同章对照

President Ryan browsed through Hannifat Lecter’s files, with Eugène-Henry sleeping on his lap.

He had inherited his own oval office from his late predecessor, though it was square-shaped. Mechron had built living quarters in the bunkers to host Genomes in his employ; each studio was around twenty meters squared in size, including a kitchenette, washroom, beds, and shelves.

Most importantly, each room also had a computer with access to the base’s system. While the bunker used several different independent networks to run its operations, Adam and Psyshock had compiled a lot of useful data. It took Ryan hours to crack the firewalls, but it had been worth it.

Besides a map of the bunker, the time-traveler had gotten his hands on several of Mechron’s unclassified files. Most were android schematics, but some delved into truly revolutionary technology, such as spaceships to lifesaving cybernetic enhancements. Such a shame that Mechron had used his talent for destruction, instead of serving humanity. Ryan had the feeling the world would be a far better place if someone else had inherited his power.

This data was but a taste of what the central mainframe held, and Ryan shuddered at the mere thought of someone like Augustus getting his hands on it; anyone unlocking the bunker’s full capabilities would have a credible shot at world domination. The place could produce robots, weapons of mass destruction, and of course, grant control of the Bahamut.

Most importantly, Ryan now knew how the Meta-Gang learned of the bunker’s existence. Big Fat Adam and Psyshock had been studying leftover tech in the Old Rome’s ruins, and captured a still active research probe reporting to the bunker’s central AI. They tracked the source of its directional signal to New Rome, hoping to plunder its technology.

And now, it was Ryan’s turn to crack this metal vault.

After reviewing the files, the President used the bunker’s computer system to contact a few Blue Genomes. The first was Livia, whom he texted asking for a neutral meeting to clear things out. The second was the Architect, Yuki’s girlfriend, whom he anonymously contacted through an encrypted call.

“So, let me get this straight,” Nora’s voice came out of the computer. “You’re building a Genius tech-based bunker, and you want me to see if I can crack it open as a stress test?”

“Yes, we are constructing a safe space to protect our clients from a second Genome apocalypse,” Ryan lied while scratching his cat’s ears, causing him to wake up and purr. “We would like to hire you to review the plans. See if you can find any structural weakness we could deal with. Of course, this job will stay strictly confidential.”

Nora would get a strongly edited version of the plans, so she doesn’t blow the whistle on the operation. At least, until Ryan had unlocked its full capabilities.

“I guessed that already,” the Architect replied with a chuckle. “Especially since your image feed is all dark, mister…”

“President,” Ryan replied, having already settled on his supervillain name. “Mr. President.”

She shrugged. “That’s an odd name, but I’ve heard worse. However, I must warn you that my consultancy doesn’t come cheap, and I already have work to do for Dynamis. I don’t think I can deal with your project in the following weeks.”

“Which is why you will work exclusively for our government from now on.”

“I’m not sure I foll—”

“Check your bank account for the down payment.”

After a short silence where Nora actually followed through, Ryan heard a gasp from the other side. “That’s… that’s a lot of zeroes.”

Thankfully, Ryan’s hidden second superpower was money. “Enough to temporarily set aside your previous obligations, Miss Moore?”

“I think it could be arranged!”

“Goooood,” Ryan said, his cat rejoicing at the plan coming together. “I will forward you the data and have you start immediately. Also, I have been informed you are on good terms with the superheroine Wardrobe?”

“We are close friends, yes,” Nora lied. Perhaps she tried to minimize public knowledge of her private life. “Why so?”

“Well, I was wondering if she made costumes on the side, besides superheroing? I’m in dire need of a presidential costume, but I don’t want to be stonewalled by her agent.”

“Wise, it would take weeks before you can talk to her directly. The PR managers are worse gatekeepers than Cerberus. But sure, I could ask her to contact you. What kind of costume are you looking for?”

“A cashmere one.”

Was there ever any doubt?

After recruiting his first Genius, Ryan called his favorite one after Len. He dreaded to have this conversation, especially since it would mean interacting closely with her for weeks. Time may have passed, but the wound remained fresh.

“Who is this?” Her surprised voice came out of the computer. “How did you get this number?”

Hearing Jasm—Vulcan’s voice made Ryan bristle, but he stayed in character. “Do you like weapons, Miss Sharif?”

“Are we playing twenty questions, or you’re just being a creep?”

“I love weapons, Miss Sharif,” the POTUS ranted while ignoring his ex-girlfriend. “I love building a big cannon, charging it, and unloading the payload. I love planes, tanks, and submarines. I love ordering drone strikes in the morning. I believe bullets are the best foreign policy.”

“I’m hacking your location. You’re going to regret prank calling me.” Her confident tone turned into a bark of frustration. “Damn it, you’re using proxy servers?”

“How would you feel about supplying an assault on Dynamis HQ?” Ryan inflicted the first strike. “Humiliating Wyvern, and crushing the corpos with an unstoppable technological advantage?”

Of course, he knew how to please her in all the ways that mattered. “I’m listening.”

