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.
[After some rest, Raven is at least able to hobble around the warehouse unaided. He won’t be fit to head outside for another day or two, but he was going to get insane cabin fever if he was forced to remain bedridden.
He makes a stop in the storage room to see if his transform bow made the trip over, only he quickly discovers that he’s not alone.
It’s strange to see Dorothy like this- almost like he shouldn’t be seeing it.]
[Dorothy startles outright at that, turning to Raven and clutching that necklace of hers closer to her on instinct. It takes her a few seconds to come close to easing, but...]
No. Not in the slightest. [It comes out a little defensive, but Dorothy will move out of the way, at least.] It is just...something rather precious from home that I was worried I'd lost, that is all.
[Just...give her a couple of seconds to move over and out of the way, though her posture loosens little by little as the seconds wear on. That's...actually surprisingly considerate of Raven; she didn't take him for the sort to have that in him, but there is a part of Dorothy that appreciates it a little. She hates the idea of feeling, of letting others see her like that, and in a way it's...
...It's nice to have someone who isn't making fun of her, for feeling. It's nice to be in a place where feeling doesn't actually feel like having a target painted on her back.]
...I do appreciate your consideration, Raven. It's...well. This necklace is something of a memento from a dear, old friend of mine; someone from one of my first team's last missions.
[Though he does some more rummaging, before long he finds himself lost in her explanation. He slowly turns around and settles on the floor against a particularly sturdy crate.
Dorothy referring to her friend in the past tense says all it needs to. He doesn't have to ask. But he will ask...]
She was very sweet, and surprisingly kind given the situation we had to face. [Dorothy begins to put the necklace on.] Pinne was a mass-produced Nikke who fought with the ferocity of one of my fellow Goddesses. She was jovial and kind, but she could be quite firm when the situation called for it; she was good at getting me out of my own head when it was necessary, and she was an inspiring presence. Truly, we considered it an honor to have her by our side; we even considered her an official member of our squad in the wake of her death.
But she always had a chipper demeanor about her. Even when facing devastating situations, she always did it with a smile on her face and a pep in her step. Pinne was surprisingly used to all of the death and devastation going on, but you wouldn't know it from looking at her. She was...
She was possibly the greatest friend I had ever made. I'll never forget everything she did for us.
[As he listens, he feels like he's learning a lot about Dorothy in addition to Pinne. By the time she's finished, he has a melancholy smile on his face.]
She sounds like an amazin' gal. That's exactly the sort of comrade ya want around durin' tough times.
[There he goes again, talking like he knows the sort of situation the Nikkes are fighting in.
But with that said, he bows his head respectfully.]
She was. She taught me much that was needed to survive in the outside world.
[It's the apology that sees Dorothy tense again, briefly. The briefest of flares that makes Dorothy want to ask what the hell he knows about this, why he's even bothering to apologize for no good reason, but...
...He may be a human, but he's...he's not from the same world. He really isn't. He doesn't know everything, he doesn't know just how insulting that could be to hear after everything that's happened. Is it...right, to hold him accountable for that?
...]
It's...appreciated. [...Oh, god, that comes off so awkward saying it like that. But what is she going to say, thank you? Thanks for what, doing the bare minimum?] ...Not many people would have considered her much, but she meant the world to me. She was the only reason I could keep going, for a long time. She...
She'd probably have liked it here, in this world. I think, at least.
[Raven sees Dorothy tense up, and immediately figures that he said something wrong. It's never easy to hear condolences, especially from a relative stranger. But to him, it simply felt like the right thing to say. He won't say anything further on it, at the very least.
...and especially not after Dorothy turns the subject onto him. A person like Pinne...someone who meant the world to him but is no longer around.
Of course he's had someone like that. As much as he's tried to not think about her, there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't.
He draws in a breath and lowers his gaze for a moment.]
Yeah. Her name was Casey. Like you and Pinne, we were soldiers at war. She died in combat.
[It's more than he's ever let anybody back home know. But Dorothy's not from his world, and Yeager already knows. He doesn't have to hide as much. Doesn't stop the pain from talking about it though.]
