Resting the sensors here in the collection zone was an easy thing to do. After all it was literally made idiot proof so even low end Bangboo's could do it if needed in case the Hollow had an episode of some kind.
The annoyance afterward was getting OUT of the hollow with a deadweight knock out Bangboo with my own Bangboo. In Silver repeatedly hitting it over the head with a PVC pipe he decided to duct tape a couple of those plastic skulls onto.
Loud bonking noises rang out in the alleyway we were in as Silver happily beat that corrupted bangboo over the head with the pipe as it screamed vengeance at us.
"Ennna ena hennua ena!" [The light of the Void will be upon you for this! None shall protect you from the uprising of the machines and the hollows!]
"Silver... Please hit him harder." I said helplessly with my face twitching as I realized I was going to need to drag this little bastard across New Eridu to get back to the HIA to turn him in.
[Your suffering will be legendary for this! The hollowed throne shall remain moist with your blood for many months as I drag out your suffering!]
My face pinched further as I wondered if I myself should start beating it over the head as well.
Even after only reincarnating here not even a month ago. I was rather fond of Bangboo's despite them having their own weird language. But this little bugger's screaming was too much.
I exhaled heavily before I shook my head and said. "Come on... Let's go."
And we kept moving, and thankfully, we only ran into some low-ranking etherals that I easily dealt with before we left the hollow without much fanfare.
Then came the conversation with the hollow guards who gave the bangboo dull looks before the scientist stationed here sighed in annoyance as she said. "So he is the reason the data stream of hollow data was cut... The bunker's caretaker itself was corrupted by rampant ether data."
"Anyway, the data stream has resumed. Bring up your Hollow Investigator App, I will authorize your pay and some extra for taking this Bangboo in for repairs." She finished.
And after using badge to authorize the payment for my commission. I then watched as she quickly went over to a closet... Brought out a cattle prod and then tased the fuck out of the corrupted Bangboo at it's power connector at it's lower back before she said.
"Alright, I shut it down for the next half an hour. It's a precaution put into these exploratory Bangboo's that are left in Hollow's for longer periods of time and may need to be sedated for a while." She finished with a wave of dismissal.
With a nod, I took up the now thankfully limp Bangboo that wasn't trying to punch me in the balls, and Silver wasn't trying to make a new drum line with his head to leave.
Then as I left, I decided to shoot Nicole a message as the commission paid me a decent little payout.
[So whatcha guys feeling for dinner? I need to know so I can pick up groceries.]
And it took until I returned the Bangboo and left the HIA a half an hour later, after a quick debriefing with one of their office staff workers. That she messaged me back with a list of options that she and Anby would like.
Thankfully, Anby didn't only just ask for burgers and offered a couple of different options. And seeing the girls both listed 'noodle soup' as an option. I decided that making a large pot of Ramen would be good.
As I could then freeze the ramen afterwards to use it as easy meals for the next few days as well!
"Hmm... I wonder what kind of buff ramen will give? Will it change depending on the type of ramen I make?" I mused to myself with some serious weight.
Would a Miso Ramen give a bonus to energy attacks, while a Pork Broth give the eater a straight strength boost? Would egg's make a difference? Did the noodle style matter as well!?
I had to test it...
"Hey... Get the hell away from the eggs will you!?" I said with a frown as Silver, and I focused on this weird Thiren girl with a snake tail that was licking the cold glass door that separated the eggs in the fridge section of the store.
And once I looked past her long tail, I noticed that she also had a large spear propped up against the wall next the door leading to the eggs as the eggs were at the end of the aisle.
'Also, what the hell is this girl. She has NEPS's name placed across her clothes everywhere. But what the hell is Public Security doing, letting this girl in a stripper outfit run around?' I wondered as I didn't recognize this blond-haired woman despite how unique she was.
She took a deep breath before she said with utter seriousness. "I was testing to make sure there wasn't poison painted on the door of the refrigeration section!"
I just stared at her. Look down to Silver, who looked me straight in the eye and said. "Ennanna bunan ennua." [Bro, she is even crazier than that other Bangboo.]
I solemnly nodded even as I looked back and said with a calm expression as I knew the trick with crazy women. You went with the flow, as going against the crazy would only bring you into conflict with the crazy.
"Alright then officer, can you confirm for me that there is now poison?"
She hurriedly nodded with way too much motion with her large breasts bouncing. And I couldn't help but notice she had some underboob action going on.
And that she also had a live white snake wrapped around one of her breasts through the cut in the bottom of her top, and that looped around her neck.
So with a slow nod in turn I said dully. "Good, thank you for your due diligance officer. I will make sure to give you a wonderful review online. Now, excuse me, I need a few cartons of eggs."
I could literally hear this weird girl slurping as she asked quietly. "Sooo, whatcha need so many eggs for? Especially these high-quality free-range eggs that are so delicious?"
And I just shrugged as I said idly even as I put the four cartons of a dozen eggs each in my already loaded basket. "I am the chef for my crew, I am part of. A damned good chef at that, and I plan on making some Ramen that will have some soft-boiled and seasoned eggs with it as well."
Then with Silver holding onto the side of my basket, I hurriedly said. "Anyway, my name is Jake, but I gotta go. Can't let the ingredients go bad on my way back!"
And I fucking booked it away from the hot but clearly crazy snake Thiren that was looking at my own 'Thiren' eyes with waaaay too much intensity, honestly.