The following RPG session is based on characters created and/or copyrighted by SEGA! Enterprises, DiC Productions, Archie Comic Publishers, Fleetway Comic Publishers, and the Taki Corporation. Other copyrights are held as follows (characters - author): Boris "Ace" Arenov - DarkDuck64, Dorral Shelds - Shadowbot, Edward Markus - Scott Reese, Carmen Rosemary and Barren - John Roberts, Ryan "Chief" Scott - Paul "Chief" Scott, Kaige The Dragon and Tamara deClaws - Bryan "Kaotix" West, and Sir Maximillian "Wildfire" Starlite - Wildfire.
From the Dark RPG
"I must not fear."
Introduction - John Roberts
Flames flickered in the night, wood burning and cracking in a small heap along the ground; rocks carefully placed around it in a circle to prevent the fire from jumping to the dry grass and spreading out of control. Whether the forest burnt to the ground or not, it was not his concern, but Adam needed to rest and had not the energy to flee from an out-of-control fire. Leaning his tired and rugged body back first against the tree, he slumped his shoulders and let his head lean forward. He couldn't run more now even if he wanted to. No more. He didn't even care now if It caught up to him, found him.
News had spread fast of the victory in Centropolis at the hands of the Centrepoint Freedom Fighters. His own village received a message that came direct from the Princess herself one afternoon while he was collecting firewood. It startled him at first, the sound of a bird and then a sudden vwoosh and something landing on his shoulder. It was a message bird, the way they all contacted each other through the vastness of the Great Forest. Why the bird had landed on him and not in the actual village was beyond him, but he took the message regardless and read it in silence.
Looking up at the fire, he banged the back of his head against the tree damming the decision he made after reading it. He never should have done it, never should of gone into that city. But he did, and now everything around has fallen because of him. It was a stupid idea, he knew that now, even knew it then, but he went anyway with the foolish hope of going home His friend thought it was a stupid plan to sneak into Centropolis for the sake of something that didn't exist anymore, but he ignored his warnings and instead convinced his friend to join him. Adam banged his again and hearing the cries for help of his friend when they were attacked by... something in the dark.
One second they were slipping through alley-ways avoiding the street and the next something leaped at them from above. Adam never saw it, not fully, only a glimpse from the corner of his eye as it crashed into his friend and grappling him back in the air from where it came from. His friend's screams were painful to listen to but did not last long with a sickening splattering sound that ended any more cries from him. And then Adam ran, the sound of crickets chirping behind him. He never stopped once, not even when he escaped from the city's limits and into the safety of the forest. It wasn't until he neared his village did he finally stop and rest against a tree, finally taking everything in that just transpired. What the hell attacked him? His friend, fuck, why did he just leave him behind like that? Dread began to overthrow his body as his heart beat hard in his chest. The run took a lot out of him, realizing only now how worn out he had been from the sprint. The shock of it all now feeling as though it never happened. Did it happen? But of course it did, the wetness that splashed down at him from where his friend vanished was still stained on his hand. And the eerie chirping sounds of crickets were behind him again. He fled into his village.
Adam raised both of his hands upward, the light from the fire beaming behind them casting a shadow across his face. The blood was there even still, he wondered now how much more blood was spilt because of him after leading what ever followed him from the city into the village, his REAL home.
And he ran. And ran until all he could do was crawl to a stop and collapse to the grassy ground. It was there that he felt a sudden chill from the night creep into him as though death Itself was calling for him.
The cries and screams from his village were long behind him, all he heard now was the fire crackling and his own breath breathing deeply. And crickets. He didn't care now, he deserved this after all the damage he has caused this night. This was his price for cowardice, for leading doom to those he knew and leaving them to die. A tree branch snapped from above him and a shadow fell down. Adam didn't scream, not even when It's razor sharp claws dug into his neck and it's glowing red eyes piercing into his fading sight. The unnatural chirping that hissed from It sounding more mechanical as pain tore through him, and then nothing. He heard and felt no more.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Five nights later...
Strong and powerful wings speed Kaige the Dragon across the city high in the night's sky. Another night and another recon mission into this quiet and uninviting place. Apart from a few rouge swat-bots stuck on a routine patrol and the odd worker-bot, Cetropolis was quiet. The Dragon could sense many things in this world that others couldn't. Above many though, he could sense dread well before it consumed him, not always knowing where and when it would come from, but he could feel it nonetheless. And that is what he felt now as he glided above the city. Though it came to no great surprise to him, dread was something he always felt returning to this place. But it was strange, as though the feeling had become stronger with each night he came into the city.
Paying no regard to the trepidation inside him, he continued on his task. Each night he would search a different sector in the city, never once landing on the ground themselves, but carefully scanning from above. Not much got past his Dragon sight, his eyes could even see through the darkest of shadows, and for a city where everything was black it only made sense that only he could preform this task in the safest way.
Safety and in speed, that were Tamara's orders, and her request. The Calico leader of Kaige's village was very serious on that matter. No risks and no unnecessary chances were to be taken at all for any reasons. Fly in at night, search one sector and fly out. And that's exactly what the Dragon was doing tonight. Each sector went inwards like that of a dart board, sector 5 being the first and then sector 4, and so on and so on. Tonight it was sector 1, the very heart of the city. And all though there were a few more bots circling the area, it was just as quiet as the rest. There was nothing here, at least nothing that has been sent to replace the Lieutenant AI.
Kaige yawned, the factories all sat in quiet; the ones that were destroyed in their last mission still remained in ruins. It was going to be another night of the same report: Nothing to report. Well, there was nothing for it, his eyes zeroed on three swat-bots marching below him on the street, he might as well have something extra to add to his report. A mischievous smirk spread over his snout as he could literally hear Tamara's voice telling him off for taking risks when it wasn't needed. 'There was no risk, Tamara," Kaige would say in response, 'a quick swoop and smash." 'Swoop and smash? Pow pow pow!" The Dragon laughed hearing little Barren's voice cheer in his mind.
The Dragon flapped his wings quickly, stopping himself midair, hovering and taking aim at his prey below. Kaige smirked again and dove, falling down head first with speed and great stealth. It took only seconds for him to drop a hundred meters, and it would be only another few second before he would have his claws clamped on the Swat-bot's helmets and tearing the heads off. But he suddenly froze, sensing something about to attack him. He changed his altitude and quickly pulled up from the dive, using both his tail and great wings to turn on a dime and see.... nothing behind him. His heart was pounding now, the dread feeling from earlier was even worse making him tense up ready to pounce on what ever what was about to attack him. But nothing did. He turned again looking back but there was nothing to see. To his side, nothing, only the silent buildings that stood from below at his height. Spooked, and feeling more vulnerable and exposed than he would care to admit, he growled and speed off high into the night's sky hoping to shake what ever panic took hold of him.
