Cyberpunk: Infinite Progress Begins with Arasaka

Squeak—!

Thud! Thud-thud!

The mouse slammed harder and harder, its flesh torn and bloodied, resembling a crimson rat. The inside of the glass chamber was now covered in gore. Through the shattered skull of the bio-mouse, Vela's excellent vision could see its pulsing cerebellum, gray-black neural strands crawling across it.

Clatter.

Looking away, Vela swiveled her chair to the control desk by the wall and picked up her datapad.

Time to update the experiment log.

2075/6/6

[Sonnentreppe Flower Extract Analysis]

Although most of the flowers retrieved from the subterranean cave ruins of the Central African tribes had withered and degraded due to environmental collapse, I was fortunate enough to extract an RNA-type viral substance from several well-preserved specimens of the Sonnentreppe Flower.

Its properties are unprecedented.

Just like these mice, all organisms injected with this viral substance exhibit the following characteristics: bodily decay, loss of consciousness, extreme aggression, and… astonishing vitality!

Perhaps this is the origin of the term 'sacred flower' once recorded by that long-defunct mining and transport company—used by the ancient Bantu peoples of Congo, who believed it had life-saving or even resurrection capabilities.

Potent medicine, of course, comes with side effects.

Systemic inflammation, necrosis of skin and outer tissue, massive fluid loss, acute sepsis, and shock symptoms—all highly indicative of extreme immune system overreaction.

But if one can survive the side effects—cell regeneration, health enhancement, immune system fortification, delayed aging, increased vitality and stamina, even longevity become realistic possibilities.

Biologically speaking, a rough hypothesis: this RNA virus may promote human DNA evolution.

The enhancements might just be a side benefit.

And how to reduce side effects while increasing its beneficial traits through targeted cultivation—that is the first critical challenge of the Sonnentreppe Project.

As I've always envisioned, the Sonnentreppe is the ladder for humanity to overcome its physical limitations and ascend toward a radiant future. The first step of that ladder: Progenitor.

I have named it the Progenitor Virus.

Beep.

Today's experiment log: complete.

With full access to research archives left behind by Umbrella's Dr. James Marcus and Dr. William Birkin, Vela had quickly reproduced and localized a version of the Progenitor Virus adapted for the Cyberpunk world.

After all, Arasaka's 2075 lab tech and support instruments far surpassed what Umbrella had in the 1970s.

"Your mission is complete, Mousey."

Clatter. Swiveling her chair again, Vela glanced at the shattered skull of the rodent, then gently touched the incineration control panel outside the glass chamber.

Zzzzt! High-voltage shock.

Fwoosh! Intense thermal sterilization.

Ssss! Specialized chemical solvents flushed and agitated.

Rumble. The chamber's waste disposal hatch opened, erasing every trace of the mouse from existence.

So long as we're dealing with conventional RNA viruses—not those supernatural freak mutations—none could survive that level of decontamination.

Vela nodded in satisfaction, having learned from Umbrella's infamous failure to properly handle their waste.

No virus escapes my lab.

Ahem—after all, I must appear meticulous and dependable. Letting my virus research spiral into a full-blown biohazard? How embarrassing would that be?

Next.

Whirrr. A faint lift noise sounded as a fresh, sterilized glass chamber received another test subject: a pristine white mouse.

In the Cyberpunk world, lab mice might be among the few animals whose numbers haven't declined since the ecological collapse. That's because they're bred in controlled lab facilities and are incredibly cheap.

Their genetic similarity to humans—up to 90%—makes them ideal biological test subjects.

"Squeak-squeak."

A pair of clear, wide eyes blinked at the blonde woman holding a datapad outside the glass chamber.

[18th injection test: Adjust dosage, increase volume…]

Vela maneuvered the thick needle. In you go!

Squeeee—!

...

[Stability, tolerance, adaptability]

She underlined all three with bold markers before glancing again at the chamber. Inside, a mutated zombie mouse was savagely attacking and gnawing on another test subject.

[Transmission via scratches, bites, and fluid exchange observed. High probability of infection. Airborne transmission currently unconfirmed—further testing needed.]

