Generator

Who's... Oh... It's you, Cutey.

Please come... in?

Eh, a new place.

Servant, what is this place?

!!

These electrical wave signals are dangerous.

They're definitely Minus energy.

Ah, are you that famous serial killer?

What is that?

What do you mean serial killer?

I've never heard someone call me that before.

I have never killed anything else other than Raptures.

Stop lying!

My cuties are nervous as hell!

Your cuties?

Do you mean these machines?

No touching!

What are you doing?

Are you trying to murder them right under my nose?

All right.

By "serial killer" you mean,

the Minus hand on this body?

Now that you get it, put your hand down!

Not unless you apologize for insulting me.

What if I refuse?

Who knows?

I don't like being rude.

But I can meet your rudeness with the rudeness of my own, right?

...

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so rude to someone I just met. Please forgive me.

I would also like to apologize for threatening your cuties.

Say, your hands...

My amazement grows just glancing at them.

How can a Nikke emit such amazing electrical waves?

Do you mean coming from my body?

Yes, specifically from your hand.

Oh.

I've never been asked that before.

Well, it's probably normal not knowing why. I'm just way more sensitive than most others.

Eh... I just have to say, you are as amazing as Cutey.

I hope,

someday I can study and experiment with you.

If you ask me,

you seem really amazing yet frank at the same time.

It's my personality, so just try to go with it.

Haha, really? That's your personality?

Anyway, I can't lend you my hand just yet.

I still have to use it.

Don't worry about it. I have to test something else first.

You are still so far from being experimented on.

Right, Cutey?

But, can you help me with the tests?

The test will be like using a weapon that can withstand hits from your hand.

Or a glove that can block the electrical waves you emit.

That would be fun.

I am willing to help if that's the case.

I rarely come to the Outpost though.

But if you message me,

I will try to meet with you wherever I am.

All right, I'll let you know if I already have something in mind.

Take this!

Missed me.

Evade disruption!

I evade your evade disruption.

Would you two grow up? You'd hardly know you're adults by looking at you.

It's a new fighting game called... what was it again?

Operation Hero vs. Villain!

Yes, that's it. They're already on their 51st battle.

They always end up tying.

All right, it's time to decide the winner once and for all!

Take this! My special move...

...Power outage!

Power outage?!

You've got some nerve copying my move!

I don't think that's it...

I think the generator is malfunctioning.

First things first, we've got to turn on the emergency power.

I already know how it happened.

Power to the control room has been restored.

As for the cause of the power outage, let's see...

One of the consoles for the reactor is down.

If we don't do something, we're in big trouble.

Yes. There's no water supply, so hydroelectric power isn't an option.

The air is polluted, so thermal power is a no-go as well.

There isn't any wind or sunlight in this basement, either.

How on earth are we going to get energy?

You morons! That's not important right now!

Right! The heroic thing to do is fix the generator!

Isn't it obvious?

The heroic thing to do is fix the generator!

...

...

Great minds think alike, eh Drake?

... No.

If you're going to fix the console, then I'm doing precisely the opposite.

Of course not!

What I mean is I'll go about fixing it in a different way.

It's on now, Laplace.

You and me, we'll see who comes out on top.

The final Villain vs. Hero battle. Let's settle this once and for all!

...

Power sprint!

...

Hahaha! No problem, I know plenty of shortcuts.

Seems they're both willing to play dirty.

It's already been 30 minutes since they left.

Why is the power still out?

That's no use.

Both of them left their phones here.

Sending a drone to locate them would work better.

You read my mind.

Cutey-pie,

I've got Laplace on-screen.

Hero Charge!

Perfect, the reactor is straight ahead!

All I have to do is toss myself into that molten hot plasma.

I'll have the reactor repaired in no time.

...

Of course not, she's being a complete fool.

Drake is our only hope now.

*Huff huff*

Why is this taking so long?

Aren't vents usually a great shortcut in the movies?

I was hoping it would at least let me spring a surprise attack...

Either way, I should get there faster than Laplace.

Ha- Hahaha! Ha- haha...

Gasp. Cough...

Drake is heading in the wrong direction.

She's moving away from the power plant.

