Three years earlier

Thankfully, focusing on neuroscience had the desired effect. Two months into their intense research, Niko and his team celebrated a significant breakthrough. They had figured out how to transport nanobots into the CNS of apes.

They had designed a unique coating of glycoproteins and lipids. This magical coat let the nanobots slip past the blood-brain barrier and into the brain. They then pre-programmed them to head straight for the putamen—a key part of the brain’s motor system, and ground zero for Parkinson’s disease. Once they reached their destination, they released dopamine directly into the brain tissue. Bingo.

Every day brought a new discovery. It was like Christmas morning, but with more science and fewer annoying relatives. With Lopez and Kuryakov’s help, they found a way to reprogram the nanobots before implantation and even tweak them dynamically while they were inside the CNS. That was a game-changer. They could make real-time adjustments and fine-tune their actions with pinpoint precision.

Their experiments with animals went through the roof. They managed to group the nanobots to form something that looked like a chip. This chip assembled itself inside the CNS, right where they needed it. It amplified the effects on the nervous system and acted as a transmitter between neurons. Think of it as a neural superhighway, boosting communication and efficiency in the brain.

The implications of this discovery were vast and transformative. This meant that if you had a serious spinal cord injury, you could use the chip to bridge over that injury and send nerve signals through again. All three monkeys they examined were able to move their toes again after only several days. If you had a stroke, the chip could help regain your movement or even your memory.

This system could enable them to do something for the first time in history—treat chronic neurological diseases and CNS injuries. Last but not least, it could enable Niko to rub this into Edmundsson’s smug face.

“Excellent presentation, Professors Tesic and Lee,” General Meyer acknowledged, her expression a blend of approval and impatience as Niko and Ryan concluded their status update.

Edmundsson interjected, “Well, it’s rather good work. Rather good work … However, why did your study not disclose any human data? Isn’t this our final goal?”

“That is the next step, Professor. We simply do not have enough data in the simian model to make those—”

“When do you expect to have data in human subjects, Professor?” Edmundsson interrupted, his tone dripping with impatience.

“Well, we …”

Priya, not one to shy away from a confrontation, jumped in. I think this is fantastic news, Professor Tesic. It seems your project is much further along than the semiconductor applications Professor Edmundsson presented yesterday. But I’m not medical personnel, so…”

Niko had recently grown more and more fond of her because she didn’t take shit from anybody and had the courage to speak out against the leadership.

“

“That is enough, Priya,” General Meyer said while Edmundsson prepared for a rebuttal. “But she’s right. The committee of investors is breathing down my neck because we don’t have any presentable results in the medical department. The applications in energetics didn’t advance us, and the alleged biological alien material turned out to be a dud. It’s one thing to have shiny, small robots, but another to have them actually do something. Professor Tesic, please discontinue the monkey models and transition to human research ASAP. Understood?”

“General, why is the committee pushing so hard? We’re approaching ethical boundaries that we can’t afford to cross. More time is crucial for responsible research.”

“Maybe because they’re spending a billion dollars every day we’re here, Tesic!” Edmundsson snapped. “And we have enough staff here who aren’t doing anything useful, anyway. The committee knows that.” He glared at Priya, who held his gaze. “So, if you need to cross the border of ethics, then just break the damn border. We’re not paid by the bloody World Animal Foundation.”

Niko didn’t know how Edmundsson had such precise information. As the official research lead, he had more insight into SPA’s financials. Niko, for instance, had never seen or spoken to any of the famous “committee” members or investors; he only knew they came from the Western Bloc countries financing the project. Considering they were high government officials, it wasn’t wise to disobey them. But he couldn’t ignore the call for breaching good laboratory practices.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re asking me to be unethical just so these people save some money, then forget about it.”

“If you’re not flexible enough, you’re going to disappear, Tesic. I’m not going to waste any more of my time on you just because you don’t have the guts to do what you should,” Edmundsson practically screamed, banging his palm on the table. “Even worse—you’ll make our whole project financially unviable, and we’ll lose our jobs. Do you get that? I order you to accelerate from simian models to human trials, or I’ll find someone else who will.”

Ryan spoke for the first time. “Actually, it would be possible to start human testing. I believe we have enough animal data to warrant safe studies.”

