You Didn't Treat Me Like an Outsider

I'd already mentioned that Luca was planning to check the programs inside Baymax and try adding a few things.

Of course, he wasn't just going to tweak the startup and shutdown voice lines or adjust the emotion module.

More importantly, Luca planned to add some combat programs to Baymax, just like Hiro Hamada had in the original Big Hero 6.

But first, Luca had to make sure he could actually do it.

Once the computer in front of him had booted up, Luca turned to look at Baymax. He was about to call him over, but the moment he looked up, his vision went dark.

"Why are you still carrying that case? Put it down over there! Plug it in to charge!"

"The Medical Robot Portable Storage Case has sufficient power. Further charging is not recommended." (●-●)

"Well, would you look at that? The case even has a scientific name?"

"...Then don't charge it. Put it down and come over here..."

Luca had had enough of arguing with the dopey robot. With a helpless sigh, he pointed toward the corner and gave Baymax a new instruction.

This time, the obedient Baymax set the case down in the corner. He pulled out the power cord, looked at it, then laid it beside the case before walking over to Luca.

But before Luca could say a word, Baymax's gentle, even voice sounded again.

"Based on my scan, you should rest as soon as possible and go to sleep. Staying up late over a prolonged period can lead to a reduced metabolic rate, a weakened immune system, and other harmful effects..."

"Huh? Didn't I say not to scan me without my permission?"

"Your previous instruction was, 'Do not scan other people's health without my permission.' According to protocol, Luca does not count as 'other people.' Would you like me to add you to that instruction?" (●-●)

"...Thanks for not treating me like an outsider."

"I have received your thanks." (●-●)

"..."

"Would you like me to add you to that instruction?"

Baymax asked again, refusing to let the matter drop.

"Goddamn it..."

The curse almost slipped out, but Luca managed to hold it back. After a moment's thought, he decided not to keep going around in circles with the robot. Since constant scans could help him keep track of his health, he might as well let Baymax do as he pleased.

"No, it's fine. Scan me whenever you want. But remember, if someone else is around, don't go announcing my health status."

Afraid Baymax might misunderstand him again, Luca quickly added, "That is, unless I need someone else to rescue me. In an emergency, you should still speak up."

"New protocol added." (●-●)

"All right. You're a bit of a blockhead, but I guess you're not so bad."

At last, he'd dealt with the interruption. Luca tapped the chip compartment in Baymax's chest, and the cylindrical compartment popped open.

He reached in and removed the emerald-green chip containing Baymax's core data, turning it over in his hand.

"Hmm~ There should be some spare chips of this model at home~"

He inserted the chip into the computer.

Uploaded the database.

Opened the control module...

The first thing he wanted to do was check the manufacturing process recorded in the database Baymax had mentioned earlier.

But it wasn't what Luca had expected. The database didn't contain the complete process for making Baymax. Instead, it held videos documenting Tadashi Hamada's entire process, from the initial design to Baymax's completion.

The videos were still very useful, but unlike having the actual blueprints, they left Luca to research and work out many of the steps and techniques for himself.

"Besides, some things that people in that world could simply order might be completely new black technology that I'll have to develop from scratch."

"Looks like it'll still take me quite a while to truly replicate Baymax."

Setting aside the work that was bound to take a long time, Luca briefly browsed the other contents of the chip.

This time, though, he breathed a small sigh of relief.

The situation was much better than he'd feared.

Perhaps because this version of Baymax was still in development, Luca couldn't understand a lot of the core components. Still, Tadashi had designed the modules in a clean, straightforward way when he built Baymax, leaving plenty of room for modifications in every area.

Even without changing the core code, Luca could still make upgrades.

For instance, the combat module he wanted to load. The original program even included a video motion-capture plugin.

He only had to load the movements he wanted Baymax to "learn" into the designated module. Baymax could then master them all through motion-capture analysis.

And unlike Hiro Hamada in the original story, Luca didn't need to worry that Baymax's core medical programming would make him refuse to fight.

Because of the "Zeroth Law," Baymax would obey without hesitation whenever Luca gave him an order.

"Yeah, I'd better make a separate chip for this. No point risking something going wrong with the original one. I'd have nowhere to cry about it afterward."

After giving it some thought, Luca took out another chip and copied the motion system onto it. Then he loaded the new chip with all sorts of data at once: common real-world fighting techniques, firearm use, special-forces tactics, and more.

By the time he'd finished that step, Luca was already feeling sleepy.

His emotions had been all over the place throughout the day, and the long stretch of focused work had left him mentally exhausted.

Even so, given the situation, Luca planned to get all the remaining work done in one go.

Next, he had to scan Baymax's body and design external armor based on the measurements.

The tricky part was that Luca had to do the modeling himself.

Even with an algorithm his father, Herman, had written to help with the work, it was still a major undertaking.

"Hmm, the gauntlets need some extra edges and weight."

"The carbon-fiber armor printed at home isn't bulletproof enough. I should make the armor on his body smoother."

"His belly... Forget it. I'll leave the inflatable interior as it is. It can at least help absorb impacts. Worst case, we can deflate him before putting on or taking off the armor."

"Uh, it looks a little uneven. Is it kind of ugly? Eh, it's fine. It's just a shell, and Baymax doesn't have an eye for aesthetics."

Muttering under his breath to stay awake, he focused on his work.

He worked through most of the night. Only after importing all the modeling data into the 3D Printer did Luca finally relax a little.

"The 3D Printer at home is nowhere near as good as the big machines at the company. It's too slow, and the finished parts aren't strong enough."

"But it'll have to do for now. I can upgrade Baymax at the company when I get the chance."

Once everything was taken care of, Luca watched the combat videos slowly upload and the 3D Printer start chugging away.

He estimated that both tasks would take until at least tomorrow... Well, this afternoon.

After letting out a huge yawn, Luca reinstalled Baymax's original green chip and called out sleepily, "Come on, Baymax. Let's go upstairs and get some sleep~"