That vent she's in ends with a sheer cliff.

... Oh well.

I guess we'll have to use the drones for the repairs.

Of course.

They both ran off before I had time to explain.

Well...

I suppose they did run off before I could explain but...

Also, I just want them to settle this ridiculous rivalry between themselves.

I'm dying for some peace and quiet around here.

Hero Charge!

The power's back on?

...Argh.

Hehe...

So you managed to do it, eh Drake?

*Wheeze*

Does this vent ever end...

This can't be. Did Laplace...!?

I can't believe it! How can I lose someone like her?!

...

Wait, how do I get back?

Invasion succ...

What is that?

What brings you here? Is something wrong?

You mean the Nikkes from Matis?

So they're not here today? Nice.

Oh, it's nothing special.

We received a job offer from this Nikke who's well-off.

Something to do with electricity.

Yeah, that's right.

The client wants us to take some of the surplus electricity from the power plant and reroute it to the Ark, or something like that.

Well, that's the thing.

Laplace is such a Mary Sue,

and what we're about to do is... how shall I put it...

We're "borrowing" surplus power and rerouting it to places that need it more.

Good. Very good.

That's right. So, can we go now?

... Huh.

The client asked us to switch the pipelines,

but look at how many there are! How the heck are we supposed to know which ones to reroute?

Don't know. Pick one.

...

All right, here goes nothing.

...

...

All good?

No dice.

Try different one.

I know, don't rush me!

...

Wrong one again!

Another!

...

Wrong one. Do again.

It's pitch black in here, how do you expect me to connect them?

Give up?

...

No, no... Let's try this again.

...

I know I screwed up. You don't have to rub it in.

This is a task meant for someone with a bit more finesse.

We should be off on the front line going toe-to-toe with the enemy.

Frima, you're the leader, shouldn't you be saying something?

...

... Cool.

Cut her off there!

Got it!

Don't touch her!

Throw a rock!

Are you sure?

Yes, so that she doesn't go that way!

If she goes that way, the entire generator might short-circuit.

But still, I don't wanna hurt it...

Oh, Cutey! It's good you're here. You can help us.

She's running around with all these loose electrical wires strewn about. It's dangerous.

We've been trying to coax her out, but she keeps burrowing herself in deeper.

Treats aren't working, and neither has yelling.

The longer she stays there, the more danger she's in. If there's an electrical discharge, that'll be all she wrote.

Do you have any other suggestions as to how we can get her out?

I feel like you might know.

Jackal.

It's Jackal.

Hehe! Hehehehe!

Just look at all these obstacles! This is amazing!

Huh? What's this wire? Can I bite it?

Hey, no! Get away, get away!

Be a good girl, now. Come here.

Hehe! Hehehehe!

!!

Commander!

Coming!

When did you get here? Are you here to play with me?

...

...

If you are, come and run around with me.

Hehe! Hold my hand!

Very impressive, Cutey.

In more ways than one.

Yeah. There. Hold it tight.

I'll give you a signal after splicing these wires together, and then you plug them in as hard as you can.

Be careful of high voltage.

Hmm... Keep your eyes on them?

Ah, don't worry. If anything goes wrong, we won't die.

At least I won't.

All right, I'm splicing them together now. One, two...

*Huff huff*

Ah...! They're still chasing me...!

Maxwell! Help me hide!

No. Out.

What?

I don't know what's going on, but get out. We're working on something important right now.

How can you be so heartless? Someone's after me!

Probably because you caused trouble.

True.

Just get out already! We're busy!

Sorry!

Did Drake come here by any chance?

...!!

Drake recorded over the police siren with the sound of her laughing, so we're trying to find her.

We rode out without realizing she'd changed it and someone filed a complaint...! Apparently, the sound was too frightening...!

... I see.

I thought I saw her come this way. You didn't see her?

The girl you're talking to is Drake.

Ahah! Gotcha!

Ah! Oh no!

Drake! I'm here to take you down to the police station.

No!

Why?

You don't have air conditioning there. It's hot.

We do. I'll turn it on for you.

Is it a central air-conditioning?

It's a wall-mounted one.

Then no!

... Just cuff her up and drag her out.

... Well,

excuse me then!

