Episode 7, Chapter 5: The Problems at Hand

Isabella... Please, wake up.

...I'm Isabella.

Isabella. Hurry, wake up. This robot has been pretending to be you for days now.

As I've explained several times already...

This is an empty shell. I'm the genuine article.

Do you expect me to actually believe that?

I think it's about time you did. We've all accepted it.

Uh...okay. Hmm, in that case, is there a way for you to return to your real body?

Not yet. This is also the first time I've experienced the mind being separated from the body while warping.

What if you're stuck as a robot forever?

Uh, I doubt that that'll be the case.

Anything that can be put together can be taken apart, and where there's an entrance, there's also an exit.

If a problem has occurred, there is a solution. That's the way of the world.

I can't believe you're so calm under these circumstances... You're really amazing.

There's nothing worse than losing reason because you're panicking.

But more importantly, how is Chloe doing?

She's... not good. The shock of being betrayed by a friend really hit her hard.

I'm really in no state to be worried about someone else, but I can't just let her be, either, so...

Let's do something about Chloe first.

What do you think Chloe needs most right now?

Comfort and sympathy...?

She needs spirit. A good pep-talk!

You're both wrong. I'm not talking about her mental state.

What Chloe needs first and foremost are properly working arms, right?

Her arms... can they even be treated?

In their current condition, there's not much I can do.

This may sound strange to you, but... she'll be better off if we replace them with cybernetic prosthetics.

You mean... with machinery?

I can't imagine what it would feel like to have arms that weren't actually part of my body...

It'll be a big change for Chloe... But, she understands how things work here. Everyone from Nirvan does.

The only way she can begin to recover is if we help her with this first step. And that means new arms.

Anyway, for cybernetics, we should speak to the expert. Follow me.

Are, uh, cybernetics common in Nirvan?

Yes, they're an everyday part of our world.

Especially after the start of the Void corruption, nearly everybody either lost an arm or a leg.

Fully-organic bodies like mine and Chloe's are far more uncommon.

Miadrin! I know you're around! Open up, I have a project for you!

Huh? Should we ring the doorbell?

Verna! Wait, no!

Huh?

Duck!

What the...?! Why'd it explode? We only rang the doorbell...

The doorbell?

It's common sense that any button could be a detonator.

Miadrin... Come on.

For the last time, don't call me Miadrin!

The name is M-A-D! I'm M.A.D.!

Ha, anyway, Isabella, you're looking a lot more solid since I last saw you.

I didn't know you were into retro tech. Where did you find this piece of junk?

...There was an accident while using my mobile warp device.

A warping accident? Ugh. Sounds boring. Do you know why such a thing might have happened?

I'm not very interested in hearing your assessment, but... go on.

It's because... it lacked explosive energy.

Explosive! Energy! BOOM!

I just knew you'd say that.

Unless you have something fun happening, leave. I'm goin' back to bed.

What's your idea of "something fun"?

Oh, well, first, you would make an android so detailed that it's indistinguishable from a real human.

Then, when it's activated for the first time... BOOM! It explodes into a million pieces.

The high-pitched ringing in your ears as your eardrums are ruptured by the spectacular explosion, not to mention the smell of gunpowder...

Isabella, is she... like, good?

Despite her eccentricities, she's the best engineer we have. Even I can wholeheartedly admit that.

It's a little bit of an issue that she blows up whatever she makes, but...

What is it, Isabella? Are you here to ask me to build an artificial body for you?

It'll take a while to make an entire body. You should've at least kept your head.

My body is completely fine!

Who is it for then? They're all fine.

Do you remember Chloe? She lost both her arms fighting Ada.

...So she got the meeting she wanted.

If you're going up against Ortus, that changes the conversation.

Rocket arms that punch through targets and explode on impact should work, right?

No. No rockets or explosions. We just need normal arms.

Huh, what about a self-destruct function in case of emergencies?

...Be serious.

Oh, but what kind of arm lacks even basic functions like that?

In what world are exploding and a self-destruct feature basic arm functions?

