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Armored Gensokyo 38

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Chapter 38: Prepare for War
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“So, how's the new arm working out?”

The head of Nineball Seraph came around, Hustler One's yellow gaze sharpening with interest as he found the red and blue figure of Kanako Yasaka striding in along the catwalks. Dipping his head in acknowledgment, he gave a shrug, both shoulders giving a faint, creaking groan in answer.

“...well, at least you can move them a lot more easily now.” Kanako sighed. “The good news is, the kappa had a breakthrough. I think we've finally managed to work out how to restore your old armor plating.”

Surprised, Hustler leaned down to bring his optics level with her. One of the greatest problems they'd had with his restoration was that some of the raw materials needed to produce his parts simply didn't exist here in Gensokyo. Sure, there was the stuff they'd used to build the so-called Hisoutensoku, but due to some of the inherent properties being different, his system hadn't been able to accept the replacements. In a way, he supposed, it was likely not too different from the idea of an organic body 'rejecting' incompatible tissue. Certainly, he overrode the built in protocols where he felt he could stand to risk it, but in others, he had no choice but to turn down the new parts.

If what Kanako said was true, however...

The war goddess spread out a sheet covered in hasty scribbles on the desk mounted on the catwalk railings. Often used as a convenient place for her to converse with the Master of the Arena over the latest set of plans or anything else that would be part of his reconstruction, the two of them had discovered a surprising rapport between themselves. What Kanako lacked in the knowledge of his world's sciences and engineering, she made up for with a wealth of experience, and a sharp mind, easily understanding many of the concepts and theories the AI had proposed. In turn, Kanako herself had found someone she could honestly swap tales of old, great battles and daring strategies with. A good listener, and with an AI's attention to detail, during the brief moments when her responsibilities as head of the Moriya Temple, and leader of the reconstruction project, did not call on her, Hustler One found himself, surprisingly, enjoying her company. He had not possessed any peers of his own, back on his homeworld, so the experience of being able to speak to another seasoned campaigner such as Kanako was a most novel sensation.

The fact that in some ways she reminded him of a less...caustic version of Lana was a welcome bonus.

Leaning forward, he spiked down a particularly unruly corner of the paper with one precisely aimed fingertip, and nodded to her to continue. With a resigned look at the now dented side of the table, marvelling inwardly at the dexterity of such a massive machine, Kanako cleared her throat.

“As you know, we salvaged as much of your wreckage as possible from the crash site.” She began. “Now, even with what we were able to recover, there was still far too much of your original frame that we couldn't recover.”

With a skeptical look at his missing left arm, no doubt still somewhere back in the ruins of Isaac City, shortly followed by his severe crash...Hustler had to agree. It had been one of the biggest problems involved with replacing his damaged and broken sections, after all.

“That on it's own was enough of a headache, but then you had to be finicky about it.” With a sharp glare, she once more asked a familiar question. “You're SURE you can't kill some more of those rejection protocols?”

Another shrug, more weary this time. They'd been over this a hundred times already, and Hustler had overridden what he could...but the fact remained, it just wasn't enough.

“Yeah, I know, I know...” She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Old habits, I guess. Still, I think we finally got a workaround for it!”

The glowing yellow gaze gleamed with newfound interest. If they had indeed finally cracked that particular problem, then Nineball Seraph was a considerable step closer to it's former glory once more. Nodding, he motioned her to continue.

“Well, the problem we've had before is that your system keeps rejecting a lot of our replacements, since it doesn't seem to recognize the materials...which is strange, given the fact that shouldn't normally be a problem. However, we've managed salvage quite a bit of your original plating.” Looking up at him cautiously, she continued. “...in short, if we use the originals to make an alloy with our materials...we figure it should be just enough to satisfy your system's protocols.”

Hustler was silent for a moment, staring at the schematics. On the surface, he supposed, it did make sense. By rendering it down like that, the remnants of his original armor, which were currently nowhere near numerous enough to be reconstituted in their entirety, could theoretically be 'spread' out to once again be usable as armor. Albeit an alloyed version mixed with the current material Kanako was using. On the one hand, it certainly guaranteed a successful restoration, as he was certain that the percentage chance of rejection would be significantly reduced by it, almost to nonexistence...but then there were the problems of how well the new armor would match up to his former durability, or if there would be any other peculiar abnormalities caused by the alloy.

...not to mention what would happen if, once he was restored, he suffered damage again, and had no more of his original armor left for further alloys.

“Well...I can't say for certain.” Kanako hedged, once Cirno had translated his concerns to the best of her ability. “So far, tests indicate that the alloy will probably be significantly lighter, meaning your actual resistance to damage may be somewhat lower than your previous armor. To make up for it, though, it looks as though it'll be a lot more resistant to heating and electricity, and as part of the redesign, we can even get you waterproofed.”

