Ch:18

Raika slowly opened her eyes, the stark white ceiling of the infirmary room coming into focus. She groaned softly, "Ahh, my head... I feel like I've been hit by a metal pipe."

Before she could gather her bearings, Mia rushed to her side and hugged her tightly. "Raika, you're awake! Thank goodness!"

Lina stood nearby, her eyes filled with relief. "I thought we lost you, Raika."

Fay, who had been pacing the room, crossed her arms and approached with a mixture of worry and irritation. "You had us all worried sick, you know."

Raika managed a weak smile, still feeling groggy from the ordeal. "Sorry for scaring you all."

Mia pulled back slightly, looking into Raika's eyes with concern. "What happened, Raika? One moment you were fine, and the next..."

Raika hesitated, trying to find the right words. "It's... complicated. I had a system malfunction."

Mia's brow furrowed in confusion. "System malfunction? What does that mean?"

Fay and Lina exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. "Raika, always with the strange explanations!" Fay chuckled.

"Yeah, you and your tech lingo," Lina added, shaking her head with a smile.

Raika joined in the laughter, relieved that they didn't press further. "Yeah, I guess I need to work on my metaphors."

Mia smiled warmly, squeezing Raika's hand. "Well, whatever it was, we're just glad you're okay."

Fay's expression softened as she placed a hand on Raika's shoulder. "We're here for you, Raika. Whatever you need."

Raika nodded, grateful for their support. "Thanks, everyone. I appreciate it."

As the group settled around her, Raika felt a renewed sense of determination. Despite the challenges she faced, she knew she wasn't alone. With her friends by her side, she could overcome anything.

Raika, still a bit disoriented, looked around at her friends. "How long was I asleep?"

Fay responded with a smirk, "It's been 10 hours."

Raika's eyes widened. "Huh, 10 hours? I must've been out cold. You all probably thought I was a dead body waiting to be cremated."

Fay laughed at Raika's dark humor. "You sure know how to make a dramatic entrance back to consciousness."

Mia shot Fay a stern look. "Fay, this is not a laughing matter. Raika was in serious trouble."

Lina, unable to hold back her amusement, chuckled softly. "I guess you really care about Raika, Mia."

Mia blushed slightly but squeezed Raika's hand gently. "Of course I do. We all do."

Raika felt a warmth spread through her chest. Despite the fear and uncertainty she had faced, she knew she had friends who truly cared for her. "Thanks, everyone. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Mia smiled reassuringly. "Just focus on getting better, Raika. We're here for you."

Lina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we'll make sure you're back on your feet in no time."

Raika smiled, feeling more determined than ever to recover and continue protecting her friends and school. "I will. With all of you by my side, I know I can do anything."

As Raika was served a plate of fresh fruits, her friends gathered their things to leave. "Bye, Raika," Mia said with a wave. "We'll attend class now. Take care and rest up."

Lina and Fay echoed her sentiments. "See you later, Raika. Get well soon!" they called as they left the infirmary.

Raika waved her hand, watching them leave with a grateful smile. Once she was alone, she addressed her Assistant in a quiet voice. "The battle yesterday was too much for me. It felt like fighting five Phailaxes at the same time. They were really formidable foes. What are those scientists thinking? There's no benefit in doing this to innocent people."

The Assistant's voice was calm and analytical. "Master, it appears the scientists have developed advanced combat strategies and technologies. Their motives, however, remain unclear. It is crucial to gather more information about their objectives and prevent further harm to civilians."

Raika nodded thoughtfully, nibbling on a piece of fruit. "You're right. We need to understand their goals and stop them before they cause more damage. For now, I need to recover and be ready for whatever comes next."

The Assistant responded, "Rest and recuperate, Master. Your well-being is essential for our future battles."

Raika sighed, feeling the weight of the recent events, but also a renewed sense of determination. She knew that with her friends by her side and her own resilience, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Raika settled back into the infirmary bed, she decided to check her status. "View status," she commanded.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head. "Argh! Ahh, my head!" she groaned, clutching her temples. Her vision began to glitch, and the Assistant's voice echoed in a distorted manner.

"Master, it...looks like...glitch...is the cause...overuse...power source," the Assistant's voice stuttered, filled with static and disjointed fragments.

Raika grimaced, struggling to maintain focus. "This is bad," she managed to say, knowing that the malfunction could compromise her abilities and reveal her true nature if not fixed soon. She had to find a solution before it got any worse.

Raika, still in pain and struggling with the glitching interface, pleaded, "Please help me. How do I fix the glitch?"

The Assistant's voice continued to stutter, "Searching... searching..." as it tried to find a solution amidst the malfunctions.

Raika lay back, her vision swimming with erratic data streams and fragmented commands, hoping that the Assistant could find a way to stabilize her systems before the glitch became irreparable.

The Assistant's glitching voice finally managed to stabilize enough to convey, "Error found. Main source of glitch identified. It appears your power connection has been nibbled. This is very dangerous, Master."

Raika winced at the news, feeling the strain on her systems. "How do I fix it?"

The Assistant, still struggling with the glitches, responded, "You need immediate repair. Recommend shutting down non-essential systems to prevent further damage."

Raika nodded, taking a deep breath. "Initiate shutdown of non-essential systems."

"Initiating... shutdown," the Assistant confirmed, its voice still distorted but functional enough to comply with Raika's command. As her vision dimmed, Raika hoped this temporary measure would buy her enough time to find a permanent solution.

