บท 136: The First to Eat a Crab
Leo spent almost every moment working on constructing a new auxiliary cybernetic implant heart based on lizard serum.
He was unsure how the difference in time flow between the two worlds would manifest, so he had to hurry and get this done.
Overall, the structure was fairly simple, essentially just a small modification to the original implant.
Although there weren't many bioplastics available in 2011, if done well, it was possible to hide the small components that could trigger a huge immune response inside the auxiliary heart.
Designing it was a complex process, but the real challenge was figuring out how to perform the modification:
The cybernetic implant was inside the body, so the surgery would also have to be done internally— but who would perform the surgery?
Leo came up with an idea: to perform the surgery on himself.
He wouldn't lose consciousness or reason due to the pain from the surgery, which was a significant advantage.
Secondly, he had a highly advanced spinal cybernetic implant, which, if handled properly, could control almost every nerve in his body.
By pre-setting some programs and creating a behavior chip, he could perform the surgery in a semi-automated manner — this was the only solution he could think of.
However, to make this happen, he would need to teleport the cyberpunk world's prosthetic surgeon gloves over—
Removing the replaceable tools and extensions, the gloves still weighed 500g, thanks to Leo's choice of gloves over a full arm replacement back then.
Even so, the available tech points still weren't enough.
Thus, Leo spent a lot of time cramming knowledge on genetic engineering and spent an entire day in Professor Connors' lab, cultivating a second transgenic iguana.
[Basic Theoretical Knowledge Acquired: Molecular Biology (Professor Connors)]
[Tech Points Awarded: 100]
[Practical Engineering Techniques Acquired: Cross-Species Genetic Modification (Professor Connors)]
[Tech Points Awarded: 100]
[First Cross-Species Genetic Modification Completed]
[Tech Points Awarded: 200]
[Current Tech Points: 620]
All day long, Hammond, Peter, and Professor Connors watched as Leo transformed from a novice in this field into an expert.
Not just an expert — Leo smoothly completed the synthesis of the serum and injected it into the iguana without any assistance.
Professor Connors didn't guide Leo on any of the engineering, but Leo learned quickly and worked with precision.
The second iguana had its first meal after its genetic modification. Hammond, in shock, muttered, "Uh, Boss, should I start calling you 'Professor' now?"
"Are you really a high school dropout?"
Of course not — Leo thought to himself. Strictly speaking, his highest level of education far exceeded anyone present.
But wartime and peacetime couldn't really be compared.
Leo shrugged, "Of course — you have to admit there are geniuses in this world. We can use this iguana for promotional purposes or as an additional observation sample."
"Alright," Hammond grumbled, "Good thing I didn't pursue further studies back then. Seems pointless now, considering it's all inborn talent."
"Let's move on," Leo removed his gloves, "Give me a status report."
Hammond was the first to report: "All the experimental equipment has found buyers. Getting purchase permits for this gear has been easier, thanks to Professor Connors' reputation.
However, it'll take a few days for transportation. In the meantime, we can start negotiating with the construction team about expanding the zoo and lab.
I have some candidates in mind, but you mentioned you had other plans, boss."
Leo nodded, signaling for the next person.
Professor Connors was next to report, looking slightly worried.
"The experiment has been submitted to the school. The ethics review passed without issue, but I can't find any volunteers."
As expected.
Donating blood was already rare; donating bone marrow was even rarer.
As for organ donations… they were harder to come by than bone marrow.
Convincing hospitals or donors to forgo saving a patient and instead donate their valuable organs for research?
They didn't have the influence to pull that off — maybe over time, someone would agree, but not right now.
"No worries, I've found some."
Leo pulled out a few signed voluntary donation agreements—
"You may know that I have some influence in Hell's Kitchen. I had my people spread the word in the community and found six donors."
This was when being a good person paid off.
Wealthy people could use money to recruit, but those individuals were often forced into such decisions.
However, if you improve people's lives, you'll never have trouble finding volunteers.
For instance, Skye, John, and Anthony, along with their families, were all willing to volunteer — though Skye's bone marrow might pose other challenges for experimentation.
Connors' eyes lit up with surprise, and Hammond was equally impressed — his opinion of Leo rose even higher.
This boss had vision.
Solving problems with money was simple and direct but a bit crude.
As someone who had long struggled with poverty while chasing his dreams, Hammond appreciated Leo's method of finding volunteers.
In his eyes, using money to drive people was no different from buying a woman. It wasn't that he looked down on it, but he preferred attracting people with his own charm.
Even though he wasn't great at that.
Leo continued, "As for the construction team, with the recent mass layoffs, Hell's Kitchen has been hit hard.
After United Construction ran into trouble, they laid off another batch of workers. We can recruit laborers from them.
As for qualified contractors, just put an ad in the paper, and you'll have a bunch of nearly bankrupt companies lining up. I don't need to teach you that, right?"
