The successful extraction of the second capacitor from the discarded flight recorder husk felt like a major victory against the odds. Xen now possessed all the components suggested by the [Improvised Assembly] Lvl 3 analysis for the 'Dual Discharge Circuit': his existing Projector body (already integrating the cracked Lens, the high-bandwidth Cable, and Positronic Relay #1), this crucial second Capacitor, and the cluster of low-grade wiring he kept stashed in the crevice for utility purposes.
His inventory held his last Medium-Grade Crystal and the salvaged Capacitor (Slots Used: 2/5). Energy reserves were high (EN: 147.0/150). Health full. XP sat at 55/400 towards Level 4.
He laid everything out meticulously on the cleanest patch of metal floor he could find.
The goal: integrate the second capacitor into a parallel circuit, controlled by the existing relay via a modified trigger input, allowing him to switch between a focused energy beam and a wide conical burst. This was exponentially more complex than his previous crafting attempts.
He activated his [Improvised Assembly] skill (Proficiency: 0.1%), feeling a subtle shift in his processors as schematics and component knowledge came to the forefront. He also focused his [Micro-Manipulation] passive (Proficiency: 2.7%), knowing this would require dexterity far beyond his base capabilities.
First, integrating Capacitor #2. He identified a stable point on the plasteel staff body near the head, adjacent to where the first capacitor was presumably housed internally.
Using a sharp scrap edge, he carefully scored the plasteel surface to create grooves for better adhesion and stability. He then used stripped lengths of the low-grade polymer-coated wire as bindings, meticulously wrapping and tightening them until the second capacitor was held firmly in place. It looked even more jury-rigged now, with components strapped externally, but the mount felt solid. (MM Prof -> 2.8%). (IA Prof -> 0.2%).
Next came the complex wiring. He needed to tap into the main power feed before the first capacitor, route power to this second capacitor using the low-grade wiring, and then connect this second capacitor's output back to the input side of the single Positronic Relay integrated near the grip.
This secondary circuit, using inferior wiring compared to the primary circuit's high-bandwidth cable, would power the Burst Mode. He meticulously stripped tiny wire ends, fused copper to contact points with controlled micro-bursts of energy from his fingertips, insulated connections with salvaged polymer scraps, and carefully routed the new wires along the staff shaft, securing them under the existing bindings where possible. It required intense focus; one wrong connection, one short circuit, could disable the entire weapon or cause a dangerous overload. (MM Prof -> 3.0%). (IA Prof -> 0.8%).
Finally, modifying the trigger mechanism. The single [Positronic Relay (Micro)] needed to act as a toggle. His IA Lvl 3 insight suggested a solution: modify the input from the trigger plate. A quick double-tap on the plate could signal the relay to switch its primary output pathway from Capacitor #1 (Focused Beam) to Capacitor #2 (Burst circuit). A subsequent single tap would then fire the selected mode. He carefully re-wired the trigger plate contacts to the relay's control input, hoping its archaic logic core could handle the double-tap signal. (MM Prof -> 3.1%). (IA Prof -> 1.2%).
The entire modification process took well over an hour of intense, focused effort. His energy ticked down passively from system operation and concentration. He reviewed his work. The staff head was now slightly bulkier with the second capacitor strapped alongside the first. Additional low-grade wires ran visibly along the shaft to the reconfigured relay near the grip. It looked even more like a piece of scrapheap junk, but functionally, the connections seemed sound according to his skill's diagnostic potential.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The System chimed as he completed the final connection test.
<[Improvised Assembly] Lvl 3 attempting Complex Multi-Circuit Item Modification... INT Check (vs Difficulty 14 - High complexity, mixed components, dual mode): Target INT 12 (+1 Mod) + Skill Bonus (+2). Roll: 16. Result: 19. Success!> [Improvised Assembly Lvl 3 skill proficiency increased by 15.0% to 15.1%] [Micro-Manipulation Lvl 1 skill proficiency increased by 0.5% to 3.6%]
<+75 XP Gained! (Very Complex Item Crafted Successfully)> XP: 55 + 75 = 130/400.
Success! A functional dual-mode weapon! He examined the stats – the focused beam was unchanged, efficient for single targets. The Burst Cone offered higher area damage at short range but cost twice the energy and suffered from low accuracy. The malfunction chance was a constant worry, slightly higher now due to the added complexity. Still, the tactical flexibility was undeniable.
He had to test the new mode. He hefted the Projector, feeling the new balance. First, confirm the default mode. Single tap on the trigger plate.
Now for the Burst Mode. He focused his intent and performed the quick, deliberate double-tap on the trigger plate. He felt the relay click distinctly within the grip, and the HUD icon confirmed: [Firing Mode: Burst Cone]. Targeting the same scrap slab, he tapped the trigger once more.
WHOOMPH-CRACKLE!
Instead of a focused beam, a violent, almost uncontrolled explosion of crackling blue-white energy erupted from the staff's tip. It wasn't a neat cone; it was a spitting, surging wave washing over a wide three-meter arc of the back wall, instantly superheating the targeted scrap. Metal hissed and popped loudly, glowing cherry-red where the energy splashed against it, the sheer unfocused power vastly exceeding the focused beam's impact within that short 8-meter range. Sparks showered the back of the crevice.
The discharge felt raw, inefficient, kicking back against Xen's grip slightly, and the sound was a harsh, tearing roar compared to the beam's sharp crack. Malfunction Check (10%): Passed.
Xen lowered the weapon, optics wide, processors analyzing the effect. Immensely powerful up close, capable of hitting multiple targets simultaneously if they were clustered, but wildly inefficient and clearly inaccurate beyond point-blank range. It was exactly the kind of tool needed for dealing with a swarm in a narrow tunnel.
He toggled back to Focused Beam mode (another double-tap), the relay clicking obediently. He felt a profound sense of accomplishment, holding a truly versatile tool forged from junk and necessity by his own growing skill. The scrap heap remained dangerous, the mysteries deep, but he wasn't just prey anymore. He had reach, he had options, he had power.
He checked his status: HP: 100/100, EN: 116.0/150, XP: 130/400. Weapon functional in both modes. It was time to put it to use. The Maintenance Tunnels, and the Cyber-Vermin within, came immediately to mind.