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← Does Omega Dream of Electric Friends?
Chapter 8 of 12

Gunfight at the O-K Warehouse

???

I'll give you one more chance.

???

Swear loyalty to me.

Cube Palace

Cross-referencing authorized commanders...

Cube Palace

Negative. Identifier [Khan] is not registered as an authorized commander.

Cube Palace

Additional note. Registration as an authorized commander requires qualifications.

???

Qualifications? What qualifications?

Cube Palace

Intellectual capability above a certain threshold.

???

Wh-why you little...!

Omega

Cube!! Cube, are you okay?!

Omega

Omega's here!

Gaunt Man

Ah, the brat who was hanging around with the relic.

Gaunt Man

Didn't think you'd find me so quickly... you're pretty resourceful.

Gaunt Man

I am—

Omega

Cube! Sorry for leaving you behind!

Omega

Omega's come to rescue you!

Gaunt Man

I am Khan, an offi—

Cube Palace

Caution. Omega Control's actions show poor judgment.

Cube Palace

Coming to retrieve this unit is not a significant issue. However, Omega Control should not have come alone.

Cube Palace

Immediate retreat is recommended.

Gaunt Man

I am Khan, an officer of Car—

Omega

No way! Omega's friend is trapped!

Gaunt Man

Listen to people when they talk, you damn tin cans!!

Omega

Oh, sorry!

Omega

Omega just had a lot to say to Cube.

Omega

...So, who are you?

Gaunt Man

...Ahem. Ahem.

Khan

I am Khan, an officer of Carbonpunk. Carbonpunk is where folks who—

Omega

So your name is Khan!

Omega

Now then, give Cube back!

Khan

...

Omega

Oh, looks like he wasn't done. Omega interrupted again.

Omega

Omega's sorry! Omega will listen properly this time!

Khan

...Nah, never mind. The mood's ruined.

Omega

Eh. Omega was listening, though?

Cube Palace

Evaluation. Identifier [Khan]is the type who masks a fragile heart with aggressive behavior.

Khan

Sh-shut up! You damn tin can...!

Khan

Who said I'm sulking?! I'll just start over, dammit!

Khan

...Ahem. Hmm. You're quite resourceful for a kid.

Khan

I am Khan, an officer of Carbonpunk.

Khan

Carbonpunk is where folks who decided to put [ancient relics] to [good use] come together.

Omega

Ancient relics...?

Omega

You mean the stuff Daddy made?

Khan

I don't know where they came from. Don't care, either.

Khan

What matters is that they make you stronger.

Omega

That's why you took Cube?

Omega

Because you thought Cube would give you power?

Khan

That's right. Don't know how this thing did it...

Khan

But word is, this tin can blew half of some boring church-folks' hideout to bits not long ago.

Khan

With that kind of power, the other Carbonpunk officers can't look down on me anymore.

Khan

And the offer's open to you too.

Omega

Eh, to Omega?

Khan

Right. From what I heard, you said you were lonely and had no friends, didn't you?

Khan

Same here. Before I got this enhanced exoskeleton, they treated me like gum on their shoe.

Khan

Of course, if you refuse, this tin can here won't—

Omega

Yes! Sounds good!

Khan

...

Khan

Just like that?

Omega

So you also wanted to be Omega's friend all along!

Omega

Were you too embarrassed to say it? Is that why you talked to Cube?

Omega

You didn't have to be—

Khan

Don't give me that crap!!

Khan

I'm Khan! Khan of Carbonpunk!

Khan

Don't you try to undermine my authority with that soft, mushy nonsense!

Omega

Looks like the new friend is shy.

Omega

Then, friend, let Cube Palace go!

Khan

What?

Omega

Cube is Omega's friend. And Khan is Omega's friend too.

Omega

Which makes Cube Khan's friend. You can't be mean to your friends!

Khan

...Hah, just as I thought!

Khan

Acting all docile, just waiting for me to release this tin can, weren't you?

Omega

Eh.

Khan

Planning to bare your fangs the moment I let it go?

Khan

Not a chance. This hunk of metal stays with me.

Khan

No release. Not until I'm sure you won't betray me.

Omega

O-Omega doesn't get it.

Omega

We're friends now. Why are you worried about that?

Omega

Friends trust each other, right? They help each other, right?

Khan

No, this is what [friends] really are.

Omega

Eh.

Khan

Friends turn their backs and walk away the moment you stop being useful, or the moment something doesn't go their way.

Khan

Power greater than theirs! Or weaknesses to hold over them! Get one or the other... or you can never trust a friend!

Omega

...

Omega

Omega doesn't really get it, but...

Omega

If you don't let Cube go, Omega can't be your friend.

Omega

Friends don't bully each other. That's what broken friends do.

Khan

...Fine. So that's how it's going to be.

Robber A

You little brat! Look at you, running wild!

Robber B

Time to pay you back for last time!

Omega

Huh? You're...

Omega

Guess Omega didn't fix you all the way. Omega didn't put in enough power! Right?

Robber C

...N-no, ma'am. We were fully repaired then.

Robber B

Civilization advanced thanks to dialogue and compromise, you see. Isn't that right?

Khan

Hey. My so-called partners.

Khan

You're getting awfully bold for guys within my arm's reach.

Robber B

Daaaaaaammn it all!

Robber C

Come at us, you damn brat!!

Omega

Okay, Omega can fix you as many times as it takes!

Omega

And Omega's going home with Cube!

Cube Palace

Threat assessment. Hostility level low. The enemies are no match for Omega Control.

Cube Palace

Be mindful of remaining energy and eliminate them swiftly.

Omega

Okay! Got it!