Task Force - Improvements
#10 of Task Force
NDC Document H74A9 Classification: None Subject: Access to restricted biomedical chemicals for further testing. To: Doctor Caroline Hall, civilian Dr. Hall, your request for restricted access to the following substances for academic research, development, and non organism testing has been granted by Division 4 of the National Defense Council. Any use outside of the specified parameters is a direct violation of the Military Civilian Relations Code section 13, paragraph E and can be charged as treason. 1. XK33484A - Neural Synapses Booster. In test subjects, has shown measurable decrease in reaction times to below extremes for displayed standards. In situations of heightened stress such as battle, reflexes are boosted beyond measurable range.
XK39784F - Retina Stimulant. Subjects show significant increase in color vision. Night vision boosted to where sight is capable in pitch black. Low light sight clearer and pupil dilation quicker.
XN34454D - Bone Tissue Enhancement. Test results have shown bone tissue hardened to a 9.98. Original testing with XN34454A showed increased brittleness however the reaction causing this has been corrected and reversed where force applied to the bone strengthen them exponentially to where subjects would pass out from trauma before the bone breaks.
XN57591B - Movement Stabilizer. Chemical XN57591B affects both the muscle and brain functions. Test subjects show a greater regulation of extraneous movement signals as well as greater tolerance to prolonged strain or oxygen deficiency. Both reactions cause extra-muscular movement to virtually cease increasing steadiness in shooting and control over fine motor skills. Unconfirmed signs of greater muscle mass.
YT79114R - Dormant Memory Shielding. Non activated memory shielding creates a thin barrier over cells in the brain which control memory. When the activating signal is received visually, selected sectors can be manually segregated effectively erasing undesired memories. Caution, insufficient data to confirm the change is permanent. Increased brain function my corrode coating over time. Note: Doctor, I know what you are doing. I'm pulling a lot of strings around here to get your hands on these. Stick to our deal and we won't have any problems. End Document *** "What do you think?" I asked Teague. "About the enhancements?" "Yeah." "If they do what this paper says they're supposed to, let's go for it." Training had continued for the next few weeks. That was the problem with having to keep our team secret. We could only go on the most vital, high risk missions. Too much exposure risked our cover being blown and the enemy finding out about us. In the mean time, we stayed at the mountain and trained. Today however, Dr. Hall had proposed a series of biomedical enhancements through exposure to possibly hazardous materials. I read down the paper she had given each of us which listed the substances and their desired effects. There were four in all. A Neural Booster which would decrease our reaction time. One which would improve our eyesight and night vision. The bone tissue strengthener would practically make our bones unbreakable. Finally a movement stabilizer which would increase our control over fine movement and eliminate any shaking or twitching from strain. There were a few extremely rare side effects that I was worried about but, if this made the team unbeatable, it was worth the risk. Wasn't it? I pondered this question. In the end it was up to each of them individually to decide whether or not to receive the alterations. No one was making them do it. I myself had already decided to take the risk and do it. If no one else decided to, that was their choice. "Well, I'm going to go shoot." "Harper, how much time do you spend on the range? You always seem to be there in your free time," Jessica asked as I got up. "Well, maybe if you spent more time there, you wouldn't need two fully automatic guns to hit the enemy," I joked. She shoved me and I almost tripped over Trestan's outstretched leg. I had called us a family before. That was incorrect. We were much more than a family. We could work together without ever talking and practically sense each other's thoughts and actions. I walked alone to the armory and pulled out the case which held my rifle in a shock mounted rack. I removed it from the case and carefully inspected each part. I attached a bipod and flipped it down, setting the weapon on a table. As I was about to slide the bolt into place, someone interrupted me." "Ah Kirian, I had hoped to find you here." I turned to see the ferret Hogan standing in the door holding a case in one hand and ammo box in the other. "What's up?" "We just got these in from the manufacturer. Some new, nonstandard ammunition and required attachments for your rifle. Would you like to see it?" "Sure." I moved around to the other side of the table and watched as he set his equipment out. He pulled a round from the ammo box. "This is the new .343 round. Very similar to the .388 you've been shooting." He handed me the 107mm long round and I looked it over as he began to talk about the new improvements made to it. "The projectile weighs 19.3g and has a machined CNC Hack profile nose and Adams profile tail for extreme drag reduction. We've calculated a 1.02 ballistic coefficient for it and a supper sonic range of 2170 meters with the 909 meters per second muzzle velocity at sea level. That's close to 100 meters beyond what the extreme low drag 50s are specked for which you landed shots at upwards of 2800m with those. Not kill shots, but still... they got the trick done." He said this all very fast without taking in breath. He inhaled deeply and continued. "Well, we've seen what sorts of shots have been pulled off with those. I'm not saying anything but I can't wait to see what someone can do with this round. You already are pushing 2000 with a bullet that's only supposed to go 1600. Man, if you broke the record longest kill with a round I helped design!" Hogan paused to catch his breath. He then pulled out a new barrel from the case. "The new rounds use a modified .338 casing and will fit in the current chamber. This is the barrel you will need to use with these though. 