*Sigh...* Alright. Still, if they're for Chloe, they can't just be "normal" cybernetic arms.

Because her physical abilities are... beyond normal.

If even you're saying so, that really goes to show how amazing Chloe's abilities are.

Alright then, go buy some materials for the arms. I don't have anything left in my workshop.

Bring me the best materials from around here, and I'll make you two arms.

Would it be alright if I asked you to get these materials?

I should start looking for a way to get back to my original body.

Is it alright to leave Chloe alone?

Trying to comfort her might make things worse.

This might sound cold, but in the end, she needs to get through this herself.

All we can do is make her some hands that she can use to pick herself back up. And that's just about it.

...You're right.

Hm? What do you need?

We're looking for some materials to build prosthetic arms.

Prosthetic arms? I don't know much about that topic.

Oh, the robot that delivers our goods would know. He went thattaway, so go after him.

**Registration number verified; no issues found.** What's this about?

We're looking for some materials to build prosthetic arms.

It sounds like you're looking for **materials to build prosthetic arms.**

To construct prosthetic arms, you will need **electronic nerves, joint parts, cable ties...**

Hm... So, we're asking if we can buy that stuff.

It sounds like you're asking if you can buy **that stuff.** Let me... check. Checking... Checking... Checking... I do not have any **that stuff** in stock currently. Would you like me to download New Nirvan's master parts inventory list and check?

Yes. Although, I'm not really sure what you're talking about.

Downloading master inventory list... Confirmed.

Most of the materials can be obtained in New Nirvan currently, however, a few **key parts** are confirmed to be unavailable. I'll print the list for you.

Where do we find these things?

Waste from KrypTiiK's inner sector is transported to the Scrap Metal Barrier.

With a **skilled technician** and some **luck**, you may be able to find the appropriate parts among the waste.

A skilled technician... Should we try asking Isabella?

Wouldn't it be kinda hard for her in her robot body? Let's head back to uh... M.A.D., was it?

Do you really think we can trust her?

Well... Isabella probably wouldn't have introduced us to her if we can't.

Did you get everything?

No. These parts aren't in New Nirvan.

We need to go outside the Scrap Metal Barrier and find them there, but...

But what? Just go out and find them then.

The problem is that we wouldn't know how to identify the parts we need.

*Sigh...* Annoying things always have a way of multiplying...

There should be lots of opportunities to destroy things when we leave the barrier...

Doesn't that sound like fun?

Hmm... Okay. Maybe I'll go and work out some stress.

Now, shall we spread out and search?

If you find anything intact or usable, bring it to me. I'll check whether we need it or not.

Uh... Just bring you anything?

You came with us in the first place because we don't know what we need...

Every piece of scrap metal can be used for something. Stop complaining and just bring me everything.

*Yawn...* Let's see if there's anything useful.

Oh, you're back already?

He-hey, not bad. You found some useful scrap.

You said you didn't know much about machines, but you must have a good eye.

I just had a good feeling.

Bah, what a load of...

Wait, now that I look at you, your clothes... You're not Nirvanian?!

...Did you only notice that now?

Are your eyes somehow different than ours? I wonder how they work...?

Let's figure that out later. How about the parts? Did we find everything?

No, this is just half of what we need.

We did all that work, but we're only halfway done?

We can make another lap! What should we be on the lookout for?

We only need a steel plate and an energy core now.

They're mounted to the Promos and Hak-yus roamin' around here, so we can just... borrow them.

Phew, that should do it, right?

Next, a Hak-yu... It's that, right?

Done. I think that's it.

Let's head back.

Hmm... I guess I can whip up something decent with these parts.

Don't just whip something up. You need to put your heart into it.

If I put my heart into it, then explosive functions might find their way in, too. Is that okay?

What does one have to do with the other?

No one appreciates my artistic vision.

*Sigh...* If it wasn't for Isabella, I'd never work on a commission like this.

Verna, what have we gotten ourselves into?

I don't even know anymore.

Is anyone there?

Oh... Isabella! Are you okay?!

No, I'm not! I'm ready for the sweet release of death!

