>>1001919
Ignore naysayers. Everyone eats what they can digest. You can digest more things than humans can? Then your cooking doesn't have to follow human recipes. At least, until you somehow recruit some human allies.

You can read some books, maybe the romance novel?
>>1001924
I think is already established that Geiger is a male.

I didn't say we have bodies, I just said we aren't geigers. As far as you're concerned were just data. Also, I'd assume whoever was sitting behind the ops desk for you before doesn't really have your best interests at heart these days considering the presence of that bot, so don't assume anyone who would've helped you out before is going to be doing it now.

What you wanna do is up to you. There's not a ton to be gained from reading the chemical and biological makeup of you or Toal right now, you know the basics and that's good enough for your needs, but if you had the same thing for the hybrid that might be useful, might reveal some weakness it has.

Or, you could just relax and try to enjoy yourself for a few minutes. You haven't expressed any real technical skills outside chemistry so I can't expect we'd get anywhere trying to tinker up some useful gear, particularly with our tools being maintenance bots. Maybe you could rig up a bandolier of combat knives for easy access and then practice throwing?

Or you could just sit on a couch somewhere and read the erotic magazine. I'm not really clear on your sexual characteristics and it's not really an appropriate situation, but for a lot of adrenaline pumping humanoids it's good to relieve your stress once in a while.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/05/29(Sat)13:00 No. 1002090 ID: f18774
File 162231844749.png - (25.87KB , 800x600 , 59 Page Chapter 3.png )

>Ready to think about your gender?

Didn't you guys say I was male? Or am I supposed to be otherwise?

>Did we read anything thoroughly?

Nope. There are reference notes and writings for biology, nanotechnology and chemistry. Mostly for exotic organisms (so the notes say). If I read them more thoroughly, I can learn how to apply the knowledge from them.

I can learn about the weaknesses and weak points if I read the biology reference.
I can learn how to combine and use chemicals from the chemistry reference.
The nanotechnology reference can teach me how nanomachines work and how to better use them. Since a lot of devices interface with them, this would be more useful than it sounds.
The erotic novel... I'm not sure what I'd get from that. I don't feel stressed or anything, and I'm not sure how it'd help me feel better?

>I didn't say we had bodies.
>The person behind the ops desk doesn't have your best interests at heart, considering that robot.

I guess an artificial intelligence could account for that.
Argos was a security robot. It's standard Arcanos procedure to deploy those to secure indoor areas. At this point, it's hard to say if it was put here to stop us, or it's an automated system. Still, it's a bad first impression.

>You could relax and enjoy yourself.

... I don't know how to do that.

Read about nano tech.
Toal has chem experience, enough for now at least, and we are currently decently outfitted to deal with organics.
We can read the others later. Nano machines for now

>>1002090
Get to reading some biology. Anatomy and species compatibility. How did they make a hybrid?

I say read about biology first, because learning about strength and weaknesses is pretty important. Then, if we have time, learn about nanotech

>>1002090
You could try to think of a name for yourself.

>What do?
You should look at nanotechnology. You might find something that’ll help you speed up the process that your body is repairing itself.

>standard Arcanos procedure
You seem to be aware of quite a bit about them. What's procedure for a breach of a biotube?

>relax

Spar for exercise, as well as to test your close combat skill?
Computer games for tactical skill?
Strip Poker for ability to gauge truth?

Say, if you hook up that AI core to a computer, could you talk? Ask about stuff?

>>1002090

Relaxing... Hmmm, you could try meditating. You could try listening to music, there has to be some around here somewhere. You could try a video game that is intended to *not* be an accurate form of tactical training, so you can viscerally feel the extent to which the stakes are lower. You could read something that is not training, especially fiction or something which has a plot or tells a story. What did the researchers around here do for fun? Any clues?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/05/31(Mon)07:08 No. 1002213 ID: f18774
File 162247009157.png - (26.44KB , 800x600 , 60 Page Chapter 3.png )

>Majority says to read the biological reference and the nanotech reference.

The reference is pretty dry, but it provides details on the anatomy and biology of the other creatures that were being stored here. There's nothing on their 'hybrid' though. The section on Geigers could tell me more about what I am...

The nanotech reference is equally dry, but it does help me learn how the nanomachines work. I think I'd be able to use them to 'hack' other nanotech interfaces and spoof my identity. I also pick up a few tricks on how to better manipulate my nanomachines.

Reading a bit of both of those took an hour each. I can keep reading to get more info, or move onto something else. Toal is still sleeping.

>Suggestions for relaxing...

It's just me still, so I don't know if I'd be able to spar or 'poker'. I'd have to check Dr. Wu's office to see if I can play anything other than Tetris on that computer. Music would likely be on it too.
I've never meditated before, so I'd need someone to walk me though it.
I could hook up Argos to a computer, but I don't know if the core is functional. If it is, I should probably use an isolated terminal so it doesn't send a security alert to the rest of the complex.
I think most of the researchers watched stuff on that holo screen or talked to each other.

>You know a lot about Arcanos protocol. What's the protocol for a stasis breech?

