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Imagine if you will, a sugar cube...

Recreation of the "Puny God" scene from the Avengers.

Nothing. Bubbles Honor Code will prevent her from disintegrating her.

She lets Faye go to town on her chassis.

"It's a small world aaaaaa-fter all!..."

Tuned into a waffle maker.

Space Ham?

Purple Monkey AI-run Dishwasher!

...Yes, I'm a Patreon subscriber, why do you ask?

[jwhouk]

And here we go - it's "Revenge of the Bubbles" week!

[Clubman8]

Things are going so blistering and unnaturally fast the next comic might not even have anything to do with this arc. Which is fine by me.

[Method of Madness]

Me too, JW, me too.

[Sullivan]

Things are going so blistering and unnaturally fast the next comic might not even have anything to do with this arc. Which is fine by me.

I doubt that.

I agree with some of the less-happy comments in last week's WCDT. But I'm still interested in seeing the next steps here.

[WareWolf]

I (and others)  seem to have called the "Bubbles could destroy or torture CW but her honor prevents her" part.

Now it remains to be seen if Creepybot shows up to do the wet work.

[Method of Madness]

Well done, Bubbles.

[mercykills]

"Hell Yea, Bubbles!!!" *gratuitous fist pump*

[Nycticoraci]

"The Great Destrpyer" indeed!

[Somebody]

This will not bite Bubbles in her arse, heavily-armoured or not, at all. Nope.

[Strawberrycocoa]

Eeehhhh scenes like this always leave me feeling a little bit like the protag didn't make the right choice. Not killing her is definitely the honorable thing to do, but Corpse Witch is a vindictive evil creature. Even if you don't wish to "kill" her, she needs to be disabled somehow so she can't retaliate later. Turn her in to the cops or something, don't just rough her up and walk away.

And depending on how you define "killing" her, you could just rip out her Black Box and put it on a bookcase so she spends the rest of her life as a sentient mantle ornament.

[David F]

This will not bite Bubbles in her arse, heavily-armoured or not, at all. Nope.

It may.  But I suspect officer Basilisk will be involved shortly, and that should keep CW out of circulation for a while.

If Bubbles had chosen to destroy CW, the consequences for her would have been rather more immediate and unpleasant.  I have to assume the legal system takes a dim view of crushing an AI's mind substrate to dust...

I'm very happy to see this outcome.  For all Faye may have joked about providing Bubbles an alibi (and about quarries...) I don't think she'd be able to see Bubbles the same way if she had murdered a defenseless person, no matter how justified it would have been.

[Rincewind]

Bubbles is a class act.  Also, I'd like to think that CW is sitting in a puddle of her own lubricant right now.

[St.Clair]

The ability to choose, and act upon that choice, is one of the most essential parts of freedom.  Perhaps the most essential.

[jheartney]

I don't know how big of a staff CW has at the park; the only other worker bee we've seen is Jeremy, and he's just an arm (albeit sentient). CW was smugly telling Bubbles she'd need to take over Faye's workload, so it doesn't look like there's anybody else to take up the slack. Assuming CW treats her other employees as badly as she did Bubbles, there may not be a lot of good will there to get the other staff to pitch in.

So CW will be scrambling to get everyday fight damage repaired for the next while, till she can get somebody new in to exploit.

Faye is back to where she was around 2902: at loose ends, looking for work and trying to stay sober. Now with a Large Metal Friend.

[TRVA123]

I really want Bubbles to call the feds on CW. Or blackmail CW into signing over the property to Bubbles and then leaving town.

But I feel that calling the feds on CW is more in line with Bubbles ethical code. She doesn't seem the blackmail type.

[BarGamer]

Hrmph. I was hoping for tearing her arms off, AT LEAST. Maybe Faye will take a hammer to her, prior to robbing her? Maybe Gary the Gray Creepybot will take her Robot Jail? Leaving it like this feels less like a loose thread and more like a loose fire-hose: You just know someone's gonna get hurt.

