Now that Tails has spoken with you about your mission, the state of the world, and the threat you're facing, you're free to settle in to life here. While the warehouse isn't exactly the most thrilling place to set up a base, it's clean and well-maintained (despite the only one here being a kid fox?) and Tails encourages you to make it your own as best you can. You're going to be here for awhile, after all. This world needs to be saved, and you're the ones to do it.
The warehouse is thankfully quite large, so there's plenty of space. Aside from the ground floor containing Tails' workshop, there's a room for Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic, as well as your rooms. There's a large bathroom and several nice showers - this time with actual hot water! Though it may not be fancy, it's certainly acceptable accommodations for your time here. Exploring further through the warehouse reveals that there's an upper floor, with several other rooms that have already been furnished for varying purposes; after all, it seems your friendly neighborhood talking animals have been living here for quite a bit themselves.
But outside the walls of the warehouse are where things get particularly dismal. Though life goes on in the city of Chicago, it's without any sort of passion or thought at all. The humans go about their day-to-day lives in monotony, acting as though nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary. They don't acknowledge you, even if you try to talk to them. They don't recognize you as weird, even if you aren't human (or a talking animal). They simply move about, drone-like, heedless of the robots that patrol the streets.
Eggman's robots are high-tech, white chrome and smooth; these are almost a work of art as they are technology. They all come equipped with laser beams regardless of the shape or size of them, and they all seem to be set on keeping an eye on the people. There are robots watching everywhere. You can't turn a street corner without seeing one or two, and they follow pre-determined surveillance paths as they watch over the humans.
Lingering in the distance, you can see a massive robot that takes up the horizon. That seems to be Eggman's base of operations, at least as far as Tails has been able to determine. Though it poses no threat to you right now, it's a looming reminder of what awaits you.
Welcome to Eggman's utopia.
THE BASE
Though he's apologized for the base not being particularly lively, Tails has promised you the freedom to make the place your own. He's even directed you to a "crafts room" if you'd like to decorate! This art studio is surprisingly robust for something put together in an abandoned, worn-down warehouse on the outskirts of the city. You'll find plenty of markers in every color you can think of, sketchbooks and paper and papercrafts, string and glue and everything you could need for your second grade arts and crafts project. Though it may all be a little kiddy, it's here for you to do with as you wish.
The crafts room isn't the only odd one on the upper floors, you'll also find a gymnasium. It's more of a home gym than anything else, with only a couple of beat-up old treadmills, a few exercise bikes, and some weight lifting stations, as well as plenty of weights. It's not exactly the best room in the base, but it's here if you'd like to make use of it.
Next door is an open room with several soft mats - an open room for sparring and training. This one doesn't really have much in it, but you're welcome to make use of it however you'd like.
And next to that is the requisite first aid room! This one is well-stocked and even has a few cots in case of more serious injuries. You'll find plenty of first aid kits, painkillers, and other various medical supplies, though nothing that will allow you to perform home surgery or anything of the sort. Hopefully you don't need to do that, though?
Finally, the last large room is one that a lot of love and care has been put into - an entertainment room! There's a large screen TV mounted on the wall, with many couches and plush chairs. You'll find that you've access to any and all modern day media you could find on a TV, from streaming services (who is paying for these, anyway?) and knock-off YouTube, to your favorite anime and even Twitch. It seems that our three allies have quite the varied interests, given their search history and "previously watched" shows and movies. There's enough seating in here for everyone, so why not have a movie night?
Oh, and you'll find the kitchen on the ground floor behind Tails' workshop is suitable for all your needs - it's not particularly well-furnished, as your pals here aren't exactly master chefs, but you're always welcome to talk to Tails about obtaining something more for the kitchen or any room in the warehouse.
All of the items you had on you at your canon point can be found in one of the storerooms as well. This includes weapons, though anything magical will unfortunately not work properly. Please ask me about anything gamebreaking!
THE CITY
Chicago itself is exactly what you'd expect of a typical American city. Well, apart from the robots patrolling and the lifeless people going about their days endlessly, that is. Anything you'd want to find in a city, you can find here! But be mindful - those robots can and will notice you, unlike the people. Most robots will engage in combat on sight, as you're someone unfamiliar and could possibly pose a threat, but some will try to flee - you probably don't want them getting away and reporting sightings of an unfamiliar person!
