Chapter 111 Lab City's Progress (VR & AR)



LAB CITY [VR & AR research institute (white)]

Inside the meeting room, researchers could be seen sitting eagerly anticipating the completion of their latest creation. They were patiently waiting for their latest invention to finish printing so that they could test and see its results.

Shortly after that, Houston stepped into the room, holding a plate filled with intricate minuscule gadgets the size of fingernails. Silently, he placed the plate at the very center of the table before settling into a chair.

Without delay, everyone in the room reached out and retrieved the minuscule devices, carefully tucking them behind their ears. 

Everyone in the room said "AR mode" albeit with different timing,  causing an instant activation of the devices. Within microseconds, the gadgets projected a holographic screen before them, emanating a gentle green glow to indicate that they were now functioning in standard AR mode.

In a breathtaking display, a myriad of virtual elements materialized, seamlessly blending with reality, rendering them indistinguishable from anything that was real.

When a few individuals attempted to physically interact with the digitally manifested object they saw through the device, it would transmit signals to their brains, creating the illusion of actually touching it. Furthermore, the device would restrict their movement within the object, enhancing the sensation and generating an extraordinary sense of realism.

When they attempted to lift the devices, they were astonished to find that they could indeed raise them. To their amazement, the gadgets seamlessly communicated with their brains, evoking the perception of substantial weight, as though the objects they carried possessed genuine mass.

"Brilliant," exclaimed one of the researchers, wholeheartedly concurring that they had successfully pushed the limits of progress and compactness in the realm of virtual and augmented reality

As they continued exploring the different functions of the device, unbeknownst to them, one individual mysteriously produced a gun from seemingly thin air. Without any prior warning, the individual aimed and fired the weapon directly at the center of the table

The instant the gunshot resounded, the devices positioned behind their ears swiftly picked up the changes and transitioned from their normal state to a vivid shade of red. 

To onlookers, the external appearance of the devices remained unchanged except for the altered color emanating from behind the ears. 

However, for the wearers of these devices, a wholly distinct experience was unfolding.

"Wow," murmured one of them in a trance-like state, his eyes meticulously following the bullet's trajectory as it punctured the very heart of the table, leaving a conspicuous hole. The passage of the bullet seemed to unfold in slow motion, as if time itself had dramatically decelerated.

As the bullet finally traversed its path, the device swiftly reverted to emitting its familiar green light, signifying a return to normal operations.

"We have finally perfected the augmented reality time perception acceleration," exclaimed Houston with unbridled joy. completely disregarded the fact that someone had discharged a firearm in the room without any prior warning as if it were an ordinary event.

To them, such antics held no cause for concern, for they possessed an unwavering assurance that no matter what they did, they would inevitably revert to a state of flawless well-being.

"Yes, at last!" Tristan exclaimed, wholeheartedly concurring with Issa. "Ever since we embarked on integrating this capability into augmented reality since the 76th generation, akin to what we had achieved in virtual reality back in the 46th generation of the device, we have now achieved perfection. Using it we can finally accelerate our perception of time in the real world, albeit for a mere second, during which it subjectively slows down fiftyfold."

"However," Emanuel interjected, gesturing towards the dwindling power levels displayed on their devices, "it consumes an excessive amount of power to sustain this function." He drew attention to the limited power reserves that remained after the recent demonstration.

"For that particular issue, we simply need to await the breakthroughs from the laboratories engaged in alternative energy research, as well as the fusion and other departments dedicated to energy research," remarked Christina, the sole female researcher in the room. 

Her statement hinted that the solutions to the power consumption challenge would emerge from these innovative domains.

"However, when it comes to VR and AR devices, we have reached the threshold of what conventional methods can achieve," Ezra elucidated, carefully removing the device from behind his ear and delicately placing it back onto the plate. "To surpass this point, we would need to venture into the realm of nanomachines. Unfortunately, the laboratory engaged in research within this domain is still in its developmental phase, compelling us to postpone any further exploration for now."