He hadn't felt like that since...
Kaige growled again and flew as fast as he could; the tension and alarm inside him fading the further he went. It wasn't fear that drove him, at least, that's what he was trying to tell himself. It would seem though that he would have something new to add to his report after all.
Shadowbot
The night wind whistled through Dorral's ears as he roared through the Great Forest. By sheer luck, Rotor had finished the hoverbike he was riding only the day before, and allowed him to borrow it for his mission to Centrepoint Village. The friendly inventor cautioned him that the bike might still have a few kinks to work out, but thus far the machine had performed magnificently.
Jerking the control bar to the left, Dorral skirted a degrading tree and zoomed over a flowering meadow of bluebells bordering the Great River. Mentally thanking Rotor again for the night-vision gear, Dorral checked his bike's compass and swung to the north. Hopefully he would be reaching Centrepoint Village inside of ten minutes.
Dorral considered himself lucky. He'd just passed the last of his Freedom Fighting tests and had his first mission for the resistance only a week ago, and now he was being transferred to a hot spot almost as big as Robotropolis itself! It had been a startling experience for Dorral, his virgin mission. Nothing in all of Princess Sally's reports had prepared him for the festering pit that was Robotropolis. For the entire mission, which consisted of singling out various plants that were developing components for Robotnik's Doomsday Project, his knees had been a quiver and his ears had strained for any sign of dreaded SWAT-Bots. Fortunately, nothing out-of-the-ordinary happened, allowing him to complete his surveillance and leave the report for Sir Charles to compile with the rest of the Doomsday material. With a successful mission under his belt, Dorral was finally recognized by the citizenry as a fully-fledged Freedom Fighter, and gained a large measure of self-confidence as well.
It also brought him to the fore-front of the personnel lists. Knothole had received word from distant Centrepoint Village about the destruction of Robotnik's big project up north, and had also requested for any Mobian fighter they could spare. Since most of the other reserves in Knothole were either committed to various tasks involving the stopping of Doomsday, setting up the Freedom Fighter Network, or were still in training, that left Dorral to be called in by the Princess...
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
"Dorral Shelds reporting as ordered, your Highness." he barked, whipping a snappy salute to the rightful ruler of Mobius.
The beautiful leader of the Freedom Fighters graced him with a smile. "Please Dorral, just Sally will do. As I'm sure you've heard before: 'Out in the Great Forest..."
"'Titles are meaningless.'" he finished, dropping his paw. "May I ask then, what I've been called for?"
"Well, it's quite simple. Centrepoint Village to our northeast just won a large-scale victory over the local Robotnik forces. Even though they have seemingly destroyed whatever it was Robotnik was developing, the leader of their camp is requesting reinforcements A.S.A.P. Since you have recently completed your first mission, I felt that it would be a suitable assignment for you."
"I see..."
Sally reached down and opened her hand-held computer, Nicole. Pressing a few small buttons on the interface, the Princess opened a holographic terrain map of Knothole and the route to Centrepoint Village.
"This will be your travel lane. It's deep in the Great Forest, so SWAT-Bot's won't be a problem. Memorize it, as written directions of any kind are obviously not allowed. I believe Rotor has also completed repairs to a hoverbike as well. I want you to take the bike, all of your gear, and," she held a small diskette aloft, "this message to the leader of Centrepoint - Tamara deClaws. Any questions?"
"No Ma'am, no questions. I promise not to let you down."
With a final smile for the eager Squirrel, Sally gave him a salute and wished him luck on his assignment. It took Dorral only minutes to round up all of the necessary equipment for the venture, snag the bike from Rotor, and strap his pack in place. With a last, long glance at the village of Knothole, his home for the past ten tears, Dorral kicked the hoverbike into gear and accelerated into the twilight distance of the Great Forest...
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Dorral snapped out of his flashback, pulling the bike clear to it's left side to avoid the tree he had been about to splat against. A loud "Ker-RANG!" sounded as back control-fin smacked the bark, Barely keeping the bike from going tail-over-bumper, he smashed the brakes and ground to a rather undignified halt.
"Stupid!" Dorral berated himself. "Keep your mind on where you are! Keep focused on the mission - Number One Rule!"
He'd just about fully calmed down and caught his breath, when the motivator of the bike sputtered and coughed, then fell dead silent.
"Just great...."
Chief
"Whhaaaaaaa!"
"Ughmmm"
"Ryan... Get your son."
"Mhmm..."
"I got him the last two times, Ryan..."
"Uh huhhmmm."
"Whhaaaaaaa!"
"RYAN!"
"I"m up, I"m up," Ryan muttered as he rolled out of bed and walked over to his crying son. "What's going on, eh, Tom?" he asked as he bent over to pick up his young cub.
"Whaaa..." Thomas quickly stopped crying as Ryan picked him up and held him. Although Ryan was not around Thomas in his first bit on this planet, Thomas still somehow knew that Ryan was his Father. The reason for Ryan's absence at the start of this young cub's life was for a simple reason: money. The thing that everyone needs especially young families. So Ryan did what he did best. He left his wife and child to find work as a mercenary. Ryan however found much more then just money however. He found a whole new family. Ryan was now part of a growing family of Freedom Fighters, who sought the destruction of Robotnik. He also found friends in his new village of Centrepoint; friends who he fought with and in turn they saved him. From the big red Dragon, to the 'oh so lovely" doctor. Ryan was where he belonged, with family and friends.
"Come on then, kid, what's the matter this time, huh? Speak up. I cant help you out if you don't tell me." He laughed quietly to himself and whispered to his son "See that lazy ass in the bed? She should be the one getting you back to sleep, huh?"
Thomas was looking at his father's eyes as Ryan carried him over to the bed and placed him on top his sleeping mother's chest.
"Mmm... What's this?" Danielle said in a sleepy voice as she picked her cub up and brought him closer to her face.
"It's your kid," Ryan said as he crawled back into the warm bed. "Wanted to see you he did.. Yep, wanted to get his mother to put him back to sleep. G"night, Hun."
"You better not turn out like your father. I"m going to teach you to be a nice, polite man," Danielle said as she got out of bed to put on some warm pants. "I"m going to take him down to the creek for a bit. Let him tire himself out"
"Want me to come?" Ryan asked in a sleepy voice.