You poor thing. How long have you been stuck there for?

Haha! I thought you'd be used to being top heavy. Hahahaha!

When this is through, I'm going to kill you first, M.A.D.

Just how long were you like this...?

Since we split up. I tried screaming for help, but nobody could hear me.

Whoever designed this robot... *Sigh...* I'm going to kill them. I'm going to find them and kill them.

Uh... Then you haven't found a way to go back to your original body yet?

Not at all.

Alright then, go ahead and do your thing while I build the prosthetic arms. It'll take some time anyway.

Even though I'll just be slapping together some boring arms that don't even explode!

You can complain all you want, but I know you're going to do it right. After all, you said Chloe was weird and you liked her.

Yeah, yeah.

Anyway, let's go search for a way to get you back to normal.

You might fall again, so we'll stick with you.

Thank you. Alright then, let's go see Rue first.

Welcome to The Glitch, where we sling hard liquor dirt cheap. If you don't already have a drinking problem, why are you here?

What kind of greeting is that...?

...Isabella?

Your skin has gotten really dry since I last saw you. Would you like to borrow some of my lubricant?

You can keep your lubricant... but can you find something for me?

In that case, will you sit down and order something?

Uh... I'll have one glass of water then.

Me too.

The same for me.

You'll be in big trouble if you drink water right now, Isabella. Your machine guts will spark and...

...Give me some lubricant then.

Your order is placed. What else do you need?

We both know you're going to help, so why do you always play so hard-to-get?

Rue's primary skills don't really seem suited to bartending...

All defunct machines eventually end up in New Nirvan. Rue is no exception.

She's... defunct? But she's so high tech.

Stop looking at me so pityingly or I'll stab out your eyes.

...If you ever want to talk, we're here for it! We're good listeners. Promise!

Isabella, if I'm going to help you, I'm going to have to get rid of those two first.

Enough. Stop it and access the KrypTiiK database already.

Alright. Please enter your search manually.

Sorry, Cloud. With my current hand situation... Could you take care of this?

Okay. I can try.

You're just summarizing what happened to me. Easy, right?

In which dimension or on which planet did the incident occur?

What type of incident is this?

What caused the incident?

What is the nature of the incident?

Wait, my incident definitely occurred on Belana, but I want to find historical precedence from Nirvan.

Oh, got it.

Yeah, try revising your choice.

Input complete. Proceeding to the next step.

No, no. It's not a dimension incident. You need to be clear.

Oh, really? You crossed dimensions, so I thought it was a dimension incident.

The direct cause is different. Try again.

Hm...?

Uh...

...Your hand slipped, right?

I'll change my choice.

Input complete. Proceeding to the next step.

The warp device worked normally. It wasn't a malfunction.

Still, you're in this mess, so isn't it a malfunction?

No, this wouldn't have even happened if we'd used it properly.

There's no way my warp device would have a defect.

But in practice it...

Are you doubting my invention?

Nope, sorry.

Input complete. Proceeding to the next step.

I didn't lose my consciousness. It's perfectly fine.

But isn't there a chance that the "Isabella" we're talking to isn't actually...

Let's not discuss that metaphysical dilemma right now.

I didn't really lose any memories.

Just in case, let me ask you a question. Do you remember my name?

It's Cloud.

Hehe! Your memory is fine.

...Stop messing around and hit enter already.

Your search criteria have been set.

One result matching your criteria was found.

Got it. This is probably... No, it's definitely applicable to our current situation.

But this is...

Is there a problem?

File Title: Consciousness Transfer Research Author of record... Code.

The same Code who ordered Ada to invade Belana...?

Right. You have a good memory. She's Ada's older sister and the leader of KrypTiiK.

I think we've struck gold.

Rue, can we view this?

Code is a genius and the mother of all androids. No android can breach her security protocols.

Except me, Rue, the forsaken, wayward child she cast aside. Here, check it out!

Yes, yes, you're amazing.

Let's see... Wait, this is...

Experimental transfer of human consciousness into robots... Bingo.