"Indeed, it is regrettable," Ezra concurred, acknowledging the boundaries imposed by conventional size limitations. "However, the vastness of knowledge surrounding this subject still astounds me. It leaves me pondering how Mr. Aron managed to achieve such a breakthrough," he mused, his admiration for Aron's expertise and accomplishments serving as a humbling reminder of his own relative insignificance.

"Sir Aron's expertise is truly unparalleled," Logan exclaimed, his voice filled with a sense of wonder. The profound depth of knowledge displayed left him in awe. Despite numerous iterations spanning over 100 generations of these devices, they had ultimately reached the limits imposed by size constraints. However, they had neither encountered the threshold nor fully harnessed the vast knowledge bestowed upon them regarding this subject matter.

"I must admit, I often find myself contemplating the same," chimed in another individual from among the group, their curiosity resonating with Logan's earlier sentiment.

"I genuinely hope that we are granted the opportunity to meet him in the future," Logan expressed, voicing the collective aspiration shared by everyone in the city. The longing to encounter Aron and Nova was fervent, as they had become figures of great fascination and admiration.

"Alright, let's get back to work, everyone," Ezra said, briefly pausing to gather their attention. After a moment, he continued, "With the production of new generations of VR and AR devices now officially concluded, now we have to upload the accumulated results to the Akashic server."

"Yes," the unanimous nod of agreement rippled through the room. In unison, they closed their eyes and thought about their intentions of uploading their experiences and comprehensive research. A second later, a resounding proclamation reverberated in their consciousness [Upload complete!!!] indicating that they were done with the upload process.

[

The Akashic server was a system devised by Nova to streamline the sharing of knowledge and research materials among all the labs in LAB CITY. It provided convenient access to technology and eliminated the need for researchers to worry about availability. 

The server housed vast amounts of data that could be easily assimilated by anyone in need of specific knowledge for their research. 

Inspired by Aron's system shop, the Akashic server allowed seamless retrieval of information without requiring any special procedures. It served as a centralized hub, enhancing collaboration and efficiency across the research communities within the city.

]

Shortly after that they opened their eyes and returned their focus to the meeting.

"Now, while we await the culmination of nanomachine research, our next research project, bestowed upon us by Miss Nova, entails delving into the development of machinery that can autonomously produce the previous generations of VR devices we have crafted from scratch, as it is not yet known when the atomic printing research would be concluded," Ezra elucidated, providing his team with an overview of their forthcoming undertaking.

"Yes," Houston responded eagerly upon learning about their next research project, his voice brimming with excitement. Engaging in research was something they all embraced wholeheartedly, devoid of any complaints.

"Is there a particular VR device we should begin with, or are we free to choose at random?" Mason, another researcher, inquired, seeking clarity on the starting point for their project.

"Yes, we have been instructed to commence with the standard virtual helmet and virtual reality chamber," Ezra responded. "These devices will be utilized to facilitate the assimilation of knowledge to soldiers within the virtual chamber during a specific period. Concurrently, the soldiers will be enhanced with a genetic enhancing liquid that is currently undergoing research in the genetic engineering lab."

"Following that we will then start making the machines that can manufacture every generation of the VR & AR devices for every generation and iteration we have ever made" With that Ezra finished telling them the orders they had been given from Miss Nova.

Everyone in the meeting room nodded, signifying their clear comprehension of the designated starting point for their research project.

....

[Tactical Pilot Helmet research institute (White)]

As soon as the knowledge about VR and AR was uploaded into the Akashic server, a research institute located at the center of the bustling city received the notification informing them that the knowledge they needed had been made available in within the Akashik server and was ready for assimilation.

Without a moment's delay, every individual within the laboratory eagerly assimilated the newly acquired knowledge into their own minds.

After successfully completing the assimilation process, they promptly gathered in the meeting room to discuss their subsequent course of action.