Chapter 28: A Hope for Healing

The "Synaptic Cocooning Syndrome" mentioned in Luca’s inquiry was precisely the illness currently afflicting his mother, Gina. Having now acquired Baymax, a robot equipped with advanced medical data, Luca naturally sought a way to cure her. This was not merely out of an interest in protecting his company or his own future prospects; it was for the mother who had cherished, cared for, and looked after the original owner of his body since childhood. It was for the Gina who, even in the moments before losing consciousness while facing crisis, remained concerned for and protective of him—a "stranger" in her eyes.

Luca looked at Baymax with a complex expression. Fortunately, after a rapid search of its internal database, Baymax provided an immediate answer.

"Synaptic Cocooning Syndrome is caused by... (see Chapter 14)... The patient’s nerves become encased in cocooned mutant proteins, the extent of which depends on the intensity of the energy pulse experienced."

"I recommend a targeted clearance procedure using magnetically driven nanobots, which can rapidly excise the cocooned protein layer and restore the patient's neural signaling."

Luca, whose brows had just begun to relax upon hearing the first half, immediately furrowed them again once Baymax finished speaking.

"Magnetically driven nanobots? Baymax, do you possess this medical capability?"

(●—●)

"I possess the necessary operational skills, provided there is a nanotherapeutic chamber or nanobot agent used in conjunction with a targeted magnetic navigator."

Luca’s face darkened instantly. There was no need to guess; such equipment surely existed only in the world from which Baymax originated. In his current world, perhaps only the "Regeneration Cradle" that would eventually create Vision came close. However, that technology seemed more inclined toward repairing physical trauma through nanotechnology, and it was unclear if it could achieve the results Baymax described. Still, unwilling to give up, Luca continued to ask, "Does your database contain the manufacturing specifications for these two instruments?"

"Aside from my own construction process, the database does not contain any information regarding the manufacture of medical instruments."

Luca shook his head helplessly. However, the fact that Baymax’s database contained its own construction process was, at least, good news. It meant that, eventually, he might actually be able to replicate a similar product using this data. Then again, this base-model Baymax was technically quite inferior to the combat-ready version upgraded by Hiro Hamada.

The combat-ready Baymax, with its unscientific flight control system, thrusters, and enhanced scanners, was essentially "black technology." The standard Baymax possessed only high-capacity lithium batteries, a flexible high-output mechanical skeleton, a wide-range precision scanner, an evolvable AI with an emotional module, and over ten thousand types of advanced medical data...

*Wait, it seems the standard version is already absurd enough!*

Just as Luca’s thoughts were drifting, perhaps sensing his disappointment, Baymax tilted its head and spoke again.

"In the absence of therapeutic instruments, targeted protein-phagocytosis drugs can be used as an auxiliary treatment. Continuous administration can slowly clear the cocooned proteins, with recovery time depending on the patient's condition."

Luca was initially delighted, but after recalling Baymax’s previous response, his expression tightened, and he asked with some uncertainty, "Can you manufacture these targeted drugs?"

(●—●)

"The relevant targeted drugs can be purchased at designated pharmacies."

As it spoke, the projector screen on Baymax’s chest lit up, quickly listing a long row of names and addresses of various pharmacies. However, upon seeing that the top results all started with "San Fransokyo...", the excitement that had just risen in Luca evaporated instantly.

"Can you say something useful?"

No sooner had he spoken than the image on the screen changed. It now displayed the heading "Targeted Drug for Synaptic Cocooning Syndrome," followed by a long list of chemical bonds and the ratios of various chemical components.

"This works too!!"

"Is there a preparation process for this drug?" Luca asked.

"The database does not contain a preparation process."

Although he felt a hint of regret upon hearing this, Luca was not discouraged. With the chemical structure and the ratios of the drug, he had at least seen a glimmer of hope. As long as he had the cooperation of a laboratory in a relevant field, there was a high probability of successfully synthesizing the medicine.

In fact, with existing technology, it was not impossible to create such a drug. The issue was that the condition had been extremely rare, and without sufficient demand, major, well-established laboratories would never actively research such specialized medication. Now that he had a clear direction, both the difficulty and the production process would be drastically simplified. As long as sufficient capital was invested, successful production would not be overly complex. After all, Luca was not looking for industrial-scale mass production to generate profit.

For laboratory-scale preparation, it was merely a matter of cost.

"Thank you, Baymax!"

Luca, his emotions having been pulled back and forth by this white, chubby fellow, felt his mind ease. He embraced its soft body without hesitation.

*Hmm, it really is like a marshmallow.*

Seeing that he was being hugged, Baymax instinctively wrapped its arms around him, completely enveloping Luca within its elastic frame.

"I have detected that your neurotransmitter levels are rising steadily, and your hormone secretion is stabilizing. I judge that your anxiety symptoms are subsiding."

Luca was slightly taken aback by the voice broadcast. He recalled that Baymax had indeed "diagnosed" him with mild anxiety earlier. However, he just let out a lighthearted laugh. Even if he considered his own mindset and resilience to be above average, the combination of transmigrating, fighting, and the personal crises involving the Orange Company had all piled up; mild anxiety was to be expected.

After giving Baymax one last firm hug, Luca pulled away and flashed a smile at it.

"At a time like this, don't say such mood-killing things about diagnostic results~"

"I have recorded this point in the care matrix and confirmed the completion of the treatment. If you wish for me to enter sleep mode, you must say, 'I am satisfied with your service.'"

Looking at the big guy’s rigid, literal manner, Luca smiled and shook his head helplessly.

*It seems I’ll need to do a lot more training on the dialogue and emotional modules later.*

Thinking this, Luca decided not to recite the "sleep command" and instead let Baymax remain in its current active state to keep him company.

"I will stay by your side at all times."

Having received the instruction, Baymax stood motionless on the spot; it seemed that, in its cognition, this counted as companionship.

*As expected, the behavioral patterns are still a bit stiff.*

*Hmm, the activation and deactivation commands will also need a slight adjustment.*

*Still, I need to see just how complex Baymax’s core programming is first; if it’s too difficult, it won’t be easy to modify.*