Chapter 47: Project Icarus & Perseus 

A.T.C Headquarters, New York 

Volume 1: Origin

Batman Redoubt came with a Batcomputer, one of the most highly advanced computer hardware systems in the entire world. However, his wasn’t up to par with the actual Batman. He still had one of the most advanced computers in the Marvel universe outside of the select few people he could name on the one hand. 

He could only imagine what would have been if he had unlocked Bruce Wayne as his Persona, and he won’t even mention having him as his foundational persona. 

The Redhood persona still gave him access to a still-growing list of Batman-related tech that allowed for the creation of the Alfred Protocol or simply the creation of the Artificial Intelligence that was steadily growing from a combination of the separate universe technologies at Cole's disposal. 

Iceberg lounge had unlocked numerous traps and safeguards; Penguin, a ruthless crimelord and businessman, had been a master at gadgetry, too. Cole wasn’t aware of the man being the creator, but the shop still expanded with countless items related to the Lounge-Casino. 

A.T.C., on the other hand, had allocated him countless resources he and his could exploit. Boas drones became a staple in his arsenal the moment he had unlocked it, allowing him to survey and protect his six. 

The technology behind it was the same as the advanced tech of the formidable Arkham Knight suit, the final suit of Jason Todd, one he still hasn’t gotten yet. 

Able to redevelop his version of the Boas drones separate from Todd’s creations, with the tech combination from the megacorp and Naquadah, a super-heavy element with superconducting properties. It can store massive amounts of energy and is extremely hard. It gives off a unique energy signature that, from his estimation, only Goa'uld, former hosts, Jaffa, Tok'ra, and can detect.

Perusing the files of his newest business, Cole discovered countless projects that interested him at his current stage. Project Icarus was an Armacham Technology Corporation bioengineering research program started in 1973, stemming from studies on microgravity-related health problems. 

These problems were best countered with exercise, but NASA wanted their subjects to maintain bone density during periods of both microgravity and stasis. 

The subjects were strapped down for months at a time and fed a strict diet to maintain their weight. Despite numerous attempts, ATC was initially unable to find a solution for the bone loss.

Icarus scientists then developed a carbon fiber composite unaffected by microgravity conditions but light enough to add negligible weight to an astronaut. The composite was applied to the surface of bones to help prevent density decay, but it was unsuccessful. 

ATC then decided to use their newly created Replicas to perform surgery, removing each bone and replacing it with a replica made from the composite. 

The surgeries proved successful. Not only did subjects not lose bone density, but the light weight of the bone replacements made their speed and agility increase to levels never seen in humans before

Icarus was shut down due to being too expensive in favor of Project Perseus, funded by the Department of Defense. The Replica Forces are cloned super soldiers designed by Armacham Technology Corporation under the auspices of Project Perseus. The Replicas were raised in response to a Department of Defense directive for Armacham to develop genetically engineered super soldiers that Paxton Fettel could telepathically control.

‘Interesting,’ he thought, letting the knowledge settle into his mind as new plans and secondary avenues began to take shape. 

Tomorrow, ATC will open its doors, bringing one of his father's forgotten companies to the forefront. He refused to allow his significant companies to become public. He would only allow companies like Lexcorp to remain public tradable companies and enable boards to jockey for control; even if they could wrestle the company from him, he would refrain from allowing them to progress with his tech and production.

He checked the time, displayed in one of the numerous floating windows populating his vision. He sighed. He was cutting it close. 

Jeremy: Meet you in the lobby in ten minutes. 

He messaged Anne, reminding her about the school outing. Ten minutes should give her time to clean up. He didn’t wait for a reply and closed the window. 

Cole's head rose, and his lab assistants retreated from around him. He scrutinized the circuit board.

“Ten percent reduction in size to what is standard and with the capacity of a circuit board twice its size,” Alfred said in a congratulatory tone. 

He nodded; it was an attempt, but he didn’t achieve his goal. 

His eyes roamed across the scattered, completed, and elaborate electronic equipment sprawled across the table. 

He had begun to understand a small fraction of Tony Stark's genius and Bruce Wayne's winning record against foes beyond the scope of man. 

And there was another understanding: the system was more than just about gaining personas. He could remain behind the scenes and supply groups of enhanced and mutants. 

He shelved the thought.

He had begun receiving emails and inquiries about his tech. Oscorp amongst them, he laughed when Alfred had mentioned the company inquiry. 

