Two years earlier

Niko stood at the edge of the sterile lab, watching as Ryan lay down calmly in the huge MRI. The machine was giving a low buzz, as if it couldn’t wait to get to work. This wasn't just any MRI; this was the 21 Tesla, one of only two in the world. The ultimate in medical imaging, it boasted an unprecedented magnetic field strength. So powerful, it turned anything magnetic into a potential projectile within a 50-meter radius. Metal objects, lead, even a simple pen— if they get too close, and they’d become lethal missiles. This, combined with the complex hardware required for maintenance, was why it resided in a huge, factory-like building.

The air in the room was thick with tension, a mix of excitement and nerves after years of relentless work. This was it, the first human trial of the nano-robots, and Ryan was the guinea pig. Normally, they'd have to jump through a million bureaucratic hoops to get to this point. But thanks to Gen. Meyer’s connections, those hoops had been conveniently sidestepped.

“Are you ready, Ryan?” Niko asked from behind the glass over the speakers, his voice steady but his heart pounding. Advanced medical equipment surrounded him as the team prepared for the procedure.

Ryan, wired head to toe with sensors monitoring his heart rate, blood pressure, and EEG, smiled reassuringly. “Let’s do this.”

Niko nodded and turned to the team. “Start the procedure.”

Nanobots, programmed to enter Ryan’s central nervous system, were administered through a simple injection into his bloodstream. Since Ryan was healthy, the nanobots didn't have a specific disease to target; instead, they were designed to roam the blood vessels and monitor for any developing pathologies. The team watched the monitors intently, tracking the progress of the tiny devices as they navigated through Ryan’s body. Initial readings were promising—the nanobots were functioning exactly as designed.

Ryan’s vitals remained stable, and he showed no signs of discomfort. As the hours passed, the team conducted a series of tests to ensure the nano-robots were performing their intended functions. Ryan reported feeling a slight tingling sensation, but otherwise, he felt normal.

“Everything looks good,” Niko announced to the team in the adjacent room, relief evident in his voice. Even through the thick walls, he heard their cheers. However, Niko remained seated, his eyes glued to Ryan’s EEG readout.

After the initial rounds of congratulations were over, Niko approached Ryan.

‘’Hey, how do you feel?’’

‘’Never better, why do you ask?’’

‘’I saw something weird on your EEG, shortly after the nanobots crossed the blood-brain barrier. It seemed like a slow theta wave activity for some minutes. I can show you the readout if you want…’’

‘’What are you saying, Nick? That I had a seizure sitting right here in from of you? I’m fine, buddy, relax. You’ve done great! Now come and celebrate!’’

Niko hesitated. The anomaly bothered him, but Ryan looked and felt fine. He glanced back at the monitor, the data scrolling past, normal now. Maybe it was a fluke, a glitch. Or maybe it was something else.

The successful trial with Ryan had been a significant milestone, elevating the spirits of the entire team and paving the way for further testing.

"We need volunteers," Ryan announced at the next team meeting, his voice elated. "People who believe in this project as much as we do. Why don’t we leverage the team here? Who wants to give it a shot?"

"I’ll go next," Gen. Meyer said, her tone resolute. "If we're going to change the world, I want to be part of it."

Kuryakov quickly followed suit. “What the hell, count me in," he said with a grin. "I've always wanted to see the inside of my own brain."

Edmundsson nodded as well, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

"What about you, Niko?" Ryan asked.

Niko was taken aback. "Well, as you know, Ryan, I have an old metal implant from when I broke my hand as a child. I can’t go into the MRI." Although true, Niko felt uncomfortable with the turn of events. It was against his principles to test drugs on himself and his team. He also noticed that Lopez and Priya remained silent, but thankfully, nobody pushed them further.

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"Oh yeah, that’s right, you told me that before," Ryan said, looking somewhat disappointed. "But a big thank you to everyone else. I’ll go back to the lab and replicate more nanobots with the team for the next round. Should be ready in a couple of days."

Niko had noticed a change in his friend and wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing.

The volunteers were lying next to each other in the MRI, which was still buzzing relentlessly.

Niko had prepared the injections, his hands steady but his mind racing. "Are you all sure you want to do this? Last chance to say no,” he asked. But they were all sure.

Similarly to Ryan's trial, the readings were promising and the nanobots crossed the blood-brain barrier and integrated seamlessly into the central nervous system. The volunteers reported no side effects, although the same EEG changes activity reappeared in Meyer and Edmundsson. As they were brief and had no impact on their well-being, Niko couldn’t argue against continuing the tests. Everything went perfectly.

Next, the team recruited healthy subjects and expanded the trials to include patients with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries. The results were astounding. Patients showed significant improvement, with some regaining mobility and cognitive functions lost for years.

