Cagalli was clearly deeply committed to Stellar's "treatment," as an operating room was prepared in just two short days.
The platform—a slightly improved version of the Blue Cosmos-style wetware interface based on Roz's blueprints—was manufactured alongside the prosthetic components that would form Stellar's brand-new body.
However, because Stellar's physical condition had been deteriorating so rapidly, she had already fallen into a coma before the surgery could even begin, her life hanging by a thread supported by various life-support machines.
Inside a specialized operating room, several of the most experienced doctors on Industrial 7 were clustered around Stellar, sweat beading on their brows as they prepared to start.
The wetware platform, identical in form to the Blue Cosmos model, sat beside them after being sterilized. The brain-link interfaces, various nutrient solutions, and containment vessels rested quietly on a trolley.
Behind a specially installed observation window, a group of doctors stared intently into the operating room, terrified of missing a single detail.
Among them, Flay placed a hand on Mayu's shoulder. They watched Stellar lying on the hospital bed, their expressions complex and heavy.
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Two days ago, during the conversation with Roz:
"...However, regarding the treatment plan proposed by Flay and Cagalli, I must explain something to you clearly."
Having made up his mind, Roz spoke to Stellar and Mayu.
"On the surface, Christina looks no different from any of you. But the real 'her' is only her brain. Every other part of Christina's body is composed of prosthetics."
Roz glanced at Christina, who was still being held by Murrue, and then looked at Mayu. "You've undergone prosthetic surgery yourself; you should understand what that means."
"I... I understand."
Hearing Roz's explanation, Mayu's eyes widened in disbelief. "So... so what you're saying is..."
"Exactly."
Roz nodded. "According to the conclusions in Miss Stellar's medical report, simply replacing parts of her existing body with prosthetics is impossible."
"We must extract her brain and transplant it into an entirely different body."
The climate of Industrial 7 was pleasant, and the warmth of the simulated sunlight usually felt cozy, but hearing Roz's description sent a cold shiver down Mayu's spine.
"If you take my brain out... will I be able to see Shinn?"
Stellar, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. Though her voice was weak due to her physical state, the anticipation in her words was unmistakable.
"...If there are no complications, you will be able to move like a normal person after a short recovery period. However, in exchange, the psychological pressure the prosthetics exert on your mind is very intense."
Roz explained as he listened to her.
"Then take my brain out."
Without a moment of hesitation, Stellar agreed to the "treatment plan."
"Eh? Sister-in-law?!"
Mayu was startled by Stellar's decisiveness.
"I want to see him."
Stellar lifted her right hand from the wheelchair's armrest and placed it over her heart, seemingly lost in a memory. "I want to stand by his side, I want to fight with him... I want to live my life with Shinn."
"He said... he would protect me..."
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Time returns to the present. Roz sat in a chair, watching the feed from the operating room on his tablet, separated from the procedure by only a single door.
Beside him, on a similar surgical table, lay an alloy skeleton along with various prosthetic components. Anyone seeing this scene would likely experience a profound "Uncanny Valley" effect.
Finally, in the operating room on the screen, the team of doctors was ready to begin.
"Phew... Surgery beginning."
The lead surgeon raised his hands. Looking down at the patient lying on the table like a Sleeping Beauty under anesthesia, sweat began to bead on his forehead before he had even made the first incision.
The initial craniotomy phase proceeded like any standard procedure. These doctors were the best on Industrial 7; naturally, there were no issues.
However, what came next was the true challenge.
As several interfaces were handed to the team, they instinctively took deep breaths. They had to connect the interfaces and transfer Stellar's brain to the wetware platform before brain activity ceased.
Although they had performed countless simulations, they still felt a lack of confidence now that the actual task was at hand.
Implant, interface, sever...
To avoid any accidents, the doctors followed the protocol with meticulous precision. Working almost exactly against the clock, they finally extracted Stellar's brain from her body.
Watching the brain—the essence of the person known as "Stellar"—being removed from the body, Mayu felt her stomach churn, though she managed to keep from retching.
Once Stellar's brain was transferred into the container filled with nutrient solution and connected to the wetware platform via the interfaces, the readings stabilized within the designated ranges. Only then did the surgical team breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The first stage of the surgery was a success. What came next, however, was no longer within their area of expertise.
-----------------------------------
The wetware platform carrying Stellar's brain was wheeled into the room where Roz was waiting. The doctors, who had been observing the first stage of the surgery from behind the glass, moved to the windows of Roz's room to continue their watch.
Without wasting a single word, Roz picked up a wrench from his toolbox and began fine-tuning the "flesh" on the surgical table.
This specialized prosthetic body was lighter than older models, yet its structural integrity had not diminished in the slightest. Furthermore, it was designed with significant modularity, leaving plenty of room for future component swaps. Whether Stellar eventually wished to return to the battlefield or live a quiet life as a civilian, she could do so simply by changing her prosthetic modules.
In contrast to the sounds of cutting flesh during the first stage of the surgery, this room was filled with the metallic echoes of clinking tools.
Once the final prosthetic components were installed, Roz looked at the wetware platform that had just been brought in. For some reason, he felt that the device before him resembled a chrysalis. Stellar had escaped a "childhood" of suffering and had transformed into this "pupa." Now, with only one final step remaining, she could break free from the shackles of her past and become a "butterfly," living in freedom.
He removed the container holding Stellar's brain from the wetware platform and mounted it onto the new body. The hot-swappable interfaces quickly completed the connection, and the various prosthetic systems began to whir into life.
Taking the custom-made synthetic skin from a nearby incubator, Roz skillfully applied it to Stellar's new form. This synthetic skin was so detailed it even replicated her original hairstyle and hair color.
As the prosthetics functioned, the once-still Stellar began to breathe steadily as the anesthesia was metabolized out of her system. Having performed similar procedures for Christina and Marvin many times before, Roz encountered no issues. If anything, the conditions for Stellar's procedure were more than twice as favorable as those for Christina and Marvin in the past.
Checking the data on his tablet, Roz saw that every reading had reached the target values without incident. He calmly gave a thumbs-up to the doctors behind the window.
A few seconds later, even though the room was well-soundproofed, Roz could hear clear, muffled cheers.
The "butterfly" had emerged from the "chrysalis," waiting only to wake up and spread her brilliant wings.
....................