Inside the Laboratory -1-

After his extended discussion with the captain, Yuriy emerged from the room with a markedly altered demeanor. Vasyl, Vladyslav, and even Anastasia noticed it immediately: a distinct glint in his eyes, suggesting a profound internal shift. They watched, eyes widening, as that newfound determination in Yuriy's gaze seemed to light up the room. Taking the initiative, he requested, “Show me the new devices.”

Anastasia exchanged glances with both Vasyl and Vladyslav. Each gave a solemn nod, mutually acknowledging that a pivotal moment was upon them.

"You appear fully prepared for the mission. Very well, let's proceed to the technologist."

Upon entering the central laboratory, Yuriy was met with an unnerving sight. Dominating the room was a massive bear, a necklace inscribed with the name 'Teddy' dangling from its neck. Chains constrained the beast, while an unfamiliar device was attached to it. Though other bears were in the vicinity, it was evident that this central bear was extraordinary, standing out from the rest in an unsettling manner.

The technologist approached; he was an old man. Addressing Yuriy, he said, “You must be Yuriy, the son of Oleksandr. Welcome among us."

Yuriy replied, “Thanks, but who are you?”

The elderly man replied, “I am the technologist in charge of the new device we acquired from the enemy. Its name is Latusha. But before delving into its functions, there are crucial matters to discuss."

The old man began walking through the laboratory, starting to explain some fundamental concepts. “Humans, by their very nature, are weak. That's why we use every useful thing we notice around us to protect ourselves, and the enemy knows that well. He focused on things we forgot about, things we thought we had surpassed long ago with something better, through technology and development. We were wrong. The enemy noticed that no matter how we advance our defense and attack strategies, we can never dismiss the significant role animals play in our wars. People in the past used horses, elephants, dogs, and other animals; the role of animals should never be denied. But the enemy was smart enough to realize that technology isn't everything in wars, and we can never fully replace animals. That's why he came up with the idea of binding the most advanced technology with animals for use in warfare. Because no matter how clever we are, we have never been able to create a robot that can balance itself or maintain high energy with its batteries. That's why we still can rely on animals in our wars; they are skilled at doing that."

Yuriy made an understanding face, replying, “I got it, so essentially the whole idea is about binding this high-tech equipment with animals, such as the polar bear over there.” He gestured to the bear in the center of the room.

"Exactly”

Suddenly, the technologist approached the bear, placing a device that looked similar to a hockey helmet on its head. It was quite large. Then he continued, "Actually, this helmet was made by our specialist, but the device inside was manufactured by the neighboring nation. It should be connected to a twin device, which is placed on top of the bear's head. Now, let me show you how it works."

The old man launched the device, and it made a strange noise as it activated, like a high-hertz note. The bear was calmed after hearing it, and he declared, "Now the bear is under full control."

"What do you mean?" Yuriy said.

The device can put the animals into a state of no awareness, which means the bear is now in something like a dreaming state, although it's fully awake. Yes, mammals with complex brains and sleep patterns can dream just like humans, including bears. During the experiment, we can tell that the animal's instincts are awake; the bear can see and hear but is not aware of what it senses around him. It is fooled by the device. The biggest trick in this device is the simulation of body movement in a dream. Imagine with me: when you are going through a dream, you have slight awareness that makes you think you are moving your body by your own will, but this is totally wrong. You were in a dream, and your movements in the dream were not made by your will, but they are a part of the dream itself. So, my question to you is, what would happen if we control the bear's movements from the center of the nerves?"

Yuriy's eyes widened in surprise as he answered the technologist's question: “Since the bear is in a state that makes it think that real life is a dream, then it will think that it chose to make those moves we are ordering it to do. So, typically, it won’t resist our commands at all?"

The technologist answered in a serious tone: "Exactly, and this was the main idea of the device. No resistance by ferocious animals (Receivers); they do what we order them to do, and they accept it as if it's their own will. The device in the head of the bear is now directly connected to its center of nerves using the helmet, which means the player can send signals to make the animal move according to his will."

The technologist's eyes gleamed. Now he gestured toward the helmet, the one specially crafted for the player who's going to control the animal. "There is what you need to know about the helmet. The device in it is not a nerves controller as you might think; it's more than that. It's like a bridge between your senses and the bear, making you sense anything the bear feels. You'll feel the wind rustling through his fur and hear the delicate symphony of footsteps or leaves. You can call it artificial nerves that work wirelessly."

Yuriy decided to ask the question that had been puzzling him: “But I have a question. Since we can control the bear by its nerves, why would we put it under that half-consciousness state?"

The technologist paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered the question. 'We need the bear to be in that state,' he finally said, his voice measured. "When the bear is awake, its involuntary senses come alive. Imagine bringing your finger close to its eye; the eye would close of its own accord. Should the bear lose its balance during a battle, it will retrieve it all by itself. This instinctive grace, this primal intelligence, is what we seek in the bear. It can restore its balance with an efficiency that surpasses any robot humans have so far managed to create."

"Yuriy was stunned by the enemy's cunning, his mind racing as he struggled to comprehend the implications. Finally, he managed to nod, his voice almost a whisper as he said, 'I understand.' His interest was more than piqued; it was an insatiable curiosity that led him to reach for the helmet. As the connection solidified, his world transformed. He found himself attuned to Teddy's sensations, a blend of primal instincts and heightened awareness. The rustle of leaves outside felt almost tangible, and distant sounds took on a new resonance. Yuriy's senses were boosted by the bear's acute perception; he could hear and smell not only what was near him but also what was close to Teddy. The world became a fusion of their senses, a symphony of human and animal perceptions that transcended the ordinary. It was a melding of existence that ignited a sense of unity and purpose."