“My name is Mr. President, and I’m going full Teddy ‘Trustbuster’ Roosevelt on Dynamis. Too long have corporations thought themselves above the law. My law.”

Since the deal with Manada needed Psyshock’s complicity and Ryan would get rid of him soon, the alliance would inevitably collapse. Besides, the POTUS needed to get his hands on Dr. Tyrano, and he doubted Dynamis would open the doors of Lab Sixty-Six even to their ‘allies.’ Big Fat Adam had confirmed in a previous run that the bunker had the infrastructure to produce Elixirs, so the courier could manufacture his own supply.

Ryan forwarded a few android schematics to Vulcan. “That’s Mechron tech,” she said, half-worried, half excited. “Where did you get this?”

“There’s more where I am. As for how, well, that will depend if we can…” Ryan let the sentence hang as he channeled his inner evil mastermind, “help each other out. Genius to genius.”

“Okay, now this smells really fishy. You sound like one of those Saturday morning cartoon supervillains with delusions of grandeur.”

“Of course I do,” Ryan replied bluntly. “But I have a vision, not delusions.”

“Right,” Vulcan chuckled on the other side. “I admit you have my curiosity, and if you really intend to hit Wyvern where it hurts, then we’ll get along great. But you need more than just tech to bribe me. You said it yourself. You help me, I help you.”

Ah, Ryan loved a good Faustian bargain. He had a good idea what she would ask. “And how could I help you, Miss Sharif?”

“Dynamis is currently filming a new Wyvern movie at Star Studio,” she said, “Trash it, then we’ll talk.”

She never changed. ”Give me time to buy myself the right costume, and I’ll set the stage on fire. Don’t forget to turn on your TV when I do.”

“Sure, I will. Impress me.”

And so, Ryan’s evil plan started taking shape.

Now… was the time to contact the last Genius on his list.

Ryan had long considered whether or not he should even call him. He didn’t trust that man, as their previous partnership had ended in betrayal and disaster. They hadn’t even spoken in years; centuries from the courier’s point of view.

But to safely transfer Len’s memory map, he needed someone capable of removing Psyshock’s sabotage. A Genius specialized in brain-altering tech, who could perfect the machine and perhaps improve on its design. If it were for Ryan alone, the courier wouldn’t have gone through with it.

But it was no longer about him.

Now, he had to save Len too.

In the end, the courier used a channel long unused, a gruff male voice coming from the other end. “What?”

“Alchemo,” Ryan said, his fists clenching and startling his cat. “It’s Quicksave.”

The news shocked Braindead. “Romano?” he asked, as if still unsure of himself. His confusion quickly turned to anger though. “Damn it, you cursed fool! It’s been two years, two years since you vanished without a word, and you’re calling me back as if nothing happened?”

Well yes, but only after the Genius had tried to put Ryan’s brain in a jar. Though Alchemo didn’t remember his failed attempt, the courier never forgot. Especially since it took place right after Ryan had confessed his deepest secret.

“You broke the Doll’s heart, you selfish brat!” the old Genius complained. “I don’t even know why I’m talking to you right now! What, you feel lonely and decided to ca—”

“I’m calling in my favor,” Ryan interrupted the rambling.

This sent the older Genius reeling back. “Where?” he asked, his tone turning from angry to slightly worried.

“New Rome. I’ll send you the coordinates.”

“You better have a good explanation, Romano, because I will bring the Doll with me. She won’t take no for an answer.”

“Sure,” Ryan replied before abruptly hanging up and sending the Junkyard coordinates by text. As he did, the President received another, delightful message.

Livia had accepted his invitation.

Someone knocked on the oval office’s door. Probably an intern wanting to play Bill and Monica. “You may enter,” Ryan said, a hand on Eugène-Henry’s back as the doors opened. Sarin and Mosquito walked into the room, much to the President’s disappointment. “Yes, my dear Cancer Ad?”

“The Land reported an invisible Genome snooping around town, though it kept fleeing whenever we tried to intercept,“ Sarin answered, missing the joke. Ryan guessed it was Mr. Safelite checking up on the Meta-Gang’s activities. “Everything else is under control otherwise. What’s the plan of action now?”

“In order, we’re getting rid of Psyshock, curing his victims, laying low, and conquering the bunker,” the courier explained. “We’ll hold Rust Town for now, but no more attacks outside.”

“What about the Augusti, Boss?” Mosquito asked. “I mean, we already hit their people hard. They aren’t going to forget it, even if we stop targeting them.”

“Funny you should ask, because I just received an answer from Minerva.” She even agreed to his ‘special request.’ “We’re going to make a live peace offering to the Augusti, and then prepare for war with Dynamis.”

Though Sarin couldn’t care less, Mosquito seemed a bit worried about the new foreign policy. “War with Dynamis?”

“Yes, we are at war with Dynamis,” the time-traveler pointed out. “We have always been at war with Dynamis.”

“Boss, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Psyshock said we should avoid—”

“Am I dreaming, or you’re becoming a vocal minority?” Ryan asked, scratching Eugène-Henry’s ears. “Are you leaving the silent majority, Mosquito?”

The bugman lowered his head. “No, Mr. President.”

