Marcus first led Dugall directly to the medical bay.
The Ishimura's medical bay was still very busy at this time.
A large number of soldiers who suffered severe injuries in the war against the Greenskins were sent up to receive the more advanced medical treatment available on the Ishimura.
Those sent to the Ishimura for treatment had at least lost limbs, and some even had half their skulls blown off by the ork' sluggers.
Although the Ishimura's medical technology was excellent, it was inevitable that some with overly severe injuries unfortunately died after the war ended.
The families of all soldiers who died in the war would receive a substantial pension.
And they would be exempt from all taxes for the next ten years.
As for those soldiers without relatives, while they were still alive, they could designate how their pension would be used after their death.
It could be transferred to their comrades, or donated free of charge to a lucky individual in a Hive City, or even used for Hive City construction.
In short, the incredibly generous rewards were one of the biggest reasons why Hive City workers eagerly joined the PDF.
"I want all the data from the war that just ended."
Dugall said in a deep voice, looking at the soldiers in the medical bay who couldn't help but wail in pain.
"I need to understand the composition of our forces, and our enemies."
"Once you've had the RIG System implanted, I'll have Alexia send all the data to you."
Marcus said as he walked through the medical corridor, which was packed with beds.
Soon, a few crew members who had just finished medical procedures saw Marcus.
"Captain, why are you in our medical bay?"
"Nothing, just checking in. Oh, and this is Dugall. You can implant the RIG System in him now."
Marcus said casually.
RIG implantation wasn't a highly sophisticated technique and didn't require too much manpower or resources.
"Yes, sir!"
Several crew members led Dugall into a newly vacated operating room, and the implantation surgery began quickly.
Taking advantage of this time, Marcus took the tram inside the Ishimura and arrived at the cargo deck where the Mycelium was located.
Although it was called a cargo deck, in reality, because the Ishimura no longer needed to perform mining tasks, the cargo deck area had undergone a significant transformation.
Around the central Mycelium, the Ishimura's researchers had built a high-tech laboratory.
Crew members with lower clearance couldn't even enter the first door of the laboratory.
Of course, this wasn't an issue for Marcus.
Walking all the way to the center of the laboratory, Marcus quickly saw the crimson Mycelium.
And next to it were Dr. Kane, and Miranda.
"Why are you here?"
Dr. Kane stopped his research work.
Hearing the same question that had just been asked by the crew in the medical bay, Marcus felt a bit helpless.
"I am the Captain of the Ishimura, isn't it appropriate for me to conduct an inspection?"
Dr. Kane awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"How is the Mycelium research progressing?"
Marcus stepped forward and directly reached out to touch the Mycelium's body.
A small stream of black Mycelium spread onto Marcus's arm, but it was quickly peeled off by Marcus using his Psionics and thrown into a nearby culture medium.
Dr. Kane was about to speak when Miranda, beside him, spoke first.
"We have already established a small Mycelium consciousness network centered around the Mycelium, but we now need to conduct human trials to formally confirm the completeness of the consciousness network."
To resurrect her daughter, Miranda had been immersed in the laboratory since boarding the ship, demonstrating astonishing research capabilities that surprised other researchers.
"Hmm, human trials."
Marcus thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I can approve your human trials. Use the untreatable, dying crew members on the Ishimura, but each experiment must be reported to me in advance, and I will review the data from the entire experiment process afterwards."
Rather than letting those soldiers die, it would be better to try to let the Mycelium infect them, absorb their consciousness, preserve it in the Mycelium consciousness network, and let them continue to live.
After receiving Marcus's approval, Miranda and Dr. Kane were both somewhat excited.
This meant they were one step closer to achieving their goal of "Mycelium immortality."
"Eternal consciousness, what a terrifying ability."
Looking at the Mycelium in front of him, Marcus whispered.
In a Warhammer World where all sorts of strange and terrifying creatures run rampant, life extension technology isn't new.
For example, using chemical rejuvenation drugs can extend lifespan to several centuries.
Or implanting mechanical prosthetics into the body, which is how the Adeptus Mechanicus do it.
There's also the T'au Empire's greatest hero, the Farsight Commander, who can use the Dawn Blade, forged from time-devouring alloy, to consume the remaining lifespan of enemies he slays.
But these methods only extend life as much as possible; they cannot achieve true immortality, and they all have their own side effects.
Chemical rejuvenation drugs gradually destroy the body's immune system, mechanical prosthetics also gradually age, and even data transfer can result in loss.
And Farsight, who absorbs lifespan by slaying enemies, would attract the attention of Khorne.
In the Warhammer World, perhaps the only way to achieve immortality is to ascend to an immortal Daemon Prince.
As long as one is careful not to be slain by the Emperor's Sword, that is true immortality.
After a moment of reflection, Marcus looked at Dr. Kane and Miranda.
"In any case, you must quickly improve the Mycelium's memory absorption and storage capabilities. The board of directors at ICA is already getting impatient."
After a tour, Marcus left the laboratory.
"Dugall's RIG implantation surgery should be complete."
Calculating the time in his mind, Marcus began to return to the medical bay.
As expected, he soon saw Dugall, who had already had the RIG System implanted and was familiarizing himself with its various operations.
"Sir!"
Upon seeing Marcus, Dugall saluted.
"How are you familiarizing yourself with the RIG?"
Marcus asked.
"It's good. This integrated system is excellent. If it could be widely distributed to frontline soldiers, it would greatly enhance battlefield coordination and individual combat capabilities."
Dugall nodded.
"The production of the RIG System also takes time. The Ishimura's output is limited, and we can't fully popularize it yet."
Marcus said, sending a list to Dugall's RIG.
"This is a contact list. The RIG numbers of all important figures in the Union are in it. I've already notified them in advance, so you can directly state your identity and contact them at any time."
After doing all this, Marcus led Dugall to the Ishimura's bridge.
Then he gave Dugall his first task, which was to improve the Ishimura's weapon defense system.