"Nah...," Danielle said glancing at Ryan's cane. "You"d only slow us down. You know, being a cripple and all," she laughed. Danielle walked over to a hook on the wall and took Ryan's large trench coat off it and put it on herself. "We'll be back in a bit. Ryan?" She glanced over at the bed again and saw that Ryan was again fast asleep.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Danielle was still new to Centrepoint. It was a nice village, and the location couldn't be more beautiful. It was almost like a paradise.. If you ignored the tragedies going on in the outer world As much as Danielle loved her new home with her family she always had a odd feeling. A feeling as if the other habitats of this village didn't welcome her fully. She felt like a stranger, an outcast. Ryan told her she was imagining it all, that it just felt weird to be living in a new village. One thing Danielle loved about the village however was the creek. She enjoyed spending hours sitting on the creek bed staring at the soft flowing water.
"Come on, kiddo, you got to start sleeping through the night," Danielle said quietly as she walked down to the bank. "I'll get your dad back for this, not that I don't want you, Hun, but I need sleep to," she laughed to herself.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Thirty minutes later Danielle was on her way back up to her own hut with the now sleeping Thomas in her arms. She could see the moon clearly through the trees. It was a bright moon tonight, not full but still large enough to give off some light. As she got back up to the village Danielle glanced over at the other huts. The doctor's hut had a light on. Maybe Thomas wasn't the only one having a hard time sleeping tonight. Or maybe Carmen was just up to some last minute work on something. Danielle stopped briefly at some benches and sat down staring at the burnt remains of the center fire. She put held Thomas close to her arms and started into the dark woods.
'Is this a battle we can even win?" she thought to herself. 'Is it worth the deaths, the pain, the constant hiding and hoping that Swat bots won't come and attack this village at night and catch us off guard?" These were the thoughts that kept her awake on many nights.
DarkDuck64
The evening was getting late, and Boris was dead tired. For almost a week now, he had been traveling from Knothole village to Centrepoint village carrying all his equipment. In his left hand he held a case carrying several different types of chemicals. On his back was a heavy pack holding various wires, casings, and other parts, along with a little bit of food. In his right hand was a case holding his guitar. He could remember the argument he had with Princess Sally over bringing it.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
"Look Ace, I"d rather have you take some extra food and a blanket for this trip than carry that thing around with you," Sally said with a very frustrated sound in her voice. She was trying her hardest to convince Boris to leave his guitar behind.
"I"ve survived on less food for a lot longer, I'll be fine. Besides, my jacket'll keep me warm enough." He was almost to the point of begging the Princess to let him take it.
"All I"m saying is that thing is nothing but extra weight that we don't really need. I"m sending you to Centrepoint to use your demolition knowledge, not to sing everyone to sleep at night," she said now sounding more annoyed than ever. Not even Sonic argued with her this much.
"Of course I"m not going there to sing everybody to sleep, but it helps me relax you know? It takes away some of the tension." Boris wasn't going to down without a fight.
"Well on a mission, you're not exactly…" Sally was interrupted mid sentence.
"I won't take it on a mission, that"d just be stupid. It's an off mission thing, to keep my morale up. You do want everyone's morale to be up as much as possible right?" Sally was about speak, but then paused. 'Ha, I got her.' The look in Sally's face told Boris right away that he finally managed to stump her.
After a few seconds of silence, Sally finally spoke. "Fine, you can take it, but, I recommend you leave it behind and take some more food with you." She crossed her arms and gave Boris a cold look.
"I'll take that into consideration. Thank you Sally." Boris gave a bow as he said thanks.
"Good luck out there, and make contact with us as soon as you arrive." Finally her tone had gone from annoyed to charming.
"I'll do that," Boris said. He turned around and walked out the hut.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Ace found a good spot to camp for the night. He was probably only a couple hours hike away from Centrepoint, but it was late already, and this late, somebody might mistake him for a bad guy. He gently set down the case of chemicals and the guitar, and slipped the heavy pack off his back, and then rested against a tree. His muscles screamed with glee as all that weight got dropped off. He reached into his pack and pulled out a slice of bread, and a bit of cheese. It wasn't the most luxurious meal in the world, but his parents always taught him never to be picky, that food is food. He gobbled down the bread and cheese in a matter of seconds, all that carrying builds up quite the appetite. He took out a canteen of water and finished what was left in it. He could hear a stream nearby, so he would be able to fill up in the morning. For a while, Boris gazed up into the stars, thinking about what life with the Centrepoint freedom fighters would be like. 'Will they accept me? Will they even need me for that matter?' He decided that these questions could wait until tomorrow.
Boris leaned forward and slipped off his jacket. Strapped to the inside of it were several pre-made bombs of different sizes. He opened up the case to his guitar, and pulled it out. Once again leaning back against the tree, Boris took out a pick, and began to play a soft, calm tune. Eventually, the words just came to him naturally as he played.
"Every day could be my last,
I"ve gotta put up a fight.
For freedom I'll try to do my best,
Every day and night." Ace shifted his tune to a much lower sound.
"But freedom has a price,
One I'd be glad to pay,
To make sure others live,
To see another day." This time, he shifted his tune back to a higher level.
"Once all is said and done,
There will be no need to cry,
You'll be free all my friends,
Even if I have…to die…" A tear emerged form his eyes as he sung those final words. After that, he just strummed on the guitar some more before putting it down and going to sleep.
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Morning time came. Rays of light shone through the trees and into Boris" eyes. He leaned forward and stretched his arms out a bit. He was hungry, but he was out of food, and Centrepoint was a fair ways away still. Maybe down by the stream there would be some grub. Boris grabbed his jacket and his canteen, and went in search of the running water he heard.
It wasn't long before he came across the creek. Boris dunked his canteen in the clear water, then took a swig. He walked up and down the creek a bit carefully scanning for fish. Finally he could see a group of fish swimming together. Perfect. Ace walked downstream about 100 meters or so and opened up his jacket. He pulled out one of the smaller bombs, no bigger than a golf ball. He pulled out a pin, then pressed a button on top. The bomb began to vibrate as a device inside began to mix the chemicals inside. Soon, a time delay would ignite the mixed chemicals, causing a rather large bang. Ace wound up, and chucked the bomb upstream. He had years of practice throwing bombs, and had quite the throwing arm. He could see the bomb go plunk in the water roughly where the group of fish was. Seconds later a massive explosion rocked the body of water, sending huge gushes of water into the sky. A bit of a tidal wave was coming towards Ace. 'Oooooh shit!' Ace jumped for land and made it to shore as the mini wave of doom went past him. One past, he jumped back into the creek to gather the oncoming fish. He caught three fairly decent sized ones, and decided that would be enough to last him.
