Never! How perverse?!

Strucker turned to face List. His face was still flushed, but none of his previous concern remained— if anything, Strucker was angry.

“Herr Doctor. HYDRA wasn’t built on men fucking their sisters! Now you may be interested in breaking the Laws of Man for their own sake, but in this case I must demand you refocus your attention! HYDRA needs new weapons, new powers— it Doesn’t need to devote precious resources to perverse rabbit holes!” Strucker finished. He had worked himself into a bit of a state during his rant and was pleased to see List looked properly chagrined.

“My, my apologies, Herr Strucker! I- I just had to be sure you were aware of the possibilities!” List stammered back, sweating bullets once more.

“I’ve been so informed. Now! Continue your work with the sceptre and with the Twins. HYDRA needs soldiers who can go toe-to-toe with the Avengers— find me a way of making them! One that DOESN’T involve breeding the Maximoff Twins with *Each* *Other*!” Baron Strucker ordered, seething. On the last syllable, he turned neatly on his heel and marched out of List’s lab, refusing to give List the customary Hydra salute.

Doctor List was nervous for several moments after Strucker stormed out. He could understand Strucker’s misgivings about the project, but still… What they were missing out on!!

‘Ach! Nothing else to be done,’ Doctor List decided to himself. ‘At least Strucker wants me to continue my research with both the sceptre and with the Twins.’ The Maximoffs were unique, and List knew they held the potential to challenge the Avengers. As for the sceptre… ‘Well, who knows?’ List wondered to himself. ‘Maybe we’ll be able to create another enhanced… One able to cross their genes with either of the Maximoffs.’

List just hoped any sort of breakthrough would manifest before the Avengers got around to tracking down their missing sceptre…