesn't make him immune to mutations." "I also know a guy who drank two colors of juice and didn't go crazy."

Shalin looked up in interest. "Augustus the same?"

"Yes, I have a gut feeling that these two people will help us find a cure for psychosis. Especially since Dr. Tirano seems confident that if someone like Livia cooperates, he can make one. "In the end, we have another piece of the puzzle that we can use."

"Which one, boss?" Mosquito asked, rediscovering the patriotism in his heart.

"Well, my bug friend," Bullet said, rising from his chair, "the talking elixir is certainly among us." ”

This is long overdue.

The president left his staff and cats behind and walked into the entertainment area. The maniacs clean up the place, and Frank swaps out the broken arcade game Street Fighter for Donkey Kong. This strange, faceless mutant is known as the "Invisible Man", and he occupies a repaired bar counter to serve refreshments to anyone who needs it.

Children and their respective stuffed animals occupy most of the space in the atrium, and orphans play some sort of board game around a large table. The elves bring them juice and snacks, and when they are late or clumsy, the stuffed animals poke them with sticks. Sometimes, these terrible effects even encourage their children to do it themselves.

To Ryan's surprise, he discovers that the annoying man is combing little Sara's hair with a comb. However, on closer inspection, this handle looks like it was made from a carved femur with human teeth instead of a mane.

Plush toys are learning.

The messenger hurried away, heading towards the storage of the elixir. The Black Elixir has its own empty studio near the entertainment district, and Ryan puts it in charge of investigating counterfeits. The president knew he shouldn't give this task to any of his lunatics, not even Frank and Shalin.

"You're here." As the Courier walked into the Black Elixir's lair, the Black Elixir spoke in a deep alien voice. All the facilities in the studio were emptied, except for the crates of counterfeit goods. All that's left is cold, barren metal walls. "I helped...... You helped. ”

"Yes, I will, but I need to know how, my Lovecraftian friend. To be honest, I don't even understand what you are. Ryan closed the door, leaning his back against the door. You're the elixir, aren't you?" One from the eighth color?"

"Yes...... I'm Blake...... Paradox...... Negation...... Freedom of all rules...... Refined chaos ...... "The creature struggled to find a way to explain it. "That's why...... Others are taught...... to fulfill their duties, but I ...... I can't be tied down...... "I don't want to connect with anyone. ”

So it's a natural rebel? The nature of its power makes it unstable and unwilling to unite with humans?" Is that why alchemists don't produce black elixirs?"

"We are paradoxes...... We break the rules of our nature...... These rules tie your universe together...... If you lack anything that defines you...... You're nothing ......"

The ability to give Ryan the ability to rewrite time is acceptable.

It is acceptable to turn Augustus into an unstoppable giant.

Mirren is acceptable.

But the black elixir is considered off-limits.

That should say it all. "You said I should send you back to the Man in Black. You mean the Black Dimension? Is there one for every color?"

"Yes...... Black World ...... Send me back...... This low-level reality...... It's maddening...... Your gravitational pull restricts me...... Your cause has an effect, and your result must have a reason...... "I was put in a prison in the shape of a molecule......"

"Does something make sense in our dimension?" Ryan summed up the problem.

"Yes!" The interdimensional entity responds with an outburst of emotion. "I ...... I can't be free...... Be what I want...... "Unlike other elixirs...... Never have I ever...... I want to come back to ...... Family. ”

Ryan felt a pang of pity for the creature. Of course, this universe is as terrifying to this entity as slime is to humans. "The question is, even if I find a way to send you back, do you understand that I've been turning back time?" You may be accidentally pulled back into our dimension, like leprechauns. ”

"No," it said hoarsely. "Once I'm on the other side, I'm ...... I will seek help from the Most High. ”

Again, this one. "The Ultimate King?"

"Black Ultimate...... The killer ...... "someone who breaks the rules...... Or even causality. ”

"So there's more than one?" One for each color dimension?"

"They are...... The embodiment of their colors...... is the supreme being of the higher realm...... We are ......" Black Elixir looking for the right word. "We are their attendants...... Their messenger ......"

"Their priest?" Rya

Suggestion.

"Yes. We are the conduit that connects the lower realms and the higher realms, and we connect the mundane and the sacred so that one day the lower beings can be elevated. ”

Is this what alchemists really do? Finally elevate humanity to the level of the ultimate one? Turning people into gods? Just look at Augustus to know what went wrong. "Does that mean you're all sentient?" Elixir?"

