Chapter 34: Agent Big White (Third Update)

Early in the morning, soft sunlight slanted through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled into the bedroom.

Luca, deep in slumber, let out a soft murmur and turned over, eager to soak in more of the morning warmth. However, the sunlight that had been warming his face seemed to dim slightly. Still groggy, Luca felt something was amiss and instinctively opened his eyes.

Immediately, filling his vision, a "white marshmallow" was squatting by the bedside, staring at him motionlessly.

"Good grief!"

A chill shot from his toes straight to his brain. Luca felt it took an immense effort of will not to cry out in shock. Even though he hadn't screamed, all traces of sleepiness had vanished. His eyes were wide as saucers, locked onto the white figure before him.

"What are you doing now?!"

"I detected you were screaming and crying out in pain during your sleep. I was waiting for you to wake up to provide effective treatment and care." (●—●)

*Screaming? Did I have another nightmare? Why can't I remember a thing?*

Fully awake now, Luca propped himself up with his left hand and reached out to grope for his prosthetic limb, which he had detached the night before to charge.

"Wait, didn't I modify your startup voice? Oh, right, that modified chip is still downstairs uploading data."

Having figured out the situation, Luca wiped his face, fastened the Stark-made prosthetic, and asked casually, "So? How do you plan to treat this nightmare situation?"

"Diagnostic results: your hormone levels have returned to normal."

"...Fine. Next time, remember not to squat by my bed while I'm sleeping; you nearly scared the life out of me. Even if you are quite cute, Baymax."

"Understood. Recording new instruction."

Seeing Baymax like this, Luca retaliated by rubbing its marshmallow-like belly before getting out of bed. He put on his shoes, washed up, and ambled downstairs. In the dining room, Samira was just finishing her breakfast.

"Young Master, you're up—"

Samira, just about to greet him, immediately noticed Baymax following closely behind him, taking tiny, shuffling steps. Though she had seen Baymax before and knew the robot could help with the mistress's treatment, it still wasn't easy to get used to its presence so quickly.

"Morning, Aunt Samira."

Luca yawned as he reached the table, grabbing a warm sandwich from the tray and popping it into his mouth.

"Young Master, let me have someone—"

"It's fine, leave it. I need to head to the basement lab first. We'll leave as soon as I'm done here."

"Very well, Young Master. The commercial armored vehicle I ordered from the company last night should arrive shortly. Please take your time; we have plenty of time."

Luca nodded absentmindedly, gulped down a large glass of milk, grabbed another sandwich, and hurried off toward the basement.

In the corner of the lab, the 3D printer was still chugging away. Several finished parts had been ejected and were piled haphazardly on a cushion. Luca glanced at the armor pieces, still covered in support structures and connection plates, and decided without hesitation to wait until all components were printed before sanding and calibrating them all at once.

Turning his attention to the computer, the action data analysis he had started uploading last night was finally complete.

"Heh, from today on, you are Agent Baymax!"

Excited and feeling a bit childish, Luca wrote the word "Agent" on a brand-new black chip and eagerly inserted it into Baymax’s chip port. As the data loaded, Baymax, which had been standing blankly, tilted its head at Luca, its tone filled with a confusion that no robot should possess.

"These combat and tactical maneuvers do not seem to help me become a better healthcare robot."

Listening to Baymax’s puzzled voice, Luca laughed and patted its large belly. "But this will help you protect me better, you know? The best medical care is preventing all possible dangers before the patient even gets hurt."

Baymax blinked its large, dark eyes several times and replied, looking thoughtful.

"Understood. I am Agent Baymax!" (▇━▇)

Luca couldn't help but smile. He looked at Baymax, then at himself.

"Hmm, Fat Boy and Little Boy? This combination sounds incredibly powerful."

Though he wanted to test the upgraded Baymax right away, he took one look at the outrageously expensive lab equipment and decided not to risk it here. He beckoned Baymax to follow him, and they jogged up to the courtyard to begin the test. Samira, having finished clearing the dishes, followed them out, curious to see what new thing Luca had been working on for so long.

"Baymax, it's showtime!"

"???" (●—●)

Seeing Baymax's confusion, Luca slapped his forehead and explained in detail, "Try the newly loaded combat module. Start with some military-style boxing."

Receiving the precise command, Baymax immediately clapped its hands to its sides and stood at rigid attention. Then, it launched into a series of moves: lunge punches, throat strikes, roundhouse kicks, horse-stance strikes...

The moves were executed with such force that they whistled through the air; no trace of the goofy robot remained. The sheer power of the wind from its fists sent grass and dirt flying across the yard. Samira, about to speak, was cut off as Luca issued a new command.

"Baymax! That tree!"

Luca pointed. Without hesitation, Baymax kicked off the ground and shot forward like a giant, round snowball.

The next moment, Baymax threw a punch.

*BOOM—*

With a thunderous sound, the tree in the yard—nearly thick enough for a man to embrace—shattered. Sturdy wood fibers exploded outward, and the entire tree began to tilt slowly toward the swimming pool. Before the broken top could crash into the water, Baymax rushed over, caught the tree, and with its signature tiny, shuffling steps, slowly carried it to an empty patch of ground.

Luca’s smile widened, and he gave Baymax a thumbs-up without hesitation.

"Awesome!"

By now, Samira, who had intended to offer to spar with Baymax, was completely stunned. After a moment of hesitation, she couldn't help but blurt out:

"Young Master... that redwood was likely worth about twenty thousand dollars."