Zee took a deep breath.
"Okay, Nox, if you really want to do this, you'll have to explain exactly what you've gotten yourself into here and finally tell me what that bus thing was."
Nox pulled out a stack of credits from his pocket, his tail flicking slightly.
"So, a few days ago I traded some sort of fake USB to a Protogen. But now that I think about him, maybe he was just wearing one of these masks. Wait... probably even this one.
The Hounds tipped me off about the trade, but I doubt they knew what was actually in the USB. They're just about the money, after all.
The trader used to come by the bus, the one you sabotaged with the device, thanks for that, by the way.
So, I figured I'd pose as the guy to rip off the fake Protogen."
Zee adjusted her glasses, glancing at him with a skeptical expression.
"Nox, there's not much that could surprise me about you anymore."
Nebular flickered blue.
"Also, they deleted most of my core memories. However, it's worth mentioning that the local data was not totally affected.
Still, there was hardly any information left, except some information of the, as you call him, fake Protogen: Smolder.
I also recorded some personality traits so I can adapt to his behavior: eager and self-serving.
No matter what I did, he never listened to me.
I told him the trader, who had to be you, Nox, was suspiciously acting differently."
Nox snapped his fingers, a grin spreading across his face.
"Exactly! So it was our mask.
Maybe that way, we can figure out what these Syndicate people are."
Zee looked concerned.
"And what about the Hounds? They'll come after you if you don't give them the money."
Nox waved his hand dismissively.
"I'll be bunkering it a little longer, never know what comes.
,with a brilliant AI on my side, there's no way those drip-mouths will outsmart me!
Besides that i've still got some time left before the deadline.
Luckily, my dad and mom moved to a safe part of the city where they're in no danger. I'm so glad I could convince them to go..."
Nebular's lights flickered briefly to yellow before shifting to green, her tone cautiously optimistic.
"Well, I must admit, your confidence is... admirable.
Though let's not mistake optimism for a foolproof plan."
Zee tapped the edge of the table, her skepticism lingering.
"Nox, I get that outsmarting people is your specialty, but this isn't just a street hustle.
The Hounds don't take kindly to being crossed."
"I know," Nox replied, his voice softening.
"But this is my fight with them and if I find an opportunity to cut ties with them, I'll need to take it. I don't want to drag you into it as well. Let's focus on the USB for now. This might be my chance."
Nebular flickered blue, her tone steady.
"If we're focusing on the USB deal, I recommend figuring out the location and formulating a solid plan A, B, and possibly."
Nox tilted his head, his tone playful yet calculated.
"Nebular, hustlers don't need perfection, just possibilities. Alright? I'm gonna make it happen!"
Nebular flickered, her lights alternating between yellow and blue.
"I wouldn't quite phrase it like that but—"
Nox interrupted, his grin widening.
"Trust me, I know these kinds of people very well."
He smirked, leaning forward.
"Once we know where the new deal location is, we can form a proper plan for our little heist!"
Nebular flickered green briefly, her tone lighter.
"I'll monitor the situation and adjust accordingly.
Let's just hope your performance is as sharp as you think it is, Nox."
Nox abruptly tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.
"Wait, Neb.
Can I, uh, put you on now? I actually haven't worn you since you started working for us."
Nebular's tone was calm, but her flickering green light hinted at curiosity.
"Of course, Nox.
The mask will adjust seamlessly to your physiological parameters."
Lifting it this time was way easier again. The surface felt comforting this time. Nox slid on the mask, his view sharpened as the holographic screen flickered to life.
He let out a low whistle, the sound very robotic.
"Alright, Neb.
What special tricks do you have? Any laser eyes or other fancy stuff?"
Nebular flickered blue.
"While laser eyes are not part of my functionality, I do offer thermal vision, night mode, flashlight, real-time character analysation, and a distance scanner.
Would you like a demonstration?"
Nox scanned the mask's overlay, his curiosity growing.
"Oh, very fancy stuff.
What's this?"
He blinked twice, and the vision turned bright white.
Nebular's tone remained even.
