12 Chapter 12: Augments

Out of the five New Bloods, Marcus and one other passed. The three who tried to steal Yudal from him failed. The other New Blood was apparently only 5 minutes behind Marcus following a different trail, so they passed too. Of the 74 New Bloods, 41 passed.

Turns out Yudal wasn't a spy, but a Red Scarf acting as a part of the test, as was Rudolf. Apparently, he was the only one to apprehend Rudolf and turn him in. With Rudolf being an actual merchant who volunteered for the test, he was pissed at Marcus for shocking him, and permanently banned Marcus from his store.

Hearing about this, Marcus simply shrugged.

When Marcus handed over Yudal, he also gave his trainer the laz pistol, but his trainer refused.

"When out on a mission any loot you personally acquire is yours. Including that pistol. Think of it as a reward for finding Yudal first."

Now that the 'expert' test was over, all that was left was six months of training for the 'final' test.

The classes Marcus haven't taken yet were Team Drills, Geography, and Tactics/Wargames.

In Team Drills two teams of five are pitted against each other to complete various tasks. There was king of the hill, relay races, team deathmatch with stun weapons, which team can hunt a mutant the fastest, ect.

The teammates are chosen at random, and the team leader is voted on by the group. Over the six months Marcus became adept at working as a team, while adapting to the skillsets of various comrades to complete the assigned task. When Marcus showed his skills leading a squad, he started getting voted team leader more often than not.

Geography class did not seem very useful to Marcus, until he took the class. Learning about the world and how it functioned from a larger point of view changed Marcus's perspective. He learned how water evaporates from the ground, rises, and turns into clouds. He learned how the land and climate affect the people living there culturally.

Marcus also learned a little cartography to better read, and make maps.

By far Tactics/Wargames was Marcus's favorite class, and not because it took place completely indoors. Marcus was taught and played various board games to help build a tactical mindset. He learned various aspects of warfare like logistics, resources and manpower, and the importance of controlling the morale of your troops as well as the enemies. Marcus was taught small scale tactics like how to set up a successful ambush, how to effectively guard a caravan, and how to raid a complex/mutant den. He then learned large scale tactics like divide and conquer, shock and awe, and guerilla warfare.

...

Time fly's by, and two weeks before the final test all the New Bloods were assembled at attention in front of the trainers. None of them knew why they were woken up early and told to assemble here. The Head trainer, Callsign Heathen stepped forward to address the New Bloods.

Who is Heathen? He is the trainer who had a big grin on his face when watching the half dead New Bloods come back from the basic test, introduced Scenario during the second test, and did the debriefing/evaluation for the third test.

None of the New Bloods were told the names of their trainers because they 'weren't worth knowing' according to Heathen. After the third test however, the trainers finally introduced themselves.

"Alright New Bloods listen up! For the next couple of weeks you will stop being taught all other classes, and begin learning about mutations, and augmentations."

"To give a brief introduction to the topic; I'm sure you all know that the most dangerous things in the wastelands are mutated wildlife, and the rouge abomination. While most things that get exposed to large amounts of radiation promptly turn into a pile of goo, these aberrations of nature are strengthened, and changed by the radiation. When this happens the mutations in their bodies naturally stabilize, and coalesce into what is known as a 'Gene Seed'. Not all mutants have them, but if you kill one that does, you can yank out its Gene Seed.

"Now you may ask 'what do you do with a Gene Seed trainer Heathen?' well, you EAT them of course! Those that absorb a Gene Seed gain one of the mutations of the monster it originated from. People who grow stronger using Gene Seeds are called an 'Augmentor'."

As Heathen speaks, he holds up his right arm, which suddenly grows in size, scales burst from under his skin, and sharp spikes emerge from his forearm. Then after ten seconds, his arm slowly reverts back to normal.

"Augmentors are some of the strongest beings humanity has to offer, and each and everyone of the Red Scarfs is an Augmentor. You will learn more during your classes but keep this in mind. If you pass your final test and become a Red Scarf, you will become an augmentor too."

"That's all I have to say, class starts in an hour. Till then, your dismissed!"

"SIR!"

As the crowd of New Bloods shuffle away, Marcus's mind is abuzz from the bomb of information trainer Heathen just dropped. So the ability Scenario has, as well as that freaky rejuvenating power the raider had were both augments from mutants. That also means that there as a monster somewhere in the world with Scenario's ability. 

Marcus shivers at the thought.

The class on augmentors covered the topic in more detail. What kinds of augmentations are out there, and what creatures drop them. How certain climates and terrains affect the mutants that live in them, and the subsequent changes to the augmentations as a result.

Most importantly Marcus learned about Gene Seed stability. Every Gene Seed has a certain level of genetic stability rated from 1 to 10.

10-7 stability, and the Gene Seed is relatively safe to use.

6-4 stability, and the Gene Seed is risky to take, but potentially worth it.

3-1 stability and the chance of experiencing 'DNA Degradation' is all but assured. 

DNA Degradation is when the DNA in an Augmentors cells can no longer handle the strain augments puts on the body. Not able to remain stable, the DNA starts break apart, quickly leading to death. 

Marcus realizes that even with a stability 10 Gene Seed, you are still rolling the dice to see if you die, or grow stronger. Trainer Heathen said that every Red Scarf is an augmentor, which means its mandatory to become one. That must be why they are educating the New Bloods on the topic before the final test. It gives them the opportunity to give up, and not risk DNA Degradation.

One night, as Marcus was sitting on his bed thinking about the topic, he spots Captain Wolf dressed in civilian clothes, entering the barracks.

"Attention, Captain in the barracks!" Marcus shouts.

As the New Bloods start to rush to attention, Wolf waves his hand.

"At ease New Bloods, don't mind me."

When everyone starts to settle down, Wolf makes his way to Marcus.

"Hello Captain, it's been awhile."

"Heya kid, well I guess your not a kid anymore now that I get a good look at you."

Marcus is no longer the dirty boy Wolf picked up two years ago. Marcus now stands at 5'11, and is 180 lbs of lean muscle, with short black hair, and piercing blue eyes. Marcus looked like a hardened, but green soldier. 

"Look's like they've made a fine warrior out of you! I hope the training hasn't been to harsh?"

"I've gotten used to the routine. So, what can I do for you Captain?"

"Ah, about that, let's talk somewhere quite so the other New Bloods can relax."

Wolf leads Marcus to one of the briefing rooms and sits down.

"So, i'm sure that you know about augments now, and the fact that you will be given one after your final test. An augment that you must use to become a Red Scarf. Are you prepared for that?"

"I am sir. I'm willing to take the risk if it means growing stronger."

"Good, I knew you would say that, just by the look in your eye. So I brought something for you."

Wolf takes out a wooden box and opens it. Inside are four marbles of various shifting colors.

Marcus looks at them in shock.

"Are these?"

"Gene Seeds, yes. Little thing the trainers don't say but New Bloods can aquire, and use augments before they graduate. If they can pay for them of course. Remember how I said i'd sell Mick, and Alice's house for you for 5,000 Credits? Well the standard Tier 0 Gene Seed costs around, oh would you look at that, around 5,000 Credits. 

All four of these Gene Seeds are Tier 0, ideal for being your establishing augment. Try using a more powerful Seed as your first augment, and your liable to have your whole body shut down in shock. I've kept track of your progress throughout your training, and I believe one of these four augments would be Ideal for you. Keep in mind that whatever augment you pick will be permanent, so choose wisely."

With that said Wolf pushes the box towards Marcus, along with the description of the augments on a sheet of paper. 

Marcus stares at the box thinking hard about what to pick. It's a very important decision, one that may very well dictate the direction of his entire life.