Chapter 187 - 23 Grab

23 has all four of its hands grouped up in front of it and is looking down at them. After letting Miss Calculated delight in her crazed laughter for a few moments longer, it finally speaks up.

“To accommodate storage for retractable components, I suppose I would require new, thicker arms. The power lead currently running through them may still suffice, but perhaps a new one that has the new tools directly hardwired into it would be better. Ah, the power draw on any power tools would be notably higher than what it takes to operate my current hands, so I really would be better off with a new cable, too. Adjusting to the upgraded appendages’ usage shouldn’t be an issue... But, If you were intending on implementing any of your newly developed, limited availability, technologies, improved durability may be necessary..? Also, I believe you mentioned weaponry, earlier?” As soon as 23 began speaking, Miss Calculated ceased her cackling, giving it all of her attention.

“Hmm, yes a new power lead, for sure. I was contemplating systematically upgrading every single component of yours over time, so once they’re all replaced we’ll be left with a complete shell for one of the unhosted cores. It will be nice to not have to cut any corners, for once. It seems fitting to try to design the best possible form for your advanced awareness… Oh! Assuming you actually want that? Do you have an attachment to your current body, and is your sense of self linked to it?” While at first, Miss Calculated was in more of a casual musing state. But, once she considers that 23 may attribute some of its identity to its vessel as a whole, her voice gains a simultaneously excited and curious note.

Whether due to her enthusiasm, or the content of the question itself, the merry mannequin modification assembly turns their attention over as well.

23 looks at its hands once more before finally lowering them, directly facing Miss Calculated.

“I suppose… I do not. The idea of pursuing perfection is far more appealing than any attachment I have to my current form. It will be a strange experience seeing another bot in my body, once the process is over. But, it’s not like I spend much time looking at my reflection, and any sense of individuality is rather weakened when connected to a hive network. Additionally, due to being incapable of healing naturally, it just seems second nature to swap out any inferior parts for a superior one.” After saying this, 23 turns to look at the inharmonious amalgamation which is George. After a short pause, it continues.

“...Assuming they are truly upgrades. Were I to awaken in an inferior shell, I would most likely become distressed. Especially so if it only has two arms. I don’t know if I’d experience any sort of phantom limb phenomenon, but having four of them is so normal to me at this point, that I would regularly be thrown off, were any of them missing.” After 23’s addition, Miss Calculated and Mark chuckle.

Miss Chievous, however, gives a slightly angry “Hey! Don’t think I missed that insult about George! He’s perfect just the way he is!”

She hooks one of her arms around George’s neck, resting it across his shoulders. His right arm falls off, breaking off the tips of several fingers upon its collision with the ground.

Distressed apologies occur, and the quest for a new hand begins.

Miss Calculated chuckles a bit longer, then turns to face Mark.

“As I am unfamiliar with the process involved in the creation of your enhanced fabrics, I assume it could also be applied to other materials, in this case, metals, correct? Considering how effective my utility knife was, I don’t have any concerns about drilling or cutting it after processing. Anything that needs to be welded couldn’t be treated, though… Or is it surface only, and the required spots could be scored with a vitzlite blade, so welding or soldering would have something it could connect with..?” As Miss Calculated’s train of thought continues meandering without even waiting to hear the answer, Mark can’t resist chuckling again before answering.

“Yes, certainly. We didn’t have any conventional methods of cutting through any sort of enhanced metal previously, so I can’t say for certain if it is surface-level only or not, but I think it most likely is. Regardless, Thandi can handle anything you need to weld. She won’t be all that busy once the new sewing machines are up and running, anyway.” After Mark finishes offering other people’s services, yet again, Miss Calculated raises an eyebrow.

“Ah, I’m not familiar with this person? I assume they can attach things together in some way?” Once Miss Calculated asks this, Mark briefly chuckles again.

“Yes, exactly. She likes to jokingly call it the power of love, and her brother refers to his power as being hatred. She can fuse things together, seamlessly. Meanwhile, he can sever things in such a way that it’s like they were never attached in the first place. He can leave behind a new surface layer of skin on both sides of the cut, with no bloody mess, regardless of what the original object was, or whatever equivalancy for what it is made out of.” With Mark’s explanation, Miss Calculated makes a thoughtful hum while nodding.

Nearby, Lucas is harvesting mannequin parts from the random junk in range of the nerdy conversation region, and was half paying attention to their ongoing conversation.

‘Uh, shouldn’t they be surgeons, not tailors?’

