In the Osborn underground research facility, Alex Murphy lay on the operating table.
"Dr., how is it?"
Caught in the aftermath of the battle, Alex's spine was severely deformed, his left hand and left foot suffered comminuted fractures, and his internal organs were crushed and ruptured extensively.
In other words, he should have died on the day he was injured.
Connors said while looking at the data: "Not bad, your organs are working normally. You could even give an interview, couldn't you? Relax, your family is just outside. Do you want to say hello to them?"
"Of course."
As soon as he finished speaking, a projection of his family appeared in front of Alex. At this moment, his son and wife were waving at him from outside.
Alex smiled with relief.
"Alright, everything is normal, we can proceed to the next step of the medical treatment." Connors paused, "However, there are several options available now, and you can choose based on your own situation."
The projection changed.
"The first option is that we use the mature previous generation technology to treat you. The previous generation technology has already been verified."
"A year ago, a soldier had an accident while participating in an experiment for a certain military weapon, resulting in high paraplegia and internal organ damage."
Looking at the description of these precedents, Alex felt it looked familiar: "Is it the one who participated in the Hammer Industries weapon experiment?"
Connors replied: "Yes, it seems you know about this, which makes things much easier. This technology is already quite mature and almost never has accidents. That soldier has also returned to normal now."
"It's just that the previous generation technology still has some imperfections. For example, that soldier's movements are still a bit slower than before he was injured."
Alex roughly understood what it meant: "It's equivalent to an Achilles tendon rupture, right? What grows back after an Achilles tendon rupture is just a type of fiber; although it can support normal human activities, its strength is very low."
Connors: "I didn't expect you to understand these things. It's about like that. This type of prosthesis is completely sufficient for daily life, but the precision and sensitivity are indeed a bit worse. After all, it is a spinal fracture."
"What about the other options?"
The projection changed again.
"The second option is to accept the next generation of artificial prosthetics. This generation of prosthetics has higher sensitivity. To give a simple example, some users who used the previous generation of prosthetics reported that when using string instruments like guitars or violins, there were occasional problems with decreased accuracy."
"The second-generation prosthesis aims to upgrade the sensitivity, precision, and stability of the prosthesis, but it is still in the experimental stage. Actually, the experiment has already started for more than a month, just before."
As he spoke, Connors showed off his prosthetic limb.
"In short, the performance is better, but it is still in the experimental stage."
Alex nodded, signaling to continue to the next one.
"The next option is even more radical."
The projection displayed the structure of the human body.
"We all know that the central nervous system is divided into two parts: one is the spinal cord, and the other is the brain."
"Whether it's the first or second generation of prosthetics, most of them interact with the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system, and a more radical approach is to connect to the brain."
"So far, even Osborn has very few experiments in this area."
As far as Connors knew, currently only the modification on Frank goes directly to the brain, involving almost all parts of the nervous system.
"So this will be more dangerous." Alex understood.
"Correct." Connors continued, "Additionally, considering your profession, we will replace you with stronger limbs and internal organs. You will possess a superhuman physique—to facilitate your law enforcement."
"If you choose this option, Osborn will cover your medical expenses in full."
This technology is not just for medical purposes, but also to enhance the human body, letting these pioneers represent the future.
After a brief silence, Alex asked a question: "If I participate in this experiment, will you replace my body with a fully mechanical one?"
"robocop?" Connors smiled, "Speaking of which, your name is exactly the same as the protagonist in the movie."
"In the first stage, for the arms and legs you lost, we will give you the best prosthetics, but for the rest, we will use an exoskeleton to supplement the power."
"In the second stage, we will enhance your body or weaken the strength of the mechanical prosthetics, so that the two gradually reach balance and unity."
Alex asked hesitatingly: "Just like that?"
Connors nodded: "Just like that. I know what you are thinking, but the human body also has great potential. On you, we can just happen to continuously observe the differences between the two."
"Then why can't you just let me grow back a hand or something?"
Connors shrugged: "Of course, it's possible, but not now. Perhaps in a year, five years, or ten years, you will be able to replace these mechanical prosthetics with your own hands. That depends on the speed of scientific progress."
"I have another question, why choose me? I mean..."
"Don't misunderstand, this isn't the robocop film crew. In fact, everyone who had the same experience as you in the great battle has received this invitation."
The injured personnel this time come from all walks of life: Police, firefighters, Doctors, researchers, financial workers...
And the enhancement directions for different professions are also different.
For example, Alex, if he agrees to undergo the modification, he will have a stronger body and can be directly connected to ctOS, which will facilitate his duty.
If it is a researcher, the modification will mainly target memory units like the hippocampus to enhance memory and thinking ability.
The actual classification is much more delicate. In the specific operation process, the data fed back from them can also promote the progress of human science.
As for why it is these people, it is because they have the courage to be the first—regardless of whether this courage comes from family, reputation, or other things, they are indeed more likely to join.
"So what is your answer?"
Alex did not speak; he was reading the surgical statement.
The agreement stated that if an accident occurs, the subject may contract various neurological diseases, brain lesions, etc.
In short, once a problem occurs, it is definitely not a small problem.
It's just that...
This is a World with superheroes. As an American like Alex, he grew up listening to the stories of Captain America.
And the recently passed Battle of New York made him realize that he could also become a hero.
Outside the glass wall, his wife and son were waiting for him to make a choice.
What would they think? They should want me to become a hero, right?
Alex was silent for a long time, and finally made a choice that would affect his life.
"Dr., I am willing to join this cyborg project."
Connors waved at the surveillance, and the platform where the two stood began to move. In Alex's puzzled eyes, these walls and floors moved like a shifting maze.
"Very good, but this is not any cyborg project."
Finally, the two entered a huge laboratory facing the Sun.
Alex looked at the rising Sun and opened his mouth.
The laboratory was full of researchers in white coats and high-precision robotic arms. Many people like him were undergoing modifications or had already completed the surgery and were getting familiar with their new bodies.
In front of the window, a participant whose body had been half-modified was playing the guitar facing the Sun.
Connors smiled and opened his arms towards the entire laboratory, saying to Alex:
"Welcome to Project Apollo."
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