HIGHTECH TOY

Controversy has been brewing recently due to a rash of mass-produced Nikke disappearances up on the surface.

Considering how costly these Nikkes are to manufacture, it can be expected that these disappearances will put a serious dent in the Big Three's profit margins.

This is especially applicable for Missilis, who manufactured a high proportion of the mass-produced Nikkes who have gone AWOL.

Experts speculate that Missilis may receive the lowest evaluation in the company's history this quarter.

Ouch.

Ingrid, the CEO of Elysion, had some choice words for Missilis,

saying, "This is what they get for forgoing any proper battle training."

Wow, even Ingrid is chiming in on this.

Syuen must be about to bust a gasket.

Don't act smart!

??

No matter how much special treatment you get, you're still just scrap metal to Syuen.

Absolutely not, I'm a hero! You should become a hero as well!

This is the path all Nikkes must take!

Screw that, being a villain is way more fun. You should become a villain.

What are you two blathering on about?

Here they go again...

Matis!

There's no need to shout.

Report to the surface immediately.

Right now?

Go and find those missing Nikkes.

Thanks to those no-good junk heaps, we've had our worst quarter yet.

We've got Ingrid mouthing off about army drills or whatever it was, acting smart when she doesn't know the first thing about manufacturing Nikkes.

We can't have people besmirching our good name like this! Take care of this at once!

Sigh... I figured this is what would happen.

Time to fly, baby!

Have no fear, Syuen, the ultimate superhero team is here!

We will find those missing Nikkes, no matter how far or numerous they are.

Hero, out!

Many of the mass-produced Nikkes that have been sent up the surface have gone missing.

As of now, we haven't discovered any reasoning as to why this is happening,

but our best guess is that the Black Smith or some other Raptures are behind it.

That was the plan, but Syuen contacted me out of the blue.

She'll be sending Matis out to get to the bottom of these disappearances.

However, as you well know, we cannot send Nikkes up the surface unescorted.

That's right.

You're going up with them.

Go and find out the reason behind these disappearances, and find out if Syuen is hiding anything while you're at it.

The Counters are not to go with you on this mission.

Special request from Syuen.

She wants Missilis to have all the credit.

Birdie, glad to have you join us!

About time you got here, slowpoke.

Now we're blaming elevators? Have you no shame?

!!

I suppose there's not much we can do about that.

Would you two pipe down?

Sorry that you had to be paired up with these loudmouths.

Anyway, you won't have to do much on this mission.

We may not look it, but we're a perfectly capable unit.

No one.

For heroes like us, there's no need for an operator.

Drake is able to detect just about anything.

Damn straight!

Ignore them. There are occasions where we utilize operators.

This time around, Syuen wanted us to solve the problem without any outside help. That's why it's just us.

If it weren't for the Central Government being so adamant about us needing a Commander on the field,

you wouldn't have had to come up here.

Think of it more as her having great faith in us.

In fact, I myself don't think there's any problem with us handling this mission on our own.

She may not look the part, but Drake is a wunderkind when it comes to detection.

Hey! We can do more than that, y'know.

True, but only if there's enough battery power.

...

Drake's abilities use electricity and consume a significant amount of battery power.

On extended missions like this, we have to pay close attention to the battery level.

Everyone got that?

Got it, now let's go!

Time to bring these little birdies back to the nest.

Oh no, you don't! I've got a point!

What did I just say about conserving battery power?!

The distress signal originated from around here.

Hmm...

I can't see anyone.

Finally, my turn!

Let's see...

Huh?!

Did you find anything?

No, I'm not picking up anything.

That's odd. The distress signal isn't showing up, and Drake can't detect anything...

Could they have run off somewhere else? Or...

were they already destroyed?

I found it!

?!!

Where?

My hero senses are telling me,

there are some Nikkes nearby.

Do you see that group of raptures over there?

Yes, I see them.

I'm willing to bet that's where we'll find them. Wherever you find Raptures, Nikkes won't be far off.

...

You're right. You never know...

Let's go!

Time to vanquish the villain and save those in distress!

Your hero has arrived! Sorry to keep you waiting.

...

No one's here.

No, there's someone.

Where?

... So that's why you had a hard time detecting them.

No... Don't... Take...

