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.
[This is certainly not the stupidest thing Yeager has ever done, because there are a lot of those, but it sure is up there. Still, he finds her next note with a grin that's a bit too honest and gets to work.]
Miss Dorothy, Rest assured, the one thing Raven is very good at is drinking. It's practically a requirement, as he works with the leader of the guilds - and we are known for partying a little too hard! I have complete faith that he will take good care of us.
I'm sure we'll be fine from here on out. I can't imagine any more truly ugly surprises like that, after all! But who knows, I've been proven wrong before. Best to keep our wits about us, yes?
- Yeager
[Return postage!! When will Dorothy realize that Yeager is just a lying liar who lies and is here to stop thinking and be very drunk—]
[Ah. He looks a little embarrassed as he realizes he has company, freezing up like a deer in the headlights as reality slides back into place.
He could just dodge this, but with her having called it out so directly, he has to resign at least a little.]
...A keepsake, of sorts. Among other things. [A thumb traces the ridge of the sloping helmet, eyes drifting to the floor as though it's hard to look at it in the presence of another.]
[ It certainly is, they suppose. Though, in some ways they can imagine that the people here (and elsewhere) have cause to push themselves hard no matter one's condition. But in the end, they don't think Vakama's necessarily lying, so that line of thinking is moot in this case. ]
Hm. I suppose it is answer, however...
[ Still, they give pause, considering their own words, and then merely cross their arms, watching the disk move once again. ]
Isn't it clear why it would concern someone like myself? Do you remember that we are all working towards the same goal? What misfortune might occur if someone is found in quite the unfortunate condition?
[That makes two of them; now Dorothy's just going between each chore to check for letters with a smile that's slowly growing for the stupidest of reasons. Look what you did. You gave her a feeling. (complimentary???)]
Sir Yeager,
Oh dear, it's even worse than I thought. I can't say that I'm surprised that Sir Raven has embraced that same lifestyle, but considering what little I know of the man, I truly cannot be too surprised. But that does make him the best man for the job; all of that experience is sure to keep us on the task of actually enjoying this without doing anything stupid.
But I am in agreement with you. I find it hard to trust that we will not be tracked for much longer, if our enemy is truly as adaptable as he seems to be. Best to be prepared and ready for any sort of change to the situation and to act accordingly.
I suppose if you'll indulge my curiosity a bit, have you been out at any other point to see anything going on with the town? I've kept mostly to the base to train and maintain our surroundings, but it has resulted in me not going out very much. I am curious if you have any observations that you have made?
[ It sounds like there is no third option there. They do have to wonder if there's anyone who would consider themselves neither despite that they don't doubt that many would essentially pick one or the other in Yeager's world. ]
Well, well, how exciting!
I have to say that there are clearly a lot of complicated elements in your world. But, I believe it's the same as with any other.
Still, between the guilds and this Empire I doubt there is never a dull moment.
[This time around, Raven's in the room with Yeager when the note comes sliding under the door. Being so accustomed to receiving letters in this manner, he perks up from where he's lounging on the bed and goes over to pick it up on instinct.]
Ja, it certainly seems so. And you're right, of course - though they aren't at war, both powers certainly aren't on favorable terms. It can be quite the headache to deal with...
I agree--unlike others, this world is utterly foreign to me. Its plight, however, is not. I would wish to understand what drove our adversary to such lengths, but the priority is merely stopping him.
Oh, Dorothy's face falls as she listens to all of that, the idea of it...it strikes her as wrong, so wrong. They actually tried, managed to free Knuckles from Eggman's metaphorical claws, and in the end they still...]
...We really are your last ditch effort to hopefully save this place. I didn't realize that you had gotten so close, only to...
[Oh, does this ring unpleasantly true to what Dorothy's experienced. It sends a tremor through Dorothy's hand where she's got it gripped on Tails' shoulder, but she's...]
You've all been suffering for so long, haven't you?
There's one way he could shut this down really damn fast. All it would take is being serious for once, and ripping open old injuries that still haven't healed, but maybe it would be worth it if it means avoiding being teased. As it turns out, he's quite terrible at being on the receiving end of it, who would have guessed?
...
His gaze darts for a moment.
He chooses not to say it.]
I'm afraid it truly isn't anything so salacious~ Miss Dorothy was simply apologizing for something she said earlier this week, that's all~
They is would understand lesson better if they still had wisdom. Such is fate of being careless, is fate of not thinking things through at first.
[Ed seems pleased with Tails! Someone listening to his stories is always gratifying]
World is full of little stories. Most true, others not really. But is...no matter what, is what makes world interesting for those who live in it. Ed is sure you have heard tales about your own too, is likely.
[Tails releases a shuddering breath. He doesn't cry - he's long since used up all his tears for this - but his hands are a little shaky as he reaches for the tea anyway.]
It took us awhile to even come up with a plan for how to proceed. For a long time we were just... stumbling around in the dark, so to speak. We didn't know how to fix this. We weren't sure it was a good idea to try to ask for help from people from other worlds.
So... yeah. You guys are our last hope of saving this world. And we can't let you get hurt in the process, because... because we can't fail you guys too.
[you know, he kind of suspects Void Archives, being kind of a little shit on his level, will be the one who will Understand going to the location he has the least Legitimate Strategic Reason to visit, on account of it being smaller and less justifiable as somewhere he thinks would make an extremely good hiding place.
so you know.]
I was thinking perhaps the aquarium? It seems as good a place as any, and I admit to being curious about such a place. I think it would be a great undertaking to find a way to make such a thing work well back in my world... and perhaps it could be a decent hiding place for an object of great significance. You never really know, after all.
[It's a lesson a lot of people could stand to learn, he thinks. Maybe Ed will tell this story to Sonic and Knuckles, and maybe they'll listen.]
We've got plenty of tales, sure! I couldn't tell you any of this world's, though. I only got here shortly before... Well, before Eggman took over everything.
[It's been at least three passes back to the room with no response now. Why has Dorothy been keeping track of that? Don't worry about it. It's not like she was worried she may have said too much, or too little, or--or--
Anyway, she's totally not letting herself be consumed by feelings she doesn't have, she just wants to make sure Yeager's okay!! Because she was having fun, clearly, so without much heed, Dorothy will knock gently on the door.]
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