Volume 4 – Year 26
Countless studies have confirmed that cybernetic enhancements boost productivity. From improved research capabilities to enhanced accuracy with a rifle, individuals who undergo the procedure tend to emerge more efficient and capable. While the procedure is costly and sometimes yields poor outcomes, the majority experience significant improvements in their abilities. As the Confederation of Independent Systems (CIS) continues to advocate for these enhancements, many are left questioning the underlying motives.
To answer this, we need to examine the history of government-sponsored accessories designed to boost productivity. Several years ago, as CIS influence continued to spread, the planet Zrak experienced the rise of the burgeoning Red Glasses Party. This movement provided every man, woman, and child with a pair of Red Sunglasses. Initially a localized phenomenon, the trend soon spread throughout the northern sectors. While wearing the red glasses was not mandatory, it was heavily encouraged by the leadership and eventually became a fashionable statement
However, the Red Glasses were not solely a fashion accessory. Various productivity measurements suggested a significant increase in efficiency among those wearing the sunglasses. Concerns were raised about potential loss of free will for wearers, but the central government was quick to dismiss these worries.
The Red Glasses seemed to enhance focus and productivity, but the addition of cybernetic brain enhancements took the experimental group to a new level. This development was viewed as an opportunity by some and as a cause for alarm by others.
The CIS, through the Ministry of Health (MoH), later initiated a program offering free cybernetic enhancements to all interested CIS employees. Critics saw this as further evidence of the government’s insidious intent.
One witness reported a complete personality change in individuals fitted with the Cyborg Electronic Unit, suggesting the implant drastically altered their behavior. They noted that Director Erik Haskell, once a talkative and friendly leader, became a silent and highly efficient worker post-implantation. Similar observations were made in the Northern regions, where enhanced coworkers were often described as “more droid than sentient being.”
Opponents highlighted the implants’ side effects, arguing that they should be carefully considered before opting for the procedure. The microprocessors and simulation computers consumed so much energy that caloric intake had to be nearly tenfold, leading to inevitable muscle atrophy and spasms. Retinal implants caused severe nearsightedness, rendering cyborgs less effective in combat scenarios.
Manufacturers within the MoH downplayed these risks, admitting that extended connection to computer systems could theoretically lead to less emotional, less conversational, and less conscious individuals. Despite these drawbacks, many users accepted the trade-offs for increased efficiency and power.
The CIS’s decision to offer free cybernetic installations raised questions. Was it merely an expansion of employee services, or was there a deeper agenda to augment workers for the government’s benefit? While risks remain, the MoH continues to promote the latest implant models, featuring cutting-edge designs and available in colors like scarlet, viridescent, and gold. Employees are encouraged to speak to their supervisors about taking paid time off to visit local surgery centers for their enhancements.