Dang... What do I do...?

What? Let go! Get your hands off that...!

Arrgghh!

Argh! Don't touch the wire! I'm repairing it!

I'll save you!!

Villain! Rescue!!

No! Don't touch...!!

Arrgghh!

You idiot! Why would you touch her with your bare hand?

What!? No, stop...!

Arrgghhhh!

Arrgghhhh!

...

If I just leave you like that, will it finally knock some sense into you?

There you are, Cutey.

Hey, Tove.

Hello, Maxwell.

Wow... this must be the central control room of the Generator.

That's right.

But... is it even possible?

That killer of devices...

Are you intending to make a machine that can withstand Ludmilla's touch?

Yeah, it may take some time,

but I'll succeed one of these days.

I admire your determination.

Thanks. May I have a look around?

Be my guest.

Thanks!

I have to say, this isn't at all what I expected the Generator to look like.

Interesting...

So this is how the wires are interconnected...

Hmm... I must learn this technique.

What's going on here, Cutey?

She seems abnormally intrigued by mechanics.

Ah, that explains it. She certainly has the temperament for it.

You see how her eyes sparkle?

That shows me that she has an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

That's not something you see very often.

Indeed I am.

That's an expression you'd never see on any of those dunderheads from my squad.

Hero, coming in hot!

Hyyyahhh!

What are you all doing sneaking around here?

Apparently, even fools love a bit of attention.

Say their name, and they come running.

Anyway, feel free to look around.

As for you two, beat it!

Hey, what's the big idea? What're you getting rid of me for?

This is awfully suspicious!

Very suspicious indeed!

What are you all looking at? I wanna see it too.

Would you please keep it down?!

Yes!

It's going well.

Thanks for asking.

Thanks to you, I've been able to probe around unimpeded.

I think I'll have a machine that can withstand Ludmilla's touch soon enough!

That'll give everyone something to cheer about,

and it'll make our squad stronger.

Not to mention that my position in Unlimited will be well and truly consolidated.

Just imagine,

I may end up going from a newcomer, to someone indispensable!

The other members will all say,

"We can't possibly imagine Unlimited without Tove."

Oh boy, what should I say to them then?

N-no!

I just went off on a small tangent, that's all.

It's nice daydreaming for a little while.

At any rate, I've got to keep at it.

I've got to get this machine made!

Failure is not an option.

Thanks, Survivalist.

Hahaha! All right, I'll get straight to the basics,

so concentrate!

O-okay...

Well, if it isn't Birdie!

What brings you here?

Ah, I see.

Um...

Elegg and Maxwell went to check on the generator,

so I had to wait here with Laplace.

And that's how I came to find out

that Trony idolizes heroes like me!

That's not what I said.

I said I like the Ark Rangers.

It was then and there

that I decided to make Trony a hero!

But I'm not interested in becoming a hero...

Haha! First lesson!

A hero is never meek with their words!

Er...

... Sure?

I will go through the basics,

so listen attentively. Hahaha!

... Okay.

The second thing you need to remember is that

a hero must be ready to act at any time,

and always keep a cool head!

Let me demonstrate!

Heroic dispatch!

...

That...

was the coolest thing I've ever seen! A true hero!

Heroic return!

All right,

your turn now,

Trony!

Okay!

Bang? Shouldn't it be a crash?

Ouch...

...

Ugh... that hurts...

Hello! I came here because I saw your flyer.

Is it true that as long as I give you a bottle cap, I can listen to the escape lecture?

You bet!

Not a bad deal, wouldn't you say? Hehe.

It sure is!

But... I don't think I've seen you before.

Are you really as famous in this field as you say you are?

Instructor! You said you'd come here and vouch for me. How can you say that?

Ahem. Anyway, while it's a bit embarrassing to say this myself,

people call me the prison brea...

Er... I mean, Escape Queen.

Did I hear you say "prison"?

Uh... Ignore that. I misspoke.

Since I'm a master escape artist, it'd stand to reason that I'd probably be good at prison breaks too, right?

That's all I meant.

After all, just take a look at my outfit.

If you want to excel at escaping, you've got to wear tight-fitting clothes.

Ah, I see!

