Augmentation

Augmentation has been around since the time of the Old Folk. It involves a person enhancing themselves with mechanical parts (Augments), turning them into cyborgs. People who Augment are generally treated as outcasts in their societies. Augmenting may enhance your senses and improve your body, but it will isolate you from society. The people most prone to Augmenting are teenagers who feel like they are missing something in their lives. The adults of Heimland are generally worried about their children trying Augmenting, as very few survive the process. Augmentation is generally a very big taboo in society, and is also very expensive (the cheapest Augment costs around 200 Stones).

History

Augmentation has been around since the very first Augment-Stations were built in the Harbor.

Execution

There are three steps to Augmenting; Sedation, Preparation and Insertion. Augments come in five varieties; Auditory (Hearing), Visual (Seeing), Gustatory (Eating), Olfactory (Smelling) and Tactile (Touching/Feeling). Each Augment provides its own enhancements; Auditory-Augments heighten hearing (especially at a distance), Visual-Augments improve sight (especially at night), Olfactory increases smell (useful for seeking enemies when you an't see or hear them), Gustatory-Augments improve taste (allowing you to "taste" the air to scan for enemies) and Tactile-Augments improve speed, strength and touch. Tactile-Augments are the most commonly sought after.

Components and tools

The main tools required are Augmentation-Diagnostic-Equipment (ADE) which include medical-imaging machines used to aid in diagnosis; these machines are ultrasound and MRI machines, PET and CT scanners and x-ray machines. Then there is Augment-Treatment-Equipment (ATE) including infusion-pumps and medical-lasers. Then there is Augmentation-Life-Support-Equipment (ALSE) used to maintain the patient's bodily-function; these include Ventilators, Incubators and Dialysis machines. Then there are Augmentation-Medical-Monitors (AMM) which allow staff to measure the patient's medical state; the AMM measure vital-signs and other parameters including ECG, EEG and blood pressure. Augment-Laboratory-Equipment (ALE) automates and helps analyze blood, urine, genes and dissolved gases in the blood during Augmentation. Augmentation-Surgical-Machines (ASM) are used for Augmenting the patient.

Participants

Firstly there are Doctors. The Doctors are generally machines. Then there are Nurses who assist the Doctors during Augmentation. Finally there are Mechanics, who will provide the Augments.

Observance

First the patient is placed under Sedation via an anesthetic given by the Nurses. The Mechanic inserts a Ventilator into the patient's windpipe. Then a Doctor stick a needle connected to a Dialysis-machine into the patient's arms, legs and throat. The Dialysis-machine will remove excess water, solutes and toxins from the blood during the Augmentation. The Nurses place the patient in a massive Incubator (a coffin made of metal and glass, ten feet in length and width), ready for Preparation. The Preparation process starts with the Incubator being filled with an oxygen-rich protein-fluid that covers the patient. An AMM is used to measure vital-signs during this process. Then the patient is prepped for Insertion. During Insertion an infusion-pump is used to pump nutrients into the patient's body. A medical-laser is used to slice open the patient, ready for the Augment. A Doctor monitors the patient via an ADE. The Mechanic implants the Augment carefully via an ASM, whilst the Nurses observe the ALE. When the Augment is implanted, the Doctor quickly seals the patient closed and finishes the surgery. The patient is kept in the Incubator for two weeks under deep sleep, after which they are awakened.

Primary Related Location

The Harbor

Related Ethnicities