Maxwell/Story

Spoilers!*"Your greatest villain Drake shall warn you, SPOILERS AHEAD!"*The following article or section contain **spoilers!** Viewer discretion is advised.

Overview**Story**VoicelinesGallery

## Behind the Scenes

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Kim Yool

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Amber Lee Connors

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Sora Amamiya

## Profile

A member of Missilis' top Nikke squad Matis. In contrast to Laplace's obsession with heroism or Drake's obsession with villainy, Maxwell comes off as the voice of reason keeping the two in check. And she is, at least when the subject isn't about weapons or anything else she's researching. Her curiosity is always on the brink of overflowing, and the moment something stimulates it, she'll stop at nothing to get her hands on it and learn everything she can about it.

### Nikke Backstory

A genius researcher who loves nothing more than machines and knowledge. As the brain of Matis, she is both perceptive, whip-smart, and capable of producing weapons in a flash.

## Story

Content Warning*"All **salacious** and **impure** thoughts have been swirling in my mind!"*The following article or section depicts a **disturbing** or **suggestive** content! Viewer discretion is advised.
### Background

In her past life as a human, Maxwell was a famous self-made scientist that worked out of her own lab. It was attacked by Raptures, leading to her death. He work was so revered, Missilis took an interest in Maxwell and revived her as a Nikke. Along with being a part of the company's strongest squad, Matis, Maxwell has become one of Missilis's most accomplished researchers.

### Character Story

#### Episode 1 - Case 01. Cutey-Pie

At the Outpost, Maxwell lets slip to the protagonist her roots as a scientist for Missilis Industry, a factoid that catches him by surprise. She uses that fact to lead up to her request for him to act as a test subject. Despite his reservations, Maxwell insists this experiment will be of benefit to him, claiming that what she's giving him will blow that Elysion exoskeleton he wore out of the water. A full-body enhancement suit that would drastically improve his mobility and strength on the surface, allowing him to move faster and safer. Curiosity peaked, the protagonist enthusiastically agrees to the experiment, which will take place in the desert. Normally, Maxwell would use Missilis' suite of labs, equipment, and testing facilities for this, but the...rocky relationship...between Syuen and the protagonist necessitates secrecy, lest the CEO demand the suit be scrapped just to thumb her nose at the commander.

Out in the desert, Maxwell fawns over the sleek, cold metallic look of the suit. The protagonist is less inclined to fawn over it, since he's baking like a potato from a lack of breathability. Maxwell apologizes for not adding ventilation functions yet, and runs the suit through a battery of tests, like lifting (which requires a settings adjustment), running (which doesn't work too well because she didn't design the suit to run), and...firepower testing? It turns out the suit even comes with a gun, which upon being test-fired destroys a building with a loud bang. The protagonist is concerned about the sound of gunfire drawing Raptures, which it does...except that was *exactly* what Maxwell wanted to happen. She starts up what she calls the real test as she grabs the suit's gun and tells the protagonist to stand back. For some reason, she calls the suit he's wearing "Cutey-Pie" and the protagonist himself "Cutey"...

A while later, all the Raptures are dealt with. Maxwell checks the gun's output and finds it's drained "Cutey-Pie" down to 10% power, risking it running out of charge on the way back. The protagonist accuses Maxwell of pulling a fast one on him, which she responds isn't fully the case. She *is* developing Cutey-Pie with the intent of equipping him with it, but she didn't see the harm in making it a side-project to her real goal. The protagonist presses her for more information, and with a slightly sheepish expression, she decides to oblige. Truth be told, Maxwell was looking to make some improvements to "My Cutey", her personal weapon. Officially, she's supposed to only use weapons tested and approved by other scientists, but she found their output less than satisfactory and decided to take matters into her own hands. As for the need to pull the wool over the protagonist's eyes...she was concerned that he held an enmity for Nikkes of Missilis on account of his relationship with Syuen.

The protagonist finds the idea patently absurd, but to Maxwell it's a reasonable assumption to make. After all, his squad Counters is composed entirely of Nikkes from Elysion and Tetra Line, so between that and his distaste for Syuen, it'd be logical to assume he wouldn't be keen on interacting much with anyone from Missilis. The protagonist asserts that he does not hold a particular discrimination against Missilis Nikkes, which Maxwell takes as a green light to keep using him as a test subject. The session concludes with the two of them arguing back and forth about the ups and downs of testing on the surface vs. the Missilis Tower.