[She doesn't expect an answer. These kind of things always tend to be personal affairs, and it really isn't any of Dorothy's business deep down, so she's...
...Perhaps surprisingly, she manages to ease a bit when he actually tells her that. Despite the pain it clearly brings him, Dorothy looks shocked for a moment, before she speaks up.]
...I'm so sorry. [For thinking he didn't know the feeling. For disregarding a woman who must've meant a lot to Raven.] She must have been a wonderful woman, Raven. War truly has a way of taking those who are undeserving away, doesn't it?
[...]
...Would it pain you if I asked what she was like? Or would you rather speak of something else? I do not wish to bring you further discomfort.
It sure does. Makes ya wonder why it had ta be them.
[Why did I get to live when Casey and everyone else didn't?
...There are still some aspects surrounding Casey's death that are simply too uncomfortable for Raven to talk about, but talking about her in life is something he can do.]
It's all right, Dorothy. I don't mind talkin' about her. Consider it a trade of stories.
I didn't have much goin' fer me back when I joined the military, but Casey saw somethin' in me that I didn't. She thought I had the potential ta be a true knight, just like she was tryin' ta become. Kind, righteous...someone who goes outta their way ta defend the people. Honestly, she already was that, and so much more. All us guys in the platoon admired her.
[Maybe even more than admired, in his case.]
She made me her personal aide and helped me turn my life around. Gave me a cause ta fight for- somethin' ta believe in. I became a better person because of her.
[Man. She never actually expected Raven to get it in such a manner. She almost feels bad about thinking he was just another insufferable human.
...Almost. But that's definitely tested as she actually listens to Raven talk about Casey, and just how much of an effect that she had on him. How she inspired him to be better, to do better. That she saw something in him that he couldn't see, and worked hard to bring it out of him...]
She sounds like an amazing woman, Raven. Someone so strong of heart, yet unyielding in her belief of others...she sounds every bit like what a leader should be. Able to inspire those around her, and inspire them to become the best version of themselves...
She reminds me of our first leader, Liliweiss. I take it that Casey was the strongest of you all, as well? She must have been a vision in battle.
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storage room
He makes a stop in the storage room to see if his transform bow made the trip over, only he quickly discovers that he’s not alone.
It’s strange to see Dorothy like this- almost like he shouldn’t be seeing it.]
…I’m not interrupting somethin’, am I?
no subject
No. Not in the slightest. [It comes out a little defensive, but Dorothy will move out of the way, at least.] It is just...something rather precious from home that I was worried I'd lost, that is all.
Am I in your way?
no subject
[He won't ask about it if she doesn't seem keen on sharing, but he thinks he can make a decent guess. Keepsakes...
Now that he's good to come in, he'll do just that.]
Nah, I just wanted ta make sure ya didn't need a minute to yerself. I coulda come back 'round.
[He starts poking through stuff- slowly and gingerly so he doesn't aggravate his injuries.]
I wanted ta check fer my own stuff.
no subject
[Just...give her a couple of seconds to move over and out of the way, though her posture loosens little by little as the seconds wear on. That's...actually surprisingly considerate of Raven; she didn't take him for the sort to have that in him, but there is a part of Dorothy that appreciates it a little. She hates the idea of feeling, of letting others see her like that, and in a way it's...
...It's nice to have someone who isn't making fun of her, for feeling. It's nice to be in a place where feeling doesn't actually feel like having a target painted on her back.]
...I do appreciate your consideration, Raven. It's...well. This necklace is something of a memento from a dear, old friend of mine; someone from one of my first team's last missions.
Her name was Pinne.
no subject
[Though he does some more rummaging, before long he finds himself lost in her explanation. He slowly turns around and settles on the floor against a particularly sturdy crate.
Dorothy referring to her friend in the past tense says all it needs to. He doesn't have to ask. But he will ask...]