It depends on the creature. For dangerous ones the standard procedure is to neutralize it. Non-fatally if possible, but the safety of the staff is considered more important.

If you have some latent knowledge of security protocols, do you have any ideas why the entire division would be abandoned and on automated lockdown? Do you now maybe where the staff here would go in such a situation?

Watched stuff on the holo screen? Can you get that working? What programs do they have? Entertainment vs educational and all that? I don't think you've delved into that very much, can you go into some detail?

>>1002213
Well there's no apparent staff to be rescued or protected, so the only thing on their objective list is you and Toal. At least you know how they're going to react to you. Until your next encounter, consider exercising. Do some push-ups, or dexterity exercises with your tail.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/02(Wed)09:29 No. 1002432 ID: f18774
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>Can you get the holoscreen working?

I can, but there's no signal or network connection, so I can only watch records. Most of it seems to be episodes of various stories. Nothing useful or educational, but I could pass the time with it.

>Do you know why the sector is abandoned or on automated lockdown?

I don't know for sure. If this is a mobile facility, then it's possible the whole thing was abandoned because of an emergency. It could have also been abandoned for scrap, and the part we're in was missed.

... Or someone is trying to hide something, but that would be outside of official protocol.

>Consider exercising.

Wouldn't do much for me right now. My body is still repairing itself, and exercise would only expend energy while I'm trying to rebuild. I could benefit from exercise after that's done.

I decide to continue reading though the two reference books while playing a random recording on the holoscreen...

Watch tue cooking show!

>>1002432
That second one is Pooooooorn

First one.
Rescue tech is good, porn is so "not now", and cooking is of little interest cross-species.

Expand on your cooking skills. Have the cooking show on in the background while starting on the nanotech binder.

>>1002090
I'm fairly sure you're male.

>>1002432
If we gotta pick one, Deep Trouble. Maybe it'll help give us some context to the outside world, if it's non-fictional.

Of relaxation activities, video games, particularly tactical shooters and combat strategy, are probably what we'll find most engaging, given we're a combat unit, but that may be a reason to avoid shooters/other violent games, if feeling you're "designed" for such things makes you uncomfortable.

Let's check Wu's office to see if there's any others on his computer.

>>1002432
Channel surf and catalogue all the new creatures you see. Maybe you can even find a quasi-recent news report!

If that gets too distracting, just watch the cooking show. Humans love it when you give them tasty food.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/04(Fri)05:21 No. 1002612 ID: f18774
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>Watch while you read.
>Watch the cooking show!

I tune the holoscreen to "The Galaxy's Greatest Cooks" and resume reading the nanotechnology reference.

>Channel surf?

The holoscreen isn't picking up any channels, so I can only view the recorded content.

>The second recording is porn!

Oh, like that graphic novel Toal kept? Maybe I should tell her about it...

>Check Dr. Wu's computer for games.

I would, but I also want to stay here and keep Toal safe. I can go for a bit, but I don't want to stay gone for too long.

>>1002612
As a tozol, She will probably be fine. It's good to see you care for her, safety though.

>>1002612
I don't think you should tell her about the porn movie, let's see the cooking show.

>>1002612
Let's not tell her about the porn. She seems to want to avoid that subject.

Anyway, if we're not gonna check the computer for more video games, I suppose we'll be staying here watching TV.

Guess it's cooking time again. What're they making today?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/06(Sun)12:00 No. 1002760 ID: f18774
File 162300603771.png - (293.18KB , 800x600 , 63 Page Chapter 3.png )

I continue to read though the references while listening to the program on screen.

>Don't tell Toal about the movie. She seemed to want to avoid that subject.

Really? I thought that she'd like me being thoughtful.

>What's playing on the holoscreen?

That cooking show is playing right now. Apparently the usual host isn't available, so some kind of lizard man is being interviewed for one of the segments. Their eyes seem to be bugging out of their head, but they seem okay. They talk about how some foreign foods aren't the same when you import them, so sometimes it's best to go traveling to try new foods. They say they've been all over the place, so they've been able to try a lot of different kinds of food.
Soon after that, the next segment begins explaining how to prepare one of the "Grugru Va Talu" dishes. That fish is only found and prepared on Melanat III, so I guess I won't really be using this recipe much. It does explain some cooking terminology, so now I see why you guys did not like what I made.
It tastes fine though, so you guys really shouldn't be so quick to judge.

>>1002760
Yeah, I think I recognize this guy from somewhere else...

>>1002760
Friendly looking lizard.

No judgement here. Carbs are carbs. You both need them. How are your systems doing? Can you focus on upgrading anything yet?

