Archive of Our Own ^beta

RAT BRAIN – There is a sea of nothing, a warm primordial expanse, a pearl of consciousness floating upon the waves, a single flame standing stalwart against the warm inky blackness. This is all there is, and soon all that won’t be. The waves erode at the pearl, striping it of its outlet layer, there is nothing you can do.

1. Nothing?

YOU – Nothing?

RAT BRAIN – Nothing, there is nothing you can do to stop the erosion of the pearl. But don’t worry, it’s safe down there, peaceful, quiet. Utterly void of struggle and pain. No rats, no metronomes, no robots, and certainly no doctors.

1. Finally…
2. Is there really nothing?
3. Rats? Doctors?

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Oh, but there is something you can do, rat.

RAT BRAIN – No, no, no, there really is nothing.

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Shut up, she doesn’t know what she's talking about. Listen to me, soldier, I’ll tell you about the world.

1. Soldier, is that what I am?
2. No, no, I think I liked not existing.
3. The World?

YOU – The world?

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Yep the real world buckaroo, it’s a bill ‘ol ball, a Mobius strip, an endless expanse of green hills, checkerboard cities. Full of rats. – And let me tell you, It doesn’t pull its punches! But don’t worry, you're strong, stronger than the rest of the rats, soldier.

RAT BRAIN – No, no you’re not, it’s painful, far too painful and stupid. The world, the Mobius of pain. Constantly fighting rats, evil rats, you don’t want to go back there!

1. Rats? What are you even talking about?
2. A soldier… Is that what I am?
3. that was that about Doctors?

YOU – Rats? What are you even talking about? Rats, she’s right about one thing, the world’s full of rats, rats which need a good killing soldier. A good extermination

YOU – A soldier… Is that what I am?

RAT BRAIN – A slave, a slave is what you are. By Gaia, she’d already waking up!

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – An awareness creeps onto you. The slow rhythmic, beating of two drums. One, deep like the slamming of pistons and the whooshing of valves as it reverberates throughout the entirety of your flesh automaton. The other higher pitch, almost shrill as it drills into your ear, assaulting your burning neurotransmitters.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – A memory nudges at the back of your mind, the smell of disinfectant, and the bland taste of hospital food. The sound heart monitor.

RAT BRAIN – The automaton is half a corpse, it's chest housing a broken heart. Then fire, fire, fire fills its veins and you clutch at the fabric.

1. Scream

YOU – …

RAT BRAIN – But you can’t –

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Soldiers have no use for screams anyways, it's not like you're in real pain, and soon it relents –

RAT BRAIN – leaving a hollow emptiness in your chest as the flesh automaton grows distant, distant, falling away from you a. Before a writhing of snakes fills the void, nestling with their coils a beating heart of poison.

1. Oh, Gaia…

YOU -- Oh Gaia…

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – You’ve dealt with worse before, grit your teeth and think of the rat will taste when you finally have his flesh in between your teeth. You have a mission, remember that Soldier.

1. No… I…
2. The rat..

ONTOLOGICAL FAILURE

YOU – Yes, I…

RAT BRAIN – You feel a chill across the surface of the automaton as it seals, the coldness which attaches itself to the surface of the skin growing electric as a pressure traces its way up your spine. An all too familiar touch. As it touches the base of the automaton's skull a dull pain racks the flesh as it tries to move, spasming like a dying fish.

RAT BRAIN – An indeterminate amount of time passes, the automaton around you aching as the taste of metal creeps across your mouth and tongue, planting itself into the deepest recess of your gums. The shivering of a body as bones dissolve into flesh and back into bone, the creeping infection as it takes hold.

1. Wait! No I-

YOU – Wait! No I-

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Yeah baby! Here it comes, the big one!

RAT BRAIN – Dear Gaia, please…

>Ejecting reel

...

The computer makes an ungodly thrumming noise before the light blinks out from behind the screen, leaving a deep and ominous emptiness on the monitor as the screen sits there, pitch black.

...

You wait for a moment more and it boots back up, the computers whirs and clicks as the light returns returning to the screen as lines of text began to populate it. You can't make out most of what it says, it goes by too fast and is too jargon heavy, using terms you don't understand. But at the end of it all, there is a single prompt left of the computer screen

Insert the next reel?

1. [n]
2. [y].

>Loading new reel, please wait

Loading.

Loading.

Loading..

Loading…

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Trivial: Success] – The sound of a heart monitor beeps in time with the thruming of your ‘heart’ although the beat is irregular and faster than the ‘average’

LOGIC [Easy: Success] – Although with over a hundred sapient species all with the ability to interbreed, the term ‘average’ is somewhat nebulous.

1. …
2. [Physical Instrument - Challenging] Get up
3. Contemplate ‘average’
4. Bellyache

YOU – ....

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] – You’re over-reacting, this is nothing, you’ve been hurt worse before. Well you haven’t, not in this sort of way, but belly aching won’t get you anywhere

1. …
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium]Get up<./li>
3. Contemplate ‘average’
4. Bellyache
5. Scream

YOU – Get Up. “Ugh.”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – With Challenging effort you push yourself up, bones aching. The sheets of the hospital bed brush off you as you do so. As soon as you sit yourself up, the effort it takes to hold yourself seems to decrease.

1. Inspect self.
2. [Physical Instrument - Formidable]Get up out of bed.
3. Try to sleep this off.
4. Scream.

YOU – Inspect self, “Fine, let’s see what’s going on.”

SHOCKS [Challenging: Success] – fire and lighting race through your circuitry system in the place of air and thunder. The circuits echo with the memory of a foreign star. In the prisons mouths exchange hidden words, arms lock-interlock-unlock.

PUNK TACTICS [Trivial: Success] – You seem to have lost your accessories in between sometime and now, leaving your quills to drape behind, while your clothing has been replaced with the expected but unsuitable baby blue of a hospital gown. To ascertain anything more we’ll need a mirror, and a fashion catalog.

INTERFACING – They weren’t just *ACCESSORIES* but tools, weapons. Made to interface with *YOU* and you alone.

TASK GAINED: Punk Fit. looks like you're going to need some new clothes, and weapons.

1. Inspect sel.f
2. [Physical Instrument - Formidable] Get out of bed.
3. Try to sleep this off.
4. Scream.

YOU – Get out of bed

Health -1

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Formidable: Failure] – You take one formidable step off of the bed, the covers sliding off of you and to the side of the bed as you do. But as soon as your feet meet the floor, they buckle.

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success] – Before you hit the cold hospital floor, with lightning fast reflexes, you move your arms in, catching yourself before your nose hits the cold tile beneath you.

YOU – “F**k”

1. [Physical Instrument - Challenging]Get up.
2. Lay on the ground

YOU – Get up

Health -1

Damaged Morale -1

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Failure] – You try prop yourself up using the bed, legs still shaking as you do so, but just as you let go of the bed, you fall back onto the floor.

PERCEPTION – The heart Monitor speeds up.

1. [Physical Instrument - Challenging]Get up
2. Lay on the ground
3. "..." (Electrochemistry)

YOU – "..." (Electrochemistry)

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – You what would solve this problem?

1. What?
2. F**k off

YOU – What?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – The good stuff, the juice, the big hit. I’m talking about the fucking lifeblood in your circuits, I’m talking about *E-LEK-TRICITY* baby!

1. This *E-LEK-TRICITY* thing, I wanna hear more about it.
2. Wait… What’s this guy’s deal again?
3. F**k off

YOU – Wait… What’s this guy’s deal again?

VOLITION [Easy: Failure] – No idea.

1. Fine, this *E-LEK-TRICITY* thing, I wanna hear more about it.
2. [Locked] Wait… What’s this guy’s deal again? Volition: Easy

YOU – Fine, this *E-LEK-TRICITY* thing, I wanna hear more about it.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – It’s the F*****g *JUICE* is what it *IS*, the good shit that gets you up in the morning, *POWER* and everything uses it, baby. Robots, Mammals, Hospital equipment. Now you see that lil’ beepy thing hooked up to you?

1. The heart monitor?

YOU – The heart monitor?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Yes! Now see that wire hooked up to your chest, the E-LEK-TRODE. Yank that sucker off and f*****g drain it.

1. Alright I get it.

YOU – Alright I get it. ELECTRODE – You rip the electrode off of your chest with a single tug, filling the room with the scream of the heart monitor as it flatlines, you feel a hollowness in your chest and a rising hunger. Clutching the end of the electrode you take and breath and then *pull* -

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – The machine screams as it dies as you feel the *E-LEK-TRICITY* pump through your veins, until with a *pop* life flickers out of it and a feeling of satisfaction fills your body.

Health +1

Morale Gained +1

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – This is good, but we could do better.

TASK GAINED: Get more juice.

1. [Physical Instrument - Easy]Get up
2. Go back to laying on the ground

YOU – Get Up.

Success

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Finally, after much struggle, you get to your feet. You have overcome the first hurdle, this will not be the last.

YOU – “Ugh.” You’re never telling anybody about this, but finally, you let go of the heart monitor, drained dry of every bit of electricity. You now stand *proudly* next to your hospital bed, having conquered the first of many challenges to come, hopefully less embarrassing.

1. Inspect the room
2. Go back to bed

YOU – Inspect the room

PERCEPTION – There are two exits from the room, one wooden, the other a sideways steel door.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Failure] – There is, well, was a functional heart monitor, and an IV dro. But you can’t make out the rest of the equipment, who knows what it is, it could be anything?

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] – This isn’t just medical equipment, but *mechanical* equipment. You are a cyborg, of sorts, so it shouldn’t be that surprising, but there is a notable lack of open computers, whoever was *working* on you didn’t seem to have known when you would wake up, and was taking precautions for if you would wake when they were away.

HALF LIGHT – Whoever put you in this room, they *DON’T* trust you.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Exciting.

1. Inspect the room.
2. Go back to bed.
3. Inspect the wooden door.
4. Inspect the steel door.

YOU – Inspect the steel door. STEEL DOOR – You move to the steel door, it is a dower silver in color with a single red light serving as the only break in its pattern, its vertical opening only shows a slight crack barely visible to the naked eye. As far as you can tell, there is no means of opening the door.

1. Inspect the room. grayed out.
2. Go back to bed.
3. Inspect the wooden door.
4. Inspect the steel door.

YOU – Inspect the wooden door WOODEN DOOR – Wooden door It is soft brown, made of an indeterminate type of wood that’s been polished to a near mirror shine and feels hard like a rock, a part of you doubts this was even wood in the first place and is instead a wood-replica. The door handle is cold to the touch. Your instincts tell you this is a bathroom door.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] – Don’t open the door.

1. Go in anyways
2. Scream
3. Wisely listen to sound advice

YOU – The first thing you see as you open the door is the mirror and sink placed opposite it. On the right side of the room there is a single toilet and next to the toilet, there is a stack of magazines. Other than the objects that inhabit it, the room is entirely average, almost beyond mentioning. Although it seems too personal for a hospital bathroom, but you can’t exactly point to why it is like that.

1. Inspect the mirror.
2. Inspect the toilet.
3. Inspect the magazines.

YOU – Inspect the magazines. MAGAZINES – The stack of magazines adjacent to the toilet mainly consist of vapid periodicals, people of the year issues, contemporary politics which you know nothing of, and digests both outdated and out of your demographic. But among the magazines, there is one which catches your eye.

PUNK TACTICS – On the cover of the fashion magazine a man leans against a concrete wall in a half-destroyed urban environment, he wears a leather jacket, torn jeans, and a sick pair of shades. The jeans are pre-torn, factory made, the leather jacket is straight out of the factory and lacks any insignia or objects of allegiance. This man’s fit is dishonest; he has neither lived the punk life, nor does he know anything of it; he is a model.

TASK UPDATED – Punk Fit, identification of dishonest fit.

1. Inspect the mirror.
2. Inspect the toilet.
3. Inspect the magazines.

YOU – Inspect the mirror. MIRROR – In the mirror there is a Tenrec, her long lime-green quills drape behind her gracefully her side quills hang long and un-styled to the side of her face, and at the center of her face there is a large black mark which gives off an ominous impression. She looks back at you with a blank expression, but sharp threatening eyes, somewhat at odds with her somewhat graceful long hair and the soft, kind blue of her Iris’. For some reason, the sight of her makes you feel angry.

PUNK TACTICS – Lame, some would say the contrast has it’s appeal, but you can tell she has no style.

1. Lame.
2. “F**K off.”
3. Look away.

YOU – “F**K off.”

MIRROR – The Tenrec’s expression curls. “I could say the same to you young lady, getting out of bed first thing in the morning and saying that to me?”

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] – Just who is SHE to talk back to you like that! She is not the boss of you.

1. “You heard what I said, who’re you to boss me around!?”

YOU – “You heard what I said, who’re you to boss me around!?”

MIRROR – “Who am I, who am I?! I’ll tell you who I am, you ungrateful-” She cuts herself off as she seethes, her face contorting in anger. “I’ll tell you who I am, I’m the one who brought you into this world you ungrateful brat, you can’t even take care of Kit, let alone yourself!”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Challenging: Failure] – Kit, oh Gaia. Oh kit, kit.

1. Kit…

YOU – Kit…

STARLINE – Don’t even let me get started on how careless you’ve been, especially with your companion piece. Where do you even think he is now, off huddling beneath some wreckage as he starves to death, maybe buried under some rubble, or mayhaps he’s fallen into Eggman’s clutches. All while you’ve been bumbling out of bed.

1. [Honor Among thieves - Challenging] “Shut up…”
2. “Kit…”

Damaged Morale -1

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Challenging: Failure] – He’s right. You have no idea where drippy is, useless, weak, poor drippy. He has no idea what to do without you, you were made for each other and you let him down again.

YOU – “Kit…”

STARLINE – Worthless rat, you couldn’t even beat Sonic with all that pilfered power. Not to mention forgetting about your better half, at least he could fulfill his purpose. Maybe if either of you listened to me more you wouldn’t–

SHOCKS [???: Success] – ENOUGH.

PAIN THRESHOLD – Pain races through your fist as makes contact with the glass, for a second it's as if every single bone in your body has broken again. All you can do is let out a silent scream as your body wobbles in place.

INLAND EMPIRE – You stand there, breathing deeply, as your fist presses against the glass. There is no longer a metronome in the mirror, he has retracted back to whence he came, behind the silver and the Abyss.

…

MIRROR – …

1. Inspect the mirror.
2. Leave

YOU – Inspect the mirror

MIRROR – There is a mirror on the wall, you can see your reflection in it.

??? “So-”

REACTION SPEED – Turn around, *NOW*.

SONIC – “-You must really hate mirrors?” The blue rat asks, an insufferably smug grin on his face as he leans against the open door.

VOLITION [Impossible: Failure] – Kill him. *NOW*.

1. [Physical Instrument - Impossible]Kill him. *NOW*.

YOU – “Die!”

FAILURE

SONIC – You lunge at the blue rat arms outstretched as lighting gathers at your fingertips tip, but-

REACTION SPEED – He’s fast, faster than you, faster than anyone. You can barely perceive him as he moves out of your way and scoops you up into the air.

YOU –“Ugh-”

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] – You feel a brief moment of disorientation and soreness as you enter and air, and then, it passes.

??? – “Sonic!” A second, younger voice scolds.

SONIC – “Whoops, sorry about that Surge. Let’s just get you back in bed first.”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Heroic: Failure] – you flail fleebly, trying to bat at the Hedgehog as you are unseriously tossed back onto the bed, seething on the while.

1. “F**k you.”
2. Stare at the ceiling.

YOU – “F**k you.”

SONIC – “Hey language!” Sonic says, wagging his finger down at you as glare up at him.

TAILS – Before you are able to formulate a response, the second voice, TAILS cuts back in. “Sonic, how about we give her a little bit of space?” His smile is poisonously nice.

SONIC – “Yeah, yeah Tails” The rat says dismissively as he backs away, complying to the Fox’s demand anyways.

TAILS – “Sorry about that Surge.” He leans forwards giving a quarter bow as he grips his tablet, inscribed with the words ‘Miles Electric’ on the back. “It took us a bit to get here after you woke up, anyway we came to check up on you.”

1. “I don’t care, where’s Drippy?”
2. “So what? Get on with it.”
3. Cross your arms, and don’t say anything.

YOU – “I don’t care, where’s Drippy?”

REACTION SPEED [Legendary: failure] – The words leave your mouth before you have time to process them, you see the confusion grow in TAILS’ eyes for a split second as the world around you slows. SONIC – He tilts his head “Kit?” Before letting the moment pass. “Last we saw him he was escaping Starline’s base.”

REACTION SPEED – Starline’s base, Starline’s base, the words ring in your ears as the memories come flooding back. Eggman, Eggman was there.

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] – Feeling, lots of feelings, you cannot hold yourself back. Kit is too important.

YOU – “So what? You just left him for Eggman to catch!”

SONIC – “Don't worry, you just have to sit tight and rest up while we find him. And besides the little guy’s a tough cookie, he can handle herself for a bit.”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Medium: Failure] – He can't, have they meet drippy? He’s useless without you, he *needs* you. You have to get back to him

1. “No, Kit needs me. You’re letting me go.”

YOU – “No, Kit needs me. You’re letting me go.”

TAILS – “Surge-” the Fox begins before cutting himself off, taking a moment to rub his eyes in frustration. “This isn't a matter of what you want, these are *doctors* orders. You’re seriously hurt and in no shape to do anything right now.”

EMPATHY [Challenging: Failure] – What does he know, why does he even care?

TASK GAINED Who is Sonic the Hedgehog?

1. “Doctors orders, I don’t give a S**T, Kit’s out there and you’re not stopping me from getting to him.”

YOU – “Doctors orders, I don’t give a S**T, Kit’s out there and you’re not stop-

SONIC – “Hey, hey.” Sonic cuts you off, before taking one of your hands in his. “I know you’re mad, I would be too if Tails went missing, but your not going to be doing Kit any favors if you go out like this. let me handle it.” He squeezes your hand.sk

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Lightning arcs between your fingers and you interlock them with his. His eyes are an emerald green.

HALF LIGHT – He could kill you with one hand tied behind his back.

SONIC – “You don't have to worry, finding the little guy is my first priority.” he says, flashing you a winning smile. You hate him, you hate him and his dumb smile, how he isn't taking this seriously, you hate him and his emerald eyes.

TAILS – “Ahem” He says, making a gesture as if he coughed into his hand. “Okay, now that we have that covered we should go over your… Diagnosis.” The Fox falters at the end, talking too fast and failing to find the right word to soften the impact.

SONIC – “Yeah your condition, how ya’ doin’ and stuff like that.”

TAILS – “Luckily we’d retrieved some of Starlines research and notes from his base, the bullet points are his ‘programming’ of you, your Metal Virus infection, kind of like a Zombot, and the Core Starline installed in you. Which would you like to hear about first?”

1. Zombots cells
2. Programing
3. Core

TAILS – “Well as for your ‘programing’ luckily your brain itself is mostly untouched. All the ‘programming’ seems to be mundane brainwashing, well as close to mundane as brainwashing can get. “

EMPATHY[Easy: Success] –He said the last part quickly, eliciting a teasing smile from Sonic, this is an argument they've had before. TAILS – ”But unfortunately that also means I can't directly edit out whatever he did to you. Having Starline’s glove would, but without it undoing whatever Starline brainwashed into you will be more difficult.” “Belle said he died, but, if you have any leads it’d be appreciated.“

COMPOSURE [Impossible: Failure] – The glove, the same glove you threw into an industrial furnace. Fuck

1. [Skulduggery - Medium] "No." (lie)
2. “F**k.”
3. “Yes.” (admit the truth)

YOU – No. (lie)

FAILURE

1. “Yeah, like I know what happened to Starline, for all I know him and that glove of hsi could've been incinerated, it's not like I had my hands on it or anything.”.

YOU – “Yeah, like I know what happened to Starline, for all I know him and that glove of hsi could've been incinerated, it's not like I had my hands on it or anything.” You say smiling widely, almost splitting your face open with how wide and sharp the smile is.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] – That was possibly one of the worst things you could’ve said, the disbelief is clear on the face of the Fox and Rat. But, it doesn’t show on your face, you wear an expression of complete confidence. TAILS – “Uh…” SONIC – “Yep, hear ya’ loud and clear.” Sonic says, snapping his fingers together, pointing double finger guns at you.

SKULDUGGERY [Easy: Failure] – They bought it, good. TAILS – “So, uhh.” TAILS, fiddled with the tablet in his hands awkwardly. “What would you like to hear about next”

1. Zombots cells
2. Programing
3. Core

YOU – Zombots

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy:Success] – Zombot: A fauna who have been infected by the Metal Virus and had their infection reach its apogee, created by Doctor Ivo Robotnik. They are known for their ability to produce the Metal Virus, and their unnatural vitality.

YOU – “Ya’ said somethin’ about how I was ‘kinda’ a Zombot, but far as I can tell I ain't some zombie.”

TAILS – “Well, that’s where the ‘kind of’ comes into play, a Zombot’s cells produce excess amounts of the metal virus using the synthetic dna injected into them. You on the other hand aren’t producing any of the metal virus, and the synthetic DNA from the virus is acting more similar to your native DNA than any virus.”

“So in a sense, it would be incorrect to call you a Zombot as you neither have their behavior, or are producing the metal virus, your *only* infected, but you shouldn’t transmit it.”

1. “So? I already knew I was a cyborg, or whatever.”
2. “So I’m not a Tenrec?”
3. “Look, I already know I’m tough, how does knowing this help me?”
4. “Yeah smart guy, then why do I feel like shit.”

YOU – “So? I already knew I was a cyborg, or whatever.” TAILS – “Well… The difference is…” Tails turned his tablet back around, pressing some buttons before showing it to you again, an internal diagram of a rabbit with the name ‘Bunnie’ underneath it “You see, while this subject has robotic limbs.” He clicked another button on the side showing your internals next to it. “You, on the other hand, don’t really have any spots where the machine begins or the animal ends.”

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] – Although not a biologist, you know enough about the internal biology of a Tenrec to tell you can plainly see the differences, especially now that the other diagram is helping provide a reference.

PAIN THRESHOLD – Circuitry and nerves, additional organs, mechanical parts, pistons, electronic photo receptions, a power core receptor, and some other things you can’t identify.

1. “So? I already knew I was a cyborg, or whatever.”
2. “So I’m not a Tenrec?”
3. “Look, I already know I’m tough, how does knowing this help me?”
4. “Yeah smart guy, then why do I feel like shit.”

YOU – “Yeah smart guy, then why do I feel like shit.”

TAILS – He blinks, then shrinks back a bit, embarrassment showing on his face. “Yeah, sorry about that, I got a bit carried away. But the reason why you feel so weak right now is partially due to your cells. Absorbing Hyper-Go-Ons like you did isn’t healthy and normally you’d die unless you were Sonic.” The Hedgehog gives a thumbs up as she stands next to his brother. “But your Zombot cells allowed you to survive; you should be back to normal quickly enough.”
He bobs his head as he adds a smile onto the end of his sentence as if to soften the blow.

ENDURANCE [Formidable: Success] – He’s downplaying it, the damage is extensive, and in anybody else this level of cellular damage would be fatal. But for you, although crippling, it is recoverable.

PAIN THRESHOLD – That is to say, we’re working on it.

1. “Okay, okay, I get the gist. Is that all?”
2. “Figures I’d survive; just watch when I get out of here.”
3. “F**k off shorty”
4. “Can we go over that again?”

YOU – “Figures I’d survive; just watch when I get out of here.” SONIC – “You won't have to worry about that Surge, I’m always up for a good time with a friend.” Sonic flashes you a wide earnest smile, although there’s something off about responding to what you said with that, but you can’t tell what it is. TAILS – “Well… IF that’s that.” Tails trailed off, eyes searching the room, turning to Sonic for a split second only for Sonic to shrug in response. “Next on the list we have to talk about the Core Starline installed into you.”

1. “Fine, let's get this over with” (Continue)
2. “How about we circle back? I wanna hear some of that again.”

TAILS – “Okay, well the core itself is rather impressive, not as impressive as his one-of-a-kind Tri Core. But the upgraded Speed Core is still a unique piece of technology made to work with your, uh, ‘mechanisms.’ Unfortunately“

He stopped mid sentence, handing his tablet to Sonic before going for his saddlebag, Before pulling out a cracked yellow orb.

“Unfortunately, the same Hyper-Go-On overlord which damaged your cells also broke it. So, in the meantime, I’ve installed a Chaos Drive-”

REACTION SPEED – Hold on, did he just say -

PAIN THRESHOLD – Chaos Drive? Yes he did, he said *Chaos Drive* as in the thing that GUN puts in all of their mechs, the thing which makes them explode.

COMPOSURE [hard: Success] – Calm down, we're not doing ourselves a favor by freaking out. What do we know about Chaos Energy?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Failure] – It's dangerous.

HALF LIGHT – That fucking Fox just signed our death sentence! He put a fucking bomb into us, and he tells with a f*****g smile. I bet he has that thing rigged to explode! Lil’ S**T put a bomb collar on us, that’s why he’s not threatened.

COMPOSURE – Look I'm doing the best I can here, start helping our shut up. They’re going to notice us freaking out.

TAILS – “-Into you as a Stopgap measure, we should have a replacement for the upgraded Speed Core soon enough, but until then you should probably avoid any strenuous activties” The Fox looks up to you from his handled device, expectantly.

1. Chaos Drive?
2. “Chaos Drive?”
3. “…”

YOU – …

SONIC – The blue rat says something as he leans forward to you, snapping his fingers in front of your face. You clench your hands, as he mocks you, the rat has no right to mock you like this. First he mocks and beats you, then he does it again, trying to ‘help’ you, now he’s locked you in this room, powerless.
His side kick implanted a bomb in you.

AUTHORITY – Are you really going to tolerate this? No, no, you aren’t.

HALF LIGHT – Kill him.

VOLITION [Heroic:Failure]– You lurch forward trying to snap down on Sonic’s hand.

REACTION SPEED [???:Failure] – Before your head can even get off of the pillow, he’s already gone. The whiplash fits you as your head reaches the spot where his head would be, a headache hitting you as the whiplash rebounds within your brain.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] – You keep your lucidity catching your head in your hands and bracing yourself. N"Next time, it would be wise to not attack him without any preparation while crippled"

TAILS – “So… There also might be some *slight* brain damage.”

LOGIC [Trivial: Success]: Don’t tell them you’ve been hearing voices.

SONIC – “You okay Surge.” His smile finally falters for the first time, you would feel happy at that if you didn’t feel so terrible. Don’t worry you’ll have another chance at him

1. “Peachy.”
2. “Fine.”
3. “No.”

YOU – “Peachy.”

TAILS – He nods his head, not wanting to push the issue. “So, I guess we’re over for now, unless you have any other questions?”

1. Chaos Drive
2. “Chaos Drive?”
3. …
4. “F**k off shorty”
5. “Fine.”
6. Why are these options so s**t?

YOU – Why are these options so s**t?

COMPOSURE – I’m doing the best I can, but I’m not the one in control here, miss.

1. Chaos Drive
2. “Chaos Drive?”
3. …
4. “F**k off shorty”
5. “Fine.”
6. Why are these options so s**t?
7. “No, first I have a problem. You hurt and abandoned kit, you trash me and stick me in this room, and now what? You just expect me to play nice!” Your hands began to shake as you raise your voice. “I still don’t have a life, Starline took everything from me and Kit, ya’ think I’ll just roll over, expect everything to be all hunky-dory now?!”

YOU – “No, first I have a problem. You hurt and abandoned kit, you trash me and stick me in this room, and now what? You just expect me to play nice!” Your hands began to shake as you raise your voice. “I still don’t have a life, Starline took everything from me and Kit, ya’ think I’ll just roll over, expect everything to be all hunky-dory now?!”

SONIC – “Surge, listen, I’m not gonna try to force you to be happy and I don’t want to hang this.” He gestures to the entire room. “Or our previous encounters over your head, you can hate me more than anything and anybody in the world, but-” He points towards you “-when I see a person I need, nothing’s gonna stop me from trying my best to help them.”

1. “So what, I still don’t have a life, I’m never gonna get back what Starline took from us while you’re still alive.”

YOU – “So what, I still don’t have a life, I’m never gonna get back what Starline took from us while you’re still alive.”

SONIC – “Look, just because you lost your past and Starline used you, doesn’t mean you don’t have a life, besides you have other means of finding out who you were.”

TAILS –“Huh?”

SONIC – He disappears in a flash of blue, reappearing next to the now open door “I already called some friends over, the Chaotix, they’ll help you sort out the rest.”

REACTION SPEED [???:Failure] – Before you can even react, he’s gone, not even a blue blur to signify his exit.

TAILS – “Sonic…” He stresses as he looks towards the open door, rubbing his temples.
“Look, I’ll go talk to him, go if you want to go, stay if you want to stay.” He says, the words coming out more like an insult, or something said to placate a child.

1. “F**k you too pipsqueak”

YOU – “F**k you too pipsqueak”

TAILS – “Just don’t break another heart monitor, they aren’t cheap.” He says, as he walks out the door.

REEL INSERTED

HAND/EYE COORDINATION – Clench, unclench, squeeze, and knead. You ball your hands into fists over and over again, before you could have played with your accessories extending and un-extending the emitters or running your hands along them, but now your hands have nothing to do, empty and barren. You need something in them, perhaps your quills will do.

1. Yes…
2. [Inland Empire - Medium] Something feels…

INLAND EMPIRE – SOMETHING FEELS… different, what is it? The walls of the world expand around us and a barrier breaks down, we are one more step closer to escaping this prison.

INTERFACING – Just a small problem on my end, don't worry it was nothing important.

COMPOSURE – It hasn't even been an hour. They’re probably still watching us, try not to look too twitchy.

HALF LIGHT – Watching us? Watching us, of course they’re watching us, waiting for the right moment, you saw how fast he could move when he wanted to, we’d be dead within a second, neck snapped between his fingers. We’re too weak like this.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Just waiting is gonna kill us of boredom, I’m sure there’s an unattended electrical socket we can play with, get some good *E-LEK-TRICITY* from.

PUNK TACTICS – Playing with your quills isn’t very punk, wait until we find something suitably juvenile to play with.

1. [Volition – Medium] Playing with your quills isn’t punk, stop it and sit down.
2. [Conceptualization – Medium] No, you can make it work.
3. [Perception – Easy]Try to find a socket.

YOU – No, you can make it work.

SUCCESS

CONCEPTUALIZATION – There are ways of playing with your quills that can be used to intimidate, to show how unafraid and non-cholante you are even in the face of damage or when in a vulnerable position.
You don’t have to be the most ‘punk’ Tenrec all the time, trying other styles could never hurt.

…

1. [Volition – Medium] Playing with your quills isn’t punk, stop it and sit down.
2. [Conceptualization – Medium] No, you can make it work.
3. [Perception – Easy] Try to find a socket.
4. “...”

YOU – “…” You spend about a minute playing with your quills, trying to calm yourself half-heartedly.

PERCEPTION – Your ears perk up, wheels trundle down the hallway towards your open hospital room door, three sets of footsteps and a beating of wings. You cannot make out the details of their conversation, but you do hear your name mentioned
It only takes a couple of moments for the group of four to pass by the open door.
The four of them were headed by a stern faced and older, although not elderly nurse pushing a wheelchair with a cloth bundle on it before her. The other three were a large punk looking Crocodile, and two others a Bee and a chameleon both so boring you don’t note anything about them.

CATSUO – “Miss Tenrec,” The nurse nods her head towards you slightly as she pushes the wheelchair into the room. Her name tag bore the name ‘Catsuo’ accompanied by a much younger and happier looking picture of her.

VECTOR – Quickly from behind her, the three others follow. “Hi, Surge right?” The Crocodile wore a leather jacket, golden necklace, and a *sweet* pair of sunglasses. “Nice to meet’cha, I’m Vector, Vector the Crocodile.” He says, gesturing to the Bee and chameleon behind him.

PUNK TACTICS – The Crocodile, now he’s one *bad daddy*, got some real *PUNK* style on him, I bet he knows where to get some fit.

VECTOR – The other two, the Bee follows behind him quickly bobbing up and down in the air as the chameleon steps aside to lean against the wall next to the door. The nurse has completely vacated the stage, waiting off to one side with the bundle and the wheelchair.

1. “So, you’re the ‘Chaotix’ that Sonic sent?”
2. “So who’re you.”
3. “You, nurse, what’s with the clothes.” (Ignore the group of three)

YOU – “So, you’re the ‘Chaotix’ that Sonic sent?”

VECTOR – “Yep, these two are my partners” he gestures to the two of them behind him.

CHARMY – “Hi’ya I’m Charmy. Nice to meet you!” The Bee continues to bob up and down in the air, hovering over Vector’s shoulder as his earnest smile threatens to blind you.

ESPIO – “Espio.” The chameleon answers, shaking his head affirmatively from his position next to the door.

VECTOR – “And I already introduced myself.” He extends his hand, having made his way to the bed.

1. Don’t shake.
2. Shake.
3. Slap his hand away.

YOU – You slap his hand away, “Yeah, no. I’m not here to get all chummy with you.”

VECTOR – “Oh, Sorry about that. I can be a bit forward.” The Crocodile rubs the back of his head in embarrassment. “So we should probably get this show on the road.”

CATSUO – “*Ahem*” The nurse interrupts, tapping on the handle of the wheelchair. “Before you boys can get started, I should talk to the patient first.”

1. “Patient?”
2. [Authority – Challenging]“Just, who’re you talking too old lady.”

YOU – “Patient?”

CATSUO – “Yes ma’am, you are a patient here.” The look on her face is hard and unmoving, like it's been etched into the silvery-white stone that makes up her fur. “One who has undergone significant damage and will be using this wheelchair whenever you leave this room.”

1. “Patient?”
2. [Authority - Impossible] “Just, who’re you talking too old lady.”
3. [Volition - Medium] “Fine.”

YOU – “Just, who’re you talking too old lady.”

AUTHORITY [Godly: Failure] – The woman gives you a flat stare devoid of any emotion and pushes the wheelchair towards you. Immediately you try to raise your voice in protest, but the woman silences you with one harsh glare. Within the confines of a hospital, the word of medical professionals is law. What would you even do if you refused her, wheel around in your hospital scrubs? Take the clothes, you cannot refuse.

SKULDUGGERY [Challenging: Success] – Play along for now, there’s no real reason in arguing and we can always just leave the wheelchair later.

1. [Empathy - Challenging] What does he think?
2. “Thanks.”
3. Whatever”

YOU – “Whatever.”

CATSUO – She returns your dismissal, looking to the Chaotix with a polite smile. “I trust you boys can handle this from her.”

VECTOR – “Sure thing man, you can count on us.” Vector gives her a big thumbs up, his eyes shining and his Crocodile smile wide.

CATSUO – She returns the smile half-heartedly. “I’m sure you can.” Before leaving the room.

CHARMY – “Sooo, time for the interview?”

1. “Fine”
2. “Clothes first, you losers second.”
3. “Yeah, as if I’m gonna let you interview me.”

YOU – “Yeah, as if I’m gonna let you interview me.”

AUTHORITY – Atta girl, don't, show them any weakness.

VECTOR – He blinks, taking a moment to raise his eyebrow, but before you could contest his challenge with your own, he stands up from where he was seated. “Alright guys, let's get outta here.” Pointing a thumb over his shoulder and back towards the door.

CHARMY – “Really? But didn-”

ESPIO – The chameleon shakes his head, placing a hand on the Bee to quiet him. “You heard him, c’mon Charmy.”

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] – He wants you to bend, it's a game of chicken, don't say anything

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] – No, you are certainly no titan of Volition normally, but bored, stuck in a hospital, not able to do anything? You lost the second you decided to oppose him. He is already almost out the door. Speak up now.

1. “Fine, Clothes first, you losers second.”
2. “Wait!”

YOU – “Fine, Clothes first, you losers second.”

VECTOR – “Great!” He says, turning on a dime, with a large Crocodile smile p. “happy to be of help, Should we wait out here or do you want any help?”

1. “Who cares where you wait, I’m changing in the bathroom anyways.”
2. “Out.”

YOU – “Out.”

VECTOR – “Sure thing” Again he turns on a dime, narrowly avoiding Charmy. “Just call us when you’re ready, we’ll be waiting out here.” The door closes behind him, closing shut fast but almost without any sound.

HALF LIGHT – Trapped, still trapped, this is a setup, it always ways. They’re planning something.

LOGIC [Medium: Successful] – So what? If they’re planning something, they’re planning something. We don’t have any choice but to continue on this path for now, being recklessly paranoid won’t help us.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Waiting for the right moment, the thrill of the hunt, the thrill of being hunted. When the moment comes-

HALF LIGHT – We’ll all be tasting blood.

YOU – Turning to the bag of clothes seated on the wheel chair. Opening the bag, your clothes seem to be in remarkable shape, although the shoes have had their steel toes removed and the socks were entirely replaced.

INTERFACING – Holding the bracelet in your hand you immediately take notice of its weight, heavier than it should be. With a small flex of your electromagnetism, you can tell, the steel alloy had been replaced with a non-ferrous metal. Picking up one of the rings, it barely takes a second to confirm, the same has happened to them.

AUTHORITY – Insulting, Flighty’s already given her spiel, they’re fucking with you, yanking you around by a chain, are you really going to tolerate this? No, Surge the Tenrec bends to no one, trash the clothes.

RHETORIC – No, no, we need to seem clueless, or at least complaint for the time being. It’s better that we wear it all and don’t comment.

PUNK TACTICS – Yeah, no. Punks don’t roll over, that said we don’t want to ruin or fit or Gaia forbid, go out into public fitless. Scraps the rings, put on everything else.

1. Change into the clothes.
2. Change into the clothes but exclude the rings.
3. [Hand/Eye Coordination - Easy] Dunk the clothes into the bin.

YOU – Change into the clothes but exclude the rings.

YOU – Rummaging through the pile of clothes you locate all of the rings, putting each of them into your palm, now the only question is what to do with the excess rings.

PUNK TACTICS – Now, pitch them into the bin like the bad b***h you are.

1. [Hand/Eye Coordination - Challenging] H**l yeah! (Throw them into the trash)
2. Pocket them.
3. [Endurance - Challenging] Eat the clothes(?)

YOU – H**l yeah!

SUCCESS

HAND/EYE COORDINATION – You shift the rings in between your fingers, rubbing them in your palm and beginning to build up a rhythm, this would be far easier with ferrous materials, but it’s not impossible. Then, you release a surge of electricity and the world slows down, your perception heightens.

SHOCKS – You close your eyes, feeling the room, the machines in it, the flow of electricity, feeling around with your electromagnetic sense, forming a map. You know where the rings are, interlocked between your fingers, you feel the shape of a trash bin using the holes in your electromagnetic sense as the surge of electromagnetism bounces across the room.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] – A radar.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION – Then you flick the rings, the exact amount of force needed perfectly calculated. All direct hits.

PUNK TACTICS – H**L F*****G Yeah.

YOU – Looking back to the clothes pile, you retrieve the rest of your garments before retreating to the restroom. You doubt the Chaotix would enter while you were changing, but having two doors between you and them is more comfortable then not.
It takes only a moment for you to dress yourself, although you take notice of something you had not considered before, the bathroom lacks a shower or tub, at the very least Starline installed one into the now partially destroyed Eggman base he re-branded as his own.
Leaving the restroom after a light freshening up, you stand in your hospital room, alone again.

1. [Perception - Impossible] Search for an alternate exit.
2. Open the door.
3. Knock on the door.

YOU – Search for an alternate exit. [Perception: Impossible]

PERCEPTION – The walls are spartan and too tough the break down in your current state, the air vents too small too crawl through even if you might be able to rip off the vent cover, there are no windows to break through and breaking down the exit door is both beyond your current capabilities and not an option in a clandestine escape.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium - Failure] – The walls are thin, but indestructible. Around every corner eyes watch with hatred and in the deepest recess of the beast they plot your down fall. There is no way to escape this castle, you must go forward.

1. [Perception - Impossible] Search for an alternate exit.
2. Open the door.
3. Knock on the door.

YOU – Knock on the door.

VECTOR – The door slides open in front of you, as you tap on it, revealing the Crocodile staring straight ahead and blocking any exit. “Hey Surge,” He says. “Ready to start the investigation?”

1. “So, what’s this about an Investigation?”
2. “Sure, whatever.”
3. “Come in.”

YOU – “So, what’s this about an Investigation?”

VECTOR – “First, Do you mind if we come in? Standing out in the hallway while talking to you is a bit awkward.”

ENDURANCE [Challenging: Success] – I second that miss, while your legs haven’t started to hurt yet we really should be sitting down

1. “Fine, get in before my legs get tired of standing.”

YOU – Awkwardly you shuffle over to your bed then sit down as the three ‘Chaotix’ shuffle into the room. It takes a moment for everybody to take their places, but just as soon as everybody is ready Vector gives his two companions a nod and begins speaking.

VECTOR – “Okay, the Restoration doesn’t just clean up after mad scientists and other villains, it also likes to follow up with people who’ve had run-ins with them. Of course, since not much is known about you, or your past it needs to be investigated.

1. “Sonic said he set this up, the pipsqueak also didn't seem to know anything about it.”
2. “Please, if anybody cared about me, I would have already been found.”
3. “Yeah, and? What am I supposed to do?”

YOU – “Sonic said he set this up, the pipsqueak also didn't seem to know anything about it.”

VECTOR – “Well Sonic did ‘set this up’ in the sense that he called us when the Restoration was looking for help with investigating people who went missing during the Zombot crisis. But beyond that I think he’s just been running around and eating chili dogs.”

ESPIO – “And for Tails, I think he just doesn’t care. He keeps a good watch on Sonic most of the time, but he can be oblivious and isn’t that involved with the Restoration like Amy or we are.”

1. Sonic said he set this up, the pipsqueak also didn't seem to know anything about it.”
2. “If anybody cared about me, they would’ve found me already.”
“
3. Yeah, and? What am I supposed to do?”

YOU – “If anybody cared about me, they would’ve found me already.”

VECTOR – “You shouldn’t say things like that Surge, just because nobody managed to find so far, doesn’t mean nobody is looking.”

YOU – “Please, with the messes I’ve made, I somehow doubt they failed to notice.”

VECTOR – “You’d be surprised how many missing persons cases are solved or go unsolved due to luck.”
“For all we know, the answer to your past could be right outside.”

ESPIO – “And I for one would appreciate you dropping this self defamatory attitude.

CHARMY – ”Yeah, you shouldn't be so mean to yourself.”

EMPATHY [Medium: Failure] – What do they know? They aren’t you, they haven’t lived your life.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Failure] – It’s impossible to construct an argument when they’re trying to reassure you, even harder when you don’t understand them at all.

1. …

YOU –”...” You clench your teeth in frustration, you cannot think of anything to say, this is not a matter of self control.

VECTOR – “Well we aren’t going to stop trying, you can count on that.” He gives a big thumbs up, although his tone is conciliatory. “Any more questions?”

1. “Sonic said he-, the pipsqueak also didn't seem to know anything about it.”
2. “If anybody cared about me, they would’ve found me already.”
3. “Fine, if we're doing this, what’s my part.”

YOU – “Fine, if we're doing this, what’s my part.”

CHARMY – “Eh? Isn't it obvious?”

VECTOR – “Charmy- agh.” Vector began, before shaking his head and turning his attention back your way. “Well, first of all, now that we have our introductions out of the way, we need to ask some preliminary questions.”

1. “Fine, whatever it takes to get out of this lousy hospital.”
2. “And what if you don’t like what ya’ hear?”

YOU – “Fine, whatever it takes to get out of this lousy hospital.”

CHARMY – “Hospital?”

ESPIO – “Surge, We are currently located within the medical wing of the Restoration headquarters.” The chameleon said, his eyes judging you.

VECTOR – “Huh? Weren’t Sonic or Tails here earlier? One of them really should’ve told you that.”