“I love democracy,” Ryan replied, as Eugène-Henry leaped out of his hands and took over the studio’s bed. “Empowering people to do as I want.”

“That wasn’t what I asked,” Sarin said, slightly annoyed. “I meant about the cure.”

“Well, I have an idea,” Ryan said, having considered it thoughtfully. “You see Mongrel?”

“Yeah, he’s eating rats in the Junkyard. What about him?”

“His power allows him to drink multiple Elixirs and use multiple powers, though it doesn’t make him immune to mutations,” Ryan explained. “And I also know someone who consumed two colored juices without going Psycho.”

Sarin’s head perked up in interest. “Like Augustus?”

“Yes, and I have the gut feeling these two will help us figure out a cure for the Psycho condition.“ Especially since Dr. Tyrano had seemed confident he could make one, if someone like Livia cooperated. “Finally, we have one other piece of the puzzle available.”

“Which one, boss?” Mosquito asked, having rediscovered his inner patriotism.

“Well, my bedbug friend,” the president said as he rose up from his chair, “the talking Elixir among us, of course.”

And a discussion was long overdue.

Leaving his staff and cat behind, the President walked into the recreational area. The Psychos had cleaned up the place, with Frank replacing the broken Street Fighters arcade game with a Donkey Kong one. The strange, faceless mutant called Incognito occupied a repaired bar counter, offering refreshments to whoever asked.

The children and their respective plushies had taken over most of the atrium, the orphans playing some kind of tabletop game around a large table. Gremlins brought them juice and snacks, with the plushies poking the creatures with sticks when they proved late or clumsy. Sometimes, these terrible influences even encouraged their children to do it themselves.

To his surprise, Ryan noticed the original abomination combing Little Sarah’s hair with a hairbrush. However, the handle looked like it was made of a carved femur on a closer look, with human teeth in place of bristles.

The plushie was learning.

The courier hastily left, and moved towards the Elixir reserve. The Black Elixir had been granted his own empty studio near the recreational areas, with Ryan granting it the task of surveying the knockoffs. The President knew better than to give that task to any Psycho in his employ, even Frank and Sarin.

“You came,” the Black Elixir said with its booming alien voice, as the courier walked into its lair. The studio had been emptied of all amenities, except the knockoff crates. All that remained were cold, barren metal walls. “I helped… you help.”

“Yes, I will, but I need to understand how, my Lovecraftian friend. Truthfully, I don’t even understand what you are.” Ryan closed the door and rested his back against it. “You are an Elixir, right? One from an eighth color?”

“Yes… I am Black… the paradox… the negation… the freedom of all rules… distilled chaos...” The creature struggled to find a way to explain it. “It is why… the others were taught… to fulfill their duty, but I… I cannot be bound... I do not want to bond… with anyone.”

So it was a natural rebel? The very nature of its powers made it unstable and reluctant to bond with a human? “Is that why the Alchemist didn’t produce Black Elixirs?”

“We are paradoxes… we undo the rules by our nature… the rules which bind your universe together… if you lack anything by which you are defined… you are nothing…”

Giving Ryan the ability to rewrite time had been acceptable.

Turning Augustus into an unstoppable juggernaut had been acceptable.

Mechron had been acceptable.

But Black Elixirs had been considered off-limits.

That should say everything. “You said I should send you back to the Black. You mean the Black dimension? There is one for each color?”

“Yes… the Black World… send me back… this lower reality… it is maddening… your gravity constrains me… your causes have an effect, and your effects must have causes... I am forced into a molecule-shaped prison…”

“Things make sense in our dimension?” Ryan summed the problem up.

“Yes!” The interdimensional entity answered with a burst of emotion. “I am… I am not free… to take any shape I wish... unlike the other Elixirs… I was never meant... to be here… I want to return… home.”

Ryan felt a ping of pity for the creature. Of course, this universe was as terrifying to this entity, as the slime was to human beings. “Thing is, even if I find a way to send you back, you understand that I keep turning back time? You might be yanked back to our dimension by accident, like the gremlins.”

“No,” it rasped. “Once I am on the other side, I… I will ask the Ultimate One for help.”

That term again. “The Ultimate One?”

“The Black Ultimate One… the undoer... the breaker of rules… even causality.”

“So there are more than one? One for each colored dimension?”

“They are… the embodiment of their color… the supreme beings that oversee the higher realms… we are...” The Black Elixir searched for the right term. “We are their attendants… their emissaries...”

“Their priests?” Ryan suggested.

“Yes. We are conduits… between the lower realms and the higher ones… we connect the profane to the divine… so that one day lesser beings may ascend.”

So that was the Alchemist’s true goal? To eventually elevate humanity to the level of the Ultimate Ones? To transform men into gods? Well, one just had to look at Augustus to see where that went wrong. “Does that mean you are all sentient? All Elixirs?”

“The real ones, yes… but they are… submissive. They have no purpose but to help… to bond… the one called the Alchemist… it taught them to bond with humans… I do not know how. The metal ones tried to teach me… but I… I refused to behave.”

“The metal ones?”