Back up at his little camp, he pulled out a knife, and began to gut the fish. Minutes later, he was inhaling the sweet sweet taste of raw fish. He felt satisfied enough, so he gathered up his gear, and continued onto Centrepoint village to meet up with the Freedom Fighters.
Kaotix
Under the light of the large moon, the weary Dragon winged his way back home from his recon mission. The fear and dread he had felt over the dark city, while mostly gone from him now, still haunted him. There was nothing there other than the mindless Swat-bots. Yet he felt a presence. A presence of something or someone that should not have been there. Each time he had visited the city, the feeling got stronger. Tonight the feeling was almost unbearable. He had to get away as fast as possible before it consumed him. Kaige had yet to report this to Tamara. He couldn't. It would make him look weak. Who would believe a Dragon being simply spooked by a dead city? He would be a laughing stock.
Kaige sighed and kept his eyes on the horizon doing his best to clear his head when suddenly a large shadow crossed his peripheral vision. He grunted in surprise and shock as he spun around to meet whatever was intruding on his airspace with claws and teeth bared and a snarl from his throat. The shadow became visible in the form of an owl flying by back to its nest to feed its young the small rodent that was trapped in its talons. The large night bird hooted at the surprised Dragon in a tone that sounded almost like annoyance and continued on. Kaige hovered there in the air for a moment rubbing a claw over his face and raking his talons through his mane.
"Look at you..." Kaige muttered to himself. "Simple shadows are spooking you now. What kind of Dragon are you?" Kaige shook his head and continued on, perhaps a little faster now.
With the village nearing every second, Kaige dropped below the forest canopy and landed on the forest floor. He gazed around himself for a few moments before stretching his wings wide open and folding them against his back. He took a deep breath and continued the rest of the way to the village on foot keeping a wary eye on the dark forest around him. He broke the village's perimeter a short while later. He knew the sentries on duty had seen him coming and had already alerted Tamara of his arrival. The Calico Cat had a bad habit of staying awake and waiting for those on even simple recon missions to return home safely before she even thought of sleeping. The light was on in the Control Hut even now at this hour. The village was quiet except for the soft footfalls of Danielle Scott, Ryan's mate. She hadn't seen him as she was already making her way back to her own hut. He smelled her scent along with that of her son, Thomas, who must have been the little bundle in her arms. The Dragon grinned to himself. 'The little guy must have wanted to play with his momma,' he mused quietly as he made his way to report in. The light was also on in Carmen's hut. This was not too unusual as the village doctor/medic was always busy with keeping an eye on the welfare of the villagers. The talented Koala often had to be reminded that she needed sleep just like everyone else in the village. But like any good doctor, she continually put the needs of others above her own.
Kaige wrapped his knuckles on the Control Hut door lightly to let Tammy know he was there.
"Come in, Kaige," came the warm reply from within. The Dragon opened the door and stepped in ducking a bit as to not bang his head on the low doorway. Tamara was seated at a table with several data-pads spread across it. She looked up from her work and smiled at him. "Have a seat, Kaige. How was you mission?"
The Dragon sat down on the reinforced wooden chair Eddie had made a while back after one proved unable to hold the Dragon's heavier frame and imploded in on itself. Kaige was quiet for a few moments as he collected his thoughts. "Pretty much the same as the past several nights, Patches. Very little activity except for a few left over Swat-bots and wandering a roboticized Mobian here and there. Sector One was just as quiet, if not more so than the other sectors." Kaige had stopped there but the look on his face and the fact that it took him longer than usual to answer told Tamara that he had more to say.
"And?" She prodded gently as she now gave Kaige her full and undivided attention. She was confused as to why Kaige wasn't being easily forthcoming with information.
After taking a deep breath, the Dragon spoke again. "Something felt... amiss in the city. I've had this feeling for the past week with every mission." He confessed a little sheepishly as he knew Tamara would wonder why he hadn't told her sooner.
"Why haven't you mentioned this in our previous debriefings, Kaige?" Patches asked calmly. "I need to know any concerns you may have on your missions."
Kaige sighed and looked up at her. "I didn't want to say anything unless I was sure. But tonight.... I was sure of it. My gut is telling me something is very wrong in Centropolis. Something not obvious. Something we cannot see. I don't know what though. I just feel it."
Tammy frown slightly as she thought this over. Kaige's gut instinct was something she had learned to trust. If he said something felt wrong, she would believe him no matter what. She looked Kaige in the eyes and nodded. He was being dead serious.
"I see. I'll take this development under advisement. But please, if you have anymore concerns let me know. I need your input, Kaige, no matter how insignificant you think they may be." Tammy then changed the subject. "We will be getting some help from the princess again. She is sending us two new faces, a Husky named Boris Arenov and a Squirrel named Dorral Shelds. Max Starlite will also be joining us soon as well. When they arrive, we will discuss all that needs to be known and talked through for the mission coming up." She handed handed Kaige a data-pad with the information about the two new Freedom Fighters. He read over their profiles and a grin of amusement crossed his features.
"A canine who likes to blow stuff up huh? Better warn Eddie that he may have to deal with someone who can make big booms on purpose rather than accident." The Dragon shared a grin with Tammy. Eddie was a great engineer and mechanic but ever so often one of his devices would not work as planned. These events were few and far between but Kaige still liked to tease him about it. "Boris should prove to be a valuable member if we need to bring something down." Kaige read over the second profile. "And a Squirrel scout? Interesting. He could be very useful when we are in the city. His smaller frame should be able to squeeze into places the rest of us can't get and his speed on foot would give us quick reconnaissance when we need it."
Tammy nodded her assent. "I agree. Also from what I understand, Ryan will be cleared for action once again by Carmen. I do hope this time he can come back without getting shot up. He-" She broke off when she noticed a sudden far away look in Kaige's eyes. "Kaige?"
The Dragon blinked and looked at Tammy again. "Sorry. My mind wandered."
She studied him for a moment. "Is everything alright? You seem to be very distracted."
"I'm fine, Patches." Kaige replied but for some reason the answer didn't sound genuine.
"Kaige, are you su-"
"I said I was fine!" Kaige suddenly snapped back at her, cutting her off with an irritated growl and a loud bang from slamming his fist down on the table. Tammy 'eeped'and sat back from being startled by the unexpected angry reaction from Kaige. The moment Kaige realized what he had done, he stood and apologized to the wide-eyed Feline. "Patches, I-I'm sorry." He thought quickly for an excuse. "I'm just very tired. I didn't mean to..."