Whatever it is, she doesn't want us to take it. Let's see...

Ah, it's a brain haven.

A portable freezer that helps preserve the brain of a Nikke that has lost her body.

It's only good for 7 days. After that, the brain is no good.

They're typically handed out to mass-produced Nikkes who have to work on the surface for extended periods.

Either that, or to squads who are conducting search & rescue missions.

Calm down, we're not here for the brain haven. We're here to save you.

Sa... ve... Help...

Yes, I know. We'll see what we can do. Just hang tight.

Are you hurt anywhere else other than your arms and legs?

Your head... hmm... yes, it seems okay.

Yes. I figured this would happen, so I brought some extra parts.

Fortunately, what I brought just happens to be what needs replacing, so I think I can fix her.

If not me, then who else?

Didn't I ever tell you? When I was a human, I was a researcher at Missilis.

I'm positive I've told you before.

Really? I was positive that I'd told you before.

Anyway, that's not important.

It's been a while since I've repaired one of these models.

What are you talking about?

I can do it here.

There's nothing to worry about. Laplace and Drake have got that covered.

That's right!

We've got this place locked down tight, so there's no need to worry.

With a hero as strong as I am, we'll never fail!

It's okay, you're safe with me.

All right, time to get to work.

Not really. You can just sit back and watch, Cutie.

I'll have her fixed up in a jiffy.

Now all I've got to do is connect the battery here...

And we're all done.

Now we just need to wait for her to wake up.

It's nothing really.

This isn't my first rodeo, after all.

That's right.

We're the best of the best, so we get assigned to a lot of operations. You never know what you may end up running into on the surface,

so we often run into situations where we need to repair each other.

Although to be fair, these so-called "repairs" mostly consist of just charging our batteries.

Hahaha! Of course!

Laplace would deny it if you asked her, but we've taken our fair share of bumps.

Our performance hasn't completely surpassed raptures yet.

I'm sure you didn't.

You're opening up to us, cutie-pie.

Syuen would be pleased.

... Ugh.

It looks like she's coming to.

Here...

Sorry, we took so long! We came as soon as we got your distress signal.

Distress signal?

What? How am I... Was I attacked by a Rapture?

I fixed you up. I had accounted for this, and brought some spare parts with me.

You what? But how can a Nikke repair another Nikke?

Wait, are you Matis?

That's right. The heroes are here to save the day!

Finally... after all those distress signals, they actually sent you.

You really can do anything...even repair other Nikkes, hehe...

Aren't you happy that we're here?

I'm just jealous. It would have been good if we could do what you do.

I know you're jealous, but aren't you forgetting something?

!!

You saved my life. I'm incredibly grateful.

Sure, I'll take the greeting well.

...

Now tell me what happened here.

We were on a mission to locate artifacts when all of a sudden, a tyrant-class rapture appeared. Everyone...

Did you not have a radar? Isn't that standard issue for artifact collection teams?

It never showed up on the radar.

By the time we heard a loud thump and turned around, it was too late.

The equipment we're given is always faulty or out-of-date.

If we'd had a proper radar with us...

So the radar is to blame?

May I see it for a moment?

This may be an entry-level model, but it's nothing to sneeze at. Let's see...

This radar is perfectly functional. There's nothing wrong with it.

Then how did that Rapture...

It must be a Rapture that's invisible to radar.

What?! That doesn't make any sense!

You of all people should know that on the surface, things seldom make sense.

That must be why Nikkes from other companies have gone missing as well.

Mass-produced Nikkes are hardly fit to withstand a tyrant-class Rapture attack.

I don't know what happened to the other squad members.

As soon as I secured brains of my squad members, I ran and hid there.

What about the operation?

What do you mean?

Were you not supposed to gather artifacts?

How could I grab those when I was running for my life?!

So, what you're saying is that you abandoned the mission?

It's not that I abandoned...!

Inexcusable! Even a mass-produced Nikke such as yourself should know better than that!

You can't become a hero that way!

What?

If you fail to follow through in your mission, humans will lose trust in Nikkes.

We can't have that.

Nikkes are supposed to be a beacon of hope for humans. That's the entire reason we exist.

All right, then tell me. How do I become a hero?

