The machine activated with a soft hum, its size imposing but necessary for harvesting cosmic energy. The hum stabilized, fading almost as quickly as it began, signaling the system's initiation.
Under Alfred's precise control, a mechanical arm carefully inserted a vial of Charna's blood into the harvester. Once secured, the energy harvester that Wally had extensively modified was locked into place with a distinct click.
Currently, the harvester contained a significant amount of Speed Force energy, but Wally's ambitions stretched far beyond this singular power source.
His vision involved developing methods to harness energy from all conceivable sources—radiation, nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, thermal generators, kinetic energy, and more.
While progress in some areas was limited, Wally had already made breakthroughs in solar radiation. He had conceptualized a system far beyond conventional solar panels, which use semiconductors like silicon to generate electrical currents when exposed to light.
His design would capture energy from the full spectrum of solar radiation—light, infrared, and ultraviolet rays—on a much grander scale. Even rogue stars were part of his long-term plans.
Electromagnetic radiation was another domain where he was nearing mastery. Examples included microwaves, which could heat materials or serve as wireless energy transmitters, converting microwaves into electricity.
Beyond electromagnetic radiation, Wally was exploring particle radiation. This included:
Alpha and beta radiation: Supported by radioisotope thermoelectric generators, these rely on the decay of radioactive isotopes like plutonium-238, which emit particles and heat. Thermoelectric materials then convert the heat into usable energy.
Nuclear radiation: Leveraging neutron-induced fission of heavy nuclei such as uranium and plutonium, nuclear reactors could generate heat for various applications.
Cosmic rays: High-energy particles from space presented another potential avenue for energy extraction.
He also examined ionizing radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays, as well as gravitational radiation, though these remained more conceptual at this stage.
In the future, Wally envisioned harvesting energy from black holes and even the universe itself. These grand ambitions were less about necessity and more of a personal challenge—a cosmic side quest driven by his curiosity and desire to conquer the universe's mysteries.
For now, some of his breakthroughs were already operational and directly integrated into the cosmic harvester, allowing for faster and more efficient energy production.
As the machine hummed steadily, Charna's cells began consuming the immense energy fed into them. This process, in turn, generated excessive cosmic energy, which was carefully captured and safely stored for later use.
Within minutes, only a small fraction of the material had been processed, but it was enough to bring a triumphant smile to Wally's face. As he stared at the pure, concentrated energy now within his grasp, he felt an unshakable certainty—the future truly lay in his hands.
His thoughts drifted to DeVoe, the so-called genius. Wally couldn't help but scoff. In his eyes, DeVoe was no genius but a shortsighted fool. An "incompetent genius" who had degraded himself to body-hopping in a desperate bid to stave off his own inadequacies.
For all his intellect, DeVoe couldn't solve the relatively simple problem of his own deteriorating body. Wally saw it as poetic irony—a man who claimed to be the Thinker, yet lacked true control over his fate.
To Wally, it was a stark reminder of the difference between intellect and vision. DeVoe was brilliant, yes, but ultimately limited by his inability to adapt beyond his hubris. It was truly disappointing.
While the energy accumulated steadily, Wally shifted his focus to studying Clive Yorkin's abilities. The concept of matter decay, and potentially matter arrangement and disarrangement, was a tantalizing one, brimming with possibilities.
Harnessing such a power could open unparalleled avenues toward invincibility and a deeper mastery of molecular and atomic manipulation.
He activated the lab's holographic interface, instructing Alfred to analyze the biological sample he had procured from Yorkin. In moments, the display illuminated with a detailed representation of the cells, broken down to their molecular and atomic structures.
Under the scrutiny of a highly complex Artificial intelligence and a speedster with high level genius intellect. The secrets were laid before him cleanly.
Where his powers stemmed from was unknown, even what caused such eratic evolution was unclear but the Science Behind Yorkin's Abilities was clear.
His cells exhibited an anomalous form of molecular destabilization, capable of disrupting the atomic bonds in matter. This ability allowed him to decay organic and inorganic materials through direct contact.