"So, we hire a contractor and require them to recruit temporary workers from the unemployed in Hell's Kitchen?
Interesting idea, boss. You should start your own union."
Leo pulled out another document and pointed to a line that read: Hell's Kitchen Workers' Mutual Aid Association.
"Actually, that's already in progress. In collaboration with the NYPD, I've hired a few unemployed electricians, and now we can add some construction workers to register this union.
The ctOS system will filter out workers that meet our requirements, and you can conduct interviews after that.
Then, I'll need you to communicate with the head of this mutual aid association. He's new, but I think he has some potential."
The head of the union was none other than the speech-loving Anthony.
Hammond nodded again, impressed.
"Boss, if you focused solely on running the company, you'd make a great CEO."
Leo smiled, "Any other issues?"
Connors and Hammond exchanged glances and shook their heads.
There were hardly any doubts or uncertainties in their overall direction. Working in this team felt secure and motivating, and they were eager to jump into the next phase of work.
"If there are no issues, let's adjourn. Professor Connors, Peter, let's take some samples from the new test subject."
Peter, however, raised his hand. "Uh, sir, will this take a long time?"
Leo thought for a moment and said, "It's four o'clock now. We should be done by five-thirty, no later than six. Do you have plans?"
"I'm going to a party — you know, it's graduation season, so there are a lot of events."
"Then let's move quickly—" Leo stood up, putting his gloves and mask back on. "You can't miss out on graduation season events, Professor, let's skip the breaks."
Professor Connors chuckled, "Anyone would think it's you going to the party — ever considered returning to school?"
Leo shrugged and began operating the machine, "I'm already in school. Like-minded friends, researching meaningful things — what better campus life is there?
Peter— turn on the electronic microscope."
Leo took a sample and placed it under the microscope.
Peter watched Leo work intently, feeling a surge of admiration —
He was still too young and lacked the knowledge to participate in the research, only able to help with small tasks.
If only he could do more.
"Sir, how are you so perfect?"
Leo, focused on the electron microscope, paused upon hearing that and looked at Peter curiously, "Perfect?"
Peter quickly realized his odd choice of words and corrected himself, "No, no, I meant, you always seem so full of energy and drive."
What Professor Connors saw as setbacks, Leo treated as milestones;
When there were difficulties acquiring test subjects, Leo effortlessly convinced the opposing party, bringing both people and resources on board;
Even with his limited lifespan, Leo never once showed signs of anxiety or loss of composure—
In contrast, Peter felt like he was always anxious and worried, sinking into gloom after just a few minutes.
But, compared to Leo's situation, his own problems seemed so insignificant!
Leo patted Peter on the shoulder, "You're still young, so you tend to focus more on what you lack.
But look around you — don't you already have things that many people dream of? A rich kid for a best friend, excellent grades, and an internship others can't even hope for. There's so much.
Have some confidence in yourself."
Peter just nodded. Uncle Ben used to say the same things.
But like every teenager, Peter thought he understood, though deep down he knew he really hadn't.
As he watched Leo return to his work at the microscope, Peter asked again, "Sir, do you think one human trial would speed up the development of the serum?"
"Of course. But every problem has its solution; we'll get through it."
"Even at the cost of your own body?"
Leo smirked, "I'm not that noble."
Peter's mind raced, piecing things together. "But, sir, you mentioned you're a volunteer too, right?"
Leo didn't look up from the microscope, but his voice remained calm. "Of course. I'm always the first to test my own experiments. That's the best way to ensure progress, Peter. You should always be ready to face the results of your own work. No shortcuts."
Peter was taken aback. "So you're actually going to...?"
Leo interrupted, finally looking up. His eyes were sharp, but there was a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. "I've already tested the prototype on myself. The risks are calculated, Peter. The thing about progress is—someone always has to be the first to eat the crab. Now, enough talk. Let's focus on finishing today's work."
Peter nodded, feeling both admiration and concern swirling inside him. He couldn't imagine being that brave, that certain of himself. But Leo's conviction was infectious. In that moment, Peter silently promised himself that, one day, he would be as confident in his own abilities.
As they finished their work and the clock neared six, Leo dismissed them with a casual wave. "Go enjoy your party, Peter. And remember, take this time to live your life. It's all part of the process."
Peter smiled, grateful. "Thanks, sir."
As Peter left the lab and stepped into the bustling streets of New York, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of determination growing inside him. There was so much more to learn, to experience, and he knew that, with Leo's example guiding him, he might just be able to face any challenge that came his way.
Back in the lab, Leo cleaned up the equipment, his thoughts elsewhere. The next phase of the plan was risky, but necessary. He had no illusions about the cost. Some things were worth any sacrifice.
Turning off the lights, Leo muttered to himself, "The first to eat a crab… someone always has to be first."
With that, he left the lab, heading into the night, ready for whatever came next.
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