Advanced Bioanalytics, Episode 01
Designated for Assignment
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[This is a work of fiction. Any characters that resemble real-world people are fictionalized manifestations of the author's imagination.]
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"... was designated for assignment yesterday." Katy sighed and clicked off the radio. She drove in silence, noting the dense fog blanketing the city skyline behind her and shrouding the stadium in front of her as she navigated her way into the employee parking lot.
She stepped out into the chilly August morning, straightened her long blue patchwork skirt, adjusted her denim jacket over her cream-colored knit top, grabbed her things and headed inside. The hallways were quiet, as they usually were this time of day. Her soft footsteps were punctuated by the distant *thwack* sounds emanating from the batting cage down the hall.
"Katy Brooks, Advanced Bioanalytics" read the nameplate on her office door. She badged herself in, left the door half open, and sat down behind her desk with a heavy sigh. She pulled out her laptop, docked it, and set her bags and jacket aside. She logged into the ABACAB System and pulled up Brian's profile.
"The requested player's roster status is: DFA," the System rudely reminded her with a pop-up.
"Yes, I know," she grumbled and clicked it away. "What the heck is an 'assignment' anyway?" she wondered out loud. "Besides cleaning out your locker."
The ABACAB (Advanced BioAnalytical Computer-Aided Baseball) System was her baby. She was hired years ago as a data analyst in the biometrics group, and after she demonstrated an aptitude for crunching numbers in creative ways to get interesting results, she was given free reign to develop some experimental tools. The System grew out of one of these projects, combining biometrics, analytics, machine learning, and, for opted in "Plus" subjects, sexuality.
Of course, the Plus program option was 100% optional and consensual. Any player could opt out from any part of the program, for any reason, at any time. Everyone, from Katy to the players to the coaches and management and even ownership was fully aware and on board. It took Katy some convincing, but when her first beta test subject suddenly found a power stroke that helped elevate the team into surprise contention, she was given the go-ahead.
Several years later, the System had helped many players clean up mechanics they didn't even realize were flawed, and many stats got respective boosts. The Plus program participants enjoyed their fringe benefits as well.
Brian was one such participant. The System had noted an inconsistency in how he would load his hips, and suggested some mechanical tweaks to improve his power to all fields. Katy also happily assisted with the more "intimate" mechanical exercises the System had recommended.
The System confirmed from Brian's last at-bats that he was executing cleanly and comfortably. Unfortunately, in baseball, sometimes the ball goes right to a fielder. And sometimes, sometimes is every time.
In the quiet of the morning, Katy heard footsteps approach, pausing outside her door. "Knock knock," teased a familiar voice bittersweetly.
"Come in, ya silly goose," she countered, playfully exaggerating her Midwest accent.
Brian emerged from outside her office door. "Hey dork." "Hey." She offered a warm smile and sighed. "I'm sorry it didn't work out. You did everything right, and, ya know, *those hips*." She couldn't help but smile at the memories of the hip-loading exercises.
He smirked, and then released a sigh of his own. "My stuff's cleaned out. I'm about to get outta here, and I thought I'd say goodbye. And thanks."
Katy rose from behind her desk and offered a hug. Brian nodded and took her slender, soft body into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in with a whisper, "I'm so sorry sweetie."
"Yeah. Thanks." He tightened his arms around her waist.
"You'll be okay though, I promise." She kissed his cheek softly. "You did such a great job." She grazed her fingertips over the soft stubble on his cheek and kissed it gently. "I'm so proud of you."
Brian sighed again as he released his friend, and now former colleague.
Katy smiled sweetly and looked into his soft brown eyes. She saw hurt, but also warmth and determination. "You'll be just fine, I know it." She paused momentarily. "Did... Did you wanna close the door?"
He chuckled nervously. "Well, now that you mention it."