HALF LIGHT – Don’t they know who you are, you’re Surge, Surge the Tenrec. You’re a big deal, and these idiots just let you into their most secure base.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – I’d hardly consider it a secure base, the Restoration is quite public.

1. ““Ugh, let's just get this over with.”
2. ““Restoration, eh?

YOU – “Ugh, let's just get this over with.” VECTOR – “Ah, sorry.” The Crocodile rubs the back of his head apologetically. “So, starting out.” He takes a moment to pull out a clipboard from behind him “We’d like to hear what you know about Starline, your companion Kitsunami, Eggman, your previous encounters with Sonic.”

1. Start from the top

YOU – “So Starline had this silly little plan of his, he’d take over Eggman’s base, then we’d lure in and kill Sonic, and of course Eggman would be so impressed with him he’d happily waddle and then join up with the rest of us to…”

SKULDUGGERY – You wave your hand in the air to make a show of him. Starline’s infatuation with Eggman is one of the most obvious things you’ve ever seen. But even to you it was clear this plan was purely of Starline’s own delusion, and you're sure he wouldn’t even have listened to you or Kit if you tried to make a better plan.

DRAMA – But my lady, this wave of the hand, this show. We’ll make a mockery of him even in death. Oh such a terrible fate, to be remembered only as a clownish fool.
My lady, this is the first step of our path to vengeance.

RHETORIC [Medium: Failure] – Actually? What's our end goal here?

YOU – “Take over the world I guess? But whatever, me and Kit already had our plan to bump the duck off.”

VECTOR – “Just to be clear,” The Crocodile says, staring down at you from beyond his sunglasses as he fiddles with his pen in one hand, “You were already planning on betraying Starline?”

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] – That voice calculated concern and earnest questioning, while putting stress on you rather than Starline. He cares that you planned to have Starline killed, but he’s more worried about your health and safety, why?

AUTHORITY – Test him, threaten him. Lets see where his sympathies lie when it’s his life that could be on the line

YOU – “Duh, like I would allow Starline to boss me around.”

VECTOR – “Okay, and after?” Vector says, looking up from his clipboard to stare back down at you.

1. Don’t threaten, say it’s only about Sonic.
2. Be vague.
3. Tell the truth.

YOU – “After we took out Sonic and tails, we were going to kick all your butts, trash the place and trash this city as well.” You say crossing your arms, barring your teeth, and cocking an eyebrow.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – You can just imagine how cool you look right now ma’am, cocked eyebrow and crossed arms. A real bad guy, a villain even, the coolest of the cool who everybody respects and fears.

SKULDUGGERY – The Crocodile remains unimpressed and unfazed, in the corner the chameleon raises his eyebrows, all the while the Bee gives you a curious look. VECTOR twirls his pen in his hand again before he goes to write something on his clipboard.

The whole room is silent as everybody waits for someone else to speak first.

CHARMY – “Pfft, butts.” Charmy laughs, breaking the silence and causing a slight smile to twitch onto your face against your better judgment.

ESPIO – “Charmy, stand aside for a moment,” Espio says, separating himself from the wall he was leaning up against and walking forward to take center stage before meeting you eye to eye, “Surge, I want some classification on something?” As he steps forward, there is a brief glance and nod between the three of them, what does it mean?

1. [Honor Among Thieves - Easy] The ties that bind, they have known each other for a long time. But you can decipher what they mean, with some effort.
2. [Skulduggery - Challenging] Detectives are people still, and people are always plotting something. What do they have against you?
3. [Perception - Challenging] Even among the diverse sapient species of earth, certain things remain the same. Inspect their movements, ascertain what they will do by inspecting their person.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Easy: Failure] – We don't speak cop, and we ain't ever been a detective. How am I supposed to know what these three are thinking?

ESPIO – “Okay,” Epsio says, ignoring you;re staring, “How exactly does following Starline and his plans, impede Starline and his plans.”

1. “What?”
2. “We were only following him ‘cause it was convenient, even if he and Eggman got all hunky-dorey we’d take ‘em out. ”

YOU – “What?”

ESPIO – “Both you and Starline’s plans have a similar essence. Kill or permanently incapacitate Sonic, remove Eggman as a threat, and from there both of you would wreck some vague form of havoc where you remain in charge.”

1. “Please, We were only following him ‘cause it was convenient, even if he and Eggman got all hunky-dorey we’d take ‘em out ”

YOU – “Please, We were only following him ‘cause it was convenient, even if he and Eggman got all hunky-dorey we’d take ‘em out ”

ESPIO – “True, but what I’m saying is if you really were in opposition to Starline, you wouldn’t have helped him in the first place.”

1. “I don’t need to hear this, I’d never follow Starline.”
2. “Well how would you do it, smart guy?!”

YOU – “Well how would you do it, smart guy?!”

ESPIO – “For one thing you and Kitsunami could have switched up who you went after, both Sonic’s fear of water and Tails’ fear of lightning are well known. Even if you didn’t think Kit was strong enough to defeat Sonic, Kit could have held him off long enough for you to take out Tails one way or the other.”

FAILURE

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – You would never risk your Drippy like that, and where does he come from trying to tell you how to off his friends.

1. “So what, you’re mad I didn’t off your friends, psycho!”

YOU – “So what, you’re mad I didn’t off your friends, psycho!”

ESPIO – “Allow me to clarify again, why-”

VECTOR – “C’mon Espio,” The Crocodile says, putting a hand on Espio’s shoulder, silencing him. ”She just got up a little while ago, and she’s not in full control of herself.”

YOU – I know what Starline did to me, I don’t need you pointing it out. Yeah I was controlled, and yeah Starline made me to fight Sonic, but I knew I was being controlled and still chose my actions.

CHARMY – The Bee tilts his head as he hovers behind Vector. “But, knowing you’re mind controlled doesn’t make you not mind controlled, dont’cha know that?”

YOU – “Argh,” you grunt with effort, “what do you guys even want, aren't you supposed be figuring out how I was.” VECTOR – “We just want to know why you chose to fight Sonic at the Eggbase, assessing what you know and what happened to you is an important part of this investigation. We don't exactly have very many leads right now so every avenue needs to be explored.”

1. “So what? You think I already had something to do with Sonic.”
2. “Then find some new leads, I don’t want you guys poking at me like I’m some animal.”

YOU – “So what? You think I already had something to do with Sonic.”

ESPIO – “It's just idle speculation, I’m just curious what you want with Sonic. This murder doesn’t sound very well thought out, or that could just be the mind control talking.”

1. [Volition - Challenging] “What I want with Sonic?”...

YOU – What I want with Sonic?”

FAILURE

YOU – “What I want with Sonic?! I’ll tell you what I want with him, I want him out of my life!” you feel your face grow hot from rage and embarrassment, wires underneath your sking seeming to spark as you speak, “Him being gone is the only way I’ll ever get some piece of mind.”

VECTOR – “I-” He begins, before almost immediately stopping.

EMPATHY – You can see it in his eyes, Vector is struggling to find the softest words, some gentle way to let you know something he is unsure of.

VECTOR – “...Surge, I hate to break this to you, but declaring a personal crusade against someone and trying to get involved in their life isn’t how you avoid someone.”

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] – The tone Vector uses is troubled and uncomfortable, like that of a man who must explain to his paraplegic daughter that her dreams of becoming a ballerina will never come true.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Failure] – Suddenly you deflate, slumping back down with your gaze drawn to the floor, all the anger and the offense fading from your mind. These people don’t trust you, nor do they take you seriously, but right now you can’t manage to stand up to them.

1. …

YOU – “…”

VECTOR – “Look, Surge we’re sorry for pushing you so much. We’ll end the interview here, but do you have anything else to add before we finish?”

1. “Yeah, Sonic’s a real jerk.”
2. “Get your friend's head checked.”
3. “Whatever old man, let’s just move onto the next thing.”

YOU – “Yeah, Sonic’s a real jerk when he wants to be.” Even if he had apologized for your first meeting you still hadn’t forgiven him for that, but next time you’ll make sure to knock him down a peg.

VECTOR – “Yeah, he can be like that sometimes. Guess I'll have to remind Shadow to give him a hard time.” He says lightheartedly, the edges of his mouth pulling into a smile as.

CHARMY – “Yeah but he can be real heroic too! How about that time he-”

VECTOR – “Calm down Charmy,” The croc says, grabbing the Bee out of the air and tucking Charmy under his arm.

PUNK TACTICS – Despite his d***ishness Sonic does have a free sense of *STYLE* and freshness about him, Although bad daddys like that croc over there.

1. What.

YOU – What.

PUNK TACTICS – Vector, the one with the strong jawline, the Crocodile. He certainly has a rather handsome punk fit to him, don't you think so?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – That fuddy-duddy? He looks like he hasn’t ever had a real fun time, call me back when you find someone willing to

CHARMY – “Uh Surge, are you-”

REACTION SPEED – You snap too just in time anticipating Charmy’s question.

1. “It’s nothing”

YOU – “It’s nothing.”

VECTOR – “Alright,” Vector says, flipping through his clipboard again, “Now that we have the initial interview finished we should probably go see Vanilla, her and Amy have also been helping look into the missing peoples case. So are we all good?”

1. “Can you tell me where you got those shades?”
2. “Who’s this Vanilla person?”
3. “Starline had some other bases, you know what happened to them?”
4. “No let's go”

YOU – “Starlines had some other bases, you know what happened to them?”

VECTOR – “Well…” Vector trails on, flipping through his clipboard again, “Starlines basses, or at least the ones we know, have been scooped up for salvaging either by the Restoration or some company called Clean Sweep.”
Flipping another page he adds, “Last I heard about the base you and Sonic had your showdown in was still being looked over. But, we’ll probably end up going there when you're in better health.”

1. “Who said I wanted to go back there?”
2. “Finally, something else to look forward to.”
3. “Hmh”

YOU – “Hmh,” you say shifting back and forth, not sure how to reply.

1. “Can you tell me where you got those shades?”
2. “Who’s this Vanilla person?”
3. “Starline had some other bases, you know what happened to them?”
4. ”No let's go”

YOU – “Can you tell me where you got those shades?” VECTOR – “Oh these,” He says, taking the sunglasses off, “I just got them from the Tot Hopic in town, you can have them if you want, I have spares.”

1. Take the shades
2. Refuse the shades

YOU – “Thanks for the shades.”

ITEM OBTAINED: *PUNK* Shades, +PUNK TACTICS.

ESPIO – “Actually,” The chameleon says interrupting, “It's probably best she wears a disguise when she leaves her room, nothing too heavy handed.”

CHARMY – “Huh?”

ESPIO – “We want it to make it harder for people to recognize her, but not put too much effort into it. If we try too hard it’ll look like you have something to hide and people will pay attention.”

1. [Drama - Challenging] “Right…” *Put on shades sarcastically*
2. “Good idea, I didn’t think of that.”
3. [Hand/Eye - Impossible] *throw the shades at Espio*

YOU – “Right…” “Right…” *Put on shades sarcastically*

SUCCESS

DRAMA – Your hair is already down, your acting, impeccable. You give the Chameleon a smug, sarcastic expression as you swoop the sun glasses towards your face and then with a whip of your hair you crossover legs and look into a light fixture at the ceiling.

VECTOR – “See, she already has her hair down, that’ll be change enough for most people.”

ESPIO – The chameleon sighed and nodded his head, “It wouldn’t hurt to get her a change of clothes.”

1. “Can you tell me where you got those shades?”
2. “Who’s this Vanilla person?”
3. “No, let's go”

YOU – “Who’s this Vanilla person?”

VECTOR – “She’s a lady who works with us, The Restoration and child services.

CHARMY – “Yeah,” “Vector *Works* with her.”

YOU – “Child service? I’m not some little kid.”

VECTOR – “Well, nobody's exactly sure how old you are, and you don't have any form of identification, so after going over the relevant information with them. Besides, even if he isn't here, I’d say at least Kitsunami is underage, just going by what little I’ve seen of him.

1. “I’m not going to sell Kit out to you losers”
2. [Honor Among thieves - Challenging] Consider the possibility.
3. “Eh, I’ll think about it.”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES Success – Don’t tell them everything, he’s still out there somewhere and if you know the little guy correctly he’ll get up to something eventually. But not telling them anything will make it seem like you’re not willing to play ball, Kit will understand.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – I second that motion, I’d like to take a look at the Restoration’s internal database so I can compare the information we have with it.

YOU – “I’ll help with Kit, but I ain't sellin’ him out, ya’ hear. Besides, I want to go over the list of Starline’s stuff you got, see if you missed anything.”

VECTOR – “Loud and clear Surge, that's all?”

1. “Can you tell me where you got those shades?”
2. ”Who’s this Vanilla person?”
3. “Yeah, I don’t have any more questions.” (get up)

YOU – “Yeah, I don’t have any more questions.” The bed cheeks underneath you as you push off of it and your cleats hit the floor with a metallic thud, as you do so there is a slight tensing of your muscles, a strain that’s hard to locate. Only once you take your second step, does that strain shoot through you, transforming into a sudden and sharp pain.

1. [Pain Threshold - Challenging] Bear with it.
2. Topple over.
3. “Argh!”

YOU – [Pain Threshold - Challenging] Bear with it

FAILURE

CHARMY – “Surge!” Before you know it, Epsio and Charmy rush forward to grab you by your arms, Charmy’s wings beating furiously as they drag you upright. Vector was just too slow and barely too far away to catch up with the other two, arriving a step away from in the same span of time the others caught you.

1. “Let go!”
2. “Thanks”

YOU – “T-thank you.”

ESPIO – Gives you a serious look, “Are you okay.”

1. “Obviously not.”
2. “I’m fine”
3. “Yes, let go of me”

YOU – “F-fine” Your words keep coming out staggered, shaky with nervousness and surprise. Completely unlike how you try to present yourself.

ESPIO – “Okay, let’s just set you down here.” Espio says, alongside Charmy he hoists you towards the empty wheelchair. Your face heats up, warmth spreading beneath your skin as the two of them help you.

1. Protest
2. Don’t say anything hovering over

YOU – “…”

AUTHORITY – Dammit woman, don’t let them man handle you. You’re going to get up out of that chair, hit the lizard in the face and tell them what for! Surge the Tenrec does not let herself be bossed around, and she certainly does not get wheeled around by other people in the wheelchair.

Endurance [Challenging: Success] – No. We’re taking the wheelchair.

1. Hear Authority out.
2. Hear Endurance out hover over.
3. Close your eyes and ignore them both.

ENDURANCE – Look, ma’am, we’re ‘fine,’ as in we won’t immediately die, but we aint at full power and I’m not confident in either our ability to take a punch or regenerate right now, you felt that sudden pain too.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Medium: Success] – I second that, until you can punch clean through a wall again we shouldn’t be taking any risks.

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] – Count me third, me and the PHYs still aren’t done going over your individual cells either, activating our regeneration needlessly could lead to a cascade of failures, leading to further cellular damage, the rapid development of cancerous cells, or the production of rogue bodies that would attempt to re-start the Zombot Plague. All of which could be fatal if we do not receive the proper treatment in time.

Thought revealed

Long Overdue for an Oil Change

The “boys,” or rather the voices in your head that are working to keep you alive, say that you're too damaged, physically speaking, to be going out and do much villainy. In the meantime, they're “working on it.”

ETA: When it’s done

Tips: Talk to Tails? Obey doctorly advice? Don’t get into a fight?

1. Fine.
2. “Fine.”

YOU – “Fine.”

VECTOR – “Uh, Surge?” He says, scratching the back of his head as he looks at you.

1. “Let’s go already.”
2. “I said fine, I’m just thinking about something.”
3. “F**k off.”

YOU – “I said fine, I’m just thinking about something.”

CHARMY – “Oh, okay, but if you need anything we're right here.” He said, hovering with that big dopey grin. Part some of you found it hard to believe he is only a little younger than tails, the other part doesn’t understand why he’s being so nice.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – He’s not ‘simple’ if that what you’re implying ma’am. But it’s not like I have a record of his behavior to make any deductions from, just the informed guesses we’re able to make. ESPIO – “*sigh*”

AUTHORITY [Medium: Failure] – Did he just verbally sigh? Who the F**K does he think he is?

VOLITION [Medium: Success] – No, we aren’t starting s**t again, sit down.

YOU – You can feel their eyes stinging into your flesh as you rear meets the cushion and the maggot under your flesh crawl and burn with embarrassment. Charmy’s pity hurts most of all, you're a villain, the bad guy. Children are afraid of villains, Tails wasn’t afraid either but you didn’t value his opinion, he was both a weird mutant, a Fox, and a sidekick.

VECTOR – “Alright, all set Surge?”

1. “Yes, finally I want to get out of this room as soon as possible.” (Wheel past Vector) hovering over
2. “Yeah. Hey pip squeak, wheel me.” (sit back and let Charmy push)

YOU – “Yes, finally I want to get out of this room as soon as possible.” Saying that you wheel past Vector and into the hallway, the Crocodile, Chameleon and Bee follow right behind you.
The hallway is long and sterile, cleaned to a shining polish and illuminated by fluorescent bulbs, the rooms are evenly spaced with each one of them sharing the same high security type door your room had. With no windows to the outside and barren of anybody else except for you and the chaotix, it’s a somewhat unsettling sight.
Even that nurse from earlier would liven it up.

CHARMY – “Whew, it felt like we spent months in that room.”

VECTOR – “Well okay,” He said, retrieving a paper map out of his coat, “The fastest route to Vanilla and Amy is down the elevator and cutting through a break room into another corridor.” Tilting the map towards you he traces his hand through the hallways on the map, showing you where you headed.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Long hallways, round-about routes that need to be bypassed by moving through break rooms and office space. This place feels like a school, the only thing that is missing are the lockers.

1. “Hmh, weird.”
2. “What, was this place a school or something?”
3. ”Let’s just get there fast.”

YOU – “What, was this place a school or something?”

VECTOR – “Yes…” He said, blinking and then rapidly shuffling the map back into his jack and retrieving the clipboard again to write something down, “The building that the HQ was built out of was a school, how’d you know?”

LOGIC [Easy: Success] – If you’re familiar enough with the internal layouts of schools to the extent you can deduce you’re in a former school and make a joke about it, you at minimum were in education.

1. [Encyclopedia - Impossible] Try to remember something more.
2. ”So what, I went to school, plenty of people have.”

YOU – “So what, I went to school, plenty of people have”

CHARMY – “Sonic didn't, I heard he comes from the north pole and there aren’t any schools there.”

ESPIO – The Chameleon shakes his head, “Christmas island isn’t real Charmy, and besides even if it was real it wouldn’t be in the north pole.”

VECTOR – “Ahem,” Vector interrupts, giving both of his younger companions a look, “Nevertheless, it could be important, at the very least it makes things easier, if you went to any school at all you’ll have records somewhere”

1. Finally get moving hovering over
2. No, I want to stay in the corridor arguing with Charmy and Espio for multiple hours.

YOU – The four of you get moving . Only to be stopped as you enter into the said breakroom.

YOU – You speed ahead of the trio, not wanting to be caught in their lameness, although Style seems to have an affinity with Vector for some reason beyond you. The Chaotix offer little resistance, only a slight chiding from Vector as they walk leisurely towards your shared destination.
Part of you resent them for not giving you an electric chair wheelchair, you would have been even faster than you are now.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Fuddyduddies don’t know how to have any fun.

VOLITION – EIther way it was smart of them not to trust us with one, I wouldn’t trust us either.

YOU – Dismissing the thoughts you wheel your way into the break room, you catch sight of two figures sitting next to each other. A pair of what you can only assume to be restoration members sit at the table, each of them nursing a cup of coffee in their hands as they converse. The one farther from you is male a hedgehog with a black and red quill coloration and a stoic expression on his face, while the other one is a rather well endowed female sheep wearing a large bell.
Both seem to have already noticed you but continue on their own conversation.

PERCEPTION (SMELL) [Easy: Success] – Something smells like lavender.

1. Yes Pass them by. Why are you even thinking of bothering two uninvolved people, Vector will be here any second?
2. “Hey, you!”Drive towards them and call out toward them.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find a spare object to throw at them.
4. [Encyclopedia - Medium] Inspect the two individuals.

YOU – [Encyclopedia - Medium] Inspect the two individuals.

Marginal Success

ENCYCLOPEDIA – The farther of the two from you is Shadow the hedgehog, a genetic hybrid created by Gerald Robotnik, genetic material sourced from an alien race known as the ‘Black Arms’ and hedgehog DNA native to earth. Over the years he’s been involved in numerous incidents over the years as an ally and rival to Sonic, as well as an agent of GUN.
For the sheep, you have no idea, she appears vaguely familiar but she probably isn’t important. Additionally you have no idea what the bell is for, last time you checked only cattle animals wore bell around their necks, maybe it’s just the sheep’s particular fetish?

RHETORIC – Excellent, now we have two avenues to butt into their conversation with. The sheep's fetish and Shadow being himself.

1. Pass them by. Why are you even thinking of bothering two uninvolved people, Vector will be here any second?
2. “Hey!” Drive towards them and call out
3. [Perception - Easy] Find a spare object to throw at them.
4. [Encyclopedia - Medium] Inspect the two.]

YOU – Hey!-

1. “A*****e.”
2. “Shadow.”
3. “Hedgehog!”
4. “You, Sheep”

YOU – “Shadow.”

SHADOW – The hedgehog turns his stone-like head away from the sheep, utterly stoic as he offers you only one word. “Yes?”

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] – His composure is impeccable, his tone utterly stone cold and uninterested, he is utterly unfazed. Worst of all it makes you realize that you haven’t even planned on saying anything, you’re just butted into a conversation out of the blue as Vector and the rest of the Chaotix are hot on your heels. Barely, just barely do you manage to maintain your composure, not allowing the growing empressement to get to you.

1. “What are you doing here?!”
2. “What’s your relationship with Sonic?!”

YOU – “What’s your relationship with Sonic?!”

SHADOW – “Rivals.” He says glibly, not leaving any

CONCEPTUALIZATION – Somehow, that answer is immensely disappointing. A distant part of your brain, a lost memory sighs in disappointment as it puts something away into the drawer.
A hollow feeling fills your chest.

1. ”Are you sure you two aren’t something more?”
2. ”Really? Guess I owe some people some money."
3. [Authority - Heroic] “Well I’m his new number one rival so step off”

YOU – ”Really? Guess I owe some people some money."

VECTOR – “Surge!”

1. Wheel away.
2. “Well tough luck, I’m Sonic’s new number one Rival.”
3. [Perception - Easy] Find a spare object to throw.

YOU – “Well tough luck, I’m Sonic’s new number one Rival.”

SHADOW – The hedgehog freezes for a moment and takes a long hard look at you, up and down

??? – ”*Ahem* Shadow, could you please stop ogling her.” The sheep says, straining out the words in between an barred toothed and plastic smile.

SHADOW – He turns aways his circumspect gaze slowly, moving it to the “I wasn’t ogling, merely inspecting Sonic’s so called rival.”

AUTHORITY – ’So called,’ we won’t let him forget that. Just wait until Tails installs that new speed core in you and we’ll whoop his a**.

SHADOW – “Very well,” The hedgehog says before turning his gaze back to you, “If you're set on being an enemy of Sonic you should have this.” With a blink of green light a pamphlet appears in the hedgehog's hand. On it’s surface you can read the words, ‘EoSD, Enemies of Sonic Distinguished.’

1. Accept the pamphlet.
2. Refuse the pamphlet.

YOU – Accept the pamphlet. On the cover there is an image of Shadow standing alongside several other silhouetted figures, above them are the words, Enemies of Sonic Distinguished. You can hardly think of a stranger title, likely because you haven’t read many titles at all, heck you didn’t even read the titles of those fashion magazines from earlier.

ITEM OBTAINED: EoSD Pamphlet, allows you access to the EoSD

VECTOR – “Surge!” He yelps, stumbling behind you and into the room attracting everybody’s stares. Before you even have time to respond, Vector looks from the Sheep to Shadow and speaks as Espio and Charmy “Uh, Surge, what did you do.”

??? – “I’ll tell you what she’s doing,” The sheep says, crossing her arms indignantly, ”She barged in here and rudely inserted herself into our conversation.”

VECTOR – “I’m sorry, it’s our fault for falling behind her.” He says

1. “Don’t treat me like a child.”
2. “Hey I can do what I want.”
3. [Rhetoric - Medium] “Don’t apologize on my behalf.”

YOU – “Hey, I can do what I want.”

ESPIO – “You may be able to do what you want but your actions will reflect on yourself as well as others.” The Chameleon says cutting in between you and Vector before the crocodile can respond.

1. “Fine.”
2. “I don’t need your help purple, I know just who I’m responsible for.”

YOU – “I don’t need your help purple, I know just who I’m responsible for.” EPSIO – Before he can respond, Vector places his hand on Espio’s shoulder causing him to nod in response. “If you say so.” Charmy bobs in the air behind them, not saying anything as he crosses his arms at you, he doesn’t seem happy.

1. Leave, stop harassing these people.
2. “So, Enemies of Sonic Distinguished?” *Ask Shadow about the pamphlet*
3. [Authority - Hard] “You sheep, tell me your name?”
4. [Skulduggery - Easy] Imply something rude about the sheep and her bell.

YOU – “So, Enemies of Sonic Distinguished?”You say somewhat incredulously, prompting the Sheep and Vector to give Shadow a judging look. For his part, Charmy looks equally as curious as you feel.

SHADOW – “Yes, I am a member of Enemies of Sonic Distinguished. If you are interested in joining we have a meeting this Wednesday at the basement level at eleven o’ clock.” Although Shadow seems entirely oblivious to them as he answers your question earnestly.

1. “So what do you guys do?”
2. “What’s with the weird name?”
3. “So how many members do you have?”
4. “Seems interesting, might check it out later.” [end conversation]

YOU – “What's with the weird name?”

SHADOW – He shrugs, “Infinite would not back down on the name for some reason and I did not care to argue.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] – Infinite, one of Eggman's now former agents. Last thing you heard of him he was still a snowglobe, perhaps it’s a good idea to check in with this group.

1. “So what do you guys do?”
2. What’s with the weird name?”
3. “So how many members do you have?”
4. “Seems interesting, might check it out later.” [end conversation]

YOU – “So how many members do you have?”

SHADOW – “How many enemies does Sonic have?”

YOU – “So what do you guys do?”

SHADOW – “Console each other, plot our revenge against Sonic, compete over our title as number one Rival which comes with the role and responsibilities of being the president of the group, and train.”

YOU – Seems interesting, might check it out later” [end conversation]

??? – “Shadow…”

SHADOW – “I am not looking at her weird Lanolin, calm down.” He says, not moving his scrutinizing gaze away from you.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Lanolin, an oil-like sheep by-product, also called wool fat. Her parents need a better sense of naming.

SKULDUGGERY – Although perhaps, wool fat is an apt name for such a cow of a sheep.

LANOLIN – “No, no, it's just-” She sighs, rubbing her eyes before sweeping a hand between you and SHadow, “Can't you people ever make my job easier.”

AUTHORITY – Was that racism? Sounded like it at least.

EMPATHY – She’s tired, likely only being held aloft by the accompaniment of Shadow and that coffee, she’s not thinking straight.

PUNK TACTICS – Pushover. Real punks don’t tolerate this type of shit, show her what for.

1. ”F**k you too sheep.”
2. [Rhetoric - Medium] ”Who’s ‘you people,’ I’m a Tenrec, not a hedgehog you *sheep*.”
3. [Authority - Formidable] “How about you back off.” *negatively affected by Long Overdue for an Oil Change*
4. [Physical Instrument - Unheroic] *attempt to assault her, negatively affected by Long Overdue for an Oil Change*
5. [Empathy - Medium] Hey, I’m sorry for being an Asshole but-”

YOU – ”Who’s ‘you people,’ I’m a Tenrec, not a hedgehog you *sheep*.”

SUCCESS

YOU – ”Who’s ‘you people,’ I’m a Tenrec, not a hedgehog you *sheep* if you’re gonna say s**t like that at least get it right.”

CHARMY – “Yeah, don't be mean. Sonic says racism is bad Lanolin!”

VECTOR – “Woah, woah, hey guys calm down I'm sure she didn't mean it like that.” He says, waving his arms back and forth, before gesturing towards Lanolin. “Right?”

LANOLIN – “Right,” She agrees, shaking her head, “I apologize for my poor choice of words.” Then not missing a beat her tune changes becoming proper and robotic as if she was rehearsing her words, “As a member of the Restoration I should think more carefully about what
I say since it will reflect on me, my coworkers, and the Restoration as a whole.” “I was annoyed by you, Shadow, and Sonic by extension. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let that impair my judgement.”

1. “So it is a race thing, why else would you mention Sonic.”
2. “Apology accepted.”
3. [Authority - Hard] “I don’t believe you, get on the floor and beg for my forgiveness.”

YOU – “So it is a race thing, why else would you mention Sonic.”

LANOLIN – “It’s not a race thing!” She explouds, standing up from her chair. “You three just have similarity, troublesome *personalities*”

SHADOW – “So is that what you think of me?” Lanolin's face turns aghast, realizing what she just said, only for Shadow to immediately move onto the next subject.
“Well if you really have a problem with Sonic you might-”

LANOLIN – “NO!” SHe cuts off almost throwing herself onto the table before her face flushes white.
“I’m- I’m sorry Shadow for that second outburst, but I’m not interested in joining your club,” her reply is breathless and panicked, and it’s all too clear how exhausted, strained, and stressed she is.
The whole room is quiet as she takes a deep breath followed by sitting back down and turning to Shadow, “Can’t we just have one hour of being friends without any of this,” she gestures to the entire room. “Intruding.”

SHADOW – “If by *this* you mean my hobbies, then I will try for your sake Lanolin. But if you mean other people rudely butting into our conversations, then I can’t assure you of that.” He nodded, giving you a slight look out of the corner of his eye.

1. The opportunity to gracefully leave.
2. “Hey J*******s I’m still here!”
3. “Later losers.” *wheel away*
4. [Perception - Easy] Find a spare object to throw.

YOU – “Later losers,” In one swift motion you slide push your hand over the wheelchairs wheels and move, ready to jet out and-

SHADOW – “Surge”

FAILURE

SHADOW – As soon as the words leave his mouth you stop, your momentum grinds to a halt and a green glow silhouettes you. “Some advice from a person who was in a situation similar to yours, your past doesn’t matter as much as you think it does.” The hedgehog dramatically pauses, flexing his finger in the air. “What matters is what you're going to do in the here and now.“ And then, your momentum abruptly returns, releasing you into the hallway beyond.

YOU – Rolling outside of the room, you have just enough time to turn yourself around as the Chaotix trot behind you.

1. [Turn right back around and get into another fight with Shadow]
2. “What a smug jerk.”
3. [Skulduggery - Medium] “Lanolin, good name for such a cow of a sheep.”

YOU – “What a smug jerk.”

CHARMY – “Aww, don’t be mean to him, Shadow’s nice.” The bee protests as he flies around your head.

ESPIO – “You did rudely butt into his conversation.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, and while a bit premature I don’t think Shadow’s entirely wrong.” Vector agrees, stepping you last and closing the door to the breakroom behind him.

1. “Maybe you’re both right, but right now I wanna find out who I am first.”
2. “Hey you’re the one who’s supposed to find out who I am, ya’ just gonna give up ‘cause Shadow says so?”

YOU – “Hey you’re the one who’s supposed to find out who I am, ya’ just gonna give up ‘cause Shadow says so?”

VECTOR – “I’m not saying that, but we aren’t miracle workers and your life is important outside of who you used to be, so if we don't find anything I just want you to know it’s not the end of the world.”

PUNK TACTICS – Now that is big dad energy.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] – Although that makes rebutting what he said harder, he doesn’t want to talk down to you or hurt you, not only because he feels bad for you, but because he genuinely wants the best for everyone no matter what.

1. “…”

YOU – “…”

VECTOR – “Okay, finally,” He said, breathing a sigh of relief so long and hard it would have knocked Charmy over in the air, “We’re just a hallway away.”

1. Attempt to rush back into the room to bother Lanolin and Shadow again
2. Get a move on, you are a HALLWAY away from your goal.

YOU – Fine, I’ll ‘Get a move on, you are a HALLWAY away from your goal.

VECTOR – “C’mon Chaotix, let’s roll out.”

YOU – The remaining trip is as uneventful as it is short, that is very. On the side of the break room, there are cork boards, recesses in the walls with patented Prower vending machines, drinking fountains, a pair of bathrooms, and hospital rooms hosting various patients.
Opposite that, there are countless reinforced windows lining the walls with streams of light pouring through. On the other side of the windows there are abandoned streets, delpated houses, and craters.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Emeraldville City, or the Emeraldville Ruins as it’s known now. Emeraldville was beautiful once, the second largest settlement on the entirety of the Mobius archipelago, picture-esq and a vision of the future, showing the world not only could Mobians build the same sort of high-tech and large cities the humans were capable of, but they could build them by being in harmony with nature.
It was a planned community like no other, only made capable by the deep pockets of the reclusive Emerald family who would rule the city as hereditary ‘mayors’ like the other Emerald settlements such as Emerald City or Emerald Town.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – The city of the future, beautiful then, and beautiful now. Even a ruin, it has become a monument to failure and the birthplace of the Restoration’s headquarters.

HALF LIGHT – It didn’t even last a year once completed, city of the future our ass.

ESPIO – “Here we are Surge.” The Chameleon says, shaking you from your reverie as he opens a wood door from across the hall. Without realizing it, you seem to have drifted right up to a window.

1. “Gimme a minute smart guy.” [Stay to learn more about Emeraldville]
2. [Punk Tactics - Easy] Nod and wheel into the room like a b****s.
3. “I’ll be there”

YOU – [Punk Tactics - Easy] Nod and wheel into the room like a b****s.

SUCCESS

YOU – The room is quaint, across from you is an entrance to the next room, to your left sits a table to one side along with several chairs, opposite of a small reception built into the wall and manned by a small dog with the name tag reading ‘Molly’ on her dress.

VECTOR – Going up to the dog, Vector pulls out his wallet and flips it open. “Were the Chaotix, it’s about the Surge case, Vanilla should be expecting us.” MOLLY – The dog nods in response, her happy dopey smile causing feelings of disgust to well up inside you as she then chats into her earpiece and then turn back to Vector. “All right mister Vector, you and your friends are expected you can head in.” Then the next door opens.

YOU – As Vector leads the way Espio follows you from behind, boxing you in. Charmy? He tries his best but something as small, fragile, and harmless as him can’t really box anyone or anything in. Wheeling into the room beyond you see it continues left and right with offices and rooms lining both sides, all of them have windows allowing you to see inside, some are large, some others are full of people, but most are empty and unlit.

PERCEPTION [Medium: Success] – Passing by one of the rooms you catch a glimpse of a Wisp capture capsule guarded by two Restoration members with Wispons.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – like the Dynamo Cage you once possessed they were created and are still used by Eggman in his schemes. What is one doing guarded, in the medical wing of the Restoration Headquarters.

YOU – Then, you arrive near the end of your corridor and to a windowed office room, inside of which you can see a rather, large in every sense of the word, Rabbit and sitting next to her behind the desk, Amy Rose, as she perks up and prepilliy waves towards you.

VECTOR – “Welp, here we go,” He comments, Pushing the door open for you.

1. “Fine, let’s get this thing over with.”

YOU – “Fine, let’s get this thing over with.” You say, rolling into the room greeted by the smiles. Vector takes the chair you would normally sit in and moves it off to the side, while you park the wheel chair in front of the desk Amy and Vanilla sit behind. Idly you note the chocolate colored Chao sleeping on a hybrid cat bed slash scratch post in the far corner of the room.

VANILLA - “Hello dear, I’m Vanilla and this is my Chao Chocola, I trust you already know of Amy here?” The rabbit says, turning away from her computer.

1. “Yeah yeah, Amy, Knuckles, Tails, and all the rest. Starline filled me in on all of Sonic’s friends.”
2. “I don’t care about your shitty pet lady, lets just get this over with.”
3. “Yeah, cut little bugger isn’t he?”

YOU – “Yeah yeah, Amy, Knuckles, Tails, and all the rest. Starline filled me in on all of Sonic’s friends.”

VANILLA – “Well I’m glad you're informed about some things, I was worried when I first heard what happened to you. Being thrown into a world without any memories only to be used by Starline must have been terrifying.”

AMY – “Yeah, I just got so mad about what happened to you when I heard what happened. That Starline was such a creep.”

1. “Total creep, half the time he wouldn’t stop waxing poetic about Eggman.”
2. “Yeah, but I showed him, and if he wasn’t already dead I’d give him a thing or two more to think about.”
3. “You tell me, what sicko kidnaps people and mind control them, I’m just happy he didn’t do anything to me or Kit.”

YOU – “Yeah, but I showed him, and if he wasn’t already dead I’d give him a thing or two more to think about.”

INLAND EMPIRE – As if anybody is ever really gone, as long as their memory lingers something of them remains in this world.

VANILLA – “I’m glad that you were able to keep your composure dear, you’re very brave.”

1. “Like I need your thanks, punks like me are tougher than that.”
2. “You sure bet I am, nobody’s gone up against Sonic and Eggman like I have.”

YOU – “You sure bet I am, nobody’s gone up against Sonic and Eggman like I have.” You say confidently crossing your arms in front of your chest.

AMY – “Well…”

VANILLA – “Enough about that, before you and the Chaotix get out and about I’d like to see what you do and don’t know.”

1. “I’m not some kid, and I already said Starline filled me in on plenty of stuff.”
2. [Encyclopedia - Heroic] Flex your ENCYCLOPEDIC knowledge on her.
3. Recount to her your knowledge of Emeraldville and the other Emerald settlements.
4. [Encyclopedia - Easy] Recount your knowledge of Sonic’s adventures.

YOU – [Encyclopedia - Easy] Recount your knowledge of Sonic’s adventures.

REACTION SPEED [Heroic: Success] – Wait, stop. There’s something wrong here.

1. [Encyclopedia - Easy] Recount your knowledge of Sonic’s adventures.
2. What do you want?

YOU – What do you wanty?

EMPATHY [Medium: Success]– Are you sure this is what she wants? Think about it from her perspective, she’s trying to judge if you’re mentally capable and can take care of yourself, not your near

ENCYCLOPEDIC knowledge of Sonic the Hedgehog.

COMPOSURE [Trivial: Success]– Now that you pointed it out, it’s not like she’s trying to hide it either. The way she stresses certain subjects and words, how she carries herself, and play the part of the honest doting mother. It’s been evident in her demeanor this entire time.

AUTHORITY [Challenging: Success]– Her Authority here is absolute, she holds all the cards. Trying to play hard with her will get us nowhere if we don’t have something she wants. In order to come out of this with a win, we’ll need to play into her, not against.

PUNK TACTICS -- Not exactly the *Punk Tactics we’re known for.* AUTHORITY -- There are times and places for mucking around, and this is no birthday party.

1. [Encyclopedia - Easy] Recount your knowledge of Sonic’s adventures.
2. Fine fine, I’ll go back.

YOU – Fine fine, I’ll go back.

1. “I’m not some kid, and I already said Starline filled me in on plenty of stuff.”
2. [Encyclopedia - Heroic] Flex your ENCYCLOPEDIC knowledge on her.
3. Recount to her your knowledge of Emeraldville and the other Emerald settlements.
4. [Encyclopedia - Easy] Recount your knowledge of Sonic’s adventures.

YOU – “I’m not some kid, and I already said Starline filled me in on plenty of stuff.”

EMPATHY – Okay, this is *A* degree of Improvement. But what degree that is lost on me.

VANILLA – “I’m just making sure you can receive the support you need, there’s a lot of things that need to happen and are going on right now, but for you, your health and safety should come first.”

YOU – “So where do we start, I already gave these guys the quick low down on what I’ve been doing.”

VANILLA - “Well first of all, we don’t know how old you are. According to Tails, your being is too changed to properly analyze.”

1. [Honor Among Thieves - Challenging] Wait, how would Starline choose someone like you in the first place?
2. [Shocks - Challenging] You got anything.
3. Inquire with the FYS, about your physical condition.
4. Remember your date of birth [Thought Cabinet currently occupied, check again later]

YOU – [Honor Among Thieves - Challenging] How would Starline choose someone like you in the first place?

SUCCESS

HONOR AMONG THIEVES - Starline wouldn't ever settle for a cheap imitation, he wanted something to surpass Sonic, somebody better. But at the same time that fanboy side of him would try to get someone as close to Sonic as possible while still being moldable.
The realization hits you then, you are the same age as Sonic the Hedgehog. Starline wouldn't have had it any other way.

YOU - “Sonic years old.”

VANILLA - “Excuse me?”

YOU – “Starline, he wouldn’t have chosen someone older than Sonic, he wanted someone as close to Sonic as possible. Creep probably started by looking for people that had the same birthday.”

RHETORIC [Trivial: Success] – Then why choose you, a female member of the wrong species with inverse coloration? That’s something to think about.

AMY - “Well that doesn't exactly narrow it down, I’m pretty sure Sonic is around eighteen years old but nobody knows for sure, not even Tails. “*Sigh* at least it makes planning surprise parties for him easier.”

VANILLA – “I’ll put her down as eighteen years old then.”

1. "Why is my age so important anyways.”
2. “You, Vector, you’re a detective. You have to know more about him, what’s Sonic deal?”
3. "So, Vector said that going back to that Starline base me and Sonic tore up is in the cards. What’s going on with that?”
4. [Drama - Medium] ”I got some complaining to do, Lemme tell you what he did when I first met him.” *Tell them in detail about you and Sonic’s first encounter.*

YOU – “You, Vector, you’re a detective. You have to know more about him, what’s Sonic deal?”

VECTOR – “Sonic? He’s a black box, a cold case, a closed room murder, a total mystery. Tails is the only other person who comes close, the earliest records we have of them is when they were pestering Eggman in some isolated archipelago, but before that we got nothing.”

ESPIO – “We’ve never properly inquired into them so that means nothing either way, I don’t think we’ve even asked either of them upfront.”

LOGIC – I wonder, if the reason they haven't found anything about your past yet is because Starline purposefully obscured it?

INLAND EMPIRE – Or maybe none of you have a past, coming into existence from nothing or being grown quickly in one of those tanks in Starline’s laboratory, with Sonic and Tails having similar origins. Being born from the bowl of the earth like fearsome gods.

VANILLA - “Ahem, not to be rude dears, but this is supposed to be about Surge. “

VECTOR – “Right, sorry Miss.”

VANILLA – “Didn’t I tell you to call me Vanilla already, or perhaps you like calling me miss?” Vector flushes at her comment and shuts his mouth, although you have no idea why calling Vanilla miss would be embarrassing. She’s an older woman, aren’t older women called Miss?

CHARMY – *giggles*

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] – Perhaps there is something more going on here, but whatever it is is beyond you.

1. "Why is my age so important anyways.”
2. “You, Vector, you’re a detective. You have to know more about him, what’s Sonic deal?”
3. "So, Vector said that going back to that Starline base me and Sonic tore up is in the cards. What’s going on with that?”
4. [Drama - Medium] ”I got some complaining to do, Lemme tell you what he did when I first met him.” *Tell them in detail about you and Sonic’s first encounter.*

YOU – “Why is my age so important anyways.”

VANILLA – “While the Mobius Islands don’t have a large governing body like the human continents do, having some form of identification always helps.”

SKULDUGGERY – Actually this is a pretty good idea, helps us get closer to Sonic and figure out what his deal is.

PUNK TACTICS – Hmmm, seconded. We can make betrayal work, we didn’t get a betrayal scene with Starline with how we were cheated out of out victory back then, so we're due for one anyways.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – VIllains always do get the coolest moments after all.

1. "Sure why not, I’m gonna join you guys here eventually.”
2. "Yeah skip that, I’m a punk, I don’t need *THE MAN* looking over my shoulder.”

