I'm Lara Croft?

Back at Croft Manor in England, Lara sat in her office, idly playing with the Dagger of Chak Chel and the Box of Ix Chel. Her attention was primarily on the dagger, and after some careful examination, she concluded that it was made of anti-metal.

Anti-metal, also known as Antarctic vibranium, Vibranium B, or S.L.V., originates from the Savage Land. It earns its name as Anti-Metal because it emits vibrations that weaken molecular and atomic bonds in nearby metals, effectively liquefying them.

The box, on the other hand, was crafted from Vibranium A, more commonly known as Wakandan vibranium.

Through her experiments, Lara discovered that both the box and the dagger had been imbued with various enchantments. However, after her battle with Amaru and the sacrifice to the sun, these enchantments appeared to have either disappeared, been destroyed, or become deactivated.

Talking about their country of origin, since the conference in Paris, Paititi and Croft have been planning another conference in Lima, the capital of Peru, with the South American countries so that all can sign a bilateral agreement.

As Lara continued to examine the artifacts in her office, she was interrupted by a maid entering the room. "Lady Lara, didn't you have somewhere to be this afternoon?" the maid reminded her politely.

"You're right, thanks," Lara replied, quickly setting down the dagger and box before getting up to leave. She had an important appointment at the L.A.R.A. Cove Facility, where a significant event was about to take place.

Today, they were going to give a version of Alyssa's Peak Soldier Serum (PSS) to T.O.M.B.'s operatives under Winston's command. The serum was designed to develop the user's body to its peak physical condition with minimal risk. Unlike the Super Soldier Serum that created Captain America, the PSS was intentionally limited in its effects.

Lara had no intention of mass-producing operatives at Captain America's level. Let's be real—Captain America wasn't just "peak human"; he was firmly in superhuman territory. In the comics, he could rep around 2400 pounds (1088 kg), was resistant to toxins and ageless. He'd sparred with Thor and even held his own against Hulk. The serum he received was literally called a "Super" Soldier Serum.

By contrast, Lara wanted something more controlled. The Peak Soldier Serum was a safer alternative that wouldn't create soldiers capable of causing catastrophic damage if they ever went rogue. Peak-level operatives would be easier to manage, capture, or eliminate if necessary, while still providing an advantage on the battlefield and missions.

After flying to the L.A.R.A. Cove, Lara disembarked and made her way toward the hidden facility. From the outside and inside, the cove appeared untouched—there were no visible tracks, vehicles, or signs of activity, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

She stopped in front of a wall concealed by the natural rock face. After a brief pause, the concealed gate opened with a low hum, revealing a path inward. Lara stepped through, her boots echoing slightly against the metallic surface.

As she walked inside, she took a moment to observe her surroundings. On her previous visits, she hadn't paid much attention to the entrance. Now, she realized it resembled the design of a vault entrance from Fallout.

The structure wasn't just for show. The entrance had the same nuclear protection capabilities as a fallout shelter.

Lara walked to the research and experimentation wing, specifically to the experimentation section. Different from the first time she came, there were more scientists around. After all, the quarters wing and common wing had been completed, and there were now more quarters and more things to do besides experimenting and researching.

More scientists were recruited, and L.A.R.A. began gaining recognition within the scientific community, with many learning about it through prominent scientific news outlets. Several scientists at L.A.R.A. were celebrated for their innovative creations. The organization's existence became well-known, along with the fact that it was founded and funded by Croft. Even its name reflects this connection, as the acronym aligns with the owner of Croft Holdings. For some, L.A.R.A. became a haven for scientific research—a version of A.I.M. without the destructive tendencies. Scientists who like organizations like A.I.M. but do not wish to destabilize the world now have a new alternative in L.A.R.A., an organization know for not being cheap with money.

L.A.R.A. recruited people who would create products that Croft could sell, even without being explicitly directed to do so, during their free time, while also working on projects assigned by L.A.R.A. itself. These personal projects ranged from developing new energy production methods or tech equipment to designing missiles, guns, or medical innovations. If their projects succeeded, L.A.R.A. and the scientists shared the results, often leading to collaborative efforts that benefited everyone. This dynamic created a cycle: scientists developed advanced products, which Croft sold to generate revenue. That revenue was reinvested into better facilities, equipment, additional funds for research, and higher salaries for the scientists. Both Croft and the scientists liked this symbiotic relationship. However, a few did not like it, but a flash of a device made them forget everything before they were sent back to where they came from.

Starting their own companies or working outside a group like L.A.R.A. wasn't appealing to the scientists that remained. They didn't want to waste time setting up businesses or risk financial losses due to poor business sense. Instead, they preferred working with L.A.R.A., which handled the business side while providing a platform for scientific growth. What the scientists valued most was recognition and patents, which L.A.R.A. fully respected and supported. 

Most of the scientists recruited were focused on energy and technology, followed by those passionate about creating weapons like guns, missiles, bombs, and other military equipment. L.A.R.A. was currently recruiting experts in designing military vehicles. After that, biology, particularly in genetics and medical advancements, alongside material science.

Entering the experimentation room, Lara immediately noticed six T.O.M.B. operatives strapped to tables. Around them were several scientists specializing in genetics, Alyssa, who was meticulously inspecting six syringes, and Winston, who was speaking with the operatives.

Stopping beside Alyssa, Lara asked, "Is everything all right?"

Alyssa, placing the final syringe back on the tray, replied, "Everything is good. The PSS doesn't require radiation to activate—it's ready with just an injection. However, the person will still experience some pain, so they need a good tolerance for it. The failure rate is pretty low."

"How's the progress with the SSS?" Lara asked, referring to Alyssa Super Soldier Serum, which she had marked for Jonah, Winston, and Konstantin. Unlike the PSS, the SSS would grant superhuman abilities rather than just peak human performance.

Alyssa sighed. "The side effects are still a bit high, and the success rate isn't above 90 percent yet. But give me a few more months, and I should have it resolved."

"What do you think about me also taking the SSS?" asked Lara.

Alyssa shook her head. "I don't recommend it. Your non-human part is too complex to create a serum that would benefit you, and you're already growing stronger without it. I'd suggest either waiting for it to develop naturally or finding stimuli and nutrients to accelerate its growth. The risk isn't worth it—it could destroy your potential or even kill you. Even though I don't fully understand what it is, I can say its potential is enormous compared to the SSS."

"Hmm," Lara nodded thoughtfully. She didn't want to inject the serum anymore, especially after her non-human part had grown so significantly. Her lifting strength had increased from mid-Class 5 to low-Class 10, going from around 5 metric tons to 10 metric tons—enough to lift an adult elephant. Her durability is also around this level, wall-level durability, being able to withstand forces capable of breaking or cracking concrete or brick walls without significant harm.

"Also, I'll need more human material for experiments," said Alyssa.

"No problem," Lara replied without hesitation. "I've got some Leviathan and Hydra agents who've started lurking around me. They can be sent to L.A.R.A., along with the criminals we're receiving from our authorities in United Kingdom and some other countries authorities would be glad to help us for a price."

Alyssa nodded as she prepared the syringes for the procedure, then handed them to the scientists in the room for injection. Winston confirmed that the operatives were mentally prepared before stepping next to Alyssa and Lara.