With your battle complete, and your injuries sort of patched up, you're finally free to catch your breath... at least until the terminal flares to life again. Your brief conversation with the person on the other end may have left you with more questions than answers, but they are true to their world. Next to the terminal, a glowing golden portal suddenly appears - blinding in its light and large enough for only a couple of you to enter at a time. Regardless, it remains open, showcasing a strange, warehouse-looking building on the other side, with a long hallway and several closed doors. It's not entirely clear where this new location will be, but at least it doesn't seem to have spider robots or be out in space.
/// L O A D I N G . . .
I've got everything ready on my end.
I'll explain everything to you once you're here.
No more secrets, I promise.
Please watch your step, and make sure everyone comes along!
Staying behind is not an option. Whether you trust the person on the other end of the terminal or not, it seems this is your only path forward. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and step through the portal.
THE BASE
The light begins to clear as the last of you enter the portal and come out unharmed on the other side. You'll notice immediately that the portal displayed the exact place you've ended up - a fairly run-down warehouse, with you all standing in a hallway that extends in front of you, lined with doors that are shut. Before you go wandering off, you might want to turn around - after all, you can hear the whirring of machinery behind you.
You'll find that there's another set of doors there - one that is closed and another that leads into a larger room that seems to be a makeshift lab and control room all rolled into one. There are monitors carefully (but a bit haphazardly) strewn across the room, the wiring capably done but rather unprofessional. One of the screens shows a diagram of a gemstone, another shows a list of coordinates that don't make any sense, a third seems to be showing security cameras... basically exactly what you'd expect for someone's base of operations.
And that base of operations is staffed by... well, you'll have to look down, as he's not exactly human height.
Standing before you is someone unfamiliar to all of you. He's not very tall, but he stands out from the crowd with his yellow fur, bright blue eyes, and twin tails. He's an anthropomorphic fox and he's looking at you all a bit nervously, waving a hand in greeting.
"Um, hi." He says. "I'm really sorry about the confusion. And the robots. And your missing memories. And your injuries. I really didn't expect things to turn out like this..." He trails off nervously, scratching his cheek before forcing a smile again. "But thank you so much for agreeing to help us. My name is Tails. I'm one of the members of the resistance.
"There are medical supplies here, for you guys to use. I'm sorry, I'm not a medic..." Sure enough, you have access to quite a few medical supplies present in this room! Go right ahead and patch up your friends with the good stuff. You've even got painkillers here!
He clears his throat and continues. "Like I said, no more secrets. I couldn't tell you everything while you were in that other world, because I was afraid of my transmissions being picked up by the Doctor. You guys are the only hope for this world, because the three of us can't beat him alone. So we had to turn to help elsewhere.
"Doctor Robotnik - or Eggman, as we call him - is a genius scientist. He's made a lot of robots and gadgets, but that's not the reason why we need your help. He's got an item of immense power - the Master Emerald. With it, anything he thinks and desires can become reality. He made a giant robot from pieces of cars, trucks, trains, you name it! And that giant robot alone is enough to pose a huge threat to the city, but he didn't stop there.
"The entire world is controlled by him. He even controls the minds of all the people native to this world. They can't fight against him. They act like mindless drones, going about their daily tasks with no way to fight back. And he's created a lot of robots - they might even outnumber the people, at this point! Everything and everyone is under his control."
A brief pause as Tails breathes and steadies himself. "But my friends and I are able to fight back. We have to fight back. And you guys agreed to help us. I'm sorry that you don't remember it, but my friend Sonic spoke with each one of you. He told you about what's going on here and he asked for your help. And all of you said you'd come help us.
"I'll do my best to answer any questions you have. But right now, I'm the only one here. I lost contact with Knuckles at the start of this week, and I've been trying to figure out what happened. Sonic's been trying to find help in other worlds, so communication with him has been spotty. But I'll let him know that you guys are here now, so he should return soon!"