Hustler fell silent as he contemplated that. Slightly reduced kinetic defenses, but the tradeoff would be most likely a higher level of speed and dexterity than his old frame, plus the ability to function underwater. Heating might be a problem, though, as it would mean his internal systems would increase temperature much more rapidly, requiring increased venting...

“Oh, and you don't need to worry about repairs afterwards.” Kanako spoke up again. “Once your system gets used to this 'hybrid' armor, we figure there's a good chance it'll be familiar enough with it that we can eventually switch you over to our materials entirely without worrying about rejection.”

Hustler wasn't quite sure how to feel about that, but at least she was correct in assuming his systems would become adapted to it. Still, that was likely a considerable time off, and by that point, who knew what advances they could make?

...with a moment's disquiet the AI noticed that he was already proceeding under the assumption that he was going to need repairs in the future, which implied that he was already expecting to get damaged.

This was probably a bad sign.

“Naaaaaaaaaah, you're just getting used to the place now!” Cirno grinned, cheerfully whacking him on the side of his head.

...quite, Hustler decided dryly, and after another moment's thought, nodded his acceptance to Kanako. Clearly relieved that the proposal had gone over well, the war goddess gave a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness...I don't mind telling you, if this hadn't worked, I'm not too sure what else we could have come up with as a substitute!” She gave a sheepish laugh. “I mean, I'm probably the leading scientist in Gensokyo right now, and I have to admit, even I'm in awe of you. I don't suppose you can tell me a little bit more about how you came to be...?”

Hustler One hesitated for a moment, then looked away uncomfortably. Vast though his databanks might be, never had there been any mention of his creator, nor was there anything to say who exactly had given the order for his activation as the world's safeguard. An efficient, coldly calculating machine, his AI had only developed enough to ask questions like that over a century later, too late for it to matter.

“Mr. Hustler?”

Starting, he looked back around to find Kanako looking at him with a curious expression on her face.

“Is something wrong?”

...after a moment, the great steel head shook reluctantly.

“...he says he'd like to tell you, honestly, but he doesn't know too much about his parents either!”

Both turned to stare at Cirno.

“...what?” She shrugged. “He said he didn't know who the people who made him were, and isn't that the same thing as parents?”

There was an uncomfortable pause as Kanako and Hustler glanced at each other, and both unanimously agreed that this was a subject better off being dropped as quickly as possible.

“Er, s-sure Cirno, thanks...” Kanako managed a weak grin, before turning back to the massive armored head again. “Still...something as advanced as you are, whoever designed you was a truly frightening individual. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were built using arcane principles as well as scientific ones!”

The yellow gaze of Hustler snapped round to stare at her in disbelief, to which Kanako merely shrugged.

“I am aware of how that sounds, but even you must admit, there's more to you than just the metal and technology.” Kanako pressed a hand to her chest. “And believe me, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to matters of science and magic.”

“Like that time when you almost blew up the Underground with the power of Yatagarasu?” Cirno chimed in happily.

“...I never said I was completely PERFECT at it...” The war goddess grumbled, looking away.

Ignoring the vague sense of unease her casual statement had brought upon him, Hustler quickly steered the conversation in another direction. Specifically, one that had more...practical use.

“Your weapons?” Kanako blinked, before a sly smile crossed her face. “Ah, yes, I was hoping you'd ask about that! As it turns out, that's not going to be nearly as much of a problem as you thought.”

Puzzled, Hustler motioned her to continue.

“Remember Kawashiro? Nitori, the kappa in charge of most of your restoration?” When he nodded, Kanako went on. “Right, her. I'd had my theories, but after seeing her in action during the Mask of Hope incident, turns out her mechanical expertise isn't just in construction. She's also one HELL of a weaponsmith, if her loadout for that incident was anything to go by.”

Holding up a clipboard, Kanako moved her finger down the checklist Hustler had given her.

“...of all the stuff you've requested, pretty much the only one that might be a tad tricky would be the energy weaponry. Everything else, the kappa and Nitori already know how to make, it's just a matter of scaling it up.”

Seeing the incredulous look on the machine's face, she nodded.

“Yep, even the homing mechanism on the seeker missiles. Granted, it's not the same as your original design here, but it'll work the same once we get it calibrated for your systems.”

The Balance of Power noted the apparent ease with which she casually flipped through his extensive arsenal, and a troubling thought came to mind. The weapons in there had been capable of annihilating even the finest of Armored Cores of his time, and here they were, calmly making preparations to rearm him without any inkling of what might happen if he decided to turn on them!