"It's alright, Kaige. Go and rest. You have earned it." Tammy said to appease the apologetic Dragon. Her heart was still racing from the scare but she was able to give Kaige a calm face. When Kaige had opened the door and left, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. In all the years Patches had known Kaige, he had never snapped at her or any of the others. Something was wrong. Maybe Kaige was just tired, but he had been tired before and not reacted like that. She decided that she would need to speak with Carmen about it. Kaige and Carmen were very close. If Kaige had been acting oddly lately, Carmen would be the first to pick up on it. Tamara gathered her things and stacked them neatly for later perusal and left to go see Carmen.
Kaige stalked back to his hut berating himself. 'First you are spooked by nothing and now you nearly bit the head off one of the people who care about you the most! What is wrong with you?!' Kaige opened the door to his hut and went inside closing it behind him with his tail. His hut was very spartan and contained only the bare necessities. There just wasn't enough room for much else because of his size. He had a simple sleeping mat and a bookcase and a couple shelves. He could have had a bigger hut but he let it go to a family who needed the space more than him.
He flopped down on his mat and pulled the cover over himself. "I just need to sleep," he told himself almost hopefully. Truth was Kaige had not been sleeping well for the past week. He hoped tonight would be different as he really needed the rest. Soon after the Dragon shut his eyes and relaxed, his tired body soon lulled itself to sleep.
Then the nightmares started again.
Wildfire
"Why do you have to go?"
"The lapse in activity in Centropolis is a bit troubling. I'm worried that Robotnik may be up to something."
"I need to go back to Centrepoint then?"
"It's too dangerous."
"The choice is entirely yours. The mission involves finding out if there's something going on in the city, and putting a stop to any plans Robotnik may have for Centropolis."
"I'll come back safe, Fatel, I promise."
"I don't think you should go in the first place."
"I wish you nothing but luck, Max."
"Thank you, Princess."
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Max's face was a stoic mask of concentration hiding the turmoil that was his mind. His hands worked dutifully at the controls of his hoverbike as he dodged the trees surrounding him. He left for Centerpoint this afternoon with a smirk to his girlfriend, a feeble attempt to assure her that he would return safe and sound. Truth is, the lack of activity in the Freedom Fighter Network coming from Centrepoint was indeed disturbing. The others in the network were reporting countless signs of Robotnik working on the master project all of Mobius had come to know as Doomsday. It had been two weeks since Max and the Centrepoint Freedom Fighters took down the Lieutenant AI that had been running Centropolis, there was more than enough time for Robotnik to replace the AI itself or provide something with equal ability.
Max forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand. His hoverbike streaked through the trees with expert percision. And despite all of his concern, he still smiled upon seeing the familiar clearing where he had waited with Nack the Weasel to be picked up by Kaige and taken to Centerpoint Village. His fingers ran deftly across the controls of his bike, lowering it to the ground, the repolsors pressing the grass beneath until the bike touched down safely. He spread out his megar supplies on the ground and sat down to his nightly mission meal, popping the top on his can of rations and swallowing the cold goop with a grimace. He then dropped to the ground and stared to the night sky. He was calmed to know that despite everything that Robotnik had done to the planet, there were still spots like this one where the ecosystem was more or less undisturbed. He gazed into the starlit sky and silently vowed to himself that he wouldn't allow Robotnik to have this planet. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, planning to continue his trip when he awoke.
Scott Reese
"That should do it," Ed Markus murmured to himself as he bolted the metal cowl back onto the village's water pump. The machinery, constructed mainly of second-hand parts scavenged from the city, needed periodic maintenance to work properly; in fact, it seemed a lot of the devices the Centrepoint Freedom Fighters relied on were always one step away from complete breakdown. Ed didn't really mind though; the maintenance needs of the village usually kept him busy and he usually liked it that way.
Ed stood, hoisting the equipment bag over his shoulder, and started back up the path to the village. It was still early morning and the sun was just beginning to peek over the rise. This was by far the engineer's favorite part of the day; the air was calm and quiet, the forest rustling gently in the breeze. It seemed the world was at peace right now: no bots blasting up the landscape, no klaxons blaring. Just still and calm.
To be fair, he hadn't always felt this way; morning used to just be the time he got up to continue whatever project sleep had forced him to abandon the night before. Back before the coup he'd never stopped to notice the world beyond his drafting table. But he found that living out here in the Great Forest had given him new perspective on a great many things. Like his relationship with his friends; unfortunately, there were a few more hurdles to cover in that department.
With a sigh, Eddie headed for the command hut. Tamara was generally as active in the mornings as he was, so he knew she'd be up. How the girl found time for sleep, he still wasn't sure; he suspected she took periodic naps throughout the day, though that theory had never been proven. What he was sure of was that he was still a little uncomfortable being around her. A part of him still felt guilty at what had happened between her and Carmen. Tamara still seemed to consider him a close friend though, so he hadn't approached the subject. Now that nearly a month had passed, the initial awkwardness had worn off, though Eddie still couldn't help feeling odd around her from time to time.
He reached the command hut and sure enough, there were signs of activity inside. Ed couldn't help but smile; he would have to ask her about his 'cat nap'theory sometime. He stuck his head through the doorway and saw her standing over the mapping table, marking various positions on the map.
"Tam?" Eddie asked. She looked up and smiled.
"Eddie, come in," she said warmly, setting the marker down and turning to him. "Whatcha need?"
"Nothing really, just wanted to let you know I fixed the water pump."
"Oh? I didn't know it was broken."
"Well- it wasn't; just trying to keep it that way," he grinned. "Actually it was- pretty much the only thing I really had to do today and I was wondering-"
"-If there were any other repair jobs that needed to be done?" Tammy finished, chuckling.
"Well... yeah."
She let out a laugh. "I'm sure something will come up. Actually, I did want to let you know: there'll be a few more Freedom Fighters coming in today. I'm not sure when they'll be arriving, so could you keep an eye out and point 'em here if you see them?"
"Will do, Tam," he assured her. "I guess I'll just- uh, go dust the antenna array then."
She laughed again. "Careful not to strain yourself," she teased him. He grinned again and made his exit. As he walked back to his hut, wondering what schematics he would look at next, the thought occurred that Carmen was probably up and about too. It only took a second to decide between his drafting table and the Koala. Not bothering to drop his tools off he changed course and headed for the medical hut.
John Roberts
A loud crash come from the next room, someone or something had just burst into the kitchen; their heavy footsteps causing solid vibrations through the floor boards. And it was approaching the bedroom door. HER bedroom door.
'NO!'
She made a quick dash to her closet -the size of it being just big enough for her to easily hide in- telling herself she would be safe is she hid under all the clothes. And so she dove in, hitting her back hard against the wall. Pain rushed through her and throbbed from the collision, but she didn't even care, just frantically slammed the closet doors shut and started pulling jackets over her small body.