While the city may have undergone some major changes in its population, the infrastructure is about what you'd expect. The people clean and maintain everything just as they always have, leaving it to almost seem as though everything's fine... were it not for the construction. Unlike most construction sites, these are clearly being maintained and built by the robots - there are buildings that have been completely taken over by Eggman's white chrome finish, leaving to odd sights of mish-mashed buildings and structures that are half-advanced technology, half-old school building materials. Though it may look like a normal city at first glance, it would seem that Eggman is quite literally transforming everything into his very image. You'll even find a statue in a local park that has been replaced with an Eggman statue.
Sadly, it seems as though the people are not the only ones trapped under Eggman's thumb. Animals - be they pets or wild ones - also go about their usual business, with absolutely none of their usual livelihood. You won't see many people playing at the dog park, just passing through taking their dog on a needed walk and returning home. Squirrels and birds likewise carry on as if nothing is wrong, even if they're perched on something that is clearly Eggman's technology rather than a proper tree. Which yes, means that even some of the trees are being taken over by Eggman's chroma, transforming the very living world around you as well.
Though businesses are still running as usual, the people aren't exactly in any state of mind to notice if you steal something from them - as long as you're careful about it, anyway. While security cameras and the like may still exist, it doesn't seem like anyone's checking them. In fact, it seems like no one's committing crimes either, as the city is remarkably peaceful at all times of the day or night.
SHARDS
You may feel as though you have more control of your powers this week... or you may not. Regardless, things are still prone to going haywire, which could pose a problem if you get into a fight with a robot. Tails has asked you very nicely not to hurt any of the people, so maybe lead the robots somewhere that won't risk causing injury? Or don't, I'm not your mom.
Starting this week, you may attempt to use your shards together with someone you have a strong relationship with, good or bad. Once this has been used for the first time, a page will be opened to explain the mechanic. Regardless, that's going to take even more work than mastering your own power... so perhaps fighting those robots isn't a bad idea after all.
And you do want to fight those robots - Tails has warned you that the robots are searching for the rebels' base. You don't want to let a robot escape to bring information about you and possibly the base back to Eggman, do you? Should you let a robot escape, let me know.
TAILS' TASKS
For those of you willing to help - or if you're just particularly bored - Tails will offer some tasks for you all to help around the base. He can always use help with organizing and gathering supplies, keeping the base clean and in good condition, or even keeping track of the security cameras and communications networks. He'll gladly teach anyone who would like to learn technology as well!
For more specific tasks, this week he will grant you a small, rectangular box with an antennae on top. It's kind of cutesy, but it has a radar function built in and it is tracking some kind of signature. Tails says that it's tracking the Chaos Emeralds, and that some sort of Chaos Energy was detected not too far from the city about a week ago, when Knuckles vanished.
Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to see if you can find this Chaos Energy reading and determine the direction it's coming from. You are to go in pairs, but you are not to try to track the readings to the source, just determine where they're located and what direction they lead to. Of course, nothing's stopping you from going off on a wild adventure if you really want to...
ENEMIES
This week's enemies are Badniks, Eggman's robots. Specifically, you'll find yourself facing the Badnik Surveillance Unit, the Badnik Drones, and the Badnik Transformer Model B33.
Badnik Surveillance Units are primarily made for reconnaissance. They can be found flying overhead, observing the people go about their lives and following scheduled flight paths and patterns to ensure every inch of the city is being observed. Well, mostly. You can find some back alleys and hidden spots here and there, and these Badniks usually won't go into buildings or out into the woods. They will immediately try to flee upon spotting you. They're easy to take down, though a bit more durable than one would expect, given Eggman's designs. If cornered, they are capable of shooting a simple laser beam that will hurt and possibly leave a burn.
Badnik Drones are the most common combat robot you will find. Small chrome white orbs with red eyes, they are capable of scanning and detecting abnormalities. They are not quite as common as the Badnik Surveillance Units, but you'll still spot several of them floating through the city at any given point in time. Unlike the Badnik Surveillance Units, these come ready for combat. They can fire lasers as well as shoot small homing missiles. The homing missiles thankfully aren't very fast and can be outrun or otherwise blocked, but they pack a punch if they do hit! These robots will stand their ground and fight if they spot you, but they will call for backup - if you aren't fast enough, you'll find yourself facing many of them!
