<P>Am I really better off with a second agent if I'm the one that does the heavy lifting?
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<P>"Anyway, that can all wait until tomorrow," Carson continued. "You need rest, and also there is a decision for you to sleep on. In the cabinet by the bed is another augmentation canister, just like the one you found in the DuClare mansion. It contains two optional enhancements for your arms. One is known as the "Microfibral Muscle." This will amplify your lifting power, allowing you to move very heavy objects with relative ease. The other is "Combat Strength." This one will give you an edge over any adversary in hand-to-hand or melee combat situations."
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<P>"Don't you or your scientists need to install it?"
<P>
<P>"No, not really. We installed the first one with the regular systems simply because it was on hand and allowed us to test out your tolerance for the nanites quickly. Just take the canister to the medical bot and tell it to install it. You'll have the option of Microfibral Muscle or Combat Strength, but you may only choose one. Be careful."
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<P>"I've got a pistol. Am I really going to need to punch anyone out?"
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<P>"I wouldn't become too dependent on your ranged weapons. Sometimes a silent takedown is preferable. With the combat strength you'll be able to totally clobber someone with that baton, saving you some ammunition. On the other hand, if you're extracting equipment for us, it would be a major advantage if you were able to lift it yourself without pulling a muscle."
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<P>"Didn't you say something about a limited power supply?"
<P>
<P>"Yes, I did. You'll have to watch your bioelectric energy expenditures carefully while using any of your augmentations. Certain maintenance robots are capable of replenishing it for you, but you will not encounter them very often. A portable recharging solution, called a biocell, is available, but my supply on them is very short. Your new partner has a couple to spare, and they can be found readily at any laboratory, as they have quite a variety of uses."
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<P>Tiberius blinked, and it took a long time for his eyes to open again.