It's exactly like the situation you're in, Isabella.

I don't know if it'll have any information that'll help me return to my body, but it can't hurt to look.

Rue, can you send this information to my lab?

Since you're a tin can like me right now, Isabella, I can also send it directly into your head.

No thank you. Downloading data to my head feels wrong.

Even as a tin can, you're still stubborn and insufferable as ever.

Hush. Anyway, I'm counting on you.

Input complete. Proceeding to the next step.

Uh... Where did Chloe go?

Chloe, Chloe...

Hm... Should I go look for her?

Let's go look for her together once I'm back in my proper body.

What? She's not here?

I think she went out somewhere, but first things first, did you finish the prosthetic arms?

I'm done, so I came to install them for her... But hold up, what do you mean, once you're back in your body?

Did you really find a way to go back?

I found a lead. I'm going to start seriously looking into it now.

Aww... I wanted to wire your body with explosives, detonate it, and get your thoughts on it.

If you ever really did something like that, I'd take you with me. Consider yourself warned.

Now, shall we see what's in the data Rue sent us?

Code's Consciousness Transfer Research... Knowing her, her methods were probably impeccable.

Your trust in Code hasn't changed.

I left KrypTiiK, but I've never doubted Code's abilities.

This Code person... She must be really amazing.

She is. Or, she was. It's been a long time.

...Back in the day, Code was worthy of the trust we put in her.

But now, I don't really know. When the dimension of Nirvan began to crumble under the Void... Code changed a lot.

While our ark was wandering the Void, Code went without food, water... her every waking moment was devoted to studying the Void.

It was as if... the Void had driven her mad.

Feeling nostalgic for your days working under Code?

Though, I do suppose you were a bit more... Tsk, how can I put this... enthusiastic, back then?

During Nirvan's final days, Code was definitely trying to save people. She was worthy of the respect I gave her.

Now, look at this. Aren't these research records proof of that?

...What does it say?

With the Void corruption spreading, finding a way to minimize the casualties it causes has become a more pressing priority than fighting it.

Therefore, I began research into transferring the consciousness of people that would otherwise be lost to corruption into machines, using warp technology as a foundation.

It may not be a true solution to hide within cold metal shells while turning away from the root of the problem.

Yet, we must believe that someday, when the Void is driven back, and Nirvan becomes a hospitable home to humanity once again, we will all be able to return to our warm, living bodies.

And in Code's files... there are detailed instructions on how to return the consciousness back to a body.

Just going by this, it sounds like Code is basically the savior of your world.

I don't understand how the same person who conducted this research is the person who wants to invade this world, but...

At the very least, the Code I knew was a good person, and the research records that she left behind here are proof of that.

I wonder why she changed all of a sudden.

That's up to us to uncover.

Alright, let's get ready to send me back to my original body. You will help, right?

I mean, sure, if there's anything I can do...

M.A.D. and I will set everything up. All you need to do is press the button.

Tch. Sooo annoying...

I'd do it myself, but I don't have hands!

Press the button exactly on three. You can't be off by even a millisecond, alright?

I'm getting a little nervous.

Should I take over?

No way. I would sooner ask the cat!

Meow.

It says it can do it.

I'm joking! There's no need for that.

Nya...

Oh, you hurt its feelings.

Anyway, shall we get started? Like I said before, it's on three!

One... two... three!

Take a deep breath. Let's start over.

How much longer? There isn't a problem, right?

Nice. Everything seems properly connected. Now all I need to do is connect the circuitry to my body.

Isabella, are you okay?!

Did it fail...? She was a nice kid. Shame.

I'll give you an explosive funeral. Your life ended quietly, but your final moments will be magnificent!

I'm not dead... yet...

Phew... Ugh, everything hurts.

I'm just glad you're back in your body!

Alright... Should we go look for Chloe now?

Huh. Maybe it's because of the near-death experience, but you're surprisingly enthusiastic.

I feel like looking at Code's research logs made something clear. I know what I need to do now.

I need to figure out what present-day Code is thinking.

And to do that... I need to meet Code for myself and ask.