"That's the night mode.
I suggest you turn it on in the dark. You know, the usage of various modes drains my power quicker."
Nox squinted as the brightness faded, muttering,
"Could've warned me, Neb. I thought I was going blind for a second."
Nebular flickered yellow for a moment before returning to green.
"Noted for future reference.
Night mode enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
Try not to activate it in illuminated areas unless you're aiming for a dramatic reaction."
As he continued exploring the mask's features, Nox found himself grinning at the practicality and potential.
His smirk got depicted on the mask's overlay as it widened. He glanced at Zee.
"Alright, I'll admit—this thing is pretty cool."
Zee raised an eyebrow.
"Pretty cool, huh? What's next? You gonna tell me it can make coffee?"
Nebular flickered green.
"Coffee-making has already been demonstrated.
However, I can also assist with locating the nearest coffee vendor if needed."
Nox laughed, adjusting the mask on his face.
"And it only gets better."
Nebular's lights flickered green with a hint of amusement.
"I assure you, my primary function remains aiding you in the tasks at hand, though an integrated coffee algorithm does sound... intriguing."
Zee crossed her arms, looking around the room.
"Wait, you mentioned something about draining power earlier.
What power source do you use? Or how can we charge you?"
Nebular flickered blue.
"I operate on a power source that utilizes a micro-reactive energy matrix paired with a quantum stabilizer—"
Nox raised a paw to interrupt.
"Neb, let's tone it down for us regular folks.
Mortal explanation, please?"
Nebular flickered orange briefly before settling on green.
"USB-C cables will suffice."
Zee smirked, raising an eyebrow at Nox.
"Wow, cutting-edge tech powered by the same thing as a cheap smartphone.
Fancy."
Nox shrugged, pulling the mask off and setting it on the table.
"Hey, whatever works.
But speaking of fancy, Neb, if I run around with you on my face all the time, people are gonna stare, and as much as I enjoy being in the spotlight, that's too much.
I've got an old pair of AirPods somewhere.
Can you connect to them?"
Nebular flickered green, her voice confident.
"Of course, Nox.
A trivial task.
I can connect to your AirPods and any other wireless audio device.
Additionally, I've already synchronized with your phone."
Nox froze mid-search through a cluttered drawer.
"Wait—you did what with my phone? How did you even—"
Nebular flickered green, her tone light and almost teasing.
"Your previous password, '123456,' wasn't exactly Fort Knox, Nox."
Zee burst out laughing, leaning against the wall.
"Seriously? That's what you went with? And you call yourself a genius?"
Nox grumbled, finally pulling out the AirPods and holding them up triumphantly.
"Hey, I didn't think anyone would bother trying to crack my phone.
I'm a little busy outsmarting actual threats, not hackers.
Anyway, let's get these connected."
Nebular flickered yellow briefly before turning green.
"Don't worry, Nox.
I've updated your phone's password to something far more secure.
No unauthorized access will occur under my watch."
Zee chuckled, shaking her head.
"Neb, what now? Gonna start managing his calendar, too?"
Nebular's tone turned playful, flickering blue.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea. Nox's lack of scheduling habits is... concerning."
Nox rolled his eyes, slipping the AirPods into his ears.
"Alright, that's enough out of both of you.
How's the sound, Neb? Crystal clear?"
Nebular's tone was steady, with an amused edge.
"Perfectly clear, Nox."
Zee turned toward the window, grabbing her bag.
"Alright, you two tech wizards have fun.
Neb, keep an eye on him, yeah? Make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid."
Nox leaned back with a smirk.
"You got it, Zee.
No promises, though."
Nebular flickered green.
"I'll keep him in check.
Safe travels, Zee."
She smirked, opening the window once again.
"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.
Later, Nox."
She glanced back briefly before heading out.
"Don't wreck the place."
The window shut behind her, leaving Nox alone in the apartment with Nebular's faint green glow illuminating the room.
Now her face was depicted on the mask. Round eyes and a sharp mouth smoothly moving around the mask's surface, looking at Nox.
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