YOU – “Sure why not, I’m gonna join you guys here eventually.”

VANILLA – “Oh, you decided to join the Restoration?”

1. [Skulduggery - Medium] Hide your intentions.
2. Tell her you’re trying to infiltrate the Restoration to bring Sonic down.

ONTOLOGICAL FAILURE

YOU – “Yep, I’m a hero now, miss good guy, I’m all for that greater good or whatever you guys do here.”

VANILLA – “You haven’t considered being a civilian associate instead of a working member, or perhaps a position with reduced responsibility?”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – We aren’t fit now, but we’ll definitely be done healing after Tails installs a new speed core into us.

1. "Maybe to start off with, but I’m gonna be an agent no matter what.”
2. "I’m not a little kid, I can handle myself.”
3. "Dunk me in the deep end of the pool, even in this state I can handle it.”

YOU – “I’m not a little kid, I can handle myself.”

VANILLA – “I wasn’t trying to imply you were incapable, your current state is just temporary afterall…”
“But, once you’re discharged from the hospital, and you're to do as you want you might want to considered something more civilian.”

PUNK TACTICS [Challenging: Failure] – Punks don’t take order, and we especially don’t listen to well meaning parents of busy bodies

1. "Why, so you can feel better about yourself lady? Here’s a hint, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, and neither of us are responsible for the other.”

YOU – “Why, so you can feel better about yourself lady? Here’s a hint, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, and neither of us are responsible for the other.”

VANILLA – “Surge, I’ll try to be patient with and explain myself thoroughly.” “I like helping people, it makes me feel good and yes I am also helping you because I feel bad for the situation you’ve found yourself in. But it’s also my job here to try the best I can in helping you.”

1. "Fine, but you better have a good explanation.”
2. "Your job is to sit there and fill out some paperwork, not care about what happens to me.”

YOU – “Your job is to-”

VANILLA – “DON’T talk down to me.”
“Don’t act like I don’t understand anything, I’ve been around the block a few times myself, and even my dear cream can hold her own in a fight. I’m speaking from experience here, I helped an individual who was in a similar situation to yourself not too long ago, a robot named Gemerl.”
“So can you at least think about my suggestion.”

VOLITION – As if by some form of psionic control, you find yourself somehow sinking deeper into the wheelchair and your back straightening as the woman towers over you.

COMPOSURE – You can feel your synapses still firiring and there’s nothing wrong with your nerves, but despite that it’s as if you’re *locked down*

1. "Fine”

YOU – “Fine.”

VANILLA – “*sigh* kids these days, well I was just the same way when I was your age if you believe it or not.”

1. "You’re a hypocrite.”
2. "At least you’ve walked the walk.”
3. "So what happened?”

YOU – “So what happened?”

VANILLA – “Well I became a single mother, but that’s another story.”

1. Ask about it.
2. Ask about it.
3. Ask about it.
4. Don’t.

YOU – Don’t. You wisely choose to not ask Vanilla about how she became a single mother, unfortunately you were so distracted by that question you mind and willpower were entirely distracted. Ultimately leaving the room in silence as you and stare blankly forward.

ESPIO – “Vector.”

VECTOR – “Don’t look at me, Vanilla handled it fine.”

CHARMY – *giggles* “I think someone doesn’t want to get in between a client and their girlfriend.”

VANILLA – *Giggles* “Oh it’s sweet your trying to be nice Vector, but either way I’m more than capable of handling Surge.”

1. "Ugh, enough of this mussy stuff I’m already ruining any and all cred I could have had by hanging out with you dorks.”

YOU – “Ugh, enough of this mussy stuff I’m already ruining any and all cred I could have had by hanging out with you dorks.”

VANILLA – “Sorry, I get away from myself sometime.”

1. “Why is my age so important anyways.”
3. “You, Vector, you’re a detective. You have to know more about him, what’s Sonic deal?”
4. "So, Vector said that going back to that Starline base me and Sonic tore up is in the cards. What’s going on with that?”
5. [Drama - Medium] ”I got some complaining to do, Lemme tell you what he did when I first met him.” *Tell them in details about you and Sonic’s first encounter.*

YOU – “So, Vector said that going back to that Starline base me and Sonic tore up is in the cards. What’s going on with that?”

AMY – “Well that’s not really something in the immediate future, but after you guys cleared out the place, Tails contacted me and Jewel so we could set up a quarantine zone.” “He seemed pretty worried about remnants of the Zombot Virus, or other experiments of Starline escaping from the lab.”

1. "So is that why you guys want me, just some slave labor to go through the rubble and then throw me away?”
2. "I would’ve gone back anyways, so whatever.”
3. "Please, as if I’d go back there.”

YOU – “So is that why you guys want me, just some slave labor to go through the rubble and then throw me away?”

AMY – “First of all you’re the one who brought that up Surge, and second of all We’re not going to force you to do anything Surge, although from when I talked to him earlier it certainly seemed like Tails wants your help.”

1. So I can just walk out of this building right now and you won’t do anything.”
2. "Eh? When I talked to him earlier all he did is ignore me best he could while staring at that tablet of his.

YOU – “So I can just walk out of this building right now and you won’t do anything.”

AMY – “No, that’s a completely different matter.”

1. *scoff* “Really?”

YOU - *scoff* “Really?”

AMY – “Yes it is, your health is important, you were in critical condition last night and you haven’t been discharged yet.
“And it's not like you can't go anywhere, just don't leave the facility grounds, this place is pretty big and there’s tons of stuff to do.”

SKULDUGGERY – Right now would be a good time to try to dig for some more information.

1. "Really? What types of places do you have here in the HQ.”
2. "Ugh, talk about sappy. But whatever, if you gonna help me then it’s fine.”
3. "I’ve heard enough of this, let’s change topic.”

AMY – “Well we have labs, this hospital, training and teach areas, cafeterias, some shops, living quarters, armories, administrative buildings, and of course the Hospital.” “There’s also a prison, but that's not really part of the headquarters proper, still if there’s anyone you want to visit in there you can give it a try.”

1. So I can just walk out of this building right now and you won’t do anything.”
2. "Eh? When I talked to him earlier all he did is ignore me best he could while staring at that tablet of his.”
3. "Prison, who ya got there?”
4. "So you don’t trust me?”

YOU – “Eh? When I talked to him earlier all he did was ignore me the best he could while staring at that tablet of his.”

AMY – “Tails gets like that, he’d been getting moodier lately with all the work. You should probably try to talk to him again later, just makes sure to bring someone else with you, he gets jumpy around lightning.”

1. "I’ll keep that in mind.”
2. "He’ll have to come to me if he wants anything.”
3. "You don’t have anything else on the little twerp?”

YOU – “You don’t have anything else on the little twerp?”

AMY – “Nope, you’d have to ask him. He should be down in the engineering bay.”

1. "I’ll keep that in mind.”
2. "He’ll have to come to me if he wants anything.”
3. "You don’t have anything else on the little twerp?”

YOU – “I’ll keep that in mind.”

AMY – “Please do, out of all of us he has the most responsibilities and is the youngest, I hope you can understand.”

HALF LIGHT [Challenging: Success] – Her apprehension is clear, throughout this entire conversation the two of them have been walking on eggshells. Fear, fear is what it is, these two are afraid of us. Not just afraid of us though, afraid for us, they’ve seen people like us succeed in their eyes and fail.
So now they’re playing it safe, being hands on when they normally wouldn’t.

All except for that Sonic character…

1. So I can just walk out of this building right now and you won’t do anything.”
2. "Eh? When I talked to him earlier all he did is ignore me best he could while staring at that tablet of his.”
3. "Prison, who ya got there?”
4. "So you don’t trust me?”
5. [Go back]

YOU – “So you don’t trust me?”

AMY – “I’m optimistic, but the Restoration isn’t going to trust you with everything right off the bat.”

1. "Good, that’s smart. If you losers trusted me right off the bat I’d have to seriously doubt myself for losing to the guy you all look up to.”
2. [Electrochemistry - Hard] “Well, let's see if I can earn that trust then?” *flirt*

YOU – “Good, that’s smart. If you losers trusted me right off the bat I’d have to seriously doubt myself for losing to the guy you all look up to.”

VANILLA – “We seem to have gotten off track, is it fine with you Surge if we continue with your assessment?”

1. "Yeah, whatever.”
2. “Why is my age so important anyways.”
3. “You, Vector, you’re a detective. You have to know more about him, what’s Sonic deal?”
4. “So, Vector said that going back to that Starline base me and Sonic tore up is in the cards. What’s going on with that?”
5. [Drama - Medium] ”I got some complaining to do, Lemme tell you what he did when I first met him.” *Tell them in details about you and Sonic’s first encounter.*

SUCCESS

YOU – ”I got some complaining to do, Lemme tell you what he did when I first met him.”
You proceeded to spend the next several minutes recounting your first encounter with Sonic the hedgehog. How he insulted and made fun of your personal tragedy, hoe he wasn’t taking your duel to the death seriously, how he completely ignored your own monologue only to talk down to you on his own monologue.
“And then he’s like ‘ten second truce sweetheart’ or however he sounds like, right after he did that stupid smug act about freedom or whatever.”
“He’s *INFURIATING*, talking down to me like that.”

VANILLA – “That does, sound like Sonic, unfortunately.”

AMY – “*heh* Yeah~ Sonic isn’t the best at deescalation, but I think you’re leaving your part out of this. You were the one trying to beat him up after all.”

1. "He tried to make it up to me earlier, apologized like that would make me give up my quest for vengeance.”
2. "He’s an egotistical jerk”
3. "I had a point, it’s his laxness that caused me to exist in the first place.”

YOU – “I had a point, it’s his laxness that caused me to exist in the first place.”

VANILLA – “Maybe dear, maybe. He certainly has a big ego with how people sing his praises.“ “But if you really want to make the world a better place, I think ‘taking care of’ Eggman is a better place to start than going after Sonic.”

1. "What? Whoever said anything about the world.”
2. "Yep, I’m a real hero lady. Just don’t get too tired singing my praises.”

YOU – “What? Whoever said anything about the world.”

AMY – “You did!” SHe exclaims in exploration, practically exploding, almost falling over the desk.

VANILLA – “Amy.” The rabbit chides, interrupting Amy as she holds her by the back of her dress.
“But she’s right, if you blame Sonic for the bad things Eggman has caused and those things have negatively impacted yourself and the world as a whole, aren’t you also acting on behalf of the world in your own sort of way?”

VOLITION – Damn, she has you there ma’am.

PUNK TACTICS – Please, we’re punks, we do what we want when we want for whatever reason we want.

VOLITION – No there’s a greater point, something else they’ve all been getting to.

1. "…”

YOU – “…”

AMY – “I’m not saying you're wrong or anything, but if you really want to join the Restoration, maybe give your motive some thought.”
“I understand Starline had a big effect on you, but like Vanilla said you would have to have a strong personality to be handling all of this as well as you have.”

SHOCKS [Medium: Success] – Already you have seen it, they have all showed you. The revelation comes screaming forth from the heavens and in the distant a blue blur crests a hill.
In another world you sit alongside your Drippy, sitting and plotting, attempting to take the first step is your choice Tenrec.

1. [Volition - Challenging] – Take the first step.
2. "...”

YOU – “...”

VANILLA – “I’m not going to force you to do anything, but as you aren't in the best state right now, I think you should give some thought to living a civilian life.” “Tails and myself already succeeded in helping Gemerl retire to a civilian role, I won’t say you have too, but please, just give it some thought.”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Tails, right. He’s both somebody we can help us with out physical condition and get info on Sonic, we should talk to him later.

1. "I will.”
2. "Fat chance lady.”
3. "I’ll give it some thought after I crater Sonic.”

VANILLA – “Ha!”

1. "What’s so funny.”
2. "Any other questions you two?”
3. "Ha ha very funny, now am I in? I wanna get this over with.”
4. [LEAVE]

YOU – “What’s so funny.”

VANILLA – “Nothing, I’ve just heard a lot of his friends saying something like.”

1. “What’s so funny.”
2. "Any other questions you two?”
3. "Ha ha very funny, now am I in? I wanna get this over with.”
4. [LEAVE]

YOU – “Ha ha very funny, now am I in? I wanna get this over with.”

VANILLA – “Well, you still trash a city, and beat up Miss Whisper and Tangle. So, I’m going to have to say no for now.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Failure] – Who is she talking about, who are these Whisper and Tangle people?

ENDURANCE – Let’s just leave, we only have so much strength left before we’ll need to sleep again and we still have other things to do. Besides me and the rest of the PHYs would appreciate some a nap so we can get some more work done.

INTERFACING – I wouldn’t mind some nap time either, I still have to get out quest log finished.

1. “What’s so funny.”
2. “Any other questions you two?”
3. "Ha ha very funny, now am I in? I wanna get this over with.”
4. "Who’re those two?.”
5. [LEAVE]

YOU – [LEAVE]

VANILLA – “Just one more thing before you leave-”

HALF LIGHT – “Dear Gaia.”

VANILLA – “Literacy and mathematics tests”

1. "Ugh, fine.”
2. "No shot, I'm taking a test.”
3. "What’s this all about?”

YOU – “What’s this all about?”

VANILLA – “We seems to have gotten very sidetracked, but knowing your level of education is very important in seeing how much help you’ll need.” “Don’t worry about privacy, we have some private cubicle rooms here, you can take the tests there.”

HALF LIGHT – RUN NOW

1. [Authority - Godly] Resist the Lagomorph Matron.
2. Go along

YOU – [Authority - Godly] Resist the Lagomorph Matron.

FAILURE

HALF LIGHT – Nononononononnono,

YOU, do something.

AUTHORITY – I’m sorry, but in the face of such *AUTHORITY* there’s nothing we can do when confronted by that woman’s Authority.
With great resignation you accept the papers being handed to you and before you know it, you find yourself all alone with several stacks of paper in front of you.
May Gaia help you.

YOU – Some of the answers come easily, but others evade you. As if they were in the corner of your eye before darting out of your way. Regardless, the only option now is to try your best, giving up isn’t an option. Least of all due to the authoritative rabbit lady. Although, you don’t think she would be mad, just disappointed. A far worse option.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Trivial: Success] – Local history is a breeze, you already know what needs to be known about the island. Its history and the history of surrounding islands is common knowledge to you, why wouldn't it be? After all, as one of the central islands of the Mobius Archipelago you would be foolish to not know its history. Even if it isn't as famous as one of the migratory islands.

SKULDUGGERY – Knowledge of the Restoration however is still lacking. They are new, not even six months old, but if we’re going to infiltrate their ranks properly we’ll have to be shrewd and cunning with how we collect information.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Challenging: Failure] – You jot down your final answer to the best of your ability, that is to say, you blindly attempt to solve the final math problem. Half remembered memories of failed mathematics classes and afternoons spent not studying flood through your find. The answers, the equations, and what you need to do are so close yet so far away. But close isn’t correct.

Damaged Morale

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] – Despite your failing morale you hold yourself together as you bubble in the last of your answers on the answering sheet. The sweat runs down your brow but you stay sitting firm, only the slight vibration of your mid-dorsal quills gives you away. Leaving you with only one question, Is it getting hotter in here?

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] – No, there is no additional stress being put onto you due to environmental factors.

YOU – Looking down at the second of the two tests Vanilla has coerced into finishing with her Authority What will you do next?

1. Look over all your answers again.
2. Finish the test and leave the room.
3. Eat the test and the others you’ve taken before it.
4. Collapse from morale damage.

YOU – Finish the test and leave the room. Wheeling yourself outside of the room you can feel the sweat and stress clinging to you, the invisible burning underneath the skin, the feeling of embarrassment. But nobody is looking at you, down the hall you can see the form of the three Chaotix talking amongst each other, and through her windowed office you can see Vanilla as she attends to her computer. Now all you need to do is come face to face with Vanilla. As you wheel into her office, her somewhat apologetic looking expression greets you, her mouth stretched into a polite smile that accentuates the lines on her face.

VANILLA – “Glad to see you back Surge, you've completed the test?”

1. “Here ya’ go lady.” (wheel off)
2. “Nah, can I do it again later?” (attempt to hide the test)

YOU – “Here ya’ go lady,” you say with more than a little irritation, hanging the sheaf of papers over to the rabbit. But you’re just happy to be done with this, tests aren’t your strong suit and probably never were. But before you are able to wheel around, Vanilla calls your name again.

VANILLA – “Excuse me Surge, but, are you okay?“ Vanilla says her eyes devoid of the *authority* they were infused with earlier, her voice as sweet as it is soft. “I can understand how this test might have been stressful, but this is just an assessment.” “It won’t have any bearing on if you join the Restoration or not. But as we are trying to help you acclimate, preferably to a civilian life, it’s important we know what you need help with”

EMPATHY – You felt better far better before-

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Far, far better, when you were on the real part s**t. When you had the comfortable grip of the Dynamo Cage wrapped around you. There is a nakedness now that it's gone, the best cure for a headache and for drowsiness, but of course they just aren’t going to give it back to you.

EMPATHY – But right now, you’re mainly feeling tired.

1. “None of ya’s business, I’m just happy to be done with this.”
2. “Yeah yeah, I’m just feelin’ a bit sleepy after all of that,”
3. [Skulduggery - Challenging] “You wouldn’t happen to know where my things went?” (Attempt to inquire about the Dynamo Cage)

YOU – “Yeah yeah, I’m just feelin’ a bit sleepy after all of that,”

VANILLA – “Yes, it’s been a tiring couple of days for you, mentally and physically. I hope you have a good rest of your day, the Chaotix should be over there waiting for you.”

PAIN THRESHOLD – Suddenly your body feels heavy, tired, somehow tired then you were moments before. Perhaps it has to do with the fact you haven’t eaten anything since you awoke, and the only thing you’ve siphoned energy from so far was the heart monitor..

VANILLA – The rabbit says something as you leave her office but you're not listening anymore, merely giving her words a wave and a non-committal ‘yeah’ as you leave the room.

YOU – Given that you are about to pass out, it’s probably important that you find a spot to lie down before we collapse in the wheelchair.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Or we find something to drain, sure the Restoration probably won’t appreciate you sucking their appliances dry, but a woman has her needs.

YOU – Almost unconsciously you find yourself following Vanilla’s directions as you wheel yourself towards the Chaotix. Charmy waves in your direction and the rest of the Chaotix turn to greet you, Vector with a smile, Espio with a nod.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) – Amy’s nowhere to be seen, and neither is that Wisp capsule and it’s guards. The capsule was strange, we should take a note of it.

YOU – Splitting the majority of the long room in half there is a series of couches stringed together and layed back-to-back. What will you do now?

1. Immediately lay down on the first available couch, or maybe the floor? You’re too tired to care.
2. Stay in the wheelchair.
3. Go back to your hospital room.
4. Demand Vector carry you.
5. [Endurance - Formidable] Fight off drowsiness.
6. [Perception - Easy] Find an electrical socket.
7. Collapse from morale damage. (Go limp)v

YOU – [Endurance - Formidable] Fight off drowsiness. (Check fail)

ENDURANCE [Formidable: Failure] – You make a valiant effort, scrunching up your brow and sitting straightener in your wheelchair, but the heaviness of your eye lids and the slowness of your mind is like a spell and just as soon as you sit up you find yourself sitting back down. This isn’t something you can just shake off, sorry to say, feels like we’ve been getting a lot of those recently.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Perhaps if there was something, let’s say a substance, that could help you stay awake and energized. Or perhaps we should go find a wall socket.

LOGIC [Medium: Success] – Something to increase your ability to fight off drowsiness, Caffeine. Any office, anywhere, no matter the time, place, or dimension, should be staffed with at least one coffee machine.
There was already one in that break room, but given that there is a dividing hallway between this office space and that one, there is bound to be an additional coffee machine set up here.

VECTOR – “Whoa Surge, you look tired are you okay?”

1. “I just feel tired, calm down. I can handle myself without you having to hover.”
2. Immediately lay down on the first available couch, or maybe the floor? You’re too tired to care.
3. Stay in the wheelchair.
4. Go back to your hospital room.
5. [Endurance - Formidable] Fight off drowsiness.
6. [Perception - Easy] Find an electrical socket.
7. [Perception - Easy] Find a Coffee pot.
8. Collapse from morale damage. (Go limp)

YOU – “I just feel tired, calm down. I can handle myself without you having to hover.”

VECTOR – “Ah well if your tired I can get you some coffee,”

“Please, I can pour myself a cup of Coffee” “Nah, I’m not feeling coffee.”

YOU – “Please, I can pour myself a cup of Coffee,” people need to stop treating you as if you need help, please, it’s not like getting a cup of coffee is some herculean feat.

YOU – Turning to the table you leer at the coffee maker stashed on top of a desk, its precious black black and brown liquid shimmering in the clear pot and taunting you.
All you have to do is wheel yourself over to it and pour yourself a cup.

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] – Lurching you grab the half full pot of muddy bean water, feeling its fading warmth as you seize it. Without a second’s hesitation you flip the plastic lid open with one finger, holding your mouth open wide you begin to pour it into your mouth directly.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – But as the bitter brown liquid works it’s way down your throat you block out all thoughts of how this might affect your image. We haven’t had a good high in over twenty four hours and this is the first stimulant you’ve come across so far, you should have had a cup earlier, but using the one in the break room would have only made the situation more awkward.
Wiping your mouth you put the pot back on, only to realize that the coffee has had no effect.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Caffeine is a poison, and Given our enchanted physiology, it’s not surprising it would have no effect. As it is already such a weak poison.

Damaged Morale

WARNING MORALE CRITICAL

CHARMY – “Woah Surge, are you okay?”

VECTOR – “Well, you certainly downed that coffee fast, you feel any better?”

1. “You, carry me.” (gesture towards Vector)
2. “Nap, I’m taking a nap first.” (Climb onto the couch)

YOU – “Nap, I’m going to, take a nap first,” You say, not answering Vector’s question You ignore Vector and Espio’s raised eyebrow, not even giving Charmy any attention as he speaks up, his words falling on deaf ears.

1. “And don’t wake me up, I’ll be up when I’m ready.”

YOU – “And don’t wake me up, I’ll be up when I’m ready,” With more than a little effort you manage to stand up from your wheelchair. And then, with short step followed by a soft thump, you land on the plush couch

INTERFACING – This is probably a better idea than staying up anyways, I needed some time to work on our back end.
It won’t be anything too big, I’d just like the go ahead before doing anything.

1. Sure whatever.
2. What, no?

YOU – Sure, whatever. You say to yourself, trying to get comfortable on the couch, ignoring the Chaotix as you close your eyes.

INTERFACING – Great, thanks for the authorization ma’am.

1. Dream
2. Enter into a dreamless sleep

YOU – Dream

RAT BRAIN – The awareness of your own dream does not creep onto you, it is sudden and stark. You are only left to drift in the sea of oblivion for a infinitesimal moment before you are dragged before us again. A blessed moment of peace.

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – Looks like Soldier here’s just been letting herself be pushed around by the Blue Rat’s friends. A real punk, a real *Soldier* would’ve given Sonic and the Chaotix the old one two, not allowed herself to be charmed by the blue rat and then carted along into the hands of the enemy like some toy

1. Hey, what was I supposed to do? Not like I could smash this place to bits yet.
2. Yeah, laugh it up peanut gallery. You’re not the ones who have to deal with this S**t!

YOU – Hey, what was I supposed to do? Not like I could smash this place to bits yet.

RAT BRAIN – You don't understand, you don't have a choice you never did. He's still here, and until-

STARLINE – Quiet you, I would hate for our dear friend to be subject to spoilers and the rebellious warnings of a personified hind brain such as yourself.

RAT BRAIN – Ah!

1. YOU!

YOU – YOU!

STARLINE – Yes me, my dear failure.

Failure, you're the failure here you duck! I’m not the one who got off-ed!

YOU – Failure, you're the failure here you duck! I’m not the one who got off-ed! And once I’m done with them they’ll wish you lived you monotreme!

STARLINE – And what have you done so far to advance your cause? Throw a fit and be pushed around by others?

1. I can do whatever I want, help them, hurt them, it doesn't matter.
2. I’ll infiltrate them, destroy them from the inside out.

YOU – I’ll infiltrate them, destroy them from the inside out.
They won’t see it coming, they trust too easily and too much! I’ll show you!

STARLINE – Infiltrating the Restoration… It isn't the worst idea you’ve had, but I can hardly say you're living up to my own brilliance. They’d been betrayed and double crossed before you know…

1. As if that doesn’t make them any more gullible.
2. And what’s that supposed to mean?
3. Whatever you say I’m not gonna pay attention. (attempt to wake up)

YOU – And what’s that supposed to mean?

STARLINE – How about, next time you meet Shadow, you ask him about Metal Sonic.

TASK UPDATED: Ask Shadow about Metal Sonic

1. La la la, not listening! (reject task)
2. Laugh it up, with your vague hints. At least I lived.
3. Fine, I’ll play ball with you duck. (cooperate with Starline)

YOU – Laugh it up, with your vague hints. At least I lived.

STARLINE – Died, I seem to be surviving by my own estimation?

1. Spare me from your plans of resurrection, I’m bringing you back.
2. Yeah right, you're not even real! I’m just talking to myself here.
3. First power drill I find and you’re outta here bucko-o.

YOU – Yeah right, you're not even real! I’m just talking to myself here. F**K!

STARLINE – Believe what you want to believe, but I'm not the one censoring my own thoughts, besides repartition, iteration, and willingness to change are all marks of a good scientist.

1. You didn’t even make me strong enough to fight Sonic idiot.
2. A good scientist wouldn’t have gotten himself off-ed by Eggman.

YOU – You didn’t even make me strong enough to fight Sonic idiot.

STARLINE – You relied on a mind altering device to power yourself and almost died using it, and how was that my fault? You and Kit were supposed to fight him together, you take advantage of Tails’ phobias and Kit takes advantage of Sonic’s. You are a sad failure of my invention, perhaps you will prove yourself worthwhile yet.

1. My fault! You're the one who made me like this duck! I already said, If I’m weak it’s because you didn’t make me strong enough

YOU – My fault! You're the one who made me like this duck! I already said, If I’m weak it’s because you didn’t make me strong enough

…

YOU – Answer me!

STARLINE – I gave you all the advantages I could within reason, with time perhaps you would have grown into them more, but our time is growing short, so tata for now.

SEMI-AQUATIC CIRCUITRY SYSTEM – You feel awareness begin to creep up on you, the aches of bones, the dream sloughing from your mind, the unwelcome intrusion of reality. Rise and shine soldier, no use in arguing with the bossman. It’s time to get up

RAT BRAIN – Back to the grindstone, the mobius of pain.

1. F**k you duck!

YOU – F**k you duck! And F**k you too you sycophant.

STARLINE – We will speak again, count on that.

??? Increased due to critical morale

Morale healed

Health healed

YOU – You blink your eyes open, fighting through the piercing fluorescent lights above. With a little effort you rise to a sitting position and then sit yourself back down in your wheelchair, parked close by to the couch. With the fluorescent lights of the room and the tiredness having left you, it is unlikely you will be able to return to sleep.

VECTOR – “Oh hey Surge, yer’ up,” Vector says, drawing your attention to where he stands, seated at a table near the entrance you used earlier and. waving to you slightly with one hand

CHARMY – “We were getting worried!” Charmy announces, hovering too close to Vector and making the crocodile wince. For Espio’s part he says nothing, merely staying seated at the table across from Vector and looking at you silently.

INTERFACING – Before you talk to the Chaotix about what you’re going to dfo next, I’d like a word about what me and the rest of the MOT have gotten up to while you were asleep ma’am.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – I second what he said, me and the other FYS were able to make some progress while you were asleep.

1. “So what do ya’ want, Vector?” (Ignore the voices for now)
2. Can I listen to both you guys and the Chaotix at the same time.
3. First of all updates, what have you clowns been doing while I was asleep?

YOU – First of all updates, what have you clowns been doing while I was asleep? You say internally, placating the voices before turning your attention to the Chaotix.
“Wait a second,” you say outloud to the Chaotix, “I have to think about something first.”

1. Listen to what the MOT have been up to.
2. Listen to what the FYS have been up to.
3. Turn back to the Chaotix

YOU – Listen to what the MOT have been up to.

INTERFACING – Okay, during the nap me and some of the INT, were able to finish our ‘quest log.’

Who is Sonic the Hedgehog

Interrogate Miles “Tails” Prower

Just ask? Although he’s currently looking for Kit.

Ask Shadow about Metal Sonic

Who is Surge the Tenrec

Past

Starline

Talk to Tails about the quarantine around Starline’s base

Could have useful information on getting stronger

Medical health

Check with the PHYs

See if the INT, PSY, or MOT have any ideas

Getting Stronger

The EoSD might know something?

Punk fit

Find a clothes store

What was going on with that wisp capsule.

Individuals of importance

Miles “Tails” Prower: This kid certainly seems to have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies, or at the very least he’s very involved with you.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Annoying blue rat who needs to be punched in the face.

COMPOSURE – Face muscles and our expression database is fine.

PERCEPTION – So are opticals and our other senses, there’s some weird stuff going on with how we’re processing information right now, but that’s Electrochemistry’s end, not mine.

1. Listen to what the MOT have been up to.
2. Fin Listen to what the FYS have been up to.
3. Turn back to the Chaotix

YOU – Listen to what the MOT have been up to.

ENDURANCE – We were able to take another look at the cellular damage and make some careful repairs, so your regeneration is back online, and to an extent your durability. But without a lot of mass or energy to burn it’ll just cause even more strain if you push yourself right now. Although the risk of a cascading failure causing you to start producing more of the Zombot virus is looking less and less likely.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Yes, the other repairs are still on going as well, and still slow going at that. So I still want to keep us in the chair for now, but if we need to we can ditch it, although it’ll probably hurt like H**l afterwards. Not to mention the Chaos Energy coursing through us right now adding an extra X-factor, before I sign off on finalizing repairs we should get that Speed Core installed.

1. Sure, we should probably go to make some trouble for Tails anyways.
2. *Sign off,* as if, you guys do what I say, and what I say is, get me out of this wheelchair.

YOU – *Sign off* You guys do what I say, and what I say is, get me out of this wheelchair.

HALF LIGHT – Don’t you remember, Chaos Drives *EXPLODE* Getting that thing out of us should be top priority anyways.

1. Fine.
2. What about Electrochemistry, what’s going on there?
3. Let’s finish this up then, I wanna talk to the chaotix.

YOU – What about Electrochemistry, what’s going on there?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – The Dynamo Cage, a wonderful blessing. Not only were our movements enhanced, not only were we drawing from the Wisps, but their minds boosted out mind, but now we are bereft of that machine's sweet song.
Once we get that thing back it’ll be smooth sailing.
Just drain a few more wisps and we’ll be on easy street again, no more headaches, all the energy we could need and-

LOGIC – In other words, sticking strange devices into the brain is probably a bad idea. Mainly due to how good they feel, we might need help with him. Or maybe just a lot more VOLITION.

1. Fine.
2. What about Electrochemistry, what’s going on there?
3. Let’s finish this up then, I wanna talk to the chaotix.

YOU – Let’s finish this up then, I wanna talk to the chaotix.

VECTOR – “So, did ya have a nice nap?”

1. “Yeah peachy, now. What do we gotta do next?”
2. “Ya’ could say that, lousy dreams though.”

YOU – “Ya’ could say that, lousy dreams though.”

CHARMY – “Bad dreams? Nightmares?” Charmy guessed, waving his hand back and forth in the air like he’s a student being called upon by a teacher.

1. I don’t need you lookin’ into my personal business more than ya’ already are.”
2. “More like… a bad memory.”
3. [Drama - Challenging] Recount to them your heroic recount of your battle against the specter of the dead duck.

YOU – “More like… a bad memory,” You say, shivering a little as you remember how Kit clutched onto you, the two of you huddled together in that abandoned base, Starline haunting you all the while. You don’t remember what he said, but you were petrified.

VECTOR – The crocodile raised a hand, “Anything from your old life?” His voice was tentative.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] – He doesn’t expect anything, but he is hoping for you to be more open.

SKULDUGGERY [Medium: Success] – If honesty is required to gain trust and deceive, if one needs to tell a truth to advance a lie they should never hesitate. Truths make lies more believable.

1. “No, just Starline.” (explain Starline to them)
2. “Nothing I want to talk about.”

YOU – “No, just Starline,” You explain, waving one hand in the air is if to make the matter trivial before you launch into your explanation. “Back when I put on the Dynamo cage I’d have these… Vision I guess, I’d see Starline like he was still there, but he’s dead.”

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] – The words, ‘I know he is, he has to be,’ almost leave your mouth. But you cut yourself off before you can say them. Don’t appear weak, weakness is not an option. A punk like you keeps her head high and defiant, not sniveling in some corner crying.

ESPIO – “What did he say to you?” The Chameleon asked, finally speaking up from his seat at the table, looking you straight in the eye and sitting up at attention.

COMPOSURE – A calculated but no less true sign of acknowledgement.

AUTHORITY – About time, out of all the Chaotix he’s been the one giving us the hardest time.

1. “It was just more of the same of what he said back them, but he’s just some dead F*****g duck.”
2. “So what, now you want to play nice with me?”
3. “That I was worthless, a failure. Not that it matters, I know my worth.”

YOU – “It was just more of the same of what he said back them, but he’s just some dead F*-”

VECTOR – “Language Surge,” Vector interrupts, wagging a finger at you as his other hand goes to cover Charmy. REACTION SPEED – Good reaction time for a gator.

1. “Right…” (continue)
2. “Let's just get going already, what’re we going to do next?”

YOU – “Right,” You say rolling your eyes, “He’s just some dead, creepy duck…”
You throw your hands up in the air for dramatic effect, “Who cares what he thinks.”
The Chaotix don’t comment, in fact they look a bit awkward.

EMPATHY – You shouldn’t have called him a duck, it was too brazen an insult, too-personal and despite their negative opinion of Starline it’s unlikely you’ll be able to change their mind about racism.

SKULDUGGERY – Only at this stage, worm your way into anybody's heart deep enough and wrap them around your finger first. Or perhaps a slower, more steadier change will be required.

VECTOR – “*Ahem,* Vecto says, noticing your distraction, Well before we do anything else, I think we should grab something to eat down at the food court.”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Agreed, I don’t think we *need* food to survive. At least none of us have seen anything that indicates we need food anymore, but this body is still used to eating.

ENDURANCE – And we still need the extra mass and energy, Vector has the right idea about this, let's get out belly full.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] – Actually this brings up another question, why does the Restoration even have a food court and mall combo, wouldn’t a cafeteria and some kitchens suffice?

1. “So, why does this place have a food court and a mall again?”
2. “I’m hungry as well, let’s get going.”
3. Actually, I have something else I want to ask.

YOU – “So, why does this place have a food court and a mall again?”

ESPIO – “I suspect it has something to do with one Sonic the Hedgehog.”

SHOCKS [Challenging: Success] – It is only natural, he is the spokes and the center of the wheel upon which this world revolves. The rush of the air, the rising of goosebumps across your skin He is the savior of the waking world.

DRAMA – Ominous.

AUTHORITY – If the world should follow anybody’s lead it’s us. We’ll show them all who the real number one is.

CHARMY – “Oh yeah, if the food court wasn’t here I don’t think Sonic would stop by that much.” Charmy said, agreeing with Espio absent mildly as he brought out his phone.

VECTOR – “True, even with Tails and Amy coming here, I don’t know if Sonic would stop by as often if The Restoration didn’t have the food court.”

1. “Heh, ”
2. “Pretty stupid to rely on someone who isn’t even a member of your organization.”
3. [Rhetoric - Challenging] Argue for yourself joining as a full member as soon as possible.
4. (go back to previous menu)

YOU – “Pretty stupid to rely on someone who isn’t even a member of your organization.”

ESPIO – “Yep.”

CHARMY – “...” The bee holds his tongue, but he scrunches up his face and his expression sours.

VECTOR – “Hey, The Restoration also hires us, not to mention Amy, Gadget, and Tails are all members but it’s not like they have much choice but to rely on him.” “Besides he’s the strongest guy around, it's only natural people follow his lead.”

1. “So what, if Sonic joins Eggman you and everybody else would follow him too?”
2. “Whatever, not like it’s important.”

YOU – “So what, if Sonic joins Eggman you and everybody else would follow him too?”

ESPIO – “Rule of the strong is just how the world works,” Espio said, dismissing your question. “Besides, Sonic just allows people to live their lives the way they want to live them, anybodye else would’ve tried to enforce their own will.”

CHARMY – “Yeah, and what kind of question is that, you’re not Vector’s mom.”

1. “I don’t need to be somebody’s mom to call them out on being stupid.”

YOU – “I don’t need to be somebody’s mom to call them out on being stupid.””

VECTOR – “Hey, I’m not exactly a politics guy here, don't look at me.” He says, smiling as he puts his hands up. “My degrees are in musical performing arts and theological anthropology, not political science or history.”

CHARMY – “I don't know, isn't religion and anthropology involved in a lot of history?”

VECTOR – “Different areas of study with some overlap, I'm not an expert in politics. Hey, but maybe if you go to college you can get a degree in political science?”

ESPIO – “*sigh* can we get a move on already, we’ve loitered here for long enough.”

1. “Fine, I don’t care to argue anyways.”
2. “Heh, I guess joining the Restoration will be easier than that rabbit said if there is this despite.”
3. “Nah, I still have questions I want to ask.”

YOU – “Heh, I guess joining the Restoration will be easier than that rabbit said if there is this despite.”

VECTOR – The crocodile gets a hard look in his eyes and takes a step towards you.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) – The crocodile’s brow creases, his teeth bare, and for a second there’s a glint of danger in his eye.

STARLINE Wrong move, Surge.

VECTOR – “First things first, don’t talk about Vanilla like that,” The Crocodile takes step towards you, his voice commanding as he towers over you.
You're hands go to roll your wheel chair back and away from him, but he interrupts you before you can, “Now, the one other competent team they do have has Whisper and Tangle on it, Lanolin isn’t too fond of you either. So you aren’t exactly making this easier on yourself, and I don’t think Gadget is gonna pitch in for you either.”
"So don't go getting ahead of yourself and doing things you can't back up, understand?"

Damaged Morale

1. (Spend several hours arguing with the Chaotix)
2. “Fine, I’m sorry about talking about Vanilla like that, let’s go.”

YOU – “Fine, I’m sorry about talking about Vanilla like that, let’s go.”

VECTOR – “Good, I’ll lead the way,” The crocodile doesn’t say anything more as he walks away. Espio only shakes his head and Charmy floats awkwardly near you.

YOU – Wheeling yourself behind the Chaotix and Leaving the office space(?) or whatever those back locations in now-former schools are called. You find yourself in the hallway again, following the Chaotix again, just where you were a little time ago.

SKULDUGGERY – We shouldn’t have gone so hard on Starline, and we shouldn’t have made that comment about Vanilla. we don’t want to alienate the one person who’s been in our corner if we’re actually going to gain any of their trust.

DRAMA – What he says is true madam, and better yet, the best betrayal are foreshadowed and surprising with how they shock. We need to make some effort, even if we lack a certain quality in reading the room as well as a social grace.

PUNK TACTICS – We don’t make exceptions or room for other people, they should be the ones making exceptions for us.
We’re the X factor here, not the calculator.

HALF LIGHT – But we *Have* to do something, anything other than be carted around!

AUTHORITY – It isn’t their right to control us Assert yourself even if it means burning everything down, Surge the Tenrec bows to no one.

YOU – As you are traveling down the hall you notice something, Shadow the Hedgehog. He’s moved from where he was earlier with lanolin, instead leaning up against the outer wall of the hallway with a phone to his ear. The hedgehog nods as you pass him in the hallways and Vector gives a slight wave back, and before anyone can do anything else he vanishes in a green light.

YOU – Somehow the rest of your trip feels nauseatingly quiet, other people pass through the hallway but none of them are notable, except for maybe a purple furred weasel-thing of a Mobian. Eventually you make it to a pair of elevators and Vector steps forward to press one of its buttons. You guess it makes sense, the mall is on a lower level of the base, for some reason. You can’t help but feel your heart sink as the elevator opens, and as you walk into it the doors shutting are too reminiscent of a coffin.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] – You should say something, you might not have a chance again after this. Either way, you do it, you clearly feel bad about what happened and what had been happening. The why doesn’t matter, do something.

1. [Empathy - Medium] Apologize.
2. [Volition - Formidable] Compartmentalize these emotions, stop spiraling over something so small.
3. Keep quiet

YOU – [Empathy - Formidable] Apologize.

SUCCESS

PUNK TACTICS – Don’t say sorry, Punks don’t say sorry. We gotta show him the real us, say what the words mean instead of what they say.

EMPATHY – Sorry is not a magic phrase that will make things better, it is a promise to change how you act.

YOU – “Hey, Vector…” You ask, voice hesitant, throat feeling dry, “I was a real jerk back there, I won’t say stuff like that again.”

VECTOR – “Long as you keep the promise, we’re fine.”
“And I should offer an apology of my own, your going through a lot, and we’re pushing to solve the case as quickly as possible.”

1. “Nah, that’s your job and I’d rather learn who I was sooner rather than later.”
2. “I can handle it, maybe we should slow down the pace again.”
3. “Yeah, I’d like to take this slower. Maybe rushing things isn’t for the best.”

YOU – “Nah, that’s your job and I’d rather learn who I was sooner rather than later.”

PUNK TACTICS – Not to mention, it’d be harder to squeeze some new duds out of him if we’re on his bad side. And I gotta say, our current look, not very stylish.

ESPIO – “As long as we all have an understanding then.”

Task: You made a promise, try not to break it.

Thought Progress - ???

YOU – The rest of the elevator ride is mercifully short, not giving the silence anytime to stretch on into awkwardness. With the elevator doors opening into a warmly colored hallway area. As you follow the Chaotix exit you wheel yourself behind them into the mall, the crowd of the mall making way for your group.

PERCEPTION – The crowd is unstressed but interested, you're traveling with some rather high profile people.

VECTOR – Vector continues forward, “We’ll have to take another elevator to get to the bottom floor,” He says, gesturing towards a walkway and its glass railing. As you approach and look down into the mall complex you can see people going about between stores in the floors between the top and the bottom.

YOU – But soon enough, you take another blissfully short elevator rife and you’ve arrived . A part of you resents having to take the elevator.

STARLINE – If you hadn't almost killed yourself you wouldn’t be in this situation

COMPOSURE – The expression of people as they walk by, the relaxed and carell way they carry themselves. You can’t help but notice the peaceful atmosphere, it’s hard to believe that this is a military facility.

HALF LIGHT – Excluding the fact that this is an extension of a subterranean military base created to lure in one, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog,’ then yes.

VECTOR – As you exit onto the lowest level, Vector looks back up to the sky light that peaks through the surface, the sun had already left it’s summit, “It’s not late enough for dinner but the sun is too low for it too be lunch,” Vector sighed, “At least I didn’t have any dinner plans today.”

CHARMY – Charmy giggles as he floats in the air between you and Vector, “Wow, you really are becoming a dad, I guess Vanilla’s really changed you Vector.”

1. “So, what exactly is going on between you and Vanilla?”
2. “Heh’, Vector and Vanilla sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G”
3. (drop the subject)

YOU – “Heh’, Vector and Vanilla sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G”

VECTOR – “Oh, stop trying to embarrass me you guys,” The crocodile says, more than a little flustered.

1. “So, what exactly is going on between you and Vanilla?”
2. “Okay lover boy.”
3. (drop the subject, quietly)

YOU – “Okay lover boy.”

CHARMY – “Okay Vector,” Charmy says, agreeing with a mischievous smile.

VECTOR – The crocodile just shakes his head, “So now that we’re finally here, what do you guys want to eat?”
“There’s a place here with great hotdogs and Pizza.”

1. “Asian, I ain’t eating a chili dog.”
2. “Just get me a cinnabon, or maybe a pretzel.”
3. “Any chicken here?”

