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.
Is it really slacking off? It will soon become a group effort, because I believe that sentiment that you hold isn't unique among our number. Therefore, a little recouperation never hurt anyone, hm?
[ How many people here are committed to working themselves to the bone? That is a serious wonder.
Especially being one of those who had a hand in directly saving someone.
Ah well, while that is true, they think that it is best they get to the point on the other matter they came for. ]
However, you are correct~
I couldn't help but overhear your remark from earlier. 'Repaired' you said...it seems to indicate that you too are not as human as you appear.
[ She thought it was nobody. But, it was them, Void Archives! ]
We happen to have quite a few obvious non-humans among our rank, though those who lean towards being fully or partially an artificially based lifeform appear obvious, for the most part.
I don't know what you are, exactly, however is it unreasonable for those who are also not human to at least having thought to have asked?
[ They're treading...somewhere. It isn't necessarily light, yet they think it is not carelessly. Judging by the tone this is surprisingly something of a prickly subject - for themselves, their lack of humanity as a topic is not so sensitive, but they suppose that there may be reasons for this not to be the case with her. ]
[You know, Dorothy was more than ready to simply walk away or simply tell them 'out with it', because she does not have time for their nonsense after the day she's had--
But then Dorothy hears them actually speak.
However is it unreasonable for those who are also not human to at least having thought to have asked?
Dorothy turns and looks to them, all light having left her eyes as she looks to them. This had better not be a joke, but...]
...You're not human? [She sounds a little incredulous, but...] Then what are you, if you'll elect to sate my curiosity?
[ Oh, good. They had faith that Dorothy would pick up on the way they phrased that...to the point that they look very satisfied, even as they explain. ]
Correct. We somewhat similar, in some ways, at least. In being a form of an artificial existence of a kind.
Now, as for your other question...imagine, if a computer gained sentience and was gifted a physical form. That is what I am in its basic and honest terms.
[ They're, at the heart of everything, an AI. Granted they aren't exactly the kind most people would wish to rush to ask for help or advice, considering their attitude. But at least they got straight to the point and answered? ]
How exactly would it be different from your own, I wonder?
An artificial intelligence of sorts, then. I'm familiar with something similar.
[Dorothy's at least familiar with that much. But in truth, that just makes him more confusing. AI are typically programmed with some kind of purpose and directive they cannot escape from, and yet...here Void stands in front of her, in assumed defiance of their natural order.]
I would say that the only main difference is that we Nikke are created from the brains of humans. [...] Quite literally. My brain was given for the purpose of creating a weapon that could intelligently operate on it's own.
I'm uncertain of what other differences we could have, between the two of us, but that's mostly what I know of myself. [Still, Dorothy tilts her head.] What exactly is your purpose, then, if you don't mind my asking?
[ Funny how things work, don't they? Well, they certainly had a feeling she would at least be familiar with it in some way.
Though, they aren't exactly anticipating for it to hold much similarities before general broad strokes. Which, in some ways is true. But at the same time, the facts are, well, hm. Certainly something? ]
...I can't quite say I've heard of anything like that before. But, the universe is full of surprises, isn't it?
[ Including terrible ones. As for the question... ]
My 'purpose' is to essentially guarantee the survival of the human race against threats to its collective existence. Considering how much trouble they tend to get themselves into, you should understand how this is quite the uphill battle; though, certainly doable. Do you share a similar purpose?
[Dorothy listens and looks at Void Archives when they say that much. She seems to be considering what to say here, for a moment...but...]
Oh, I do. I spent a very long time fighting to protect them, and fighting to ensure that they could actually persist, despite the Raptures wanting to ensure their extinction.
[...]
Let me ask you something, then. Why do you protect humanity? What do you even think of them?
The Raptures, hm? I imagine that they must be quite a powerful foe, in order for humans to resort to such methods.
[ Though the fight against Honkai had been fierce and involved desperate maneuvers, they think this is the first they had heard of whatever the humans had managed back in Dorothy's home world. ]
I protect humanity because it is my purpose. I have no emotional attachment to them as a collective. And if I should need to kill a human to save the rest...I don't particularly care, either.
[ They're not bound that tightly by their programming that they wouldn't kill off some human lives to save the rest. But just enough to ensure at all costs to do whatever it takes - at least, that's how they perceive it. ]
As for what I think of them in further terms, I suppose I can sum it up for you perfectly:
"Pathetic, and weak. Enduring, and adaptable."
