Compatibility Revisited: A Nindroid Romance

Repairs

In a roomy, well-lit workshop, Pixal is lying face down on a table with Zane bending over the back of her head. He is busy with a set of miniature tools, chips and wires, when suddenly his wristband starts flashing.

Zane (annoyed): What the ... (He looks at the wristband.) The holocom! (He drops his tools and presses a button on his wristband. A hologram of Nya, slightly flickering but clearly recognizable, is projected in front of him.) Nya! Is this working? Can you hear me?

Nya: Zane? Hang on, I can hear you, but the hologram isn't working yet. I'll get that up in a second. (Over her shoulder.) Hey, guys! I've got Zane. (Holograms of Jay, Kai, Cole and Lloyd appear behind her, as they excitedly gather around her.) Zane, how are you? We heard about that massive electric storm, which must have been right on your way, and I tried to contact you as soon as Jay and I were back at the monastery, but Pixal didn't reply. Uhh, here comes the hologram, just needs a second to build up ... Zane, we were so worried and – what's that!? (The ninja at the monastery suddenly gasp, as they can see the holograms of Zane and Pixal now.)

Lloyd (alarmed): What's wrong with Pixal? Why is she ...

Zane: We're safe. But you were right, we drove directly into the storm. Pixal got out of the car to fix the electric shield, and ... she didn't make it back inside in time. We were hit by a stroke of lightning, but she was lucky. The electric arc could have done much more damage. She ... she will be alright, I think ... I hope. (He sighs.) But it will take some time.

Nya: Oh, Zane, I'm so sorry! Are you able to fix her? Where are you now?

Zane: We're at Sensei Li's dojo. The Sensei was most helpful and kind, allowing me to move into the dojo's workshop for as long as it takes to get Pixal repaired. They're doing everything they can to help and get me all the tools and materials I ask for. But repairing a fused gyro unit isn't an easy task.

Kai: Sorry, but what's a gyro unit?

Jay: It's the equilibrium organ of a nindroid. Tiny chip, complex programming, millions of wires ... Uhh, I'd freak out if I'd have to work on that!

Lloyd: Like the inner ear of a human?

Zane: Yes, Lloyd. And when it fuses, the effects are what you would expect: loss of balance, heavy nausea. Luckily, Pixal's systems went straight into standby mode after she had received the blow, so I could drive her to the dojo while she was unconscious. But then I had to wake her up, to let her know what had happened and warn her that I'd need to shut her down completely for the repairs. She could hardly move and felt terrible.

Cole: That's really bad news. So for how long will you have to work on that gyro? Will she be fine when you reboot her?

Nya (simultaneously): Is there anything we can do?

Zane: Thanks, my friends. But I think the replacement chip should be ready this afternoon, so I can reconnect the hardware, check her vital functions and initiate reboot tonight. But after the reboot ... I'm afraid she won't be fine immediately.

Nya: Because her network will need to reconfigure?

Zane: Exactly, Nya. The hardware is only one part of the gyro. The software is more complicated. In order to make it fully functional again, it needs training, just like the neural network of a human. Pixal will have to relearn most of the movements that require a sense of balance.

Kai: How long will it take her?

Zane: The standard functions like walking and running probably no more than a couple of days. But to regain full control over her body? Perhaps as long as two or three weeks. I cannot tell.

Nya: Poor Pixal. Patience isn't her greatest strength.

Zane (with a weary smile): I'm afraid you may be right.

***

Later that night, Zane is seen pacing the room, repeatedly glancing at the status bars on a screen next to Pixal. She is lying on her back and connected with wires to a makeshift battery. He sits down next to her, looks at her quiet features and gently brushes a strand of hair out of her face. Moments later, he gets up and nervously watches the screen again.

Zane: Come on. A simple reboot shouldn't take so long. (He walks away from the screen, turns and comes back.) How long can you be stuck at 99.7%? Come on. (The color of the status bar suddenly switches from yellow to green.) Yes! (He bends over Pixal. She opens her eyes, and he carefully detaches her from the wires.) Pixal. (He lets out a sigh of relief.)

Pixal (confused): Zane. How did I get here? (She tries to swing her legs from the table, but Zane holds her back.)

Zane: Careful. You have been shut down for almost three days. And ... I'm afraid you won't be able to get up and run around immediately. But for now ... (He puts a hand on her shoulder.) I'm just glad that reboot went well.