[mikmaxs]

Well, called it. Yay?

[OldGoat]

This will not bite Bubbles in her arse, heavily-armoured or not, at all. Nope.

It may.  But I suspect officer Basilisk will be involved shortly, and that should keep CW out of circulation for a while.

Agreed.  Corpse Witch's criminal con artist ways have caught up with her.  She has no out of the ordinary computer skills, no real friends in high places (although she may have some blackmail material here and there) or influence with the police.  What she does have is the ability to lie convincingly and to read people, human and AI, and identify things they desire and/or need, and a talent for identifying what they will do to get them.  Just like the exploitative humans Jeph modeled her on.

As for Creepybot - Hanners speaks with Station who tells her that what she needs is beyond his ability, but he still wants very much to help her.   Who would he speak with who might have some insight and might take serious offense at Corpse Witch's violation of the sanctity of Bubble's mind?  That person may even have imbued AIs with that ethic very early on in their existence.  Yup, John Ellicott-Chatham.  Hannelore's father is behind Creepybot.  (Beatrice?  Naw, ethics aren't her bag.)

But this arc wasn't for introducing new characters, it was to further establish Bubbles's wisdom, decency, and, yes, humanity.

[BenRG]

There was no poll choice that matched my idea - They turn Corpse Witch off and disassemble her for safety reasons before later handing her over to the authorities in a 'safe' chassis.

FWIW, I don't think we've seen the end of this confrontation. Either Corpse Witch is going to try to get control of Bubbles back somehow or is going to attempt to 'eliminate' this threat through her police contacts. Either way, I think that it was a mistake to leave her functioning and not in a powered-down standby. Best option is that Corpse Witch is so frightened that she runs away but her network of patronage and corruption is intact, giving her a lot of power to harm innocents.

That said, yeah, I don't think it was ever plausible that Bubbles would kill without someone (likely Faye) being in immediate danger. She's already told Faye at some length about how she despises violence.

By the way, how did we get from the position in panel 1 to the one in panel 2? I might be guilty of over-thinking this but the only option that comes to me is that Bubbles literally threw Corpse Witch into the air with a twirling motion and caught her by the neck on the way back down. That's the 'cool' way, by the way. The more boring option is that we have a whole part of the action not shown in panel that explains it in a far more pedestrian manner.

[Storel]

I suspect the only reason Bubbles left CW mobile is that she knows CW won't have time to go anywhere -- probably because the State troopers have already surrounded the building and are just waiting for Bubbles and Faye to leave.

[TinPenguin]

I thought that too... but generally calling in the law just before you enter a building and threaten to kill someone isn't the wisest way to operate... and most police officers don't have the patience to wait around while you have your Crowning Moment of Character-Building.

[BenRG]

I think that the argument against Bubbles going State's Evidence against Corpse Witch is still valid - She doesn't want the facility closed down. It's much more likely that her strategy right now is to attempt to intimidate Corpse Witch into going on the run so she can take over the skate park without any interference. We'll see if that works out for them in time, I guess.

[Gyrre]

So, it's basically the opposite of the first three panels of this speech. "Without feeling, only thought restrains me, and the bars of law and logic form a brittle cage indeed."
— Forge, Paranatural[/i]

Both page 89 and 128 of Paranatural's 4th chapter sum up Forge's personality and motivations pretty well and are easily amongst my favorite antagonist speeches.

[JimC]

It's much more likely that her strategy right now is to attempt to intimidate Corpse Witch into going on the run so she can take over the skate park without any interference.

You know I'm not sure that running a borderline illegal enterprise is the ideal career path for a reclusive veteran with PTSD. And, frankly, I don't think Faye would be that much help either.

[USS Martenclaire]

These violent delights have non-violent ends.

[jheartney]

I think we've seen the last of the skate park. Unlike Brun, who we continued following even after she got out of Clinton's presence, CW is not interesting enough to lead her own storyline. CW may not end up literally dismembered, but she'll have been poofed into nonexistence in QC world because no more comics will be made about her.