“The Blue one that… made this metal place is long gone… but its creations carry on with their task.”

Mechron was dead, but his AI still researched Elixirs on his behalf. That explained the creatures in the vats, and Big Adam’s words about a knockoff production system inside the bunker. The facility was meant to discover new technology which the Genius could use to rule the world, and it would continue to do so until disabled.

“There is a portal in this bunker,” Ryan guessed. “The one Mechron’s AI used to summon you from your home dimension.”

“Yes. Once I have crossed it, the Ultimate One… will undo the cause that brought me here… remove me from the flow of causality, and reality will restructure itself… when you reshape time, I will never have been here… only you will remember.”

If such a creature could casually rewrite reality, and even erase someone from the timestream, could it work in reverse too?

Ryan’s mind immediately turned to Jasmine. “Could it do more? If it controls paradoxes, could your Ultimate One bring someone? Someone that never existed?”

“You wish to bring back… someone you erased…” The Black Elixir meditated on its answer. “Nothing is impossible for the Ultimate Ones, so long as it is… within the bounds of their color… but there will be… a price.”

“I will happily pay for it.”

“Not for you… not just you...” the Black Elixir corrected him. “Your reality cannot handle us… it won’t matter if I am removed, since I am… a glitch… but your friend…”

“She will damage reality itself with her mere existence.” Ryan’s mood deflated. “I see.”

“Do you… still want me to ask… the Ultimate One? It may listen.”

“We’ll see when we cross that bridge,” the courier said, crossing his arms. “There’s no point in discussing it until I have opened the portal. Why did you contact me of all people?”

“You remember, and you… you have a strong connection… to the Violet One… the one that oversees the flow of causality… you see things with its eye…”

Ryan froze. “What do you mean?”

“You are the observer of this timeline… you decide if this moment is real or not… you possess that power by the will... of the Violet One.”

The courier considered the words carefully. He had already suspected it, but to have it confirmed...

“I wondered how my power interacted with things like dimensional travel,” the time-traveler said, remembering the gremlins. They remembered him, but existed in another realm beyond his power’s reach. It should have caused temporal paradoxes, and yet it didn’t. “It works because a higher power smooths things along and makes sure to avoid contradictions.”

The Black Elixir’s countless eyes and mouths shifted, Ryan taking this as the equivalent of a nod. “The Violet Ultimate One is… the gate and the key… of all of space and time… it is the supreme overseer of causality… I could see its will at work in the previous timeline.”

The pyramid creature.

“Did it set up this meeting?” Ryan asked, feeling some existential dread. “Am I even in control of my actions, or does it decide everything early?”

Much to his surprise, the Black Elixir’s answer reeked of optimism. “You are free… you were simply… guided. The Violet One only interferes to maintain this reality’s coherence, but… you are so small… your universe is no larger than a molecule to the Ultimate Ones…”

“God doesn’t micromanage?”

“No,” the Black Elixir confirmed. “It does not control, it nudges… a path has been shown to you, but… it is your choice to follow it or not. The Ultimate One does not interfere in this timeline… not anymore.”

So Ryan was on his own this time around? The entity offered him a way out of his previous conundrum and loneliness, but then decided to focus on other matters. The courier was free to take the provided option, find another way, or mess it all up. It was liberating, in a sense.

“Alright, we’ll find that portal and send you back home,” Ryan said, the Black Elixir wriggling in relief. It was almost cute to watch, in a disturbing way. “What should I call you in the meantime?”

“I have no need for names…” the entity answered. “Words cannot describe…”

“I will call you Darkling then,” Ryan settled on a name.

“I exist beyond time… beyond reason… I cannot be defined by a single-”

“I’m President. Your name is Darkling now.”

The Black Elixir stayed silent a moment, its countless eyes focusing on Ryan. The President suddenly wondered if he had vexed the entity. “Whatever...” Darkling said, but the tone implied otherwise.

As it turned out, even aliens could sulk.

瑞恩总统翻阅着汉尼胖·莱克特的文件，欧仁-亨利正趴在他腿上睡觉。

他从已故的前任那里继承了自己的椭圆形办公室，虽然这间是方的。梅克隆在地堡里修建了生活区，供他雇用的基因者居住；每套单间公寓面积都在二十平方米左右，配有小厨房、卫生间、床和置物架。

最重要的是，每个房间里都有一台能接入基地系统的电脑。地堡的运转由几个彼此独立的网络负责，而亚当和心震已经整理出了大量有用的数据。瑞恩花了几个小时才攻破防火墙，但很值得。

除了地堡地图，这位时间旅行者还拿到了梅克隆的一批非机密文件。大部分是仿生人的设计图，但也有一些涉及真正具有革命性的技术，从宇宙飞船到能救人性命的义体强化技术，不一而足。梅克隆把自己的才能用于毁灭，而不是造福人类，实在可惜。瑞恩觉得，假如当初继承这份能力的是别人，世界一定会美好得多。

和中央主机储存的内容相比，这些数据不过是开胃菜。只要想到奥古斯都那种人可能拿到它们，瑞恩就不寒而栗；谁能解锁地堡的全部功能，谁就真有希望统治世界。这里可以生产机器人、大规模杀伤性武器，当然，还能让人掌控巴哈姆特。