They are self-serving creatures, yet they are like two sides of a coin. But, as I said before, I am not endeared to them. As someone who also protects humanity...what are your thoughts on them?
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no subject
[ How many people here are committed to working themselves to the bone? That is a serious wonder.
Especially being one of those who had a hand in directly saving someone.
Ah well, while that is true, they think that it is best they get to the point on the other matter they came for. ]
However, you are correct~
I couldn't help but overhear your remark from earlier. 'Repaired' you said...it seems to indicate that you too are not as human as you appear.
no subject
[...Fuck. Of all of the people to hear that, it had to be--]
...And what it is to you if I'm not?
[Dorothy doesn't look at Void Archives, but there's a dangerous undercurrent to her tone here. Tread lightly or don't--]
no subject
[ She thought it was nobody. But, it was them, Void Archives! ]
We happen to have quite a few obvious non-humans among our rank, though those who lean towards being fully or partially an artificially based lifeform appear obvious, for the most part.
I don't know what you are, exactly, however is it unreasonable for those who are also not human to at least having thought to have asked?
[ They're treading...somewhere. It isn't necessarily light, yet they think it is not carelessly. Judging by the tone this is surprisingly something of a prickly subject - for themselves, their lack of humanity as a topic is not so sensitive, but they suppose that there may be reasons for this not to be the case with her. ]
no subject
But then Dorothy hears them actually speak.
However is it unreasonable for those who are also not human to at least having thought to have asked?
Dorothy turns and looks to them, all light having left her eyes as she looks to them. This had better not be a joke, but...]
...You're not human? [She sounds a little incredulous, but...] Then what are you, if you'll elect to sate my curiosity?
no subject
Correct. We somewhat similar, in some ways, at least. In being a form of an artificial existence of a kind.
Now, as for your other question...imagine, if a computer gained sentience and was gifted a physical form. That is what I am in its basic and honest terms.
[ They're, at the heart of everything, an AI. Granted they aren't exactly the kind most people would wish to rush to ask for help or advice, considering their attitude. But at least they got straight to the point and answered? ]
How exactly would it be different from your own, I wonder?
cw: gross???
[Dorothy's at least familiar with that much. But in truth, that just makes him more confusing. AI are typically programmed with some kind of purpose and directive they cannot escape from, and yet...here Void stands in front of her, in assumed defiance of their natural order.]
I would say that the only main difference is that we Nikke are created from the brains of humans. [...] Quite literally. My brain was given for the purpose of creating a weapon that could intelligently operate on it's own.
I'm uncertain of what other differences we could have, between the two of us, but that's mostly what I know of myself. [Still, Dorothy tilts her head.] What exactly is your purpose, then, if you don't mind my asking?
no subject
Though, they aren't exactly anticipating for it to hold much similarities before general broad strokes. Which, in some ways is true. But at the same time, the facts are, well, hm. Certainly something? ]
...I can't quite say I've heard of anything like that before. But, the universe is full of surprises, isn't it?
[ Including terrible ones. As for the question... ]
My 'purpose' is to essentially guarantee the survival of the human race against threats to its collective existence. Considering how much trouble they tend to get themselves into, you should understand how this is quite the uphill battle; though, certainly doable. Do you share a similar purpose?
no subject
Oh, I do. I spent a very long time fighting to protect them, and fighting to ensure that they could actually persist, despite the Raptures wanting to ensure their extinction.
[...]
Let me ask you something, then. Why do you protect humanity? What do you even think of them?
no subject
[ Though the fight against Honkai had been fierce and involved desperate maneuvers, they think this is the first they had heard of whatever the humans had managed back in Dorothy's home world. ]
I protect humanity because it is my purpose. I have no emotional attachment to them as a collective. And if I should need to kill a human to save the rest...I don't particularly care, either.
[ They're not bound that tightly by their programming that they wouldn't kill off some human lives to save the rest. But just enough to ensure at all costs to do whatever it takes - at least, that's how they perceive it. ]
As for what I think of them in further terms, I suppose I can sum it up for you perfectly:
"Pathetic, and weak. Enduring, and adaptable."
They are self-serving creatures, yet they are like two sides of a coin. But, as I said before, I am not endeared to them. As someone who also protects humanity...what are your thoughts on them?