After all... it takes a genius intellect to understand a genius intellect.

M.A.D., the prosthetics?

I just threw whatever together to resemble a human arm.

They'd be perfect if they exploded with every punch!

Please! Please let me tinker just a little bit longer! Please!

No! They're fine! Give them here!

Man... I don't even want to put my name on this, so... do whatever you want.

You say that, but... as expected, this is a masterpiece.

Whatever, anyway, this means my debt is paid.

I have places to be and things to blow up, so, bye! See you never.

Yeah, thanks. M.A.D.

Oh... It's you guys.

Chloe, look at these.

They're... prosthetic arms?

You guys got these... for me? Wow... Thank you.

How much longer are you going to be down? This isn't like you.

Isabella...! Hehe, you're back in your body. That's a relief.

But I, I... don't want to fight anymore.

Right, if you hadn't fought... this wouldn't have happened.

You wouldn't have faced Ada, and you wouldn't have lost your arms.

But if we look away, someone else will end up sacrificed.

It's not that I don't understand how you feel, but we've already come this far.

Ada and Code...

If not us, there's no one who can tell them to stop this craziness.

Isabella...

I wasn't interested in what Code was deliberating or how she was going to save us.

I trusted Code unquestioningly, that anything was possible for her, and I was betrayed.

Only now do I understand your words, actions... and your heart, Chloe.

And... it's not all over yet, right?

Because, if not for us, they're alone.

Thank you... Isabella.

And, I'm sorry... Cloud and Verna.

I will save your world. No matter what.

Alright then, is it time for me to dust off my skills?

Whoa! They can really move. Like, pow! Hehe!

How do you feel? Everything okay?

Uh-huh. I'm ready to get right back into action.

Hey everyone... Thanks again.

How are they? Do they feel awkward?

Hehe, no way! They work even better than my original arms.

I don't know who made these, but they feel fierce.

First off, let's confirm our goal, shall we?

We're stopping Ortus's invasion of Belana.

Right. The key to their attack plan is...

This Hyper Portal right here.

It's their means of transporting large numbers of troops over long distances.

If we take it out first, we can buy at least a bit more time.

So... we just march in and destroy it, right?

Not quite. Approaching it recklessly would be far too dangerous.

The Hyper Portal is connected to the fabric of reality.

However, pull too hard and it unravels like an old sweater...

Turning everything into loose thread in the endless Void.

That means we can't just force a shutdown... Do I have that right?

Gold star for you. That's exactly right.

We want it to work... but we don't want it to work properly.

And that's why I made us something.

This Return Box.

Return Box?

Uh-huh. It's nothing fancy. It just hacks the portal's internal configuration.

It resets the starting location and destination to the same coordinates.

The portal will waste a huge amount of power on an infinite loop, and they'll need some time to troubleshoot it and do a full system reboot.

We'll use that time to neutralize Ada, then seize control of the Hyper Portal.

So, we all clear?

Okay now, should we get the delivery mechanism for the Return Box ready?

N4, you're up.

Huh? You're entrusting such an important task to N4?

Our enemies wouldn't suspect an old childcare robot to be carrying such a powerful file.

N4, it's alright to access your onboard memory, right?

--- -.-

If the Hyper Portal was constructed according to my blueprint, then it's definitely running on a closed network.

We can only make modifications to its programming from on-site, but we won't have time for that.

That's why I'm going to set it up so that once N4 connects to the Hyper Portal, the package will be installed automatically.

.. -.-. .- -. -.. --- .. -

Ah... You're saying you can do it, right? Okay. I trust you.

Oh! Isabella...? Do you speak robot?

I'm just reading the vibes.

N4, you stick right behind us! We'll make sure you don't get even a single scratch!

Alright, everything is all ready now.

We have the keycard I pocketed during all that chaos in the core lab, so let's move quickly.

That's Isabella for you! Haha, wow! This is gonna be a breeze!

I wouldn't go that far. As soon as they realize we're using this card, they'll retract its clearance.

We need to make as much progress as possible before that happens. Let's hurry.