Chapter 148 - 23’s Initiative

“Ah, c-certainly. It will take some time to analyze everything that is already in place and to come up with effective-” As Miss Calculated is winding up her response, not entirely able to hide her nervousness, Mark holds his hand up once again, this time around at least attempting to hold back his laughter.

“Now, now, don’t worry. I understand it can’t be done overnight. And, of course, I’ll cover the costs of everything. First things first though, figure out what safety measures you’ll need in place so you can begin work on that reactor in earnest.

“As a prototype, I’m sure you’ll only want to work on just the one at first, but I am very eager to see when you’re satisfied enough to install multiple units with them. If it turns out that you think that a basic standard model is insufficient to house a reactor, I would be perfectly content with ensuring all future models I purchase are of sufficient caliber, assuming you are willing to install and maintain their cores.

“Frankly, between performing bot maintenance, if you are willing of course, and enhancing building security, that would be more than enough to count as covering your rent, as far as I am concerned. Unless I see a significant spike in the electric bill, then I may have to ask for at least some compensation, hahaha.” With Mark’s clarifications, Miss Calculated shows clear relief, followed by no small amount of excitement.

“Yes! Of course! That would be perfect, thank you so much. Ah, what about outside of business hours though..? I assume you have a separate employee entrance, so, if all three of us could have access rights, please..?” While Miss Calculated’s enthusiasm is fairly clear at first, the tentative note to her voice towards the end makes Mikah break out laughing.

“What, and risk driving Marsha to make her own door? I’m pretty sure she was going to get a key already just because of Lucas’s gym!” The laughter following Mikah’s assessment finally disperses the lingering tension that was still filling the area.

In the face of the destructive accusation, Miss Masher has a huge toothy sans one grin, not looking even remotely apologetic, nor making any attempts to contest his point, merely chuckling mischievously.

As none of the humans in attendance seem to be about to continue the current subject, 23 takes a few steps over, closing the distance between itself and Miss Calculated. These movements on its part draws the attention of all of the fully vertical humans nearby. Well, at least, all apart from the two that are immersed in their avian adorations, one of whom is now rejoicing as Sylph has decided it is Miss Masher’s turn to hold her.

Mark, in particular, is not only curious, but he even looks actively surprised by these sudden unprompted actions by 23.

“If you wish, Mary, I can go begin coordinating clearing out a viable workspace for you, instead of one of you needing to provide specific instructions to get the exact results you desire.” Once 23 has made this offer to Miss Calculated, it immediately turns its head to face Mark.

“Assuming you find this acceptable, Mark? Should any of your units have any inquiries, one of the ones nearby may wish to make a request for clarification on behalf of the network. Additionally, please accept one of these as a humble offering. From my understanding, I will be spending some time in your care, whenever Lucas is away.” Leave it to 23 to find a way to shock Mark into speechlessness.

Truly, a mighty feat that most humans could never hope to manage to accomplish in their lifetimes.

As Mark stares with a somewhat comical expression, 23 holds out the two stacked to-go containers it has been carrying ever since leaving the restaurant.

Josephine’s curiosity gets the best of her and she claims the top one, gently opening it and making a pleasantly surprised “Oh!” when looking at the relatively freshly baked bread inside, then proceeding to accept it on Mark’s behalf.

Noting that Mark doesn’t seem to be likely to give any sort of meaningful response anytime soon, 23 rotates it head to face Miss Calculated once again, catching the amused expression she’s wearing.

“Please do, thank you. I’ll join you a bit later on to take a look for myself as well.” With this response from Miss Calculated, 23 then turns and approaches Lucas, lifting up the arm coiled around his array of boomerangs, in order to bring them to his attention.

Following the bread exchange, Mikah had an amused expression, being entertained by whatever internal responses Mark was having. However, after Miss Calculated finished speaking to 23, Mikah gains his own surprised expression while looking at her.

“Wait… Seriously?” Mikah’s incredulous tone is at least done with a hushed voice, and Miss Calculated looks directly at him with a rather self-satisfied smile. She nods slightly as her smile grows, and Mikah looks positively floored.

Once 23 is standing directly behind Lucas, it hesitates for a moment while trying to decide how to get his attention. Not quite confident in its comedy capabilities, it opts to simply speak up and address him, rather than anything more creative.

“Lucas. Did you not wish to distribute a few of these as gifts?” When 23 says his name, Lucas makes a small startled jump, clearly having been completely oblivious to the fact it was right behind him.

Jonathan doesn’t put much effort into suppressing his laugh at his father’s expense.

