Maine, United States.
In the laboratory, the Professor sighed continuously at the statistics before him.
"All the supercats that had their superpowers boosted by Project X improved in varying degrees. The weakest had an increase of 12% while the strongest showed an increase of more than 235% in its superpower. Unbelievable."
He started to read another report. "But the most important thing was that once these supercats had their abilities boosted, the powers that they lent out increased as well. Hmm… up til now none of the 50 test subjects experienced negative after effects from the ability boost and the duration of their abilities remains at 24 hours. This is really hard to believe."
The Professor stared excitedly at the lab report as he began thinking about his next research topic. Just then, a few soldiers opened the door and barged in.
The Professor frowned. "Who are you guys? Who gave you permission to come in?"
The leading officer said, "We are from the International Special Operations Forces. I believe Project X is here?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," The Professor replied angrily. "Everything here is classified information. Get the hell out of here unless you want to be court-martialed."
The officer smiled and said, "We have the approval of the United States Department of Defense. Your superior will contact you over the phone soon. The country needs the help of Project X's powers now. Hope you can understand and cooperate with us."
"Impossible. The Department of Defense will never agree to this. You all don't understand the importance of Project X…" Before he could finish his words, the phone in front of the Professor rang. His face changed slightly as he saw the officer smirking at him.
"Answer it."
The Professor took the call. His expression changed multiple times within the next moment, before he finally sighed. "That's too risky, we still haven't figured out Project X's abilities and how it works. If there are any consequences…"
"Don't worry Professor," The officer said. "My men are more than capable to withstand all kinds of tests. A mere cat won't be a problem."
"You don't understand at all…" The Professor looked up and glanced at the man. He sighed in resignation and took them into the laboratory.
Not long after, a supercat was placed in front of Project X in a clean and white laboratory.
The supercat glanced at Project X and asked curiously, "You're considered a cat too? Why do you look like that?"
Project X, who had been reading a comic book, looked up and stared the other cat in the eyes. His eyes flashed in the next moment as his lips curled into a smile, "Finally, a cat I can use."
He turned and stared at the other party as he asked, "Hello, what's your name?"
"I'm Coffee," The supercat stared at him curiously, "They said you can boost my superpower. Is that true?"
"Of course it's true," Project X waved his paw at the cat and replied gently, "Come, child, let me stroke your head."
Coffee was slightly abashed but still walked over obediently and stretched his head towards Project X.
Project X stroked the other party's head as he quipped happily, "What an obedient child."
Outside the laboratory, the Professor was still trying to dissuade the officer. "We have yet to come to a conclusion about Project X's background and power. It might be too risky if we decide to use his power on a large-scale. What if there are side-effects?"
The officer shook his head, "Professor, you've been cooped up in the laboratory for too long so you probably do not know how dangerous the international arena is now. Just a few days ago, an incident where a human apostle fought against a whole army happened again in the Southeast Asian region.
In the desert regions in the East, some apostles even led armed rebels to overthrow the incumbent government and fought against our own country's troops there.
This has drastic consequences on the future of our country's international standing and military interests in both the Asia-Pacific and the Eastern desert regions and can be considered a threat to national security. So we need to have stronger superpowers and even stronger apostles."
As he said that, he stared at Project X in the laboratory and smiled slightly. "A supercat that can boost the abilities of other supercats, isn't this the best weapon? With him, our country will continue to dominate the international order and the supernatural realm would be no exception."
The Professor sighed once more, knowing that he could no longer dissuade him. The officer only knew how to make use of superpowers for riches and power. He was totally ignorant of the dangers associated with superpowers.
The officer continued confidently, "Coffee is a supercat that has undergone much training with us so there is no doubt about his loyalty to the country. Even if there's a problem with Project X, there will surely be no problem with Coffee."
However, at the next moment, shouts of astonishment filled the control room.
In the laboratory, Project X's mouth shot open and extended to 270 degrees, baring its fangs which looked no different from rows of daggers as it chomped right down on Coffee's head.
"MEOW!" Coffee let out an agonizing scream and started to struggle violently with his whole body as he kicked with all his might at Project X with all four limbs. However, Project X bit down on him tightly and there was no way the cat could struggle out.
The officer roared in anger, "Quick stop him!"
The Professor shouted back, "Be careful. Don't kill Project X. He's very precious."
One by one, automated mechanic hands stretched towards Project X and Coffee. However, no matter how much the mechanic hands pulled, Project X bit down relentlessly on Coffee's head, fresh blood gushing out from his mouth as he refused to let go.
After a few seconds, Coffee's agonizing screams became weaker before it completely died down and stopped struggling altogether. The officer outside the laboratory screamed in rage and agony, "What the f*ck? What did this monster just do?"
Project X had already had its four limbs and head caught by the mechanic hands as shots of tranquilizers were injected into his body. However, he continued to bite down relentless and did not release his grip at all.
"This won't do! The tranquilizers are totally ineffective."
"Increase the concentration of the shots."
"D*mn, did he fake the effects all along when the tranquilizers were injected previously?"
The officer grabbed the Professor by the collar and screamed, "Do you know how important Coffee is? The whole gravitation unit's superpower comes from him! Quick, save him!"
"We are trying our best but Project X's teeth had sunk right through Coffee's bones. It's not so easy even if we want to separate them now."
"Then let us do it," The officer shouted and the next moment, he barged into the laboratory with his men.
"No, you all can't do this!" The Professor tried to stop them but was immediately pushed aside.
The officer immediately pointed a gun at Project X and shouted, "You monster! Quick let him go, or else I will blow your brains off this instant. I know you can understand what we are saying, so listen to my command now!"
Project X's eyes flew open and his eyeballs spun towards the soldiers. It was as if there was a look of glee in his eyes.
The next moment, an enormous gravitational force burst out from a few soldiers' bodies, shrinking them into small balls as they dropped on the floor. The whole laboratory began to shake violently after a loud boom was heard. The steel house began to bend and distort under the intense gravitational pull.