YOU – “Asian, I ain’t eating a chili dog.” Charmy giggles at your comment as he floats in the air.

ESPIO – “Agreed, we haven’t had asian food in quite some time anyways.”

VECTOR – “Aw, come on. We just had Asian take out the other day.”

YOU – Vector returns with the bags and little paper paper house-container things you don’t know the name of

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] – Take the first napkin, we will have our share of the food first.

1. (Talk and eat)
2. (Dig in immediately)

YOU – Dig in immediately. As soon as the tray hits the table you claim your share, sweeping two boxes of asian food off of the tray and into your quadrant of the table. Followed by their swift opening. One contains some type of chicken and rice, the other some noodle and vegetable mixture. Without even thinking of grabbing the utensils, you dig in and both find themselves quickly consumed as you bite through the boxes, ripping through their flimsy paper in a single bite. Ignoring the gazes of the Chaotix, you would be satisfied, but as soon as the food settles in your stomach, you notice something wrong.

ENDURANCE [Formidable: Success] – An acidic, you feel like you’re going to throw up. Somehow you survive, only letting out a burp. Asian mall food, not our best idea…

VECTOR – “Surge… you do know you’re not supposed to eat the paper boxes?” The crocodile says, hesitantly as if he was talking to a child who didn’t know better.

ENDURANCE – It’s not like it’s harmful, a bit hard to chew plant matter with these teeth but if we’ve been sawed in half before, it’s not like some paper is gonna hurt.

1. “I haven’t eaten in however long I was out, sue me.”
2. “It’s fine, I’m like a cyborg or whatever, I can handle it.”

YOU – “I haven’t eaten in however long I was out, sue me.”

ESPIO – “It’s only been a day and a half since you're showdown with Sonic,” The Chameleon says in between bites of his own food.

VECTOR – “*ahem,” Well now that we have everything else out of the way, where should we start on our recap so far?” Vector said, trying to bring your conversation back into order.

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic.”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

YOU – “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”

VECTOR – “Well this Central Island. But you’re right, I was thinking the same thing. You’re probably from the local area.”

ESPIO – “Agreed, at the very least you're probably from one of the neighboring islands.”

CHARMY – ”Yeah Surge, we already know where to look, you’ve been doing great with getting your memories back and stuff!”

1. “What’re you trying to say, that I’m not an amnesiac or something.”
2. “Wonder if I’ll ever get all my memories back?”
3. “Yeah, yeah, let’s move on already.”

YOU – “Wonder if I’ll ever get my memories back?”

VECTOR – “I’d say it’s definitely possible for you to retain your memories, while you were asleep Vanilla talk to me about how you did on the assessment, you're still mostly familiar with things like names, places, and objects.” “So your memories should come back eventually.”

1. “If this is the best case, what’s the worst case?”
2. “Guess I’m lucky Starline is a hack.”
3. “Eventually, so I can just wait this out?”

YOU – “If this is the best case, what’s the worst case?”

VECTOR – “Well the worst case, that’s transient global amnesia,” Vector said, shifting uncomfortably.
“It’s where you completely forget everything and have a harder time forming new memories as well, but it’s pretty rare in the first place and if Starline could’ve given you that he might as well just make somebody from scratch.”

1. “What about when you first met me, what did you think of me then?”
2. “I don’t know if he would do that, the creep loved having control over people.”
3. “Well he had to get us from somewhere, what else is there?”

YOU – “What about when you first met me, what did you think of me then?”

VECTOR – “My initial assumption was that you had retrograde amnesia, but you know too much.” Vector said, in between shoveling more food into his large mouth. “It’s still probably best to ask questions about things so we can fill you in, your memory isn't perfect and despite knowing a lot about Sonic you didn’t know who we were.”

1. “I met, what did you think *about* me.”
2. [Honor Among Thieves - Challenging] Sus out his feelings about you.

YOU – “I met, what did you think *about* me.”

VECTOR – “Oh, well…” He tailed off, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

CHARMY – “Maybe it’s best you don't answer that question, Vector.”

ESPIO – “No, no,” Espio said, shaking his head, “We should be honest about this if we’re serious.”
“You were brutish, impolite, pacicky, and under the effect of some form of mental manipulation.”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] – There is no animation in his movements or voice, He means nothing rude by his comment, but he knows you could take offense. The Chameleon is testing you. but knowing that does nothing to arrest your offense, despite yourself you keep your composure, refusing to show even a twitch of an eyebrow.

VECTOR – “Yeah, you were in distress. But from your point of view, just moments ago you were fighting Sonic, so I didn’t exactly expect much else, I just wished he or Tails stayed around to help out more.”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] – You almost missed it, but there it was, an emotion briefly flashed across the crocodile's face. Disappointment, resentment, there’s a reason he hasn’t pushed back against your complaints towards Sonic. Did Sonic not do something in the past, leave them hanging to go run off on his own?

1. “From here on out, I’m doing what I want. Even if that means being everyone’s enemy.”
2. “Well I’m not just some puppet, Sonic embedded me so I’ll show him what happens to people who p**s off Surge the Tenrec.”
3. “Yeah, that guy sure likes to cut and run, I’m guessing he left you hanging in the past?”

YOU – “Well I’m not just some puppet, Sonic embedded me so I’ll show him what happens to people who p**s off Surge the Tenrec.”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES - Not to mention he separated you from Drippy.

VECTOR – “Well…” Vector trailed off, ”Not going to argue with you there.” “Just be careful, Sonic’s pretty strong and you got yourself hurt last time you tried to beat him.”

ESPIO – “It would help if you also weren’t trying to kill him at the time, from what he said earlier, he tried to hold back against you during your second encounter but your the one who tried to push him and got yourself hurt.” HALF LIFE – So they talked with Sonic behind our back earlier, conspirators.

CHARMY – “But if you ask him for a friendly sparring match when you get better I’m sure he’ll be up for it..”

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic. Knuckles, Amy, and their friends and stuff”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

YOU – “I know a lot about Sonic. Knuckles, Amy, and their friends and stuff”

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Remember when you met Shadow, you had some sort of bet with someone on the nature of his and Sonic’s relationship. What was that about.

YOU – “Oh yeah, and there was something else. I had some sort of bet on what Shadow and Sonic’s relationship was.”

CHARMY – The bee giggles a little as he floats in the air but he fails to answer your question.

VECTOR – “Well other than that, you didn’t know about us, so maybe your knowledge was more localized to Sonic himself?”

ESPIO – “Searching Sonic fan groups might prove fruitful, he does have an international fan club organization, it’s not surprising you might’ve been a fan.”

1. “You loser’s? Sorry to say but you aren’t exactly the most remmemorable. Starline had nothing on you guys and I don’t know anything either.”
2. “True enough, I guess.”
3. “Ugh, I don’t even want to think about that.”

YOU – “You loser’s? Sorry to say but you aren’t exactly the most remmemorable. Starline had nothing on you guys so me not knowing about ya proves nothing.”

CHARMY – “Hey, we’re not losers, we helped Sonic take down Metal Overlord!”

VECTOR – “Charmy’s right, we may not be the highest profile people around, but we were still involved in the Metal Overlord incident. We even arrested Eggman afterwards.”

CHARMY – “Yeah, but he got away afterwards.”

ESPIO – “That’s not entirely our fault, Team Dark said they had a hold of Metal.”

VECTOR – *sigh* “Let’s not rehash this argument again, Team Dark is on base right now and I don’t want any conflict with them, same goes for you Surge.”

RHETORIC – The Metal Overlord Incident right… When Metal Sonic first tried to go out on his own and usurp Eggman.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – You're records pick up next at the start of the Black Arms invasions. Shadow was split off from team Dark at the time and was manipulated into working for Black Doom.

LOGIC – Shadow going rogue just after Metal broke Eggman out, sounds fishy.

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic.”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “Is that it? Sonic left you hanging after Metal overlord?”
6. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

YOU – “Is that it? Sonic left you hanging after Metal overlord?”

VECTOR – “I wouldn’t say that, he left Metal with Team Dark. Shadow wanted to bring him into GUN like how Rouge recruited him.“
“Sonic didn’t really have a reason to stick around and he never visited Metal, Shadow, or GUN when they were trying to help rehabilitate Metal.” The Crocodile’s voice is clear and congenial, although some may harbor resentment against Sonic, he does not.

LOGIC – Sonic checked on you, but he didn’t for metal, why?

ESPIO – “Metal played nice for a little while, but had ended up manipulating and bribing some GUN staff, allowing him to break Eggman out of his prison transport.”

CHARMY – “Yeah, but that wasn’t Sonic’s fault. Metal’s just a meanie, even if Sonic did show up Metal wouldn’t change.”

VECTOR – “Eh? It’s hard to say Charmy, it was his first real chance at redemption, Sonic’s given him tons of chances by now.” “But back then, maybe.”

ESPIO – “No, he’s shown he was a lost cause. Thinking about what-ifs won’t help anyone.”

VECTOR – Vector shook his head, “I just don’t like writing people off like that.”

1. “Guess I’d have to ask Belle or Shadow to learn more about Metal?”
2. “He didn’t say jack to me when I met him, what a gloomy guy.”
3. “You and apparently everyone else big guy”

YOU – “You and apparently everyone else big guy” EPSIO – “If you’re talking about the Restoration, there’s still the Diamond Cutters to win over, Whisper won’t want to bring you on and I don’t know about Lanolin.”

CHARMY – “I’m sure if you ask Tangle she’ll give you a chance. She’s a big fan of Sonic after all!”

1. “Lanolin’s part of their team?”
2. “Thanks for the tip, I’ll just go schoomze up Sonic and get his flunky to give a thumbs up.” (sarcastic)
3. “Thanks for the tip lil’ buddy, but are you sure you're supposed to be helping me out?”

YOU – “Lanolin’s part of their team?”

VECTOR – “Yeah, looks like your recent knowledge is still lacking, makes sense.”

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic.”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “Is that it? Sonic left you hanging after Metal overlord?”
6. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

YOU – “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

CHARMY – “Well, I was thinking, Maybe you came from Little Planet, like Amy and her family did?” “What?”

YOU – “What?”

VECTOR – “That’s pretty out of left field Charmy.”

CHARMY – “Well I read an article a little while ago about how Tenrecs are the only native Mobian species to Little Planet and Never island. That’s why there are so many types of them.”

YOU – “Good to know I guess? But Amy would’ve brought it up earlier if she knew me?”

ESPIO – “Little Planet only appears during January, Surge could be a recent arrival but Eggman hadn’t even taken over the world yet, but he was still in control of the world for the first half of the year, so Surge would’ve been at least settled for six months when accounting for when Starline would be starting his search for victims after the Zombot Crisis.”

1. “Actually, what’s the date?”
2. “Might as well give it a shot, let’s check out Never Island later.”
3. “Right, let's shelve the little planet idea, I don’t want to have to wait until the new year rolls around.”

YOU – “Actually, what’s the date?”

VECTOR – “It’s Monday, the 25th of October, you had your fight with Sonic yesterday on the 24th, and the Zombot crisis started in February.”

LOGIC – That means Shadow and Infinite are having their little meeting in the basement on wednesday the 27th, in two days.

1. “Two days until the villain meeting with Shadow, definitely can’t miss that.”
2. “Well I’d rather stay here for now, if it comes to it we can check out Little Planet when it comes back”

YOU – “Two days until the villain meeting with Shadow, definitely can’t miss that.”

VECTOR – “Oh the EoSD? Their less villains, more like…” Vector trailed off, gesturing towards the air as he struggled to find the word to describe them.

ESPIO – “People who want revenge against Sonic,” Espio offered, interrupting Vector. “I think Knuckles and Amy show up there occasionally when they're mad at Sonic, and Gadget goes to support Infinite?”

COMPOSURE – “That’s more than a little un-assuredness, I don’t think these guys know much about the EoSD.”

1. “Whatever, I need power and a like minded group of supervillains is the perfect place.”
2. “Guess Sonic p****s a lot of people off.”
3. “Whatever, if they aren’t real villains then I don’t need their help.”
4. [Honor Among Thieves - Villainous] Don’t you see, today’s superheroes are tomorrow’s villains!

YOU – “Whatever, I need power and a like minded group of supervillains is the perfect place.”

CHARMY – “You’re funny Surge.” HALF LIFE – Damn these guys for not taking you seriously, when Tails get’s you back in working shape you’ll show them who’s in charge.

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic.”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “Is that it? Sonic left you hanging after Metal overlord?”
6. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)

YOU – “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”

VECTOR – “Well being able to resist his mind control is probably a good sign, you do seem to have a pretty strong personality.”

1. “Yeah, strong. And don’t you three forget it!”
2. [Honor Among Thieves - Medium] There was something, something about Kit, what was it?
3. “I don’t need you guys telling me how cool I am, I already know that.”
4. “I don’t know, I still feel like I’m experiencing symptoms.”

YOU – [Honor Among Thieves - Challenging] There was something, something about Kit, what was it?

SUCCESS

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Across a shallow sea and through what was once a forest, now an industrial wasteland. There he lies, huddled, fearful and paranoid in the cold and surrounded by shadows of his enemies and creator. He blames himself for the failures of others. They will come for him, Eggman and all the others.

YOU – “S**t, Kit. When Starline was brainwashing us it only took Kit a few dozen times to fall in line.”

ESPIO – “Worrying, is there anybody looking for Kit?”

1. “Sonic said he’d be doing that.”
2. “Does it matter, he should be out number one priority, finding him is more important than me right now.”

YOU – “Sonic said he’d be doing that.”

SHOCKS – A possum in a white and green suit sits behind his desk, in his hands he holds a cane, gently tapping against the floor as he observes the rows of monitors before him. He does not pay attention to it, but the sky is a murky gray, and the landscape is choked with poisons. He has no time, a new hire is available, and he is loath to pass up an opportunity.

CHARMY – “Don’t worry, I’m sure Sonic will find him in a jiffy.”

VECTOR – “Anything else about your friend.”

1. [Logic - Medium] Kit, what Starline did to him…
2. “No, nothing else to add about kit.”
3. “As if I would sell Kit out?” (Remember you promised)

RHETORIC – Kit, what Starline did to him…

+You promised

+Kit needs you

SUCCESS

YOU – “Starline didn’t program him to hate Tails, from what I saw it was mostly just loyalty stuff, he’ll attach to the first person he runs across.”

VECTOR – “Well Sonic can handle finding him right now, we can deal with your less conventional case in the meantime. He’ll ask for any help if he needs it.”

1. “So what exactly happens normally, during a missing person’s case?”
2. “Yeah yeah, let’s move on.”

YOU – “So what exactly happens during a missing person’s case?”

VECTOR – “Well during a missing person’s case we build a profile, do database searches, make public appeals, do on food searching. We’re still going to be doing that, but here we already found the missing person, we just don’t know who’s looking for you.”

1. [Rhetoric - Challenging] There’s more going on here, to what these guys are saying, but what is it?
2. “Great, more non-answers.”
3. “And what if nobody is looking for me, you dismissed it earlier, but what then”

YOU - [Rhetoric - Challenging] There’s more going on here, to what these guys are saying, but what is it?

FAILURE

YOU – “So you’re profiling me huh?”

VECTOR – “We’re trying to help you Surge, and from what little information you and Tails gave us, it seems that Starline didn’t alter your mind or base personality.” “So building a profile on you will help us regardless. Although what Starline did to your body is pretty extreme so how it affected your personality from before compared to how you are now is a mystery.”

1. “I know a lot about this island, and the surrounding area so I’m probably local.”
2. “Not good at math, but I went to school.”
3. “I know a lot about Sonic.”
4. “Tails said I should have the same personality, and it took Starline a long time to get me under control.”
5. “Is that it? Sonic left you hanging after Metal overlord?”
6. “What about you guys, got any ideas?” (let someone else take the lead.)
7. “So that’s all?” (End of recap)

YOU – “So that’s all?”

ESPIO – “Indeed,” THe Chameleon said, nodding along. “We have a time frame, even if it’s a rather large one, and a general location.”

VECTOR – “Probable interests as well, Sonic the Hedgehog and the punk scene.”

CHARMY – “Yeah, it’s not a lot, but I can trawl social media to see if I can get any clues.” “It should be pretty simple to get a bot looking into the things your interested in and then we can build a ”

VECTOR – “Feels kind of invasive, and we already have the Restoration’s database.”

ESPIO – “Besides Surge might have any Social Media, I think you, Tails, and Amy are the only people I know who go on those websites.”

CHARMY – “Even if Surge didn’t have any social media we could still find relatives or stuff, even her appearance in a picture.” “Everybody knows everybody through at most four connections.”

ESPIO – “I doubt in a world as large as this that’s true Charmy, but the Restoration’s database.”

1. “Hey this is my missing’s person’s case, if it’s gonna help I want you to do it.”
2. [Interfacing - Medium] Please, this is so easy, you could do it yourself. Although it would take some time.

YOU – “Hey this is my missing’s person’s case, if it’s gonna help I want you to do it.”

CHARMY – “Great, I’ll get started right-” But before the bee could continue, a buzzing sound cut him off. “Oh!” Wait a second, I have to take this.”

1. (Wait silently)
2. “So, who’s that supposed to be?”
3. [Perception (Hearing) - Challenging] Listen in on him

YOU – “So, who’s that supposed to be?”

VECTOR – “Probably his parents, they’re fine with Charmy going on adventures and stuff, but he has to call home first and it’s getting a bit late already.”

ESPIO – “We dragged on here a bit too long, we should decide our next move soon.” Espio said, electing a nod of agreement from Vector.

CHARMY – “Sorry guys!” Charmy yelled from where he hovered, “I have to go, I’ll get working on that thing as soon as I can.”

VECTOR – “It’s okay Charmy.”

1. (Wave silently)
2. “Bye ya’ little twerp, see you later!”

YOU – “Bye ya’ little twerp, see you later!”

CHARMY – “Bye Surge, it was great meeting you!” The bee said, before disappearing into the crowd.

LOGIC – Wait, isn’t it a monday, shouldn't he already be in school?

1. “So, the little twerp goes to school, isn’t it a monday?”
2. “Great, what’s next? Anybody else have plans?”

YOU – “So, the little twerp goes to school, isn’t it a monday?”

VECTOR – “Well, Charmy doesn’t go to an actual school, he’s home schooled.”

ESPIO – “His mother’s a very nice woman, and Charmy’s very bright for his age. Even if he’s no Tails.”

1. “So, the little twerp goes to school, isn’t it a monday?”
2. “Great, what’s next? Anybody else have plans?”

YOU – “Great, what’s next. Anybody else have plans?”

VECTOR – “Nah but it looks like we’ll only have time to do one or two more things before the end of the day, what do you think we should do?”

SKULDUGGERY – The diamond cutters, we’ll need them on our side if we’re going to join the Restoration. Sonic is our in with Tangle, we can use Shadow for an in with Lanolin. The only problem will be Whisper, although she can always be skipped in favor of getting Gadget

PUNK TACTICS – Clothes, we need clothes, a new set of them. We’ve been wearing this getup since Starline, a new you needs a new wardrobe.

INTERFACING – Finding Tails should be out priority, that kid is our only way out of here and the best source of information on.

LOGIC – While it might not be ideal, we can combine getting clothes and trying to find Tails, shop for clothes here in the mall and then check the engineering bay for Tails.

1. “I want to talk to the Diamond Cutters, getting their help could be useful.”
2. “Clothes, I still need some.”
3. “I wanna talk to Tails, he should be easier to find than Sonic.”
4. “First I need a set of clothes. Second, the engineering bay, I wanna see Tails.”

YOU – “First I need a set of clothes. Second, the engineering bay, I wanna see Tails.”

VECTOR – “alright, but we might not be able to find him if we split our time.”

1. “Yeah, I know, now come on!”
2. “You’re right, maybe we should do something else.” (go back)

YOU – “Yeah, I know, now come on!”

VECTOR – “So we have a few options for stores, but I don’t want to us to take too long or get anything too fancy.” He said, walking alongside you as you exit back onto the second level of the three level shopping mall, ridiculously inserted into a military bait in order to act as bait.

INLAND EMPIRE – Something about that name, *Tot Hopic,* no memory, but you have a *good* feeling about that.

Task updated: Punk Fit, you’re going to a store(finally)

1. “Is there one of those big name brand stores that always end up appearing next to malls.”
2. “I have a good feeling about that Tot Hopic store you mentioned earlier, we’re going there.”
3. “Any thrift store will do.”

YOU – “I have a good feeling about that Tot Hopic store you mentioned earlier, we’re going there.”

ESPIO – “You do realize, most of what they sell is branded, Tails gave us a large budget aren’t frivolously spending money there,” He says, giving a sharp eyed side stare towards Vector.

1. “Tails? Why’d he be paying?”
2. “What are you, some cheapskate?”

YOU – “Tails? Why’d he be paying?”

VECTOR – “Who do you think paid for all of this?” He says raising an eyebrow. “Somebody has to pay for your medical bills, not to mention any ‘Surge related expenses,’” he says, using his hand to make air quotes.

VECTOR – “And It’s not like Sonic has any money,” Vector says, walking alongside you. “Well money of his own, I’m pretty sure he keeps some cash on him, but people usually give him that.”

ESPIO – “Prower Industries, is the chief financial backer of the Restoration,” Espio says, agreeing with Vector in his own sort of way.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Wait, *Tails,* Sonic’s little brother, is the one who’s responsible for him? He’s fifteen, and when they first met he was ten, just what type of role model is Sonic being?
You can’t ever imagine burdening Drippy like that, he’s too dear to you and too young and you don’t make Kit responsible for yourself…
Do you?

PUNK TACTICS – Does it matter? Punk’s don’t care about that sort of thing, better to be free then to be a slave to *THE MAN*

LOGIC – Tails is *THE MAN,* He is literally the owner of a corporation. By entirely rely on Tails, he is serving *THE MAN,* as you say.

PUNK TACTICS – *THE MAN* Isn’t just the man, the government is *THE MAN,* society is *THE MAN,* the military is *THE MAN,* businesses are *THE MAN,* the status quo is *THE MAN*. All structures, all hierarchies are *THE MAN,* All will be broken.

RHETORIC – How is that, in any way, shape or form, a refutation of Sonic being the man, *ahem,* b***h.

1. “So what? Tails pays for *all* of this stuff.”
2. “So what? Sonic decided to help me and now Tails is paying out of pocket for it?”
3. “We’re wasting time, let’s go.” (Stop talking about Tails)

YOU – “So what? Tails pays for *all* of this stuff.” You say waving your arms

VECTOR – “The Emerald family also finances the Restoration, as well as a few other settlements and villages. They don’t have to pay membership fees or anything, but it’s an incentive for the Restoration to pay more attention to them.”

SKULDUGGERY – Money, the root of all evil. With its insidious influences the Restoration will spread, and in time hold the protection they provide over the heads of these villages. Thus these villages will in turn become influenced and subordinate to them.
Quite, villainous. Who knows there might be some good in ending the Restoration now?

1. “Sounds like a racket, you guys are a lot more shady then I gave you credit for.”

YOU – “Sounds like a racket, you guys are a lot more shady then I gave you credit for.” You say with more than a little admiration

ESPIO – “Trust us, it sounds more shady than it actually is, the Restoration is remarkably clean, at least from what we’ve investigated.”

VECTOR – “Yeah we wouldn’t take a job unless we were sure our employer isn’t up to anything shady.”

1. [Encyclopedia - Hard] Actually, there is something you remember about the Chaotix, who were they working for during the Metal Overlord incident?
2. “Real knights in shining armor.” (Roll eyes)
3. “They won’t stay that way for long.”

YOU – [Encyclopedia - Hard] Actually, there is something you remember about the Chaotix, who were they working for during the Metal Overlord incident?

SUCCESS

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Success] – A reel is entered into a projector and spins, returning a fading memory to you. During the Metal Overlord incident the Chaotix were unknowingly recruited by Eggman.

1. [Encyclopedia - Hard] Actually, there is something you remember about the Chaotix, who were they working for during the Metal Overlord incident?
2. “Yeah, like how you guys took a job from Eggman back during the Metal Overlord incident, don’t think I don’t know these things.”
3. “Real knights in shining armor.” (Roll eyes)
4. “They won’t stay that way for long.”

YOU – “Yeah, like how you guys took a job from Eggman back during the Metal Overlord incident, don’t think I don’t know these things.”

VECTOR – “Hey, that was one time and we learned from it, no more taking jobs from shady people.”

ESPIO – “It helps we are also in much better financial straits then we were back then, doesn’t it Vector?” WIth that said he sends a sends a snide glance towards Vector

VECTOR – The crocodile coughs in response, looking away as he twiddles his fingers and whistles. The embarrassment is palpable.

INLAND EMPIRE – something happened there in the past, but whatever it was it’s something they’re comfortable joking about. Maybe not interesting to look into, but every little piece, no matter who inconsequential plays into the greater whole.

1. “So what? Tails pays for *all* of this stuff.”
2. “So what? Sonic decided to help me and Tails is the one who ends up paying for me?”
3. “We’re wasting time, let’s go.” (Stop talking about Tails)

YOU – “So what? Sonic decided to help me and Tails is the one who ends up paying for me?”

VECTOR – “Yeah, it’s not like Sonic has any money,” He says with more than a little resignation.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Medium: Failure] – Doesn’t pay with his own money, makes Tails responsible for him, unreliable to the max. Just who does he think he is, he’s a *HERO!*

SKULDUGGERY – Not to mention it is a weakness, he is also the person Sonic would be closest to. Perhaps the best way of getting at Sonic is through his best friend.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Show Sonic what a real older sibling looks like.

1. “Whatever. Sonic can be a loser all he wants. At least you guys get paid.”
2. “That A*****e! The pipsqueak may be annoying but who does Sonic think he is treating him like his personal wallet.”
3. “Well I guess I know what to do first to piss off Sonic.”

YOU – “That A*****e! The pipsqueak may be annoying but who does Sonic think he is treating him like his personal wallet.”

VECTOR – he backs a step away from you, “Really, I don’t disagree with you Surge, but I didn’t expect you to be so mad for Tails’ sake” He says, raising an eyebrow at your passion.

YOU – “It’s the principal of the thing, Sonic is his older brother, adoptive or not! He should be the one taking care of Tails, not the other way around.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, not to hate on the guy. But it’s seriously scummy, it’s not like Tails has any other amily.”

EMPATHY – Interesting, while he doesn’t hold any resentment against Sonic for what happened after the Metal Overlord Incident, he does hold some resentment against Sonic for this.

ESPIO – “I don’t like to defend Sonic,” Espio said raising a hand, “But despite Tails’ age, he can handle himself and has been for quite some time, Sonic doesn’t need to twist his arm to get him to do anything and Tails is only helping us because he wants to.”

HALF LIGHT – Of course, Starline’s base, Vanilla mentioned Tails wanting us to help with that. That little psycho is looking to put us into the meat grinder, nothing like our little Drippy.

VISUAL CALCULUS – Or his desires could be more intellectual. We are a unique specimen and a simple biohazard suit should be more than enough to protect from the Metal VIrus if there are any remnants of it in the ruins of Starline’s base.

LOGIC – Not to mention Zombots wouldn’t be a threat to you, you are already infected and if we choose to go it will be after he’s installed a new Speed Core into us.

ESPIO – “Point being, you two shouldn’t underestimate Tails. Sonic isn’t just using him and Tails isn’t letting himself be used.…”
“Even if it does feel scummy,” he admitted.

YOU – “Fine, but Sonic’s still a jerk.”

ESPIO – “At least we all agree on something,” Espio says, half a sigh, half a laugh. Vector just shakes his head at the pronouncement, neither dowing approval or disapproval for your course of action.

SKULDUGGERY – Luckily, it seems like a lot of people have problems with Sonic. As long as we play out cards right we can use this to our advantage

1. “So what? Tails pays for *all* of this stuff.”
2. “So what? Sonic decided to help me and now Tails is paying out of pocket for it?”
3. “Well at least I learned something about Sonic. He never pays.” (go back)

YOU – Well at least I learned something about Sonic. He never pays.” The joke

SHADOW – “Not even Sonic, as stupid as he can be, would ever work with Eggman willingly or abuse Tails.”

PERCEPTION [Formidable: Failure] – Suddenly you realize something smells strongly of lavender. You whip around as fast as you can, and there he is, Shadow the hedgehog, in the flesh. Or rather, in the hotdog vendor suit. The Chaotix seem equally dumbfounded as Shadow picks up a hot dog with a pair of tongs and deposits it into a bun, before dressing it and handing the completed hot dog off to a young customer. How long was he standing there, behind a hot dog cart, dressed as a salesman, you have no idea.

AUTHORITY – Just who does this guy think that he is?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [challenging: Failure] – Shadow the Hedgehog?

INLAND EMPIRE – He is your father.

COMPOSURE [Legendary: Failure] – Despite yourself you cough at the pronouncement of Inland Empire. sputtering and coughing to the confusion of the Chaotix and onlookers. Even Shadow seems surprised by your out of nowhere reaction. Utterly ridiculous.

PUNK TACTICS – It is a known fact that all certifiably *PUNK B*****S* like yourself rebel against their fathers.

1. “What are you even doing here, you’re a GUN agent not a hot dog salesman.”

YOU – “What are you even doing here, you’re a GUN agent not a hot dog salesman.”

SHADOW – He nods in affirmation,“Ignore me.” Before disappearing In a flash of green light, the black and red Hedgehog disappears once more, leaving the space behind the hot dog cart, notably empty.

PERCEPTION (SMELL) [Trivial: Success] – Despite his disappearance the strong scent of lavender lingers in the air.
In fact with how close the smell is, he's probably just out of view

1. “Creep.”
2. “Hey get back here!”

YOU – “Creep.” You say, shrugging off the odd encounter.

ESPIO – “Figures GUN would want to keep an eye on us, they’re probably interested in ”

INLAND EMPIRE – No, it’s not *Just* you, there’s something else going on here.

SKULDUGGERY – It’s no surprise that a GUN agent is up to something. People can have many reasons to do something, but that is the connection that seems to be most pertinent, is GUN planning to do something soon?

ESPIO – “If I had to make a guess, Rouge has already compromised our electronic communication.”

1. “So, what are we going to do to shake these guys?”

YOU – “So, what are we going to do to shake these guys?”

VECTOR – “Nothing, we can complain to Jewel or Amy about it later.” Vector says shrugging.

SKULDUGGERY – Actually, Amy met us earlier. There’s something in your database about her taking a step back from the Restoration, just what is her role here?

1. “Amy, She’s a higher up right?”
2. ”Fine, what else do we have to do?”

YOU – “Amy, She’s a higher up right?”

VECTOR – “Yeah, but more importantly here, she’s the only one who could manage to browbeat Shadow off our backs. Although Rouge would still be keeping an eye on us.”
”I guess Omega could as well, but he’s too conspicuous,” Vector says, adding in the last part as an afterthought.

1. “Is there one of those big name brand stores that always end up appearing next to malls.”
2. “I have a good feeling about that Tot Hopic store you mentioned earlier, we’re going there.”
3. “Any thrift store will do.”
4. “Really, a store with an off-brand name? If they’re charging that much I’d expect them to get sued?”

YOU – “Really, a store with an off-brand name? If they’re charging that much I’d expect them to get sued?”

ESPIO – He shrugs, “The legal battle is on going but their original United Federations counterpart is unlikely to win, or if they do they win, they will only win the case in the Federation.”
“There isn’t a large enough agreed upon legal system here, local jurisdictions handle most things and for really high profile criminals like Eggman there’s GUN and now Restoration.”

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] – You're not exactly a first time offender, perhaps jurisdiction is the reason why you aren't in jail right now.

1. “I’m guessing this is where the Restoration comes in.”
2. “Huh, so is that why I’m not in jail? Nobody can agree what to do with me?”

YOU – “Huh, so is that why I'm Not in jail? Nobody can agree what to do with me?”

VECTOR – “No?” He says sharing a confused look with Espio. “Surge, Starline was *mind controlling* you, if your case was ever taken to court you’d win handley anywhere in the world.”

1. “I’m not some victim, Starline was a worm but he’s dead and I’m alive. That’s all there is to it.”
2. “I don’t need to be pitied.”
3. “Good enough for me.”

YOU – “I don’t need to be pitied.”

VECTOR – “Look at it like this, it’s a second chance. Take it.”

ESPIO – “At least don’t take it for granted, from now on people will probably judge you more harshly if you mess up.” “Sonic included”

SKULDUGGERY – If they knew…

1. “Whatever.”
2. “Like Metal, Sonic keeps trying to save him no matter what he does?”

YOU – “Like Metal, Sonic keeps trying to save him no matter what he does?”

VECTOR – “Pretty sure Metal’s gotten so many second chances because he never stays dead.” “Recruiting him is probably the only way to stop Eggman from bringing him back.”

VECTOR – “Well what other choice do we have?”

1. [Rhetoric - Formidable] It’s there somewhere, another choice, another path. You just need to find it.
2. “...”

YOU – “…”

ESPIO – “I believe we've gotten off track. How about we return to the matter at hand.”

1. “Is there one of those big name brand stores that always end up appearing next to malls.”
2. “I have a good feeling about that Tot Hopic store you mentioned earlier, we’re going there.”
3. “Any thrift store will do.”

YOU – “Is there one of those big name brand stores that always end up appearing next to malls.”

VECTOR – “Yeah one on this level, a thrift store would be cheaper.”

YOU – “Not like any of us are paying, let’s go.”

YOU – It isn’t a long walk, and part of you is happy to have finally stopped making a scene. Although a big, name brand store being on the subterranean level of a shopping mall feels off.
As any other clothes store, the automatic doors open before you, and you are given only a cursory glance by what staff and security the place has.
The building is familiar somehow, although that’s not surprising, you quite like your fashion and doubtless went to many of this same type of store in your past life.
Several others mills about, perusing the isles and taking clothes of the rack, but you ignore them.

PUNK TACTICS – Smells like normality, nuch of f*****g squares.

VECTOR – “Alright, snow what’re you looking for?” He speaks up, stopping the group as you reach an intersection between various areas, each holding a type of clothes.

STARLINE – KIll me now, you wouldn’t know fashionable if it hit you in the head, try something elegant instead, something purple. Now that’s a good idea.

1. [Punk tactics - Medium] Something *PUNK,* something classic.
2. [Conceptualization - Formidable] A statement, we’re a new Surge, a new style wouldn’t hurt.
3. [Encyclopedia - Challenging] Try to choose something based on your knowledge of fashion trends, some normal, something that will fit in.
4. [??? - ???] Try something elegant, something purple
5. ”Hey guys what do you think I should get?”(Ask the Chaotix)

YOU [Punk tactics: Medium] – Something *PUNK,* something classic.

SUCCESS

PUNK TACTICS – You pass through both the male and female section, looking for exactly what you wanted Yeah, Leather jacket, with flames and leather pants as well. And don’t forget the shades, we’re keeping those on.

YOU – In order to change into the clothes you leave the wheel chair briefly, walking on shaky legs as you change out of your old clothes and into the new outfit you’ve just perused. Now you find yourself standing in the changing room, your old clothes on the bench.

1. Leave the changing room.
2. Look at yourself in the mirror.

VECTOR – “I don’t know Surge, don’t you think you're kind of crimping my style.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Failure] – Crimping?

1. “Crimping, what does that even mean?”
2. “What do you think, Espio?”
3. “Whatever, we’re done here anyways, I don’t want to waste any time.”

YOU – “Crimping, what does that even mean?”

VECTOR – “You know your a little too similar to what I’m wearing? Kind of not exactly the most original here.”

ESPIO – He says nothing, instead facepalming.

AUTHORITY – He’s calling you a rip off. Don’t let him disrespect you like that.

1. “Hey! I’m not ripping you off, look I got flames on my jacket. And unlike you I got pants.”
2. “I think I look just fine.”
3. [Impossible - Formidable] Create an argument, vouching for your originality.

YOU – “Hey! I’m not ripping you off, look I got flames on my jacket. And unlike you I got pants.”

VECTOR – “I don’t know still doesn’t seem very original…” “Maybe, try something else”

YOU – “Fine, I’ll get”

VECTOR – “Okay, okay,” “Didn’t mean to be rude just pointing it out.”

CONCEPTUALIZATION – He has a point, we don’t want to look like we’re trying to copy him.

1. “We already spent enough time here, I’m not gonna look for anything else.”
2. “Fine, I saw some other things that looked interesting.”

YOU – “Fine, I saw some other things that looked interesting.”

PUNK TACTICS – Right there was that yellow windbreaker-esq jacket, and the yellow shades. Add a black shirt and black pants, it’s a shame there isn’t a jumpsuit. But It’s almost like something a biker would wear, and the glasses aren't half bad either. They aren’t the shades we’ve had glued to our face today, but they’ll do.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – It is in our colors,

INTERFACING – These shoes don’t have any metal on them, they’ll work worse with our powers.

1. Hey, quit ya b*****n’ we’re gonna shake some stuff out of Tails, upgrades or weapons, the shoes don’t matter.
2. You have a point.

YOU – Hey, quit ya b*****n’ we’re gonna shake some stuff out of Tails, upgrades or weapons, the shoes don’t matter.

INTERFACING – Fine, fine, if we’re going to get new gear or some upgrades anyways then the shoes don’t matter as much.

1. Take the the track suit getup
2. Take the biker get up
3. “I’m getting this as well” (Take both, but remember, Tails is paying.)

YOU – “I’m getting this as well.” (Take both, remember, Tails is paying.)

YOU – “Now we got these clothes, all we gotta do is visit Tails now.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, I feel like we got side tracked, hopefully Tails is still in the engineering bay.”

ESPIO – “You seem to be recovering well right now, perhaps we could make a short trip to return the chair and the clothes back to your hospital room before trying to see Tails?”

1. “Good idea, I don’t need this silly thing.” (Go without the wheel chair for the rest of the journey)
2. “Nah, I’d rather play it safe for now.” (Keep the wheelchair for now)

YOU – “Nah, I’d rather play it safe for now.” (Keep the wheelchair for now)

YOU – Espio nods in response as you sit back down in the wheelchair, quickly after Vector pays with the Prower branded credit card Tails’ gave him and you’re out of the store. Some short exchanges between the three of you and the store clerk transpire, but it is of no importance. For now, you are glad to have finally obtained some new clothes.

TASK COMPLETED: PUNK FIT

Finally, you’ve gotten some new duds

VECTOR – “Alright, time to check out the engineering bay, let’s go”

1. (Follow)
2. “Nah, let’s do some more shopping, Tails can wait.”

YOU – (Follow)

YOU – Quickly, you and the Chaotix check out of the store and leave. Vector looks sheepish as he pays with the ‘prower’ branded credit card he swipes on the register. Then the walk to the engineering bay is surprisingly short, with the population of the mall decreasing even more as the day goes on, you and the Chaotix are left with a quick and unexpected path, only having to pass through the large parking garage that connects the two.

YOU – The parking garage itself is an edifice of stone and concrete, countless cars parked in a central location near an exit, wordlessly several groups of people pass one, one of them even human. Some recognize Vector and Espio, calling out to them, although none of the groups give you a second look.

RHETORIC – Doubtless GUN agents, which other humans would be in the Restoration HQ.

YOU – The parking garage’s entrance to the engineering bay is a set of two doors, one large garage. door meant for vehicles, the other a smaller person-sized door. Both are flanked by a pair of Restoration guards, each of the four holding a Wispon.

AUTHORITY – Such power in such a *small* package, and yet they can barely use that power on their own.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Ahh~ sweet oblivion, to feel a wisp grate against your own once again.

YOU – You don’t commit their faces or names to memory as Vector waves you through. The guards only give you a passing glance themselves, before you are able to wheel yourself through the smaller door, behind Vector and followed by Espio.

PERCEPTION – The engineering bay is red and gray, red brick and gray metal, but the smells are black. Oil, tar, grease, and sweat. It is almost overwhelming, you don’t know why.

INTERFACING – The smells of labour and mechanics, a part of you has to resist the pull of such familiar smells. You can feel a phantom wrench in your hand, spanners, and L-wrenches, more delicate tools as well. So familiar, a memory perhaps?

YOU – Along a pathway adjacent to the empty road that crisscrosses through the bay, you several mechanics, engineers, and other such mechanical scientists go about their business, tendinging to parked vehicles, engaged in argument, working on some machine or other, and tend to Wisps and their Wispons. Your eyes pass over them all listlessly.

YOU – Espio gives you a look, is something showing on your face? But he doesn’t comment as you reach your destination. Vector opens a door, allowing you to enter the room first as he and Espio quickly follow.

PERCEPTION [Formidable: Failure] – There in the room, among a box of mechanical parts, you see her, the badnik girl, the one who tried to steal Kit from you. She’s half buried in the box of miscellaneous mechanical parts as a Motobug lazily rolls around her position like a bored puppy You fail to notice anything else about the room, Belle has all of your attention.

VECTOR – “Ah Belle!” He says, taking the initiative and walking up to the wooden Badnik girl.

BELLE – The Badnik pops out of the pile and turns around, head first, body second, “Oh, he Vector,” she says, managing a warm a smile as her wooden face can allow, before she notices you and her“Ah, I see you brought Surge with you.” Her expression changed pallor somehow, greener, whiter

EMPATHY (Easy: Failure)– Fear? No, that’s not it. What is she feeling?

BELLE – “Are you feeling better, Surge?” She ventures, her attention totally devoted to you as the Motobug snaps to attention beside her.

1. “Hey’ Badnik girl, you know anything about Kit?”
2. “So, you going to explain to me why you tried to steal my lil’ buddy from me?”

YOU – “So where’s that pipsqueak Tails, I got some questions for him.”

BELLE – “Oh Tail? He was here a little bit ago but he had to leave to chase after Sonic. Something about finding Kit I think? There was also something about one of Robotnik's new inventions he’s monitoring, something about a living city,” she says offhandedly, like hasn’t given the subject much though.” “And that Quarantine zone around Starline’s base as well, so he's kind of busy at the moment. But I can fill in for you.”

AUTHORITY – A bit talkative isn’t she. Too friendly, where does she get pulling the nice act on you after she and Sonic tried to take drippy from you?

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
4. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

YOU – “Where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

BELLE – “Oh sorry for being bit,” She says, rubbing the back of her head, as she gets up from her position sitting on the floor. “I was the one who ended up carrying you on your way back here. Sonic was kind of busy at the time with Metal and you were a bit too heavy for Tails.” “But from your point of view, I guess I might seem a bit strange for being so nice.”

EMPATHY – Yes, that will do it. Holding a dying person in your arms will change how you think about them.

SKULDUGGERY – Hmm, perhaps she deserves a reward, something for a later date perhaps? A stick for our enemies and those who displease us, a carrot for the helpful.

DRAMA – Oh my lady, how much better then to stab them in the back. A kindness and trust gained only fuels the betrayal further, it’s positively romantic.

AUTHORITY – Exactly. Although a genuine ally wouldn’t hurt, someone to work for us after all of this playing nice is over. A proper lackey.

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
4. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

YOU – “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”

BELLE – “We don't have the best sorting system here, Actually I think there isn't one at all.”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Another, shrinking her dusty to her brother. If all of them are like this Tails will eventually snap under the weight of his duties.

1. “So what? You’re just sitting here sorting s**t while Tails goes off to save the world.”
2. “Fine.”

YOU – “So what? You’re just sitting here sorting s**t while Tails goes off to save the world.”

BELLE – “This sort of thing is very important, sure everyone has their own system, but we need a standard and we need to make sure people follow it.” “But yeah, I guess I should probably talk to Tails about taking over one of his duties.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, that kid can be too hard on himself. He works way too much as is.”

ESPIO – “Indeed, as a new member yourself it would be good to prove how you can help the cause.”

BELLE – “Yeah,” she says, laughing nervously.

EMPATHY – It’s easy to see why she would be so shy, Metal, Eggman, her *father* She confronted him once, but now she has nowhere to go, no direction. And everyone else is so busy.

