Unethical

Bell stares at the new lab building set at the center of the base. It’s tall and well-fortified, the inside has enough for the group of geniuses and many more. Many of their core projects will be developed inside, though they did limit the building overall to focus on the base instead.

The base itself has grown well, many gather at the call and promise the Syndicate give. The Syndicate has come to be known by many, the plethora of buildings and people hard to ignore.

“I hear there’s a place with even more progress than us out east.” Elizabeth said.

“It must be Veronica, but how did she manage?”

“I’m not sure, they call it the city of the future. And they call us the city making the future.”

“We have a long way to go. I doubt Veronica’s city will seek any further development, that will be our advantage. We already have robots farming, and the city in the sky will be greater than any she could ever dream of.”

“I never thought I’d see you this competitive.”

“Leaving it to others is what led us to this mess, a similar mistake should never happen again.”

“I agree. But we’re already reaching some blocks, come with me.”

Elizabeth takes Bell to her personal lab. At the center stands a full body exoskeleton, similar to the one Dantes wore inside the forbidden zone housing classroom 102. While he modified it and gave it improvements, it was heavy and difficult to control. Furthermore, it had limited battery which means an extended battle would end in his defeat, it’s how Veronica and Loki beat him.

The exoskeleton at the center of the room is thinner at the exchange of power, a necessary exchange for it to work. Powering it will be simple; the fusion reactor can be used to power battery cells for the suit. As for advancements, the exoskeleton boasts great speed, safer mobility, and more support while losing weight itself.

“I call it gear. A fantastic advancement that will only get better with each rendition. But I do have a problem.” Elizabeth taps a drone sitting on a table, it projects a video on the wall.

The video displays a man attempting to use the exoskeleton. They move well for about ten seconds before losing control of their body. Their limbs drop as if they brains disconnected from their body.

Elizabeth attempts to help them move but they convey pain until she frees them from the exoskeleton.

“What happened?” Bell asked.

“I believe the human mind is incapable processing the exoskeleton as it continues to improve. The old exoskeletons were basic, most of the movements controlled off the regular movements of the body, it’s main job to give strength. But these are meant to support and aid, eventually empower. That means they cannot be simply moved off reactions however, I need them to be controlled by the mind as well.”

“Have, you tried with anyone else?”

“One more with similar results. I believe as we continue to improve technology that interacts with the mind, we will face similar issues.”

“What do you suggest?”

“We need to pivot for some time and focus on the human. We improve them before considering them able to merge with technology to its full capability. Of course, I’m sure someone out there is able to use this thing, but even they will have limits. We need to improve the human body and mind.”

“That would have been Anastasia’s area of expertise.”

“We have Elena as well.”

Bell sighs. “That won’t happen. Elena has been locked away in her lab since Matteo fell into a coma last year. I very much doubt Issac will allow it as well.”

“But it is necessary. Don’t you think it would help us as well. imagine what you could do with the processing power of a supercomputer.”

“I agree that it is enticing, but I am incapable of such projects. Still, a unified effort may bring results. I’ll gather everyone, discuss, and hope for the best.”

“Ok, I’ll join you all in the common hall then.”

“Great.”

After Bell leaves, Elizabeth walks over to a storage room inside her lab. Inside lies a dead body, the man from the video. Elizabeth looks down on the body, such failure is disappointing, she considers the man useless for never giving any respectable contribution to their base.

“Get rid of it.” Elizabeth says to a group of robots on standby next the wall. They wake and grab the body, carrying it away after wrapping it.

The geniuses gather at Bell’s call in the common hall of the lab building. It’s styled to look like classroom 102, a choice made by Issac to commemorate their gathering once more.

“You all seem happier than usual.” Bell said.

Many of the geniuses are making great progress in their areas of expertise. Lars develops more prosthetics by the day and is in the final stages deploying them to those in need. Artem has made great leaps in AI; it’s become difficult for even he to keep up with its exponential development.

“The freedom to develop is an endless source of joy.” Amélie said, he stands by the door with his head resting against the wall. His own developments are slow, but only because he focuses on developing drugs to aid those in the base. He hopes to find a way to rid the forbidden areas of radiation in time.

“And I’m glad you can all enjoy it.” Bell walks to the front the room with Elizabeth.

Even Elena has gathered at his call, heavy bags under her somber eyes. Liang sits beside her, worry in her mind that Nozomi will soon follow Matteo.

“Now then, the reason for today’s meeting is simple. A request and discussion. As we continue to develop technology, human connectivity will eventually be a point of common interest. Whether it be prosthetics, implants, computers, or exoskeleton. Connecting technology to the minds has always been an idea we wished to perfect. We have found an early issue, one that it would be very beneficial for us to solve now before it affects all our work. Elizabeth.”

“Yes.” Elizabeth uses her drone to project an image of the mind and body on the wall behind her. “The human mind can only handle so much information. In recent tests my new exoskeleton was too much for them to handle and failed because of it. I believe similar things will happen to you all as well. Connecting our minds to computers, and to implants like those made by Lars will have a limit, but only so long as we allow it to exist.”

“You’re suggesting body and mind manipulation.” Akihiko said.

“Need we remind you the reason we were prohibited from doing so? The atrocities of the world wars were to never be repeated.” Amélie said.

“I agree with them. To develop the mind and body, we would need to experiment. We would need sacrifices.” Zara said.

“Your concerns are understandable. But it would mean we will reach a plateau; the human is something that will need evolution as well.”

“Then allow nature to take its course. That is a dangerous area, Bell.” Issac said.

“It is. Anyone else? Artem?”

“I agree there will be a limit. I am torn. Allowing ourselves to give in at a plateau is against our very nature. If we do not wish to commit atrocities then we must simply find another way, it is worth the thought.”

“And what if something goes wrong?” Akihiko asked.

“Your own creation, the gem of transportation, was not without error Akihiko. We must consider and accept these things. But if you feared your life’s work would end in deaths, we would not have the light trains today. Imagine a world without them, this world without them. We would have gone extinct many years ago.”

“I agree with him.” Lars said. “Connecting ourselves to technology would help us grow as well, human development is slow as it is. But with technology we will reach new bounds. Doing so does not mean we must commit atrocities, there are ways to connect with the mind without harming it. Programs we have to simulate it… and volunteers of course.”

“Liang? Elena?” Bell asked.

“If there is a way to do so without committing atrocities, I would be open to it.”

The room looks at Elena, the one most capable of manipulating the mind and body in their group.

“I will need to think about it. But if it meant finding way to heal and empower is possible, it is worth considering.”

“Yes, I agree. Then, shall we vote?”

Bell raises his hand first, followed by Elizabeth, Lars, Liang, and Elena. Elena looks to Issac, her eyes conveying the urgency of their son’s situation. With that, Issac raises, majority has won.