Marcus reads the description of the augments starting from left to right.
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1: Augment: Presence Mitigation. Makes you harder to be detected by natural senses. Make less noise when moving, naturally produce less scent, able to stay perfectly still for long periods of time.
Tier: 0
Stability: 9
Origin: Mutant Owl
2: Augment: Leg Structure Realignment. Rearrangement of the legs muscle and bone structure enables quick, agile movements up to 35 mph for extended periods of time.
Tier: 0
Stability: 10
Origin: Sprinter/Abomination
3: Augment: General Senses Enhancement. Enhances all senses by 50%.
Tier: 0
Stability: 8(Stabilized)
Origin: Lycan/Abomination
4: Augment: Thermal Vision. Grants the ability to see heat signatures in the environment with infrared. Able to switch between thermal, and normal vision.
Tier: 0
Stability: 8
Origin: Mutant Viper
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After pondering over the choices for awhile Marcus throws out the presence mitigation augment. Even though the person will make less noise, and produce less smell, doesn't mean his equipment will do the same. A merc in full kit will make tons of noise, smell of gunpowder, and will most of the time be in a squad of other mercs, so all of the benefits of this augment will be nullified.
Marcus also disregards the leg augment. Running faster is nice, but there are plenty of things that move faster than 35mph in the wasteland, mainly bullets.
Thermal Vision is quite tempting to Marcus. He think of a variety of scenarios where being able to see heat signatures would come in handy. Mainly at night, dense fog, or a sandstorm. Marcus knows that infrared goggles do exist, but are rare and extremely expensive. That being said It only aids the visual part of target acquisition.
General Senses Enhancement might seem the least interesting, but enhancing the sense of touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell by 50% is hugely beneficial. Being able spot enemies sooner, or find resources faster. Marcus can think of hundreds of scenarios where heightened senses could come in handy.
He does have one concern though.
"Why does 'General Senses Enhancement' have (Stabilized) next to its stability number?"
Wolf shrugs
"Well that augment was originally Tier 2, and it enhanced the senses by 200%. Unfortunately it was highly unstable at a stability rating of 2. No one wanted to use it, nor could we sell it, so it was stabilized in one of our labs. When you artificially stabilize an augment, you also lower its tier and effect, but make it much safer to use. There is also no difference between an 'artificial' stability 8 and a natural stability of 8. In case you were wondering."
"Then i'll choose number 3."
"Good choice, but I should warn you. Someone else got a similar augment to that one before. Adapting to all your senses being enhanced at once will be arduous to get used to. I had a feeling you would choose that one, hence why we came to this briefing room. This room is the most quiet place in the training facility, once i'm sure your not suffering from DNA Degradation, i'll leave you alone."
"Understood."
Marcus sat there calming himself down. When he felt ready Marcus took the marble-like gene seed and swallowed it. The moment the gene seed hit his stomach, Marcus could feel his heart start to race faster, and faster. He started to experience severe muscle spasms throughout his body. The room started to spin as his vision starts to fade in, and out.
Wolf puts his hand on Marcus's shoulder, while holding a device in his other.
"It's going to be alright kid, first augment is by far the hardest! Just try and stay awake if you can! Hey kid, can you hear me? Kid, hey kid....Marcus?!"
Wolf's pupils shrink as he looks down in his hands to see the screen on the device flash yellow.
Wolf's voice sounded far away for Marcus. He couldn't understand what was being said, and could only hear the reassurance in Wolf's voice turn into concern. Finally the world turned black, and Marcus faded into unconsciousness.
...
As Marcus awoke with a fright, he realized that he was still in the briefing room. He was laying on a sleeping mat with a light blanket covering him. The lights were turned off, and there was a letter taped to the door.
"Wha-"
As Marcus moves to get up, his mind is suddenly overloaded with information of all kinds. His cloths and the blanket, rubbing against his skin sends shivers up his spine. The smell of his sweat mixing with smell of the blanket near his face instantly makes him nauseous. Even though the light is off, Marcus can still make out his general surrounding with just the ambient moonlight from a singular window, the clarity and sharpness making his head spin. Even him saying 'Wha' made his ears ring.
Marcus closed his eyes, and slowly lowered himself back on to the sleeping mat.
'This must be what 50% enhanced senses feel like.'
As he laid on the mat staying as still as possible, Marcus started to focus inward to try and get ahold of himself.
Marcus felt his heart in his chest beat like a loud drum. His breath was soft and slow, but sounded like rushing wind. Marcus swears he can even hear his blood pump through his veins, like water pumping through plumbing in the walls of a house. Over the course of the night Marcus slowly adapted to his new senses, eventually able to open his eyes, get up, and walk around the room.
Eventually he reaches the door to read the note taped to it. It was from Wolf simply stating that Marcus should stay in the briefing room for three days. Bathrooms in the corner, and that a New Blood will come to hand him some food every morning.
As he read the note, he hears a light nock on the door. Flinching Marcus replies in a hushed tone.
"Come in."
The person on the other side must of heard his response as the door slowly opens. A burst of morning sunlight enters the room. As Marcus covers his eyes and backs away, a young woman enters the room, and closes the door behind her.
The girl is about 5'6, has light brown hair tied in a ponytail, and looks to be around the same age as Marcus. She is dressed in the same green uniform as he was with the designation B-52 over her breast pocket. In her hands is three MRE's and a gallon jug of water. Marcus has seen her around before, but has never talked to her.
"Hi, I heard about your situation, and was told to give you some food."
As she sets the food on a table she glances at Marcus. With a hesitant whisper she asked.
"So what's it like, being augmented i mean."
"Very uncomfortable. My body started to shake, and i eventually passed out. Saying that, if given the choice again i wouldn't change my mind. Why, having doubts?"
"A little bit. Isn't it essentially a coin flip whether you live or die?"
"Perhaps, but think of it this way. The wasteland is a terribly dangerous place, were any moment could be your last. I believe any chance you get to grow stronger should be taken, but that's just my two sense."
"I see..."
As she trails off Marcus realizes he doesn't know her name.
" I'm A-84 Marcus by the way, I don't think we've really met."
"Ah! Your right! My names Abby, nice to meet you."
They continue to chat for around half an hour. Eventually Marcus realizes that they are no longer whispering. It seems talking to Abby distracted him from hyper focusing on his heightened senses.
"By the way I have to ask, what's it like suddenly having stronger senses?"
Marcus thinks for a bit. As his minds on the topic he starts to notice little things about Abby. The faint freckles on her cheeks, how she tucks some dangling hairs behind her ear, the rhythm of her breath...
"Um, having such elevated senses can be...stimulating."
Noticing Marcus's burning gaze, Abby starts to blush. Marcus shakes his head, and turns away embarrassed.
"Sorry about that."
"It's, it's fine. Well it was nice talking to you, i'll see you tomorrow to give you more food."
"Ok, see you tomorrow."
Once Abby closes the door, Marcus facepalms.
'Great Marcus! Way to shoot yourself in the foot!'
After a few days, Marcus finally gets used to his new senses. He can fire a gun without going deaf, and is even able to walk through the marketplace without throwing up.
Eventually the time for the final test arrives. Marcus finds himself surrounded by his peers that are filled with a nervous tension as they learn about what the final test is.
The final test is a raid.