This preliminary conclusion came from placing an infected and a healthy mouse together in the same cage without direct contact. Infrared and particle sensors collected and analyzed airborne compounds.

Of course, Vela already knew—but she had to appear as if she discovered it through rigorous experimentation.

She checked the time.

22:49.

Mm, it's getting late. Time to clock out.

Wait—this was supposed to be her summer break. Why did it still feel like work?

After pressing the purge button and sterilizing the chamber again, Vela stood and stretched.

She scribbled a new hypothesis regarding stability experiments onto the datapad, then cast one last glance toward the reinforced observation window.

Behind it, cutting-edge biotech equipment worked to fuse leech DNA with the Progenitor Virus.

"Really idiot-proof setup," she muttered.

She was beginning to understand the mindset of virology fanatics: the thrill of creating a virus capable of advancing human evolution, of taming the uncontrollable—it did have a strange allure.

Though in her case, it was mostly imitation. The feeling wasn't as strong.

Question William, understand William, become—

Pft! No thanks.

Disgusted by the thought, Vela had no interest in injecting herself with some unpredictable virus.

She must never become him.

He was a warning, not a role model.

Shaking off the thought, she massaged her temple and exited the lab.

Clang.

Disinfectant mist. UV sterilization. After a full safety procedure, Vela changed out of her protective suit and left the Arasaka Bio Lab in Johannesburg.

"Huh? Still haven't given up?"

The moment she stepped out of the industrial park, Vela sensed a few more eyes on her.

Far fewer than during her Central Africa trip, though.

Was it Saburo's people? Or Yorinobu's?

After ordering the guards to maintain strict security at the lab, she walked slowly toward the helipad. Time to head back to the hotel and get some sleep.

Their father-son drama? Not her business.

As a 'loyal' Arasaka employee, everything she did followed protocol and was promptly reported.

Let them fight. The Sonnentreppe Flowers were all here. Whatever chaos they could stir up—well, that was on them. She was the victim, after all.

Ding.

Inside the AV, Vela disengaged her signal mask. Her ocular implant flickered as three new messages appeared.

One from Danger Gal, urging her to deliver improved rehabilitation results ASAP.

One from Tokyo University, nudging her to return to Tokyo now that her study trip was over. They praised her recent logs and expressed interest in the Sonnentreppe Flower. They hoped she would resume her research back in Tokyo.

One from Arasaka's Night City North America HQ, a work report from Jimmy, her adjutant. Since she'd been on this study trip, communications had lapsed.

Vela replied to each message. The most important was to the University of Tokyo—confirming her return in two days.

...

A kilometer away, in a derelict building, a tall figure held a military-grade sniper scope. His eyes glowed orange-red.

"B2 reporting. Target has exited the industrial park. Over."

Around him, agents from various factions lounged on broken sofas, smoking, drinking, drugged-out. All had infiltrated Johannesburg in waves.

Crates of weapons lined the walls. Every operative's cyber-eyes flickered red, all tuned into the same comm channel.

"Updated intel: Vela Adelheid Russell will leave Johannesburg for Tokyo in two days."

"Her Central Africa find—you've seen the file. The Sonnentreppe Flower. According to intel from our mole at the University of Tokyo, it's an extinct 'eternal bloom,' likely a global one-of-a-kind. Immense value for medical research."

"It's now confirmed to be the key to Saburo Arasaka's new immortality drug—and one of the cornerstones of Arasaka Medical's upcoming products. Whether we hit their finances or sabotage Saburo's dream, this mission is non-negotiable."

"We can't determine whether Vela will stay at the lab tonight or return to her hotel. Her combat prowess is legendary—Night City agents bled to find that out. She's nearly as dangerous as Adam Smasher. Tonight is our best shot."

"HQ has already coordinated with Central African warlords. Long fed up with Arasaka's exploitation, they'll stage a military provocation at the border to divert attention."

"Once we blow the C3 power substation feeding Arasaka's facility, you're to immediately infiltrate the lab."

"Remember—time is critical. Fifteen minutes max. If infiltration fails, switch to direct assault. If we can't take the flower, make sure it dies with us. Wipe it off the face of the Earth."

"Prepare yourselves."

"Yes, sir!" ×N