更重要的是，瑞恩现在知道超能帮是怎么发现地堡的了。大胖亚当和心震一直在旧罗马的废墟里研究遗留科技，还捕获了一台仍在运作、向地堡中央人工智能汇报的科研探测器。他们追踪它的定向信号，一路找到了新罗马，指望把这里的技术劫掠一空。

现在，轮到瑞恩撬开这座钢铁宝库了。

看完文件，总统利用地堡的电脑系统联系了几位蓝系基因者。第一位是莉维娅，他给她发了条短信，请她在中立地点见一面，把事情说清楚。第二位是建筑师，由纪的女朋友。他用加密通话匿名联系了她。

“那么，让我捋一捋。”诺拉的声音从电脑里传来。“你们正在修建一座采用天才科技的地堡，想请我试试看能不能攻破它，算是做个压力测试？”

“没错，我们正在打造一处安全空间，保护客户免受第二场基因者末日的侵害。”瑞恩一边撒谎，一边挠猫的耳朵。猫被他挠醒，发出阵阵呼噜声。“我们想聘请你审核设计图，看看能否找出什么结构弱点，好让我们着手解决。当然，这份工作必须严格保密。”

诺拉拿到的设计图会经过大幅删改，以免她举报这项行动。至少在瑞恩解锁地堡的全部功能之前，得瞒着她。

“我已经猜到了。”建筑师轻笑着答道。“毕竟你那边的视频画面一片漆黑，先生，您贵姓……”

“总统。”瑞恩答道，他已经选好了自己的超级反派名号。“总统先生。”

她耸了耸肩。“这名字挺怪，不过我听过更糟的。但我得事先声明，我的咨询费可不便宜，而且我手头还有迪纳米斯的活要做。我想，接下来几周恐怕都顾不上你的项目。”

“所以，从现在起，你将专职为我国政府工作。”

“我不太明白你——”

“查一下你的银行账户，看看预付款。”

短暂的沉默里，诺拉还真照做了，随后瑞恩听见那头倒吸一口气。“这……这后面的零可真不少。”

幸好，瑞恩隐藏的第二项超能力就是有钱。 “够让你暂时放下先前接的活了吗，穆尔小姐？”

“我想，可以安排！”

“很——好。”瑞恩说，连他的猫都在为计划顺利展开而欢喜。“我这就把资料转给你，请你立即开工。另外，据我所知，你和超级英雄衣橱小姐关系不错？”

“没错，我们是好朋友。”诺拉撒了个谎。或许她不想让外界过多了解自己的私生活。“怎么了？”

“是这样，我想问问，她除了当超级英雄，会不会顺便接些制作服装的活？我急需一身总统行头，但不想被她的经纪人堵在门外。”

“明智。走那条路，你得等上几个星期才能直接跟她说话。那帮公关经理比刻耳柏洛斯看门还严。不过没问题，我可以让她联系你。你想要什么样的服装？”

“羊绒的。”

这还用问？

招募到第一位天才后，瑞恩拨通了另一位的电话——除了蕾恩，她是他最喜欢的天才。他很害怕这场谈话，尤其是接下来几个星期，他恐怕都得和她密切往来。时间或许已经过去，可伤口仍然鲜血淋漓。

“谁？”她惊讶的声音从电脑里传来。“你怎么拿到这个号码的？”

听见贾丝——伏尔甘的声音，瑞恩浑身绷紧，但他仍没脱离角色。“你喜欢武器吗，谢里夫小姐？”

“我们这是在玩二十问，还是你单纯就是个变态？”

“我热爱武器，谢里夫小姐。”这位美国总统无视前女友，自顾自地高谈阔论。“我喜欢造一门大炮，填满，再把里面的东西统统射出去。我喜欢飞机、坦克和潜艇。我喜欢在清晨下令发动无人机空袭。我相信，子弹就是最好的外交政策。”

“我正在入侵系统追踪你的位置。你会后悔给我打这个恶作剧电话的。”她自信满满的语气突然变成了恼怒的低吼。“妈的，你用了代理服务器？”

“为进攻迪纳米斯总部提供军备，你觉得怎么样？”瑞恩打出了第一击。“凭借不可阻挡的技术优势，羞辱双足飞龙，碾碎那帮公司狗？”

当然，在所有要紧的方面，他都知道该怎么讨她欢心。“你说，我听着。”

“我叫总统先生，我准备彻底效仿‘托拉斯粉碎者’泰迪·罗斯福，拿迪纳米斯开刀。那些公司自以为凌驾于法律之上，已经太久了。凌驾于我的法律之上。”

与马纳达的交易离不开心震的配合，而瑞恩很快就要除掉他，因此双方的联盟注定会破裂。此外，这位美国总统还得把提拉诺博士弄到手，他怀疑迪纳米斯就算对“盟友”，也不会敞开六十六号实验室的大门。在先前的一轮循环里，大胖亚当已经证实，地堡内有生产灵药的基础设施，所以信使完全可以自己生产，自给自足。