The Badnik Transformer Model B33, more affectionately called Buzz Bombers by Tails and friends, is... well, it looks like a bee. A hornet, rather, as that stinger is actually a precision laser that moves fast. These robots typically look like Badnik Drones, but are capable of shifting and uncoiling themselves to become the B33 units. They are fast, they hit hard, and they are relentless, pursuing you nonstop until they've been destroyed. They will not call for backup, which is possibly the only saving grace about fighting them. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell if a Badnik is a Drone or a B33 until you're actually in combat - and by then it may be(e) too late.
Ah, so much like any other place, just with the added benefit of it being dark enough that you cannot be seen...I suppose I should have expected as much. So your labyrinths are much more literal.
[honestly she'd almost LIKE to be in a real one, at least it wouldn't feel so humiliating to get caught up in it--]
[Dorothy chuckles a bit, somewhat breathless. Rio continues to be perceptive.]
It's what she deserves, for her valor. Nobody else in that forsaken world would have bothered to remember her as she was. But Pinne fought harder than any of us with so little. She deserves it.
[Surface-level incident, huh. What a way to put it... though given that he hasn't collapsed in the last week, he's sure VA has enough of a point, even if it still makes him bristle with a sideglance overtop the aim of his launcher.]
I'm still standing. That should be answer enough.
[Bracing his shoulders, Vakama triggers the launcher, leaning into the knockback as the projectile goes flying with a traceable trail of red energy. His eyes stay trained on it as he immediately reaches a hand back out, working to pull the disk back into a curving path with his telekinesis. His head pounds in protest, just as it had during the fight up in the stars, and the tension leaks through into his voice.]
[Wow don't stare at a guy trying to consume sustenance, dang. Whatever's left of the rind of it starts to blacken, turning quickly to ash in his hands. It's like watching a fire tear the item apart without the presence of a flame.]
Strong?
Mm... Not as strong as I usually am, I'm afraid, but -- I think I could still handle a decent amount.
Basically, yeah. Even people who've lived their whole lives in Wu-Jian can still get lost there 'cause of all the alleys.
[ In that sense the W*lmart feels almost too wide to him, even if it's full of things for sale. At least they're sort of recognisably organised by category, once he paid attention.]
[He shakes his head as he lays out the items in his own arms across the bedspread - the two masks of his own, the staff, the shard, and the strange third mask that seemed to haunt Viktor.]
That's not it, my friend.
[The staff is handed over to Viktor - a little larger than a flashlight with a flame-colored core at its top surrounded by metallic shielding. It looks like it should illuminate, though it's gone dim and doesn't seem to have a visible way to turn on from the exterior alone.]
Were I still to have a hammer in my hands, I would offer it instead. No one will question a shattered mask being disposed from a maskmaker.
[If Viktor wants a blind eye and someone to cover, then he all he needs to do is swing.]
[He took the staff in the hand that did not already hold his own, steadier but hesitant. Too vividly he remembered coming within inches of smashing the Hexcore, how its compulsion had stayed his hand and how it had lashed out at him in retribution. Like a living creature, capable of being vindictive. Capable of too much, were it just given the vessel it had so often whispered to, twisting and corrupting it into the monster that had worn smooth expressionless metal and the split mockery of humanity.]
[...If he'd just had the strength to destroy it back then, none of this would ever have happened. Though this lacked the present and active threat he had faced down then, it was still a reminder of the power of a god and the will of a devil. He had to be rid of it, Viktor had to destroy the Herald if he was ever going to actually help a world rather than ruin it.]
[Violet light flickered from within him like sparks between wires as his grip on the staff tightened, arm brought down with all the strength he had in a thin body of steel.]
[Dorothy doesn't expect a reply back; she's honestly doing some upkeep around the base when she has to go and check her room for something and she nearly ends up crunching it under her foot, a little startled briefly as she takes a look at that letter and...
...
Even now, she wonders how Yeager can continue to show her this much kindness. It feels strange, really, though it's appreciated. Maybe this is why she holds him in some regard and trusts him. He'll at least do her the courtesy of stabbing her in the front, and...