Later, in a laboratory, Maxwell is studying data inputs on a monitor. Whatever she's looking for, it involves checking physiological and hormonal readings, which show no significant change...

#### Episode 2 - Case 02. Lemonade

The Missilis Tower is the testing grounds for today. Maxwell scraps the last Rapture of the wave in one shot, and cheers over achieving a faster clear time than before. While the scientist is eager to push a little further towards their target time, the protagonist decides now is a good time to take a break. Despite wanting to keep going, Maxwell eventually agrees to the protagonist's request to go for a walk outside, staring at the man and muttering about a "pheromone attack" under her breath...

Outside, the two talk as they go, with the protagonist asking Maxwell about her hobbies. The scientist answers that unfortunately, her fame precedes her both as a human and as a Nikke, so her days have been spent entirely ensconced in some manner of work environment. The protagonist is surprised that Maxwell was a renowned scientist even as a human, to which the Nikke in question is in disbelief. Did the man really think any run-of-the-mill scientist could be given permission to operate and adjust the Missilis Tower? The conversation eventually turns towards the protagonist's aptitude for office life, or rather his lack of it due to his disinclination to cozy up to superiors like Andersen. Seeing the protagonist's face scrunch like he just ate a lemon, Maxwell laughs and decides to talk about something other than jokes at his expense. As both a researcher of some renown *and* a member of Missilis' top squad, she's all too aware of the kind of public attention she receives, and worries that the protagonist might be subject to some of that attention in a bad way. The protagonist takes it all in stride, which she's quite relieved to hear before deciding to head downtown.

One hour later, at downtown Ark. While Maxwell marvels at the strangely busy yet quiet nature of the city at night, the protagonist brings her a lemonade he purchased earlier. The scientist is a bit befuddled at why he's handing her a drink like this, but eventually accepts it. The first sip is sour yet refreshing, and her first taste of lemonade in so long. This drink was a favorite of hers back when she was human, but didn't so much as have a drop since becoming a Nikke, having stuck to Missilis-manufactured products designed to sustain Nikkes. The protagonist asks why she wouldn't diversify her palate, which she explains as an efficiency matter. There's no reason to pretend to be human beyond the minimum to avoid a Mind Switch, and human food is suboptimal for maintaining a Nikke's body. On that note, however, she'll still drink the lemonade since it was offered to her, especially since it's something he got for her.

Deciding to change tracks, Maxwell proposes that the two go get some exercise as "dessert", which has some incredibly suggestive subtext the protagonist doesn't miss. He also doesn't miss the fact that the scientist keeps calling him "Cutey" even though Cutey-Pie is nowhere to be found. Maxwell simply says it's a fitting nickname, with how cute and sweet he is, by her testimony.

Later, in a lab, Maxwell is looking over the data of her weapons and combat scores. Somehow, even though "foreign substances" were introduced to her system (the lemonade) her output still went up. Intrigued by this development, she decides to kick it up a notch...

#### Episode 3 - Case 03. Regret

Another day of testing is concluded, but Maxwell seems to be stuck in her own head. The protagonist calls to her a few times, snapping her back to reality.

Turns out the thing on her mind was her past as a human. She used to work in a temporary lab she'd made herself, but the Raptures attacked it and she died before she could backup the research data. But recently, she's gotten word that the lab was reclaimed, and it's been all she can think about. The protagonist wonders if there's anything she'd like to get back from the lab, which she responds is the research data and test results before laughing it off as a mood-killing joke. Even if there *was* anything she actually wanted to recover, no commander out there would accompany her for such a minor thing. The protaognist declares his intentions to go to the lab with her, knowing full well the surface is a dangerous place. Maxwell thanks the protagonist for his willingness to go through with this.

Later on the surface, the two have cleared out the Raptures around the lab, which Maxwell chalks up to all the tests they've done together. The scientist is about to go and recover the research records, but the protagonist simply asks her if they can return now that the test is over. Maxwell tries to play dumb, but the protagonist isn't having any of it, as the scientist made it clear that "human" Maxwell and "Nikke" Maxwell are two different people. Plus, she didn't use the word "Cutey" to refer to the things she's looking for, which he's deduced she uses to refer to anything that interests her.

With a chuckle and a grin, Maxwell admits this whole thing was another test, and decides to be forthright. The protagonist's boundless kindness is an anomaly among commanders, but a good one that catches her interest. She wants to test him and see how far that kindness will go...

