During the six years you have been Augmented, you have developed no new delineations, until recently. Projective analysis shows that your development in strength and abilities is far slower than expected.
"I'm going at my own pace," Andy said.
Potential power spike is significant. An accumulative backlog of simulation programs are ready to implement, however, user reluctance is limiting the Augmentation's development.
"Alright," Andy said. "I'm here, aren't I? Making an effort. Get on with it."
As Andy focused on the blue orb in the sky, a sharp, cool sensation, like vodka with lots of ice, trickled down his throat. Shapes swirling inside the orb reformed into multi-contextual descriptions of his abilities. It was just like manipulating his own personal TV screen. If Andy wanted to read the descriptions of his Augmentation's abilities, text would appear before him in the light. If he wanted their description spoken to him, or demonstrated visually, he had only to imagine it playing out before his eyes.
Delineation: Marksman
Focus and precision enable the Gunslinger to perform exceptional feats of marksmanship.
Enhanced Precision (Tier 1): The Gunslinger's perception is enhanced, and their nervous system stimulated, vastly improving their precision targeting.
Develop this delineation by accomplishing feats of marksmanship, his AI said.
"That's it? Just practice? Like shooting bottles."
Negative. You must exercise and stress your abilities in controlled and uncontrolled environments. My adaptive programming is designed to adapt your DNA to combat any apocalyptic situation. Extreme situations may result in more dynamic DNA shifts.
"Get creative. Got it."
Andy retracted his focus and noticed two silvery marbles orbiting the blue orb like a moon. They were Augmentation modules—minor abilities, ever-present. Andy checked them to see if anything had changed.
Firearms Finesse: The Gunslinger has the ability to operate firearms with speed and finesse, reloading, unjamming and adjusting any firearm's components subconsciously, freeing their minds to other tasks.
Combat Conceptualization: The Gunslinger has an instinctual understanding of location of enemies, weaponry, the quality of firearms, the quantity of ammunition, and other such specificities during a skirmish.
"Nothing new," Andy said, looking around the vast space to focus on the large red delineation orb next. As it unraveled before him, a pleasant malty taste tickled his tongue, strong and stringent like a harsh whiskey.
Delineation: Hitman
The Gunslinger functions as an effective killer, able to adapt to extreme scenarios, outnumbered or outgunned.
Evasive Fire (Tier 1): The Gunslinger's spatial awareness program creates a map of three-dimensional space, highlighting targets. Furthermore, the Gunslinger's athletic abilities are enhanced so that, when combined, they can maintain firearm accuracy while evading danger.
Killer Instinct (Tier 1): The Gunslinger will draw their familial weapon reflexively when in mortal danger, and fire upon a target instantaneously.
To develop these skills…
Andy ignored the AI voice as it gave him the same old develop these skills spiel. He retracted from the red orb and noticed a satellite marble orbiting it, blinking like a silvery LED. Last he recalled, there had not been any passive modules attached to his Hitman delineation.
Inebriation Inhibitor: The effects of intoxication have become second nature. The Gunslinger is able to invoke an inebriated grace on the battlefield. The unpredictability of the Gunslinger's movements may impair enemy targeting systems.
Andy snorted. So he was a drunken monk now. No matter what he did, the Augmentation would attempt to twist his actions into some sort of combat enhancement. Although, Andy had to admit he kind of liked this one. He retracted his focus and the satellite orb dimmed.
"Anything else?"
Hazardous mutation reduced. Cancerous cells isolated. Therapy initiated.
"That's not going to make me go bald, is it?"
Negative.
"Thank god." Andy felt relieved, and his mind wandered back to the vat in the basement, reconnecting with his body. But a tugging sensation at the back of his mind tied him down. Turning around, he followed the feeling towards a third huge orb, floating in the sky. It shone like an opaque puddle doused with oil, oozing with greens and oranges and blues. A sudden longing swelled inside Andy to grasp something, hold someone.
At the sound of his heart, the orb opened up to Andy.
Delineation: Affinity
The Gunslinger is bonded to an Affinity weapon, able to summon extraordinary powers through synthesis with the firearm's mechanics.
Deadly Attraction (Tier 1): Due to ionized particles in the Gunslinger's blood, the Affinity weapon is attracted, similar to a magnetic force, and may be summoned from a distance.
"So this is the new thingymagig you were on about?"
Correct. I have created the framework for a new delineation based on your recent firearm fixations.
"She's got a name, you know."
Affinity firearm identified as Julie—.45 calibre revolver. Delineation calibration complete.
"Oh, so I am doing well?"
Recent performance is sub-optimal. Acceptable.
"I'll take it." Andy winked into the void. "If that's all, I'll see you in another six months, robot."
Andy fell back to his corporeal form with a thud. Clara stood beside the glass, her face full of concern. Andy's mind was muddled, his limbs felt foreign and unresponsive, but the look in her eyes woke him up. Danger. He reached for the door's seal, but it was locked shut. The guards outside weren't causing trouble. The room wasn't shaking or on fire. He couldn't spot the danger. That only alarmed him even more.
Placing his back to the glass, Andy kicked at the chamber, trying to shatter it. Before he knew it, Clara opened the chamber door and grabbed him. She hugged him. Andy breathed heavily, his mind racing to target the threat. He tried to push past Clara to get at Julie, but she stopped him.
"It's alright," Clara said.
"What's going on?" Andy panted.
"Nothing."
"Why did you look at me like that then?"
"You didn't seem like you were having a good time in there."
"What?" Andy felt sticky with sweat, mixed with the vat's conductive liquid. His palm was bruised where his fingernails had dug in, and his jaw ached from clenching. "Yeah, well, you know I hate these things."
"This one seemed particularly bad," she said, guiding him out of the chamber to his clothes.
He started to dress. "I'm not normally this sober when I do the recalibration thing."
Clara snorted. "Yeah, that's why you never remember any of it."
Andy rubbed his temples. He had really dried out in the tank. Intrusive thoughts rose to the top of his mind. Dark thoughts, the kind that only drowned in booze.
"Hey Andy." Clara snapped her fingers. "Did you hear what I said?"
"No, sorry."
"It's time to restock. Blue Eyes has opened his armory's doors to us."
"Seriously?" Andy said. "I get to pick out some goodies?"
"That's right."
"Yes." Andy pumped his fist, then reattached Julie's holster at his hip. "You know what, I'm feeling like a machine-gun kind of mood."