So, any good names for the upcoming robot repair clinic Faye and Bubbles will be opening? Hammer and Fist Robot Repair Emporium? AnthroWorld Clinic? FayeBubb's? They could get steady business from Punchbot & Co. if CW has to close up the repair side due to lack of staff.

[Skewbrow]

So, any good names for the upcoming robot repair clinic Faye and Bubbles will be opening? Hammer and Fist Robot Repair Emporium? AnthroWorld Clinic? FayeBubb's? They could get steady business from Punchbot & Co. if CW has to close up the repair side due to lack of staff.

Somehow the simple `Body Shop' appeals to me. It may be a trademark violation though.

[Jakk Frost]

Sadly I can't, off the top of my head, think of an appropriate pun to tie CW into "Drop the mic", because that was totally a drop the mic moment.

[osaka]

Sadly I can't, off the top of my head, think of an appropriate pun to tie CW into "Drop the mic", because that was totally a drop the mic moment.

Drop the miCWophone?

[Bollthorn]

"I choose not to."

Am I the only one who got chills reading that?

[blt]

I think we've seen the last of the skate park. Unlike Brun, who we continued following even after she got out of Clinton's presence, CW is not interesting enough to lead her own storyline.

Unlike Brun?  Sure.

[gprimr1]

I'm curious to see if Jeph wants to continue with this arc. If he does, I'm wondering if CW, through her contacts, tries to hurt Faye.

CW knows she can't touch Bubbles, but she could potentially hurt Faye, which would hurt Bubbles.

[Sperry]

Sigh. Is it wrong to crush on an AI? Well, maybe 'crush' isn't quite the best word to use around Bubbles.

[WareWolf]

I'm curious to see if Jeph wants to continue with this arc. If he does, I'm wondering if CW, through her contacts, tries to hurt Faye.

CW knows she can't touch Bubbles, but she could potentially hurt Faye, which would hurt Bubbles.

That would be the quickest way I could think of to make Bubbles return and re-evaluate today's "choice."

[OldGoat]

"I choose not to."

Am I the only one who got chills reading that?

Nope.  The unsaid, ". . . at this time," came through loud and clear.

[Method of Madness]

So, any good names for the upcoming robot repair clinic Faye and Bubbles will be opening?

Faybles?

[Bollthorn]

Sigh. Is it wrong to crush on an AI? Well, maybe 'crush' isn't quite the best word to use around Bubbles.

Well I've been shipping Bubbles and Faye for some time now. Seriously, I watch them and I'm just like:

[Kugai]

For Bubbles, it's progress.

Consider the Bubbles we first met last year, I get the distinct impression that had that Bubbles has learned this, whe would have torn CW fimb from limb and fed her remains into a Blast Furnace, consequences be damned.

Her interaction wit Faye and the others has changed he,much to her benefit  and made her a much more calmer and easier individual to live with, improving her personality and her ability to interact with others.


That being said, I think Bubbles revenge for this will occur and it will be subtle, thorough and satisfying. 

[JackMann]

It's much more likely that her strategy right now is to attempt to intimidate Corpse Witch into going on the run so she can take over the skate park without any interference.

You know I'm not sure that running a borderline illegal enterprise is the ideal career path for a reclusive veteran with PTSD. And, frankly, I don't think Faye would be that much help either.

Well, obviously. That's why they need Jeremy. This is where that MBA he's been working for between Squirrel Girl issues is gonna pay off. Duh.

[brasca]

I doubt Corpse Witch will retaliate.  She has no cards left to play so she'll probably cut her losses and let Bubbles go.

[JackMann]

Eh. I think there's still some bits left with Corpse Witch. For one thing, I think a lot of us want to see something happen to her. Not torture, but some sort of punishment incoming.