Later, Maxwell is compiling data in a lab. Before it seemed like coincidence, but now she's positive. There's a direct correlation between a Nikke's bond with the protagonist and an increase to their combat strength and ability. She wonders if it's purely a psychological factor, or if there's something about the protagonist's constitution. Even in terms of personality, the man is odd, flipping between being a near-doormat and being sharp-witted and firm. Yet he'll still reach out a kind hand for no other reason than to help a Nikke. Does the man's ability stem from this behavior of his, or does the personality come as a byproduct of the ability?

Interest peaked like it never has before, Maxwell chortles to herself in the lab. At that moment, her phone buzzes with a message from Syuen asking for a progress report. She's expecting a written final product, especially since it seems the experiment is soon coming to a close. For some reason, Maxwell can't shake a feeling of regret at the idea...

#### Episode 4 - Case 04. My Cutey

Maxwell is holding onto My Cutey while muttering about the end. The protagonist snaps her out of her musing by asking her if this is the last test. The scientist admits that yes, today marks the end of their tests, and My Cutey is completed. To celebrate this achievement, Maxwell offers to let the protagonist kiss her, wanting some loving support for the finale, as she calls it. The protagonist simply asks if she's happy with the tests concluding, his question causing her smile to fade. Eventually she admits she's happy the tests are done...but she can't help but feel regretful, since this means they'll have no reason to meet up like this...

In response, the protagonist proposes the two of them make a new research project and start again. After all, it's not like they've discovered all there is after making one weapon. At these words, Maxwell goes silent before breaking into a grin, admitting he has a point. She's *far* too curious to stop at just one research project, and all the better if she can do it with him. As thanks, she decides to kiss him on the forehead, teasing him for thinking anything more intimate would ensue before focusing on this final firing test. She'd like to conduct it together with him, have him personally feel the fruits of his labor...

Later, in a laboratory. Maxwell now has empirical evidence that her bond with the protagonist boosted her output and firepower. She regrets not haivng kissed him on the lips to test the physical aspect of intimacy, but decides that was for the better. After all, others would have likely found out about her tests by scanning her brain during routine maintenance, and then the secret would be out. The protagonist would be strapped to a table like a lab rat and a Nikke like her wouldn't get so much as a speck to test.

Maxwell decides to keep this a secret, and falsify the final report to make it seem as though there was no correlation between their bond and the increase in her abilities. She won't ever find a Cutey as intriguing and full of potential like this again, and she's not planning to let go, even if they try to pry him from her cold dead hands...

#### Episode 5 - Last Case...?

Syuen is disappointed that as far as the report goes, nothing really workable was wrought from this experiment. But she simply sighs and allows Maxwell to leave...but not before asking a very piercing question. She wants to make sure that the scientists didn't *actually* fall in love with the protagonist, so much as to falsify reports to keep him safe. Maxwell laughs at such an allegation, and invites Syuen to scan her brain if she's really that skeptical. The CEO decides to relent since this is the Matis she trusts so much, but she warns the Nikke that no matter what, her will takes priority one. If she orders Matis to dispose of the protagonist, she expects them to comply. Maxwell outwardly agrees, keeping the CEO in the dark about her real motives...

Back at the Outpost, Maxwell reports a successful presentation to Syuen about My Cutey, getting a congratulations from the protagonist. While the protagonsit may not act like it, Maxwell is concerned that he's a little tilted over the whole thing ending up being a job for Syuen's approval, and assures him this next project is going to be between the two of them...

The protagonist is filled with dread as project in question is Cutey-Pie, who she claims is an upgraded model with better ventilation. Hearing that there are no cooling systems or temperature control, the protagonist refuses to wear the suit and suggests taking a different project. Maxwell categorically refuses, going on a brief monologue about how she needs Cutey-Pie to keep the protagonist safe until she's free of anyone's control and can have him all to herself...

While the protagonist is flabbergasted about this, Maxwell takes the opportunity to sidle closer to him, making her intentions clear that she wants to know about his body. Every. Single. Inch of it. To that end, she pushes him down and tries to get him to wear the suit, suggesting he strip if he hates being hot so much. While she's saying, Maxwell is also taking her *own* clothes off, ignoring the protagonist's protests and silencing him with a smug coo of "Pervert".

While in this...compromising position, Maxwell suddenly remembers something and asks for permission to do a test, kissing the protagonist on the lips before he can answer. Maxwell thinks to herself that it seems kissing has no effect...

## References

Notes

References
1. ↑ Maxwell's character story."