"What do you think, Vik?"
Rocky now understood the serum's broad effects, but he still wanted Vik's opinion. Vik had spent the two hours of his transformation studying the data.
"Remarkable improvement. In every area. Between what you've told me and these readings, this could be a revolutionary drug. Might even change how this whole city works. Depends what you do with it."
That was higher praise than Rocky had expected.
"How do you mean?"
Vik pointed to a set of readings on the terminal.
"The key is what it does to the brain and nervous system. Add the improved recovery and resilience, and you've got something unprecedented."
Brain. Nerves. Rocky understood at once.
"You're saying the serum increases cyberware tolerance?"
Vik nodded.
"By a lot. Strengthening the brain makes it much more resistant to the mental strain from implants. Stronger nerves hold up better, too. Together, that should greatly reduce the risk of cyberpsychosis. And a tougher body can handle more powerful, more dangerous chrome."
Rocky had thought he'd bought an ordinary enhancement drug. He hadn't expected its effects to interact so neatly with this world's cyberware.
"This is going to make some waves."
One little dose could turn someone into a soldier capable of carrying powerful combat implants. No special talent or physical foundation required, and the danger of cyberpsychosis would no longer be the same concern.
The improvement had limits. An injection wouldn't turn just anyone into Adam Smasher, let alone V. But handling a few military-grade implants shouldn't be a problem.
If the megacorps got hold of this serum, Rocky had no doubt they'd build an army of Davids. Find enough talented candidates, and a whole squad of Adam Smashers might not be out of reach.
He had no intention of giving them that opportunity. The serum's strength only made him more determined to sell a reduced version. Otherwise, the corps would fight to monopolize every dose and use it to build armies of chrome-loaded soldiers.
"Looks that way," Vik said. "So, what's your plan? Want to try an implant? I've still got that one you used to ask about. One of the best pieces in Night City."
"The Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.4? Wouldn't be a bad choice."
Rocky knew about Vik's Sandevistan. He'd wanted it before, until he'd discovered he couldn't handle it. In game terms, his Reflexes weren't high enough.
Now that he could use it, he hesitated. A Sandevistan was powerful, and Vik's model was top-of-the-line. But since acquiring the system, Rocky had set his sights higher.
[PROJECT: Annihilation Series: Tyrant Operating System]
The PROJECT implant in the mod shop cost 300,000 eddies. Drawn from PROJECT: Renekton, it was one of the PROJECT corporation's greatest weapons and a trump card against PROJECT: Mordekaiser.
That was what Rocky wanted.
Swapping cyberware in this world was relatively convenient, but these two implants came from different universes. Some differences were inevitable.
What if their neural connections didn't match? What if installing one meant losing a section of nerve the other needed? Even nanosurgery would take time to repair the damage.
After weighing it up, Rocky decided against Vik's offer. Once the cutting started, there was no taking it back.
Three hundred thousand wasn't that far out of reach. Once the serum reached the market, the money should follow.
"Thanks, Vik, but I'll pass. I'm holding off on more chrome for now."
Vik didn't seem surprised.
"Same as ever. I'll head out, then. Take some time to get used to your body. Anything comes up, call me."
"Wait. Don't you want a shot before you go?"
Rocky waved a dose of blue serum at him.
"What would I need that for? I'm not out fighting every day. Don't have any implants to worry about, either."
Vik shook his head, unimpressed by the offer.
"It's good for more than fighting. Slows aging, extends your life. I'm not ready to attend your funeral."
Rocky started adjusting the equipment as he spoke, leaving little room for refusal. In the end, Vik gave in and let him administer the serum.
After the treatment, Rocky looked at the visibly younger man and smiled with genuine pleasure.
Feeling the strength surging through him, Vik was impressed despite himself.
"Have to try it yourself to understand what this stuff can do."
* * *
After Vik left, Rocky began work on a weaker serum.
[Incomplete Super Soldier Serum]
[An unfinished version of Super Soldier Serum. Provides comparable enhancement, but transforms the user into a hideous monster.]
Isn't that what the Red Skull used?
Rocky eyed the analyzer's description, disposed of the sample, and went back to work.
* * *
His previous experience made the research go more smoothly this time.
[Advanced Soldier Serum (50%)]
[A derivative of Super Soldier Serum from the Marvel universe. Enhances metabolism and all bodily functions.]
[A reduced formulation retaining 50% of the original serum's effectiveness.]
He found the version he wanted without wasting many materials. Studying the Advanced Soldier Serum in his hand, he nodded in satisfaction.
Each dose cost roughly three thousand eddies to produce. He planned to sell it for twenty thousand. Given what it could do, the price was reasonable.
The question was whether the clinics would spend that much on an untested drug. He couldn't afford to give out free samples this time.
Fortunately, the stimulants had already earned him a good reputation. Someone should be willing to take the first chance.
If all else failed, he could approach the Animals or a corporation. Show them enough to convince them, and he was sure a substantial order would follow.
Once he'd earned enough for the PROJECT implant, perhaps he wouldn't have to be so cautious anymore.