Just as Cairo focused on data analysis and future planning, Maine's crew—after several days' rest—basically recovered from intense discomfort brought by two consecutive cross-dimensional transports.
Physical exhaustion plus neural-level disruptions had gradually settled. But marks those experiences left—especially sensations during transport processes where consciousness seemingly shattered then forcibly reassembled—still made them deeply shaken.
Power enhancements were tangible and real.
When Rebecca's fingertips brushed across bolter's cold gun body, she experienced unprecedented security sensations. Pilar—while calibrating flamers—eyes flickered with pure joy toward destructive power. Sasha and Kiwi—testing electronic warfare capabilities—also struggled concealing shock toward their own new powers.
These equipment elevated everyone's combat capabilities multiple tiers—qualitative transformations unimaginable through years of Night City street fighting.
However, that experience deep within otherworlds plus soul-shattering-like transport experiences were like cold water buckets, awakening everyone intoxicated by power.
They clearly realized—within this mechanical overlord's grand layouts, they were both beneficiaries receiving bestowed power, yet also observed, tested experimental subjects, plus execution tools deployable into unknown dangers anytime.
This cognition—like invisible membranes—quietly shrouded teams.
Maine—during silences—would unconsciously clench that modified metal fist, sensing within it energy sufficient destroying armored vehicles, yet brows furrowed tighter.
His burdens grew heavier—not only leading teams surviving but seeking fragile balances between power and costs.
Dorio remained steady yet gazes held more scrutiny. She'd more carefully sense power surging internally, pondering whether invisible ropes hid behind these gifts.
Rebecca occasionally—after excitement—fell into brief silences. Green optics unfocused gazing toward workshop-exterior desolate Badlands, thinking unknown thoughts.
Even most carefree Pilar sometimes stopped fiddling with new weapons. Slender mechanical fingers unconsciously tapping knees, revealing barely-detectable anxiety.
Complex emotions silently spread through teams. Dependencies and delights toward powerful forces were real. But toward that bottomless future prospects—that heavy hidden concerns—equally genuinely weighed on everyone's hearts.
During one internal team meeting, Maine raised practical problems they faced.
"Can't complain about power the boss gave us," Maine surveyed his crew members, voice steady and powerful. "But that transport... honestly, two more times short-term—I doubt whether some of us would completely collapse.
That's not just motion sickness but... feeling entire persons disassembled and reassembled, plus not necessarily assembled correctly."
Dorio nodded. She'd personally experienced that bone-deep discomfort. Even with her enhanced frame—difficult completely resisting: "We need letting the boss understand this situation. This isn't just complaints but important combat feedback.
If future similar missions exist, our bodies might not withstand excessively-frequent transports."
Though Rebecca was excited about power enhancements, she also rarely expressed agreement: "That return—I lay half a day before recovering. More tiring than fighting entire days. If shooting immediately post-transport, I estimate couldn't even steady guns."
After discussions, Maine decided formally raising this issue upon next seeing Cairo.
Opportunities quickly arrived. Cairo needed collecting their post-transport long-term physiological data for comprehensively assessing transport impacts on modified bodies.
Maine's crew was again summoned to workshops.
Unlike past times, when stepping into these spaces filled with cold machinery and low humming—their paces held less anticipation, more indescribable heaviness. Air seemingly still retained last transport's anomalous sensations—consciousness torn then forcibly pieced together.
After completing series of precision scans and data recordings, Maine stepped forward.
He took deep breaths—as if organizing language—then stated team concerns about cross-dimensional transport physiological burdens toward Cairo in as objective and respectful tones as possible.
"Boss, we're very grateful for power you've bestowed, also willing executing missions for you." His voice sounded especially clear in cavernous workshops. "But last time—two consecutive transports brought massive physical and mental pressures. We worry this might affect subsequent mission execution efficiency, possibly even causing non-combat casualties."
His words dropped. Workshops fell into brief silences—only equipment operational constant humming.
Dorio stood at Maine's rear flanks, silently expressing support. Rebecca rarely didn't look around but tightly pressed lips—obviously still shaken by those transport experiences.
Pilar restlessly flexed his long fingers. Falco adjusted shades, attempting reading something from Cairo's expressionless metal faceplates.
Cairo's crimson optical lenses turned toward Maine, quietly listening to his reports.
He didn't immediately respond. That cold gaze seemingly penetrated flesh, directly examining operational states of every component within their bodies.
Moments later, he pulled up just-collected detailed physiological data, conducting rapid comparative analyses with pre-and-post-transport records.
Data streams rapidly scrolled in his vision. Line after line of parameters, waveform diagrams, energy readings processed at high speeds.
Analysis results confirmed Maine spoke truthfully. Their nervous systems indeed showed repair traces after experiencing intense stimulations. Neural synapse signal transmission efficiencies slightly declined. Some implant energy circuits also detected minute stress residues.
These all silently corroborated those "disassembled-reassembled" sensations—not entirely subjective speculations.
"Data analysis confirms," Cairo's synthesized voice broke silences. "Your biological substrate and existing implant integration degrees haven't reached ideal thresholds—insufficient for short-term frequently bearing structural stresses cross-dimensional transport brings. This information holds value."
He acknowledged problem existence, attributing it to insufficient body-implant fusion degrees.
To Cairo, this was important experimental data points, helping him clarifying future cross-dimensional transport tolerance standards for life units.
"As rewards for providing critical information, you may propose one request." Cairo continued.
His logic core determined appropriate rewards aided maintaining team enthusiasm and loyalty: "Within reasonable ranges, I'll consider."
Maine had prepared for this. He and crew members had long discussed.
He glanced at Dorio, then told Cairo: "Boss, we hope customizing one weapon for Dorio. Her strength is great but lacks primary combat equipment fully unleashing her capabilities."
Dorio was team's close-guard pillar. Her enhanced flesh itself was powerful weapons. But facing higher-level threats—relying solely on fists and feet indeed seemed limited.
One weapon matching her monstrous strength and combat styles would dramatically boost her frontline suppression capabilities and survival abilities.
Cairo's gaze swept across Dorio, rapidly accessing database data about her combat patterns, strength peaks, body structures.
"Acceptable." He concisely agreed. "Based on her combat data, I'll design suitable melee equipment for her. Estimated requiring seventy-two hours completing design and manufacturing."
This response made Maine's crew relax, also feeling reassured.
Cairo wasn't completely heartless. Their needs and feedback received attention plus actual responses.
"Thank you, Boss." Maine spoke on behalf of the team.
"Return to strongholds. Maintain standby states. When weapons complete, will notify you." Cairo issued directives. His attention had already begun shifting toward technical parameters and material selections required designing Dorio's weapons.