Lucas shoots a stinkeye in Jonathan’s direction, knowing full well why he’s laughing. It’s brief, however, as he then turns his attention upward, catching sight of the bundle of boomerangs that are currently being extended over his head, as well as the one giant one held in 23’s four-pronged hand. Now, all of these are being lowered to be presented before him.

“Oh, yeah, thanks. Hey Marsha, don’t forget Mikah’s! Hey 23, do ya remember which one was Mary’s?” While saying this, Lucas reaches up with both hands, grabbing the bundle of eleven boomerangs from the coils of 23’s outstretched arm.

Now it’s Miss Calculated’s turn to be a bit surprised, as she is caught off guard by how smoothly Lucas transitioned into using her real name, considering he didn’t seem to be paying much, if any, attention earlier when she and the others stated it.

“Oh, yeah!” Miss Masher shifts to a one-handed hold for Sylph, reaching down and fishing around with her left hand to grab one of the boomerangs from her cargo pocket, turning to face Mikah with a grin as she holds it out to him.

As soon as Lucas’s hold is secure, 23 uncoils its arm, retracting it with the giant boomerang still in its possession.

“Yes. I will tend to that one in a moment, in order to reduce confusion. First, here, should you or Marsha desire additional carbohydrates for your pending exertions, and in the event I am still occupied at such time… Actually, if you would be so kind, Jonathan.” 23 starts to lower the final to-go container onto Lucas’s lap, but then decides against it and brings it over to Jonathan instead, who takes it without delay.

“Um, sure. Th-thanks.” Jonathan is fairly quiet while accepting the bread bounty, his gaze lingering on the bundle of boomerangs that Lucas now wields.

With its recently-freed hand, 23 gingerly plucks one of the boomerangs from the bouquet within Lucas’s hold, then retracts its arm and tucks the ornamental weapon alongside its own previously received gifted weapon, secure underneath the charging pad.

“Now, if you will excuse me.” With this parting statement, 23 walks around the lazy Lynn ground loafers, heading into one of the waiting open elevators.

“Goodness, what did you guys get up to since I saw you at the DVO? Oh, wait, you need key access for the upper floors. Here.” Shortly after Mikah accepted the boomerang offered to him by Miss Masher, looking it over with a grin, he then reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small keyfob, holding it out towards 23.

“Oh, of course. Thank you.” 23’s unencumbered arm snakes out of the elevator, gently picking the offered device up with three of its prongs, and retracts back into the elevator. Turning its head to look at the floor buttons without even bothering to rotate the rest of its body, 23 reaches over and uses its free fourth prong to precisely tap the button for the 15th floor.

As the elevator doors slide shut, it rotates its head around to look out the slowly closing gap, taking in the varying expressions of the few people directly watching it.

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Lucas total kills: 7

Lucas total deaths: 11

Lucas total assists: 1

Lucas current GDV: 16.91 (+.01 net change)

Lucas's fame level: 5.0* (Already beginning to receive authentic global attention. His local levels are effectively maxed.)

Lucas's hero suspicion level: 2.5* (More than just passing suspicion for many paranoid individuals, numerous people have realized he's an impulsive idiot.)

Jonathan total kills: 7

Jonathan total deaths: 2

Jonathan current GDV: 5.79 (+.01 net change)

Jonathan's fame level: 2.5* (What fame he does have is predominantly local.)

Jonathan's hero suspicion level: 3.0* (More than just overly-paranoid people are suspicious at this point.)

Willy's fame level: 1.5* (Anonymous meme fame, local fame primarily as 'Xenoclast's dog', but some strangers know him as William/Willy now.)

Supervillain social circle size: 14

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Little character theater:

Jonathan, maintaining some degree of his vigil, but still can’t help curiously turning his gaze back to the boomerang cluster, intermittently.

Willy and Dan are completely engrossed in their conversation.

Lucas does actually manage to notice Jonathan’s line of sight out of the corner of his eye: I got one for you too, kiddo. One for everyone actually, eheh.

427, frustrated with finding nothing but dead ends for what limited data is currently available regarding the lab: ‘Well, maybe I can at least find something about the toy manufacturer…’

Author, musing out loud after watching the elevator door finish closing: Hey, would service bot HR issues need to be addressed by Mikah, or should all bot matters fall under Miss Calculated’s jurisdiction?

Mr. Quacks, upside down in the tangle of boomerangs in Lucas’s hand, trying to determine which is the best one for Jonathan to claim: Quack...?