69 A LOT OF PROBLEMS (2/2)
In another part of the underground lab, Helen Brown was meeting with one of the scientists who had been working with the company for a long time. This head scientist was a woman in her fifties who was quite passionate about her work. She had been hoping to achieve a major breakthrough before her career on the field ended, and she was forced to take up a position in academia.
”Ms Brown, we have been making a lot of progress in the Cherub Project, especially since the addition of Doctor Hu in the team. If everything continues as expected, we will be able to provide actionable results in less than five years.” The woman's eyes twinkled with youthful vigour.
”What is the problem?” Helen Brown might not have the high IQ of scientists, but she understood business and humans. Therefore, she knew that this head scientist did not come to just report about their brilliant progress.
”Well, we have been experiencing a lot of problems with the test subjects.” The woman paused. ”They are too weak. The experiments begin quite well, but the bodies cannot handle the physical demands of the changes. Basically, once their bodies start changing, the subjects will experience haemorrhaging, tissue wear, organ stress and shutdown and nervous system expiration.”
The Cherub Project was a next-generation undertaking which was aimed at changing the future of humanity. The objective was to use a double pronged approach of awakening silent portions of DNA in the human body and splicing in foreign DNA into the subjects. The scientists did not hope to create a chimera or a monster but rather to maximise the potential of human beings in terms of lifespan, strength and intelligence. It was a chance for the human race to reach their full potential from a genetic level.
”Then what would you suggest? You know even though we are where we are, finding human subjects, even weak ones, is quite difficult. We will still be subject to legal consequences on human rights violation if this project is discovered.” Helen Brown said, linking her fingers in thought.
”Well, if we could use a few of these military people walking around the lab, the results could be better. Their bodies are trained, and they have a higher threshold for pain. Moreover, if we are successful, wouldn't they benefit by having super soldiers?” The scientist's eyes became brighter, almost glowing.
”Let me think about it. Continue with your work. The new subjects will arrive in a couple of days. They should help you hold on for longer. Meanwhile, I should be able to think of a solution in the next few months.” Helen promised after a short moment of silence.
When the other woman left her office, Helen leaned back in her chair with a deep frown. She did not want to lower the morale of the team of scientists by speaking of the impossibility of using their private military guards as experimental subjects.
The guards did not actually belong to the company she worked for. They were, in essence, a black operations mercenary group. They were contracted for various projects around the world by their company. If she ruined the relationship between this group and the corporation, her life would not even be enough as an apology.
Moreover, the mercenaries were the people who were responsible for bringing in food and protecting them. If they were wronged, it was a guarantee that the scientists and other personnel, including herself would not have a chance in hell of leaving this place alive.
On the other hand, if she ever wanted to return to civilisation, she needed to find worthwhile experimental candidates to accelerate the Cherub Project.