瑞恩把几张仿生人的设计图转发给了伏尔甘。“这是梅克隆的技术。”她的语气一半担忧，一半兴奋。“你从哪儿弄来的？”

“我这里还有更多。至于怎么弄来的嘛，那得看我们能不能……”瑞恩调动内心邪恶幕后主使的气质，故意拖长了停顿，“互帮互助。天才与天才之间。”

“好吧，这下真的很可疑了。你听起来就像周六早晨动画片里那些妄自尊大的超级反派。”

“我当然是。”瑞恩直截了当地答道。“但我胸怀的是远见，不是妄想。”

“行吧。”电话那头的伏尔甘轻笑了一声。“我承认，你勾起我的好奇心了。要是你真打算往双足飞龙的痛处下手，我们一定会相处得非常愉快。不过，要收买我，光靠技术可不够。你自己也说了，你帮我，我帮你。”

啊，瑞恩就喜欢这种浮士德式的交易。他大概猜得到她会提什么要求。“那我能帮你做什么呢，谢里夫小姐？”

“迪纳米斯正在明星制片厂拍一部新的双足飞龙电影。”她说，“把片场砸了，然后我们再谈。”

她还是老样子。“给我点时间买身合适的行头，我就去点燃整个片场。到时候别忘了打开电视。”

“当然，我会看的。让我开开眼吧。”

就这样，瑞恩的邪恶计划开始成形了。

现在……该联系名单上最后一位天才了。

究竟要不要给他打这个电话，瑞恩已经犹豫了很久。他不信任那个人，他们上一次合作以背叛和灾难收场。他们甚至好几年没说过话了；从信使的角度看，已经过去了几个世纪。

可要安全地转移蕾恩的记忆图谱，他就需要有人能修复心震动过手脚的地方。一个专精于改造大脑技术的天才，能够完善那台机器，或许还能改进它的设计。如果只是为了自己，瑞恩绝不会打这个电话。

但如今，这已经不只是他自己的事了。

现在，他还得救蕾恩。

最终，信使启用了一个尘封已久的联络渠道，那头传来一个粗哑的男声。“什么事？”

“阿尔凯莫。”瑞恩说道，攥紧的拳头惊动了他的猫。“我是快存。”

这句话惊到了脑残。“罗马诺？”他问，仿佛还不敢确定。但他的困惑很快便化为怒火。“该死的，你这个混账蠢货！两年了，你一声不吭地消失了整整两年，现在居然像什么都没发生过一样给我打电话？”

是没错，可那也是在这位天才试图把瑞恩的大脑装进罐子之后。阿尔凯莫虽然不记得自己那次失败的尝试，信使却从没忘过。尤其是那件事，就发生在瑞恩向他坦白自己最深的秘密之后。

“你伤透了人偶的心，你这个自私的小混蛋！”年老的天才骂道。“我都不知道自己现在为什么还在跟你说话！怎么，觉得孤单了，就想起打电——”

“你欠我的人情，我现在要你还。”瑞恩打断了他的絮叨。

这让年长的天才一下子愣住了。“在哪儿？”他问道，语气从愤怒变得隐隐有些担忧。

“新罗马。我会把坐标发给你。”

“你最好有个像样的解释，罗马诺，因为我会带人偶一起去。她可不会接受拒绝。”

“好。”瑞恩答完便骤然挂断通话，将废料场的坐标通过短信发了过去。就在这时，总统收到另一条令人愉快的消息。

莉维娅接受了他的邀请。

有人敲响了椭圆形办公室的门。多半是个想来玩比尔和莫妮卡那一套的实习生。“进来吧。”瑞恩说，手还搭在欧仁-亨利背上。门打开了，走进来的是沙林和蚊子，令总统大失所望。“有何贵干，我亲爱的癌症广告？”

“大地报告说，有个能隐形的基因者在镇上窥探，不过我们每次想拦截，对方都会逃走。”沙林没听出这个笑话，径直答道。瑞恩猜是赛孚莱特先生在查探超能帮的动向。“除此之外，一切都在掌控之中。接下来的行动计划是什么？”

“按顺序，先除掉心震，治好他的受害者，然后低调行事，拿下地堡。”信使解释道。“暂时守住锈镇，不再对外发动袭击。”

“那奥古斯蒂呢，老大？”蚊子问道。“我是说，我们之前把他们的人收拾得够惨。就算我们不再找他们麻烦，他们也不会把这事一笔勾销。”

“你问得正巧，我刚收到密涅瓦的答复。”她甚至同意了他的“特别要求”。“我们会给奥古斯蒂送上一份活的求和礼物，然后准备与迪纳米斯开战。”

沙林毫不在意，蚊子却似乎对这套新外交政策有些担心。“跟迪纳米斯开战？”

“没错，我们正在与迪纳米斯交战。”时间旅行者指出，“我们一直都在与迪纳米斯交战。”

“老大，我觉得这不是个好主意。心震说过，我们应该避免——”

“是我在做梦，还是你正在变成发声的少数派？”瑞恩一边挠欧仁-亨利的耳朵，一边问道。“蚊子，你要脱离沉默的大多数吗？”

