Marvel: A.T.L.A.S. - Ghost Protocol

A.T.L.A.S. Secure Facility, Singapore - 48 Hours Later

The secured conference room smelled of coffee and gun oil. Surveillance photos and chemical formulas covered one wall, financial records another. Caspian stood at the window, watching Singapore's skyline while his Emperor Eye processed every detail of the recovered documents laid out behind him.

"The formula is more sophisticated than we anticipated." Dr. Samuel Sterns placed another set of test results on the table. "Far beyond what should be possible with current technology. Someone's been providing them with advanced research."

"Multiple someones." Carrie Valemont's voice was cold as she studied the financial data. "The money trail suggests at least three separate organizations, possibly government-backed."

Caspian turned from the window. "The radiation signatures match the Bangkok samples?"

"Similar, but more refined." Sterns adjusted his glasses. "They're perfecting something. The cellular degradation in the test subjects shows—"

"How many?" Carrie interrupted.

"Based on the data?" Sterns consulted his notes. "At least twenty-seven human trials. All failed. Violently."

The room fell silent. Caspian's Emperor Eye caught the subtle tension in his mother's jaw, the way her fingers tightened fractionally on her coffee cup. Even for A.T.L.A.S., twenty-seven dead test subjects represented a significant escalation.

"Show me the autopsy data," Caspian said.

Sterns brought up detailed medical reports on the screen. "The formula appears designed to enhance human capabilities—strength, speed, healing. But the subjects' bodies couldn't handle the strain. Cellular breakdown begins within hours. Death follows within days. Painfully."

"They're trying to recreate it," Carrie said quietly. "The serum."

No one needed to ask which serum. The shadow of Project Rebirth had haunted intelligence agencies for decades. But this was different. The Emperor Eye caught patterns in the data that suggested something more targeted, more specific.

"Not recreation." Caspian moved to the financial records. "Evolution. These requisition orders—they're not just buying research. They're buying failure data. Learning from others' mistakes."

"The Malaysian operation was just one piece." Walter stepped from his position by the door. "We've identified similar facilities in Jakarta, Manila, possibly Ho Chi Minh City."

"A network." Carrie's voice carried the weight of decision. "Caspian, you'll take lead. Priority One authorization. Whatever resources you need."

"The Stark Industries connection?"

"Trace it, but carefully. Howard's weapons may have been diverted without his knowledge."

Caspian nodded, already planning. "I'll need access to A.T.L.A.S. archives. Everything we have on similar programs from the last thirty years."

"Granted. Dr. Sterns, coordinate with Q Division. I want to know exactly what they're working toward."

"Director." An aide entered with fresh intelligence. "We've found something in the Manila surveillance."

The photos showed a familiar face: their Bangkok target, supposedly dead two weeks before Kuala Lumpur. The Emperor Eye caught the subtle surgical scars, the slightly wrong angle of his jaw.

"Doubles," Caspian said. "Professional work. Facial reconstruction, probably voice modification."

"They're protecting someone." Carrie studied the photos. "Someone worth this level of deception."

"I'll start in Manila." Caspian was already mentally cataloging equipment requirements. "If they're using surgical doubles, they'll need specialized facilities, dedicated medical teams."

"Take a full tactical team," Carrie ordered. "Walter will coordinate. Dr. Sterns, I want preliminary analysis of that formula within forty-eight hours."

The meeting dispersed with practiced efficiency. Only Caspian and his mother remained, studying the wall of evidence.

"They're getting bolder," she said finally.

"Or desperate."

"Find out which. And Caspian?" Her eyes met his. "Watch Stark Industries carefully. Howard's been... unstable lately. Making mistakes."

The implications hung in the air. Howard Stark's recent behavior had not gone unnoticed by A.T.L.A.S. intelligence. The drinking, the obsessive work patterns, the increasingly erratic decisions.

"I'll handle it," Caspian said simply.

Outside, Singapore's heat pressed against the windows. Somewhere in the city, more pieces of this puzzle waited to be found. More blood would need to be spilled. More secrets extracted from unwilling throats.

The Emperor Eye traced patterns through the collected data, building connections, identifying pressure points. Manila would just be the beginning.