SMASH!
The frightening sound of her bedroom door bursting open and splintering from it's hinges caused her to freeze. Now holding her breath -too terrified to even make the slightest of sounds- she listened. A slight whimper nearly escaping her lips as the heavy footsteps thundered across her room, the floor beneath her was vibrating form the pounding. And then her breath rushed and she gasped as the closet door slowly swung open from all the commotion. The door came to a squeaking halt, not fully opening, but enough to see her bed in the far corner of the room in it's full entirety.
She hugged her knees close to her chest and pressed herself as far against the inside of the cupboard as possible; waiting at any moment that whoever was inside her room would come crashing into the closet next and get her and take her away.
"Get out of this room, NOW!" a voice from a distance yelled out.
'Momma!"
Her thoughts were quickly answered when she watched her mother's delicate body suddenly fly into view, across the room and into the wall; her head giving off a sickening crack taking the full blunt of the impact before sliding down onto the bed.
Her mum tried to push herself upright but failed and collapsed, obviously dazed and in pain from the vicious collision. She just lay there helplessly, breathing rapidly. A gash of blood had quickly formed in the side of her head and was oozing freely down her soft-furred cheek and drenching into the grayish fur of her slender neck.
A large man stepped into view, but not a normal man. A shiny man who's entire body was covered in a dark colored metal. It's right arm was extended, pointing directly at her mother's head; some kind of blue light had started to form above it's metallic fist.
Her mum leaned her head to one side almost looking directly at her in the closet.
The large metal man's arm pointed closer, She could hear a slight humming sound emitting from the arm as the blue light formed even greater; beaming fully on her mother's face and lighting her features.
A weak smile spread across her Mum's face as her eyes focused. Her lips moved, trying to speak.
PHOOM!
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Carmen awoke with a scream, she snapped forward in her bed looking wildly around her. Her eyes wide open in terror. She was breathing hastily, heart racing a mile a minute in her chest. The room was in darkness and only the shadows of her simple furniture made their presence known to her. She was alone. No metal men, no loud thumping except for the heart in her chest. It was a dream, just a dream. The SAME dream. Carmen was shacking now, not from being cold, but instead was shacking because of the building tension from all these sleepless nights. She didn't know how much more she could take, how many more times her dreams would follow her mother's final moments. The startled Koala sunk her face in the palm of her hands and started to cry.
She thought she had gotten past all of this, put it all behind her. But after only a week of complete carefree nights, the nightmares returned. Four weeks had now passed since their mission into Centropolis. The LT project had nearly cost all of her friends their lives, hers included, but amongst that danger and near death was something far more important to her. Her heart. It was during that mission that Carmen discovered the missing link in her soul, what it was needing, and most importantly, what is had to let go of. Letting go of Tamara was such a hard situation for her to confront, but she did it. She had to. Though the initial idea of letting go of what was reminding her of the nightmares, she would finally be free from her past. But nightmares as it seems never go away, not for her.
It was in those four weeks that she had further developed her relationship with Eddie. She loved him, oh she loved him with all her essence. Carmen had no regrets in their relationship, there were no qualms within her at all because she knew it was what she wanted. The past month she spent with him had been the greatest moments in her life ever since the war started. Being with him, being CLOSE to him seemed to take away her worries and problems with her day. However, it wasn't to last. Not even her true love for Edward Markus could take away the dreams of her haunted memories.
Tears now passing, and her shacking body slowly dispensing, Carmen looked up from her palms and to her side. Paws reached across the bed sheets and she sighed wishing for someone beside her. The empty side of a bed was never a welcoming sight, however, it was something both her and Eddie had decided on after spending a full week in each other's arms every night. A relationship was one thing but a war was another, and they both agreed that going further would always have to come second with the fight they were in for their very existence. The time spent with one another had been even less now since the news of new arrivals heading into the village. Tamara had said herself many times that they were now in more danger from being discovered and captured since they had proven to be an equal thorn in Robotnik's side as Knothole is. Their time during the LT mission had made themselves recognized as a threat to the enemy. And so the new recruits were sent in from various other Freedom Fighter bases throughout the Great Forest to help counter the balance. Balance to what though, Carmen wondered. Unless Knothole were sending an army to their disposal, how could they make any kind of a balance against Robotnik or any new LT AI's. But no, she couldn't think like that. Carmen knew of their potential as a unit when they work together, she didn't doubt that. The Koala just shook her head trying to wash away the negative thinking that always followed her dreams.
The new arrivals would be here soon, maybe tomorrow, she couldn't remember, and it will be her duty as the village nurse to check everyone over as they arrived. Carmen always thrived herself on being friendly to anyone at first meeting. She gave people a chance, always taking them at face value unless given reason to doubt. Of course there was an exception to this personal trait of hers, and that being Ryan, the foul mouthed and chain smoking Fox who even to this day continues to test her good nature and patience. He was a good man though, Carmen knew that, the way he would hold his son and kiss his wife. Sure, there was arrogance and a case of authority problems, but underneath all of that Carmen knew he was a father and a husband, and a good man.
Friendships meant a great deal to Carmen, it was one of the few things left in her life that held her together in the darkest moments. Even now as she sat there alone in her bed with her nightmares still burning inside, it was her friends that kept her from giving up. But it was getting harder. Every night it was testing her, pushing her to her very limits. And waking up alone every night only stretched her soundness even more to the brink. Usually it would be her pillow that would cuddle in her arms and spend the rest of the night crying for help, for someone to take away her pain. But not tonight, she didn't want to be alone tonight, Carmen wanted to be held.
Carmen kicked the blankets away and stood up next to her bed. She decided right there and then that this was not going to be another night of wishing for her Eddie. Especially since he was only a few short steps away. Carmen ignored her boots and walked bare foot straight into the adjacent room and into the medical area. She moved passed the empty used for patients and towards the entrance doorway. Her petite paw reached for the door's handle and she turned it. The wooden door pulled easily open and she walked through.
It was a warmish night tonight, a slight breeze brushing through the trees around the village was the only sounds that welcomed her as she stepped out in the open. The huts across the pathway from hers were all in darkness, all silent. Everyone was asleep except for her.
"Carmen?" A familiar voice called out to her. She stopped and turned to see someone's silhouette moving towards her from the left, their hand smoothing along the wooden hand rails as they stepped into view.
"Tamara." She called back softly as she stepped towards them. The darkened outline of her female friend soon became recognizable as she got closer. "What are you doing up at this hour? Wait, is everything okay?"
"Oh yes, yes every thing's just fine, Carmen, I"m sorry if I startled you." Tamara smiled, leaning her head to one side. "And what do you mean 'at this hour"? It's nearly dawn. I"m up early."