The Assistant's voice continued, "For now, you cannot use your first form barrier and Phailax. You are completely vulnerable, Master."

Raika groaned, frustration evident in her voice. "This is a pain in the ass."

As she lay in the infirmary, her mind raced with thoughts of how to fix the damage and prepare for any future threats. Her vulnerability was a serious concern, and she knew she had to find a way to repair her systems quickly.

"Assistant, prioritize finding a solution to restore my power connection," Raika instructed.

"Affirmative, Master. Commencing search for repair options," the Assistant replied, still with a slight glitch but more stable than before.

Raika sighed, knowing she had to be cautious and stay alert until she could regain her full capabilities. The battle had taken a toll on her, but she was determined to recover and protect her friends and the academy.

The Assistant's voice, though still slightly glitchy, advised, "For now, since your power is really low, you must recharge, Master. It is the only thing to do."

Raika nodded, understanding the necessity. "Alright, initiate recharge protocol."

"Affirmative, Master. Beginning recharge sequence."

As the recharge process started, Raika felt a slight hum of energy beginning to flow back into her systems. She closed her eyes, letting the process take over, and allowed herself to rest. She knew that while she recharged, she needed to conserve her energy and remain vigilant.

Her thoughts drifted to the recent battle, the formidable foes, and the mysterious scientist behind the attacks. There were so many questions left unanswered, and she felt a deep responsibility to uncover the truth and ensure the safety of everyone at Stella Academy.

Raika smiled faintly as she thought about her invention. "Good thing I invented this new recharging dock," she muttered, attaching it securely to her wrist like a wristband. The device began to gather ambient electronics from the air, fast-charging her systems.

"It should sustain me for two days to reach full power," she mused aloud, pleased with her innovation. With her power levels stabilizing, Raika knew she could focus on recovering fully and preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Mark, a steady and confident leader, along with his team of Guardian Rangers—Amelia, strategic in battle; Jason, tall and muscular; and Sarah, composed and observant—visited Raika in the infirmary. Mark greeted her warmly, concern evident in his voice.

"Hey Raika, how are you feeling? We noticed you collapsed. Since we're nearby at the academy, we thought we'd drop by," Mark said, his demeanor reassuring yet curious about Raika's condition.

Jason offered encouragement, "Stay strong, kid. You'll bounce back from this."

Sarah, with a reassuring tone, added, "Don't let this setback fool you. You've got this."

Amelia nodded in understanding, "It can be tough getting back on your feet, but we're here to support you, kid."

Mark remarked, "Yesterday's battle was intense. Those mechs were on a different level. Thank goodness Cyborg 001's mech was there, or we might have been goners by now."

Amelia nodded thoughtfully, "At first, I mistook Cyborg 001 for an enemy, but she turned out to be a powerful ally. Her skills are truly on another level. She dismantled those mechs with such ease."

Jason added with admiration, "Her combat abilities were impressive. Facing multiple enemies alone and still coming out on top, that takes serious skill."

Sarah chimed in, "Definitely. It was like watching a master at work. I'm really impressed."

Mark concluded, "We owe her a lot for protecting Starloom City. She's earned our respect."

The Guardian Rangers exchanged looks of mutual agreement, acknowledging Raika's prowess and their newfound appreciation for her abilities.

"Indeed," Mark agreed, his tone reflective. "She's deliberately kept her identity concealed, but someday, we might learn more about her. Her mastery and dedication to protecting the city speak volumes about her character."

Amelia nodded in agreement, adding, "It's intriguing. I wonder what drives her to fight with such determination."

Jason, ever curious, remarked, "I've never seen anyone handle a mech like that before. She's definitely someone worth knowing."

Sarah, thoughtful as always, said, "Whoever she is, she's a force to be reckoned with. We're lucky to have her on our side."

They all shared a moment of quiet respect for Cyborg 001, acknowledging her as a formidable ally whose identity remained a mystery but whose actions spoke volumes about her courage and skill.

Raika muttered to herself quietly, "Thank you." Her thoughts were a mix of gratitude for her friends' support and determination to overcome the challenges ahead, knowing her role as Cyborg 001 was crucial in protecting Starloom City.

Raika's curiosity deepened as Mark mentioned a master scientist known to live underwater. She furrowed her brows slightly, absorbing this new information. "Underwater? That's intriguing," she remarked, imagining the kind of expertise someone living in such an environment might possess. "Do you think he could help me with... delicate repairs?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope and a touch of urgency. Looking at Mark earnestly, she continued, "Could you introduce me to him?"

A sense of determination settling over her. "There's something I need to discuss with the scientist. Do you know his name?"

Mark replied with a reassuring smile, "His name is Dr. Aquinas. I can take you there if you're feeling up to it now."

Mark glanced at Raika with concern, his voice steady yet firm. "Only if you're fully healed from the incident in the infirmary, then I'll take you there. Deal?"

Raika nodded in agreement, understanding the condition. "Deal," she affirmed, knowing she needed to be at her best for what lay ahead.

After Mark's condition, Amelia stepped forward, expressing her support. "Raika, take the time you need. We're all rooting for you."

Jason nodded in agreement, adding, "You've got this. When you're ready, we'll head out."

Sarah, with a reassuring smile, chimed in, "Stay strong, Raika. We'll see you soon."

Raika nodded gratefully, feeling the encouragement from her teammates. "Thank you, everyone. I'll be ready."

With a final wave, the Guardian members bid farewell, leaving Raika to focus on her recovery and preparations for the journey ahead.