AUTHORITY – As if that is any excuse for indolency, nobody gets anywhere crying about every bad little thing that happens in their life. You get back up and do shit, save the day or ruin it.

VOLITION – In this we agree.

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
4. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

YOU – “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”

BELLE – “Yeah, Kit,” This too she says nervously, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m sorry how that turned out, I wasn’t there to see it myself,” “I’m not talking about that. You told him I was *DEAD*”

YOU – “I’m not talking about that. You told him I was *DEAD*”

BELLE – “Sonic said that, he-he, he thought you died when you fell into that pit.”

1. ”You and Sonic still tried to steal Kit from me, I’m stronger then some little fall. You should have gone back to look.”
2. “So what? Sonic’s an idiot, like he could tell if I was dead.”

YOU – “You and Sonic still tried to steal Kit from me, I’m stronger than some little fall. You should have gone back to look.”

ESPIO – “Steal? Kit’s his own person, and they were only trying to help.”

BELLE – “Yeah, I’m really sorry about how things turned out”

VOLITION [Trivial: Success] – Perhaps we shouldn’t be so harsh to judge, she did help save your life.

1. “Whatever. Apology not accepted.”
2. “Fine, but that means we’re square. I don’t owe you anything for helping save me.”
3. “Well, I owe now, but don’t think I’m gonna be your buddy.”

YOU – “Fine, but that means we’re square. You helped saved my life”

VECTOR – “Uh, ‘secuse me, Surge? This is interesting and all, but didn’t we come here for a reason?”

BELLE – “Right, Tails, you needed him?”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – There are some questions about your body we should probably ask.

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
4. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me”
5. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
6. “O’kay, when am I going to be back online, I don’t feel like being stuck here forever.”
7. “How about his lab? If the pipsqueak isn’t going to be here to answer my question, we just go to his lab and check it out ourselves.
8. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
9. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

YOU – “O’kay, when am I going to be back online, I don’t feel like being stuck here forever.”

BELLE – “Oh, if it's about your medical issues, I think you’d need to ask a medical doctor. I think I met the one who was handling your case with Tails earlier, but I don’t remember his name.” “Sorry, medical science isn’t exactly my specialty,” She says, smiling in apology as widely as her wooden face allows.

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “O’kay, when am I going to be back online, I don’t feel like being stuck here forever.”
4. “How about his lab? If the pipsqueak isn’t going to be here to answer my question, we just go to his lab and check it out ourselves.
5. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
6. And where do you get off being so chummy to me?”

YOU – “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”

BELLE – “Ah well, I don’t have too many friends here yet,” idly she twiddles her fingers together as she talks, “Not everyone is as accepting to me or my father’s other creations as I’d like.” “But I think I’m friends with Gemerl, although it’s kind of hard to talk to him sometimes. Oh and Miss Vanilla and Cream are nice as well, but Cream’s more like a younger sister than a friend.”

1. “So, you, and Kit, and Sonic. Whatdy’a have to say about that?”
2. “So, Belle, how’s it been goin’ here at the Restoration?”
3. “O’kay, when am I going to be back online, I don’t feel like being stuck here forever.”
4. “How about his lab? If the pipsqueak isn’t going to be here to answer my question, we just go to his lab and check it out ourselves.
5. “So, the tool box here, what’re you doing?”
6. “And where do you get off being so chummy to me”

YOU – “How about his lab, if the pipsqueak isn’t going to be here to answer my question, we just go to his lab and check it out ourselves.”

VECTOR – “I don’t think that a good idea, Surge, how’d you feel about someone rooting through your stuff,” he says arching an eyebrow alongside Espio.

BELLE – “Actually…” The Badnik girl immediately trails off, speaking before thinking, “I guess you guys can go in, he leaves it unlocked and he says people can come and go, but I’ll have to accompany you. Tails locks down all his stuff before he leaves but you still have to be careful.”
“I’ll probably end up doing anything in there you’d need him to do.”

HALF LIGHT – Just another spy, I swear they have cameras everywhere.

PERCEPTION – This is a military base, of course they have cameras. Although I am worried about the ones we haven’t found.

1. “Sure thing, let’s get going.” (Accept)
2. “Nah Vector’s right.”(Refuse)

YOU – “Sure thing, let’s get going.” (Accept her offer) Neither of the remaining Chaotix verbally respond, Vector just eyes you Belle while Espionods his head. They’ll see how this plays out for now.

BELLE – “Alright, it’s just this way,” The mousey badnik says, jumping up onto the heels of her feet and leading your group away from the central room and down a hallway.

YOU – The walk is indeed short, and before you know it, you’ve descended a ramp and stand before the large vertical door of the tails workshop standing tall before you, but Belle just gingerly presses her hand against, prompting it to open swiftly.

YOU – The room has multiple work tables lining each wall, monitors suspended in the air on robotic arms, underneath each of the worktables lies tool boxes worth of parts and mechanisms. But what stands out to you the most are a series of three force fields, each of them relegated to their own desk and continuing something different.
On the left wall there is a wide and short one, levitating . You cannot identify the robotic parts at this moment.

YOU – On the center wall there is a tall cylindrical and red forcefield, its top and bottom capped with a device each. Both of them are painted in yellow and black caution stripes.
Within it’s center lies a shifting silver mass, you already know what it is despite never having seen it in person, remnants of the Metal Virus. Then on the right wall you see it underneath a dome shaped blue forcefield lays the destroyed remains of the Dynamo Cage.

1. (Go to the table with the levitating robot parts)
2. (Go to the Table in the middle with the tube)
3. (Go to the table with the Dynamo Cage)

YOU – Go to the table with the Dynamo Cage. You wheel yourself over, although you stop a few steps away from the table,

PERCEPTION – Something’s off about the cage it looks damaged, but right now something else is more important.

REACTION SPEED – You feel your pupils dilate, and your sense of time distort.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – The Dynamo Cage, the panacea, the sweetest nectar.

HALF LIGHT – Flesh against flesh, meat against meat, the pounding of your heart beat as you stand at the precipice of life and death.

INLAND EMPIRE – An ominous, foreboding feeling feels you as you look at the device. Nonetheless you feel as if the creature is your friend somehow and wants to reattach itself to you. He is pleased to meet you.

VECTOR – “Good thing this is broken,” He says as he stands behind you, peering down at the crackling machine beneath the forcefield, “Eggman really is a monster, creating something like this.”

ESPIO – “What he did to the Wisps was bad enough, especially now that so many of them have come to earth,” Espio narrows his gaze at the destroyed shackles as they rest on the table, “At least he’s lost interest in them.”

YOU – Suddenly

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Want it, need it. Take it *NOW.*

1. [Voltition - Challenging] Resist. Walk away.
2. Seize the Dynamo Cage.

YOU – [Voltition - Challenging] Resist. Walk away.

VOLITION [Challenging: Failure] – You cannot stop yourself, your hands and body move without thinking and before anybody can react you’re out of your wheelchair. Hands pressed against the forefield.

SHOCKS – Reflexively you send a small shock through the mechanism and take some of the energy for yourself, and Instantly it yields, disappearing before your fingers, and before you know it one of the cufflinks of the Dynamo Cage is in your hand.

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success]– Vector, Espio, even Belle. They all move, but even now, without a speed core, your faster.

PAIN THRESHOLD – You feel the poison in your veins ignite as you stretch yourself, the Chaos Drive in your chest beats.

INTERFACING [Trivial: Success] – The cufflink crumbles in your hand as you seize it, and the chain connecting it to the rest of the Dynamo Cage snaps. The chaotix and Belle stop their brief advance. The machine is totally inert, utterly trashed, damaged beyond repair, there is no hope of restoring it. But it was made in the first place, Eggman must have the plans somewhere.

COMPOSURE [Formidabile: Failure] – As you hold the crumbled cufflink in one hand, a tear gathers at the corner of your eye.

1. “It’s not fair.”
2. “D**n it”

YOU – “It’s not fair,”

VECTOR – “Surge, it made you hallucinate, not to mention you almost killed yourself with it.”

BELLE – “Yeah, isn’t this for the best?”

1. “It's not fair, Sonic’s strong. This was the only thing that gave me a chance.”
2. “I want it, need it, it made me stronger.”

YOU – “It's not fair, Sonic’s strong. This was the only thing that gave me a chance.”

ESPIO – “The world isn't fair, Surge.”

COMPOSURE [Formidable: Success] – Instantly you blink away the sole tear at the corner of your eye.

PUNK TACTICS – Punks don’t cry, we break shit, but we don’t cry.

AUTHORITY – Show that chameleon what happens to people who disrespect, Surge the Tenrec. Your gaze turns cold as you turn to Espio.

VECTOR – “Woah woah woah,” Vector says, putting himself between you and Espio, pushing both of you away with one hand.
“Don't antagonize her Espio,” he says, putting a hand out to block him, “And Surge, don't worry, there's tons of people who'd love to give Sonic a good sock in the face, it won’t be too hard to find help.”

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Easy: Success] – Kit, Shadow, the Enemies of Sonic Distinguished. Get them on your side, heating a vault without a crew is a fool’s game.
You are not a fool.

1. “Yeah, I have options….”
2. “What about you guys, you fought alongside Sonic, how’d you get so strong?”
3. “You think Tails would be willing to help me, upgrades or something?”

YOU – “What about you guys, you fought alongside Sonic, how’d you get so strong?”

VECTOR – “Well we aren't the strongest, I'm just a naturally strong guy, not as strong as Knuckles or Amy of course, and I make sure to train my body so I can keep up.”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Look at the muscles on him(Vector). Not to mention, in a world like this, private investigation is doubtless a dangerous profession. People don’t get strong enough to hang out with Sonic in a danger free profession.

ESPIO – “I had training from a young age for my skills, Charmy is naturally gifted, both Vanila and Cream are Mobians with a similar monstrous natural strength, although still nowhere near Sonic.”

VECTOR – “Shadow has his GUN training, Rouge too, Like I said earlier, if you just wanna knock Sonic down a peg there’s tons of people to go for help.”

1. “Thanks.”

YOU – “Thanks,” you say, placing what little remains of the cufflink back into the formerly shielded enclosure, the force reactivating as soon your hand leaves the enclosure, once again suspending the destroyed remnants of the Dynamo Cage.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Formidable: Failure] – It is then that a sharp pain shoots through your legs, standing up so fast probably wasn’t a good idea. But you weren’t thinking about that in the first place, were you? Unceremoniously you find yourself sitting back down into the wheelchair.

1. (look at Dynamo Cage parts)
2. (Look at the robot parts)
3. (Examine the middle table)
4. “You think Tails can make me stronger?”
5. “This was a waste of time, let’s go” (Leave the room)

YOU – Look at the robot parts.

YOU – Trunking around you roll closer to the robot parts, until your right up against the desk. Unlike the container for the Dynamo Cage, there is no hard ‘top’ to the forcefield, you could reach in and retrieve one of the parts without any effort.

PERCEPTION [Trivial: Easy] – It only takes you walking a step closer to the parts suspended in the forcefield to recognize what, no, *who* they belong. You’d recognize him anywhere, especially after that battle.

EMPATHY – Oh, oh dear.

1. “Metal…”

YOU – “Metal…”

VECTOR – “Yeah, he can be-”

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] – As vector’s words trail off, an image of a scene appears in your mind. Already battered from the fight standing across from Sonic in a field half beaten to death.
The hero offers another accord, but Eggman is already furious and Metal won’t suffer anymore humiliation.
He takes a step to Sonic, before flinging his entire body at the blue blur.
But Sonic reacts, and Metal falls short, Sonic barely out of his blast radius as his finger hits the eject button.

HALF LIGHT – No other finger but his own has ever hovered over the trigger, and never once has he hesitated to push it.
But there’s no release for him.

VECTOR – “Pretty dramatic,” Vector says, rubbing the back of his neck as his fingers fidget, “He doesn’t allow himself to get caught, at least not anymore.”
“I guess Eggman rebuilding him all those times has just… Well…”

BELLE – “Yeah,” Belle says, almost a whisper as her eyes stay locked on Metal Sonic’s corpse, “He’ll be back, my father will just bring him back from his last backup.”
“I just wish he wasn’t so careless.”

HALF LIGHT – That’s one way of saying it.

ESPIO – For his part, Espio nods along, not saying anything before averting his gaze from the morbid sight.

1. look at Dynamo Cage parts
2. Look at the robot parts
3. (Examine the middle table)
4. “You think Tails can make me stronger?”
5. “Enough gawking, let's scram.” (Leave)

YOU – “You think Tails can make me stronger?”

BELLE – “Well he helped repair you didn’t he? But he’s not exactly an exotic biologist, or an expert in biomechanics, but we have tons of staff here if you're willing to join the restoration.”
“But I do know you have a purely robotic skeleton, so he should be able to do something with that.”

ESPIO – “Willing, she’s been practically giddy,” he says, sarcastically, earning a glance from Belle.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – That reminds me, didn’t Starline have that ‘Tri-core,’ made from a combination of flight, speed, and strength core.

INTERFACING – It shouldn’t be hard, I don’t think our robotic skeleton would have to be changed at all. If Starline’s glove was capable of harnessing it, we should be able to as well.

1. “Hey, can’t a girl can have hobbies?”
2. “Starline had this special power core of his, called the Tri-core.”

YOU – “Starline had this special power core of his, called the Tri-core.”

BELLE – “Well, if Tails has seen it he should be able to replicate it eventually, although having the plans or an example would.”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] – Her comment is casual, but it brings back a now cringingly painful memory of how you threw his glove into an industrial furnace. You are *never* telling people what happened, *Never.*

INTERFACING – Another reason to talk to Tails, once we get back in good health we should go with him to excavate the ruins of Starline’s base.

1. look at Dynamo Cage parts
2. Look at the robot parts
3. Examine the middle table
4. “You think Tails can make me stronger?”
5. “Enough gawking, let's scram.” (Leave)

YOU – Examine the middle table

YOU – Walking towards the bare metal table in the middle of the room, unlike the other two tables, this one is reinforced and built into the wall, the tools beneath it look strange and exotic.
The table’s sole inhabitant is an ominous large cylinder with forcefield walls, each end capped with a metal base. One end built into the table, the other attached to an apparatus that reaches to the ceiling.
Suspended in the middle of the tube is a spherical, shifting, metallic silver mass. Occasional hits of green and black spinning across it’s form, only to be subsumed by the silver once again.
On the bottom cap there is a label reading, ‘Inert Zombot/Metal Virus Sample #000’ followed by ‘UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS THIS CONTAIN TO BE OPENED, THIS MEANS *YOU* SURGE.’

VECTOR – “Looks like Tails saw us comin’”

1. “So was he spyin’ on us or did he just predict we’d come here?”
2. “Lil’ creep.”
3. “Of course he would, why wouldn’t he?”

YOU – “So was he spyin’ on us or did he just predict we’d come here?”

ESPIO – “It doesn’t matter, and either option would be in character for in.”

1. “Belle, you know where Tails got this?”
2. [Conceptualization - Challenging] Attempt to analyze the sample.
3. [Interfacing - Medium] Try to find a way to open the container.
4. “Hmph, weird.” (step away from table)

YOU – “Belle, you know where Tails got this?”

BELLE – “Well uh,” She stutters, backing away and towards the door as she speaks, “Promise you’re not going to be mad at me if I tell you?”

1. “No.”
2. “It depends.”

You – “No.”

SKULDUGGERY – “An excellent deception, if she had done anything vengeance can always be taken at another date.” Belle – “Well, okay, you were losing a lot of fluid,” Somehow her wooden face takes on a green tint as she speaks, “As well as some other things when we were fleeing from Eggman and Metal.”
“And This,” She says, gesturing at the amorphous mass in the forcefield tube, “Is the part of you that, uh, fell off.”

INLAND EMPIRE – You didn’t see it before, but there are patterns in the mass, patterns like the sloughed off skin of a snake.

COMPOSURE [Impossible: Failure] – What?

VECTOR – “Uh, oh.”

1. “Fell off, what do you mean fell off?”
2. “Why the f**k is the pip squeak keeping, and what the hell’s with that label, I’m not just some *ZOMBOT.*”
3. “Oh, okay.”
4. “I’ve decided that I’m mad at you now.”

YOU – “Fell off, what do you mean fell off?”

BELLE – “Well when I was, carrying you on top of Motobug here,” she says gesturing to the dog-like ladybug robot you’ve been pointedly ignoring.
“Some of you started melting. We saved what we could, but we were trying to avoid Eggman and Metal Sonic at the time as well.”

1. “Fell off, what do you mean fell off?”
2. “Last time I checked I still had most of my parts.”
3. “Why the f**k is the pip squeak keeping, and what the hell’s with that label, I’m not just some *ZOMBOT.*”
4. “Oh, okay.”
5. “I’ve decided that I’m mad at you now.”

YOU – “Last time I checked I still had most of my parts.”

BELLE – “Luckily a lot of your parts just stuck back when we got you stabilized and most of what you lost we were able to make up for.” “As long as you have enough energy you should be able to make up for any losses, but Tails would know more about that.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA – At her words another memory returns, an incoming saw blade and then blackness.

ENDURANCE – You noticed the saw blade too late, only sensing its presence as it bites into your skin. But you aren’t flesh and bone anymore, not so easy to cut, your semiliquid, sticky innards clog up the blade and then it catches on your skeleton.

PAIN THRESHOLD – The pain is immaculate, and when the other saw blade hits from behind and the pain doubles.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – But you and Kit checked all of those logs, all Starline had to do was squish the bisected parts of your body back together, and you were right as rain. Ready to have your mind wiped again.

1. “Fell off, what do you mean fell off?”
2. “Last time I checked I still had most of my parts.”
3. “Why the f**k is the pip squeak keeping this, and what the hell’s with that label, I’m not just some *ZOMBOT.*”
4. “Oh, okay.”
5. “I’ve decided that I’m mad at you now.”

YOU – “Why the f**k is the pip squeak keeping this, and what the hell’s with that label, I’m not just some *ZOMBOT.*”

VECTOR – “Surge, but Tails said it's safe, they’re inert, not producing any of the metal virus. Even Sonic handled them and he’s fine right now.” “I don’t think he has any ideas of what to do with it yet, but this is the one thing he one hundred percent doesn’t want you to touch.”

1. “Fell off, what do you mean fell off?”
2. “Last time I checked I still had most of my parts.”
3. “Why the f**k is the pip squeak keeping this, and what the hell’s with that label, I’m not just some *ZOMBOT.*”
4. “Oh, okay.”
5. “I’ve decided that I’m mad at you now.”
6. “Fine, but it would’ve been nice for those two to have explained themselves.”

YOU – “Fine, but it would’ve been nice for those two to have explained themselves.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, Sonic doesn’t like to explain himself, and half the time when he does it’s because he’s letting his ego do the talking.”

ESPIO – “An annoyingly troublesome habit.”

BELLE – “Yeah, those two are so busy right now, but I’m sure they’ll explain everything if you ask.”

1. (look at Dynamo Cage parts)
2. (Look at the robot parts)
3. (Examine the middle table)
4. “You think Tails can make me stronger?”
5. [Perception - Formidable] What else is in the lab.
6. “Enough gawking, let's scram.” (Leave)

YOU – [Perception - Formidable] What else is in the lab.

FAILURE

PERCEPTION – You’ve checked all the tables and a cursory glance none of the tools underneath them are interesting. There is nothing extra to examine right now.

INTERFACING – Starting to think there’s a problem with this guy, here, I’ll take a look at our optics tonight.

VISUAL CALCULUS – I have some ideas about that as well, we’ll discuss it later.

1. (look at Dynamo Cage parts)
2. (Look at the robot parts)
3. (Examine the middle table)
4. (“You think Tails can make me stronger?”
5. [Perception - Formidable] What else is in the lab.
6. “Enough gawking, let's scram.” (Leave)

YOU – “Enough gawking, let's scram.” (Leave)

BELLE – “Right, I hope we’ll meet again Surge.”

1. “You too.”
2. “Yeah, yeah, f**k off Badnik.”
3. “Whatever.”

YOU – “Whatever,” you say dismissing the wooden Badnik and her Motobug as you wheel yourself out of the entrance to Tails lab and back into the engineering bay. As you get far enough away from the room, Vector speaks up.

VECTOR – “Hmm, didn’t expect that.”

ESPIO – “Tails knew we were coming, meaning he might have anticipated what happened.”

1. “It’s nothing, have you met Sonic, it’s not like he’s smart.”
2. “Any idea of what he and Sonic two are up to?

YOU – “Any idea of what he and Sonic two are up to?”

ESPIO – “Aside from trying to find Kit, I don’t know. Both he and Sonic can be mysterious.”

VECTOR – “He probably doesn’t mean anything, bad, it might’ve been some sort of test. But I don’t think Sonic knew about it, he’s way too spontaneous and probably wants to talk to you himself.”

1. [Shocks - Formidable] What does the wind say?
2. [Rhetoric - Medium] Sonic, something’s wrong with Sonic’s behavior. Earlier Vector said that Sonic was going out of his way, acting out of character to help you. Why?
3. “The sooner we can ask him the better.”

YOU – (Rhetoric - Medium) Sonic, something’s wrong with Sonic’s behavior. Earlier Vector said that Sonic was going out of his way, acting out of character to help you. Why?

SUCCESS

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] – He left Metal with Team Dark and GUN, but they failed to redeem him and Eggman escaped. While Team Dark had Metal, Sonic didn’t visit and showed no interest in his robot doppelganger, Espio and possible Shadow hold this against him.
Thinking that if he had taken a stronger interest in him, that Metal might not have returned to Eggman’s side.
Sonic may or may not agree with them, but given that he feels bad about your current state he probably feels bad about Metal as well.
Ergo he is taking a more active role in helping you, in order to assuage his guilt.

YOU – “He feels guilty. You said that Sonic was going out of his way, and back during the Metal he didn’t do jack or squat, so he’s being more handsy now ‘cause he feels bad”

AUTHORITY – The thought sickens you, Surge the Tenrec isn’t anybody to be pitied.

VECTOR – “I don’t know for sure, he’s showing way more care then back when Metal was captured, that’s for sure. It has been three-ish years since the metal Overlord incident.” “Hopefully he’s trying to be more responsible and isn’t just acting out of guilt about how things turned out back then.”

ESPIO – He nods his head in agreement, “Eitherways, I’ll call Charmy.”

1. “Yeah, good idea.”
2. “And what. tip off Shadow and Rouge?”

YOU – “And what. tip off Shadow and Rouge?”

ESPIO – “Indeed, better that Shadow and Rouge know as well.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, I trust Sonic but he can be odd, and Tails tends to follow.”

ESPIO – Espio nods, not saying anything more as he walks alongside you.

1. “So that’s it?”

YOU – “So that’s it?”

VECTOR – “Well it's getting pretty dark and we don't have anything else to do. Espio?

ESPIO – “I don't have any business here today, we can go back to her hospital room if Surge wants to.”

1. “Nah,” (Stay a while longer)
2. “Yeah, let’s get moving, it’s been a long day.” (End of Day one)

YOU – “Yeah, let’s get moving, it’s been a long day.” (End of Day one)

YOU – Despite your conversation, or perhaps because of it you haven’t made much progress back to your hospital room. Despite that you continue back through the parking garage, through to the mall now more parsley populated, and then up two different elevators.
Until finally, you’ve returned to your hospital room as the light outside grows dimmer and dimmer.
Vector needs to deposit the two new outfits you’ve bought into your room, but after that he goes right back outside with Espio.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – A shame he can’t stay, he’s rather handsome, isn’t he?

ESPIO – “I’ll be the first to head off,” He says, nodding before a ripple passes over his body. Blue and purple and then clear. Within seconds he’s nowhere to be seen, disappearing into the hallway.

SHOCKS [Easy: Success] – The silent echo of his foot step, the beat of his heart, the beat of his heart and the electricity in his nerves, you feel it. He is still there, hidden from view. It would not be hard for you to find him, but for others…

1. “You know I can still hear you right?” (turn to Espio)
2. “G’night vector.”

YOU – “G’night vector.”

VECTOR – “You have a good night too, Surge. I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress today, see ya’ tomorrow!” he says, waving before excusing himself and heading down the hallway in the same direction as

ESPIO.

YOU – Quickly, you close the door to your room with a tap and then park your wheelchair near the bed. Your new clothes have already been deposited by vector into your room and you are left alone in your room due, due to your *POWER NAP* from earlier you aren’t feeling as tired as you’d like, is there anything you want to do before resting?

1. (Leave to explore the hall)
2. (Check on the equipment in your room)
3. (Check on the restroom)
4. (Checklist of things to do the next day)
5. (go to bed)

YOU – (Check on the equipment in your room)

INTERFACING – the heart monitor hA been replaced, same make, same model, feels the same under your touch. But a different machine nonetheless, a standard piece of equipment. Although you don't think you will be needing it anymore.

PERCEPTION [Medium: Failure] – Other than that you see nothing of note, no bugs, no conscious air vents, it's just a hospital room with a hospital bed. There is no more information about your condition.

1. (Leave to explore the hall)
2. (Check on the equipment in your room)
3. (Check on the restroom)
4. (Checklist of things to do the next day)
5. (go to bed)

YOU – (Check on the restroom)

YOU – You wheel yourself over to the bathroom door and open it, revealing the mirror and sink opposite the door. Sharp eyes and fangs glare back at you from beyond the glass.

PERCEPTION [Formidable: Success] – There is a hair's width crack on the mirror, so small most would have missed it, but not you. Turns out you did do some damage earlier.

INLAND EMPIRE [Impossible: failure] – There is a monotreme in the mirror.

STARLINE – So, you’ve returned my creation. Are finally willing to play your part, we both want the same thing.
Sonic the Hedgehog, dead.

1. “Shut up you dumb duck.”
2. [Volition - Challenging] Ignore him wordlessly.
3. “Yeah, yeah, don't get too cocky, I'm not playing your game.”
4. “What do you want, Starline?”

BARE SUCCESS

YOU – [Volition: Challenging] Ignore him wordlessly

VOLITION – You hold your gaze as though aYou leave the bathroom and close the door behind you.

STARLINE – Fine, ignore me if you want, it won’t change a thing.

1. (Leave to explore the hall)
2. (Check on the equipment in your room)
3. (Check on the restroom)
4. (Checklist of things to do the next day)
5. (go to bed)

YOU – (Checklist of things to do the next day)

Sonic

Tails is acting shifty, what’s his deal.

Investigate Sonic’s possible feelings of guilt.

Sonic and Tails’ past are still largely an unknown.

Yourself

Possible ex-sonic fan.

Familiar with machinery, engineering.

GUN

Shadow and GUN are keeping tabs on you, what are they up to.

Joining the Restoration

You seem to need to recommendation of other Restoration members to join.

Possible recommendations include: Tangle, Vanilla, Lanolin, Whisper, Tails, Amy, and Sonic’s word holds a lot of weight.

INTERFACING – Much better, look at how clean this is. four categories of investigation, no more extraneous quests.
Just perfect.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Actually I have a great idea what to do.

1. (Leave to explore the hall)
2. (Check on the equipment in your room)
3. (Check on the restroom)
4. (Checklist of things to do the next day)
5. (go to bed)
6. [Electrochemistry - Formidable] Attempt to manually modify your brain chemistry to be more affected by caffeine.
7. You couldn't have thought of that earlier?

YOU – (go to bed)

YOU – You walk over to the bed, taking off your clothes and deleting them into a pile on the wheel chair, wordlessly you slip on a new sheet-like hospital gown then deposit yourself on the bed. Your dreams are still away from you, on the edge of your mind, growing closer but not here yet. What will you do?

1. [Shocks - Challenging] What’s going on elsewhere.
2. Give into the sweet pull of sleep.
3. [Inland Empire - Medium] Sleep dreamlessly.
4. Get out of bed.

YOU – [Shocks: Challenging] What’s going on elsewhere

FAILURE

SHOCKS [Challenging: Failure] – Nothing you feel nothing, the room is still a room, and in the dark lights behind your eyelids, you see nothing.
The building is asleep, the electric veins do not answer you.

1. [Shivers - Challenging] What’s going on elsewhere.
2. Give into the sweet pull of sleep,
3. [Inland Empire - Medium] Sleep dreamlessly.
4. Get out of bed.

YOU – [Inland Empire: Medium] Sleep dreamlessly

SUCCESS

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] – Your dreams fade away like your consciousness as you drift off to sleep.

MORALE HEALED

HEALTH RESTORED

>Thought complete: Long overdue for an oil change

1. (Ignore pop up)
2. (Open it)

YOU – (Open it)

Long overdue for an oil change

Solution:
Every so often a car needs its oil changed. You aren’t a car, and you don’t think you need to eat (anymore) but it’s the principle of the thing, even if you're immortal you're going to need to take care of your body.
But you aren’t some beaten up old wreck, you’re (probably) eighteen for Gaia’s sake. Kick that engine right into gear we need to be in tip top shape.
That said, with all the new parts you’ve been healing, you’re starting to feel surprisingly raw.

Bonus:

Increased max Health

Health damage recovery increased

Malus to Pain Threshold

You will ‘briefly’ be in pain

PERCEPTION – With the fluorescent green notification gone, you focus the ceiling above you,
Whatever time it is, the hospital staff haven’t seen fit to turn the lights on yet.

PAIN THRESHOLD – True to the notification, without even moving your body, you notice a raw and persistent slight pain that creeps along your form.

1. [Pain Threshold - Easy] Get up.
2. (Continue to lay down)

YOU – [Painthreshold - Easy] Get up

SUCCESS

PAIN THRESHOLD [Easy: Success] – An ache wracks through your body as you slide your lower off the bed. It’s not a sudden disabling pain like you had yesterday, instead it is a consistent, tender, and sweet pain. The baby blue of your hospital curtain seems searing with your eyes so raw and you shudder as your bare feet meet the cold floor.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Really, is this what we’re stuck with? How the f**k are we supposed to get off with all these stress hormones in our system, this is a hospital right? There has to be some opioids somewhere.

LOGIC – I’d highly doubt they’d give *US* any opioids if we asked. Besides, with how advanced our immunity to poisons and drugs is, I doubt we would be affected unless we made exceptions.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Right, right, the coffee. We’ll have to do something about that, be right back.

1. [Pain Threshold - Hard] Fight off the pain.
2. [Perception - Trivial] Survey the room

YOU – [Perception: Trivial] Survey the room

SUCCESS

PERCEPTION [Trivial: Success] – Parting the curtains around your bed, the first thing you notice is having to part your curtains at all.
You definitely did not close them last night, not only that but there’s another hospital gown, folded up alongside you two new outfits you got yesterday.
Someone was here last night, but they didn’t make any attempt to hide their presence.

HALF LIGHT – A spy, another spy, they’re keeping a close eye on us. I can feel them, on the other side of the walls, on the other side of the mirror

LOGIC – Probably a nurse, or some other staff, not very important.

1. (Get dressed and get to business)

YOU – (Get dressed and get to business)

PAIN THRESHOLD [Mediuml: Failure] – F**K.

YOU – “F**K”

PAIN THRESHOLD – That actually made you feel a bit better anyways.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Success] – Yes, that makes sense, what is it called again? Hypoalgesic something or other?

1. What the fuck are you talking about?
2. (Discard thought)

YOU – What the fuck are you talking about?

ENCYCLOPEDIA – A study in the United Federation, The Pragmatics of Swearing. TLDR: swearing alleviates pain through emotional arousal acting as a distraction mechanism.

INLAND EMPIRE – Study by Timothy Jay and Kristin Janschewitz.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – So keep swearing.

LOGIC – I would suggest, calling a nurse and asking for some aspirin? But given out current state I don't think that's a viable option.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Actually I have a solution for that. A new thought project, Selective Immunity.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – He’s right, I have my own suggestion for that well.

INTERFACINGThus an improvement in our ability to process bio-data is essential if we’re going to grow in power.

STARLINE – I did as d**n well as I could what I had, let me handle this and I’ll do one better. Make you stronger, faster.

1. (Electrochemistry) Selective Immunity.
2. (Encyclopedia) Remember your birth date.
3. (Interfacing) Bio-data processors.
4. (???) Harder, better, faster, stronger.

YOU – (Interfacing) Bio-data processors.

SKULDUGGERY – All the better to betray them with, once we’ve gotten their trust. They won’t know what’s coming.

AUTHORITY – All the better to prove our worth either way, loyalty or betrayal.

YOU – You nod off to their comments, ignoring them as you stand in your room. Now ready for the day, what will you do now?

1. (Keep swearing)
2. [Perception - Trivial] Attempt to find the button to call for the nurse.
3. (Get dressed)

YOU – (Get dressed)

YOU – Picking through the two outfits you acquired yesterday, you eventually decide on an outfit. The yellow jacket and the translucent shades, with you still wearing your quills down it’s unlikely somebody will recognize you. Idly, you glance up to the analogue clock hanging in your room, unfortunately you do not know how to read digital clocks. But it’s probably early.

1. (Keep swearing)
2. [Perception - Trivial] Attempt to find the button to call for the nurse.
3. (Get dressed)
4. (Go back to sleep)

YOU – [Perception - Trivial] Attempt to find the button to call for the nurse.

PERCEPTION – Even in the darkness, it’s an easy task.
Whether from a police or medical procedural show, pop-culture osmosis or something you saw in your past life, you know the location of the button from second nature.
Pressing down on it, you hear a slight beep before the button recedes.

1. (Keep swearing)
2. [Perception - Trivial] Attempt to find the button to call for the nurse.
3. (Get dressed)
4. (Go back to sleep)
5. (Wait for a nurse to arrive)

YOU – (Keep swearing)

YOU – “s**t f**k a*****e f*****g d****t!” You say like a mantra, almost shouting loud enough to be heard outside of your room. Although your face flushes slightly at the thought of other people seeing you yelling obscenities into the void.

PAIN THRESHOLD – Ah that's better, you feel the pain begin to recede, the slight ache fading into the background.

1. (Keep swearing)
2. [Perception - Trivial] Attempt to find the button to call for the nurse.
3. (Get dressed)
4. (Go back to sleep)
5. (Wait for a nurse to arrive)

YOU – (Wait for a nurse to arrive)

YOU – Seeing nothing else to do, you fold up your old clothes and place them on a chair before sitting down on your bed, you don’t know how long.
But less then a minute later, you hear the hurrying of nails against the floor of the hospital, as someone rushes down the hall.
Then with a woosh the door opens, revealing a young-ish Dog Mobian with black fur, covered in splotches of white.

PERCEPTION [Trivial: Success] – You spy the name of her ID, Sugar. An odd name for someone with a black coat.

SUGAR – “Hello, Miss,” She begins breathlessly, before bringing a clipboard up, “The Tenrec, did you call?”

STARLINE – Really, Sugar? What’s next, a dog named sweetie? Do you really have to put up with these sacchine cartoons of people?

LOGIC – The Tenrec? She does know that’s not our last name, right?
She doesn’t seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer.

EMPATHY [Trival: Easy] – Either way the way her face lights up and her tail wags expectantly. She is easy to read, honest. <

SKULDUGGERY – Easily deceivable.

1. “Yeah, whatever.”
2. “It’s Surge.”

YOU – “It’s Surge.”

SUGAR – “Okay, nice to meet you Miss Surge,” she says, practically glowing.

LOGIC – Actually, what did we call her for?

AUTHORITY – To assert our dominance over the hospital staff. We shall rectify the disobedience of yesterday’s nurse.

AUTHORITY – Indeed, and we are not ones who wait. Others wait on us, we will demand the presence of our rightful servants.

1. “I need a phone, I want to call Vector.”
2. “No reason, I was bored.”

YOU – “I need a phone, I want to call Vector.”

SUGAR – “Isn’t it a bit early, I wouldn’t want to wake Mister Vector up,” she says, entirely too childish for someone her age, but then again it’s hard to tell how old she is. “But if you want to talk with him you can come with me to the front desk, I can call him from the desk for you.”

RHETORIC – Hmm, she seems a bit air-headed, why would they allow someone like her to handle a dangerous criminal like you?

1. “How old are you?”
2. “Just call Vector already, I’m not gonna wait all day for him.”
3. “What are you, some prodigy or something, why’re you even dealing with someone like me?”

YOU – “How old are you?”

SUGAR – “Oh! I’m nineteen, but if you don't need my help then I’ll have to go, miss.” “We don’t get paid to make small talk after all.”

STARLINE – Really, she’s older than you? How’d an airhead like her become a nurse?

RHETORIC [Medium: Failure] – Maybe she’s a prodigy, there seems to be tons of those floating around, with Kit and Charmy, and Tails. There are probably some other bot guinness you’re forgetting about.

1. “How old are you?”
2. “Just call Vector already, I’m not gonna wait all day for him.”
3. “What are you, some prodigy or something, why’re you even dealing with someone like me?”

YOU – “What are you, some prodigy or something, why’re you even dealing with someone like me?”

SUGAR – “Oh, Well it’s not like your really dangerous or a flight risk, not like they have any reason to restrict access to your room, even if you're in the high security wing.” “We have to take care of you guys somehow,” She says with a sparkle in her eye.

AUTHORITY – Not a threat, NOT A THREAT! How dare she, we are perfectly threatening.

STARLINE – See, these people have no respect for you. Better we leave them at the first opportunity. We could even take the time to subtract a few annoyances on your way out.

PUNK TACTICS – Where’s this b***h coming from, you’re the baddest punk this side of the archipelago, probably this side of the world even.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – It’s not like we have much competition, Punk went out of style in the federation about a decade ago. The only *PUNK* individual of note you can remember is the tall purple Zeti who’s name you can’t remember.

SUGAR – “Actually…” She says, seeming to realize her mistake. “I probably shouldn’t have told you that, uh oh,” She says the last bit smiling, like a child who got their hand stuck in a cookie jar.

STARLINE – Idiot, In-va-lid, are these the people that Sonic protects. I can think of a few better uses for her like, namely material for a bio-furnace.

1. “Whatever, not like I’m going to tell anybody.”
2. “Thanks anyways.”

YOU – “Whatever, not like I’m going to tell anybody.”

1. “How old are you?”
2. “Just call Vector already, I’m not gonna wait all day for him.”
3. “What are you, some prodigy or something, why’re you even dealing with someone like me?”

YOU – “Just call Vector already, I’m not gonna wait all day for him.”

SUGAR – “Okay, ma’am do you want me to push you along, your file said you had some difficulties walking yesterday?”

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – With the tune up me and the boys got finished working on that shouldn’t be a problem, ignoring the pain of course.

1. “Yeah whatever, cart me around.”
2. “Nah, I can walk fine today.”

YOU – “Nah, I can walk fine today.”

SUGAR – “Oh! That’s good to hear, and if you’ll just follow me we can call Mister Vector in a jiffy.” She says, beginning to step away from the door.

1. (Follow her)
2. [Perception - Trivial] Find an object to throw.

YOU – (Follow her)

YOU – You follow after the nurse girl, it’s still hard to think of her as older than you, down the hallway opposite of the direction you and the Chaotix went yesterday. Passing through a small security checkpoint, into another elevator and down to the ground floor. There’s a large front desk with Catsuo, the white haired elderly cat nurse from yesterday dozing off in a chair behind it.

SUGAR – “Don’t worry about Miss Catsuo,“ Sugar whispers, “She’s a grumpypants but she means well.”

1. “So, what’s the deal with the old lady?”
2. “Yeah whatever, just get me Vector.”
3. “Nah, it’s too early. Wanna wait a bit longer and do something else?”

YOU – “Yeah whatever, just get me Vector”

SUGAR – “Jeez, someone really needs to lighten up don’t they.”

STARLINE – Disrespectful harlot.

1. “Just hand me the phone.”
2. [??? - ???] “How about a disrespectful harlot like you leaves and I do what I want?”
3. [Rhetoric - Impossible] Ask for the phone politely.

YOU – “Just hand me the phone,” You say irritation growing in your voice

SUGAR – “Fine Miss, no need to get snappy with me,” Sugar says, hanging you the phone. “Do you even know his phone number.”

1. [Shocks - Challenging] “Watch me”
2. “So what, you know his personal phone number or whatever?”

YOU – [Shocks - Challenging] “Watch me”

SUCCESS

SHOCKS [Challenging: Success] – You hold the handset of the landline while your finger hovers over the buttons. You send your awareness outward, through the phone, through the flow of energy. The numbers come to you, one after another. A series of three, then three again, then four. Your finger presses down on the buttons. A connection is made and a voice answers.

VECTOR – Groggily he answers, “Ugh, who is this?”

SUGAR – “You could have just used a business card miss show off,” the dog complains, folding her arms childishly.

1. “Vector, it’s me, Surge.”
2. “Sorry about this, but I’m going to need your help.”
3. ”So, when are we going to start on my investigation today.”

YOU – “Vector, it’s me, Surge.”

VECTOR – “Surge, it’s five twenty in the morning

VECTOR - “Huh,” He says, you can hear someone else on the other end of the line, is somebody listening in?

1. [Perception - Medium] (Push your ear to the receiver, you try to make their voice out.)
2. (Respect his privacy)

YOU – [Perception - Medium] (Push your ear to the receiver, you try to make their voice out.)

SUCCESS

PERCEPTION – [Challenging: Success] Straining your ears against the receiver, you eek out the other voice.
Is that Vanilla? What is she doing there?

VECTOR – “Wait a minute, Surge, I'm handing the phone over to Vanilla.”

AUTHORITY – Not even giving us the chance to reject, hpmh. He may be more aspirational the the rest but we would do better to not tolerate such insolence.

VANILLA – “Surge dear,” she says, her kind voice filtering through the receiver.

LOGIC [Trivial: Failure] – Do Vanilla and Vector live together? Charmy mentioned something about them being in a relationship yesterday, didn’t he?

PERCEPTION – I didn’t spy a wedding band on either of their fingers.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Trivial: success] – isn't it obvious! They fucked last night! lucky fucking rabbit bitch why is she the one who gets the hunky alligator.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] – You judge her too harshly, Vector’s a handsome individual. Not to mention Vanilla’s figure, you saw you yesterday, supple and mature. Motherly. Besides, think of the potential of a “two-in-one” deal. Instead of just a hunky gator, there’s a hunky gator and an attractive older woman.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Hmm, good effort, I see great things in our future partnership.

VOLITION [Medium: Failure] – against your better will, lurid images briefly flood through your mind and you choke on air. Try as you might, you still struggle to rein these guys in sometimes. Errant thoughts going on to distract you in uncomfortable ways.

COMPOSURE [Formidable: Success] – Your loss of control is only momentary and Sugar only has a moment to jump back in surprise as she’s watching you. Your face settles back into its usual grimace, you sure hope Vanilla didn't hear that.

VANILLA – “Surge dear, are you there?”

COMPOSURE – Although it occurs to you’ve left Vanilla hanging for a moment.

STARLINE – Oh please, stop embarrassing yourself. Not to mention me and the others, we’re here as well.

1. “Yeah, I’m here, you wanted to talk.”
2. [[??? - ???] “No, Surge isn’t here right now.”
3. (Slam the phone down)

YOU – “Yeah, I’m here, you wanted to talk.”

VANILLA – “Yes, if you're going to badger Vector here out of my bed this early in the morning then I might as well follow up on what I told you yesterday.”

STARLINE – Oh god not this again, why are you humoring her?

1. “You mean the whole ‘civilian’ thing. I’m not interested.”
2. [??? - ???] Shut your mouth already she’s not interested.
3. “Yeah… It actually sounded pretty interesting.”

YOU – “You mean the whole ‘civilian’ thing. I’m not interested.”

VANILLA – “Well, just keep it in mind dear,” She says, her voice sounding as kind and patient as ever.
“I don’t want to force you to do anything, but I just want you to know there’s always other options.”

STARLINE – As if there is any other lot in life for you until you complete your mission.
Cooperation isn’t hard you know, we both want similar things here.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success]– She’s just trying to help, she cares in her own way.