Do you have the faintest idea what kind of equipment we're issued?

No, you don't. You're Syuen's favorite. You don't care about any of us.

You turn a blind eye to how we're treated.

If we'd been supplied with proper weapons, like the ones you have,

all of us wouldn't have been so easily...

It's only natural that we receive better equipment! We are the strongest heroes, after all!

!!

That's why we can't use the same equipment that ordinary Nikkes do...

Damn you!

Whoa, steady on now.

Why all the animosity? We just saved you.

...

Fine.

If that bum rush was any indication, I'd say you can walk just fine now.

Now that we've determined what happened,

let's head back before the situation gets any worse.

Syuen,

we've located the Nikke you requested for an evac.

Nicely done.

So, why did they disappear?

They were attacked by a tyrant-class Rapture which didn't show up on their radar.

Completely undetectable?

Yes. We believe that's why it took as long as it did to get to the bottom of the disappearances.

You don't say...

All right, then. Capture it as well.

Gah, you scared me!

Yes, you were there as well, weren't you?

You're not busy right now, what do you care if it's right now?

Yes, go now. I want this done in one fell swoop.

I'll do some digging on my end while you're up there. Capture this apparently invisible Rapture, and bring it back to me.

Also... I believe we're the only ones who know about this at the moment.

If we're able to tie this up with a bow before the other companies, we'll be back in the black.

Oka...!

No!

T-this mind haven only has 3 days left on it. We need to go to the Ark first.

What the...

What's a mass-produced bucket of bolts like you chiming in for?

!!

There's no need to be rude. She's the one who sent the distress signal. She managed to keep herself hidden.

It's okay, Syuen. We'll vanquish these evil forces and return safely.

Have no fear, my inferior friend. 3 days will be more than enough.

...

...

Right. I'll contact you as soon as we find something on our end.

Don't disappoint me.

How can you possibly capture that thing in 3 days?

You're sending us all to our doom.

What makes you think we can't do it?

You are with the strongest heroes, after all!

...

Do not worry.

A cowardly villain like that will quiver in fear before the might of Matis.

You only say that because you haven't seen what I've seen.

This Rapture would set fear in the heart of any Nikke, even you.

No.

We are different. We can do it. No, we must be able to handle it!

Because we are heroes!

...

I don't think this is it either.

Plenty of empty space, but no villain in sight.

This isn't good.

Communications are down as well. Perhaps there's a high concentration of Alva particles in this area.

Affirmative.

I've been trying to reach Syuen for a while now, and it's not connecting.

!!

Don't worry Birdie!

When times are tough, the heroes only get tougher.

We'll find this dastardly villain in no time and be back in time for a hero's welcome.

I just thought of something.

What if this Rapture doesn't show up on the radar, but has other stealth skills as well?

!!

I think you might be onto something, Drake.

Everyone keep your eyes peeled.

The way it attacked those Nikkes before certainly didn't seem stealthy to me.

They said they heard a thump and then it showed up right in front of them.

Hmm... good point.

If you don't mind, save the crackpot theories for another time.

We need to focus on what to do next.

Putting all these vermin in the ground really helps take the edge off.

Not sure...

Drake, see if you can detect a tyrant class rapture nearby.

Don't order me around!

Do you want to get out of here or not?

... Fine.

...

No can do, Birdie.

A hero must not turn back without solving anything.

We have to capture this thing before it attacks any more Nikkes!

A hero doesn't give up simply because they've gotten a little turned around.

And neither should you.

...

All that hero talk...what's so special about being a hero...

I found it!

!! Where is it?

West of here. I can sense it. Something sinister.

Sounds like what we're after.

Let's move out!

Are you sure this is the right direction?

I'm positive. We just have to keep walking straight like we are now.

How much further?

That, I'm not sure. Not far.

You said that hours ago!

Because we were close then too!

Hey, how about trying to contact Syuen again?

After all this walking, communications might be back up.

She's right. We've got a signal.

Let's ask for a rescue evac.

Syuen will bend over backwards responding to a distress signal if it's sent by Matis.

Evac?

What is that, a character from a cartoon or something?

Don't be dense.

I'm saying that we don't use things like that, you dunce.

What?

To be more precise, it's not an option.

What do you mean? Any Nikke can send a request for help.

