Dr Elune laughed quietly, "Sounds like an interesting time."

Thomas chuckled as he nodded, "That's one way of putting it. Now then..." Leaning forwards on the dinning table, Thomas smiled, "You have been hinting at something fascinating, yes?"

Ren nodded with a grin, rolling his eyes as he turns on his fake communicator, "Alex, please send the drone in." Looking back to Thomas, Ren grinned, "We have made great leaps in the field of prosthetics."

Raising an eyebrow, Thomas burst into laughter as the buff-drone wobbled into the room, arms flexing as always, "I assume this is your masterpeice?"

Dr Elune holds up a hand, "Hehe, just take a look... You wil be surprised." The buff-drone wheeled over next to Thomas, holding out an arm obediently as it waited for inspection.

Thomas curiously poked and prodded at the drone's arms, feeling along them as the arm flexes slightly, shwoing how it moves, "Interesting... Nice mobility, rather realistic. Now about the-"

"Nerves? Full nervous system. Two way communication, the drone can 'feel' what you are doing... But, it is still just a drone." Grinning, Dr Elune glanced at Ren, who nodded, "Oh, and by the way... That is a prototype from a while ago. We have made better limbs since."

Whistling, Thomas sat back upright, waving the drone away, "Really now? I have the feeling you are approaching me with this for more than just my curiosity."

Dr Elune giggled, "Well, you see... We are still fine-tuning the human intergration stage. We think it is almost ready... But we will need human subjects."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Thomas glanced down at his withered leg, "I see... As fascinating as this is, I think I'll pass."

Ren shook his head, "Firstly, our completed models are highly realistic... No need to worry about that. And we don't mean you, specifically... Sure you have contacts with other veterans, perhaps organise a meeting to discuss the possibilities?"

Thinking, Thomas glanced at the retreating drone, and smiled softly, "I... Can think of a few people. How many you need?"

"About a dozen per round of testing. We are currently planning on three to five rounds, but this could increase dependant on complications, and rejections."

Thomas nodded, tapping his fingers on the table, "So, sixty will get you started. I can probably arrange the first dozen on my own, and the rest will be around before too long. What's the catch?"

Dr Elune laughed, "You are our experimental guinie pigs? We will have you closely monitored, and there will be backup proceedures in place. As you are in the testing phase, we will even provide the units for free... Any other veterans, and they will need to pay. We will consider a discount."

Grinning, Thomas shook his head with a sigh, "If these things work the way you promise... If they are even a tenth of the price of a regen limb, you will win over the hearts of many of us. You have a deal."

Holding out a hand, Ren smiled, "Current figures look to be about two percent... So, yes. We look forward to your cooperation."

Shaking hands, Thomas's eyes glittered with anticipation, with Dr Elune glancing up, breathing a sigh of releif... So far, so good.