>>1002760
Hey, being able to eat what most would consider to be badly-prepared food is a blessing.

looking at the program, do you recognize or at least know the name the species of the one being interview plus location of the area they are at including how faraway it might be from where you are? also what date was the program recorded/film then put on air/online ? if it was done more recently. there hope that a civilization or at least intelligent life is surviving or thriving out there, meaning the two of you are not alone well not counting the others that are here probably still alive at this place you are at right now, and there a chance slim as it may be to get rescue from here if you put out a S O S signal , that is if you can find a way to do so without a signal jammer or interference of sorts stopping you.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/08(Tue)06:04 No. 1002881 ID: f18774
File 162315748436.png - (127.77KB , 800x600 , 64 Page Chapter 3.png )

I've been watching and reading for about an hour now. I notice Toal's ears twitching. I think she's gonna wake up soon. Maybe in another hour or so?

>Can you focus on upgrading anything?

I actually have a spare vial of nanomachines I can use, so I inject them into myself. This will let me focus on repairing my musculoskeletal at the same time as my cardiopulmonary system. My cardiopulmonary system will be finished initial repairs around the same time Toal wakes up. I should probably consider what I'll improve next.

>When was the program aired, can you get any information from it to help you escape?

It was recorded approximately 5 years ago, but I can't get any other information from it. I can gather that the Arcanos Organization spans multiple star systems, so I don't know how close any of these places or people are.

>Being able to eat badly prepared food is a blessing.

I'm not sure if I should feel complimented or insulted.

Let's put those nanos to work, repairing your body.

The steak wasn't badly prepared, the eggs were definitely weird for human standards since humans don't eat the shells.
It's going to be cold by the time she wakes up though, that's not great.

Touch the tozol
Do it now

>>1002881
What can we improve with the nano machines?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/10(Thu)05:24 No. 1003050 ID: f18774
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The nanomachines don't take long to start repairing my musculoskeletal system. I swear I can feel my body grow stronger as a result.

>What can we improve with the nanomachines?

As mentioned before I can improve my sensory, nervous, cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal systems. Once I improve those enough, I can start improving more specific traits. Right now I have nanomachines working on my musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems, and the cardiopulmonary system will be done soon. When it's done, I can set the free nanomachines to work on something else, or have them work on my musculoskeletal system to repair it faster.

>That food is going to be cold when she wakes up.

More heat will fix that!

Time passes as the Geiger continues to study both the texts and the video. It seems Toal will wake soon. What should the Geiger improve, and what should the pair do once Toal awakens?

Show stat screen.
Speed up your repairs when the other manos are free.
When Toal wakes, it'll be your turn to rest

>>1003050
Once they're done, finish musculoskeletal; might as well get everything repaired to the same level before you start with more complex/in-depth/situational improvements.

After Toal awakens, and after she tries your wonderfully-prepared food, you gear up and move out. Onwards, unto the breach.

>>1003050
When Toal wakes up, go check the replicators. Once the replicators are finished, it’ll be time to leave this area.

>>1003056
This. You don't want to leave behind whatever you were making in the replicators.

Also do not make anything else with the replicators! That would just be another 9 hours of waiting that you would have to do!

>>1003050
Ah, you're making a mistake. If you reheat the steaks this way, they will start cooking again, and dry out. Unless you can set the grill to an unusually low temperature?
Also when stacked like that the bottom one will get all the heat, the top ones won't be warmed up much.

There are some tools made just for this purpose. Heating lamps, warming plates.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/12(Sat)08:47 No. 1003230 ID: f18774
File 162351287407.png - (54.38KB , 800x600 , 66 Page Chapter 3.png )

"Hey." Looks like Toal is awake now.
"I made some food for you, but I think it's cold now-" I don't have a chance to finish. She gets up and devours the meal I've made.
"Not bad." I guess she liked it?

>Set your nanobots to work on your musculoskeletal system once they're done with your cardiopulmonary system.

Sounds like a plan. My subcortex queues up the order, so I don't have to think too hard on it. I'll have to see if there's a visual I can make to show my stats.

>Check the replicators.

"Once you're ready, let's go check the replicators."
Toal gets her equipment together and we go to the synthesis lab. The minor repair nanobots and black powder are both done. I put those away, but the rest of the stuff still has some time to go.

>Replicators (Lab 4S)
-Semtex (2 hours)
-Thermate-TH3 (3 hours)
-Fe(2)O(3) + 2 Al (1 hours)
-general purpose nanobots (5 hours)

I don't think it would be a big deal if we left it here. Both Toal and I are fully rested, so I think we should just move on. Do you guys think we should leave this stuff here and move on?

Yes, let's get on with it.

>>1003230
Yes, let's move on and scout ahead - nothing's stopping us from returning for it later.

>>1003230
Let's push out

>>1003230
Let’s go.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/06/14(Mon)08:51 No. 1003332 ID: f18774
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"I don't think there's anything left to do here." I say this to myself, but Toal can hear me clearly.
"Then we know what we're doing now."

>Let's push on.

It doesn't take long. Toal and I now stand in front of the door to the next sector.

"Are you ready?"
"Of course I am." Toal nods and turns to me. "Are you?"
"Yeah." I feel a bit nervous. "Let's go."

Toal and I step forward, opening the hatch...

CHAPTER 3 - END

You two make an adorable pair.

This is the end of thread 1. If you want to keep reading, go check out the second thread at https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1003418.html#1003418

Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to those who participated!