Chapter 12: My Lab
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the freshly cleared expanse that had once been teeming with grass and trees, I stood before my newly completed laboratory. It was a solid structure, a 12-by-12-meter cuboid made of concrete, standing proudly amidst the open space, its eight windows gleaming in the fading light.
"I've finally done it," I muttered to myself with a sense of accomplishment flooding through me.
It had been two weeks, but I managed with the little resources I had. Using telekinesis as an alternative for power tools did most of the trick, but the resources had me quite in a pickle. Using desert sand wasn't a commendable approach to creating concrete. I had to hash it up and travel further west to find river sand. Thankfully, I have a handy robe with spatial storage. Another fortunate thing was that I didn't need to make cement from scratch since my robe still had a few sacks of it.
From within the depths of the laboratory, I had carved out a subterranean chamber, creating a pyramid-like structure beneath the surface. It was a feat of engineering, albeit one I had undertaken without the benefit of any formal qualifications. But then again, two millennia of experience in the world of superpowers had taught me more than any college ever could.
As I admired my handiwork, a figure approached from the nearby elf village. It was Irene, the newly appointed chief, her eyes wide with curiosity as she took in the sight before her.
"Wow," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe. "I've never seen anything quite like this before. The architecture is truly remarkable. It's… perfectly square."
A sense of pride swelled within me at her words. Despite my nefarious past, it seemed that even the elves could appreciate the fruits of my labor. And as I welcomed Irene into my laboratory, I knew that this was only the beginning of what I could achieve in this world.
"Irene," I said with a warm smile as she approached, her long hair catching the last rays of the setting sun. "Congratulations on becoming chief. It's well deserved."
"Thank you," she replied, a hint of bashfulness in her voice. "And thank you for recommending me. I never expected to be… chosen."
"You've always had the qualities of a leader," I assured her. "I know you would excel in the role."
Irene glanced around at the laboratory, her eyes alight with curiosity. "So, what exactly is this place?" she asked, her gaze lingering on the pyramid-like structure beneath the surface.
"This," I said proudly, "is my laboratory. A place where I can pursue my experiments in peace."
"It's incredible," Irene remarked, stepping closer to examine the architecture. "I've never seen anything quite like it. The elves will be fascinated."
"I hope so," I replied, a note of excitement in my voice. "Unfortunately, this place wouldn't be open for any of you. I am a Gifted, more unique than the ones you knew. Know that anyone who dares trespass my abode will suffer my wrath. I respected the village not poking at my origins, but I won't be polite. While careless, I understand that the village had been desperate for someone like me."
"Well, it certainly shows," Irene said, turning to me with a smile. "Elder Marah still thinks we could tie you in if we lure you with women of the village. I am fairly convinced she made me chief because you only recommended me."
"I am aware," I avoided saying more, lest I exposed my true feelings about the matter.
As I said, I wouldn't enforce my ideals into this place… well, not unless I completely decided to make this place my permanent base of operations. The only reason I was staying here was because this place was remote and had an 'intelligent life' not to mention all kinds of lifeforms roaming around the forest making this a perfect place for me to experiment.
"So where are you from if you don't mind me asking?" Irene asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.
I paused for a moment, considering how much to reveal. "Somewhere very far away, that's all you need to know," I answered, keeping my origins vague.
Irene nodded, seeming to accept my response. "Fair enough," she said with a smile. "I suppose everyone has their secrets."
"Indeed," I replied, returning her smile. "But enough about me. What brings you to my laboratory? Curiosity, or something more?"
"I wanted to see the marvel for myself," Irene admitted, her eyes wandering around the structure. "But also, I come bearing news from the village."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What news might that be?"
"We've encountered some trouble in the forest," Irene explained, her expression growing serious. "Strange creatures have been spotted, and some of our hunters haven't returned."
I frowned, concern creeping into my thoughts. "Strange creatures, you say? Have you encountered anything like them before?"
Irene shook her head. "Never. They're unlike anything we've seen in these woods."
I pondered this new information, a plan forming in my mind. "I may be able to help," I offered. "But first, we'll need to gather some supplies. Meet me here tomorrow morning, and we'll venture into the forest together."
"Thank you," Irene said gratefully, relief evident in her voice. "I'll spread the word to the others. We'll be ready."
With a nod of agreement, I watched as Irene made her way back to the village, her silhouette fading into the gathering darkness. The forest was for tomorrow… For now, I would need to organize the insides of my lab.
I entered the lab, and it was dark. Thankfully, I possessed some form of night vision derived from my unique biology since I have gained immortality. The inside of the lab was empty, but not for so long. I summoned my dark robe and from its pitch-black spatial storage, I drew out all kinds of furniture to decorate the first floor, and to disguise the passage underneath.
Since becoming a supervillain, one super important lesson I learned was that I should be always prepared to run for it and create a new base in a new place… The spatial storage I had was in part of 'creating a new base' without looking back. If you have a probable warehouse where you keep your most important stuff, then your job would become a hundred times easier every time you start over.
Thus I began filling up my place.
I conjured up a sturdy wooden table and a set of chairs, arranging them neatly in a corner where they would be easily accessible. A bookshelf materialized against one wall, its shelves filling up with books on subjects ranging from chemistry to every natural science. A comfortable armchair appeared near the center of the room, a perfect spot for contemplation or relaxation.
With the furniture in place, I turned my attention to the subterranean chamber below. Drawing upon my vast knowledge of psychic applications, I began to imbue psychic power along the walls and floor, creating a temporary psychic labyrinth. If I wanted to make it more permanent, I would need a live brain and put it in a vat to act as a battery… I wouldn't want to kill an elf for materials yet…
There were three floors underground. I just restructured the first level adjacent to the ground floor into a maze. This leaves me with two more floors.
Once the protections were in place, I set about gathering the tools and equipment I would need for my science stuff. In the second level, all kinds of lab equipment lined the shelves, their shapes distinctly different from each other from one beaker to another.
As I worked, my mind raced with possibilities. What manner of experiments could I be doing here? And how different could the Supers of this world different from mine? I would be doing bio-engineering and I highly specialize in superpower science, so I was looking forward to working with someone.
Of course, I didn't forget that my main priority had always been resurrecting my daughter.
At the deepest underground level, I set up as storage, I took out one of the prototypes of a Cloning Vat I have been working for decades. I have a few vats still under my robe, but they were spares… I needed to have this vat here to remind me that at some point, I had to create a body for the soul of my daughter if I were to push for her resurrection.
I looked around and decided to stall summoning the more electric-powered technology. I needed to find a substitute to power my lab. I wasn't a fan of solar technology back in my old world, since there was a Hero back then who could connect their minds to Solar Flares, some bullshit psychic-type variant who literally could see and feel anything under the sunlight and was even a high-level pyrokinetic.
For now, I am satisfied with my current lab.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone