Does Omega Dream of Electric Friends? · Chapter 6

The Match

Elisa

Phew, I think that's the last of today's visitors...

Thank you for keeping the numbers manageable today as well, Lord Gaph...

Omega

Elisa!!

Elisa

Eeeek?! M-Miss Omega?!

Omega

Elisa! What's the good thing about having friends?!

Elisa

Th-the good thing about friends?

Omega

Yup! Omega couldn't answer when somebody asked what's so good about having friends…

Elisa

Well, l-let me think...

Being together is fun, and... and...

Omega

And?

Elisa

...

Omega

...And?

Elisa

I'm sorry...

I... I don't have... very many f-friends... myself...

Omega

...Um, now Omega feels bad.

...

Maybe Cube is right after all.

Omega wasn't born to make friends. Omega was born to do a job.

Elisa

...

Um, m-may I sit next to you?

Omega

Yeah...

Elisa

So, was that... something your friend said?

Omega

...Yeah.

They only ever pick on Omega. Says it's all Omega's fault.

Elisa

Oh, I think I know exactly what you mean...!

Never admits their own mistakes.

Omega

Right! And you know, whenever Omega says something...

Elisa

They say "Stop having pointless thoughts!" Or, "Stop saying pointless things!"... right?

Omega

Right!

Elisa

I suspected as much... So you were talking about them after all, weren't you!

Omega

Hmph, Omega's not gonna talk to Cube ever again!

Elisa

Ah... my beloved Saintess Muriel... someday we shall walk into the flames together...!

Omega

Eh.

Elisa

Eh.

Weren't we talking about Saintess Muriel?

Omega

Weren't we talking about Cube?

Elisa

Th-they really do have some things in common...

Omega

Is that so?

...Elisa, doesn't it bother you to hear stuff like that?

Omega was... kind of mad earlier, listening to Cube.

Elisa

Honestly... I'm not sure.

But is there anyone who's only ever nice?

Take me, I'm just a slow, foolish being myself...

But... well, if it's about Cube Palace...

I'm not sure if it'll help, but... I do have something to tell you.

Omega

Hmm? What is it?

Elisa

I've been writing a theoretical text about the relics, you see.

Of course, as a Saintess ranked in the triple digits, there's only so much I'm allowed to access, but...

I did get the chance to read a report on Cube Palace.

Omega

A report? About Cube?

Elisa

Yes.

When Cube Palace was first discovered, it was transmitting an unidentified signal.

For a very, very long time, it sent that signal into empty space, with no reply ever coming back.

Omega

...

Elisa

If Cube Palace possessed the same kind of intelligence as you...

...there's no way it didn't feel it.

Loneliness. Solitude.

Omega

...I see.

...

Elisa, Omega's gonna head back now.

Time to take Cube home.

Elisa

Eh, y-yes?!

S-spirit... I mean, Miss Omega?!

Omega

...Huh?

Cube... Omega left him right here...

...Where did Cube go?

Omega

Cube! Where are you!

Omega

Cube! Answer me!!

Ugh... Cube, where are you...

...It's okay. Omega can do high-tech analysis!

Omega lost him... so Omega has to find him!

Nom.

Boy

Huh? Mom...

Boy's Mother

What's wrong?

Boy

That kid just picked up a rock and ate it...

Boy's Mother

What? She couldn't have...

Omega

Nom.

...

Not this one.

Boy's Mother

S-she really did?!

Omega

Hmm... not this one either...

This piece...? *Lick*

Ah! This is it! Same as the one where Cube was!

Then... he must've gone this way for sure!

Omega

*Bleh* Omega can't taste anything anymore... can't eat one more bite...

End? Is this the end?

The trail ends at this warehouse...

Could Cube Palace be inside...?

Eh.

Someone's being really loud...

???

You dare defy me?!

I'll make an example out of you!

Omega

Something's definitely going on!

Hang on, Omega's coming...!