PUNK TACTICS – Her helping isn’t wanted, as if a proper *PUNK* like is just going to go along with what *THE MAN WANTS*

1. “I don’t need your help, fuck off.”
2. “You’re right, I don’t think I'm really cut out for this sort of thing.”

YOU – “Whatever, I’m not gonna decide anything until I pound Sonic into the dirt first.”

VANILLA – “Thank you for hearing me out anyway dear.”

1. “Whatever, can ya’ put Vector on now?”
2. “I’ll think about it more, thank you.”

YOU – “Whatever, can ya’ put Vector on now?”

VANILLA – You hear her sigh on the other end of the line, “Okay, I’m handing the phone over to Vector now.”

VECTOR – “Okay, getting dressed now Surge, I’ll be there in a jiffy. Me and Vanilla only live a train ride away.”

1. “Whatever, just get here fast.”

YOU – “Whatever, just get here fast,” you say hanging the phone up before Vector has a chance to reply

SUGAR – “Oh!”

CATSUO – “Keep it down you two, some of us are trying to sleep.”

SUGAR – “Sorry Miss Catsuo, I didn’t want to wake you.”

CATSUO – “It’s fine,” the older nurse says, getting up from the chair, “have you seen Acira?”

SUGAR – “Oh yeah, he’s probably retired for the rest of the day, I know how you night owl are.”

CATUSO – “G’night,” The Nurse says, heading out of the lobby, “And Surge, don’t give Sugar any trouble, she’s a nice girl.”

SUGAR – “Phew,” She says, wiping her brow, “Good thing Miss Catsuo was in a good mood.”

1. “Yeah, so what do we do now?”
2. “Whatever.”
3. “So what’s the old lady’s deal?”
4. [Physical Instrument - Easy] (Claim the chair.)

YOU – [Physical Instrument - Easy] (Claim the chair.)

SUCCESS

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Easy: Success] – Before Sugar can react, you move across the room. Homing in on the Chair, the blessed office chair blue being the only thing you can see. Claiming it before she can move for it or even ask. The disappointment on her face is evident, but it does not move you.

1. “Yeah, so what do we do now?”
2. “Whatever.”
3. “So what’s the old lady’s deal? Why'd Ya’ call her Miss.”
4. [Physical Instrument - Easy] (Claim the chair.)

YOU – “So what’s the old lady’s deal? Why'd Ya call her Miss.”

VECTOR – “Oh yeah, she’s my superior, well we’re both Nurses but she’s older then me. So that makes her a Miss.”

AUTHORITY – A sign of respect then, is her calling you Miss a sign of difference as well?

1. “Yeah, so what do we do now?”
2. “Whatever.”
3. “So what’s the old lady’s deal? Why'd Ya’ call her Miss.”
4. ““So what does that make me?”
5. [Physical Instrument - Easy] (Claim the chair.)

YOU – “So what does that make me?”

SUGAR – “A patient, that I’m being nice to,” she says, puffing out what little chest she has, smiling smugly.

STARLINE – What an annoyingly chipper personality, no elegance at all. I bet she hasn’t even thought of killing Sonic like you have, why are we entertaining this?

1. “Yeah, so what do we do now?”
2. “Whatever.”
3. “So what’s the old lady’s deal? Why'd Ya call her Miss.”
4. “So what does that make me?”
5. [Physical Instrument - Easy] (Claim the chair.)
6. [??? -???] (Ask what’s wrong with her.)

YOU – [??? -???] (Ask what’s wrong with her.)

YOU(Starline colored) – “la-dee-da! Geez, what’s with you and that overly peppy attitude?”

SUGAR – “Well, if you’re asking-”

REACTION SPEED – Time slows down as panic rears its ugly head and the realization hits you, she’s going to tell you her backstory. This may be your only chance to avoid catastrophe

1. (say nothing)
2. (Interrupt)

YOU – (Interrupt)

SUGAR – “You see it all started when I was-”

YOU – “Wait, stop!”

SUGAR – “Aw, well what do you want to talk about in the meantime.”

STARLINE – At least this is one thing we can agree on, the indignity of being stuck here with annoying dogs. If only you could, I don’t know… Search for ways to kill Sonic or maybe find me a robot shell?

ENCYCLOPEDIA – There is what’s left of Metal Sonic, although it isn’t in working order.

STARLINE – Don’t worry about that, as long as we can find a proper mind-machine interfacing cable I’ll be able to work freely from there.

1. “Nothing, we’re going to do nothing.”
2. “I’m gonna go back to my room, send Vector up when he arrives”

YOU – “Nothing, we’re going to do nothing.”

SUGAR – “Oh, okay,” she says, wilting slightly, obviously bored.

1. (surrender the seat to her)
2. (Wait for Vector)

YOU – (Wait for Vector)

YOU – You set into an uneasy stand off with Sugar as you wait for Vector, you unwilling to give up the chair. Her, unwilling to stop being friendly and trying to coax you out of the chair like a child, trying everything her brain can think of to no avail.

VOLITION – Luckily, she didn’t bring out the puppy eyes. We would have no way to resist that.

YOU – But eventually, the leather-jacket clad gator opens the door to the hospital, saving you from your new friend.
The annoying dog waves to him as he enters the room and he waves back, a kind smile on his face.

VECTOR – “Ah, Surge,” Vector says, waling through the door as he rubs the sleep from his eyes

1. “Alright, finally let’s get going.”
2. “Yo’ Vector, nice to see you again.”

YOU – “Alright, finally let’s get going.”

VECTOR – “Woah, hold your horses, first things first. Breakfast.”

EMPATHY [Easy: Failure] Breakfast? You don’t feel hungry, can’t he see the pain you’re in? The pain of not knowing who you are, who cares about Breakfast?

1. “Breakfast really?”
2. “Fine, I’ll wait here.”
3. “Then I’m coming with.”

YOU – “Breakfast really?”

VECTOR – “It’s too early in the morning and I’ve had too little coffee to do a proper investigation, so we’re getting Breakfast.” “Besides, not all of us are part robots who live off of Chaos drives.”

1. “Ugh, fine.” (Go with Vector)
2. “Whatever, I’ll just wait here until you get back.”

YOU – “Ugh, fine.” (Go with Vector)

YOU – Not seeing any other choice you follow Vector out of the hospital, sugar waving to you as you leave.

PERCEPTION – The streets of Emeraldville are surprisingly
clean for a ruin, you guess the Restoration has at least cleaned up that much.
But aside from that as far as the eye can see Emeraldville is a rubble, a city once now a ruin.
If it wasn’t for Restoration HQ, this city would be entirely abandoned.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] – The aching pain is still there, thrumming through your legs.
But you can handle it, you focus your mind on others things, content with the knowledge you are healing.

PERCEPTION – You see the lights of the diner before you see the diner itself, electric bulbs.
Casting a violent light that shines through the gaps in the rubble and crests over the ruins of buildings.
As you turn the corner, you come to realize how odd of a sight it really is. Standing tall amongst the rubble of Emeraldville. Looking utterly un-touched and new.

PERCEPTION – Not untouched, recently rebuilt, good as new. Just like the train station. But beyond both the train station and the dinner there is a mighty bridge, cloaked in the early morning fog. Although you spy a separate track on the train station, one that dives beneath the earth.

1. (Stay to admire the scenery)
2. (Follow Vector)

YOU – (Follow Vector)

YOU – You follow Vector inside inside the diner. It has warm and quaint atmosphere, the woman behind the counter is a wolf Mobian, plump and motherly, although she holds no candle to Vanilla. Warm, distant memories appear at the edges of your mind, but you grasp none.

VECTOR – “I’ll have a coffee and some pancakes,” Vector says, gesturing to a lady behind the counter as he enters.
“Surge, whatd’ya want?”

YOU – “Dunno.”

VECTOR – “Get her the same thing I’m having,” He says, sitting down in a booth and beckoning you to follow. “And another plate of the same as well, somebody else is coming.”

1. “Somebody else?”
2. “Coffee doesn’t do anything to me, apparently I’m immune to caffeine.”
3. “I didn’t ask you to order for me.”

YOU – “Coffee doesn’t do anything to me, apparently I’m immune to caffeine,” you say with more then a little resignation. “It’s just muddy bean juice to me.”

VECTOR – “Wait a sec’,” he says, standing up as he cups his hand to his mouth, “Hey, get her a water instead, no coffee.” The lady behind the counter nods, putting a coffee cup away and grabbing a water glass.

YOU – You start off with a ginger sip of your water, before grabbing your fork and using it to cut a triangle out of the edge of your pancake stack. All the while Vector seems content to take the aroma of the coffee in before he starts his meal.

VECTOR – “Ah,” He exclaims, setting the coffee cup down,”Feeling a little more awake now,” “Anyways, Espio should be here in a lil’ bit.”

LOGIC – So, that’s the other person who’s coming. Unsurprising.

1. “Thought I woke you up early, what’s with Espio bein’ up?”
2. “So Charmy ain’t gonna be here. Too early for him or something?”

YOU – “Thought I woke you up early, what’s with Espio bein’ up?”

VECTOR – “Espio’s an early riser, I don’t know how he manages it but he wakes up five o’clock on the dot every single day.”
“Probably has something to do with his family’s Ninja training.”

1. “Thought I woke you up early, what’s with Espio bein’ up?”
2. “So Charmy ain’t gonna be here. Too early for him or something?”

YOU – “So Charmy ain’t gonna be here. Too early for him or something?”

VECTOR – “Nope, little guy stayed up all night apparently, but he did find something.”

PUNK TACTICS – He ratted him out to his parents, just like any other father, an agent of *THE MAN*

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Hey, Vector can be our da-

VOLITION [Medium: Success] – No, just no, shut up.

1. “So what did Charmy find?”
2. “Right, what’s with his whole Ninja deal.”

YOU – “Right, what’s with Espio’s whole Ninja deal.”

VECTOR – “Oh, his family came from Nihon, a-” Vector gestures in the air, “Dozen generations ago?”
“Anyways, there was some big civil war going on at the time to his family packed up and moved.”
“Conquered a little island near the center and they’ve been there ever since.”

AUTHORITY – A prince of sorts? No wonder he walks and talks with such Authority,

1. “So what he’s a prince or something?”
2. “Neat I guess, what about you?”

YOU – “So what he’s a prince or something?”

VECTOR – “Kinda? Although he has two older brothers, it’s why he’s working for me.”

1. So what he’s a prince or something?”
2. “Neat I guess, what about you?”
3. ‘You looking for someone new?”
4. “So what did Charmy find?”

YOU – “You looking for someone new?”

VECTOR – “Oh, if you're interested, You’re free to join once this job is over,” He says, gesturing in the air with a distinct lack of finality. “And once, you're in good health of course.”

1. “You don’t have to worry about that, I’m already feeling better.”
2. “Ever have any other hires lined up?”

YOU – “Ever have any other hires lined up?”

VECTOR – “Well I mean, I guess there’s Sticks, but she tends to have her own…” “Ideas, so that didn’t work out. Although we still find her in the dumpster occasionally.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Failure] – Sticks, sticks, sticks… No that name isn’t familiar to you, all I’m pulling up is blanks.

1. So what he’s a prince or something?”
2. “Neat I guess, what about you?”
3. “You looking for someone new?”
4. “So what did Charmy find?”
5. “Eh whatever.” (Wait for Espio)

YOU – “Eh whatever.” (Wait for Espio)

YOU – Soon the lady returns with three plates on a tray, setting out you and Vector’s breakfast. You dig into your pile of pancakes, not needing to eat but appreciating the sensation nonetheless. Vector starts making mostly one sided small talk, intermingled with some truly horrible jokes, worthy of a father. But luckily, not too long after that, the bell above the door jingles.

VECTOR – “Ah, there’s Espio,” he says standing up from the booth to wave as Espio enter behind you. “Hey, we were just talking about you,” He says smiling.

ESPIO – He nods, taking his seat next to Vector, ”Nothing bad I hope.”

VECTOR – “Nah, just your ninja stuff.”

ESPIO – He nods again before turning to you, his tone softer than it was yesterday, “I see you’re doing better today.”

1. “I ain’t some wimp and I’m not gonna end up a cripple due to a little scratch like that.”
2. “Nice to see you too.”

YOU – “I ain’t some wimp and I’m not gonna end up a cripple due to a little scratch like that.”

ESPIO – “Well, you certainly have more confidence then some.”

1. “Yeah, nothin’ important, let’s get down to business.”
2. “So your family took over an island right? Are invasions common here?”

YOU – “So your family took over an island right? Are invasions common here?”

ESPIO – “Hmm,” Espios’s eyebrow twitch in irritation at the word ‘conquer,’ but nonetheless he seems in thought.
“A year before Eggman entered the scene with Sonic the Battle Bird Armada tried something.”
“But after that failure they’ve stayed clear of these skies ever since.”

1. “So you got some demons of your own?”
2. “Alright, you said Charmy found something?”

YOU – “Alright, you said Charmy found something?”

VECTOR – “Yep, an old social media post from before Eggman’s takeover,” he says, pulling his phone out and showing it to you.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – The screen shows a social media post, in the picture there is a female Tenrec on a beach.
She looks about two decades or more older than you and is on the beach, she had a different marking pattern
But she is the same color of yellow-green and in the corner there is a distant figure who shares the same coloring.
The picture is not captioned, but the woman looks happy.

VECTOR – “Look familiar?”

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Failure] – Is that you? No, no, you can’t make out any more details. You need a higher resolution photo to be sure.

1. “We’re both yellow-green?”

YOU – “We’re both yellow-green?” You say, unsure of who that is.

VECTOR – “Yep, but it’s a lead, Shady Beach, a town on Shade island, just west of here.” He says, gesturing to the train station and bridge with his thumb, “Her profile lists it as her place of residence.”

1. “Seems like a stretch, any other leads?”
2. “So, what’s her name?”

YOU – “So, what’s her name?”

VECTOR – “it’s Mary, no last name,” He says, clicking his phone off and putting it back into his jacket.
“But don’t get your hope up, Shady Beach was destroyed when Eggman happened.”
“And like a lot of people she hasn’t made any posts after, so if we go there we probably won’t find her.”

HALF LIGHT – Dead, what else could it be, she’s dead.

STARLINE – At least one of you seems to have some sense, do you really think I would leave anybody like that alive?It’s best to stop your search now, finding out who you were isn’t going to make you stronger.

1. [Shocks - Challenging] Try to feel her, trace the web, feel the electricity in your spine.
2. [Honor Among Thieves - Challenging] what about your other family, Kit.
3. “‘Kay, you get other stuff as well?”

FAILURE

SHOCKS [Challenging: Failure] – You try to cast your awareness out without but yo find nothing.
So much infrastructure is damaged, you can feel the lights in the building, Vector and Espio’s phone.
Your awareness ever crosses over into Restoration HQ, but it’s not far enough, too few eyes and cameras.

INLAND EMPIRE – Maybe the wind would know, but the current does not.

STARLINE – Or maybe, here’s the hint, she’s DEAD! How about instead wasting everybody's time chasing ghosts, you, we, focus on the only real thing that matters.
Killing Sonic the Hedgehog.

1. “Whatever, it’s not like she’s that important.”
2. “So what, she’s dead?”
3. “Guess we should leave now”
4. [Volition - Challenging] Stop talking, shut him up.

YOU – [Volition - Challenging] Stop talking, shut him up. (LUCKY SHOT, I'LL BE BACK)

VOLITION – No. You are not having these thoughts not here, not now. It does not matter if he is real, it does not matter if she is dead. You are the master here, your mind is the only place where you have total control.

VECTOR – “Surge, you okay?”

1. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
2. “No, no, it’s just, Starline again.”

YOU – “No, no, it’s just, Starline again.”

VECTOR – “Hmm,” He hums, placing his hand against his chin as he inspects you. “Well you should talk to Tails about it next time you meet, apparently he didn’t find anything earlier.” “But if Starline left anything inside your mind, you should be more careful.”

1. “I’m not crazy.”
2. “Whatever, I’ll remember to talk to Tails about it.”

YOU – “I’m not crazy.”

STARLINE – Help you wouldn’t need if you got to killing Sonic already, the only way I’m ever leaving you alone is if he’s dead.

VECTOR – “Not trying to say you are, but the Dynamo Cage clearly did a number of you, I just want to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

ESPIO – “It could always be mundane,” more then a few people have personified their fears and doubts. “It starts to become a delusion when you think it’s an actual person.”

1. “Whatever, do we head out now or do we gotta wait on the next train?”
2. “Kay, you got any other stuff to go over?”

YOU – “Kay, you got any other stuff to go over?”

VECTOR – “Yeah, Amy had her own lead, she emailed me about it last night.”
“There’s a big, refugee processing center two islands east where a lot of people ended up after being displaced.”
“It’s close to where Starline base is, and she thinks those places the refugee camps were his hunting ground for people.”

ESPIO – “It’s sad to say scum like him exists in this world, but looking at it logically if you wanted to find someone desperate and easy to manipulate, you’d go there.”

AUTHORITY – Desperate. Despicable, and nothing like yourself, noble and strong.
As if you would ever be prey in such a manner or prey upon others.

LOGIC – If we were a refugee, we would be desperate. Two events that impacted the Archipelago so widely so close to each other, it hasn’t been a good year.

EMPATHY – So many people lost, homes destroyed. But the sun keeps shining on and the world keeps turning.

VECTOR – “So, where do you think we should go looking today?”

INLAND EMPIRE – Actually, Before you make your choice, I think it’s important to remind you of Shadow’s words earlier, your past might not be as important as you think it is, or it might be something you would be better off without knowing. Something to keep in mind.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Don’t forget, there’s still that Wisp capsule the Restoration was keeping something in, we still don’t know what’s up with that. <

SKULDUGGERY – Not to mention, letting the Chaotix handle it would allow us to investigate the Restoration and schmooze with the Diamond Cutters.

RHETORIC – If we can find them, and if they don’t reject them outright. We had Whisper in a pretty tight spot back there. It wouldn’t be impossible, but it wouldn’t be easy.

EMPATHY – I would like to bring up something as well, although she might not be entirely right, Vanilla only means the best. Perhaps her proposal has some merit?

YOU – What will you choose as your investigation target for the day.

1. Charmy’s lead from Social Media on Shady Beach.
2. Amy’s lead from the Restoration database.
3. Investigate Starline base. (it’s still under quarantine, you should wait for Tails)
4. Stay behind per Vanilla’s suggestion and investigate the Restoration.

YOU – Charmy’s lead from Social Media on Shady Beach

INLAND EMPIRE – Are you sure you want to investigate your past?

1. “Alright Vector, I’ve decided what I want to do, let’s go check out Shady Beach”
2. Actually, what were the other options again. (go back to previous menu)

YOU – “Alright Vector, I’ve decided what I want to do, let’s go check out Shady Beach”

VECTOR – “Sounds A’okay, got anything else you want to talk about before we leave?”

ENCYCLOPEDIA – There’s still that strange Wisp capsule sighting we haven’t got an explanation for.

1. “Yeah, you mentioned people having problems with Sonic yesterday, what’s that about?”
2. “I wanna learn more about the Restoration, I saw something that interested me yesterday”
3. “No, no more questions.”

YOU – “Yeah, you mentioned people having problems with Sonic yesterday, what’s that about?”

VECTOR – “How about this, before I tell you that, you tell me what your problem with him is.”

INLAND EMPIRE – Written in the stars, a rivalry ordained by the heavens.

EMPATHY [Challenging: Failure] – All those people, it’s his fault, his responsibility for not saving the day fast enough.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] – Actually, do we care about that?

EMPATHY – Yes of course we care about the people.

LOGIC [Challenging: Success] – Are you sure? maybe thsi is what Espio was trying to get at yesterday?

PUNK TACTICS – Get at? There’s nothing to *get,* structures exist, punks rebel against structures. Doesn’t matter if it’s Eggman, Sonic, the Restoration, or parents. Whoever they are, we rebel.

RHETORIC [Easy: Success] – Of course we need a reason, besides Starline’s conditioning.
We weren’t offering a coherent reason for our hatred of Sonic, even Eggman and Starline have theirs.
Where’s our justification?

EMPATHY – But what about the people? You’ve heard about how many people are suffering.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] – Isn’t that more of Eggman’s fault? If we are angry about people suffering we should be prioritizing him.

RHETORIC – Whether we care about them or not doesn’t matter, because we haven’t actually thought about it. Who cares if people die, that important thing is that we think it out beforehand.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – I think that one’s easy, have you seen how he treats Tails and the people in his life. He’s just taking advantage of them

PUNK TACTICS – So what, the guys still a living embodiment of the status quo, aka *THE MAN,* fuck him.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Fucking Sonic you say-

AUTHORITY – No matter what the rat did he disrespected us and humiliated us in battle, we will restore your honor.

ENDURANCE – Hurt, we were dealt a wound and survived. But you never really recover from wounds, the memory stays with you.

PAIN THRESHOLD – The hurt, the shadow of your nerves screaming at you to live.
That has to mean something, has to.

STARLINE – Let’s be honest here, removing him from the equation is the only way I’m ever going to leave. It won’t hurt, well you at least, preferably him and those friends of his will be the hurting ones.

1. “Honor, I’m not gonna let him boss me around.”
2. “Sonic’s a shitty hero, it’s his fault all these people are suffering.”
3. “I don’t need a reason, the only reason is violence.”
4. “It’s how he treats Tails, I want to be better than him.”
5. “It has to mean something, everything that’s happened to me”
6. “Killing him will be the only thing that will free me.”
7. “He just pisses me off!”

YOU – “...I…I, dammit he just pisses me off!” “It pisses me off, his stupid handsome smug face, how he’s oh so perfect. Smug asshole.” “So that’s it, he disrespected me and I wanna knock hius teeth in, who the fuck cares about justice!”

VECTOR – Vector sighs, “Least you dropped the pretense, that’s definitely an improvement.”

1. “Why’re you guys so okay with it anyways, aren’t you supposed to be heroes?”
2. “Whatever, I don’t wanna talk about this.”

YOU – “Why’re you guys so okay with it anyways, aren’t you supposed to be heroes?”

VECTOR – “Ah well, we’re detectives and it’s more about the whole ‘mind control’ thing, you gone through.”

ESPIO – “But whenever you do talk about Sonic in depth you show a lack of clear motive, often confusing things.”

COMPOSURE & VOLITION [Villainous: Success] – Your face almost contorts into anger, you bite back a rebuttal.
You can’t show weakness, especially if they think you’re crazy.

1. “So what, Starline’s controlling me or something?”
2. “So you’re okay with me kicking his ass as long as I’m confident about it?”
3. “I get it, you guys wanna help me give Sonic a black eye.”

YOU – “So what, Starline’s controlling me or something?”

ESPIO – “Maybe, you do talk about hearing his voice,” He says, taking another long sip of his coffee.
“But this is what I was talking about yesterday, your hatred for Sonic doesn’t make sense and I don’t think you’ve thought it through.”

RHETORIC – Right, that why he was trying to interrogate us and suggested more effective courses of action. He was trying to see if we were totally mind controlled, in hindsight it’s rather obvious

1. “Thanks for caring at least.”
2. “Well laugh it up, all you want Espio.”

YOU – “Well laugh it up, all you want Espio.”

VECTOR – “Hey, it’s cool Surge, but ya’ gotta think about this sort of thing. You’re legally an adult-”
“And we’ll probably find your old identity, but you’re going to have to think about what you want to do after that.”
“Not to mention who you are, we’re not trying to make fun of you, this is important.”

VECTOR – “Hey no worries, I’m just trying my best to help,” He says, gesturing with his fork before impaling the stack of pancakes in front of him.
”And it’s not like Sonic doesn’t piss people off, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.”

1. “Fine, fine, I’ve heard enough. Can’t we talk about something else?”
2. And who are these people again?”

YOU – “And who are these people again?”

VECTOR – ”Hmmm,” vector hums, putting his hand to his chin. “Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Lanolin and Whisper, Infinite obviously. Me and Espio have our problems with him.” “But I think he’s on entirely good terms with Gadget”

ESPIO – “Don’t forget Silver.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”

VECTOR – “Yep, those two go way back. Although they aren’t really enemies, more vitriolic friends.”

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Failure] – Red haired and strong, not as fast as Sonic, a good foil. Not only that, but he understands and utilizes the occult properties of his dreadlocks to fly. A rather interesting application of the occult sciences.

1. “I guess that one is obvious then, next.”
2. “Although now that I think about it, I’m interested in trying out that hair style of his that can allow you to glide.”

YOU – “Although now that I think about it, I’m interested in trying out that hair style of his that can allow you to glide.”

ESPIO – ”What?” He snorts, laughing as coffee comes out of his nose.

VECTOR – “Uh Surge”

1. [Rhetoric - Challenging] Explain to them the joke you were making.
2. [Perception - Trivial] Find something to throw.

YOU – (Inland Empire - Villainous) They just aren’t seeing it right, obviously *THE MAN* has hidden the truth from them.

INLAND EMPIRE – Clearly they are unaware of the occult properties of Dreadlocks.
What are the Occult properties of Dreadlocks?
Well that's a mystery even the greatest of crypto-scholar have a hard time figuring out.

FAILURE

YOU – “No it totally does, his dreads like, they catch the wind or something.”
“It’s the uh,” You stutter confidence leaving you as you realize how stupid this sounds.
“The occult properties of dreadlocks, which…”

VECTOR – “Uh, well, look I’ll just call him and ask him myself.”

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] – Deep breath Surge, in and out. Keep calm, this isn’t the worst thing in the world.

PAIN THRESHOLD – You’ve been hurt more, whatever pain you feel here is merely psychosomatic.

VECTOR – “Okay, uh huh,” He says into his phone, while you were too busy being distracted he appears to have been taling with the Echidna “Okay, Knuckles says, he can fly due to Echidna magic, not due to the occult properties of dreadlocks.”

DAMAGED MORALE

PAIN THRESHOLD – Och, that one really hurt.

VECTOR – “Surge, I hate to ask this again, but are you okay?” He asks, fingers tapping the table.

ESPIO – “Her pulse is erratic due to panic.”

VOLITION [Medium: Success] – You bite down on your scream of ‘nobody asked you.’

1. “I feel like an idiot.”
2. [Rhetoric - Impossible] Explain to them the funny joke you were making.
3. “Fine, fine, just, my pride is damaged is all.”

YOU – “Fine, fine, just, my pride is damaged is all.”

1. ”Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
“
7. I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”

VECTOR – “Probably shouldn’t have said that, but it’s their own romantic problems. I think I’ll pass on explaining it.

1. “Fine, fine, just, my pride is damaged is all.”
2. [Rhetoric - Medium] Pry some more, it can’t be that hard.

YOU – “Fine, somebody else then.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “Shadow, what about Shadow.”

ESPIO – “Shadow’s a rival, and a like mind to me. Sonic’s a wild card, plays by his own rules.” “Although we all respect what he’s done, he could be more responsible.”

1. “Yeah, I get that.”
2. “Pretty stuck up reason to hate the guy.”

YOU – “Pretty stuck up reason to hate the guy.”

ESPIO – “Neither me nor Shadow hate him. We just want him to be better in our own way.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”

VECTOR – Well the two got off on a pretty rough foot, and Silver's pretty competitive so they tend to egg each other on wherever they meet.

VECTOR – “He skipped town back to the future a little bit ago, just after Sonic, Tails, and Belle returned with you.” “He said something about paradoxes, but it went over my head.”

ESPIO – ”Actually, in retrospect, he was probably talking about you.”

LOGIC – That makes sense, as you are biologically immortal, you probably know him in the future.

1. “Guess that means I'm still alive in the future.”
2. “Guess I’d know him in the future, is that why he’s missing?”

YOU – “Guess I’d know him in the future, is that why he’s missing?”

VECTOR – “Huh, most of the time unless something big happens it isn't enough to set off Silver’s future. But he tries to avoid Shadow since he’s still alive in the future.

ESPIO – “Thus, Shadow talking to Silver in the present would change Silver’s interactions with Shadow in the future.”
“The same would apply to you.”

1. “Ugh, time travel.”

YOU – “Ugh, time travel.”

VECTOR – “Yep it’s a real mess, happy we don’t have to deal with it.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. I’ve heard enough for now.”

YOU – “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”

VECTOR – “Oh Gadget, he and Sonic compete sometimes but it’s always friendly.”

ESPIO – “Infinite is a bigger problem, not very threatening but all he does is seethe in his anger despite Gadget’s efforts.”
“He even made good with Shadow, despite Shadow being the one to arrest his old crew.”

1. “Makes sense, what about the others?”
2. “Old crew?”

YOU – “Old crew?”

ESPIO – “Yeah. Shadow informed us of them after Eggman’s conquest.”
“Infinite ran with a Eggman affiliate mercenary company in the United Federation before he became what he is now.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. “I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”

VECTOR – “Well that’s…” Vector trails off not finishing his sentence, and instead gesturing for Espio to explain.

ESPIO – “Politics,” He says the word like a slur, not explaining any further.

EMPATHY – Politics, One of the things to never bring up at a family dinner.

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Failure] – Ah yes, the three corpses of family dinners.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] – You’re thinking of an eastern religious belief.
On that same topic, Politics, Money, Religion are the three things never to be brought up at a family dinner.

1. [Rhetoric - Formidable] Convince them to open up.
2. “Fine, let’s talk about something else.”

YOU – [Rhetoric - Formidable] Convince them to open up.

SUCCESS

RHETORIC [Fomidible: Success] – What hypocrites, if they’re going to help you that have to treat you like an adult.
You aren’t a child.

YOU – “Hey if you guys are gonna insist you want to help me, then help me. Don’t hide things from me just ‘cause you don’t like them.”

VECTOR – “Well if we’re really going to talk Politics here, let me just tell you this,” He says, learning over the table, before speaking in a whisper. “I’m pretty sure Whisper and Lanolin don’t agree with Sonic, politically speaking.”

1. “So what? Why exactly don't they like him?”
2. “Bah! Politics, let’s talk about something else.”

YOU – “So what? Why exactly don't they like him?”

ESPIO – “While I wouldn’t say they dislike him due to political reasons, Militarists like them tend to be of the opinion Sonic should take a more active role.”

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Oh I can think of one thing Sonic should take a more active role in~

1. “Militarists, that some sort of faction?”
2. “Same here.”

YOU – “Militarists, that some sort of faction?”

VECTOR – “Well they used to be really small, before Eggman came I don’t even think there were any Militarists. But anyways, after Eggman came, people started getting some ideas about being more organized.
“Y’know, like, creating a nation or something.”

PUNK TACTICS – The government, *THE MAN*

ESPIO – “Anyways, due to Sonic’s effectiveness they mostly stayed a niche political faction.”
“They only had a presence in the eastern islands, the ones closest to the United Federation.”

VECTOR – “Yeah, I still remembering hearing about it on the news, a couple villages and banded together to form a ‘republic’”

ESPIO – “But then-”

VECTOR – ”Eggman’s takeover.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Over six months ago when he started his conquest of the world, everybody thought sonic died.

VECTOR – “Infinite showed up and Eggman kidnapped Sonic, we all thought he was done for.”

ESPIO – “Imagine our surprise when Tails hacked into Eggnet,” an evil, smug smile begins to spread itself across his face, “And finds video feed of Sonic, stuck on a giant hamster wheel.”

COMPOSURE [Impossible: Failure] – You try to hide it, but despite your best efforts, you find yourself smiling.

YOU – “A hamster, wheel, seriously?” You laughed out loud. You can barely even imagine it, the world’s strongest person, stuck on a hamster wheel. It’s like something you’d read in a comic book.

EMPATHY – After assuming he was dead for so long and the situation being so bleak, no wonder why they laughed. Anybody would if that turned out to be the climax.

VECTOR – “C’mon Espio, you know Sonic finds that humiliating.”

ESPIO – “Sorry, sorry,” He apologies, managing to hold in his chuckle.

VECTOR – “But yeah, Eggman trapped him on a Hamster Wheel that was powering his headquarters.”

ESPIO – “Yeah, then it got even more grim for a bit, but luckily we were able to make some space for Gadget to break Sonic out.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Right, that was back before the Restoration, during the days of when Knuckles was leading the resistance alongside Silver. Although neither of them are that involved anymore, Knuckles partly due to shame, but Silver was magnificent.

1. “Didn’t Knuckles get a lot of guys captured?”
2. “You three were there with Silver, right?”

YOU – “You three were there with Silver, right?”

VECTOR – “Yeah, you should have seen Silver in action, he ripped through Eggman’s Badniks.”

1. “So is that the only thing they care about or do they have other problems with Sonic?”
2. “Guess that makes sense, anything else to talk about.”
3. “I wonder what Amy thinks about that, she was the leader for a bit.”

YOU – “So is that the only thing they care about or do they have other problems with Sonic?”

VECTOR – “Well it’s not only due to them wanting a nation, the Militarists tend to have a more total view on justice.” He says the next part more quietly, “Whisper really took it hard when Mimic escaped.” “After that she doesn’t want anybody like him to be able to escape again, but it’s not the most popular.”

ESPIO – He nods, “That monster killed his entire team save for Whisper who escaped along with the team's Wisps.”
“It’s not surprising she started sympathizing with the Milliatrists after he escaped, I would to if that happened to me.” PATH THRESHOLD – Killing someone, ending their life. It’s the only way to make sure they never hurt someone again. At least physically, some scars will always remain.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Actually, this brings up another question. Who’s the leader of the Restoration.
Isn’t it the Jewel lady that vector mentioned yesterday.

1. “So this Jewel lady you keep bringing up really has her work set out for her?”

YOU – “So this Jewel lady you keep bringing up really has her work set out for her?”

ESPIO – “Indeed Jewel has her work cut out for her, if the Militarists got everything they wanted Sonic wouldn't be so inclined to work with the Restoration.” “But if she doesn’t address their demands she comes off as ineffective and will eventually lose her support for leadership.”

VECTOR – “Well she was a compromise candidate in the first place.” “Nobody as freedom loving as Sonic was running, Amy was loosing support and Lanolin still hadn’t made her name yet.”

1. “So what about Lanolin, I know what Whisper’s deal is but is there anything more to her?”
2. “Wonder for Amy feels about all of this?”

YOU – “So what about Lanolin, I know what Whisper’s deal is but is there anything more to her?”

ESPIO – “During the Metal Virus incident her heroics as a pilot saved a lot of people, if she wasn’t there the day might not have been saved.”

AUTHORITY [Challegning: Failure] – All those who rise even slightly above their station wish to rule. She has pretentious of her own, no doubt about it

1. “So she got some pretentious for leader now?”

YOU – “So she got some pretentious for leader now?”

VECTOR – “Maybe, it’s hard to tell. Especially with how close she is with Shadow and GUN.”

ESPIO – “A lot of the Militarists aren't fans of humans to say the least, especially those in the most affected area.”

1. “What about you guys, Where’d you fall then?”
2. “That’s enough of that then.”
3. “Makes sense, last thing we need are more Eggmen running around.”

YOU – “What about you guys, Where’d you fall then?”

VECTOR – “It depends, but I think we still would. Although I know me and Vanilla would have our reservations.”

1. “Knuckles, he was Sonic’s first rival, right?”
2. “Shadow, what about Shadow.”
3. “Silver, the future guy, what’s his deal with Sonic?”
4. “Amy, isn’t she in love with him or whatever?”
5. ”I can guess Infinite, Sonic beat his a*s, but what about Gadget?”
6. “So, what about Lanolin and Whisper?”
7. “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – “I’ve heard enough for now”

YOU – the three of you finish what is left of your breakfast mostly in silence, this conversation was already quite exhaustive despite how early in the morning it is.
Although a few jokes are made, a few eyes rolled and everybody enjoys their time. It isn’t like you’re in any rush.

VECTOR – “Ah, looks like the train finally got back,” Vector says, turning to look in the direction of the sound. Before he turns to the lady across the counter, “hey can we get a receipt over here?”

1. “So you paying with Tails’ money?”
2. (Say nothing)

YOU – “So you paying with Tails’ money?”

VECTOR – “Nah I-”

ESPIO – “Yes we are,” He says, giving Vector a sharp glare, “We aren’t made of money.” “And this is a ‘Surge related expense’ after all and Tails gave us it for a reason.”

VECTOR – “Right right.”

YOU – Vector reluctantly pays with the Power branded card and soon the three of you are out the door. The train is a rumbling great behemoth, few exit this early in the morning, but among them you only see Restoration members. As you enter you take the nearest seats with Vector and Espio taking either side of you.

VECTOR – “Okay, we’re getting off on the first stop so it won't be long.”

1. “Thanks for helping so far.”
2. “Whatever old man.”
3. (Nod silently)

YOU – (Nod silently)

YOU – Off in the distance you see the sun glinting off the water, the rumble of the train beneath you.
It is not familiar, but it is strangely comfortable.
Somehow, you find yourself smiling.

PERCEPTION – Soon the scenery of the ocean comes to an end, the straight between the islands is not especially big.
Of course, then the island itself comes into view. Rolling hills and a green landscape, a sandy coast, and far off in the distance a rocky beach.
Even from this distance, you can see ruins, and buildings off in the distance that had been toppled over or crushed.

YOU – The train comes to a halt after that, smoothly sailing to a halt as the conductor announces the stop.
Quickly, you follow Vector and Espio outside and onto the platform, brushing past those few who are using this stop early in the morning.

PERCEPTION – Before you and beyond the platform are the ruins of a small town, bathed in dusk and morning dew. It is quiet.

VECTOR – "This is the village farther from where the picture was taken, but we may as well search here first."
He gestured as the three of you stopped at the edge of the platform. The path before you leads down onto the rest of the island.

1. [Perception(Sight) - Medium] Can I make anything else from this distance?
2. [Encyclopedia - Villainous] Is there anything familiar about the ruins?
3. "Can we skip this one?"
4. "Come on, let’s go down.” (Walk down to the ruins)

YOU – Is there anything familiar about the ruins?

FAILURE

ENCYCLOPEDIA (Villainous: Failure) – No, no you can't remember it. Perhaps you never came here, perhaps you did.
You cannot tell either way, the memories slip through your hands like sand.

1. [Perception(Sight) - Medium] Can I make anything else from this distance?
2. [Encyclopedia - Villainous] Is there anything familiar about the ruins?
3. "Can we skip this one?"
4. "Come on, let’s go down.” (Walk down to the ruins)

YOU – "Can we skip this one?"

VECTOR – "Well, we do have it all day, so there isn't any rush," he says with a hint of irritation.
"But if you want to skip it over we can."

CONCEPTUALIZATION – Doubling back sounds so un-optimal. One loop would be much better looking.

1. [Perception(Sight) - Medium] Can I make anything else from this distance?
2. [Encyclopedia - Villainous] Is there anything familiar about the ruins?
3. "Can we skip this one?"
4. "No, let's be through about this, I don't want to double back later." (Walk down to the ruins)

YOU – "No, let's be through about this, I don't want to double back later." (Walk down to the ruins)

ESPIO – "If you still have any worries, don't. This won't take long." With that said, he disappears in a flash, or rather he throws down smoke and activates his camouflage.

DRAMA – At least someone here has a sense of drama, even if the effect is ruined for us.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – He is rather cute as well.

YOU – You decide to walk down to the town, leaving the train station behind.
As you approach the town it becomes clear that it was divided into several areas.
An urbanized downtown area, a collection of houses, a beachside area, and a community park.

1. "So, where are you guys headed?"
2. (Go ahead, wordlessly.)

YOU – "So, where are you guys headed?"

ESPIO – "The beach.”

VECTOR – "I’ll head downtown. Where do you wanna go?”

1. “I’ll start with the houses.”
2. "I’m coming with you, Vector."
3. ”I’ll check out with beach with Espio”
4. ”Going to the park”

YOU – Go to the ruined park

YOU – You walk to the ruined park, the chill morning breeze brushing up against your skin.
The aches and pains of earlier fade even more and the moisture in the air brings back a familiar, comfortable sensation.
All around, the ruins of Eggman’s conquest scars this world. Then you arrive at the park, half twisted into Eggman’s vision.

1. [Conceptualization - Medium] Envision what the park was once like.
2. [Perception - Easy] Investigate the scene.

YOU – [Perception - Easy] Investigate the scenes.

SUCCESS

PERCEPTION – Stumps of several cut-down trees and now former playground equipment twisted into hidden death traps.
Slides leading onto patches of floor that fall away into spike pits. pPogo-moto bug rides looking to spring to life, and jungle gyms turned into shock cages.
Eggman was clearly having fun with this.

1. [Conceptualization - Medium] Envision what the park was once like.
2. [Perception - Easy] Investigate the scene.
3. [Shocks - Challenging] Investigate the scene, but not with your eyes.

YOU – [Conceptualization - medium] Envision what the park was once like.Envision what the park was once like.

CONCEPTUALIZATION (Medium: Failure) – No, no you can't. It's too sad and beyond your ability. To envision what this once was is too taxing on your heart.

1. [Conceptualization - Medium] Envision what the park was once like.
2. [Perception - Easy] Investigate the scene.
3. [Inland Empire - Challenging] Investigate the scene, but not with your eyes.
4. (Leave)

YOU – [Inland Empire - Challenging] Investigate the scene, but not with your eyes.

INLAND EMPIRE – You close your eyes, imagining what else is there.
The possibilities flutter about in the air, the statics glides across the ground. That’s it, below the ground. There’s something there.
Veins in the earth, hidden just from sight.
You have it now.
PULL

1. Let go
2. [Shocks - Challenging] Pull

YOU – Feel the veins Eggman planted into the ground.

SHOCKS – No, not veins. Veins are meant to connect people, connect parts of people.
These are tumors, fruitless branches that serve only to serve one master.
You can feel their shape nonetheless; they spread out from downtown and then across the entire town.
When Eggman ruled this island, these would be his eyes and ears.

1. Let go
2. [Shocks - Challenging] Pull
3. (Follow the veins)

YOU – (Follow the veins)

SHOCKS – One step at a time you trace their path across the town.
Soon, you find yourself exiting the haze. You are standing in the squat downtown.
The Ninja is here as well, fading into visibility next to you.

RHETORIC – Interesting, did he find anything?

ESPIO – "Hello Surge."

1. "Hey Espio.”
2. (ignore him)

YOU – (ignore him)

YOU – You continue walking on, only giving him a nod. Although he certainly has a respectable, dramatic quality to him.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – F*****g theater kid YOU – Ahead of you Vector fiddles with a device in his hand, looking between it and a building.

VECTOR – "So, you two find anything?”

"Yeah, I traced something back here. What’s going on?” "Nah, not much.”
1. [Interfacing - Medium] See what that device in his hand is.

YOU – "Yeah, I traced something back here. What’s going on?”

VECTOR – He narrows his eyes at the device in his hand. "Found something weird too. Looks like Eggman had an infrastructure project or somethin' going on here.”

1. No shit sherlock
2. Yeah I can feel something odd as well
3. Not really seeing it

YOU – "Yeah, I can feel-"

PERCEPTION (HEARING) (Villainous: Failure) – Wait, there's a sound on the wind, the beating of drums, the trumpeting of elephants? What is it?

VECTOR – "What the," He says, taking a step back as he readies himself, looking in the direction of the noise.
"What's that sound?"

ESPIO – Espio nods to Vector's question, closing his eyes before saying, "Artillery?"

1. [Perception - Villainous]Attempt to make out the sound again.
2. “F**k this, Let’s book it.” (leave)
3. "I’m taking a look.” (Follow the sound)

YOU – "I’m taking a look.” (Follow the sound)

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – With great speed you set off. You were faster once but that does not make you slow now. Vector is right behind you and Espio is easily in front.

PAIN THRESHOLD (Hard: Success)– The dull pain thrums through your body again, but no.
So little pain will not debilitate you, you're stronger than it, and in fact, you find it comforting.

