More accurately, the situation is that Samus is operating under Adam's command, so he's authorizing the use of increasing amount of force on Samus' part. So it's like: "We don't know what we're going into here, use of your big guns is restricted so you don't go half-cocked and accidentally blow up something or someone important" to "Okay, we clearly need heavier firepower here. Use of explosives is authorized." For an example, see this scene [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaxV0nSTz68] from the anime series Gao Gai Gar where the chief authorizes the titular robot's combination, or here [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44D4QiUANY] with the use of the Goldion Hammer.dududf said:I'm just checking here, was Steve kidding when he said you can use your powers when your boyfriend says it's alright?
Because if he wasn't kidding... I..I...Yeah.
At least, that's the idea. The problem is that they used it to let them "unlock" all of Samus' abilities, even the ones, like the Varia and Gravity Suit, that shouldn't need authorization, and realistically would be left to the soldier's discretion. It's a case of a Gameplay and Reality Segregation that goes beyond being justified. Sure, it adds to the challenge in the same way that not having it at all does in Super, Fusion, and Zero Mission, but in real life it comes across as a serious Logic failure.