The alien embryos, once resembling barracudas, had now taken on a spider-like shape and grown larger.
Ryan swallowed, collected his thoughts, and said, "Clearly, it has undergone a change we couldn't anticipate, or it has evolved into a new form."
Peter studied the image in front of him, frowning. "Based on my previous theories, it was supposed to grow safely inside the host for a while, absorbing new genetic material and completing its growth quickly. But why does it seem like its absorption and growth are... never-ending?"
Dr. Lane took a breath and replied, "That was just your hypothesis. My own theory is similar, but I believe its growth won't be over in a few days or weeks. It may take much longer."
"I don't know what changes have happened to your body recently, but it might have absorbed something that triggered this evolution."
As he spoke, he took out the last CT scan that Peter had brought for comparison.
"I mentioned before that it might be entering a new phase, and this seems to confirm that."
He added, "What an extraordinary organism!"
Peter was silent for a moment before asking, "So, it could still burst out of my body, but you don't think that will happen anytime soon, right?"
"Yes," Dr. Lane nodded. "It's difficult to predict precisely, but I still believe you might share a symbiotic relationship rather than just serving as its host."
"That's because you've never seen a facehugger burst out of its host," Peter muttered.
Shaking his head, Peter told Dr. Lane, "But you can't take that risk, can you? If it goes wrong, I'll die."
Ryan opened his mouth but finally let out a helpless sigh. "You're right. I can't be certain."
Peter paused, then asked seriously, "If I asked you to perform a procedure to remove it, could you do it?"
Dr. Lane blinked and then shook his head emphatically. "No, I can't. It has fused with your organs."
Peter raised an eyebrow and said, "Is that so?" He walked over to the table, picked up a small fruit knife, and, to Ryan's shock, cut his own palm.
Blood flowed instantly from the wound. Clenching his fist to stop the bleeding, Peter then approached Ryan.
"What if I told you I have some kind of self-healing ability?"
He opened his palm, revealing the wound. Under Ryan's stunned gaze, the cut began to close, healing before their eyes.
Though the injury was small, its rapid healing was evident.
"This...!" Dr. Lane took a step back in shock.
"As you can see, doctor, with my self-healing abilities, how successful do you think the surgery might be?"
Peter had discovered this ability during the Line 7 subway incident. After the alien embryo absorbed Frank's genes, not only did it evolve, merging with an exoskeleton and producing corrosive spider silk, but Peter also gained enhanced self-healing capabilities.
Without this ability, it wouldn't make sense that he survived pulling a helicopter, only to recover within a day.
"Peter, you...!" Dr. Lane stared at him like he was some kind of creature out of a legend, struggling to process this revelation.
"What's the matter, Dr. Lane? Do I look like a comic book villain or some kind of monster to you?"
Peter's cold gaze jolted Dr. Lane back to his senses.
"No, I'm just... surprised," Dr. Lane stammered, trying to regain his composure. Realizing his lapse, he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to react that way."
He tried to calm his racing thoughts, reminding himself that despite everything, Peter was still his patient, and the doctor-patient relationship was paramount.
Ryan took a few deep breaths and composed himself. "Even with your healing abilities, this surgery is extremely complex, full of unknown risks. The parasite is integrated with many of your organs and even your nervous system. If an operation is necessary, very few in the world would attempt it. Perhaps..."
He hesitated before saying, "Maybe Dr. Strange could handle it."
"Strange?" Peter repeated, frowning as he looked out the window.
Meanwhile, in another part of the hospital, a nurse approached Dr. Strange as he exited his office. "Doctor Strange, a gentleman named Murdoch is here to see you. He's waiting in the common room as you requested."
Strange nodded. "Thank you."
Just as he began walking towards the common room, a couple approached him. He recognized them; they were the parents of a girl he had operated on before.
"Doctor Strange, please save our daughter!" the mother pleaded. "She's fighting so hard to live. If it ends now, it would be so unfair."
The parents begged Strange to perform another surgery for their daughter.
Strange hesitated but then shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I have other matters to attend to."
As he turned to leave, the father grabbed his hand. "Doctor Strange, isn't it a doctor's duty to save lives?"
Strange answered calmly, "Yes, it is, but only when everything is properly prepared. I have countless other surgeries to perform, including for patients younger than your daughter who have been struggling with illness, fathers hoping to meet their newborns, and athletes facing the end of their careers.
"You're asking me to ignore them out of sympathy. I can't do that, I'm sorry."
With his characteristic cool demeanor, Strange continued towards the lounge, ignoring the couple's anguished expressions.
Unexpectedly, as he reached the elevator, a masked man in a black coat appeared. The man began walking toward him, quickening his pace.
Footsteps echoed on the floor, growing faster.
At the same time, the masked man drew a dagger from his coat, moving ever closer to the unsuspecting Strange.
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