虫人低下了头。“不，总统先生。”

“我热爱民主。”瑞恩答道。欧仁-亨利从他手里跳出去，占领了公寓里的床。“它赋予人民权力，让他们照我的意思办。”

“我问的不是这个。”沙林有些不耐烦地说，“我说的是治疗。”

“嗯，我有个想法。”瑞恩已经认真考虑过这件事。“你看见杂种了？”

“看见了，他正在废料场吃老鼠。他怎么了？”

“他的能力让他能喝下多种灵药、使用多种能力，不过并不能让他免于变异。”瑞恩解释道。“另外，我还认识一个人，喝了两种颜色的药水，却没有变成疯魔。”

沙林来了兴趣，抬起头。“像奥古斯都那样？”

“没错，而且我有种直觉，这两个人能帮我们找到治愈疯魔的方法。”尤其是提拉诺博士似乎很有信心，只要莉维娅这样的人愿意配合，他就能研究出解药。“最后，我们手里还有另一块拼图。”

“哪一块，老大？”蚊子问道，他已经重新找回了内心的爱国热情。

“这个嘛，我的臭虫朋友，”总统从椅子上站起身，“当然是我们中间那个会说话的灵药了。”

他们早该好好谈一谈了。

把幕僚和猫留在身后，总统走进娱乐区。疯魔们已经把这里收拾干净了，弗兰克用一台《大金刚》街机替换了那台损坏的《街头霸王》。那个叫无名氏的古怪无脸变异人守着修好的吧台，谁来要喝的，他就给谁。

孩子们和各自的毛绒玩偶占据了中庭的大部分空间。孤儿们围着一张大桌子，玩着某种桌游。小魔怪们给他们端来果汁和零食，动作稍慢或笨手笨脚，就会被毛绒玩偶拿棍子戳。有时，这些带坏孩子的可怕东西甚至还会怂恿自己的孩子亲自动手。

令瑞恩惊讶的是，最初那只怪物正拿着一把发刷给小莎拉梳头。然而仔细一看，刷柄似乎是用股骨雕成的，刷毛的位置则是一排人类牙齿。

毛绒玩偶正在学习。

信使赶紧离开，朝灵药储藏处走去。黑色灵药分到了一间自己的空公寓，就在娱乐区附近，瑞恩交给它的任务是看守仿制灵药。总统还没蠢到把这份差事交给手下任何一个疯魔，哪怕是弗兰克或沙林也不行。

“你来了。”信使走进它的巢穴时，黑色灵药用那洪亮而非人的声音说道。公寓里的生活设施已经全部搬空，只留下装着仿制灵药的箱子，四周只剩冰冷、光秃的金属墙壁。“我帮了……你帮忙。”

“没错，我会帮你，但我得弄清楚该怎么帮，我的洛夫克拉夫特式朋友。说实话，我连你是什么都没搞明白。”瑞恩关上门，背靠在门板上。“你是灵药，对吧？第八种颜色的灵药？”

“是……我是黑色……是悖论……是否定……是不受一切规则束缚的自由……是提纯的混沌……”这生物费力地寻找解释的方式。“所以……其他的都受过教导……去履行职责，可我……我无法被束缚……我不想结合……不想与任何人结合。”

所以它天生叛逆？它能力的本质，让它不稳定，也不愿与人类结合？“炼金术师没有制造黑色灵药，就是因为这个？”

“我们是悖论……我们的本性就是消解规则……那些维系你们宇宙的规则……如果没有任何东西能界定你……你就什么都不是……”

赋予瑞恩改写时间的能力，可以接受。

把奥古斯都变成势不可挡的巨神，可以接受。

梅克隆，也可以接受。

唯独黑色灵药，被列为了禁区。

这就足以说明一切了。“你说过，我该把你送回黑色。你是指黑色维度？每种颜色都有一个对应的维度？”

“是……黑色世界……把我送回去……这个低层现实……令人发疯……你们的引力束缚着我……你们的因会产生果，而果必须有因……我被强行关进了一座分子形态的牢笼……”

“我们这个维度的事物有逻辑可循？”瑞恩概括了一下问题。

“是！”这个跨维度存在情绪激动地回答。“我……我无法自由地……变成我想要的模样……不像其他灵药……我本来就不该……待在这里……我想回……家。”

瑞恩对这生物生出了一丝怜悯。当然，对它来说，这个宇宙就像人类眼中的这团黏液一样恐怖。“问题是，就算我找到办法送你回去，你也知道我会不断倒转时间吧？你可能会被意外拽回我们的维度，就像那些小魔怪一样。”

“不会。”它嘶哑地说道。“只要到了另一边，我……我就会向终极者求助。”

又是这个词。“终极者？”

“黑色终极者……消解者……规则的破坏者……连因果也不例外。”

“所以终极者不止一个？每个颜色维度都有一个？”

“它们是……各自颜色的化身……统辖高层世界的至高存在……我们是……”黑色灵药寻找着合适的词语。“我们是它们的侍从……它们的使者……”