I wonder what kind of person could actually break out of that Rehabilitation Center?

That place really gives me the willies.

Huh? What was that?

So,

you want to learn about indoor escape techniques?

Yes, that's right.

I'm a survival expert myself, so I have some escape-related experience in the sense of fleeing from danger.

I haven't done much of it indoors, though.

I see.

May I ask why you had us meet here?

I don't see what generators have to do with escaping.

Oh, you don't?

I beg to differ.

Do you see this upper part here?

I see a lot of vents.

That's right.

Those vents are meant to expel the heat generated from this contraption.

So, are we going to...?

Hehe, that's right.

The classic way to escape from a sealed room is through a vent that leads outside.

You're confident, right? You did say you were a pro.

Yes, I am!

I've got survival techniques down pat for tight, confined spaces like this!

All right then, I might not have to hold your hand after all.

Hehe, you're in for a treat!

All right then, let's practice.

You see that second vent from the left?

Yeah. It looks really narrow.

I came in here through that vent.

Well then, before I teach you anything, how about you show me your skills first?

Okay.

First of all, to navigate through a narrow passage, it's super important to keep your mind in check.

Since there's limited oxygen in constricted spaces,

even Nikkes can end up feeling claustrophobic and panicked if they're not careful.

Very impressive. Your theoretical knowledge is sound.

Whew...

Therefore, you need to calm yourself by using deep breaths, like so.

You crouch down to make yourself as small as possible, and then...

Head in!

Huh?

I heard that's all you had to do...

Well, what are you waiting for? Go in.

Er... I can't. The opening seems a bit too narrow.

Hehe, let me show you how it's done.

Watch carefully.

When you need to enter a narrow opening like this...

Wheeew...

!!

Just let all the air out of your body for a moment, and you'll slip right through the opening. Once you're inside, you'll see it's actually more spacious than you'd expect!

Pretty easy, huh? Hehe.

Wow...

I'll give it a try.

Wheeew...

Wow!

I did it!

See what I mean?

Hehe, this teaching thing is pretty fun. Especially when you've got such receptive students.

Okie dokie.

Wow, you've really come a long way!

Hehe, it's all thanks to you!

I feel so proud! Is this what it's like to be a teacher?

!!

Someone's coming.

All right, survival expert! Ready for the real deal?

This time, we're heading outside the building.

All right!

I'll be right back, Survivalist!

I'll be timing you, so let's go as fast as we can.

All right!

Ahhhh.

I do love a good, filling lunch.

Huh? Cutey?

What are you doing here all by yourself?

Oh? That's a first.

What is it? Ask away.

Is this where

everyone gathers to exercise?

I see.

Let's see... who's here...

*Gasp*!

Wh-who's there?!

Huh?

Mr. Commander?

And... is that you, Ms. Rumani?

Howdy! What are you two doing here?

!!!

Is there something that needs fixing,

or have you developed an interest in the world of BOOM too, Ms. Rumani?

That's not it.

I'm sure working in a place like this can make your muscles stiff,

so I came to help.

Let's get you working up a sweat to loosen up your body!

Huh?

That's not true at all!

Our work may look pretty sedentary,

but we actually move around quite a bit.

Really?

Show me.

Come again?

Show me how you move around.

If everything checks out, I'll head back and won't bother you anymore.

*Gulp*

M-Ms. Trony! Where are you hiding?

...

We were supposed to be a team! Ride or die! How could you betray me like this?

Fine.

Time to bust out the big guns.

Help me out, would you, Mr. Commander?

Yeah, I can't beat this by myself.

This here is called...

BOOM VR that comes with full body tracking!

Run, Mr. Commander! You don't want to die, do you?

What is this?

An exercise method using a game?

*Huff huff*

Those steps you're taking... it seems like you're dodging enemy attacks?

There's a variety of movements that keep you on your toes and engage your lower core muscles.

Ha! Hyahhhh!

Switching between attacking enemies and running is a wonderful balance between anaerobic and aerobic exercise.

I never thought it'd be possible to achieve all of this with a game.

Phew... That's stage 1 cleared.

What do... you think, Ms. Rumani?

Sati... satisfied? Phew...

