The world doesn't know about the compound hidden underground, and the wealthy investors funding it want things to stay as they are. Although it's 2027 with numerous scientific advances having been made, most of the research being conducted in the facility is illegal. If animal rights activists had an inkling of what went on, they'd clamour for justice. Human rights' activists would scream from the rooftops.
Scientists at the site are delighted with their latest achievements and use cutting-edge technology with their feline service units. However, they envision much more exciting things for the future, and dream of incorporating AI into humans.
By the time 2030 arrives, researchers have worked for a while with Human Replicas—HRs, as they're more commonly known. Virtual prisoners with no rights, they've undergone extensive training in combat, survival techniques, and much more, but their training has ceased in favour of "missions" which have a high mortality rate.
HR-7974 tells the other HRs repeatedly that they have an amazing destiny ahead, but in order to reach it, they have to survive. Needless to say, they dream of freedom. Surprisingly, at least one of the top scientists isn't happy with the status quo either. Tensions are mounting, and things are not as they appear.