“...are you gonna do something like that?”

Turning, the yellow lenses found Cirno hovering nearby, one head tilted to peer at him curiously.

Well...no, of course he wasn't going to just turn around and attack them like that. It was senseless, pointless, and given his condition and their capabilities, inherently risky. But it was the principle of the thing, nonetheless. As the only one of his kind in this strange world thus far, what would stop him from-

“Oh stop being so whiny, mister Hustler!”

Blinking in surprise, the crimson head shook, dislodging the pile of icy snow that had just descended on it.

“You already said it yourself, you wouldn't ever do something like that, so stop worrying and just go with it!”

Irritated by her scolding, Hustler prepared to explain to her the folly of not thinking about such alternatives-

“Er...are you two all right?”

Both fairy and AC turned to find Daiyousei looking at them with a puzzled expression, Kanako hovering behind her with a similarly bemused look.

...in fairness, Hustler decided, the point was moot after all. Further argument would likely just cloud the issue. And besides, as he looked at the melting snow held in the claws of Nineball Seraph's right hand, it occurred to the AI that perhaps the real reason behind it was that, even for all of his power, and his personal code, the truth was that while a fully armed and armored AC could probably wreak insurmountable havoc...

It simply would not last long against an onslaught of gods, onis, and whatever else remained in this world.

Contemplating that, once again, he found himself wondering just what on earth really awaited him beyond the bounds of this hangar, once the mighty Seraph could spread it's wings once more.

A faint weight settled atop the prow of his helmet, and he looked up just as Cirno flipped over to hang upside down from it, hands behind her head.

“Don't you worry about that, mister Hustler, I'll make sure you get to see all the cool stuff out there. Hey Dai!”

“Hm?” The lake fairy looked up from where she was talking to Kanako. “Yes Cirno?”

“When he gets out, you think we can take mister Hustler out to play pranks on the Shrine Maiden?”

“Uh...Cirno, I don't think he'd be very good at that...”

“Absolutely not!” Kanako snorted. “I refuse to let the future linchpin of my faith-gathering operation be caught getting involved in such foolishness!”

“Aw, but-!” Cirno began.

“-Which is why if you're going to do that, make it loud, make it flashy, and make sure even if the rest of you get caught, he doesn't.” The war goddess stated flatly, leaving the rest of them staring at her in disbelief.

“Lady Kanako, what...?!” Daiyousei managed to close her jaw, Cirno giving a whoop next to her.

“Awwwwwwwraiiiiiiiiight, that settles it, we're going to have some fun when you get out!”

Catching Daiyousei's accusing look, the goddess looked away in a huff.

“Hey, I still haven't forgotten when she beat us up during the Mask of Hope Incident, so pardon me if I want a little payback!”

“Hoi, no using the Outsider deathmachine to settle your grudges.” Suwako deadpanned, whacking her compatriot upside the head.

“Ow! Wait, when did you...?”

“I just got here.” The frog goddess waved at the red and black hulk. “How you holding up, big guy?”

Recovering his composure, Hustler One gave a non-committal shrug. Occasional bouts of megalomania from Kanako aside, he couldn't really complain. At least he had an arm back now, plus most of his sensors.

“Right...well, one of the kappa sent me to tell you they're making good progress on that...optical camouflage thingie you asked about. They figure, all things considered, it should be ready to go within the week...” Suwako rolled her eyes. “Assuming they don't get distracted again and start working on something else.”

Hustler waved that last part off; he'd long since grown used to the kappa methods of work. Right now, he was more concerned with getting his arms and legs back on.

Seeing his gestures towards his missing limbs, Kanako cut back in.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot, they should have your replacement limbs ready within the next two days. It would have taken longer, but we were able to successfully retrofit some of the Hisoutensoku's spare parts to match the specifications you gave us.”

“...which is all well and good, but that other stuff you mentioned?” Suwako shook her head. “Nitori's in charge of that, AND the camouflage, but she keeps disappearing every now and then, and without her around to keep 'em on track, the kappa start scattering again.”

“Nitori's disappearing...?” Kanako looked mystified. “That...doesn't make any sense! This is the sort of project kappa engineers like her live and breathe for, and she's shirking off?”

Hustler One nodded grimly. He'd wanted to bring up that particular anomaly himself a little earlier, but with the conversation shifting as it was...

“Well, if it helps, I know I saw miss Nitori earlier today...” Daiyousei volunteered. “So she should definitely be around now.”

“If we're lucky...” Suwako murmured. “That camouflage thing is based off of her design, so if anyone could sneak in and out of here unnoticed, it'd be her.”

“Well, why don't we just ask mister Hustler?” Cirno grinned.

There was a long pause as the other three youkai stared at her.

