The lab was his domain. Over the years, he gathered genetic samples using or creating technology. Whether from university life or later, he made steady progress. Although he didn't have the most cutting-edge technology, it didn't mean he wasn't able to achieve results.
He successfully mapped the human genome for himself and, thanks to various prizes he had won from his system, he gained access to rare and early-stage genetic samples, including some from alien races.
Early-stage genetic material was species not too far from human abilities. There were a few exceptions that he couldn't wait to create.
Because of his early limitations, progress was slow. Most of what he earned were MM points or Monster Maker Points. These points could be used to purchase various resources, but Victor spent the majority on knowledge.
Knowledge was what he needed most. While alien DNA was fascinating and held promise, it required him to map their unique genomes individually. It was time-consuming. What truly mattered was his ability to create monsters that could help him move forward. However, like all life, monsters required time to grow and develop. What he needed was technology to accelerate the growth process.
To that end, he pursued advanced techniques—cloning, memory transference, teaching machines, and more. He cobbled together devices from components he had either collected or designed, often using blueprints available through the system. These components, which he requested from Tony Stark, were innocuous, subsystems from different scientific fields, so neither Tony nor Bruce Banner could recognize what they were meant to do.
It wasn't that Victor wanted to exclude Tony or Dr. Banner. It was simply in his nature. Even in his past life, secrecy came naturally to him, especially when working on things that danced along the edge of morality.
In that life, he had come to understand there were places science should not tread. But in this new life, he faced new pressures. He had a new mother to protect, and just like before, that protective instinct burned fiercely.
Over the years, Victor realized this world was filled with strange elements his old one lacked. In his previous life, he had walked the line between the ethical and the forbidden. Now, he found that his old skills served him well.
He became aware of how bizarre this world was the day he visited the Captain America museum. There, he saw how another man had tried to break the boundaries of human potential.
Captain America was a testament to the power of science and technology, but with a heart. Instead of creating a monster, Dr. Erskine created the ultimate patriot: a good man granted great power. And wasn't that what Victor wanted to achieve now?
Unlike in his past life, he refused to walk the path of resurrecting the dead. He had learned that such a path only led to destruction. In this life, he wanted to protect life—to protect his mother, himself, and the people of Earth. He wanted to serve humanity. Then the alien invasion came.
These soulless creatures—cheap genetic products—swarmed Earth and nearly succeeded in destroying New York. He had been unprepared. Though the system hinted at the existence of aliens, he had no idea their arrival would be so sudden. He realized Earth was destined for war among the stars, but what strength did humanity have? A few people in costumes? That wasn't enough.
He couldn't accept this, especially when he had the power to make a difference. He became obsessed with improving his monster-making abilities. He needed more knowledge, more resources. When he discovered Tony Stark was his father, he saw it as a golden opportunity.
Still, he had to focus. He needed money. He needed power. But how much progress could he make if he divided his attention? Was money more important? Of course not! But he needed money.
Now that his lab was complete and capable of producing his first monster—not Noah, but something immediately useful—he got to work. Using alien genetic samples acquired through the system, he chose one that suited his needs.
He finished constructing his first incubation chamber. It would allow him to rapidly grow the alien. Spider-like nodules drifted within the solution. As the creature formed, knowledge was fed directly into its developing brain. In one month, it will be ready. It was in the process of being born.
To achieve his goals, he needed more incubation pods. Over the next month, he used fabrication equipment provided by Tony to build two additional pods. He selected two new alien species. Thanks to the experience from the first build, the process was faster.
By the end of the month, three aliens stood before him: a hunter, a spy, and a great intelligence.
The first was a Givin from the Star Wars universe—a skeletal-looking alien with triangular eyes that made them appear perpetually in agony. Their faces resembled the horror movie Scream's Ghostface. Victor found it eerie yet inspiring. Though he wasn't a fan of horror movies, he gave the Givin a black cloak and gloves to complete the look. Its name was Ort Lindar. He was The Great Intelligence.
The second was a massive creature over seven feet tall, with an alien face adorned with mandible-like horns used to drag prey into a hidden mouth. This was a Yautja—a Predator, a hunter.
The third was unique: a mechanical-organic lifeform, more machine than flesh, though its functions were distinctly biological. It was a Cybertronian—a being with the ability to disguise itself as vehicles or technology. This one was designed after a Cybertronian named Perceptor, though its personality and sub-units mirrored another: Soundwave. When whole, it was intelligent and efficient. When divided, it splits into three smaller units: Rumble, Laserbeak, and Ravage. This is his spy.
The three new lifeforms stood before their creator. The three aliens knew what they were taught in their incubation period. There were some clues about the nature of their species from their biology.