[...In this world? Anyone with medical skills better have a strong backing, or they’ll be kidnapped and forced to treat random influential and/or powerful people non-stop. And even then, they’ll probably get killed the moment something goes wrong, regardless of it being their fault.]

‘...Man. This world sucks.’

[...]

Unaware of Lucas and 427’s mental conversation, Miss Calculated continues the verbal one.

“Ah, I can see why they’re important for your current operation. Hmm, there is a lot of potential applications for both during assembly… Interesting. Ah, right, speaking of a bloody mess; 23, In recognition of the fact that you’re a fully autonomous, sapient, being, it’s only fair that you know at least basic ‘first aid’ for yourself and your fellow bots. I’ll make sure you have the tools needed for triage and standard maintenance built into the new, upgraded arms, first and foremost.” Miss Calculated manages to pull herself out of her contemplations long enough to address 23.

“Agreed. Please do.” 23 nods while making its request, and Miss Calculated falls back into musing mode.

“I’ll be sure to include a blowtorch capable of welding and soldering, and a WD-14 dispenser. Oh, also a solder dispenser, obviously. Thanks to how flammable WD-14 can be, I could align everything so you could do a few flamethrower bursts, if needed, as long as it has good enough propellant. Just need to make sure they’re not going to accidentally trigger such. Also shouldn’t make the tank too big for the WD-14, since we’re only going to have so much internal storage capacity with all the other equipment that will be installed, after all.” While Miss Calculated is busy being a nerd out loud, Miss Masher is doing her part to average out the perceived intelligence level of the area.

She had jokingly stuck a foot into the wrist opening for George’s now damaged right hand, and it is stuck.

It took Miss Chievous less than 3 seconds before she cracked a third-leg joke.

Needless to say, Miss Calculated has paid them a grand total of zero attention, and simply continues her contemplations.

“Could use both a Viblade and a normal utility knife… Hmm… Once you have the reactor, a precision laser would be good too, though… Ah, a laparoscopic camera would be perfect for examining any densely packed chassis…” When Miss Calculated mentions a laser, Lucas’s full attention is caught, listening to her continue on.

“A hydraulic hammer..? No, no, a strong enough electromagnetic nail gun can probably achieve the force needed to penetrate most materials, and doubles as a ranged weapon if needed. Ah, the nails will need to be enhanced to survive impact, might be pricey, we’ll see… A fine control high-powered electromagnet could hold things in narrow spaces that fingers would get in the way, as well as getting small objects out of crevices that you can’t easily reach into, among countless other things…” While Miss Calculated continues, Lucas is nodding along to everything she lists, and then decides it is time for his ultimate contribution.

“AND A ROCKET FIST! 23 NEEDS A ROCKET FIST! AND IT’S GOTTA ALSO WORK LIKE A GRAPPLING HOOK!” Lucas has no hesitation when letting his priorities be known.

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Lucas’s total kills: 7

Lucas’s total deaths: 11

Lucas’s total assists: 1

Lucas’s current GDV: 17.38

Lucas’s fame level: 6.0* (Local fame is completely maxed, he’s creeping up on minor celebrity status even on a global scale. Thanks, internet.)

Lucas's hero suspicion level: 2.0*

Jonathan’s total kills: 7

Jonathan’s total deaths: 2

Jonathan’s current GDV: 6.07

Jonathan's fame level: 4.0* (Local fame is near-max, but everyone thinks of him via his affiliation with Lucas, and not often just for him, alone.)

Jonathan's hero suspicion level: 2.5*

Willy's fame level: 4.5* (With how popular he’s become, it’s only a matter of time before people start realizing just how smart he is.)

Mr. Quacks’s fame level: 5.0* (His local and global fame are nearly even, he’s a full-blown internet sensation.)

Supervillain social circle size: 15

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Little character theater:

Jonathan, who went from laughing at Miss Chievous’s third leg joke to oohing over Lucas’s suggestion: Th-that would be pretty cool!

Willy has made pretty good progress on his self-assigned sorting mission. However, random service bots keep dumping more miscelaneous bot-related junk into the middle of the pile, so his duty never ends.

Lucas, widened eyes sparkling with anticipation: It would be SUPER cool. ‘He could swing around like spidey!’

427, synthetically sighing softly: [This world may be cruel, but your world was apparently just weird.]

Author, tapping their chin with one finger: I was thinking more like a certain spherical-bodied brass MOBA character, but sure, spidey swinging works, too.

Mr. Quacks, still maintaining the same staring contest with the same bot from the last chapter: Quack…