"It's true...... But they ...... Very submissive. "They have no other purpose than to help... Contact... The one called the Alchemist... It teaches them to connect with humanity... I don't know how. Metallic tries to teach me...... But I ...... I refuse to follow the rules. ”

"Metallic?"

"The blue star that built this metal city is long gone...... But its creators continue their mission. ”

Mech

o

Dead, but his AI still studies elixi on his behalf

。 This explains the creatures in the vats, as well as the copycat production system in the bunker that Big Adam speaks of. This facility is for the discovery of new technologies with which geniuses can rule the world, and it will continue to do so until it becomes disabled.

"There's a portal in this bunker." Ryan guessed. "That's what Maykelen's AI used to summon you out of your primary dimension."

"Yes. Once I have crossed it, the Supreme One...... It will remove the reason why I was brought here...... Remove me from the flow of cause and effect, and reality will restructure itself...... I will never be here when you reshape time...... Only you will remember. ”

If this creature can rewrite reality at will, or even erase someone from the stream of time, can it also work the other way around?

Ryan's thoughts immediately turned to Jasmin. "Can it do more?" If it can control paradoxes, can your Supreme bring people? A man who never existed?"

"You want to call back...... A man who has been erased by you......" replied the black elixir pensively. "Nothing is impossible for the Ultimate, as long as it's within their color range...... But there will be ...... Price. ”

"I'd be happy to pay."

"Not for you...... It's not just for you......" Black Elixir corrected him. "Your reality can't deal with us...... It doesn't matter if I'm removed because I'm just ...... A glitch...... But your friend ......"

"Her presence undermines reality itself." Ryan was depressed. "I see."

"You...... Still want me to ask...... Supreme?" It may listen. ”

"We'll know when we cross the bridge," the messenger said, crossing his arms. "There's no point in discussing this until I open the portal. Why did you contact me?"

"You remember, and you'...... You and the Violet God ...... There is a strong connection...... The one who oversees the flow of cause and effect...... You see things with its eyes......"

Ryan froze. "What do you mean?"

"You are an observer of this timeline...... You decide if the moment is real or fake...... You have this power through your will...... "the purple one." ”

The Messenger pondered the words carefully. He already suspects, but to confirm......

"I wonder how my abilities interact with things like dimensional travel," the time traveler recalled the elf. They remembered him, but existed in another realm beyond his power. It was supposed to cause a time paradox, but it didn't. "It works because a higher authority makes things run smoothly and ensures that contradictions are avoided."

"Black Elixir" Countless eyes and mouths moved, and Ryan thought it was equivalent to nodding. "The Purple Supreme is...... All the doors and keys for all the space and time...... It is the supreme overseer of causality...... I could see its will at work in the previous timeline. ”

Pyramid creatures.

"Did it arrange this meeting?" Ryan asked, feeling some existential fear. "Can I control my behavior? Or can it decide everything in advance?"

To his surprise, the Black Elixir's answer was full of optimism. "You are free...... You're just...... Guided. "The Purple One only interferes with maintaining the consistency of this reality, but ...... You are so small...... Your universe doesn't have a molecule for the Ultimate......"

"God doesn't do everything?"

"Nope." Black Elixir confirmed. "It's not controlling, it's pushing...... A path has been shown to you, but ...... You can choose whether to follow it or not. "The Ultimate One doesn't interfere with this timeline...... Never again. ”

So is Ryan alone this time? This entity provided him with a way out of his previous confusion and loneliness, but then he decided to focus on something else. The courier is free to choose the options offered, find another way, or mess everything up. In a sense, it's liberating.

"Okay, we'll find that portal and send you home." Ryan said, the black elixir breathed a sigh of relief and squirmed. It's almost lovely to watch in a disturbing way. "What shall I call you during this time?"

"I don't need a name......" the entity replied. Words can't describe ......"

"Then I'll call you Duckling." Ryan chose a name.

"My existence transcends time...... Beyond the rational ...... I can't be a single-"

"My president. Your name is Duckling now. ”

The black elixir was silent for a moment, countless pairs of eyes staring at Ryan. The president suddenly wondered if he had annoyed the entity. "No matter ......," Mr. Dachlin said, but his tone hinted at another scenario.

It turns out that even aliens can sulk.