Very true. Everyone except us, that is.

Like you said, we're Matis. The one and only Matis.

How can we send out a distress signal after only being on the surface for a few days?

As a matter of fact, no matter how long we were up here, we wouldn't dream of asking Syuen for help.

It's impossible, unless we encountered a Heretic or something similar.

This isn't the time for pride. If we continue like this...

I said no. We're not going out this way.

I hear what you're saying, but my answer is final.

If you want, you can contact Syuen yourself, but we'll have nothing to do with it.

...

Maxwell!

Enemy incoming!

Can't you and Drake take care of it?

I'm afraid not. A superhero team always works together.

Get off your butt and come help us, you coward!

All right, all right, cool your jets. I'm coming.

As for you, keep an eye on Birdie!

I-I'll keep it safe!

...

Score another one for justice!

That's right. Now that we've done what we set out to accomplish, let's head back. I'm beaten.

Don't talk like that. A true hero never tires.

Just a moment. Is this yours?

!! When did you?!

How could someone like you get the best of me?!

You didn't even realize she's pocketed your phone? You dolt!

I see you still require some additional training...

...

I was wondering what you were fiddling with.

Do you intend on using that to request an emergency evac?

That's right. Unlike you... time is not on my side.

And we have all the time in the world. That's why we didn't call it in. Is that what you really think?

...

If you have so little faith in us, do it.

!!

Call it in.

If you use Blabla, you can send Syuen a message anonymously.

!!

Um, Maxwell... don't I have a say in this?

Well? Too scared to go through with it?

You think I won't do it? I'll show you!

...

Now, do you believe me?

I can't believe it...

Don't act so shocked. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've seen Syuen act like this.

But you're Matis...

And? What's so special about us? You just saw how she treats us.

If we don't complete our mission, she'll have us replaced.

But Syuen always seemed so kind to Matis. She never calls you scrap metal or anything like that.

True. She doesn't call us names. We're her favorites.

But so what? We may be Matis, but that doesn't make us human.

...!!

Don't get it twisted.

No matter how good you are, you're still a Nikke.

We may be top-of-the-line toys, but that's exactly what we are: toys.

Now then, if there aren't any more questions, can we focus our attention elsewhere?

You said you don't have time. If you want to save your friends, we have to hurry.

...

And you, don't drop things.

Don't worry, a hero never makes the same mistake twice.

Matis are just playthings as well?

It can't be... it doesn't make any sense.

!!

What is it?

... It's coming. Get ready.

About time it showed up!

Th-that's right.

That's the one that d-did this to us!

We're all going to die!

Relax.

Things are different this time around. You've got a hero by your side.

!!

The hero always emerges victorious.

We'll protect you.

That is what we heroes do.

A hero...

Anticipate defeat before humans, and don't give up!

That's because Nikkes are born to be a hero among humans!

So, no matter what anyone says, do not think of yourself as someone who cannot become a hero!

You can't do anything with that mindset.

Instead, you'll just end up scared and run away!

As long as I'm here, you don't have to abandon your mission.

You don't have to run away scared of villains!

You can become a hero who protects humans and fights against villains!

I will protect you.

I will save the lives of your comrades.

I will definitely!

I will defeat that villain who has terrorized you!

That's why I stand before you as the strongest hero!

So, never show weakness in front of a human.

You can see Birdie is standing strong.

Wha...

Don't be scared, Birdie. I'm here to protect you.

That's the spirit!

!!

... Sorry.

Heroes, charge!

Let us vanquish this dastardly villain who has tormented so many innocents!

Encounter!

It's running away!

Let's follow it!

You're going to follow that?

Don't!

There are only two days left. We need to go back!

If you run after it, we'll never make it back in time.

They'll die I tell you! There's no time!

I'm begging you. Please... Save my friends.

Don't worry. You're not coming with us.

What...?

Drake. Maxwell. Take her and Birdie back to the Ark.

I'm going after that thing myself.

!!

Okay.

Who are you bossing around? I was going back to the Ark regardless.

It'll be all right, Birdie. A hero like me will be able to catch that thing in no time.

Hero attack!

There's no time. We have to go.

We need to get back to the Ark.

She may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she can fend for herself. She'll catch up with us shortly.

