The influence of Zod was undeniable. He didn't string Ross along or dismiss him; instead, he welcomed him with surprising warmth.
Ross, still seething with anger and frustration, cut straight to the point. He wasn't here for pleasantries or the usual political games. "Enough with the formalities, Zod. I know what I came for. You want to turn me into the Hulk, right? So let's get on with it."
Zod had been deliberating on how best to position Ross for the future. The military? Out of the question. Ross's career in the military was already at a standstill. Zod had checked—it would take more than a few favors to reinstate Ross to any meaningful position. The only way they'd consider him again was if Zod provided some of his War Machines.
War Machines were far too valuable to hand over lightly, though. Zod scoffed at the thought. "Better to give them money than give away these machines," he mused.
He recalled Ross's eventual rise to Secretary of State in the original timeline, following the chaos caused by the Hulk's battle with the Abomination. Despite all odds, Ross hadn't been demoted but had somehow maneuvered his way into higher office. Zod didn't know the details of how that came to be, but it was a lesson worth keeping in mind.
As for turning Ross into Red Hulk and tossing him into some minor squad? That would be a complete waste of potential. It made far more sense to help Ross become Secretary of State and use his influence for greater leverage. With Ross in power, Zod could control significant aspects of the U.S. military and political structure.
Ross lay on the experimental platform, ready for the transformation. Zod, fully aware of the dangers of gamma radiation, donned several layers of protective suits. He wasn't afraid of gamma rays himself, but it was better to be cautious and avoid any unintended mutations.
A torrent of gamma radiation engulfed Ross, and within moments, he was in unbearable pain. His body's immune system collapsed as gamma rays annihilated cells, simultaneously creating deadly cancerous growths. His skin began to melt away, leaving behind a grotesque, liquid-like form.
Zod watched, unfazed. He theorized that the reason Abomination had been so weak was likely because Emil Blonsky hadn't absorbed gamma radiation like the Hulk. He had merely been injected with a derivative serum. True power required direct exposure.
This transformation demanded more than just physical endurance—it required immense willpower. If Ross were to pass out from the agony, the transformation would fail. But Ross, stubborn and prideful, clung to consciousness. Even as his body seemed to break apart, he didn't give up. Zod's presence beside him reassured Ross that everything was still under control.
In fact, Zod observed that Ross's cells and immune system were beginning to recover, stronger than before. These cells were now saturated with gamma radiation, much like someone who had wandered through the aftermath of Chernobyl. Ross's skin turned a deep, glowing red, and his body rapidly swelled, expanding far beyond human proportions.
Ross had become the Red Hulk.
Unlike the Hulk, the Red Hulk couldn't exponentially grow stronger the angrier he became. Instead, he possessed the ability to generate extreme heat, and more importantly, he could absorb radiation—gamma rays, cosmic rays, and other types of energy. The more energy he absorbed, the more powerful he became.
Zod, using his telepathic abilities, reinforced Ross's mind to prevent the emergence of a Hulk-like split personality. He also subtly implanted his own influence within Ross, ensuring that the Red Hulk would remain loyal.
Ross, now fully transformed, was euphoric. His body was brimming with power. The restraints of the experimental platform should have been no match for his newfound strength.
With a grunt, the Red Hulk flexed his muscles and attempted to break free of the restraints. But no matter how hard he tried, the handcuffs and shackles didn't budge.
"How… how is this possible?" Ross muttered, incredulous. He was the Red Hulk now—nothing should be able to hold him.
"It's no use, Ross. That platform is made of an alloy I personally engineered. Not even the Hulk can break it," Zod said, calmly watching Ross's struggle.
Zod's manipulation of electromagnetism and gravity allowed him to fuse metals at a molecular level, creating alloys far beyond anything conventional science could produce. The experimental platform was constructed from a combination of vibranium and kryptonian gold. Even the strongest members of the Hulk family would be unable to break free.
Ross, realizing the futility of his efforts, calmed down. He couldn't help but feel a begrudging admiration for Zod. The genius had created something even the Hulk couldn't overpower. Maybe the Hulk wasn't the ultimate power, after all.
Under Zod's command, the restraints dissolved into a swarm of nanobots, and Ross was freed. The nanobots quickly reassembled into a massive machine with a high-voltage electric coil at the top.
"What's that?" Red Hulk asked, eyeing the machine with suspicion.
"An electromagnetic generator," Zod replied coolly. "In case you decide to betray me."
Ross smirked, eager to test his limits. "You really think this thing can stop me?"
"If I were you, I wouldn't challenge someone who can manipulate magnetism and gravity," Zod replied, with a knowing grin. "But by all means, give it a shot."
Ross, ever defiant, lunged at Zod, ready to test his strength. But as soon as he moved, a blinding white light surged from Zod, surrounding him like a storm of electrical energy. Plasma arcs crackled through the air, distorting space around them.
The sheer intensity of the energy made Ross hesitate. There was something unsettling about the air—it was different now. Sensing danger, the Red Hulk sidestepped the swirling plasma, watching as it crashed into the floor with a deafening buzz.
Zod clenched his fist, and in an instant, the tremors stopped. The air settled, but Ross realized he was now standing in a space completely controlled by Zod.
This was no longer a mere experiment—this was Zod's domain.