Although based upon the telemovie, the novel contains several marked differences as Jahn incorporates elements of Martin Caidin's continuity from the Cyborg series of books. For example, Steve Austin is equipped with the poison CO2 dart gun in his bionic arm, which he uses to kill two Russian guards (both cold-bloodedly) in a scene not taken from the televised film. (The piece of weaponry also appears in other novelizations such as International Incidents but was omitted from the television version of the character.) Jahn also has Austin set a charge to destroy Findletter's yacht at the beginning (in the film a guard with a machine gun sets off the explosion), and also has him sink Kaslov's boat after escaping from it. Another element taken from Caidin is that Austin's bionic arm is his le