Niko swallowed hard. Despite his dedication and six months of relentless work at SPA, Edmundsson’s readiness to replace him was evident. Even Ryan, his steadfast ally, had disagreed with him for the first time ever. The only person who could have helped him at that moment was General Meyer, yet she kept still. Apparently, she also felt the heat from above and was ready to make sacrifices if necessary to stay in the game. So, Niko had to, too. He wasn’t ready to let his hard work go to waste.

“Very well, we will proceed with human trials,” Niko reluctantly agreed, his voice barely masking his inner turmoil. “I will inform the team and begin the search for healthy volunteers.”

“Good, Professor Tesic, very good. Meeting dismissed,” General Meyer declared with a wry smile.

Niko wasn’t sure if she was happy that he would stay part of the team or if it was because she had gotten her way again without dirtying her hands. Probably the latter.

Niko dared not look across the rest of the room; he was too ashamed of betraying his ideals so easily.

Niko stepped into his room and ordered the automated system to prepare a bath. The soft hum of machinery was a comforting reminder of the modern conveniences at SPA. Each room came equipped with automated heating, showers, and even a small cleaning robot that mopped up while he was away.

The water started pouring, a soothing sound that helped take Niko’s mind off the frustrating meeting. No matter how solid his work or pure his intentions, he constantly found himself yielding to Edmundsson’s ultimate authority in scientific matters. This recurring frustration gnawed at him. What made him upset was that even Ryan now seemed against him.

He missed his old job and his parents, whom he hadn’t seen in ten long years. For them, he maintained the charade of working in Singapore; for his friends, he pretended to be back home. Niko often sent face messages to his parents and a couple of friends, keeping his communication to generic remarks to avoid triggering the automated “privacy advisor.”

Despite the high-tech environment, the television only offered local stations. Niko kept Puerto Rican TV shows and American sitcoms in Spanish running in the background, even though he barely understood a word.

A sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Wearing only his bathrobe, Niko opened it to find Ryan standing there, looking serious.

Ryan stepped inside without a preamble. “Niko, we need to talk about finding healthy volunteers for our study.” He got straight to the point.

Niko, still fuming from their earlier meeting, clenched his jaw. “Oh, now you want to talk? After making me seem like a fool in front of everyone?” His voice was sharp, barely containing his anger.

Ryan sat down, his expression calm. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I believe we need someone we can trust implicitly, and no one believes in our work as much as we do.”

Niko glared at him, his frustration rising. “Who do you have in mind?”

Ryan leaned forward, his voice unwavering. “Me. I’ll be the first test subject.”

Niko’s eyes widened in shock, quickly giving way to anger. “Are you insane, Ryan? That’s a massive risk. Incredibly dangerous!”

Ryan nodded, a faint smile trying to defuse the tension. “I know the risks, but to gain trust, we must demonstrate faith in our own work. If something goes wrong, I’d rather it be me than anyone else.”

Niko’s fists clenched at his sides. “You think this is a joke? This isn’t about making a point, Ryan. It’s about safety, ethical responsibility. You can’t just decide to be a guinea pig on a whim!”

Ryan’s smile faded, replaced by a look of determination. “We will take every precaution, Niko. But we need to start somewhere. It’s time to take that leap.”

“Every precaution? Do you even hear yourself?” Niko shot back. “This isn’t a science fair project where if something goes wrong, we get a do-over. We’re talking about potentially life-threatening risks.”

Ryan stood his ground. “And if we don’t move forward, we risk the entire project being shut down. We need results, Niko. Results that prove our work is viable and safe. Who better to show that than one of us?”

“This isn’t about proving anything to anyone. It’s about the science, the ethics. We have protocols for a reason.”

“And those protocols are strangling us,” Ryan countered. “Look, I get it. I really do. But sometimes, you have to bend the rules to make real progress. We’ve already seen what these nanobots can do. I trust our work, and I trust you to make sure it’s safe.”

Niko paused, considering Ryan’s words. “And what if something goes wrong? What if you end up with more than just a headache? This could end your career, your life.”

Ryan met his gaze steadily. “I’m willing to take that risk. If it means we can help millions of people in the future, then it’s worth it. But I can’t do this without you.”

Niko took a deep breath, his mind racing. “I will have to think about it. But if we do it, we take every possible precaution. Understood?”

Ryan placed a reassuring hand on Niko’s shoulder. “Understood.”

Niko nodded curtly, feeling the weight of the decision pressing heavily on him. “Fine, you win, asshole. Better get ready—we start tomorrow.”