Chapter 146
"First, remove his old prosthetic leg."
While Mitchell was deep in thought, Vera spoke to her two assistants.
The reason for calling them is nothing more than to teach their disciples and promote the concept of Cybernetic Doctor and cyber implant surgery.
She is considered a leading figure in the bionic prosthetics industry, so why not continue to grow her reputation and expand her influence?
"I choose... [Projectile Launch System]"
Taking a deep breath, Mitchell made his choice.
Vera smiled.
As expected, Americans still prefer American-style iaido to wielding knives and sticks.
"Injecting anesthetic."
She said.
The prosthetic implantation surgery begins.
~~~~~
145
Chapter 145: A Gift or Poison?
Atlas, San Bernardino, California.
The research and development department is located inside a massive, fortress-like building.
—— [403 Exo Research - In Surgery]——
The warning lights on the storefront have been on for 15 minutes.
While Vera was performing the prosthetic implant surgery on Mitchell, three military police officers stood on either side of the mechanical gate, armed with weapons. Gideon took the opportunity to walk to the side, pull out a folding chair stored on the wall, and sit down to review his mistakes in the exercise.
"Empirical thinking was too simplistic."
He muttered something and slapped his thigh a few times.
Recalling the exercise process.
From the initial preparation phase's prompt of "unrestricted choice of individual weapons and explosives," to the combat habit of relying too heavily on Resonance Device for vision when storming the villa's media room, and then encountering armed robots that were not accurately detected by threat-sensing grenades and Resonance Device...
Because it was an exercise, and a surprise inspection exercise at that, and we were only told it was a hostage rescue operation, I was somewhat complacent and relaxed. I assumed, based on my experience, that the added difficulty was the number of enemy troops and the process of intercepting the hijackers to ensure the safe evacuation of the hostages.
The result of habitual thinking and carelessness was that they made a fool of themselves in this exercise.
A hostage rescue operation was launched, but all the hostages were killed.
Generally speaking, a rescue operation is largely completed once the first attack is launched and the armed men on the scene are eliminated.
The emergence of armed robots will inevitably increase the number of variables.
Drones may have a similar purpose, but few people fly them in enclosed indoor spaces.
Imagine this: during a hostage rescue operation, you painstakingly search every nook and cranny, eliminating all the mobile hostage-takers, only to find a killing machine lurking in front of the hostages. It activates upon detecting gunshots and specific movements, killing the hostages first before trying to kill you...
Although there is a suspicion of targeting and trying to intimidate, isn't the original intention of the exercise to practice and respond to various emergencies?
If they were well-prepared, carrying larger-caliber armor-piercing weapons, tactical pinhole cameras, and more powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) bombs, and considering all aspects more carefully...
Okay, it doesn't seem that easy.
EMP Bomb are likely to be quite loud, and there's the option of drilling holes in enclosed spaces, perhaps in conjunction with a silencing device? That complicates things further... Or should the team be equipped with hackers specifically tasked with hacking the machines?
Thinking of this, Gideon couldn't help but shake his head.
Write a report.
Since Director Russell specifically brought it up, we certainly can't just do a perfunctory job; we have to pick out the important parts to write.
When it comes to soliciting suggestions for improving the company's future robot products, he and Mitchell are certainly not the only unlucky ones who have to write reports after experiencing the robots.
Once Atlas launches this type of product, it will inevitably attract the attention of competitors and even national powers, who will follow suit and imitate it. It is possible that illegal armed groups led by the KVA (Anti-Technological Terrorist Organization) will purchase large quantities of civilian models and modify them. The probability of their rapid reaction forces encountering hostile armed robots will only increase in the future.
Should Director Russell be asked to abandon R&D? Should the company change its manufacturing strategy?
There's no chance at all.
That's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Therefore, Gideon must seriously consider his life in future field missions, tactics for dealing with armed robots more efficiently, improvements to rapid reaction force equipment, and the development of targeted weapons.
Predictably, for some time to come, he, Mitchell, the Joker, and a bunch of unlucky guys from the rapid reaction force will be spending all their time in the [simulated battlefield].
"Hey, Gideon, what are you doing sitting here all alone, contemplating philosophy?"
Just as Gideon turned his left arm, reached out and touched the tactical terminal on the inside of his forearm to bring up the memo and record the chaotic thoughts in his mind, a cheerful female voice came.
Gideon looked up and followed the sound.
The person who came was a tall white woman.
She had her hair tied in a bun, with brownish-yellow hair and brown irises. She was wearing a neat short-sleeved shirt, an EXO-style exoskeleton jacket, a gym bag slung over her shoulder, and a sports drink in her hand, which she was drinking as she walked.
It's someone I know.
"Philosophy my ass."
With a laugh and a curse, Gideon straightened up and looked at the newcomer.
Ilona, a former member of the Russian special forces, is now a member of the Atlas Rapid Reaction Force, an ace marksman, and the record holder at the military firing range.
"I heard you guys got thrashed and beaten to a pulp in the last match?"