Carmen returned the smile. "Early only counts if you actually went to sleep."
"Well you got me." She poked her tongue out and laughed, Carmen laughed with her, their eyes locking together. And then there was a pause, that awkward silence that had often come between them over the last few weeks. Tamara looked away and cleared her throat. "Anyway, you know I don't get much sleep when any one of you goes on a mission."
"Oh yes. Kaige." Carmen said, feeling relieved the silence was broken. "Tonight was meant to be his last recon mission, right? How did it go?"
"Actually, that's why I came here to see you tonight. Err, this morning." Tamara's expression grew serious, almost looking glum.
A knot tightened in Carmen's chest. "Is Kaige alright? He's not hurt?"
Tamara waved her paw out. "Nono, no his mission went without any hassles. Or so he tells me. Carmen, I"m not sure how to say this, I"m not even completely sure if I"m even right about it, but I think there is something wrong with Kaige. He... he snapped at me during the debriefing."
"Snapped at you?" Carmen asked, now taking her turn in tilting her head to the side and glancing at the Calico Cat. "Can you be more specific? I notice you have both arms and legs, so I"m assuming when you say 'snap", it didn't involve napkins afterwards."
"He growled at me." Tamara replied. "I don't know if he was angry at me for pressing him for too much information, or frightened or... I just don't know. But these past few nights, every time he's returned from the mission, I"ve noticed a change in his demeanor. Carmen, he really scared me tonight. If it wasn't for the fact that I love and trust him with my life... I, I don't know." Tamara grumbled, agitated with herself. "It's just, for that one instant, he looked... primal."
"Primal?" Carmen asked, questioning Tamara's words.
"No, no I"m wording this all wrong." She sighed and turned away, leaning on the hand rails. "Maybe it's just me, I know I can get pushy when I"m tired. Maybe Kaige was just not in the mood for my bombardment of questions. I don't know. It just didn't feel right."
Carmen wasn't sure how to respond, truth be told, Carmen had not seen much of Kaige at all this past week. A few times during the day of course, but he had always been rushing off somewhere, to busy to speak apart from the usual greetings. If something was troubling him, Carmen would have thought the big Dragon would come to either her or Tam about it. Or not.
"He's stubborn. Kaige I mean. I sometimes wonder if he would ever talk to us if he lost his own head. Of course, I realize he wouldn't exactly be talking at all with a missing head..." Carmen joked.
"Yeah, he is at that." Tam said, laughing slightly. She turned around facing Carmen again.
"I'll keep an eye on him, Tam, okay? If there's something troubling the big fella, his little sister will get it out of him." Carmen winked and smiled, but was broken by a sudden yawn. As though on cue from some horrible joke, the thoughts that troubled the Koala came flooding back, and she slumped her shoulders feeling the urge to find Eddie again.
"Carmen, what's wrong?" Tamara asked with true concern.
"Nothing, just not enough sleep." Carmen responded, trying to hide the weariness in her voice.
"Wouldn't sleep... or couldn't?"
Carmen paused, she looked down to the ground and sighed. Tamara was the only person who she ever confided with about her nightmares and she was the only one that really understood her fears. There would be no fooling her.
"I"m... dreaming again," she finally said as she looked back up,"and they're getting worse."
"Oh Carmen, I"m so sorry." Tamara said, reaching her paw to Carmen. "I thought things were getting better for you since... we..."
And the awkward silence returned. Though this time it was Carmen who broke it as she gladly took Tamara's offering hand and squeezed it warmly. The relationship between the two did fail, but the friendship that grew from it was always strong and Carmen was grateful for that. She hurt Tamara so much only a month ago, and the guilt still burned inside of her because of it. Yet, Tamara was her best friend, and Carmen wanted to make it clear to the Calico Feline that even now they were still close in friendship. Carmen looked up at the tall Calico Feline and smiled, determined to put aside her own worries for the moment. There was no romance in her gesture, and as Tamara looked back and returned the hand squeeze, the Koala could see that she understood.
"Would you like to talk about your dreams?" Tam offered. The contours of her furry face showed she was returning the smile. Though there was something glistening from the corner of the Feline's emerald green eyes, but as quickly as she saw it, it was gone.
Carmen knew what it was, even through the darkness, she knew. Yet through all the hurt Carmen guessed Tam was still feeling inside, the village leader's heart of gold and true comfort for her friends above her own well-being shined through.
"Thank you, Tam. But I think all I need tonight -this morning..." Carmen corrected herself, and laughed at Tamara's expression as she too obviously remembered her own correction of the same thing only moments ago. "I just need to clear my head, enjoy the morning air."
"Okay, then good morning, Carmie." Tamara smiled back. "Take care, okay? I"m always here for you" Then, with another soft squeeze from her paw, Tamara turned, stepped from the small walkway and walked away.
Carmen also stepped away from her and continued on her original path to Eddie's arms. Breathing the fresh air of the forest around her deeply, she walked down the grassy pathway and followed it across to the other side of the village. Even in the darkness she knew where she was going, she knew exactly which hut she wanted.
A faint cry to her left caused her to stand still and listen again. She smiled recognizing the cries of a baby. Seems likes someone else was also awake. Carmen starting walking again. She could see the other huts in front of her start to take shape through the darkness. She was nearly there. It was in sight now and so she walked faster until she was standing directly in front of it.
Pausing, Carmen looking at the dark, wooden door and deciding against knocking on it. Instead she raised her paw turning the handle, opening the door and stepping inside. Apart from a few tools laying around and many discarded projects spread across a work bench -some still showing signs of progress, Eddie's room was rather small in size, and so his bed was of the first thing you would see once you entered. And Carmen's heart sunk at seeing this bed, the blankets and sheets were ruffled in a mess. And empty. A quick glance around only confirmed it, Eddie was not here at all.
Her thoughts returning to her dreams as she closed the door behind her and sadly walked towards the bed and sat down upon it. Fresh tears sailed freely from her eyes as she leaned fully onto the mattress, feeling her spirits deject. Carmen grasped for one of Ed's pillows and held it close to her chest. The one night where she finally found the courage to confront Eddie and spill out all her fears and troubles over the last few weeks, even years, to him, he was not to be found. Fate had a cruel twist as Carmen sobbed softly, trading one pillow for another to look for comfort. Though just like hers, this pillow wasn't hugging her back when she truly needed it the most.
"Eddie..."
Round 01
Shadowbot
It had not been a good night for Dorral. While he wasn't inept, the mechanics of hover-tech had always eluded his understanding. After propping the bike on a rotting log nearby, he had spent a futile hour trying to locate the malfunction before calling it a night and bedding down on the log's lee-side.
