[TN: The three chapters I owned]
Atlas Group Research Conference Hall.
This was an online meeting used to present unified research progress to Leo.
Every researcher was linked via cybernetic modulators to their laboratory terminals, uploading data to the hall.
For Leo, all he needed to do was sit in his chair—he could directly see the results his researchers wanted to show him.
The first project came from the bio-lab: development of second-generation cybernetic bodies and organ cloning based on lizard serum.
The "zero-generation" cybernetics referred to existing medical devices such as artificial heart valves, pacemakers, and basic prosthetics.
The first-generation cybernetics were those widely promoted by International Gene Cooperation and already partially included under New York City medical insurance.
These used motors, pistons, and other mechanical components to mimic human limbs, mostly built of plastic and metal.
Good design could achieve limited bionics, but mechanical parts were still mechanical parts. Without a byproduct of the lizard serum—biliverdin-based immunosuppressants—rejection was extremely severe.
Even with them, mass implantation still triggered strong immune responses.
The second-generation cybernetics, however, were vastly different. In the cyberpunk era, the defining breakthrough of second-generation bodies was the invention of artificial muscle, replacing first-gen power systems entirely.
In that other world's 20th century, a European scientist happened to invent electroactive polymers, which could change shape and size under electric fields, and caused far less rejection than first-gen materials.
Based on this, the development of second-gen bodies took off.
Over the years, materials expanded to include shape-memory alloys, pneumatic and hydraulic organics, and dielectric elastomers.
These new materials were generally faster, more precise, and often stronger than first-gen components.
With cyberpunk-world immunosuppressants, large-scale implantation was no longer lethal, and products marketed as "skin-like" emerged—also considered second-gen.
Leo's second-gen bodies, however, were even more advanced—
The International Gene Cooperation approach directly extracted stem cells from the target, cloned them using lizard serum, and induced differentiation into enhanced muscle.
If successful, rejection was virtually nonexistent—because this artificial muscle was still actual muscle, not foreign material.
Cyberpunk-world muscles were built from miraculous material science. Atlas Group's were applications of lizard serum.
Professor Connors began his presentation.
The virtual space projected vivid neural recordings from Connors, immersing everyone.
It was essentially real-time ultra-dream networking, similar to the interdimensional factory's human-machine sync tech, but more advanced.
Connors stood before growth tanks filled with unsettling human organs and tissues—
Each sample's source was fully traceable: half from donations, half from desperate people in urgent need of medical care.
Stem cells divided under lizard serum, then were induced through physical and chemical stimuli into fixed types.
The induction not only had to ensure correct differentiation but also ordered growth.
[Connors: "Cultivation of functional cell types is now highly mature. Peter has found a way to direct these cells and weave them into functional groups—pectorals, spinal muscle groups, cardiac cells."]
[Connors: "From a microscopic perspective, the process resembles knitting, so we call it Cell Functional Group Weaving Technology."]
[Peter, wearing a lab coat, entered with Gwen behind him.]
Through extensive trials, Peter had earned a researcher title for this weaving technique.
Having secretly provided the NYPD with 8 months of biotech autopsy support and electronic assistance, he was granted reduced sentencing and a pardon.
In one week, his term would end, and he could attend university—
But after all he had gone through, nearly 18-year-old Peter worked with calm restraint. His joy was gone, hidden behind a steady façade.
The experiments came first.
A 1ml stem cell sample, drawn from Peter himself, was used as the starter.
With lizard serum and nutrients, it rapidly divided into a tumor-like cluster, half the size of a fist.
Next, the cluster was moved to another medium, induced with biochemical reagents and electric stimuli.
The process was clearly well-developed.
The tumor-like cluster differentiated into muscle cells, aligned along nanoweb scaffolds, and was guided onto bioplastic skeletal frames.
Soon, they had a perfectly shaped finger.
It was transferred for testing. An electrode discharged current, simulating bioelectricity to stimulate the muscle—
It worked.
No stalling. Everything was on schedule. Proof of maturity.
Another scene: Connors before a massive wall of glass enclosures filled with test animals—mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits.
A monitoring wall displayed larger animals: dogs, cats, pigs, and monkeys.
By now, International Gene Cooperation had invested tens of millions into this work and was still pouring more.
For a company under a year old, such numbers were insane but they made it real.
Huge funding yielded astonishing results. None of the scientists here was ordinary.
[Connors: "As you can see, 1,860 experimental subjects. Over 600 skeletal muscle groups, cardiac groups, and most smooth muscle groups have been completed. The replaced muscle groups cover 99.999% of disability cases. All 1,860 animal samples are healthy, with improved functionality."]
[Connors: "Normal human muscle generates 20–40 Newtons per square centimeter, with individual cells producing 0.3–3 milliNewtons of tension. Our lizard-serum muscles, within safe density, generate up to 230 Newtons per cm². Individual cells reach 10–80 mN."]
[Connors: "I suggest systematic gradation of products—not everyone needs superhuman strength." He smiled confidently, rolled up his sleeve— Revealing a flawless second-gen prosthetic arm, indistinguishable from a natural one.]
[Connors: "And the first human trial has succeeded. I feel great."]
[Connors: "Oh, and the skin—printed from collagen and dermal cells. This technology is already mature, and costs will drop as second-gen bodies spread."]
Leo nodded slightly as a notification chimed:
[Bio Lab Project Complete: Second-Generation Cybernetic Body (Artificial Muscle, Artificial Skin)]
[Participation Reward Tech Points: 500]
[Current Tech Points: 9,500]
Leo: "Risks?"