Wally observed that Yorkin's cells emitted a unique energy signature, likely tied to the manipulation of electromagnetic forces at a quantum level. When Yorkin touched an object or person, this energy propagated through the target's molecular structure, weakening or severing the bonds that held the matter together.
This decay process resembled a highly localized form of entropy acceleration, where molecules were forced into a state of chaos, breaking apart and reducing the matter to its most basic components.
However, Wally hypothesized that the inverse might also be possible. If Yorkin's abilities could destabilize matter, there was no theoretical barrier to reassembling it.
By manipulating atomic bonds with precision, it might be possible to arrange atoms and molecules into new forms, effectively "creating" matter from its raw components.
Delving deeper, Wally realized that Yorkin's power likely operated on quantum principles. The disruption of atomic bonds required an extraordinary amount of energy—energy that Yorkin's mutated cells seemed to generate autonomously. This hinted at a form of quantum tunneling, where particles overcame the usual energy barriers to interact in otherwise improbable ways.
Such a mechanism could explain why Yorkin's abilities were indiscriminate; his cells lacked the precision to control which bonds were disrupted or how energy was distributed. If refined, this power could be transformed into a tool for constructing or deconstructing matter at will, much like a molecular assembler or disassembler.
For Wally, the potential applications were staggering. A weaponized version of Yorkin's abilities could render any material or opponent vulnerable by targeting molecular cohesion.
Controlled matter decay could release vast amounts of energy, akin to a highly efficient nuclear reaction.
Even arnessing matter arrangement could revolutionize manufacturing, allowing for the creation of complex structures or even living tissue from basic elements.
Wally's mind raced with possibilities as he reviewed the data. Yorkin's power, chaotic and destructive in its current state, could become a cornerstone of extremely advanced technology if tamed and controlled.
With Alfred's assistance, Wally began outlining experiments to further analyze Yorkin's cellular processes, focusing on replicating and stabilizing the energy emission mechanism. The prospect of mastering matter manipulation wasn't just ambitious—it was within reach.
"This just became a whole lot more complex," Wally muttered with a knowing smile. This could become seriously overpowered if used in tandem with what I already have, he thought, his mind buzzing with ideas.
"Alfred, continue studying his meta-gene. We'll need to prepare for cloning in the meantime," he instructed.
Cloning Yorkin would allow him to observe and test the ability firsthand. To truly understand and manipulate the power, he needed to see it in action. He began preparing the necessary equipment and procedures, but before he could proceed, Alfred's voice interrupted.
"Sir, you have an incoming call from HR," Alfred informed him.
"HR?" Wally muttered, confused. HR rarely called him directly unless it was urgent. "Prepare to receive it."
"Very well… Adjusting time ratio," Alfred replied, quickly stabilizing the time variation in the pocket dimension to allow the call to come through.
"Hello?" Wally answered, his tone curious but slightly apprehensive.
"Wallace, you are needed at S.T.A.R. Labs. ASAP," HR's voice came through, light but serious enough to grab Wally's attention.
"What happened?" Wally asked, his brow furrowing as a sense of unease crept in.
"It's Jesse," HR responded.
Wally's heart skipped a beat. His thoughts raced, and he struggled to maintain his composure. Countless scenarios flashed through his mind in an instant, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.
"HR, tell me what happened," he demanded hurriedly, already signaling Alfred to prepare for his immediate departure from the pocket dimension.
"It's Jesse," HR repeated. "She just arrived and told us… her father has been kidnapped."
Wally's expression softened slightly at least it wasn't Jesse in danger. He regained his cool but the urgency in HR's voice confirmed that this was no ordinary situation.
In an instant he appeared on the outskirts of Star labs parking lot. Wally burst into S.T.A.R. Labs and found Jesse pacing near the central console, her face full of worry. He ignored the others present and directly approached her.
"Jesse, what's going on?" he asked, concerned.
"Wally," she said, her voice shaking. "My dad… he's been kidnapped."
"Do we know who did it?" Wally asked, trying to stay calm, his fist clenching.
Jesse's expression hardened, but then she looked at him. "He was kidnapped and I suspect he's been taken to Gorrila City."