Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After an indiscernible amount of time had passed, Hodge slowly opened his eyes again and came to accept reality.
He was familiar with the reputable name of Blacklight Biotechnology, as well as the existence of Project Xingtian. It was the bionic prosthetics project launched by Blacklight Biotechnology last year.
The rest of the puzzle was easy to piece together — something must have happened to him during the previous pursuit that brought him to where he was now.
This should also suggest that something horrible must have happened to his body…
What was in front of him was still the speckless, enchantingly white laboratory. The laboratory was so bright that it could easily cause someone a headache just by gazing at the lights. However, his eyes were not even remotely strained by this even when he stared directly into the light source.
“The patient is awake.”
Before he could fully comprehend his situation, he heard a feminine voice coming from beside him. When he attempted to turn in that direction, he realized that his body refused to budge at all.
“Hodge.”
There was another familiar voice. Doctor Todd appeared in his field of vision soon after that, the doctor looked down at him and asked earnestly, “Did you sleep well?”
“Tell me, what happened to my body?”
Hodge gulped and asked with a deep grumble, “Why can’t I move and why am I wearing this blasted thing. What exactly happened to my body?”
Doctor Todd remained silent for a moment as he inspected Hodge’s data readings. He finally answered, “Sooner or later, you’ll have to face reality. If you can promise me that you’ll remain calm, I’ll let you take a look. That should make everything clear to you immediately… Are you sure you want that though?”
“Yes, I’m absolutely certain!”
Hodge responded, making a poor attempt at keeping himself composed, “Tell me everything.”
Doctor Todd did not provide any further response. He only contemplated silently for another moment before turning to the assistant. “Get ready to disassemble the XTN-118 police bionic armor.”
As the doctor said this, he suddenly waved his hand and summoned a body-length virtual screen in front of Hodge. Hodge immediately got a clear view of his body without having to sit up himself.
It was then when Hodge finally got a clear picture of his body for the first time. He saw himself wrapped in a layer of pure black armor. Even his fingers were sealed tightly inside this armor. Its design structure was immaculate and ergonomic, all in a streamlined pattern. It was an apt depiction of a set of high culture art known as “violence in art”, all so vicious and intimidating.
As a finish, thin fluorescent strips of red and blue were etched along the surface of the armor. This was the globally recognized standard police color code.
Hodge was certain that his body had never been this refined, but this body he was looking at had to measure at least more than 190 centimeters tall. His arms and legs were long and slender, meeting the standards of what was known as the golden ratio for the human body. The muscular structure of his body was perfectly ideal. His shoulders were perfectly angular, the shape of his muscle was immaculate as well.
“This armor appears to be much taller than my usual height…”
Hodge chuckled. He felt like he was losing grip on reality.
“That’s not surprising, considering this isn’t your original body at all.”
Doctor Todd looked at him and noted profoundly.
Hodge had trouble grasping the doctor’s meaning. Before he could follow up with another question, several robotic arms suddenly appeared from the ground below him. These robotic arms were extremely efficient workers that dismantled his body in one swift sequence. They started with his legs, then his arms, finally they removed a portion of the lower half of his body.
Hodge was starting to lose his breath when he saw what was before him. His eyes became widened as he stared at the display in disbelief and muttered, “Oh my God, this can’t be real!”
“I’m sorry, this is reality.”
Doctor Todd expressed regretfully, “You may have experienced partial memory loss as a result of the traumatic stress. You were in a car accident that scalded all hundred percent of your body to a point where your limbs were charred into charcoal. The local hospital had to resort to complete amputation to save your life. Every part of your body ranging from your eyes, nose, mouth, and even skin have been restored by us after an extended period of therapy.”
All this while, Hodge had been staring at his body. He instinctively darted his eyes to look at his face when he heard the doctor’s statement. He was completely baffled when he saw that his appearance was unrecognizable now. His head had gone bald and his facial features barely resembled what he had in the past. It was a stranger in front of him…
“No, crap, crap crap!”
Hodge murmured with his lips trembling.
The process was not completed just yet. After his limbs were taken off, the mechanical arms started to move upward and removed the breastplate from Hodge at lightning speed. After the plating around his chest and stomach was removed, he finally saw everything revealed…
Hodge was at a loss for words upon seeing the wrinkled monster on the display that resembled a branch.
“We transplanted bionic lungs, implanted bionic tubes, and bionic eyeballs into you. We also further conducted anal reconstruction surgery on you. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to replicate your reproductive organs…”
Doctor Todd sighed. “I know this is hard to accept, but… You have to face reality.”
Hodge slowly shut his eyes and clenched his jaw. He could not bear the sight any longer.
Upon noting this, Doctor Todd proceeded to take away the virtual display while informing, “You’ll have time to rest for now. We’ll be providing food for you later to allow your gastrointestinal function to recover gradually. After all, you’ve been in a coma for three months.
“After that, we’ll need your cooperation for a string of data tabulation tests. If the results are optimistic, you can return to your post in the department, perhaps to your previous life even…”
“Please just let me die…”
While Doctor Todd was charting out the upcoming plans he had for Hodge, Hodge suddenly murmured.
Doctor Todd immediately paused and shook his head, his expression turning dark as he did so. “Listen up, kid. I get that you’re going through a tough time now but believe me, Blacklight Biotechnology can bring you back to form, do you believe me?
“Blacklight Biotechnology has delivered plenty more incredible miracles such as restoring a person’s youth using stem cells. It’s already happened to me. Believe it or not, I’m already seventy-three years old.