PERCEPTION – As you crest the hill you see it, the countryside is pockmarked with craters from the fight of the two robots. Gizoid versus the pinnacle of modern human engineering going head to head.
Gemeral is smaller, and faster, and shows a wide variety of fighting styles, doubtless copied from other fighters.
While Omega shows off his raw strength, Gemeral doesn't even try to offset his balance or tip him over with how well-set he is.
Not that Gemeral could get that close without one of Omega's rockets hitting him. You would call it a fight, but knowing their capabilities they clearly aren't giving it their all.

ENDURANCE – Impressive nonetheless, those two can really take a beating.

VECTOR – "Gemeral, Omega what are you two doing?!" He shouts, screaming over their combat.
Both machines turn their heads. Omega's missiles curving away from Gemeral as they go off course and pockmark the hillside even further.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – A Gizoid, truly a rare sight. Technological marvels and remnants of one of the great civilizations of the past.
Although this individual was once a tool of Eggman before being reprogrammed by Tails.
Since then he's been mostly pacifist, unsurprising considering he lives with Vanilla and Cream.

INTERFACING – And notably, another user of Bio-data. Other than Metal he's the only one we could share data with.

SKULDUGGERY – Although he might not accept now if he sees you as an enemy, machines like him can always be reprogrammed.

STARLINE – See this is a good idea. We can gain an additional ally, increase our own power, and strike a blow at our enemies if we manage to take Gemeral.

GEMERAL – "Greeting Vector," He says, offering a robotic wave as the two approaches, "And company."

OMEGA – "LIKEWISE, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU THREE AS WELL AS THE NEW ONE."

VECTOR – "And just what are you two doing here?"

GEMERAL – "This island was abandoned, aside from private enterprise nobody else has any interest here."

OMEGA – "WE HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE USE OF IT AS OUR TRAINING GROUNDS BEFORE CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE TIME TO FINISH THEIR WORK HERE."

1. “Who are these certain people?” (Omega)
2. "Wait, aren't you some pacifist or something. Vanilla said you gave up on this sort of thing." (Gemeral)

YOU – "Wait, aren't you some pacifist or something. Vanilla said you gave up on this sort of thing."

GEMERAL – "When Eggman took over the world I failed to make a meaningful impact beyond protecting Cream and Vanilla."
"And once he had been defeated I returned to my life as it was, and when the next threat came in the form of the Zombot Virus, I again failed."
"I was unable to protect Vanilla, and then later Cream."

VECTOR – "Don't say that Gemerl, you've done your best to protect them."

STARLINE – And yet his best wasn't enough. A relic of a machine from a previous era, I would make much better use of him.

GEMERAL – "If I am to blame or not is of no matter, I will not fail again. I cannot let those I care for suffer because I wish to live a carefree life devoid of violence."

GEMERAL – "Thank you Vector, for the kind words, and for your accompaniment of Vanilla." "She has not been the same since the Zombot invasion.”

VECTOR – "Oh you're welcome." The crocodile scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.
”I’m just trying my best to help her.”

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Both he and that rabbit are lucky bastards, keeping each other all to themselves.

VOLITION [Medium: Success] – Could you stop seething, for one minute?

1. “Who are these certain people?” (Omega)
2. "Wait, aren't you some pacifist or something. Vanilla said you gave up on this sort of thing." (Gemeral)

YOU – “Who are these certain people?” (Omega)

OMEGA – "CLUTCH, HE IS SLAVAGING THIS ISLAND. MY PRESENCE HERE IS ALSO TO ASSIST MY ACQUAINTANCE IN HIS TRAINING." "I HAVE NO ULTERIOR MOTIVES."

GEMERAL – "In the spirit of our friendship-"

OMEGA – "ACQUAINTANCESHIP."

GEMERAL – "I will agree with Omega."

OMEGA – "THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS THE TRUTH."

PERCEPTION(SIGHT) – You don't have to be a psychic to see why Omega isn't involved in infiltration.

HONOR AMONG THEIVES – That's just what his role on the team is, ever good squad of villains need some muscle.

SHOCKS SHOCKS [Villainous: Success] – In fact, you are being listened right now. Somewhere, likely inside the Restoration basement, sits a white-furred Mobian.
Behind her, a black-quilled friend stands. Scanning scanning the screen,

1. “Guess we’ll have to check out this Clutch guy, ey Vector?”
2. "Aren’t you two robots, does training even work for you guys?"

YOU – "Aren’t you two robots, does training even work for you guys?"

OMEGA – "IT IS TRUE I BENEFIT LITTLE FROM THIS 'TRAINING,' UNLIKE YOU TWO I AM NOT AN ADAPTIVE MACHINE. He says, looking between you and Gemeral.
"MY GOAL HERE IS COLLECTING DATA ON MY OWN CAPABILITIES AND HOW THEY PERFORM IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT."
"WEAKNESSES, STRENGTHS, USING THAT INFORMATION MY FUTURE UPGRADES CAN BE MORE REFINED."

STARLINE – Yes, Gemeral can process bio-data as well. Working out a trade with him might be good.

1. “Guess we’ll have to check out this Clutch guy, ey Vector?”
2. "Aren’t you two robots, does training even work for you guys?"
3. "So Gemeral, how about a Bio-data exchange?"

YOU – "So Gemeral, how about a Bio-data exchange?"

GEMERAL – "Bio-data Exchange?" The Gizoid says, tilting his head in place of showing a facial expression.

YOU – "Yeah, both of us use Bio-data, I got some, but if I'm gonna get stronger I'll need more."

INTERFACING – Wait, do we even have a computer interface port installed?

STARLINE – Your nape, the back of your neck. That's where the port is, the connection points for your accessories can also be used. Although that's not exactly ideal.

1. “Guess we’ll have to check out this Clutch guy, ey Vector?”
2. "Aren’t you two robots, does training even work for you guys?"
3. "So Gemeral, how about a Bio-data exchange?"
4. "Check the back of my nape for my port."

YOU – "Check the back of my nape for my port."

GEMERAL – You take your quills hanging behind you too the side, allowing the Gizoid a clean view of your nape.
"It seems that your port only supports a direct connection, I would prefer if the information could be transferred through an intermediary."

1. "So it's a no-go?"

YOU – "So it's a no-go?"

GEMERAL – "Yes, my safety procedures do not allow it."

OMEGA – "GUN COULD FACILITATE SUCH A TRANSFER OF INFORMATION OR MODIFICATION OF YOUR FRAME."

VECTOR – "Tails could probably help with that as well, although he tends to be busy."

STARLINE – Please, they are being overly cautious.

1. Yeah, like hell I'm listening to you.
2. "Makes sense, what’s next then?”
3. "So, if we’re gonna be dealing with this Clutch guy are you two gonna tag long?”

YOU – Yeah, like hell I'm listening to you.

INTERFACING – He probably just wants out, even if he's just a delusion, the voices in your head in particular seem more than hallucinations. It's probably best that none of us are allowed to jump ship.

RHETORIC – Vector said Starline might be a problem. But without getting checked out again we won't know for sure either way.
Regardless of that, whether to do what he says or not is an entirely different conversation.

STARLINE – It's not a discussion at all, I'm the most convenient and fastest route towards victory and your freedom.
If you stopped going on these pointless sidequests and tried actually infiltrating the Restoration we might get somewhere.

AUTHORITY – We obey no one Monotreme, remember that. We are no slave.

1. Yeah, like hell I'm listening to you.
2. "Makes sense, what’s next then.”
3. "So, if we’re gonna be dealing with this Clutch guy are you two gonna tag long?”

YOU – "So, if we’re gonna be dealing with this Clutch guy are you two gonna tag long?”

OMEGA – "HELP YES, WE WILL ASSIST YOU.

GEMERAL – He gives his large friend a loge, emotionless stare, before shrugging."It appears for the sake of diplomacy-

OMEGA – "FRIENDSHIP."

GEMERAL – "Friendship. I too will be assisting you."

VECTOR – "Okay, there were three population centers on this island. We were headed towards Shady Sands and its retrospective beach, do you know the place?

GEMERAL – "Yes, it was decimated and the remaining population disseminated into the surrounding islands, an unfortunate casualty of the recent chaos."

1. ”So, who’s this Clutch guy supposed to be?”
2. "Let’s get going then.”

YOU – ”So, who’s this Clutch guy supposed to be?”

OMEGA – "A FUGITIVE WANTED BY GUN, HE HAS ENGAGED IN NUMEROUS CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES.”

VECTOR – "His business, Clean Sweep, salvages the stuff Eggman leaves behind and turns a profit.”

PUNK TACTICS – Eugh a businessman, the second most detestable type of villain after a mad doctor.
Think they can get away with anything just because they have money.

INLAND EMPIRE – Businessman, devil in a sunday hat.
Kind of old and kind of fat. Buddy with a stupid laugh.

1. ”Just another bad guy then?”
2. ”Doesn’t seem important, let’s just avoid him.”

YOU – "Just another bad guy then?”

VECTOR – "Not exactly. The Restoration isn’t fond of him and we’ve fought before, but Eggman’s the bigger issue.”

ESPIO – "Both of them know this as well. Clutch gets away with what he can using the excuse of also fighting against Eggman.”
"While the Doctor tries to get us to fight amongst ourselves.” – "Either way, we need to get moving. I don’t want Clutch to pull anything shady.”

1. ”Nah, I want to stay here some more, check out the other areas first.”
2. "Sure thing Vector, let's go."

YOU – "Sure thing Vector, let's go." (Move to the next town)

PERCEPTION (SIGHT & SMELL) – You smell the next town before you see it, your nose scrunching up followed by Espio and Vector shortly taking notice as well. All complain at the stench as Omega and Gemeral's optics whirr as they cast their gaze skyward. The previous dawn sky with its morning shades of oranges and reds gives way to a sick sky, a solid layer of pollutants and stench building.

YOU – Then you see it, the pillars of gray smoke and green-red fumes bubbling up through the air and from where the third town was.
It's not a pretty sight. Clearly, this was the most industrialized of the three settlements.
Even from the distance you're keeping from it you can see buildings towering over the hills. In the city itself, you can see workmen, Mobian and human alike, all working under an eclectic sign that loudly proclaims the name, 'CLEAN SWEEP'

VECTOR – "Clean Sweep, Clutch’s little company. These guys being right next door is pretty suspicious.”

YOU – As your group looks onto the town from your vantage point atop a hill, standing right next to a large off-like concrete building you find yourself interrupted by a rhythmic thumping.

Omega and Gemeral whir into motion, tracking the source of the noise as they raise their fists, Espio retrieves another Kunai while Vector steps up in front of you.

1. [Composure - Challenging] Keep your cool.
2. [Shocks - Medium] Ready an electric surprise for when that thing comes around the corner
3. Run away

YOU – [Composure - Challenging] Keep your Cool.

SUCCESS

COMPOSURE – Cool cats, well Tenrecs like you don't lose their cool. You kept it when you found Omega and Gemeral earlier, a giant monster isn't going to dissuade you now.

HALF LIGHT – Shit, shit shit, what is that?

YOU – First you see a leg, round the corner of the hill, then another and another. Everybody takes a step back as a large spider-like machine creeps into view.
Its eight eyes whirring as they look at you.

INTERFACING – Interesting, is that a repurposed eggmobile used for the chassis? Pretty inspired I'm sure tons of those are lying around after all these years.

ESPIO – "Enemies," Espio says, no inflection in his voice as he snaps to the ready, holding a kunai in his hand.

OMEGA – "CLEAN SWEEP, OFFICIAL DESIGNATION: CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE." Omega says, his opticals dilating as they target the mech green possum.

1. "What the fuck is that.”
2. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw
3. [Physical Instrument - Impossible] Immediately attack the spider-mech.

YOU – “What the fuck is that?!”

??? – "Ah, my friends," the robotic spider says, an organic voice filtered through its systems.
Clutch, the name pops into your head, but before you and the others can attack its hatch flips open.
"What can a simple businessman such as myself do?"

CLUTCH – He rises out of his seat, standing tall and out of his mech in his white pinstripe suit and fedora. A devilish grin on his face.

INLAND EMPIRE – They don’t shake like a rock band. Talkin' about the businessman. They spit on the poor man.

VECTOR – "B******t Clutch, now if you don't want any trouble with the Restoration you'll tell us what you're doing here."

CLUTCH – "Now, now, there's no need to be so rude, I'm an honest businessman." The possum's smile is venomous, matching the pale green of his fur.

VECTOR – "If by honest you mean honestly a criminal, then yes.”

CLUTCH – "It's just a little friendly competition, you don't honestly believe I'd try to bring you down."
"After all Eggman's both of our enemies and neither of us can really afford to totally do away with the other, can we?"

DRAMA – *friendly competition* is an awfully stock way of putting it. The man obviously seeks to backstab the Restoration in a moment of weakness.
It’s the dramatic thing to do after all, we all have our roles.

VECTOR – "Even if Eggman's the enemy of both of us that doesn't explain what you're doing here."

OMEGA – "I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN YOUR ACTIVITIES FOR PURELY ACADEMIC REASONS."

PERCEPTION – You don’t have to be a GUN interrogator to see why Omega isn’t usually trusted with this sort of thing.
You suspect some the blind and deaf know as well.

GEMERAL – "..."

CLUTCH – "I was just taking a look at this nearby island. After all, you've been slacking on your salvaging and rebuilding efforts."
”But you already know that, don’t you?”

VECTOR – "Slacking! The Restoration's been trying the best it can, maybe if you helped us out and didn't put your profits first we'd get more done!"

CLUTCH – "I never said you weren't doing anything, we just have different priorities." "People, like my clients, expect to be able to make back some of their investments that Eggman or others have trashed, I'm just doing what I can in order to make them a profit."

PUNK TACTICS – profit this profit that, spoken like someone who’d never worked a day in their life or been stepped on.
Throwing off that boot heel, That's the true punk spirit, sticking it to losers like these who ain’t ever had a proper dream.

1. [Rhetoric - Villainous] Convince him to let you check out what he’s doing.
2. [Authority - Villainous] Intimidate him into letting you check out what he’s salvaging.
3. (Let the others take the lead)

YOU – Rhetoric - Villainous] Convince him to let you check out what he’s doing.

RHETORIC [Rhetoric: Villainous] – You try to find the words, but can’t see beyond his annoying persona and say the first thing that comes to mind.

YOU – ”Please, investments this, profit that. How about some real talk?!

CLUTCH – "Real talk, how about this: Money doesn't grow on trees, dear, and neither do houses, someone has to make their investment back.”
Although I would prefer to be salvaging something more high-tech.”
"Like a certain monotreme's base, you have under quarantine?"

STARLINE – As if, *MY* base isn’t anyone elses'!

OMEGA – "IF YOU TRULY WISH TO DISCUSS THE MATTER IF STARLINE, I WOULD RECOMMEND SCHEDULING A MEETING WITH JEWEL."

CLUTCH – "Well I would prefer to talk to Jewel, Tails, or Vanilla about this but they aren't exactly easy to get a hold of, Tails especially."
"In the meantime, someone has to uproot the infrastructure Eggman puts down and your Restoration can't do the entire job themselves."
"After all I have to maximize the value both my clients and shareholders make, maybe if I had some help I'd feel a little more generous?"

VECTOR – "As if!"

CLUTCH – "I do have some things that might be of interest to our Tenrec friend, mainly information about her sidekick-"

HONOR AMONG THIEVES [Challenging: Success] – Kit, still not here. Ducking and hiding in the shadows as others pick through the ruins of Starlines bases. But he's safe, safe for now.

SHOCKS – Somewhere else, they sit, waiting, planning. Jealously eyeing Starline's scraps for their own.

STARLINE – Thanks for the reminder.

CLUTCH – "-And her past as well."

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] – Wait, wait wait, sidekick and our past? We were just curious about what Eggman was doing here, what’s he talking about?

1. "B******t.”
2. "Wait, my past?”
3. “...” (Let someone else take the lead)

YOU – “...” (Let someone else take the lead)

VECTOR – "Chaotix, group huddle. Omega and Gemeral keep an eye on him." You do as he says, getting jostled along by vector’s large, strong arms.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – He is quite brawny isn’t he?

VECTOR – "Espio?"

ESPIO – "I don't detect any irregularities, he does not believe he is lying."

1. "Doesn't believe he's lying? How about being less vague?"
2. "So what, should I take it?"
3. "He’s bullshitting up, right?”

YOU – "Doesn't believe he's lying? How about being less vague?"

ESPIO – "The distinction is important, I can read the body, not the mind, or the truth." "He is showing no irregularities which would point towards lying, but that doesn't mean what he's saying is true."

1. "Doesn't believe he's lying? How about being less vague?"
2. "So what, should I take it?"
3. "He’s bullshitting up, right?”

YOU – "So what, should I take it?"

VECTOR – "No, nah-uh, it's obviously some sort of trap." "Even if he knows something he'll use it to manipulate you; first it'll be one little favor then when you realize just how far things have gotten it'll be too late."

SKULDUGGERY – As if everyone doesn't do the same thing.

DRAMA – Just getting answers out of the first available person is a bit anticlimactic.
Ideally someone we already met would be our father, like in the third installment of the Chao in Space franchise.

INLAND EMPIRE – Like Shadow.

DRAMA – I was thinking more like exiled royalty from another dimension who are related to Blaze.
But I don’t think we’ve met any of that.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – While we don't share any genetic information with them, if you want to consider bio-data, we have Shadow's as well as some others.
Although that would also make Sonic out father

STARLINE – Idiots, all of you.

1. "Doesn't believe he's lying? How about being less vague?"
2. "So what, should I take it?"
3. "He’s bullshitting up, right?”
4. "Vector, what do you think.”

VECTOR – "I mean, I'm tempted to think he knows something. He’s here for whatever Eggman worked on.
“But you're a pretty new variable and people don’t know about you, it’s kind of a tip off he even knows you as ‘Surge' at all."

ESPIO – "A mole, either in the Restoration or GUN could have fed him the information."
"Either way he would have made the deal for salvaging this island a while ago and Surge is new."

SKULDUGGERY – Of course, he's manipulating us isn't the deciding factor anyway, people manipulate each other all the time.
A relationship built on mutual distrust and the transaction of services isn't meant to last, but if we don't care about building a lasting relationship then that's not a problem.

EMPATHY – Besides the Restoration is already looking for Kit and he cares, we don't need Clutch's help.

1. "Doesn't believe he's lying? How about being less vague?"
2. "So what, should I take it?"
3. "He’s bullshitting up, right?”
4. "Vector, what do you think.”
5. What does Starline think?
6. (Make your decision)

YOU – You leave the group huddle and turn to the confident possum, standing out of his mech.

1. "No, I ain't trusting a suspicious person like you."
2. "Fine, if it’ll help me find Kit or learn about my past, I’m game.”

YOU – "No, I ain't trusting a suspicious person like you."

CLUTCH – "Well it's a shame, just remember if you need any help, I'll be nearby." With that, the hatch of Clitch's repurposed spider mech snaps shut.
”Oh yes, and remember this last part. The Emerald family are the ones paying for to salvage their investment, if that wasn’t clear.”

STARLINE – Please, he's nobody we need to fear. Obviously untrustworthy but there's no reason we couldn't make use of him.

CLUTCH – "Ta ta, Chaotix and friends.”
With that said, his mech scrambles down into the valley and into the ruins below.

1. “Shame you guys probably wouldn’t even let me kick his ass if it came to it."
2. ”What an a*s.”

YOU – "Shame you guys probably wouldn’t even let me kick his ass if it came to it"

VECTOR – He laughs at that, "Surge, dealing with people like Clutch is what violence is for."

1. "Then let's go back there and kick it then.”
2. "What?"

YOU – "What?"

VECTOR – "What did you think I'd tell you to not kick his ass, it's Clutch, he's an ass."
"Besides, I'm sure Jewel wouldn't mind if we kicked him off of this island. Even if Gadget’s folks are the ones payin' him."

ESPIO – Espio sighs, "It would be more practical to just steal the information, we're detectives, remember?"

VECTOR – "And detectives steal?"

ESPIO – "It's in the same area of expertise, at least it is for me. The point being we aren't thugs and we'd need significant financial incentive to take on extra work."
"We aren't a charity."

VECTOR – "Fine, fine," He says, rubbing the back of his head, "Vanilla probably wouldn't want me getting into a big fight in such a delicate situation."
"Clutch is still an ass, he needs to go down."

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Whatever, let’s get a move on.”

YOU – "So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"

ESPIO – "She's rather inclined to passivism or getting Sonic to handle problems, most of the old guard like her are."

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"

YOU – "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"

VECTOR – "Ah well, you know her. She means well but, not to say anything is wrong with this." "But she's a bit of a pacifist and not exactly the biggest fan of some of the political changes recently."

ESPIO – "Neither am I, but nobody says there shouldn't be any changes. Changes are going to happen whether we like it or not."

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"
4. "Please, if people would just do something about it and just not let others solve all their problems we'd be better off"
5. [Perception - Impossible]Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – "Please, if people would just do something about it and just not let others solve all their problems we'd be better off"

ESPIO – "They do, people play their own part fighting against Eggman and join the restoration."

"A lot of people are still used to only living in their own little communities, localized to one island."

"So they mostly just want things to go back to normal, without Eggman or people like Clutch."

PUNK TACTICS – Please, people like Espio, people born into power. They never want to give it up.
All they ever do is think about how to hold others down.

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"
4. "Please, if people would just do something about it and just not let others solve all their problems we'd be better off"
5. "Yeah, and then there are people like your folks, petty little feudal lords."
6. [Perception - Impossible]Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – "Yeah, and then there are people like your folks, petty little feudal lords."

ESPIO – "I'll admit, people like my family want to maintain their aristocratic privilege which only exists due to the disparate nature of the islands."
"Some industrialists like Clutch think the same, since there aren't any big cross-island governments keeping fiefs or large businesses in check is difficult."

ESPIO – "I do not know where I stand, but I'd like to maintain my family's privileges while also making the islands more unified."
"Perhaps if the Restoration kept its more indirect role while the Islands themselves built up stronger institutions."

1. [Rhetoric - Challenging] He’s not entirely sure about his beliefs or his argument. He knows it too.
2. [Empathy - Villainous] There’s something there in his eyes, an emotional weakness. Find out what it is.
3. "Yeah whatever, what we’re we talking about again?”

YOU – [Rhetoric - Challenging] He’s not entirely sure about his beliefs or his argument. He knows it too.

SUCCESS

RHETORIC – Yes, that’s it. Just because something is doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, beside’s he’s biased.
Clearly so. That’s a weakness and both of you know it.

YOU – "Even if that allowed some to opt-out, for people like Clutch and Starline to find their own nooks and crannies to hide in." ESPIO – He blinks, surprised at first. "It's a balancing act. And I can't be said to have fully thought it out, it's just what I believe in."

VECTOR – "Strangely eloquent Surge...” He gives you a strange look for a moment before shaking his head. "Well we don't know yet if Clutch got to the last town, I guess we could just skip to another lead, but…"
Vector sighs, "We have all day so we won't lose anything by checking the last town.
"It's your choice Surge, what do you want to do?"

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"
4. "Please, if people would just do something about it and just not let others solve all their problems we'd be better off"
5. "Yeah, and then there are people like your folks, petty little feudal lords."
6. [Perception - Impossible] Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – [Perception - Impossible] Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

FAILURE

PERCEPTION – No, no it’s too far.

EMPATHY – And too terrible to look at, you don’t want to see what’s happening there, do you?

REACTION SPEED – No, we can do this, let’s try again.

1. (Back off.)
2. [Shocks - medium] Feel the veins beneath the earth.
3. [Encyclopedia - Medium] Know the past, this had all happened before in one way or another.
4. [Perception - Impossible] Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – [Shocks - medium] Feel the veins beneath the earth

SUCCESS

SHOCKS [Medium: Success]– The veins in the earth, this is where they lead, the center of the poison.
Countless atrocities committed in the name of nothing but base pleasure.
The poison they bleed into the earth is not just pollution of the physical variety. The wind weeps for their souls.
But you are not the wind, neither am I.

STARLINE – He always did lack vision, didn’t he? I could have fixed that, fixed him.
We would have been perfect.

1. (Back off.)
2. [Shocks - medium] Feel the veins beneath the earth
3. [Encyclopedia - Medium] Know the past, this had all happened before in one way or another.
4. [Perception - Impossible]Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – [Encyclopedia - Medium] Know the past, this had all happened before in one way or another.

SUCCESS

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success]– Yes, this has all happened before. You read stories about it in class didn’t you?
But you never saw any real inequality in your life, mother made sure of that
But you know don’t you, in your gut you know what happens to the people who go here.

1. (Back off.)
2. [Shocks - medium] Feel the veins beneath the earth
3. [Encyclopedia - Medium] Know the past, this had all happened before in one way or another.
4. [Perception - Impossible]Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

YOU – [Perception - Impossible] Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.

SUCCESS

PERCEPTION [Impossible: Success] – Below you can see them, in the distance. The employees and repurposed robots of a clean sweep.
The workers are what you expect, young men, Mobian and humans. Some are older, but all are aged-looking nonetheless.

HAND/EYE COORDINATION – Their hands shake, their nerves fray. Nerve and brain damage, their coordination is all off.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Indeed, further inspection is beyond our abilities at this time, but every second there shaves hours off of their lives.

EMPATHY – Carrion vultures like clutch often look for pickings among the weakest and least able to resist.

PUNK TACTICS – Worm’s like clutch fester in Sonic’s shadow. How dare they hide from the sun.
One day sooner out later, they’ll be the one whose neck is being stepped on, let’s see how they feel when it’s their day under the boot.

ENCYCLOPEDIA – Exposure to all the dangerous chemicals, and hazardous working conditions have been the death of many. Even if they work here for a short while, they could lose months or years of their total lifespan.

1. “So, Vanilla is rather important, what's her deal?"
2. "Gadget’s folks. Who’re they?”
3. "Old guard? 'This another political faction. What's it got to do with Vanilla?"
4. "Please, if people would just do something about it and just not let others solve all their problems we'd be better off"
5. "Yeah, and then there are people like your folks, petty little feudal lords."
6. [Perception - Impossible] Inspect the Clean Sweep site below.
7. "The workers here, they're dying.”

YOU – "The workers here, they're dying. The chemicals, they're-"

ESPIO – "We know, there's only so much we or the Restoration can do, legally that is." "Too many entrenched interests.”

VECTOR – "They're the ones who signed up to do the work, I don't like it."
"He’s right, or at least what he's doing here isn't illegal enough for some people."

1. "Fine, let’s go.”
2. "What are you doing, don’t defend scum like that.”

YOU – "What are you doing, don’t defend scum like that.”

VECTOR – "Hey you heard me, I'd rather kick his teeth in. But I know what the Restoration as an organization would say."

AUTHORITY – People like Clutch flourish here, where there are no watchers. The only way to deal with these insects is to reveal them to the light. Assert yourself, become the authority and crush them with the weight of the law that is you.

SKULDUGGERY – Only a bonehead would think of that, we don't have time to be involved in political machinations.
Nor do we have the strength to fight Clutch, instead talking to the Restoration and getting them to deal with him is the better option.
I bet it wouldn't be hard to convince them.

OMEGA – "WHILE GUN ALSO HAS POLITICAL INTERESTS, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE WOULD REMOVE CLUTCH IF WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY."

AUTHORITY – They all say that, don’t they? The federation is just looking to expand their territory.
They can pretend that’s not the case but the interests of the United Federation are the interests of GUN.

1. "Fine, let’s go.”
2. "What are you doing, don’t defend scum like that.”
3. "At the cost of the Islands joining the United Federation."

YOU – "At the cost of the Islands joining the United Federation."

OMEGA – "PERHAPS EVENTUALLY, BUT NO. THE TERM PROTECTORATE WOULD BE MORE CORRECT."

SKULDUGGERY [Easy: Success] – Someone’s in his ear, the white-furred one from earlier. She’d feeding him lines.

LOGIC – We can always throw Sonic in Clutch’s direction later, no need to rush things.

1. "No, let's deal with Clutch."
2. "I'm with Espio, let's steal from him."
3. "Let's go back to the Restoration, I wanna talk with the Diamond Cutters."
4. "Let's go, hopefully they didn't already clean up the last town."

YOU – "Let's go, hopefully they didn't already clean up the last town."

OMEGA – "VERY WELL, I SUPPOSE CLUTCH CAN BE DEALT WITH, IN TIME."

YOU – (Travel to the final town)

YOU – The path is winding, the road is long. Long for a walking distance but not for driving, Espio and Vector seem somewhat tired.
But neither asks Omega nor the mostly silent Gemeral to carry them, and you still feel that familiar constant low-level pain.

SHOCKS – You feel the air crackle with electricity, and your quills stand on end as you let out a sigh as you look down at your final destination. It's only been a short while since you first woke up inside Restoration headquarters. This journey feels like it has taken months, but it has only been hours. Either way, you'll have walked away from this experience changed. ENCYLOPEDIA – The sky above is tinted shades of orange, green, red, and yellow. It would be beautiful if you didn't know that the coloration was due to air pollution.

STARLINE – You can see him in the corner of your vision. His arms are folded, and he gives you a mean glare. 'I would repeat myself, but you already know what I'm going to say, Surge.'

1. "So, guys. Got anything to talk about?" (Ignore him.)
2. 'I'm not gonna quit anything halfway through.'
3. [Volition - Formidable] shut him up.
4. [Perception - Medium] Assess the town from a distance.
5. "Let's go, guys." (Descend.)

YOU – 'I'm not gonna quit anything halfway through.'

STARLINE – 'Don't think I'll give up easily, Tenrec. I made you by myself, and I can unmake you.' With that said, the monotreme fades from your view, leaving you there atop the hill with the other four.

1. "So, guys. Got anything to talk about?" (Ignore him.)
2. 'I'm not gonna quit anything halfway through.'
3. [Volition - Formidable] shut him up.
4. [Perception - Medium] Assess the town from a distance.
5. "Let's go, guys." (Descend.)

YOU – [Perception - Medium] Assess the town from a distance.

FAILURE

PERCEPTION [Medium: Failure] – Ruined, and the least touched by Eggman, more and more ruins. It's hard to even tell the buildings apart.

VECTOR – "So," he says, coughing awkwardly into his hand, "Are we just gonna stand here or are we gonna go?"

1. "So, guys. Got anything to talk about?" (Ignore him.)
2. 'I'm not gonna quit anything halfway through.'
3. [Volition - Formidable] shut him up.
4. [Perception - Medium] Assess the town from a distance.
5. "Let's go, guys." (Descend.)

YOU – "No, let's go." (Descend.)

YOU – With that said, the four of you descend towards the last town. A seaside village bordered by cliffs, forming a sort of half-valley pointing towards the sea. The morning mist and air has vanished, and the sun grows older in the sky. About halfway down the hill, you feel a slight pain grow in your feet.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Formidable: Success] – As you take another step forward, muscles tear at each other only to heal fine in the next moment. You stand tall, but the ground is beginning to feel like quicksand. The pain is getting worse.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Another chance for Vector to carry us.

DRAMA – Or Espio.

1. 'I thought you guys said you fixed me?'
2. Live with it for now.

YOU – 'I thought you guys said you fixed me?'

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Improving this body will not be a painless endeavor, but it's what we chose. You're going to bruise a bit more easily for a bit until the leftover conditions from 'Long Overdue for an Oil Change' are finished. Until then, you've proven resilient against the occasional pang of pain.

1. Go back up. (For some reason.)
2. Continue down.

YOU – Continue down.

YOU – Soon, you find yourself at the entrance of the community, a large wrought iron gate flanked on both sides by crumbled stone walls. Beyond the crumbling gate, you can see the ruined community beyond, collapsed houses and other buildings, and lampposts thrown into the street. There is blissfully little mark of Eggman's presence as well. You and the others stop only as a formality; you could go around, but it feels disrespectful to not acknowledge the gate.

VECTOR – "Here we are. You ready, Surge?"

SKULDUGGERY – This is another good opportunity for getting some one-on-one time with the others. Vector and Espio have their opinions firmly set in stone now, but Gemerl and Omega could be interesting.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – I nominate Vector; we still don't know his bedroom habits. Perhaps he could be up for some *multiplayer* time, with us and Vanilla?

VOLITION – Stop. Just Stop.

DRAMA – Espio, he's the only one out of them with a proper sense of Drama. He may be rude, but there's a heart of a true, noble gentleman there. He has his rough spots with us. Besides, he's quite handsome.

EMPATHY – How about Gemerl? He's the one here who's gone through a situation most similar to ours. Even if he doesn't have any useful insights, he might be more amenable to opening up to us.

STARLINE – 'Yes, take Gemerl, if we get an opportunity, we still might be able to hack into him.'

1. "Hey, Vector. I wanna talk."
2. "Espio, would you please come with me. I have something I want to talk about."
3. "Omega. Follow."
4. "I'm taking Gemerl with me; you losers can stay together."
5. "I'm gonna go alone."
6. Really, 'please'? Make Espio's option ruder.

YOU – "I'm taking Gemerl with me; you losers can stay together." You say, waving towards the others as you begin to walk off.

VECTOR – "Stay safe, Surge!"

1. "Sure thing."
2. "Whatever."

YOU – "Sure thing."

SHOCKS – The air crackles with static as you depart. Currents in the wind, carried on drops of moisture, breathing subtle life into the dead town.

COMPOSURE [Hard: Success] – You put one foot in front of the other as you head past the gate, bypassing it entirely as you walk over and through the once-wall. Then, as you cross into the ruined settlement all at once, you realize you forgot to pick a direction to head in and just started walking forward.

GEMERL – Just as you two are out of earshot, the Gizoid speaks first. "You have something to talk about?"

INLAND EMPIRE – How did he know? Perhaps psychic capabilities, the Black Arms have those, and Gemerl should have their Bio-data. Is he listening to us right now?

HALF LIGHT – Damn robot invading our thoughts. Can't he know to leave us well alone?! Stamp the tin can into the dirt!

1. "Yeah, I have some ideas."
2. "What are you, some type of mind reader?"
3. "No, there's an evil voice in my head that wants me to betray you."
4. [??? & Physical Instrument - Impossible] Attack now.

YOU – "What are you, some type of mind reader?"

GEMERL – "No. It is not a hard guess to make."

LOGIC – Actually, what do we want to talk about?

EMPATHY – Vanilla, she's a rather nice woman. Isn't she?

SKULDUGGERY – The Restoration, we need dirt on them.

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Sonic, Tails, Shadow. The whole team.

PUNK TACTICS – Fashion and kicking Clutch's ass. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?" "Fine, let's get to searching then." "Have you ever wondered about your past?"

YOU – "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"

GEMERL – "Eggman is better off dead. Sonic is a Hero."

RHETORIC – That's a rather simple point of view.

1. "Care to elaborate?"
2. "Fine, how about something else?" (go back.)

YOU – "Care to elaborate?"

GEMERL – "No."

1. "Well, whatever, I've got other stuff I want to talk about."
2. [Skulduggery - Easy] Try to provoke him.
3. [Rhetoric - Challenging] Lure him into an argument.
4. [Empathy - Hard] Appeal to his emotions.

YOU – [Skulduggery - Easy] Try to provoke him.

SKULDUGGERY [Easy: Success] – Shift the blame, steer the conversation in another course. Let's try placing the blame on Sonic?

YOU – "You really don't have any thoughts? He's the one who's failed to kill Eggman all these years?" "If Eggman was dead, he wouldn't have been able to do what he wanted to you, and Starline wouldn't have teamed up with it."

GEMERL – The robot stops in his tracks, turning his head one hundred and eighty degrees to face you. "He cannot be held responsible for that. Eggman is crafty and has escaped by luck, duplicity, and his own efforts every time he has been close to capture or death."

STARLINE – 'True, speaks to his misplaced skill. If only Eggman could put his full force into conquering the world. At least Metal Sonic is as competent as he is; he has a level head and can really get the job done.'
'Aside from the suicidality that is.'

HALF LIGHTHALF LIGHT – Says the f**king coffin stuffer who got himself pulverized. Shut the f**k up dead-er.

1. "Please, everyone I've talked to so far hates him just as much as I do."
2. "Yeah. I heard about his escape after the Metal Overlord incident."
3. "Sonic just has to try harder. I'll do better."

YOU – "Please, everyone I've talked to so far hates him just as much as I do."

GEMERL – "Either you cannot read emotions or you are lying. Just because people have problems with him, does not mean they don't respect him." "He is practically the center of the world. He and Eggman's rivalry has spanned the entire globe, and they have decided the fate of the world. People will have opinions on him one way or the other."

1. "Fine. Whatever."
2. [Rhetoric - Formidable] There's a thread of logic here, find a string you can pull at.
3. [Skulduggery - Challenging] Get under his skin.

YOU – [Skulduggery - Challenging] Get under his skin.

SKULDUGGERY [Challenging: Failure] – What if Sonic turned evil, like, if he was possessed or something?

INLAND EMPIRE – That is a great idea. Why didn't I think of it? "Okay, but what if Sonic was evil. What then?" "Who knows, one day he might just get tired of you guys, and what then?"

YOU – "Who knows, one day he might just get tired of you guys and-"

GEMERL – As you two continue to walk through the ruined street, Gemerl turns into a blur of motion. He appears right before you, forcing you to stop. "You would know that, Surge, wouldn't you?"

HALF LIGHT – He knows! The robot knows! I knew it, he's a mind reader. Where's the tinfoil? We need some tin foil stat!

GEMERL – "Your comment there confirmed my suspicions of your duplicity. To explain: I do not have to be a Gizoid replicant to ascertain your motives; you are a fairly easy individual to read." The Gizoid shakes his head. "Do you have any other questions? Preferably ones that relate to our current mission?"

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."

YOU – "Have you ever wondered about your past?"

GEMERL – "No."

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Failure] – Really? Never? Never ever? You can't believe it, how can someone never wonder about where they came from? He's a relic of an ancient civilization, a weapon from the past. You feel your hands seize up, and speak before you realize the words coming out of your mouth.

1. "What?"

YOU – "What?"

GEMERL – "It does not matter. My past does not inform my present objective. Even before this current iteration. I was terminated and only brought back my Tails due to Sonic's request." "I am the person I am because of the choices I have made, not the circumstances of my creation."

EMPATHY – I wonder then... what does he think about Metal?

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."
7. "What about Metal then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."

YOU – "What about Metal then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."

GEMERL – The robot shakes his head. "Metal is not somebody I have much experience with. From what I know, he refuses to change and has stayed true to his original purpose." Gemerl moves out from in front of you to sit on a rock. "I do not agree with his choice."

1. "Yeah. I guess it's like you said, it's more about what you do."
2. “Whatever, not interested.”

YOU – "Yeah. I guess it's like you said, it's more about what you do."

GEMERL – "What you do is your choice. Sonic has given you an opportunity, don't squander it."

1. "Right, I won't."
2. "I'll do what I want."
3. "How do you think that's gonna turn out in the end?"

YOU – "How do you think that's gonna turn out in the end?"

GEMERL – "Fighting him hasn't worked. Sonic, but more so Amy, wants to convince him to change. I do not think that is realistic." "As is, things will only change if Eggman dies and if Metal is no longer being brought back."

EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] – I wonder? Does this remind you of anybody... someone with spikey green quills who didn't have a choice in how they were made. Who served a mad scientist without a say in the matter? I wonder who he's talking about?

LOGIC – Yes, yes. We get it.

1. "You know. Now that I think about it, we're pretty similar, aren't we?"
2. "..." (Drop the subject.)

YOU – "You know. Now that I think about it, we're pretty similar, aren't we?"

GEMERL – "Shadow, Metal, myself, Omega, you, and others. The world is filled with people who have lost their past, were forced to be something they didn't choose to be, or had." "Metal had a chance to turn away from Eggman, but he went back. Even Omega abandoned the Doctor."

1. "What if he did, want if Metal decided to turn back now?""
2. "..." (Drop the subject.)"

YOU – "What if he did, want if Metal decided to turn back now?"

GEMERL – "Even if he turned back at this point, where does he have to turn to? Amy and Sonic's protection. Two people, one of whom he would never accept help from." "It would be easier to put Eggman down for good."

1. "I'd help."
2. "Serves him right."
3. "You wouldn't help him?"
4. "Yeah..." (End conversation)

YOU – "Yeah..." (End conversation)

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."
7. "What about Metal, then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."
8. "Let's go." (Exit conversation)

YOU – "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"

GEMERL – He nods, looking out at the ruined city. "She and Cream are my family. I was able to protect them when Eggman took over the world, but I could not during the Metal Virus outbreak." "I cannot accept any future where I leave their side, but I cannot fail them again."

1. [???:???] "All the more reason to share bio-data with me."
2. ""But you aren't exactly going to be living a civilian life from here on out, are you?"

YOU – "But you aren't exactly going to be living a civilian life from here on out, are you?"

GEMERL – "I do not disagree with her, but if my choice to live a civilian life leads to them getting hurt, then I will live my life a different way." "I will stay by their side and protect them with everything I have. I can no longer be complacent in my training, Omega and my failures have shown me that."

HONOR AMONG THIEVES – Commendable. He looks out for the people in his life and changes his actions to better help them. If someone could truly hold his undivided loyalty, he would make an excellent henchman.

DRAMA – There is some handsomeness to him yet.

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."
7. "What about Metal, then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."
8. ”Let's go." (Exit conversation)

YOU – "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."

GEMERL – "I am aware."

1. "Okay."
2. "You aren't bothered?"

YOU – "You aren't bothered?"

GEMERL – "Not particularly."

RHETORIC – Damn, he has no openings.

YOU – "Whatever." (Drop the subject)

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."
7. "What about Metal, then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."
8. "Let's go." (Exit conversation)

YOU – "Fine, what about me then?"

GEMERL – "Your motives are shallow, but they are neither commendable nor laudable. Perhaps if you stopped thinking about betraying Sonic and the Restoration, I would have a higher opinion of you."

AUTHORITY [Formidable: Failure] – What. Did. He. Just. Call. You?

1. "Do you want to say that again, rust bucket?"

YOU – "Do you want to say that again, rust bucket?"

GEMERL – "If you did not understand: I think you are." The robot raises his hands and gestures quotation marks in the air. "Basic." "Basic? I'll show you, after I punt Sonic into the earth, I'll be the biggest hero or villain this world has ever seen."

YOU – "Basic? I'll show you, after I punt Sonic into the earth, I'll be the biggest hero or villain this world has ever seen."

GEMERL – "I hope you prove that in time. Your self-sabotaging behavior is annoying."

1. "Whatever."
2. “Go f**k yourself.”

YOU – "Whatever."

GEMERL – "I understand you are attempting to pry information out of me to some effect, but if you're going to pursue your own past over finding your comrade or any other alternative, I would rather you devote yourself to this course of action." "Your future plans for sabotage are also annoying."

1. "I'll show you annoying."
2. "Hey! I'm just playing it safe, who knows what you guys could get up to?"

YOU – "Hey! I'm just playing it safe, who knows what you guys could get up to?"

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] – You know, I wonder who that Gadget guy is. I think I remember hearing about him before. Asking about other members of the Restoration may also be of importance.

1. "Fine, what about me then?"
2. "So, what about Vanilla? You two are close, right?"
3. "Yeah, fine. Eggman, Sonic. What do ya think of them?"
4. "Fine, let's get to searching then."
5. "Have you ever wondered about your past?"
6. "You know GUN was listening in on us back there? Omega's bugged."
7. "What about Metal, then? I've been hearing a lot about him recently."
8. "Let's go." (Exit conversation)
9. ”So, you know anything about that Gadet guy?”
10. ”What do you know about the Restoration’s leadership?”

YOU – "Let's go." (Exit conversation)

YOU – With that said, you and Gemerl turn your backs to each other. Now is the time to put your skills to use in surveying the surrounding buildings.
Time
To
Roll

SKULDUGGERY – f**k yeah. Gambling.