Over the following days, Gen. Meyer couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "This could revolutionize—no, this WILL revolutionize medicine," she declared, eyes shining with conviction.

Niko smiled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a lot of work to do."

Ryan clapped him on the back. "Niko, you're too modest. We've done something amazing here. It's time to think bigger. But first, we celebrate tonight. In Arecibo’s finest bar, huh? Who’s with me?”

Even Edmundsson nodded in recognition. It seemed to Niko that since their discovery, he had become much more collaborative and the atmosphere in the lab slowly relaxed. Niko thought that the recent advancements had convinced him that they have to work together in order to achieve the results. Interestingly enough, he had offered his help several times during the study process, an unusual move, to say the least.

Later that evening, the bar in Arecibo, Salitre Mesón Costero, was buzzing with life. Hundreds of conversations competed with energetic Reggaeton music. The crowd was young, a mix of locals, students from the university, and expats, all of which were looking for a refuge. The salty sea breeze blended with the rich aroma of Puerto Rican food and murals of the island’s history decorated the walls, adding to the cosy atmosphere.

Niko and Priya sat at a small table near the back, away from the crowd. They had been there for a while, sipping on mojitos and picking at a platter of tapas. They were there to celebrate the success of the recent trials, but neither seemed in a celebratory mood.

Niko took a long sip of his drink, then set the glass down with a sigh. “I have noticed you have been very quiet lately. You ever get the feeling things are moving too fast?” he asked, looking across the table at Priya.

Priya nodded while slurping on her mojito. “Absolutely. It’s like we’re on a runaway train. The breakthroughs are incredible, but... I don’t know, it feels like we’re not taking enough time to understand everything fully.”

“Exactly,” Niko agreed, leaning in closer to be heard over the noise. “I can’t shake this feeling that we’re missing something. The changes in the EEG, for one. And now we’re expanding the trials to patients with serious medical conditions. It’s just a lot to take in.”

Priya glanced around the bar, then lowered her voice. “And what about Ryan? You have known him much longer. Have you noticed how... different he’s been acting lately?”

Niko’s expression darkened. “I have. He’s more enthusiastic, almost too enthusiastic. He’s always pushing for more, larger, faster, without considering the risks.”

“He’s always been ambitious,” Priya mused, “but this is different. It’s almost like... there’s something else. I can’t put my finger on it.”

Niko nodded. “I’ve seen it too. It’s like he’s got this hunger for power or recognition. And Edmundsson... he’s been unusually cooperative. It’s like they’ve both changed overnight.”

‘’Hey, you two.” Ryan’s voice suddenly cut through their conversation. Neither of them had noticed him entering the bar. He greeted them with a broad smile and pulled up a chair. “Mind if I join you? The others will also be here in a minute.”

“Of course not,” Niko replied, forcing a smile. “We were just talking about the trials.” His old friend seemed distant lately.

Ryan’s eyes lit up. “Aren’t they amazing? We’re on the brink of something truly revolutionary. The possibilities are endless.”

Priya nodded slowly. “They are, Ryan. But don’t you think we need to be cautious? We’re moving at breakneck speed. We don’t want to overlook anything important.”

Ryan waved a hand dismissively. “Caution is important, yes, but so is momentum. We’ve got a unique opportunity here. We can’t afford to slow down.”

Niko exchanged a glance with Priya, then leaned forward. “Ryan, we’re all excited about the potential, but we need to make sure we’re not missing any critical details. Those anomalies in your EEG, for example—”

Ryan’s smile faltered for a moment, then returned. “Minor fluctuations as an adaptation to the nanobots into the CNS, Niko. And only replicated in a handful of other test subjects. How is that a reason to worry? The nanobots are doing exactly what they’re supposed to. Niko, what do you always say? ''Trust the data’’.''

''Trust the data,’’ Niko repeated with a resigned smile.

Priya hesitated, then spoke up. “But we also need to listen to our instincts, right? We just want to make sure we’re doing this right.”

Ryan’s expression softened. “I get it, I do. But we’re on the verge of changing the world. Sometimes, you have to take risks to achieve greatness. Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture.”

Niko forced a nod, though the uneasy feeling in his gut didn’t dissipate. “You’re right, Ryan. We just need to balance our ambition with caution.”

Ryan clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s enjoy the night. We’ve earned it.”

As Ryan moved to order another round of drinks, Niko and Priya shared a concerned look. They both knew that the conversation they had just had hadn’t resolved anything. But, before they could speak again in private, the rest of the team had entered the bar. ‘’We will continue this conversation some other time,’’ Niko thought. Now, it was time to celebrate.