“Perhaps in the near future, stem cells can be used to develop independent organs such as a hand, a leg, perhaps even…”
Doctor Todd stopped briefly before continuing. “In your case, you might need to wait five to ten years, maybe even longer than that. However, I need you to understand that the average life expectancy of humans will increase with the widespread use of life extension treatment and therapies. There’s an ongoing global push for such procedures already, even more so in developed countries. Each one of them eagerly wishes to promote the standardization of ‘Age-reversal Treatment’ in their nations to alleviate the effects of aging that looms over mankind…
“What I’m saying is that the day will come for you as well, even if it takes one or two decades for that to happen. The lifespan of humans will increase dramatically over the years and we’re talking about preserving the vibrant youthfulness of the human lifespan instead of only prolonging the period of old age!
“Trust me, the day will come upon us eventually. When that happens, the latest biotechnology treatment will help you regain your limbs, perhaps even your reproductive organs!”
Hodge opened his eyes again upon hearing the affirmation of Doctor Todd. He seemed to be convinced. His eyes brimmed with eagerness as he turned to Todd. “Is everything you said true?”
“Of course it is, bionic prosthetics are just here to serve as a buffer. No matter how excellent they may be, they will never be a permanent substitute for the human body. The technology will gradually trend toward organic organs.”
Doctor Todd said encouragingly, “You have my guarantee that Blacklight Biotechnology is continuously working toward developing stem cells into complete and functional organs. The completion is in sight…”
This seemed to have ignited the will to live in Hodge. He responded with a firm nod as if making a promise with Doctor Todd. “Let me have one more look…”
“Alright.”
Doctor Todd answered as the virtual display appeared in front of Hodge again. In the display, he saw himself lying on top of a device that resembled a bed. He saw several wires hooked to a section right behind his head.
“Those are nerve conduction wires.”
Doctor Todd immediately sensed what Hodge was thinking and proceeded to explain, “It goes directly into your cerebral cortex to read your nerve signals, which are then transmitted to your limbs for further actions. It acts as a replacement for your spine to enable you to function.”
“Wasn’t there some sort of VR brain manipulation technology that emerged only a few months ago? Something that can directly receive brain signals.”
Hodge asked.
“That’s an external brain-computer interface, a tiny amount of delay is still to be expected.”
Doctor Todd smiled gently. “It may suffice for playing video games, but not for actual combat. Think of it as the subtle difference between a wireless mouse and a wired mouse. Besides, a wired mouse is more resistant to signal interference than an unwired mouse. Rest easy, we’re not trying to do anything suspicious to your brain.”
Hodge decided that there was no need to further question it.
With that, Doctor Todd gave another signal. Within moments, the pieces of armor plates were thrown back onto Hodge like pieces of building blocks, returning Hodge to his previous armored form.
“It’s about time I let you try out your new body for yourself.”
Doctor Todd clicked a button as he said this. In an instant, Hodge felt a strange sensation like he had regained control over his body.
He proceeded to get out. The gears inside his body wound up and moved as he intended them to. Hodge lifted his arms slowly and looked at his hands, then he started to graze his fingers against various surfaces. The touch of various textures was transmitted into his mind accordingly.
“This XTN-118 police bionic armor you’re using is built with carbon-fiber ceramic composite which can resist the brunt force of a rifle fired within ten meters.
“Its superior impact resistance can protect your body and internal organs from the impact of bullets.”
Doctor Todd stepped in front of Hodge to fawn at the engineering and scientific marvel. “You can even jump from a height of more than ten meters without sustaining any damage. The auxiliary system built in the armor also automatically adjusts the center of gravity while mid-air to protect you from landing your head against the ground.”
“This sense of touch…”
Hodge studied his fingers. “It’s amazing.”
“Ah, you’re referring to that.”
Doctor Todd explained, “We implemented nano-bionic neuron technology to allow sensory functions such as pressure and touch, just like regular human skin. If your armor is damaged, you can also detect pain in the corresponding part. This way, you have a better way to assess the proper level of threat.”
“What about these things in my field of vision?”
When Hodge looked at Doctor Todd, columns of data appeared as an overlay detailing information such as the doctor’s height, weight, heartbeat, blood pressure, temperature, and whatnot.
“Those are the features of the bionic eye we’ve implanted.”
Doctor Todd responded, “There’s a built-in combat system which provides a range of data including analysis of weapons, assessment of threats, and more. There are also basic camera features and video playback functions. You’ll get a sense of how useful all of this is when you head out on the field to catch criminals.”
Hodge bobbed his head at this exciting prospect before he pushed himself up from the bed to stand on his feet.
“Careful, it may be a little uncomfortable walking for the first time.”
Doctor Todd took several paces backward as he watched Hodge rising on his feet like a toddler before he took his first proper step.
One step, two steps, three steps.
After taking several steps, Hodge seemed to have gotten the hang of it.
“Perfect, it looks like this body is made for you.”
Doctor Todd continued to encourage. “It’s perfect.”
Hodge continued to walk as he tried to adjust his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was how significantly taller he was compared to his previous self when inside the armor. Previously, he was 180 centimeters tall but now he was a whopping 195 centimeters. When he came in front of a mirror, he noticed how delicate the structure of the armor was.
When Doctor Todd saw Hodge checking the armor out, he sighed and shook his head. He did not plan to reveal to Hodge that the reason behind the armor’s exquisite design was to serve as a promotional tool of such machinations to the outside world.
This meant that more than anything else, Hodge was merely a promotional tool for them. In terms of true combat prowess, his armor could hardly compare to an ordinary XTN-003 military-use robot despite its manufacturing cost totaling up to more than ten times above it.
It was then when the doorbell of the laboratory suddenly rang. Doctor Todd turned to the surveillance monitor by the door and saw two other robocops that looked like Hodge standing outside the door. One of them was a black man named Blake. He entered holding a tray of cream cake.