Yeah! She's the dullest tool there is! She's way worse than me.

She'll be fine.

You hear that? We are both certain, so let's go.

If we don't get a move on, her friends might end up dying.

...

... Is she going to be okay?

That's what I thought...

It'll be okay...I know it will...

She said she's the strongest hero...

!!

That explosion...

Slow down.

How can we go back now? The elevator is right in front of us.

...

*Sigh* I knew this would happen.

Let me ask you a question.

What do you think Laplace is?

Right. I knew you would think like that.

You know that, and you're still acting like this?

A commander should be able to set their emotions aside.

We are Nikkes.

We're instruments used by Syuen to obtain results.

We were made to complete our missions. It is our duty to fulfill that obligation.

It's what we were created to do.

Nikkes are different from humans.

A machine is made for an express purpose. If it can't fulfill that purpose, it's either destroyed or replaced.

We're no different.

If you're born to be a hero, then it's a hero you must be.

Laplace needs to beat that Raptures and return on her own.

It is what she was built to do. It's the way it is.

Isn't that right, Laplace?

Coming in hot!

You're late. Are you low on battery?

Almost completely depleted.

Took you long enough. A snail could have gotten the job done sooner.

You beat that thing all by yourself?

Didn't I tell you? I will defeat that villain who has tormented you!

I always keep my promises!

Because that's what the strongest hero does!

...

Please, it was nothing.

Let's hurry back.

I can't wait to tell everyone how we beat the villain!

Missilis has destroyed the Rapture which caused the disappearance of numerous mass-produced Nikkes and proceeded to have the finest quarter in its history.

We take you now to an interview with Missilis's CEO Syuen, and the Matis Squad.

[Testing, testing... Can you hear me?]

I'm happy to report that the tyrant-class Rapture responsible for the disappearance of countless mass-produced Nikkes has been captured,

[and it's all thanks to Matis.]

[I feel it is worth mentioning that the other two company's mass-produced Nikke budget has been slashed significantly in light of all this.]

[Here at Missilis, we don't need army training. We have Matis!]

[Laplace, say a few words.]

[Citizens of the Ark, do not fear. Going forward, Matis will be your knight in shining armor. We, the true heroes, will protect you.]

[You all got that?]

[I, Syuen, the CEO of Missilis,]

[made Matis what it is today, and don't you forget it!]

Wow, I've never seen Syuen so happy. She's beaming from ear to ear.

At least she's not so ornery for once.

Bah, I didn't speak loudly enough.

Yeah, I can barely hear you.

Next time I'll shout it from the rooftops!

Yeah, so the whole world can hear you!

Don't you two start again. Go and play outside.

Maxwell! How many times have I told you? Heroes don't play outside.

Hey...

??

It's you!

How are you?

I'm doing just fine.

You see... I came here to... erm...

Thanks to you, I was able to save all of my squadmates. So...

Thank you. Really.

No need to thank me. It's all in a day's work as a hero.

I'd say it's a small matter!

A small matter...?

So you should hurry and be a hero too!

*Sigh* I come and try to be grateful...

So annoying.

??

What's eating her? Does she not want to be a hero?

Don't waste your time. You couldn't understand even if you tried.

I have an assignment for you.

Sounds good to me. So long as I get to do something heroic.

You did well out there, Birdie.

Catch you on the flip side! Hero, out!

I told you to open the window before jumping out!

Now I've got to call the repair shop again...

I can't let her best me! I'm going too!

I feel a headache coming on...

We really put you through the wringer this time, Cutey.

Are you heading back to the Outpost?

What is it?

That's right.

Haha! I was wondering what you were acting so seriously for.

I assume this has to do with what I said before?

To be honest, I'm not so sure myself.

How should I know what goes on in the minds of those idiots?

From what I know, Matis... I mean, Drake and Laplace...

They volunteered because they wanted to serve Syuen. They wanted to be her instrument.

You'll have to ask them for the details.

I don't know. How can I know what the human Maxwell thought?

That part of me is dead. I'm a Nikke now, aren't I?

Whether our being heroic was something we decided ourselves,

or something that was thrust upon is something only you can decide.

You tell me. After working with us,

are we tools used by Syuen?

Or are we heroes?