The woman raised an eyebrow and smiled, then reached into her gym bag, pulled out a bottle of mineral water, and tossed it over.
Gideon caught the drink the other person tossed to him, glanced at the other person's sports bag and the fine sweat on their forehead and arms, unscrewed the cap, took a big gulp, and said, "Don't even mention it, I was just thinking about writing a report. You would have done the same thing."
"I should have given you a ride too."
He emphasized this point.
"Judging from your expression, you went to the shooting range again, Ilona? So competitive, what are you trying to prove?"
"No proof needed. Relax."
Ilona shrugged.
Turning her head, her gaze lingered for a moment on the three fully armed military police. "Where's Mitchell?"
She asked.
"They're changing my prosthetic leg inside."
Gideon pointed towards the gate, "Director Vera Russell personally performed the prosthetic implant surgery on him."
"Whoa..."
Ilona pulled out the folding chair next to Gideon and sat down, a knowing look on her face. "I guess it was Ains's idea."
"Mitchell was his son's last comrade-in-arms before his death."
Gideon simply said it.
"Too."
With this connection, others can only envy it.
"However, this limb replacement surgery took a rather long time."
Looking at the gate and comparing the time it took for Mitchell to have his prosthesis checked and maintained in previous years, Gideon said, "It seems like Ains gave us quite a lot of good stuff."
"Prosthetic technology. Ever thought about cutting off your arm and getting a replacement? Ains will definitely provide you with top-of-the-line lab-grade equipment."
Ilona joked.
"I might consider it someday if I get injured and disabled."
"Alright, let's not dwell on these unpleasant topics. The reason the exercise failed was because you encountered the new military robot developed by Vera Russell?"
"Yes. The technology is very mature, the Fire Control system is excellent, and the level of intelligence is quite high. The power output from their arm motors and hydraulic systems is enough to restrain Mitchell, who is wearing the expert-type EXO exoskeleton..."
Ilona became interested.
The two talked about the process of the exercise.
About fifteen minutes later...
Bite--
The warning lights above the storefront read: [In Surgery]→ [Under Inspection]
With a subtle, even metallic scraping sound, click, the yellow gate opened.
"Gideon."
Wearing a white coat, sterile gloves, and a non-woven fabric cap with a tie, Vera, who seemed to be in a good mood, came out and pointed inside, "Come and get someone."
After saying that, he turned around and went back inside, heading towards the bathroom.
Gideon and Ilona exchanged a glance.
Upon entering the room, one sees Mitchell, now without the EXO exoskeleton, lying on an operating table surrounded by various high-tech instruments.
"OK, the surgery was a success. Let's start the adjustments. Try moving your new arm gently. Move your fingers more widely... Yes, that's it... Please wait a moment."
Two technicians were using sensor wristbands to secure Mitchell's newly fitted left limb, which had obvious metal dents in the prosthetic body and more micropores in the circulating cooling system, and inserting neural link needles, while assisting with calibration on a holographic control screen nearby.
"You seem to be having a very comfortable time."
Stepping forward, Gideon looked him up and down and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"I don't know. Medication... surgery... removal, replacement, sterilization, adjustment of the prosthesis, that's it."
Mitchell was still a little dazed, seemingly because the anesthesia had only just worn off.
"Why did it take so long?"
"In addition to replacing the prosthetic limb, we also performed nerve network repair."
Mitchell for a moment, "There are also [Data Panel Connector], [Elastic Joints], [Ankle Reinforcement], [Strengthening Tendons], recommended by the director..."
"Joints, ankles, Achilles tendons... Are they training you to be Super Soldier?"
Ilona looked at the data panel next to the operating table, which contained a simple graphic introduction to the prosthetic body.
Although she didn't understand it very well, she could still tell where the implant was located on the human body.
"That's right, Atlas's Super Soldier."
At that moment, Vera, having changed into her surgical gown, walked over.
She gave the Russian girl a deep look.
Ilona, right?
Vera's unique 'future vision' told her this.
In the future, this Russian woman, whose mind is more meticulous than those of Mitchell and Gideon, obtains a Remembrance chip from the leader of the KVA organization during the operation to kill him. However, instead of handing it over, she examines it privately and learns that Ains had kept it a secret.
This refers to the KVA's premeditated plan to launch attacks globally.
Ains intercepted the information in advance, but chose to block it.
It's about nurturing enemies to enhance one's own prestige.
Ingenious strategies and clever plans from ancient times to the present.
Then, persuaded by the emotional Ilona, Mitchell wavered. Before he could even verify the truth of the matter, the Atlas military police launched a surprise attack. As a result, Mitchell chose to believe them, pointed his gun at Ains, and completely broke off relations, with both of them defecting.
Subsequently, Gideon, a long-serving and meritorious employee, was also persuaded to defect.
Their knowledge and familiarity with the Ains and Atlas facilities and their armed forces indirectly led to the ultimate demise of the Atlas Group.
Should we find an opportunity to kill her?
Kill one to save two.