Chapter 35. This Is My Turf
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While Nolan was still assessing Logan's condition, Curt Connors finally closed the last tab of the extensive files Nolan had handed him.
"Boss... you really are a genius. You actually extracted his healing factor."
He looked at the near-unconscious Logan in awe. "This... this is God's most extraordinary gift to mankind."
Nolan nodded, but his tone was serious. "The Phoenix Serum is still flawed. I need your help to fix that."
Connors understood what he meant right away. "You're referring to cellular apoptosis."
In essence, cells undergoing rapid regeneration often self-destruct to protect the organism from mutations or cancer. But the Phoenix Serum triggered such intense regeneration that the body's self-preservation mechanisms began working against it.
"Here," Nolan said, pulling up a projection of formulas. "This is my proposed modification to the Lizard Serum, integrating components from the Phoenix formula. Tell me what you think."
Connors leaned in. Dense equations and molecular pathways scrolled across the screen. He quickly identified Nolan's overlay of the Lizard Serum's core regeneration mechanics.
"Healing factors resist foreign elements... but if we could time the apoptosis to target the cells undergoing reptilian transformation..."
The two scientists plunged into deep discussion. Ideas flew, and formulas changed. Within hours, they'd mapped out the most efficient hybridization path.