The more you do, the more you can use it.
"Vik, what do you think?"
Rocky had a rough read on the Super Soldier Serum's boost, but he still wanted Vik's view. During the two hours Rocky was out, Vik had time to study the live data.
"It's an across-the-board improvement," Vik says. "According to your description and the numbers, if nothing unexpected happens, this thing is epoch-making. It could change the city's whole ecosystem. It depends on how you use it."
Vik's evaluation runs higher than Rocky expected. It makes Rocky pause.
"Tell me more."
Seeing the confusion, Vik points to a cluster on the terminal.
"The key is here. Brain development and nerve strengthening, plus higher recovery and toughness. We haven't seen that combination."
Hearing the words brain and nerves snaps Rocky to the implication.
"You mean the serum raises tolerance for cyberware?"
Vik nods.
"Yes. And by a lot. Strengthening the brain significantly raises resistance to the mental erosion that chrome brings.
"On top of that, tougher nerves blunt direct neural damage from prosthetics. That drops the risk of cyberpsychosis.
"At the same time, higher physical strength lets users carry heavier, more dangerous cyberware."
Rocky had thought this was just an enhancer. He didn't expect it to create such a clean chemical reaction in a cyberpunk world.
"Looks like this will make waves," he says.
One small dose can produce a soldier who can mount powerful military-grade cyberware without rare talent, without a special foundation, and with far less risk of cyberpsychosis.
The enhancement has limits. Not everyone who injects will reach Adam Smasher, or even V. But installing several military-grade systems won't be a problem.
If the megacorps get this serum, Rocky has no doubt they'll mass-produce a legion of Davids. With enough screening, they could even assemble a team to rival Smasher.
He won't hand them that chance. Precisely because the serum hits so hard, he's more determined to publish a castrated version for the market.
Otherwise, those companies will try to monopolize every vial and turn them into factories for chrome-mad soldiers.
"For now, it reads that way," Vik agrees. "So what's your plan? Want to try a cyberware install? As it happens, mine hasn't sold yet. You always wanted it. It's one of the best in Night City."
"Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.4? Good choice."
Rocky knows Vik has a Sandevistan, which is a top-tier unit. He wanted it before, but he couldn't run it back then. His Reaction just wasn't there.
Now he can. He still hesitates. Sandevistan is strong, and Vik's model is advanced. However, with the online system, Rocky set a higher target for his operating system.
{Module listing: Prototype "Annihilation" Series — "Tyrant" Operating System}
Rocky stares at the 300,000-euro entry in the module mall. As a flagship weapon from the system series[1], one of the trump cards used against heavy enemies, the "Tyrant" OS is the goal.
Cyberpunk makes swapping cyberware convenient, but these are two different worlds' technologies. Differences exist.
You risk losing pathway fidelity if the neural interfaces don't fully match. That is not small. Even if nanosurgery repairs it, the downtime is real.
After sitting with it, Rocky turns Vik down. Once the knife falls, there is no easy way back.
For him, 300,000 euros isn't far now. The money will meet him halfway when the Super Soldier Serum hits the market.
"Thanks, Vik, but not for now. I'm not installing anything yet."
Vik isn't surprised.
"You're still you. Then adapt to the new body. If anything feels off, ping me anytime."
"Wait. Don't you want a dose before you leave?"
Rocky lifts the blue serum and tilts it at Vik.
"Why would I take it? I don't go out fighting every day, and I don't wear much chrome," Vik says, shaking his head. The serum doesn't tempt him.
"You can't put it that way. The benefits don't end at strength. It slows aging and extends lifespan. I'm not trying to attend your funeral early."
Rocky starts prepping the setup while he talks, not leaving much room for refusal.
Ultimately, Vik sits and lets Rocky inject the Super Soldier Serum.
When the dose finishes, Rocky studies him. Vik looks a touch younger. Rocky smiles despite himself.
"Sure enough, you only feel the magic when you try it."
Vik flexes his fingers and takes a breath as the new energy lands.
…
After Vik leaves, Rocky turns to the weakened line.
{Semi-finished Super Soldier Serum}
{A semi-finished form of the Super Soldier Serum. It offers a comparable strengthening effect but disfigures the user into an ugly monster.}
Isn't that the Red Skull route? Rocky grimaces at the analyzer readout.
He drops that branch and returns to the lab work.
…
With the previous round of experience, this pass runs smoother.
{Advanced Soldier Serum (50 percent)}
{A derivative of the Marvel Super Soldier Serum. Enhances metabolic and whole-body function.}
{A weakened evolution of the original. Retains 50 percent of base efficacy.}
Without burning too much material, Rocky lands the version he wants.
He studies the vial and nods. Cost per dose sits around 3,000 euros.
He sets the price at 20,000 euros. Given the value, it holds.
He does worry whether black-clinic buyers will pay $20,000 for an untested drug. This time, he can't provide free samples.
Fortunately, the stimulant line built a reputation. Someone will go first. In the worst case, he can take it to the Animals or a corporation under controlled terms. With enough sincerity, a large order will come.
He won't have to be this cautious when he clears the funds for the "Tyrant" OS.
[1] it came from the system not a other world