Well. Dorothy will sit down and write a response.]
Sir Yeager, I do thank you for the prompt response. While I disagree in that what little I remember is more than humiliating enough to apologize for, I will not look a gift horse in the mouth and I shall abide. For what little it is worth, I did enjoy what I remember of the start, at least.
Perhaps we ought to rope in a third person to drink with us, so that we may be a touch more responsible. Between the two of us, well, my faith has significantly dwindled. But perhaps it would be wise.
The hangover did clear out, however. I unfortunately spent most of the next day asleep with a splitting headache that Vakama had to witness, but I was otherwise fine outside of that. Did you fare any better, I wonder? Hopefully Sir Raven was not too cross with you.
- Dorothy.
[Dorothy will actually address this one to Yeager, slipping it under his door and walking away this time.]
[Dorothy chuckles a bit at that, but she shakes her head.]
So I've seen. I do hope it doesn't come off as if we're trying to undermine your work; we really do just care about you and want to ensure that you're at your very best. You put your nose to the grindstone for us, after all.
[Either way, let Dorothy come inside and put that tray down. The tea is nicely prepared and still warm, and they even have these lil stroopwafels on top that are warm and gooey from the heat of the tea. At any rate, let her grab a seat.]
...I do hope that Knuckles will be alright, but I can assure you that we're going to do all that we can to make sure we bring him home for you two. Have you been alright since you got that status update, dear...?
[Like she cannot imagine that has done his psyche any good, and Dorothy is a little concerned about this mission and leaving him behind despite multiple votes of confidence. Last time she left anyone behind...]
[Yeager remains in the base today. Usually he's eager to get out and explore; there's always plenty of robots to beat up and he does enjoy a challenge, after all. But today he remains, because if Dorothy responds (not that he's expecting her to) then he needs to ensure Raven doesn't steal his mail.
So he does come across her response later, and composes one of his own.
(Sure, they could solve this by actually talking, but this is easier than watching her do things with her face.)]
Miss Dorothy, An excellent idea! I was going to suggest bringing Raven along next time, as he does owe me a drink. Surely the three of us will be far more responsible!
My alcohol tolerance is higher than yours, it would seem, as I was mostly fine! The greater suffering was dealing with Raven, who was quite annoyed I had fun without him. The joys of dealing with such a headache of a roommate, I suppose...
Regardless, I'll be looking forward to next time. ☆
- Yeager
[Once again delivered to her room, slid under the door with Yeager taking his leave immediately after.]
[He gets it, you guys are trying to help, and he'd never be annoyed by that.
But ooh, those look great! Tails picks one up immediately, taking a bite and grinning. Well, at least until she continues, when his expression falls.]
As alright as I can be. Of the three of us, Knuckles is absolutely the toughest, no question. So if anyone's going to be okay after that, it's him.
[...But he doesn't sound all that convinced.]
It was... tough. Figuring out where that signal was pointing to. Knuckles is always careful; he wouldn't let himself be caught off-guard. So it's... hard not to imagine what must have happened...
Oh, don't worry. I would never. Like, no shade to any Swifties that may or may not be here, but anyone who plays music in a public space has had to deal with too many requests for her music.
[sometimes it be like that... bailey's not someone who's ever been picky about music, but there's something nostalgic about covers in particular that has them thinking about the classics. classic rock, of course.]
[They don't know that's what's happening!!! For all he knows he has Many powers!!]
I want to bring a piano here. I saw Wednesday brought in a cello, and that made me realize damn. Having a piano around would be great, actually? But they're not as easy to drag around by one person, and I figured you're probably stronger than most other people here if only because you're tall as fuck.
[Sure, they could just get a keyboard to make their life easier, and that's their backup plan, but they're curious about what they can find out in this world.]
[The staff comes down with a resounding clang and a crack that resonates.
Vakama can't hide the full body flinch at the noise, fingers tightening against the smaller of the masks as he starts removing the cases from the pillows. Even pulled away from his forge for these last long years, the sound of a mask's destruction still sent a pit of dismay straight into his gut. The echo of days, weeks, months of hard work, ruined in a single blow and destined for the reclamation yards.
