"Dispatch: Dead Air"
I love concepts of Robert having powers, but I also I love him growing up with the complexities of growing up unpowered in a superhero world.
So why not have him develop powers later in life? Specifically a non-tangible one? >:3
We know that Shroud wanted the Astral Pulse to power his augments - in his case, a mental augment to increase his ability to predict probable events and their outcomes.
What if constant exposure to the Pulse caused unknown mental/psychological effects, namely Telepathy aka "mind reading"?
Robert awakes from his coma with an ungodly amount of mental static in his brain. More than usual. It's like the Dead Air of a radio untuned to a frequency.
When he focuses on or "tunes into" someone, both mentally and visually, he can "hear" what they're thinking and feeling at that moment.
First person he can "hear" is the nurse that discharged him. She tells him politely not to stress himself, while mentally she says "You're lucky you still have bladder control after all that nerve damage". Robert immediately clocks her confusion when he replies to her with "Eh, pilots wear piddle packs anyway."
He continues testing this new ability as he's recovering in hospital. Doctors, orderly staff, people in the waiting room etc...
The most surprising was Beef.
Beef, wagging and panting happily: ["I missed you!!!"] Robert, surprised: "Okay, it works on dogs too I guess." Beef, unfazed: ["We should eat and take a nap!"] Robert: "No arguments with that, bud."
This causes many issues, and solutions as he navigates his new career at SDN. Especially if the telepathy can extend into the coms line.
Waterboy's mind is running at a mile a minute, like two people talking at once.
Waterboy, mentally: ["I hope Mecha Man likes me. He made a joke - laugh! Oh wait, what was the joke? Don't make a fool of yourself! Oh it's about Phenomaman's acting. Wait, how do I tie this again? I think I'm concussed from getting hit by that car- HE'S IN MY LAP!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!! 18+ thoughts ensue"]
Robert still thinks the kid is a sweetie pie. Albeit a little more perverted that he expected.
Visi may not know his true identity cus he picks up on her "signal" being in the conference room before he can disrobe. He might still catch the feeling of guilt she has though - he should investigate that later. Her overtly sexual behaviour masks a lot of thoughts. (Robert learns about the sex dream before she even tells him)
The things Chase thinks about Robert makes him choke up. He most likely lets the speedster know about this new power, just to avoid hearing Chase's regretful/proud thoughts about him.
Flambae is either checked out and mentally replaying Whitney Houston, or he's thinking "Fucking Mecha Man/Robert" (furious) or "Fucking Mecha Man/Robert" (horny). As time goes on, his thoughts towards Robert lean towards the romantic. It's actually kinda cute to see the firestarter give Robert his signature glare and smirk, only to mentally hear "I want a summer wedding".
Sonar's brain is either Numbers, Boobies (sometimes Robert's), and bat noises.
Malevola's is full of demonic noises that yell at Robert to "GET OUT". She immediately looks around, seeking whomever was looking at her thoughts without permission.
Phemomaman's is like looking into the brain of an orange male cat. Elevator music and sushi.
Phenomaman, looking towards him: "Robert, it is impolite to read minds without asking for permission beforehand." Robert, embarrassed: "Ah. Sorry. It's uh... new power I'm trying out. Didn't think you had it too." Phenomaman: "It is a natural ability my people have developed as a means of easing linguistic barriers. It is how I was able to learn how to speak English so quickly." Robert: "Wow. That sounds a lot cooler than mine. I still get hit with language barriers sometimes. Well, except with Beef - he's a dog, so he mostly thinks about how much he loves me, and food." Phenomaman: "That is beautiful. To have a being love you so much as to fill their waking thoughts." Robert, recalling all the previous thoughts he's heard, realising how many people actually care about him: "It's... pretty awesome. Not gonna lie." Phenomaman, smiling: [<3]