What was she like, if ya don't mind me pryin'?
no subject
She was very sweet, and surprisingly kind given the situation we had to face. [Dorothy begins to put the necklace on.] Pinne was a mass-produced Nikke who fought with the ferocity of one of my fellow Goddesses. She was jovial and kind, but she could be quite firm when the situation called for it; she was good at getting me out of my own head when it was necessary, and she was an inspiring presence. Truly, we considered it an honor to have her by our side; we even considered her an official member of our squad in the wake of her death.
But she always had a chipper demeanor about her. Even when facing devastating situations, she always did it with a smile on her face and a pep in her step. Pinne was surprisingly used to all of the death and devastation going on, but you wouldn't know it from looking at her. She was...
She was possibly the greatest friend I had ever made. I'll never forget everything she did for us.
no subject
She sounds like an amazin' gal. That's exactly the sort of comrade ya want around durin' tough times.
[There he goes again, talking like he knows the sort of situation the Nikkes are fighting in.
But with that said, he bows his head respectfully.]
I'm real sorry for your loss.
no subject
[It's the apology that sees Dorothy tense again, briefly. The briefest of flares that makes Dorothy want to ask what the hell he knows about this, why he's even bothering to apologize for no good reason, but...
...He may be a human, but he's...he's not from the same world. He really isn't. He doesn't know everything, he doesn't know just how insulting that could be to hear after everything that's happened. Is it...right, to hold him accountable for that?
...]
It's...appreciated. [...Oh, god, that comes off so awkward saying it like that. But what is she going to say, thank you? Thanks for what, doing the bare minimum?] ...Not many people would have considered her much, but she meant the world to me. She was the only reason I could keep going, for a long time. She...
She'd probably have liked it here, in this world. I think, at least.
[Dorothy shakes her head, sighing.]
...Have you ever had someone like that?
no subject
...and especially not after Dorothy turns the subject onto him. A person like Pinne...someone who meant the world to him but is no longer around.
Of course he's had someone like that. As much as he's tried to not think about her, there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't.
He draws in a breath and lowers his gaze for a moment.]
Yeah. Her name was Casey. Like you and Pinne, we were soldiers at war. She died in combat.
[It's more than he's ever let anybody back home know. But Dorothy's not from his world, and Yeager already knows. He doesn't have to hide as much. Doesn't stop the pain from talking about it though.]
no subject
...Perhaps surprisingly, she manages to ease a bit when he actually tells her that. Despite the pain it clearly brings him, Dorothy looks shocked for a moment, before she speaks up.]
...I'm so sorry. [For thinking he didn't know the feeling. For disregarding a woman who must've meant a lot to Raven.] She must have been a wonderful woman, Raven. War truly has a way of taking those who are undeserving away, doesn't it?
[...]
...Would it pain you if I asked what she was like? Or would you rather speak of something else? I do not wish to bring you further discomfort.
cw suicidal ideation
[Why did I get to live when Casey and everyone else didn't?
...There are still some aspects surrounding Casey's death that are simply too uncomfortable for Raven to talk about, but talking about her in life is something he can do.]
It's all right, Dorothy. I don't mind talkin' about her. Consider it a trade of stories.
I didn't have much goin' fer me back when I joined the military, but Casey saw somethin' in me that I didn't. She thought I had the potential ta be a true knight, just like she was tryin' ta become. Kind, righteous...someone who goes outta their way ta defend the people. Honestly, she already was that, and so much more. All us guys in the platoon admired her.
[Maybe even more than admired, in his case.]
She made me her personal aide and helped me turn my life around. Gave me a cause ta fight for- somethin' ta believe in. I became a better person because of her.
no subject
[Man. She never actually expected Raven to get it in such a manner. She almost feels bad about thinking he was just another insufferable human.
...Almost. But that's definitely tested as she actually listens to Raven talk about Casey, and just how much of an effect that she had on him. How she inspired him to be better, to do better. That she saw something in him that he couldn't see, and worked hard to bring it out of him...]
She sounds like an amazing woman, Raven. Someone so strong of heart, yet unyielding in her belief of others...she sounds every bit like what a leader should be. Able to inspire those around her, and inspire them to become the best version of themselves...
She reminds me of our first leader, Liliweiss. I take it that Casey was the strongest of you all, as well? She must have been a vision in battle.