Yeah, that was more than I expected.

And you do this daily?

!

You bet I do!

I can't go a day without BOOM!

Very well then, you're a pass in my book.

By the way, would you be interested in sharing that VR game you just played?

If possible, I would like to use it in our gym.

!!!

We can make that happen 100%! I'd love to outfit your gym with BOOM!

Thanks.

Now, next up we have...

Trony?

Eek!

I know you're trying to hide, but I can still see you.

Why don't you come out now?

Uh...

I-I'm not feeling well today.

Could we maybe talk next time? Say... a year from now?

You don't feel well?

It's because of all the accumulated wear and tear on your body. Regular exercise can help you avoid that.

Plus,

spending most of your time on that table doesn't help either.

It's not what you think...

Come on, Trony.

If you don't have anything urgent going on today, I'll train you.

!

Er... I-I have a lot of important things to do today!

It's okay, Ms. Trony.

I'll hold down the fort. You can go ahead.

Wha...?! Elegg... why?

Don't think I've forgotten

how you scurried off and left me to fend for myself.

W-wait!

Gaaaaah!

Firepower! Firepower!

Oooh! Neon, the gauge is responding!

Just give it a little more power!

Master? When did you get here?

Commander! What brings you here?

The power's out in the Commander's Room too?

Looks like the power's out in more than a few places.

Looks like there are power outages occurring all throughout the Outpost.

There's been some complaints about them, which is why I'm here.

Neither of them was around, so Neon and I are working on repairing the generator ourselves.

Too many Nikkes are being affected by this! We can't just sit around and wait!

That's exactly why we've got to restore the power as quickly as possible!

Besides, pre-orders for the limited-edition shell casings are about to drop.

This one's the rarest of the rare! I can't afford to miss it!

Turns out the generator's output is below threshold.

So I've been supplementing it with some firepower.

Firepower! Firepower!

Hmm... there's still not enough firepower.

Here, let me help you press the button too.

Whew! Repairs complete!

The generator output is back within normal range.

The power should be back on now.

Hehe.

Master.

Behold the skill of Neo-Neon, firepower is the only path I walk!

Uh... Neon?

I just received a message from Quiry. She says the power is still down!

How's that possible?!

I unleashed maximum firepower into that thing...

What could the problem be?

You know in crime movies, when something like this happens...

Someone just replaces a fuse and things magically get fixed!

Shall we give that a try?

Oooh! Let's try it!

Okay, I'll remove the fuse!

Sounds good! I'll go get a new one!

It looks like the power isn't coming back on because of all the dust built up inside the generator!

Then let's blow all the dust away with firepower!

I'll help out too!

*Huff! Huff!*

*Huff!*

*Cough, cough* There's... too... *Cough* much dust...

Come on... *Cough, cough* Just a little more! *Cough*

... The wires around the generator are all jumbled up.

That has to be it.

If the wires are tangled, there's no way my firepower can flow properly!

Let's tackle it with firepower and all our might!

I'll pitch in as well!

Argh! Static! Argh! It's zapping me!

Owww! If we want to fix the generator... owww! We've got to grit our teeth and push through! Owww!!

The generator is responding!

Ohhh... finally!

... Huh?

I think something went wrong, Miranda.

Yeah, I think so too.

What do we do now, Master?

Nobody move!

Eeek!

Ahhh!

Well, this certainly explains why the power wasn't coming back on!

Did you three do this?

... Yeah.

Yup! It was us!

Oh dear...

By the look of this generator... it doesn't seem like a simple malfunction.

It's probably going to take quite a while to fix.

I'm putting the three of you under arrest!

Come on, we're heading to the station!

The police station?!

But we were just trying to fix the generator!

That's right! Neon and I have really been working hard to resolve this inconvenience for all the Nikkes and...

Grrr... What are you babbling about?!

Thanks to you guys, the Outpost is losing even more power!

To the police station, on the double!

Poli, as you can clearly see, I'm powered up right now.

If I push just a little more, my Neo-Neon power will Neo-Neon this thing back into shape.

Not happening! All of you, come along quietly, or else I'll have to use force.

Don't try to wash your hands of this, Commander. You stood by this entire time without stopping them.