Capital Is a Monster That Creates Monsters

"What's wrong?"

"So you know I went to the lab yesterday morning."

"Mhm."

Hawk nodded.

That was before he went to the library yesterday.

He had originally thought Gwen went to see Dr. Connors to get time off that morning.

But now?

"Did something go wrong with the experiment?"

"The experiment itself didn't go wrong, but I heard the investor had problems. You know Dr. Connors' experiment is a partnership between Osborn and the military."

"You mentioned that last time."

"The military pulled its funding."

Gwen lowered her voice and leaned forward. "Besides, Dr. Connors' experiment has been going on for almost two years with no results yet, so the higher-ups within Osborn have started to get impatient with Dr. Connors' work."

Capital is pragmatic.

They'll sponsor the funds you need based on the vision you paint at the start, even provide facilities and meet your other demands.

But if you fail to deliver the results capital expects, they'll abandon you without hesitation.

Because cutting losses in time is a mandatory course for capital.

That's exactly what happened with Dr. Connors' Regeneration Experiment.

Not to mention that last month, the military withdrew its funding from Dr. Connors' lab due to budget reallocations.

Although the military claimed it was temporary and they'd reinvest once funds were more readily available, and that Osborn Bio-Industry should just hold on...

Things weren't exactly stable within Osborn Bio-Industry either.

Rumors had been circulating since last year that Norman Osborn, who had been recuperating in his manor due to a mysterious illness, was gravely ill and nearing his end.

This news wasn't unfounded.

Harry Osborn, who had been studying in the UK, returning to New York City this summer and beginning to get involved in company affairs with the help of Norman Osborn's personal secretary, Felicia Hardy, was a clear sign.

Even though the Osborn family held the majority stake in Osborn Bio-Industry.

But in this era where an old king is dying and a new one is about to ascend, there are always those who want to take advantage of this transition to secure benefits for themselves.

Moreover, a new leader always brings significant changes.

So, at this critical juncture, some proposed streamlining the labs and shutting down those that had been producing no tangible results for capital.

Dr. Connors' lab, which had its military investment suspended due to funding gaps, was the first to be targeted.

While the military stated they would resume investment once the Pentagon's next batch of funds arrived, who could guarantee that?

After all, the Federal military's credibility was well-known.

However, Osborn Bio-Industry hadn't officially decided to withdraw funding from Dr. Connors either. Although the military's investment had halted, there was still some remaining capital from before.

So...

"The personnel in the Doctor's lab have been cut back."

"Five researchers were let go."

"Of course, I was supposed to be one of them too."

"I only found out yesterday, but since I'm working part-time for tuition, my costs aren't that high."

"And I went to the lab yesterday. Dr. Connors didn't seem as happy as you said, which is why I was a bit surprised when you just brought this up."

Gwen recounted the recent situation at Dr. Connors' lab.

Hawk wasn't particularly concerned about whether Dr. Connors' experiment would succeed, so he just listened casually. After Gwen finished, he shrugged, "Alright, well, that's what Dr. Connors said on the phone. Who knows if it'll actually work."

Gwen nodded as well. "I hope Dr. Connors' experiment can succeed too."

They chatted casually like this.

After their conversation, they finished their meal and got up to clear their plates.

The topic of Dr. Connors' lab ended there.

But...

They could end the conversation, but Dr. Connors, the subject of their discussion, couldn't just move on to another topic.

Because at that very moment, Dr. Connors was facing the very real prospect of being abandoned by capital.

Dr. Connors looked at the person standing in his office, delivering the board of directors' latest resolution.

"Doctor, have you made up your mind?"

"I don't understand."

"Doctor, you should understand."

The middle-aged, elite white man, representing the board of directors, said with a gentle smile, "The military has withdrawn its funding. Although they said it's temporary, we all know what that means. The board's original intention was to also halt investment in the lab's funding. But Doctor, your latest breakthrough successfully helped your lab retain its funding, though only just barely."

Thanks to Dr. Connors' latest breakthrough, the regenerating white mice had given the board a glimmer of hope.

But it was only a glimmer.

Dr. Connors frowned.

"So, what's the board's decision?"

"Human experimentation!"

"What?"

Dr. Connors' eyes widened at the words. He looked at the middle-aged man. "I've only just extracted a serum from the single mutated white mouse that appears viable, and I haven't had a chance to verify it yet. And now you want to proceed with human experimentation? That's too hasty. Besides, where will we find volunteer test subjects?"

The middle-aged man shrugged. "Military hospitals have plenty of test subjects. We can just use the pretext of a new vaccine."

He said it so casually.

After all, everyone did it this way.

Going to Ballarat to conduct human experiments required paying the locals, but conducting them on the lower class within the country didn't even require payment.

In short.

Were the lower class considered human?

No!

Capital is profit-driven, pursuing profit maximization while also minimizing costs.

But Dr. Connors found it unacceptable.

"What? I don't agree."

"Time waits for no one, Doctor. You don't have much time left, and neither do we."

"...We?"

"You don't need to know that. You just need to know that the board's decision is for your own good. A dedicated team will handle this. If it fails, you can pretend you knew nothing about it."

"I'm not here to discuss this with you, Doctor."

"This is a notification."

After saying this, the middle-aged man turned and left Dr. Connors' laboratory.

Rumors were circulating among the higher-ups that Norman Osborn was nearing his end. The reason Dr. Connors' regeneration lab was established was actually to research a cure for Norman Osborn's strange illness.

So...

The middle-aged man wasn't entirely wrong. Pushing for human experimentation to be implemented quickly was not only helping Dr. Connors but also helping themselves.

After all, a new ruler brings new policies.

Who knew what Harry Osborn would do if Norman Osborn truly died.

As everyone knew.

Capital also favored stability, because only with stability could capital consistently earn money.

But Dr. Connors was not capital.

After the middle-aged man left, he sat motionless in his office chair.