[quote=@knighthawk]
Perhaps GM will let her buy the increase at half if she sacrifices the item at time of character upgrade. Hmm this makes me think of ways that would make purchasable items from A.E.G.I.S. for missions like our own smoke bombs or the like. 
[/quote]
That could easily be an option, although any purchased items would have to either be a one-shot piece of equipment or a cheaper skill upgrade, depending on what you'd prefer.

I could easily have part of the post-mission rewards be a salary paid by A.E.G.I.S. based on your performance, with 'Employee' characters gaining a bonus due to the efforts of their business managers.