"Dr. Lindor," Victor looked toward the Givin. It wore its dark cloak and hood. It had five fingers, also covered with gloves. Hidden by its robes were its three-toed feet.
"Yes, creator?" The creature looked like an agonizing apparition. Even the Yautja found it unsettling.
"I received a little information about your race, about all of your races," he waved to the other two aliens. He didn't have access to their species' languages, so all three were taught English. His comment about their races interested all three of them. They perked up their ears.
"Your people were famous starship and vehicle builders. Unfortunately, we haven't developed to the point where I have the funds or materials to create something so grandiose. I require your help with manufacturing my other technology. Once we've grown appropriately, we'll turn to your specialty."
The Givin made a weird face, maybe it was excited?
"I know a couple of points about your culture and planet. Your planet is called Yag'Dhul. Your species is sometimes called the Yag'Dul, but Givin is the more popular name. The social hierarchy is based on the most intelligent among your species. Leaders were always smarter than those under them.
The greatest among you were the members of The Body Calculus. As the first of your species in the galaxy, I will leave it to you to decide how to recreate your culture. I have a few other points of interest in the main computer under 'Givin.' You may examine it on your time.
There are already several projects ranked according to priority of need. Please begin as soon as possible, you can start tomorrow if you would like," Victor instructed his firstborn alien.
"Thank you, Creator, I wish to get to work immediately," the Givin responded.
"Fine, and from now on, you may refer to me as Dr. Frankenstein, all of you can. Doctor is a title representing those who have reached the highest level in their fields of study. I will refer to you as Dr. Lindor to show you the respect you deserve because of your achievements."
The Givin seemed pleased by this and stepped out of the briefing to begin his work. Starship construction burned in his blood. He needed to help Dr. Frankenstein grow faster so that he could become a great shipbuilder.
"You," Victor pointed at the Yautja. "Your name is Jauwa the Hunter. You are the first of your species, they enjoy hunting strong prey. For now, train your body. Dr. Lindor is going to produce traditional Yautja weapons. Once armed, I should have a target for your first hunt. Return to your room, I will take you to a hunting ground where you can train on vicious beasts on this planet.
"Yes," with a single word, the Predator left.
This left the last of the three species, Soundwave. He was named based on the information he found in the system about Cybertronians.
"Soundwave, the next task is something only you can accomplish. My Remote Tracking Devices (RTD) have turned up some curious information. The RTDs are meant to gather genetic samples from beings spread throughout the Earth. Sometimes, they also relay intelligence.
I have become aware of some groups that require infiltration and information acquisition. This is your specialty. I marked three groups as top priority.
Laserbeak will infiltrate a Hydra base in Sokovia. The Staff of Loki is being held, and two persons of interest, Baron Strucker and Alexander Pierce, are there. Laserbeak is small and stealthy, and the perfect agent for this mission.
Ravage will track a group of shapeshifting aliens called Skrulls. These beings can mimic the appearance and even the biology of other species. I'm not sure how powerful this ability is. I would like to find out, I would also like to know their purpose for being on Earth. Ravage will shadow them to learn more.
Finally, Rumble will infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. and begin learning its secrets."
Soundwave acknowledged the orders, "Affirmative. Laserbeak, Ravage, Rumble, eject. Operation: Track and Infiltrate." Soundwave's body split into three. The largest was a human-sized robot. Next was a jaguar, black and gray. Finally, a vulture-like bird appeared. The three Cybertronians left their boss.
The Predator, Jouwa, would hunt down those who threatened humanity—Hydra chief among them. Once Laserbeak gathered the necessary intel, Jouwa would be unleashed to eliminate them.
Victor planned to produce three more Givins to assist him. With the three incubation tubes, this would take about two weeks.
He also needed more Predators. Even a strong and experienced Predator would be hard pressed to take on one Hydra base alone. Four should be a good number.
There was another species, a swarm-type, something that would strike fear into Hydra's core. The best part: there would be no human link, no obvious connection to Victor, no way for Hydra or others to prepare.
He laughed maniacally at the thought. That creature, when it came, would be true terror.
For now, Jouwa focused on adapting to his environment. Simple clothes were provided, but its predatory instincts ran deep. Human food disgusted it, it needed to hunt.
Now, with knowledge accumulated over the years, and his first generation of monsters at his command, it was time to begin building his army. He valued quality over quantity, though swarms had their use.
For mass production, he had a plan. The Chitauri—the species Loki used to attack Earth were disposable, effective, and ideal for swarms if you didn't care if they lived or died. He could mass-produce them using their technology, much of which was stored in Stark Tower under research. Perhaps Tony would enjoy meeting a being more brilliant than himself. Victor wondered what Dr. Lindor would think of it.
He laughed again—louder this time. It was all coming together.