He pauses, not letting his eyes drift as he waits to see if Viktor will repeat the blow again. But when that doesn't happen right away, he'll chance a look - first to the mask, now cleanly cracked against the bed; then to Viktor, brow furrowed.]
...
I hope there is freedom in this for you. [It's a quiet statement as he wraps the dulled orange metal in his hands, moving over to the empty chest on his side of the room.] Take a moment if you need it.
[Raven is the most forthright character in this whole game, it's true.
He hesitates at the request, more in visible surprise than anything else.]
...With me?
[Nearly stuttered. But why?]
I... don't see any issue with it, if all you need is company, but... [He's tall, and different, and while he doesn't doubt that he can protect Raven if the man is struggling, he knows he's not the only capable one around here.] You wouldn't rather go with another human?
[It was only once; Viktor was not a particularly violent person, his anger ever focused inward rather than upon the world around him. As if to underline that fact he gently set the staff down on the bed, slowly picking up the broken mask in pensive silence. He didn't actually know who it was that shattered it before this, the Undercity child with the impossible machine--silently he made a note to ask Jinx about him, maybe she would be able to answer that question.]
[The colors in his eyes shifted as they always did; now silvery white edged with a harsh yellow, head lowered and his back to Vakama as he spoke at length:]
...Freedom is a terrifying thing. Variables beyond calculation, impossible to quantify the number of paths one can take and no way to calculate the correct one. There was a time when I would have said choice itself was a falsehood, but that was the delusion of one who had gone too far to turn back.
[Dorothy hates to say she expected exactly this, honestly. Let her just take a seat nearby; she's been meaning to ask how to work these strange things that he's been working with, but...]
That's perfectly understandable, I think. Knowing that he's such a careful person and this still somehow happening to him...it paints a concerning picture. One that you're perfectly within your right to be worried about, no matter how tough he is. He's still there, after all.
But...if I can say one thing, with the empathy of someone who had to learn this herself on the battlefield; you mustn't let your thoughts get consumed by what you were unable to do, or the what-ifs of it all. Focus on what is tangible, and right in front of you first and foremost. If you allow your mind to dwell, to let such things fester...all it will do is bring you down even further, and you do not deserve that.
[Rich words, coming from her; she can only hope that she's not coming off too harshly. Honestly, he's handling the stress better than some of the people here would be able to. It's a comment she keeps out of her mouth for once, though; Dorothy reaches out tentatively to put a hand on Tails' shoulder.]
...You can talk to me, if you would like. I shall listen. I'd...like to listen, if it means I can take some of the burden off of those shoulders of yours.
Yeah. I know. I know it's important to focus on what we can do, and try not to get stuck on what we could've done differently.
[Tails sighs, taking another bite as he considers.]
Eggman's our responsibility, because we let the Master Emerald fall into his hands. He tricked Knuckles into helping him. I was knocked out, so I couldn't help. And Sonic was so busy fighting Knuckles, he couldn't stop Eggman. And then even when we managed to put aside our differences and work together...
[He glances back toward the monitors.]
I think it was too little, too late. It's... hard dealing with that. Knuckles' clan is full of warriors, he prides himself on his strength, and he was betrayed by Eggman, so he's taking this really hard. Sonic already beat Eggman once before, so being unable to do so again and losing his family to it is hitting him really hard. And it seems like no matter what I do, it's just not enough.
It's been a year. It's taken us this long just to come up with a fighting chance, and I just... I don't know what we'll do if this doesn't work. If this gets you guys hurt.
This is the most unusual method of communication they could've chosen, but Dorothy finds herself chuckling at yet another letter when she goes back into her room for something else. Sure, this is the shape of today, she can take it--]
Sir Yeager,
I certainly hope so. I have my doubts about him, but perhaps he can at least ensure that the two of us don't do anything undignified that we'll regret and have to exchange even more letters for in the morning. Surely he can manage that much...
But I suppose I cannot say I am surprised. He does unfortunately seem like the sort to take it personally that he wasn't invited along...truly, you suffer so much. Is he always like that? But I am glad that you were able to make it back alright nonetheless, and that you suffered no further indignities in doing so.
I'll be looking forward to it as well, however. Hopefully whatever we get thrown at us next doesn't ensure we're going to be drinking as heavily as last time?
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