“...you know, that might actually work.” Kanako hummed, scratching her chin thoughtfully. “I know for a fact we restored a significant portion of his sensor arrays, given that he was able to pick up that fight down in Old Hell...what do you think?”

The last question was directed at the unfinished red and black metal helm of the Seraph...which took no notice of it, turned sharply away and staring at the far wall of the hangar.

“...Hustler?” The war goddess asked warily, dropping the honorific.

No, not looking at the wall, but past it, at something far, far away.

His detection arrays pushed to the limit, the world's strongest AI muttered a digital profanity, trying to stabilize the feeds.

For a moment...just for a moment, he had caught something on the long-range systems. The layers of rock and metal that enclosed the hangar certainly didn't help in the slightest, but at that range, he wasn't certain he could have confirmed a solid return even out in the open. After several more minutes with no luck, he caught it once more, then it was gone, disappearing into obscurity again, leaving him no closer to an answer.

The helm swinging back around, he ignored the others, turning to Cirno first. Like the others, she knew something was up, but with her peculiar insight into the workings of his mind, she knew more than that.

“You think there's trouble coming?”

Hustler hesitated.

Perhaps...but then again, perhaps not. It might just be a ghost image of some kind, caused by a glitch he had yet to find, but still...

“What's going on?” Kanako shouldered her way into the conversation, a businesslike look on her face. “Hustler, if you know something about Nitori...”

The armored head shook once. No, whatever this was, it was most likely unrelated.

“He thinks he saw something way, waaaaaaaaaaaaay out there.” Cirno translated. “I dunno what it was, and he doesn't know if it was anything, but he wants to tell the crazy doll-lady to go investigate.”

“Saw something...?” Suwako blinked. “What, did he sense something?”

“Dunno.” Cirno shrugged. “He's not even sure if it was actually there or-”

“Just some glitch on the radar, right...” Gnawing on her thumbnail, Kanako looked suddenly worried. The reason for her concern, however...

“D-do you think it's that thing from the Underground...?” Daiyousei stammered fearfully.

...was echoed best by the lake fairy.

“Can you get a signal through to your...companion?”

Hustler shook his head again. Up until recently, the connection had been fine, but during some of the more sensitive repairs recently, he'd had to temporarily deactivate parts of his communications relay. Given the fact that he was quite confident in Lana's ability to act autonomously, he'd simply contacted her once per day, usually in the evenings due to how long it took to meticulously switch the relays back on.

He could do the same here, but that would take time. If there really was something out there...time, no matter how small, was of the utmost importance. But on the other hand, it would be foolish to simply overreact to a mere glitch...

Cirno rapped her knuckles on the hull, interrupting him.

“No worries! Me and Dai can head over to the SDM to let them know!”

Hustler blinked. Really?

“Yeah, it's no problem.” The ice fairy stretched. “I was planning to drop by there later anyway to see what was happening. It's fun watching her and the maid go at it!”

“Cirno, are you sure this is a good idea?” Daiyousei asked nervously. “I mean, what if we run into it?”

“Eeeeeh.” Cirno waved airily. “Don't worry so much, Dai, I got this. Now c'mon, let's go! Later, mister Hustler!”

Watching the two fairies heading off, the battered shape of the Seraph raised a hand in farewell. Standing next to him on the catwalks, Kanako and Suwako did much the same.

“...you don't actually think it was a glitch, do you?”

Hustler One gave a growl of static in response.

“...yeah, that's what I thought.” Suwako sighed. “I'll go find Nitori.”

“In the meantime...” Kanako unrolled another schematic. “I've been looking over the schematics for your...what did you call it, 'Exceed Orbit' units...”
FINALLY WE ARE BACK

Life has been rough for me these last few months, what with not one, but two deaths in the family, and lack of results in jobhunting sorely trying my patience. But, I managed to update Man in the Dark a while ago, and I figured, if nothing else, there was no way in hell I was going to let (9) day pass me by.

So congrats, guys, here's your new chapter!

And in the spirit of Nineball Day, it's aaaaaaaaaall about Cirno and Hustler.

With some Kanako and Suwako and Dai in there for flavoring, plus a few tantalizing sneak peeks at what the finished Seraph model will have in it's arsenal.

Plus, a few hints being dropped with Nitori's disappearances, which will factor in quite nicely later on.

But that's enough from me, I believe I may finally be starting work tomorrow, and so help me god this had better have a paycheck this time.

Thanks for being so patient, guys, I know I don't really update as fast as I'd like.

Anyway, as always, read and review, I'll see you all in the comments!
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RealSovietDamage's avatar
Hrm...the Division could really use a TV Tropes page....but then they'd have to replace the page on Badass.