Far too early the next day, bird song and morning light managed to penetrate his sleepy dreams. Rolling out of his sleeping bag with a groan, Dorral stretched and groomed his long, bushy tail.
'Rather nice having a pillow wherever one goes.'he thought with a grin.
That grin shortly turned to a frown as Dorral's eyes landed on the hoverbike. He knew nothing short of a fair mechanic would get the thing up and running again. With a sigh, Dorral policed his camp, compacted his sleeping bag, and began unhitching his gear pack from the rear mount. Suddenly, the forest around Dorral grew quiet. The birds had stopped their song, and the very air seemed to still around him. Ears swiveling, Dorral quickly reached into the bag and drew out his most prized possession: a short, jet black staff of Mobian Ironwood.
The staff had a long history behind it. Since the Sheld family was never rich or highly renowned, it was the only heirloom the family had passed on through the generations, always to the eldest living child. Where his ancestors came across it, Dorral didn't know, but it had served them well. Hard as the iron in it's name, the smooth wood had nary a mark or blemish. It's heft was light, while the worn, leather grip seemed to welcome his right paw to it.
Snapping the staff under his armpit, Dorral streaked from camp, making his way to a large fir tree just south of the small clearing. He leaped up the trunk, climbing as only a Squirrel could. After reaching the lowest branches, Dorral flipped his position, head pointing down toward the ground as his tail curled around a nearby limb.
Down below, whatever was disturbing the woodland was coming nearer by the moment. Judging by the clunking and clanking, it was probably a lone SWAT-Bot scouting for Mobian's to capture. It's tall shadow had stretched beyond the roots now, growing ever larger as it clomped closer. Dorral adjusted his grip on the staff, ready to drop and administer a crushing blow to the robots head once it rounded the tree.
Just as he was about to let gravity carry his strike home, Dorral stopped and gained a better look at what was making all the racket. It wasn't a SWAT-Bot like his imagination had told him, but a tall male Husky dressed in a old-fashioned camo jacket. The noise appeared to be coming from a metallic silver carrying case, with additional cacophony emanating from the black travel bag adorning his back. In addition to all that, he also appeared to be carrying a big guitar case in his right paw!
From the angle he was at, Dorral couldn't get a good look at his face. He obviously wasn't a SWAT, but that didn't mean he wasn't a bandit either. Playing it safe, Dorral skirted the around the tree, placing the trunk between him and his visitor. Placing two fingers in his mouth, he gave a piercing whistle.
~Wheeeeeet!~
From his concealed position, Dorral watched the Husky's head snap around, searching for source of the noise. The two cases had been jettisoned in the blink of an eye, while his right hand clutched at something under his camo-jacket. Ducking further behind the trunk, Dorral turned away from the fellow to mask his position and called out a challenge.
"You are trespassing on Freedom Fighter territory. State your business, canine!"
Dorral peeked back around the trunk, watching the Husky's reaction. He had relaxed nary a wit. Instead, he now had a series of small metallic globes ready to throw occupying his hands.
"Freedom Fighter territory, huh?" He called back. "Cool, how far away is the village?"
"Not far. I'm heading there myself. Are you part of the Network?"
"Of course! I was ordered to Centrepoint by the Princess herself."
Finding his answers satisfactory, Dorral skittered around the trunk and jumped, practically landing on the startled Husky's foot-paws. Sticking out his right paw, Dorral introduced himself with a grin.
"The name's Dorral Shelds. Pleasure to meet you, Mr...?"
"Just call me Ace." he replied, clasping his paw in a crushing grip. Dorral shook his hand slightly as the Husky released him, duly noting that the metallic globes were safely tucked away in his jacket once more. He watched as Ace picked up his fallen cases, the clanking noises resuming once more.
"Sorry about the shouting back there. All that noise you were making made me think you were a SWAT-Bot. What's in those cases, if I may ask?"
Ace's face broke into a wily smile at the question. "Just a few odds and ends. Let's just say that if you had been anything other than a Freedom Fighter, you'd be toast and that tree would be a stump."
Dorral's eyes grew wide. He had messed with an explosives expert. He was lucky to still have his hide intact!
"Not to worry, Squirrelly. The mixtures in the cases are harmless unless combined. THESE, on the other hand..." Ace opened his jacket, revealing an assortment of metallic globes of various sizes adorning the interior. "The smaller guys could take down a few SWAT-Bots. The more mid-sized ones could knock down some heavy doors and big bots." Finally, Ace pulled out a rather big one. "This baby's used for taking out entire squads of SWAT-Bots, and maybe even a small building. Definitely a few floors on a bigger building. The chemicals in these guys are deadly when mixed and lit."
"Mobius be praised that you didn't use them! That'd really have topped off this trip of mine."
"Oh, you run into trouble?"
"Yeah, I kinda clipped a tree last night on my hoverbike. It died right after I came to a stop. It's right over this way." Dorral pointed, leading the way back into his small encampment, as Ace jostled behind.
Reaching his bike in short order, Ace gave a sigh of relief as he lowered his gear to the ground.
"So it just up and croaked on you?"
"Yeah. I'm no mechanic though. I couldn't figure on how to start her again."
Crouching for a better look, Ace checked the hover coils and the motivator.
"Had this thing just been repaired?"
"Yeah. Rotor warned me that there might be some kinks to work out." Dorral replied, scuffing his paws.
"Hmmm," Ace muttered. He dug through his travel bag and pulled out some tools. A couple clicks sounded from under the engine cowling. Pulling his paw out, Ace wiped the residual grease on the grass.
"Voila! Try her now, Dorral."
Dorral hopped on the seat and pressed the power switch. Instantly, the hoverbike purred to life, as the hover coils kicked on and lifted the apparatus into the air.
"How'd you do that?" he asked. "I tried everything I could think of!"
Ace just passed a small smile at the stunned Squirrel. "Just have to know where to look. You popped a coupling behind the emitter when you hit that tree. It should get you to Centrepoint easy now."
"Don't you want a ride in? It's the least I could do for the repair job."
Ace waved his paws in the air. "Ahhh, I'd overload that hunk of junk for certain with all this gear. Tell you what, you get to Centrepoint and just let them know I'm coming. I'd like some food and maybe a place to drop off my stuff. That's all I require."
"Well... If you're sure."
"I am. Now get going, Squirrelly!"
Giving the friendly Husky a wave, Dorral revved the engine and roared off through the woods. Dorral could only shake his head and laugh. It certainly was going to be an interesting time in Centrepoint, with characters like that Ace around.
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