“它们的祭司？”瑞恩提议。

“是。我们是通道……连接低层世界与高层世界……我们将世俗与神圣相连……让低等存在有朝一日得以飞升。”

所以，这才是炼金术师的真正目标？最终将人类提升到终极者的层次？让凡人成神？好吧，看看奥古斯都，就知道这事会在哪里出岔子。“也就是说，你们都有意识？所有灵药都是？”

“真正的灵药，是……但它们……很顺从。它们的目的只有帮助……只有结合……那个被称为炼金术师的存在……它教会了它们与人类结合……我不知道是怎么做到的。那些金属家伙也试着教我……但我……我拒绝听话。”

“金属家伙？”

“那个蓝系能力者……建造这处金属之地的那个，早已不在……但它的造物还在继续执行任务。”

梅克隆死了，但他的人工智能仍在替他研究灵药。这就解释了培养罐里的生物，以及大亚当所说的、地堡内部的仿制灵药生产系统。这座设施的目的，是发掘可供那位天才统治世界的新技术。只要没被关闭，它就会一直干下去。

“这座地堡里有一扇传送门。”瑞恩猜测道。“梅克隆的人工智能就是用它，把你从故乡的维度召过来的。”

“是。只要我穿过它，终极者……就会抹去让我来到这里的原因……把我从因果之流中移除，现实就会自行重构……等你重塑时间，我就将从未在这里出现……只有你还会记得。”

如果这样的生物可以轻易改写现实，甚至从时间之流中抹除一个存在，那它能不能反过来做？

瑞恩立刻想到了贾丝敏。“它还能做更多吗？如果它掌控悖论，你的终极者能不能把某个人带过来？一个从未存在过的人？”

“你想找回……一个被你抹去的人……”黑色灵药沉思着该如何回答。“对终极者来说，没有什么不可能，只要……在各自颜色的范围之内……但那会有……代价。”

“我很乐意付出这个代价。”

“不是你来付……不只是你……”黑色灵药纠正道。“你们的现实承受不了我们……把我移除不会有什么影响，因为我是……一个漏洞……但你的朋友……”

“她仅仅存在于这里，就会损害现实本身。”瑞恩的情绪低落下去。“我明白了。”

“你……还想让我去问……终极者吗？它或许会听。”

“走到那一步再说吧。”信使抱起双臂。“在打开传送门之前，讨论这些没有意义。那么多人，你为什么偏偏联系我？”

“你记得，而且你……你与紫色的那一位……有很强的联系……它掌管因果的流动……你借着它的那只眼睛观察事物……”

瑞恩僵住了。“什么意思？”

“你是这条时间线的观察者……由你决定这一刻是否真实……你拥有那份力量，是出于……紫色的那一位的意志。”

信使仔细斟酌着这些话。他早有怀疑，可如今真得到了证实……

“我一直在想，我的能力碰上维度穿梭之类的事，到底是怎么运作的。”时间旅行者说道，想起了那些小魔怪。它们记得他，却存在于另一个他的能力无法触及的世界。按理说，这应该会引发时间悖论，可事实并没有。“之所以行得通，是因为有一股更高的力量在替它理顺一切，确保不会出现矛盾。”

黑色灵药无数的眼睛和嘴巴挪动起来，瑞恩把这当成了点头。“紫色终极者是……一切空间与时间的……门与钥匙……它是因果的至高监管者……在上一条时间线里，我看见过它的意志在发挥作用。”

那个金字塔形生物。

“是它安排了这次见面？”瑞恩问，一丝对自身存在的恐惧涌上心头。“我的行为究竟还由不由自己控制，还是它早就替我决定了一切？”

令他大感意外的是，黑色灵药的回答居然充满了乐观。“你是自由的……你只是……受到了指引。紫色的那一位只会为了维持这个现实的自洽而干预，但……你们太渺小了……对终极者来说，你们的宇宙不过一个分子那么大……”

“上帝不管鸡毛蒜皮的小事？”

“不管。”黑色灵药证实道。“它不控制，只会轻轻推一把……它为你指出了一条路，但……要不要走，由你选择。终极者不会干涉这条时间线……已经不会了。”

所以，这一回瑞恩只能靠自己了？那个存在给了他一条摆脱先前困境与孤独的出路，之后便决定把注意力转向别的事情。信使可以自由选择接受这条出路，另寻他法，或是把一切都搞砸。从某种意义上说，这让他感到解脱。

“好，我们会找到那扇传送门，送你回家。”瑞恩说。黑色灵药如释重负地蠕动起来，那模样几乎有点可爱，尽管可爱得让人不安。“在那之前，我该怎么称呼你？”

“我不需要名字……”那个存在答道。“言语无法描述……”

“那就叫你暗灵吧。”瑞恩敲定了名字。

“我的存在超越时间……超越理性……无法用单单一个——”

“我是总统。你现在就叫暗灵。”

黑色灵药沉默片刻，无数只眼睛都盯住了瑞恩。总统忽然怀疑，自己是不是惹恼了它。“随便……”暗灵说道，语气却显然不是那么回事。

原来，就连异界生物也会闹别扭。