Tails exhales and forces a smile. "Together, we can defeat Eggman."
THE AFTERMATH
Though it's a lot of information to take in, Tails will happily answer any questions you all may have. He tells you that this warehouse is their base of operations, hidden right under the nose of Eggman's forces. Unfortunately, they need to be very careful because robots are always on patrol - and are specifically looking for the three of them. For now, it's best for you all to remain near the warehouse and travel in pairs, if you do go out into the city for any reason.
You'll find that those closed doors lead to rooms that have been set up for all of you. They're a little lacking, with only two beds, two desks and chairs, and two trunks for you to store your belongings in. Though you do have some changes of clothes in the closets, the designs may not be to your liking. They were picked out for you by three animals who only wear shoes and gloves, so...
Get ready, because it looks like you've a lot of work ahead of you.
I understand that. I can't say I did particularly well at upholding that, myself, but the fact that nobody died today is proof that they at least work for us.
[Let her just give him the food, then; Dorothy just kind of stands there, afterward.]
Even so, you should try to remember that you're mortal. At least leave the defense of others to people who can be repaired easily.
[dorothy you literally cannot be everywhere at once???]
Dorothy considers for a second if it...really matters, after today, if people know she's not human. She's already made the leap in telling some people, and they're away from a fair portion of the danger. She's proven herself, hasn't she?
(Hasn't she...?)]
I'm not human; though I may look it, I'm what my world calls a Nikke. A weapon made specifically for taking on the Raptures of my world, but I can take on just about anything thrown in front of me.
Huh. That explains how ya carried me around like it was nothin'.
[And it also explains why she's so dedicated to her job. Still, it's hard not to feel a little weird about that. Being a weapon...a tool...a doll to perform for others.
...]
So...what, do ya got a totally different makeup under yer skin?
I'd likely be able to carry both you and Sir Yeager if I wasn't forcibly depowered by this place. Perhaps even more of you.
[c:]
But essentially, yes. A Nikke is composed of many systems underneath our skin that keep us running, functional, and able to enter combat at a moment's notice. There's wiring to connect our brains to our many other systems for movement, tubes underneath for the coolant that we need to ensure that our systems do not overheat in combat...
We do have a lot of things at least somewhat similar to humans, given that we were human at one point. [...] But much of our inner workings are mechanical, yes.
[No use in hiding it anymore, though Dorothy does kind of stare at Raven afterward. Mostly just...waiting to see what he says. It's a lot? It's kind of a lot.]
[The image of Dorothy carrying Raven and Yeager in each arm is unfortunately going to be stuck in his mind for a little bit.
But yeah, that sure is a lot to take in and Raven does his best to follow along......and then his brain does an immediate record scratch at "we were human at one point".]
Y'mean... Ya got turned into this...robot form?
[Sounds robotic. Like what Vakama has going on, but way different at the same time.
But that's not the important thing. The important thing is that she wasn't this, and now she is.]
How'd...that come ta be, if ya don't mind me askin'?
[...she kind of wishes she didn't but lets not talk about that--]
It's rather simple; I mentioned those Raptures before, in the meeting? They started invading and overrunning our planet to the point that they overwhelmed much of humanity; they're very adaptable creatures, able to absorb organic matter into themselves and evolve over time. Human weapons couldn't even touch them, and they needed something stronger to fight off their impending doom.
That's where we came in. Humans created these weapons that only we could wield, so that we could try and reclaim the surface for them. And created us as a means to try and deal with them before they were completely wiped out.
[Dorothy is keeping any feeling off of her face while she tries to explain this, though she has...a lot of them.]
That depends on how you measure success. Pretty much all that's left of humanity has been driven underground into a place known as the Ark. A supposed safe haven for humanity, and the only way they've been able to live for decades.
But we Nikke as a whole have brought the Raptures down from an infinite number to something finite. Even if we likely won't see the surface reclaimed anytime soon...
[Dorothy shakes her head.]
