"What's wrong?"
"You know I went to the lab once yesterday morning, right?"
"Yes."
Hawk nodded.
That was before going to the library yesterday.
He originally thought Gwen went to Dr. Connor to cancel a leave of absence in the morning.
Now?
"Did something go wrong with the experiment?"
"The experiment didn't go wrong, but I heard there was a problem with the investors. You know Dr. Connor's experiment is a partnership between Osborn and the military, right?"
"You mentioned it last time."
"The military withdrew funding."
Gwen lowered her voice, leaned forward, and said, "Plus, Dr. Connor's experiment has been going on for almost two years without results, so the higher-ups within Osborn are also getting impatient with Dr. Connor's experiment."
Capital is realistic.
They'll sponsor you with the funds you need because of the picture you painted at the start, even providing spaces and meeting your demands.
But if you don't deliver the results capital expects, it will abandon you without hesitation.
Because cutting losses in time is essential for capital.
That's exactly the case with Dr. Connor's regeneration experiment.
Not to mention, the military retracted its investment from Dr. Connor's lab last month due to funding allocations.
Although the military claimed it was temporary and would reinvest once funds were available, asking Osborn Biotechnology to hold on,
still...
Osborn Biotechnology internally isn't peaceful either.
Rumor has it since last year, because of a mysterious illness, Norman Osborn has been recuperating in his estate and is now in critical condition.
This news isn't baseless.
The fact that Harry Osborn, who had been studying in the United Kingdom, returned to New York City this summer and began involving himself in corporate affairs with the help of Norman Osborn's personal secretary, Felicia Hardy, is a significant signal.
Though the Osborn Clan controls the majority of shares in Osborn Biotechnology,
in this era where the old king is about to die and the new king will ascend, some people want to seize the opportunity during this transition to gain benefits for themselves.
Moreover, a new official always wants to make a mark.
So some suggested simplifying the laboratory and shutting down labs that haven't yielded capital results in time.
First and foremost is Dr. Connor's lab, which lost the military's investment due to budget shortages.
Even though the military claims they would resume investment when the next Pentagon funds arrive, who can guarantee that?
After all, the Federation Military's reputation is well known.
However, Osborn Biotechnology hasn't decided to withdraw funding from Dr. Connor yet. Although the military's funds have paused, some of the previous funding remains.
So...
"The lab's personnel has been downsized."
"Five researchers were dismissed."
"Including me, of course."
"I heard about it yesterday, but since I'm a work-study student and not too costly, I was spared."
"Also, when I went to the lab yesterday, Dr. Connor wasn't as pleased as you mentioned, so I was a bit surprised when you brought it up."
Gwen recounted the recent situation in Dr. Connor's lab.
Hawk didn't care much whether Dr. Connor's experiment succeeded, so he listened casually and shrugged after Gwen finished speaking, "Well, Dr. Connor said as much on the phone. Who knows if it will succeed."
Gwen nodded as well, "I also hope Dr. Connor's experiment succeeds."
They chatted like that casually.
But after the chat, it was over. Once Hawk finished his burger, they got up, carrying their trays, and left.
The discussion about Dr. Connor's lab ended there.
But...
They could end the discussion, but Dr. Connor, the person involved, couldn't just switch topics like finishing a chat.
Because Dr. Connor was facing the role of soon to be abandoned by capital.
Dr. Connor watched as the person standing in his office relayed the latest decision from the board.
"Doctor, have you thought it over?"
"I don't understand."
"Doctor, you should understand."
The middle-aged Caucasian man, representing the board, said with a gentle smile, "The military withdrew funding. Even though they say it's temporary, we all know what it means. Initially, the board's opinion was also to pause funding in the lab, but doctor, your latest result successfully kept the lab's funding afloat, but only just."
Because Dr. Connor's latest achievement, the regenerating white mouse, gave the board a glimmer of hope.
But just a glimmer.
Dr. Connor frowned.
"So what's the board's decision?"
"Human testing!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Dr. Connor's eyes widened, staring at the middle-aged man, "I just extracted a possibly viable serum from the only mutant white mouse, and it hasn't been verified. Now rushing to human testing is too reckless, and where would we find willing test subjects?"
The middle-aged man shrugged, "Military hospitals have plenty of subjects, just under the guise of a new vaccine."
He said it lightly.
After all, everyone does it this way.
Conducting human trials in Bharat requires paying, but using local lower-class subjects requires no payment.
In one word.
Are the lower classes human?
No!
Capital seeks profit and while maximizing returns, also aims to minimize costs.
But Dr. Connor found it hard to accept after listening.
"What? I disagree."
"Time waits for no one, doctor. The time left for you is short, and time for us is short too."
"...Us?"
"That's not your concern. Just know this decision by the board is for your good. There's a dedicated person to handle this. If it fails, doctor, you can act innocent."
"I didn't come here to discuss, doctor."
"This is a notification."
After saying this, the middle-aged man directly turned and left Dr. Connor's lab.
It's now widely rumored that Norman Osborn's days are numbered, and the whole reason behind establishing Dr. Connor's Regeneration Laboratory was to research a cure for Norman Osborn's mysterious illness.
So...
The middle-aged man wasn't wrong. By pushing for human testing swiftly, they were helping Dr. Connor and themselves.
After all, a new ruler brings new officials.
Who knows what Harry Osborn will do if Norman Osborn dies?
Everyone knows.
Capital desires stability because stability ensures a steady profit.
But Dr. Connor isn't capital.
After the middle-aged man left, Dr. Connor sat still in his office chair.
Unmoving!
...