900 millimeters long with progressive twist rifling. You'll also need this adjusted clip." I took the attachments from him. He continued to talk about the design process as I reconstructed the required elements of my rifle. After grabbing a pad to take notes on the performance of the new ammunition, I headed to the range, Hogan practically on my tail with excitement. I spent the morning shooting, taking notes on the EQ 107s as the rounds were being unofficially named. I only shot at 1800m for my fist time, though I could have easily pushed it another 300m without having trouble. When I felt I had enough data on velocity, energy, and drop, I packed up and headed back to the armory, Hogan questioning me on their performance and how I like them. Back at the commons, I found Dr. Hall talking to the other four. "Ah, Kirian, you're just in time. How was your testing this morning?" "Fine. What's this all about?" "We were just discussing the biomedical enhancers you have the option of receiving." Tank spoke up. "These, side effects that are mentioned. How likely is it that they will occur. Sure it would be nice to move faster and such, but it won't really be worth it if I'm crippled." "Those only appeared in subjects who were unmonitored after application. I will be personally watching over each of you to ensure the process goes smoothly without any negative repercussions." He nodded and sat back in the armchair he was in, the cushion sagging beneath his weight. I listened to the proceedings silently. Everyone had questions for the doctor and she answered all of them with the calm confidence we had grown accustomed to in her manner and tone. In the end, everyone's questions had been answered and they all agreed to the procedure. "Alright!" She smiled at all of us, "Who wants to go first?" I immediately stepped forward. "Ma'am." "I thought you might Kirian." She led me to a small holding room in the metical wing. There I stripped down to only my underwear. This was the first time during the whole process since it had been presented to us where I felt nervous. I looked at my right leg and saw five tufts of black fur. The scars reminded me of what I would be gaining from this procedure. With increased speed and perception, I would be able to avoid such injuries in the future. The though strengthened my resolve and I never doubted after that point. Besides, Dr. Hall said it would be fine. She was always right. Dr. Hall came in from a door opposite the one I had. She was dressed in medical scrubs. She led me into the operating bay. The sterile field projector filled the small room with eerie blue green light. A medical technician who accompanied Dr. Hall instructed me lay face up on the bed. A needle was inserted into my arm. The affects of the sedative were immediate. The room went blurry and then was dark. *** Dr. Hall watched as the uncovered form of Kirian's unnaturally white body relaxed and went limp. Now the work began. She moved a projector over the table and flipped it on. A series of laser dots and lines appeared on the white fur. She reached up and adjusted a few of their positions. The technician inserted multiple IVs which would disperse the bulk of the chemicals into his blood stream and be more efficiently absorbed. The bone enhancement however had to be applied directly several areas. From those locations, the chemical would quickly spread evenly grafting itself to bone and altering the surface structure. Any mistake and the bone would become attached to the muscle rendering that part of his body immobile. Dr. Hall began this delicate work. She made a precise cut along Kirian's upper arm. She carefully pealed back the skin to reveal his thick muscles beneath. This she subtlety maneuvered until the bone was exposed. The technician moved a focused sterile field projector over the area to ensure no infection took hold. Dr. Hall picked up a small syringe with a measured amount of the substance. She placed the tip on the bone and pushed the plunger laying a thin line of liquid on the bone. It sat inert for a moment before disappearing in a blink. The assistant began stitching the small incision as the Mink moved to the right leg. This process was repeated on both legs, his left arm, sternum, and forehead just below the hair line. With these application areas and levels, the chemical would create a smooth, even coating over the entire bone structure. Dr. Hall stood up as the assistant stitched up the final incision. She walked over to the distributor where three tiny bottles were slowly draining, a thin stream of bubbles the only indication that the substances they held were being precisely introduced to Kirian's blood stream. There was a spot for one more that stood empty. Dr. Hall pulled a fourth vial from her pocket and examined it. It was labeled YT79114R. She let out a deep sigh unsure if the immediate benefits these soldiers would receive would be worth the sacrifice they would face unknowingly in the future. The sacrifice she had to put them through without their consent or knowledge. When the technician wasn't looking, she inserted the container into the receiving slot. A thin stream of bubbles began to rise in the clear liquid. Dr. Hall closed the open face of the distributer and turned to the door. She walked into the hall and then to the holding room where Jessica was waiting for her, just as Kirian had been. The process began again. After performing the operation on each of them, Dr. Hall returned to her office and watched a screen which displayed the stats and vitals of each of them, carefully on the lookout for any anomalies.