It's bleak, I suppose. Is the best way I can put it. But my kind were always humanity's last hope, and we're still somehow alive.
[Man… This is like if all the barrier blastia in Terca Lumireis were to stop working and all the monsters went berserk. It’s easy to imagine how overwhelming that could get.]
Sounds like you’re makin’ a real difference, at least. [That said…] But by the same token, I don’t envy you fer havin’ to fight a war fer as long as ya have.
[Dorothy looks to Raven for a moment, considering him for a moment along with his words. He wouldn't envy her, would he? He's an errand boy with combat experience for a guild, certainly, but what would he know about wars like that? She tenses, briefly, before she elects to shake her head.
It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.]
At this point, it's all I've really known. So it really isn't anything...special, I suppose.
[...]
You had better make sure that you rest, or I will be quite furious with you. [It lacks the usual bite that comes with it, but let Dorothy properly like. Actually set everything down for Raven so he can eat. Back to business as usual.] But if there is anything I can get for you, do be certain to ask. I can likely get to it between seeing to other tasks around here.
He lets the conversation shift though, even if he wouldn't say it's not anything special. Even just a short time at war is enough to alter a person entirely. Decades of it... Raven can't help but wonder what Dorothy might have been like at the beginning of it all.
He eases into his usual blase demeanor as the food tray makes its way to him.]
Thanks, Dorothy. I'll be on my best behavior, scout's honor. [He's not even a scout so that doesn't mean anything.] Are ya really sure I can call on ya fer stuff? Would you, I dunno...bring me booze if I ask?
"Desperate" is a strong word. I've just been lookin' forward ta havin' a drink after spendin' all that time in space without it.
[Yeager rudely denied him and he's not going to ask the kids for help, so Dorothy is his only hope. A truly unfortunate situation to be in but at least she seems somewhat willing.]
Well, of course. I'm already going to need to make a trip to get some good tea, after all.
[Despite herself, though, she finds herself chuckling at that second bit. It really is kind of nostalgic; she knows someone who'd say that exact same thing.]
I do hope you realize I can't carry one of everything with me. But I'll tell you what; I'll see if I can find the best this world has to offer and bring it to you. Quality over quantity, if you will. Will that suffice?
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no subject
I wasn't actively lookin' ta get myself hurt. I guess I just can't turn off my protective instincts no matter how hard I try.
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[Let her just give him the food, then; Dorothy just kind of stands there, afterward.]
Even so, you should try to remember that you're mortal. At least leave the defense of others to people who can be repaired easily.
[dorothy you literally cannot be everywhere at once???]
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[He doesn't...know the Nikke thing...]
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Dorothy considers for a second if it...really matters, after today, if people know she's not human. She's already made the leap in telling some people, and they're away from a fair portion of the danger. She's proven herself, hasn't she?
(Hasn't she...?)]
I'm not human; though I may look it, I'm what my world calls a Nikke. A weapon made specifically for taking on the Raptures of my world, but I can take on just about anything thrown in front of me.
It's what I was made for, after all.
no subject
[And it also explains why she's so dedicated to her job. Still, it's hard not to feel a little weird about that. Being a weapon...a tool...a doll to perform for others.
...]
So...what, do ya got a totally different makeup under yer skin?
no subject
[c:]
But essentially, yes. A Nikke is composed of many systems underneath our skin that keep us running, functional, and able to enter combat at a moment's notice. There's wiring to connect our brains to our many other systems for movement, tubes underneath for the coolant that we need to ensure that our systems do not overheat in combat...
We do have a lot of things at least somewhat similar to humans, given that we were human at one point. [...] But much of our inner workings are mechanical, yes.
[No use in hiding it anymore, though Dorothy does kind of stare at Raven afterward. Mostly just...waiting to see what he says. It's a lot? It's kind of a lot.]
no subject
But yeah, that sure is a lot to take in and Raven does his best to follow along......and then his brain does an immediate record scratch at "we were human at one point".]