For another, I think most of us want to see that the other fight club robots are going to be all right. If Corpse Witch is just left where she is, then a lot of other robots are going to suffer for it. Bubbles is the person we care most about here, but I don't think we'd be really happy knowing Jeremy, say, was still stuck working for her. Even if there aren't that many robots directly working for her, there are a lot who depend on her, and are therefore likely targets of abuse. I don't see Jeph just leaving that hanging.

[WareWolf]

Eh. I think there's still some bits left with Corpse Witch. For one thing, I think a lot of us want to see something happen to her. Not torture, but some sort of punishment incoming.

As I've stated elsewhere, I'd love to see a tap on CW's shoulder, she turns around, and there's Creepybot, smiling with something that's almost pity. "We'd like a word with you..."

 What happens after would be left to the imagination of the reader.

[Method of Madness]

I genuinely don't see the appeal in that, WareWolf, but to each their own.

Comic's up! So...a giant squid. Ok, then. I hope we get more. If not this arc, then someday.

In the middle of all this, don’t forget to take care of yourself. It’s too easy to get swept up in all the horror and awfulness and give in to despair. And we absolutely cannot afford to give in. With hope, and with action, we can overcome this.

Stay safe, fight the good fight, and know that I am incredibly proud and thankful for everyone doing their part. I promise I’ll keep making silly comics about robots and butts to keep you entertained in the meantime.

This world is better because Jeph (and Shelby) are in it.

[Is it cold in here?]

I doubt Corpse Witch will retaliate.  She has no cards left to play so she'll probably cut her losses and let Bubbles go.

She may not be able to use her police contacts at this point but if she's part of a Robot Mafia she might appeal to them for protection and retaliation. She's also now at the "cornered rat" stage of desperation. When a railgun package has your name on it there's not much left to lose.

[A small perverse otter]

I doubt Corpse Witch will retaliate.  She has no cards left to play so she'll probably cut her losses and let Bubbles go.

She may not be able to use her police contacts at this point but if she's part of a Robot Mafia she might appeal to them for protection and retaliation. She's also now at the "cornered rat" stage of desperation. When a railgun package has your name on it there's not much left to lose.

Hannelore convinced Station that orbital railgun solutions were just flat out.

I'm waiting to see what Station decides to do instead.

[Method of Madness]

...did she? I don't think Station was very convinced.

[Kugai]

But Station is loyal to Hanners and tries hard to stay in her good books. Not always successfully, but Hanners did lay down the law about this, and I doubt he'd go against her wishes.

[Gyrre]

Sigh. Is it wrong to crush on an AI? Well, maybe 'crush' isn't quite the best word to use around Bubbles.

Isn't the word for that 'clanking'?

I may be getting my internet slang mixed up, but one might argue that the technical term might be 'agalmatophilia'. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on either count.

[jheartney]

I've never seen any indication that Station has the instincts to be an overlord. He may have orbital railguns, but he's also got such a crush on the Boss's daughter that he'll undergo any humiliation to please her. In QC, he's been comic relief more often than not. OTOH the Gray One is the real deal. We may find out some day that when they came into being, the Illuminati were crushed like an egg.

One of my favorite quotes is from Asimov: "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." The Gray One doesn't need railguns. A simple touch and their enemies fold, just as Faye did. (This is part of why I don't expect the Gray One to visit CW; the Gray One likes to use minimum necessary intervention, and also doesn't like overt, messy violence. Attacking CW would be both unnecessary and out of character.)

[BenRG]

Well, if there was an award for avoiding answering a question, Bubbles wins one in panel 4. I'm pretty sure that Jeph is planning to do more with the real power behind Creepybot but I do hope that the payoff it is worth the build-up about just how powerful and dangerous it is supposed to be. I also suppose Faye deserves a mention for knowing the Latin genera name for the giant squid.

This is me but I've got a feeling that Martin is going to wake up tomorrow morning with a combat robot on his couch (Well... They needed to replace that couch anyway). I'm anticipating a mutually-awkward conversation to follow and, thereafter Faye having to clear up a few misconceptions and realise that some of it isn't misconception at all.