He hadn’t liked Harry when he laid eyes on the heir to the considerably larger Oscope fortune. It was a testament to the company's power that they weren’t consumed like others, Rand and York Enterprises being the two biggest among the illegal seizures by The Hand. 

Having ignored Oscorp offer for his tech and only having responded once to his teacher, Ms. Hammers, and not her brother, had shifted his relationship with the two companies. At least only one hated him. 

Hammers Industries would only limit him. Stark would be ideal, but knowing Tony, he would want to control the tech and use it for his Iron armor. 

His goal was a military contract. The amount of money he could drain from the government with his tech would be enormous. 

The chiming of a system prompt made him and the limbs pause as the message appeared before him. 

Host-generated mission: Oscorp CEO Norman Osborn has learned about you. As a student in the same grade and classes, he has tasked him to secure your tech by any means. 

Oscorp isn’t a company that accepts no when they request something.

Rewards: Based on the Host completion method, albeit Heroic, neutral, or villainous. 

He scoffed. “Bring it on, Harry.” He had wanted a reason to put down the goblin family but was afraid of messing with Parker's origins.

He knew his summoned companies would put a target on his back. Still, it was inevitable that Tony Stark and others like them would draw the ire of countless individuals and organizations eying their riches.

“Let them come.” He called out.

He would wait and prepare. First, he needed to secure critical individuals; one was Max Dillion, but the man had succumbed to fate. He recalled the movie that the man just wanted a friend and was a fan of Spiderman but was ultimately forced to become a villain by the nature of his affliction. 

He had searched the man and learned the version here was the same as the movie. The character even favored Jamie Foxx, whose history aligned with the same scenario. 

‘Looks like I will be meeting Spiderman soon.’ He thought to himself as he realized he would have to fight Parker to snatch Electro away. 

A three-dimensional Hardlight representation of a human musculature rotated aimlessly before him. He scrutinized the design. He wasn’t a doctor, and it showed, but he did have the brain power and innate aptitude for learning on the go. 

The time he had passed for him as he worked. He looked at his watch and sighed. His hand jabbed at the irritating red flash section of the image, each indicator a warning that his current design wouldn’t work and his synth muscle polymer wasn’t quite ready. He was missing something, and he could figure it out. 

He pointed at different regions, pinching them before spreading his thumb and index finger outward, expanding the breaking-down area. 

He tapped at the table, pondering.

Knowing he had plans later, he established numerous programs to be initialized. He stood and walked past a predator helmet that was currently being analyzed. The bat computer A.I. had begun to filter throughout the ATC building. 

Anne had taken to the Hara’Kesh quite easily. The device was almost a cheat as she extracted the information from the assassins. Her hesitation had ingratiated her to him. He didn’t mind a sadistic person, but who he needed at his left hand required an equal amount of compassion. 

Screams polluted the sterile grey halls as he exited the elevator into the sub-basement. He chuckled, his H.U.D. showing how Anne focused the device on the guild members. 

The device fits snugly around the middle and ring finger and can detect a Goa'uld or Tok'ra symbiote. He was almost sure it would drive any venom spawn insane. When activated, it emits a beam that causes incredible pain, at least at the lowest setting; one lousy thought, and you could liquidate the mind of the victim. 

He had also taken a sample of her blood, wanting to determine any kinds of mutations. His assumptions had been spot on. Not even speaking, Alfred had begun the secondary process.

He stepped inside the interrogation room. She hadn’t even checked her messages. Anne hadn’t noticed him as he stood behind her as she applied her craft. 

“Have you learned anything worthwhile?” He asked, startling the young woman. Anne blanched and turned around, her hands behind her back as if hiding the deed. 

He waived her off. “In case he dies on us. Take this.” He handed her a Goa'uld healing device. Anne grabbed it and waved the device over the injured man's body.

He scrutinized her. It seems the element also comes with ingrained knowledge. The way she was quickly able to use the device was almost similar to his system knowledge. 

“I’m going out. Don’t forget we have the thing this evening with the school.” He turned around, walking from the room. 

“Hey. What about the woman you took.” She called after him.

He paused; his back was to her. He tapped the side of his head. 

“Project Icarus & Perseus, you can access the data on them.“

Cold grey eyes stared at Anne over his shoulder. Her tablet was out, and she was tapping at the screen. 

“Ignore the robotic hounds that will begin patrolling the more secure areas.” 

Anne silently nodded before her head jerked up. She called after him, but Cole laughed as he walked back down the long, silent hallway.