Y'mean... Ya got turned into this...robot form?
[Sounds robotic. Like what Vakama has going on, but way different at the same time.
But that's not the important thing. The important thing is that she wasn't this, and now she is.]
How'd...that come ta be, if ya don't mind me askin'?
no subject
[...she kind of wishes she didn't but lets not talk about that--]
It's rather simple; I mentioned those Raptures before, in the meeting? They started invading and overrunning our planet to the point that they overwhelmed much of humanity; they're very adaptable creatures, able to absorb organic matter into themselves and evolve over time. Human weapons couldn't even touch them, and they needed something stronger to fight off their impending doom.
That's where we came in. Humans created these weapons that only we could wield, so that we could try and reclaim the surface for them. And created us as a means to try and deal with them before they were completely wiped out.
[Dorothy is keeping any feeling off of her face while she tries to explain this, though she has...a lot of them.]
no subject
Damn, your world's in a really tough spot... Are you Nikkes havin' any success against these Raptures?
no subject
That depends on how you measure success. Pretty much all that's left of humanity has been driven underground into a place known as the Ark. A supposed safe haven for humanity, and the only way they've been able to live for decades.
But we Nikke as a whole have brought the Raptures down from an infinite number to something finite. Even if we likely won't see the surface reclaimed anytime soon...
[Dorothy shakes her head.]
It's bleak, I suppose. Is the best way I can put it. But my kind were always humanity's last hope, and we're still somehow alive.
no subject
Sounds like you’re makin’ a real difference, at least. [That said…] But by the same token, I don’t envy you fer havin’ to fight a war fer as long as ya have.
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It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.]
At this point, it's all I've really known. So it really isn't anything...special, I suppose.
[...]
You had better make sure that you rest, or I will be quite furious with you. [It lacks the usual bite that comes with it, but let Dorothy properly like. Actually set everything down for Raven so he can eat. Back to business as usual.] But if there is anything I can get for you, do be certain to ask. I can likely get to it between seeing to other tasks around here.
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He lets the conversation shift though, even if he wouldn't say it's not anything special. Even just a short time at war is enough to alter a person entirely. Decades of it... Raven can't help but wonder what Dorothy might have been like at the beginning of it all.
He eases into his usual blase demeanor as the food tray makes its way to him.]
Thanks, Dorothy. I'll be on my best behavior, scout's honor. [He's not even a scout so that doesn't mean anything.] Are ya really sure I can call on ya fer stuff? Would you, I dunno...bring me booze if I ask?
[There's no way that's a serious request. Right?]
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He's her obligation. She promised that silly, silly boy and all of the rest of them she'd do her fair share. So hopefully that's enough.
...The request does get Dorothy's eyebrow to raise, though.]
I wouldn't offer if I wasn't willing. But...booze? [She sounds slightly incredulous.] Are you truly in desperate need of it or something?
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[Yeager rudely denied him and he's not going to ask the kids for help, so Dorothy is his only hope. A truly unfortunate situation to be in but at least she seems somewhat willing.]
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Well...I suppose I could see what I can procure for you.
[this is admittedly moot because yeager's going to ask her later to not buy for him, but,,,]
Do you have any particular preferences I can keep an eye out for?
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[And Dorothy is going up in his estimations because of this, too... Now it's gonna be ruined by Yeager. Damn you Yeager!!!]
As fer what I'd like... Honestly, I'm not too picky. Wine's good, whiskey's good, sake's good...
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[Despite herself, though, she finds herself chuckling at that second bit. It really is kind of nostalgic; she knows someone who'd say that exact same thing.]
I do hope you realize I can't carry one of everything with me. But I'll tell you what; I'll see if I can find the best this world has to offer and bring it to you. Quality over quantity, if you will. Will that suffice?
no subject
Wow. You don't gotta go that far fer me... But I sure ain't gonna complain!