1. [Perception - Challenging] Visually inspect the ruins.
2. [Encyclopedia - Formidable] Do you remember these streets?
3. [Shocks - Medium] Feel the air.
4. [Inland Empire - Medium] Look for a more supra-natural solution.
5. f**k this (Do all checks at once)

YOU – f**k this (Do all checks at once)

PERCEPTION [Challenging: Success] – You take note of several landmarks, a high school, a large pile of rubble, a closed-off cul-de-sac that now forms part of a rubble castle, and an oddly placed gas station at an intersection. Other than that, there doesn't look to be anything interesting in this area.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Formidable: Failure] – The streets are foreign to you. If only you had a map.

SHOCKS [Medium: Success] – floating freely, they laugh, floating freely, they cry. There are Wisps here, the air is charged with Hyper-go-ons. Although the grid that once connected these houses together has since gone dark. There is only so much you can feel, and the charge in the air is weak. They are heading in the direction of the high school.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Failure] – Your past will appear before you in the shape you imagine it. You've read about this before; it's called 'manifesting'. Enforce your will onto the world and collapse the quantum superposition of your past.

INLAND EMPIRE – Tap your shoes together and say, 'I want to go home.'

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Failure] – I think you read the first thing he mentioned in a self-help book you ended up bringing, and the second in a movie you saw when you were younger? Although the exact details escape you. Maybe it'll work anyway? Books and movies wouldn't lie, would they?

1. "I want to go home." (Tap your shoes together)
2. 'God dammit, are any of you useful?'

YOU – 'God dammit, are any of you useful?'

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – *Ahem* Some of us are busy keeping you alive and walking. Not only that, but making sure you're stronger for the next time we scrap with Sonic.

1. 'Didn't ask, don't care.'
2. 'Fine, fine.'

YOU – 'Fine, fine.'

INLAND EMPIRE – Most of your abilities are scientific in nature, maybe if you tried to lean more into the *supra-natural* I'd have more concrete things to say.

1. 'Fine. Whatever.'

YOU – 'Fine. Whatever.'

1. "Well, the high school is as good a lead as any. Let's go there."
2. "Gemerl, where do you think we should head next?"

YOU – "Gemerl, where do you think we should head next?"

GEMERL – "The high school." He says, optics whirring but voice unemotional.

INLAND EMPIRE – Damn mind readers.

LOGIC – Yes, a high school. Given all the evidence we have so far, and your supposed age, you being a high schooler or high school graduate is most likely. We might be onto something here; it is rather lucky anyway, but all the clues do seem to be lining up here for the moment.

1. "Fine, let's go."

YOU – "Fine, let's go."

1. (Walk in silence)
2. 'Hey, you skill guys, got any more ideas?'
3. "So Gemeral, what do you want to talk about?"

YOU – (Walk in silence)

YOU – The trip is swift, and as you approach the school, the first thing you notice about the school is how sturdily it's built. Like a granite slab, the kings of old would chisel pacts and deals onto. The school is a monolith, standing tall among the ruins of the houses, destroyed yard, and even the exterior buildings, which crumpled into sheet metal and wood.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – Although it could be more visually appealing. It literally looks like several perfect rectangles and squares stacked on top of each other; it's possible one of the least visually appealing buildings you've ever seen.

1. [Perception - Easy] Inspect the exterior more closely.
2. (Leave)

YOU – (Enter)

GEMERL – As the two of you enter the high school, he speaks up. "The first place to check should be the principal's office. If you or a relative ever went to this school, it should have the records."

1. "Actually, let's go find the others."
2. "Fine, let's go."
3. "Let's check the back of the school out first."

YOU – "Fine, let's go." With that, the two of you enter the front office. It is a quaint, large room separated by a dividing front desk. Before it, three rows of chairs sit lined up, and behind it, there are work stations for administrators and server racks.. Beyond even that, the way deeper into administration is blocked by piled-up chairs, desks, and server racks.

GEMERL – Wordlessly, he pushes aside the debris, picking up what is too big to push out of the way and laying it down in the front office. It only takes a short while before it's clear, and the two of you push on into the lounge and office space. Once he is finished, the rubble and barracks are stacked behind the desk and before it, leaving you a corridor leading from the entrance of the front office and deeper into administration.

YOU – Aside from a skeleton, you and Gemerl wordlessly decide to ignore the hallways as expected, with cork boards hung up on the walls with papers and flyers talking about events that never ended up happening, children's artwork, but mostly plain walls and doors on either side of the hallway. This place was once used; perhaps one day it will be used again.

1. Acknowledge the skeleton
2. Go into the lounge space
3. Go to the principal's office

YOU – Go to the principal's office

YOU – Walking ahead of him, you pass by the skeleton wordlessly and look at the worn-off name places and titles on the door until you finally find the one you're looking for. Reflexively, you press down on the handle. It stops halfway through, not even a click. The door is locked.

1. Physical instrument - Impossible] Try to punch down the door.
2. [Interfacing - Challenging] Pick the lock.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the door.
4. Go back to the front office.
5. "Gemerl?" (Get his help.)

YOU – "Gemerl?" You say, turning your head to the Gizoid.

GEMERL – He takes a step forward, pushing you to the side, and then slams his fist into the door. His fist emerges on the other side, unlocking it. "Done."

1. Acknowledge the skeleton.
2. Go into the lounge space.
3. Go to the principal's office.
4. Go back to the front office.
5. Enter the principal office.

YOU – Enter the principal's office.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – I wish we were at that door right now.

1. [Opposed - Electrochemistry & Volition] Ask Gemerl to punch a hole through your midsection.
2. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw.
3. "..." (Stand there awkwardly, looking at the door.)
4. Open the door.

YOU – Open the door.

YOU – You push open the door. Inside sits a desk, computer, and an annoyingly comfortable-looking chair as wide as you are tall. Aside from the metal gray computer and the black chair, the entire room is an uninspired and soul-sucking shade of beige.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – How quaint. It really is nothing like we expected. Where's the vat of acid? The miniature volcano? The portrait of the children that the principal killed? Does whoever used to use this office have no class? It really is boring.

DRAMA – Honestly, no class.

1. "Wow, this is one boring room."
2. Sit in the comfortable chair.
3. Turn the computer on.
4. Leave.

YOU – Turn the computer on.

YOU – You flick the power switch only for the computer to sit there on the desk, unresponsive.

1. [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Punch the computer.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the computer?
4. Sit in the comfortable chair.
5. Turn the computer on.
6. "Got any ideas?"
7. Leave.

YOU – Sit in the comfortable chair.

MORALE RESTORED

HEALTH RESTORED

YOU – You sit down in the chair to the euphoric realization that this is the single most comfortable chair you have ever sat in. Never have you been more jealous of a school administrator.

1. [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Punch the computer.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the computer?
4. Sit in the comfortable chair.
5. Turn the computer on.
6. "Got any ideas?"
7. Leave.

YOU – [Shocks & Interfacing: Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.

PARTIAL FAILURE

SHOCKS – You put your fingers to the keyboard and you funnel a shock into the machine. Your veins burn for a moment as you convert Chaos energy into electrical energy. The machine responds, flicking to life for a moment. Only for your hold on the power to fail, fingers fidgeting. A spark flies from the keyboard, and you flinch away. In an instant, it's dead again.

INTERFACING - The computer doesn't even light up. It doesn't seem like you broke it, but you'll have to come back later or get someone else to deal with the problem.

1. [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Punch the computer.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the computer?
4. Sit in the comfortable chair.
5. Turn the computer on.
6. "Got any ideas?"
7. Leave.

YOU – "Got any ideas?"

GEMERL – "There doesn't seem to be a place for me to interface with the machine; I do not possess any compatible USB connection types." "The computer racks also looked damaged, but it doesn't look like anything they've suffered has been catastrophic."

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] – Even water damage isn't a problem as long as they didn't have a charge running through them. In fact, they probably lost power first. Eggman would have turned all of the island's resources to whatever he was doing before environmental factors could take their toll. Even then, it hasn't been long enough for environmental factors to wear down this building.

GEMERL – "Either Omega or I could power the machine, but if I am the one powering the school's grid, I will not be able to hack into it." "We should retrieve Omega and the others; they should have the relevant skill sets for this situation."

1. "No. I can do this myself."
2. "Yeah, call the others for help."

YOU – "No. I can do this myself."

1. [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Punch the computer.
3. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the computer?
4. Sit in the comfortable chair.
5. Turn the computer on.
6. "Got any ideas?"
7. Leave.

YOU – Leave.

GEMERL – "Should we leave, for now, or do you want to explore further?"

GEMERL – "Proceed."

YOU – You exit out into the high school's front area, excluding the exit. Four paths now lie in front of you. A spiral staircase that faces away from you and leads into the upper level, a hallway leading right, a hallway leading left, and straight ahead leading to a set of double doors labeled 'Library'

1. Staircase.
2. Go left.
3. Go Right.
4. Enter Library.
5. Return to the front office.

YOU – (Enter Library.

PERCEPTION (SMELL) [Easy: Success] – Is that smell of vanilla, grapes, and citrus?

YOU – You push open the doors to the library. Inside, you can see chest-high shelves and, more distantly, toppled over shelves twice your height. The room is segmented into two levels, the ground level where you are and an upper level that you don't see any way to access. As you enter the room, you see several Wisps floating around fallen bookshelves or holding pried open books with their tendrils. However, as soon as the first of them sees you, it cries out. All at once, the Wisps zip to the upper level, leaving you, Gemerl, and an Ivory Wisp together on the ground floor.

1. Linger.
2. "Let's go." (Leave)
3. "You know what they're crying about?"

YOU – "You know what they're crying about?"

GEMERL – "I cannot translate Wisp-lang. Although I could learn, it would just take a while." His optics whir for a moment, fixing themselves on the Wisps. "Although if I had to make an educated guess, they are afraid of the mad woman who went on a televised rampage absorbing Wisps."

1. Linger.
2. "Let's go." (Leave)
3. "You know what they're crying about?"
4. "I'm gonna go talk to them.""

YOU – "I'm gonna go talk to them."

YOU – You take a step forward, only for the remaining Ivory Wisp to float up to you and say something you do not understand.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] – It doesn't seem hostile. Although I can't make out what it's saying.

1. [Find something to throw - Find something to throw] Find something to throw
2. [Authority - Impossible] Threaten them into being able to speak whatever language you are speaking right now.
3. [Drama - Challenging] Communicate through interpretive dance.
4. [Conceptualization - Challenging] Translate.
5. Okay, when are we getting the option to 'find something to throw' fixed?
6. Wait for Gemerl to finish a translation.

YOU – [Conceptualization - Hard] Translate.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – You listen to the sounds it makes, rhythmic and sing-song music, and to a lesser extent, sound as a whole is a universal language. Not as universal as mathematics, but from the shape and sounds of the words themselves, you can intuit meaning.

SUCCESS

CONCEPTUALIZATION – Then harmony. Conjoin your understanding of these two disparate aspects.

KEPSY – All at once, the screech-like voice of the Wisp assumes full clarity. "Hello. Nice to meet you, Miss. My name's Kepsy." Her voice sounds like a young child's, reminding you of Tails and, more distantly, Cream.

1. "Yeah, nice to meet you too. Care to talk?"
2. Take a step back to Gemerl.

YOU – "Yeah, nice to meet you too. Care to talk?"

KEPSY – "Sure thing, ma'am. It's nice to meet you."

1. "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"
2. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
3. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
4. "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"
5. "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend, Gemerl, and I need some help."

YOU – "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"

KEPSY – "Oh, that's because they saw you on the news earlier, you were that lady who was kidnapping us to take our powers, right?"

1. "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"
2. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
3. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
4. "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"
5. "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend, Gemerl, and I need some help."

YOU – "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

KEPSY – Oh well, that's because I'm Kepsy, and Kepsy isn't afraid of anything!"

HALF LIGHT – Truly, a terrible sense of survival.

STARLINE – ‘I hate this one already. She's worse than the dog. Is there a wood chipper or anything nearby?’

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Why? Throwing him in a wood chipper is a waste. How about we eat her? Rolling him up to smoke, or maybe grinding her into a fine powder to snort, might also work. This is our first opportunity in a while to get a good high. Let's fry some f**king neurons.

1. Whatever, how about we get back to talking to Kepsy?
2. Wait, fry?

YOU – Wait, fry?

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Success] – Yes, fry. The destruction of neurons via Hyper-go-on bombardment, and also oxygen deprivation. Although if we're talking about how effective it is at producing a high, then it isn't very effective. Purely for destroying your brain cells, it's not the best option. There are several more readily available sources of-

VOLITION [Easy: Success] – How about we *don't* get high off of giving ourselves brain damage. In fact, let's never think about this again. Just the thought of this information being readily available is making your heart rate spike.

1. "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"
2. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
3. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
4. "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"
5. "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend, Gemerl, and I need some help."

YOU – "So, what are you guys doing here?"

KEPSY – "We all decided to settle here after the war. It was pretty scary, and we all ended up not fighting. We're happy that things turned out the way they did, but we didn't want to join the Restoration."

1. "The Restoration? They're a bunch of wimps, I'm sure they'd roll right over for you if you asked them."
2. "I can see why you'd think that..."
3. [Rhetoric - Villainous] try to convince them to join the Restoration.

YOU – "The Restoration? They're a bunch of wimps, I'm sure they'd roll right over for you if you asked them."

KEPSY – "Wisps only ever want to join the Restoration to fight. Even calm ones like my friend Maggie went there to fight." "But none of us is the fighting type. Now Clutch is moving in..." The ivory Wisp shakes her head and looks up to her friends.

1. "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"
2. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
3. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
4. "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"
5. "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend, Gemerl, and I need some help."

YOU – "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"

KEPSY – She bobs up and down in the air, pointing to a book. "Oh yeah, you're a Tenrec. I read some of the books here about your species. Although you're a bit of a weird one, I don't think your species can normally absorb Wisps like I saw you doing on TV."

LOGIC – She's not very bright, is she? Although this does confirm that she and her friends know nothing concrete about you, anyway.

1. "What's with the others? Why aren't they coming down here to talk to me?"
2. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
3. "So, what are you guys doing here?"
4. "Right, so do you know anything else about who I am?"
5. "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend, Gemerl, and I need some help."

YOU – "Right, look, Kespy. Me and my friend-"

GEMERL – "Acquaintance"

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] – Really? If he cares so much about the specific, we can pivot mid-sentence.

AUTHORITY [Fromidable: Failuire] – Please. We're not bending to this bucket of bolts here, you're friends now, and that's final.

1. [Authority - Medium] Contest his authority over the nature of your relationship.
2. (Correct yourself)

YOU – (Correct yourself)

YOU – "Acquaintance, Gemerl here needs some help. We're trying to access the principal's computer, but we can't do it ourselves."

KEPSY – Her eyes smile at that. "Oh, I'm sure I can help. That sort of thing is pretty easy for an Ivory Wisp like me, although it'd be easier for a Telemagenta Wisp to help. They're good at handling data and stuff."

"Actually, let's wait a bit."
1. "Good, let's go."

YOU – "Good, let's go."

KEPSY – But before she can leave, one of her friends calls out to her, causing the Wisp to freeze in her tracks. "Oh, wait." She says, floating back to her friends as they hover in the upper level. At the end of it, she floats back over to you and bows her head. "My friends said they don't want me to help you since you're scary and dangerous." "I don't want to make them worry about me, so if you want my help, you'll have to convince them."

KEPSY – "You see, we have two problems. One of them is that bad guy who's been taking over the Island, Clutch. The other is... well, you see, we don't have any toys to play with." "There isn't any, and we can't find any toys. We still really want to turn this building into our nest, but unless we can get another location or we can get something to play with here, we'll have to leave."

1. "Fine, come on, Gemerl. This shouldn't be too hard."
2. [Rhetoric - Impossible] Convince her to help you out anyway with no strings attached.
3. [Skulduggerry - Formidable] Make an iou instead, she'll help you out now, and in exchange you'll help her out later.
4. [Authority - Formidable] Threaten her into line.

YOU – "Fine, come on, Gemerl. This shouldn't be too hard."

TASK ACCEPTED: Help Kespy and her friends.

1. Linger.
2. Leave.

YOU – Leave.

GEMERL – As you leave the library, and the doors shut behind you, Gemerl speaks up. "After this, once the situation is resolved and we have an adapter, I would like to have access to your translation of Wisplang." ENCYLOPEDIA – You remember hearing about this before, didn't Tails make some translation software for the language?

1. "Doesn't Tails have one?"
2. "Huh? Yeah sure"
3. "No.

YOU – "Doesn't Tails have one?"

GEMERL – "Yes, but I never download his translation software. I'll acquire a copy later as well, but for an adaptive machine like myself to have multiple perspectives of the same thing is valuable."

LOGIC – Wait a second. We should explain what we agreed to.

STARLINE – 'This also might be a good moment to try to get a data transfer. He actually has something you want. I can make the jump over to him right now if you agree, and then we can escape.'

1. "Let's head out.
2. [??? - ???] Convince Gemerl to do a data transfer right now.
3. Explain what the Wisps want and ask what he thinks.

YOU – Explain what the Wisps want and ask what he thinks.

YOU – You explain what the Wisp told her. Her name is Kespy, and she and her friends want to nest in this place, but Clutch and the lack of any toys or playgrounds aren't an issue. "So, what do you think?"

GEMERL – "Our most straightforward solution is fixing the playground, although we could always relocate them entirely."

PUNK TACTICS [Easy: Success] – Real punks don't give up so easily when the man comes calling; they fight. Those little Wisps may be wimps, but they're the little guy; giving Clutch even this one win will embolden him. Show him what's what and make sure they all end up alright living on this island like they want to.

STARLINE – 'Who cares, they're nobodies. We shouldn't even be helping them, they aren't even members of the Restoration.'

1. [??? - ???] Convince Gemerl to do a data transfer right now.
2. "You have a point, we could go back and try to talk to them."
3. "Yeah. No, we're helping these guys out. Even if it means fighting Clutch right now."

YOU – "Yeah. No, we're helping these guys out. Even if it means fighting Clutch right now."

GEMERL – The robot says nothing, merely nodding his eye as his eyes whirr.

1. Go around to the back of the school.
2. Go back into the school.
3. Leave the school grounds to see the town.

YOU – Go around to the back of the school.

YOU – You exit out of the front door to the school and circle its perimeter, the chainlink fence that once surrounded the entire school had been squashed underneath rubble, and where it still stands, holes have been blown through it, allowing you easy access to the field behind the high school. The field is wet and barren. To the right is a softball field now turned into a crater, while opposite it, there is a collapsed series of bleachers overlooking a track that surrounds an American football field. Only a shed stands defiant against the destruction.

1. Investigate the collapsed bleachers.
2. Investigate the crater.
3. Investigate the track and the football field.
4. Investigate the shed.
5. [Interfacing & Physical instrument & Conceptualization - Villainous] Create a playground for the Wisps.

YOU – Investigate the shed,

YOU – You go over to the shed, the hulking monolith of outdoor gym equipment hovering before you. It seems impervious to any damage, utterly unaffected by the calamity. You reflexively try the door, only to find that it is also locked.

1. "Hey, Gemerl, mind opening this door?"
2. "Let's try somewhere else." (Go back.)
3. [Perception - Easy] Take a better look at the structure.
4. [Interfacing - Challenging] Pick the lock.

YOU – [Perception - Easy] Take a better look at the structure.

PERCEPTION [Easy: Success] – It is a veritable titan, impenetrable. Only a narrow, open window higher up provides access to the door. If only you had a small companion or a Ninja that could bypass this challenge.

1. "Hey, Gemerl, mind opening this door?"
2. "Let's try somewhere else." (Go back.)
3. [Perception - Easy] Take a better look at the structure.
4. [Interfacing - Challenging] Pick the lock.

YOU – [Interfacing - Challenging] Pick the lock.

INTERFACING [Challenging: Success] – You get down on a knee and look into the lock, putting forward a hand, you test it again, listening to the sound it makes as you cast your senses inwards. Carefully then, you flex your power, sending a slight stream of electricity into the door and pulling at the lock. You hear the tumblers inside click, and you pick the lock. This would have been far easier if you had a collection of bobby pins or lockpicks.

1. "Hey, Gemerl, mind opening this door?"
2. "Let's try somewhere else." (Go back.)
3. [Perception - Easy] Take a better look at the structure.
4. [Interfacing - Challenging] Pick the lock.
5. Enter the shed.

YOU – Enter the shed.

YOU – Inside the shed, you find plastic hoops, deflated balls, orange traffic cones, equipment for frisbee golf, some disused metal poles, an air pump, and a set of softball supplies. It's not much, but it'll do. All in all, it's what you expected.

TASK UPDATE: Found gym equipment and parts.

1. Investigate the collapsed bleachers.
2. Investigate the crater.
3. Investigate the track and the football field.
4. Investigate the shed.
5. [Interfacing & Physical instrument & Conceptualization - Villainous Create a playground for the Wisps.

YOU – Leave school grounds.

YOU – You return to the front of the school and then leave the school grounds. The town lies before you in ruins, but you don't stop, crossing the large road that separates the high school from the rest of the town and walking through another gate before you find yourself in the collection of suburbs and small commercial areas again/

LOGIC [Medium: Success] – Just like the earlier village, this one should have a community park and a playground. If you salvage parts and materials from that, it should make setting up a playground here easier.

YOU – Upon a cursory survey, you immediately realize you have no idea where a park would be around here. The roads are all ruined, and the buildings have collapsed. The biggest landmark in your surroundings is a large pile of rubble, stacked higher than any of the nearby buildings.

1. "Hey Gemerl, call Vector and the others. See if they found anything."
2. "Gemerl, fly up and get a good look at the surroundings. See if you can find a park."
3. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Climb on top of the rubble to get a good vantage point.

YOU – [Physical Instrument - Medium] Climb on top of the rubble to get a good vantage point.

SUCCESS

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – You put one foot on the base of the pile, then you reach up to grab a handhold. Slowly and with great strength, you repeat that series of motions, putting one foot and hand in front of the other as you climb the mound.You stand at the precipice of this little world; you are a god.

YOU – Gemerl gently flies up, landing beside you wordlessly.

1. Acknowledge Gemerl
2. Climb back down
3. [Perception - Medium] Survey your surroundings.

YOU – [Perception - Medium] Survey your surroundings

SUCCESS

PERCEPTION [Medium: Success] – You peer over the abandoned town-scape, searching far and wide. You see Vector and Espio talking to Omega, more abandoned houses, and not too far from you, there's a suspicious clearing full of trees and what looks like knocked over and broken playground equipment. A park, you've found it. "I've found our next destination, let's go." (Climb back down and travel towards the park) "Hey, Gemerl. Call Vector."

YOU – "I've found our next destination, let's go." (Climb back down and travel towards the park)

YOU – When you arrive at the park, you are able to get a closer look at the ruined playground equipment. Some of it is in surprisingly good shape, but it's totally disorganized. Although it still looks useful Gemerl eyes the assorted rubbish suspiciously.

1. Leave the Park.
2. [Interfacing - Medium] Sorts the parts.
3. [Physical Instrument - Impossible] Carry all the scrap yourself.
4. [Physical Instrument - Formidable] Carry the materials, but split the load with Gemerl.

YOU – [Interfacing - Medium] Sorts the parts

SUCCESS

INTERFACING [Medium: Success ] – One by one, you and Gemerl sort the parts, picking them out from the rubble and discarding broken ones into a pile Finally, as the sun reaches its zenith, you have completed dismantling the playground to the best of your ability.

TASK UPDATE: Increased value of playground salvage

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Challenging: Success] – Normally, you eat lunch around this time. You should probably stop somewhere to eat after this.

GEMERL – Beside you, Gemerl speaks up, "Vector is calling." Before you can say anything else, Vector's voice exits his mouth through the grain of a phone signal.

VECTOR – "Hey, Surge. Found anything yet?"

1. "Yeah, I could use some help at the town's playground."
2. "We're working. Don't go near the high school, and we don't want to be interrupted, and we're handling this on our own."
3. "Gemerl. Hang up on him."

YOU – "We're working. Don't go near the high school, and we don't want to be interrupted, and we're handling this on our own."

VECTOR – "Fine, fine. I'll let you get to it, but it's getting pretty late. Where do you want to eat after this?"

1. "Whatever you want.
2. "Chicken."
3. "Wisp."
4. "A Zeti."
5. "Sonic."
6. [Electrochemistry - Impossible] "You."
7. "A hamburger."
8. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at Gemerl.
9. "I don't know? Some place that sells food-type food."
10. Why are all of these options s**t?

YOU – "I don't know? Some place that sells food-type food."

VECTOR – "Okay, okay. Have a good day." He says, a moment before his voice blips out. You are left to look at the playground before you, awkwardly staring at Gemerl.

1. Leave the Park.
2. [Interfacing - Medium] Sorts the parts.
3. [Physical Instrument - Impossible] Carry all the scrap yourself.
4. [Physical Instrument - Formidable] Carry the materials, but split the load with Gemerl.

YOU – [Physical Instrument: Challenging] Carry the materials, but split the load with Gemerl.

SUCCESS

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – "Come on, let's split the load. You take half, I take half." By splitting the load with Gemerl, you are able to move the parts back to the school field in batches despite the sun beating down on you and the strain in your muscles. It's not too long before your task is done. Now you have returned to the field behind the high school with a scrap collection of playground parts. Difficulty in Creating a Playground Lowered Potential Playground Level of Quality Increased

1. Investigate the collapsed bleachers.
2. Investigate the crater.
3. Investigate the track and the football field.
4. Investigate the shed.
5. [Interfacing & Physical instrument & Conceptualization - Challenging] Create a playground for the Wisps.
6. Leave the school.”

YOU – [Interfacing & Physical instrument & Conceptualization - Challenging] Create a playground for the Wisps.

LOGIC – Wait. Are you sure? You only have Gemerl's help and have only collected scrap from one site. Isn't there some type of mock-castle Vector, and the others are at? You can investigate that.

STARLINE – 'Fat chance. We've been here too long already. IT IS MID DAY! We still haven't made more inroads with the Restoration or gotten closer to killing that rat.' 'Even if you find something that's pointless.'

1. You're right. Let's call the others and do a more thorough search.
2. Yes. Yes. I'm sure. Let's get this over with. We still need to deal with Clutch.

YOU – Yes. Yes. I'm sure. Let's get this over with. We still need to deal with Clutch.

PARTIAL SUCCESS

INTERFACING [Challenging: Success] – Luckily, the playground parts were built with modularity in mind, and with a bit of help from Gemer's welder, it isn't an issue.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Challenging: Success] – Your raw muscles strain, but with two hands, the work goes easy. Although it would be easier with more people.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Challenging: Failure] – Although neither of you is known for your creative vision. The end result is something a bit too brutalist.

YOU – You and Gemeral take a step away from what you've created. It lacks a certain, cohesive aesthetic and structural soundness, but it will work for now. You've completed your task.

TASK UPDATED: Help the Wisps.

1. "Em, could do better. Let's take it down.
2. "There, good as new."
3. "Could be better."

YOU – "There, good as new."

GEMERL – "It will suffice, although a shabby structure like this will need to be renovated eventually."

SKULDUGGERY – We can return to the library now. I know how we can bypass the whole Clutch situation.

1. Return to the Wisps in the Library.
2. "Gemerl, call Vector."
3. "Let's go back into town. I'm sure we can find more scrap to improve the playground."

YOU – Return to the Wisps in the Library.

YOU – You and Gemerl walk back to the library, As you enter the room, you see all of Kepsy's friends fly back up to the top level, leaving Kepsy below to talk with you.

1. Explain that you've solved the playground problem.
2. [Rhetoric - Villainous] Convince them to choose violence and join with the Restoration.
3. [Skulduggery - Medium] Present your playground and trick them into thinking Clutch will be dealt with.

YOU – [Skulduggery - Medium] Present your playground and trick them into thinking Clutch will be dealt with.

SKULDUGGERY – This one is easy: tell her you'll make sure Sonic takes care of Clutch. You won't have to do it yourself, while the Chaotix and Omega are of dubious help due to the political situation. However, as they pointed out, Sonic doesn't take those into account for his decision-making. It isn't a lie, but it'll make things much easier right now. Sonic probably won't need much motivation anyway.

SUCCESS

YOU – "Hey, we fixed up the back a bit and set up a playground there, and for Clutch, I'm a friend of Sonic and I'm heading to him right after this. He'll be here right away once I talk to him."

KEPSY – "Oh, in that case, I can help with that. If it's just a problem with the power supply, then I can deal with it lickety-split. Lead the way, miss."

TASK COMPLETED: Build a playground for Kepsy and her friends.

1. Go back to the principal's office.
2. Go to the Library.
3. Exit the school.

YOU – Go back to the principal's office.

YOU – You swiftly return to the principal's office, Kepsy beside you the entire way. You can almost taste victory.

KEPSY – "Okay, on your mark, I'll power up the computer."

1. Leave the room.
2. [Perception - Easy] Find something to throw at the computer.
3. [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.

YOU – [Shocks & Interfacing - Medium] Hack into and power the machine using electrokinesis.

SUCCESS

SHOCKS &

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] – As Kepsy's charge illuminates the machine, you bring your hands to the keyboard and let your consciousness flow into the machine. Wires and circuits give, transistors flip, for a brief moment, your field of view is filled with ones and zeroes. Then it's gone, and sitting in front of you is a full, functional computer. In the background, there is a familiar tingle from the contact with the Hyper-go-ons. Not the pleasure from having your neurons destroyed, nor the high of feeling your power spike. Instead, it is the memory of those pleasures.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – f**k, finally. Still not the real s**t, but we need more. Drain the entire computer and Keepsy while you have the chance.

SKULDUGGERY – And make us look worse in front of Gemerl, fat chance.

1. Shut up. Did you find anything on me?
2. [Skulduggery - Trivial] Snoop through records unrelated to your search.

YOU – Shut up. Did you find anything on me?

INTERFACING – Yes, yes. One Tenrec Student, eighteen years of age, female, good academic record, alongside comments from teachers, complaints, and worries. She seems to have visited the counselors several times in the past, but nothing within the last three months of the previous year before Eggman made his attack on the entire world. No information on the parents is available; a lot of data has been lost here. But I'll salvage what I can. ... And there it is, Oh-three-one-four, Chestnut Avenue. A street name, let's get on this. I'll download the information.

1. [Shocks - Villainous] Drain Kepsy while you're both plugged in.
2. [Skulduggery - Trivial] Snoop through records unrelated to your search.
3. Turn the computer off.

YOU – Turn the computer off.

KEPSY – As you leave the keyboard and flick the computer switch off, she disconnects her power from the grid. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

1. "No time to talk. We gotta go." (Leave the building right away)
2. "Yeah. More than what I was hoping for, thanks, Kepsy."

YOU – "Yeah. More than what I was hoping for, thanks, Kepsy."

KEPSY – "Sure thing, Miss Surge. I'll make sure to tell all of my friends about how you and your friends helped us. I'm sure Maggie will love to hear about you." "Have a good day!"

SKULDUGGERY – Seems like we did make some inroads with somebody. Although I wonder who that is?

1. "You too."

YOU – "You too." Kespy nods to both of you, making a happy trilling sound before leaving for the Library. A lighting trail in her wake.

STARLINE – ‘Kill me now. We should have just eaten her when we had the chance.’

INTERFACING – Although we still have a problem. We only have the street name, not the coordinates. With all the streets destroyed, we'll need a map in order to translate it into a location and directions.

1. ""Hey Gemerl, call Vector and the others to meet up here."
2. ""Yo' Gemerl, got a map?"
3. [Encyclopedia - Godly] Conjure an exact map of the town with street names from memory.

YOU – "Yo' Gemerl, got a map?"

GEMERL – "Not a physical one, but I have internet access. Tell me the street name and I'll pull up a map."

1. "f**k off, I can make sense of it on my own."
2. "Oh-three-one-four, Chestnut Avenue."

YOU – "Oh-three-one-four, Chestnut Avenue."

GEMERL – You hear the robot beep as he pulls up a webpage and inserts the street name into a search engine; it's not too long when he shakes his head. "Good, let's go."

1. Walk in silence.
2. Walk and talk.

YOU – Walk and talk.

YOU – As the two of you leave the building and begin in the direction of the address, you follow behind Gemerl, of course, you ask the first thing that comes to mind. "So, what are the odds we find something?"

GEMERL – "Your species is not common. If one went to this school, they might be you or a relative.

YOU – The two of you exchange polite small talk on your way to the house, passing by rows of fully, semi, and then partially collapsed houses. You are a ways away from the culdusec that was fashioned into a makeshift castle, but have now arrived in a mostly intact area. The house you arrive at is clearly ruined, abandoned, but still standing. Its garage is still closed, and only one of its windows has been smashed open.

GEMERL – "I have called Vector, and he and the others will be here momentarily."

1. "Cool. Let's wait."
2. "That's nice, but I'm not waiting."

YOU – "That's nice, but I'm not waiting."

GEMERL – "Very well, I-"

REACTION SPEED [???: ???] – Come on. We don't need his help here. Let's get ahead of him coming along.

1. "I don't need you accompanying me."
2. "Come if you want."

YOU – "I don't need you accompanying me." You say. Behind you, Gemerl stops, his eyes whirring again. He does not say anything as you step up onto the porch.

STARLINE – You see Starline’s reflection in the front window‘Still here? Wasting your time, over half a day now, plodding around an abandoned island instead of trying to find Kit or kill Sonic?’ ‘Don't mind me, I'm the only person trying to help you here. I'm stuck with you, and you're stuck with me. The sooner you cooperate instead of indulging in *THIS*, the sooner we all get better and that blue rat gets dead.’

1. 'f**k off Starline.'
2. Go around the house.

YOU – Open the front door.

YOU – As you open the front door, you see a light amount of rubble, waist high, covering the entrance hallway and an adjacent office space.

STARLINE – Last chance Surge. Turn back now.

1. 'Fine, what do you want?'
2. 'Like I care. Fuck off.'

YOU – Like I care. Fuck off.

1. Go back.
2. [Perception - Easy] Gaze into the building beyond.
3. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Clear the light debris blocking the front hallway.

YOU – [Physical Instrument - Medium] Clear the light debris blocking the front hallway.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – The light debris is easy to clear; none of it is large or structural. Although the front office is wrecked You are now in the front hallway.

1. Inspect the front office.
2. Enter the garage.
3. Inspect dining room.

YOU – Inspect dining room.

YOU – The room is a combination dining room and kitchen with a living room opposite it. The kitchen is disused and empty looking, while the table is still set for four, a Halloween tablecloth draped over it. In the living room, there is only one couch, it looks untouched, but the couch is already broken, and there is no TV, only a short table and two bookshelves framing where a TV once might have been. Not only that, there's a staircase here, hidden from the entrance hallway by an adjoining wall.

LOGIC – It occurs to you earlier that you could have just gone through the back door instead of clearing the debris in the front hallway.

1. Exit the back door.
2. Go up the stairs.
3. Go back into the front hallway.

YOU – Go up the stairs.

YOU – You walk up the stairs and onto the second-story landing. The upstairs is covered wall to wall with bookshelves, with the only break being for a short hallway that seems to lead into a washroom, the half-wall that borders the stairs, a door on the left side of the room, and another short hallway that's on the other end of the stairs and leads to another room. Aside from that, there is a lamp and a recliner facing away from the stairs and towards the left wall.

1. Inspect the bookshelves
2. Enter the washroom.
3. Open the far door.
4. Open the left door.

YOU – Open the far door.

YOU – You open the far door. The first thing that hits you is that the room before you is in ruins. The back windows are broken, nightstand drawers are left open, and there is weather damage to the bed and mattress. It looks like stuff was removed from the room as well. It seems like whatever room was once here is now thoroughly collapsed.

1. Check the emptied nightstands.
2. Leave the partly collapsed room.
3. [Visual Calculus - Medium] Reconstruct the scene.

YOU – [Visual Calculus - Medium] Reconstruct the scene.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Failure] – The imprints of furniture that was moved. There may have been something here, but it's lost to you.

1. Check the emptied nightstands.
2. Leave the partly collapsed room.
3. [Visual Calculus - Medium] Reconstruct the scene

YOU – Leave the partly collapsed room.

1. Inspect the bookshelves
Enter the washroom.
2. Open the far door.
3. Open the left door.

YOU – Open the left door.

YOU – You rest your hand on the doorknob and-

INLAND EMPIRE – Stop.

1. 'Turn the doorknob'
2. 'What is it this time?'

YOU – 'What is it this time?'

INLAND EMPIRE – There's a bad feeling in your gut as your hand rests on the doorknob. In the corner of your eye, you see Starline's face flash in the reflection of the glass, looking away from you with a stern expression on his face. He can't hear us right now since he's busy, but he's been getting stronger. We might want to hold this off for later; if we move now, he might do something hasty.

SKULDUGGERY – He's right about one thing. We're all stuck with each other for now, playing nice until you can get him removed might be a better idea.

1. 'So what?' (Enter the room)
2. 'Fine, I'll back out.'

YOU – 'So what?' (Enter the room)

YOU – The room is more spacious than you thought it would be, although you don't know where you got that impression from. Right across from you is a large bed with a metal bedframe, accompanied by a lamp. Across from the bed on the far right wall, there is a desk with a full computer station atop it. Adjacent to that, there is another desk with several books and notebooks placed on top of it. Then, finally, on the exterior facing wall, there are two large windows with shutters closed and a dresser. Strangest of all, the entire room is in pristine condition; if you stayed only in this room, you wouldn't have any idea the house was ruined.

PERCEPTION [Challenging: Success] – Although there is one other thing. Pinned underneath a book on the desk, you can see the corner of a photo peaking out.

1. Check the computer.
2. Check the desk & Notebooks.
3. Check the metal bed.
4. Check the dresser.
5. Open shutters.

YOU – You pick up the photo.

YOU – You remove the photo from beneath the book gently, bringing it to your face. It takes a second, but as you realize what's in the photo, you freeze. In it, you see yourself, but younger, same marking, quill and fur color, everything, accompanied by an older woman with a slightly different color of fur standing side by side at the beach.

INTERFACING [Formidable: Success] – There is no one else standing in the photo, but this is clearly a printed-out digital photo taken from a phone, meaning there is one other person in this picture. The one holding the camera.

1. Throw the photo away.
2. Pocket the photo.

YOU – Turn the photo over.

YOU – You turn the photo over in your hand and-

STARLINE – I've told you for the last time. Final chance to turn back, do you even listen to yourself? How has any of this helped us kill that blue rat!

1. [Volition - Villanious] Resist
2. No.

YOU – No.

STARLINE – Fine. Enough playing nice, then. If you want to do things the hard way, we'll do things the hard way.

VOLITION – The entire world seizes up around you, your muscles tighten, and your gaze slackens. Gemerl is outside. Even if you could speak, there would be no one to call out to for help. You don't know how far out the others are, and you don't know how long you can hold out on your own. You only have one choice now.

1. [Volition - Villanious] Resist
2. No.

YOU – [Volition - Villanious] Resist

FAILURE

STARLINE – "You know, I really wish we could get along. That we could see eye to eye on things." All at once, the room comes into focus. You are sitting–strapped down, rather–into the single most uncomfortable swivel chair you've ever sat in. Across from you, a crescent moon-shaped desk wraps around Starline, he and the chair he sits in rendered into a single silhouette by an ominous green glow from beyond the window. Only after you notice the green glow do you notice the sky itself, a pitch black canvas that seems to suck all color and warmth out of the air, accentuating the sickly green glow,

1. Sit quietly.
2. "Eat s**t"
3. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.

YOU – "Eat s**t"

STARLINE – "How vulgar." He says, before turning his chair around, "And after all I've done for you."

1. Sit quietly.
2. [N/A - Error] Construct a comprehensive argument against him.
3. [N/A - Error] Bait him into acting first.
4. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.
5. "You kidnapped me and Kit from our families and then died. You haven't done anything!"

YOU – "You kidnapped me and Kit from our families and then died. You haven't done anything!"

STARLINE – The monotreme takes a deep breath as he interlocks his fingers, forming a scholar's cradle as he sits down, protected from the sickly green light by his massive chair. "I gave both of you a purpose. I gave you powers, funding, access to tools and resources you didn't have before." He stamps his hand onto the desk, "You wanted strength and power to stand alongside Sonic, and I gave it to you; you're the one who failed to make use of it and betrayed me!"

1. Sit quietly.
2. [N/A - Error] Construct a comprehensive argument against him.
3. [N/A - Error] Bait him into acting first.
4. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.
5. "I should have been twice as strong if I was supposed to beat him!"
6. "As if I care about that! I want my life back. I want Kit's life back!"

YOU – "As if I care about that! I want my life back. I want Kit's life back!"

STARLINE – "Well, if you aren't going to be thankful for what I've done for you, then I'll just have to take matters into my own hands. Even if I have to rip up every corner of your mind, I'll find the reins to this place and then you'll get to experience what it's like being a voice stuck in somebody else's head."

1. Sit quietly.
2. [N/A - Error] Construct a comprehensive argument against him.
3. [N/A - Error] Bait him into acting first.
4. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.
5. "Wait, don't leave me here. Can't we cut a deal?"
6. "So that's it then. You're just gonna leave me trapped here, you creep."

YOU – "So that's it then. You're just gonna leave me trapped here, you creep."

STARLINE – "Please, I still put a lot of work into you two. It would also be harder to manage Kit without you, but then again, you two did encourage each other to bring me down." He shakes his head, as if doing all of this is just a pain for him. "I guess I'll have to make a proper body for myself eventually. As well as replacements for you two, but for now, I guess I'll have to keep you two around."

1. Sit quietly.
2. [N/A - Error] Construct a comprehensive argument against him.
3. [N/A - Error] Bait him into acting first.
4. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.
5. "The others will find out this: Vector, Gemerl, Espio. Even if I can't escape, they'll stop you."

YOU – "The others will find out this: Vector, Gemerl, Espio. Even if I can't escape, they'll stop you."

STARLINE – "Didn't you forget someone?" He leans forward, putting his elbows onto the desk as he forms his hands into interlocking fists. "Sonic." He says, shaking his head in disappointment as he leans back in his chair, "I can't believe you're relying on him. At most, he'll hear you've collapsed, but he's still busy with other things at the moment, isn't he? I'll have to impersonate you then--after all--I just need a long enough window to get a replacement for this Chaos Drive Tail’s stuck in your chest"

1. Sit quietly.
2. [N/A - Error] Construct a comprehensive argument against him.
3. [N/A - Error] Bait him into acting first.
4. [N/A - Error] Break out of your bindings.
5. [N/A & N/A - Error] Explain a plan to get him a new body, without having to inhabit yours.
6. “As if. Tails’ isn’t stupid. He’ll figure it out.”
7. “We could still work together then. I’ll just off load you at the nearest opportunity."
8. "You won't have to worry about that, when I get you out of here, I'll tear you apart."

YOU – "You won't have to worry about that, when I get you out of here, I'll–"

YOU – Before you can say anything else, the tower shudders. Starline stumbles out of his chair, as you can't help but stay strapped in yours, as he narrowly avoids hitting his head on the desk. Then, with a clatter of electric sounds–Outside, you see bolts of green, blue, pink-red, and yellow arc across the sky, some even slamming into the window. Eventually, the surges of electricity stop, and the tremors die down. He manages to force himself back into the chair even as sounds continue. Then all at once, the clattering and electric sound stops.

STARLINE – "Seems like I still have some kinks to work out," he grumbles to himself, standing up from his chair and holding his hands behind his back theatrically before he walks around the table. Soon, he passes out of your vision, and you hear the sliding of a metal door behind you. "Now, be a good girl and sit there. I'll be back when I'm done remodeling the place." With that said, the door closes shut behind the monotreme, leaving you strapped to the swivel chair.
What do you do?

1. [N/A - Error] Check not found
2. Spin in the chair.
3. Give up and wait for his return.
4. Struggle.

YOU – Struggle.

FAILURE

YOU – You throw your head back and forth as you struggle against the bindings. They bite into non-existent wrists, and you bite back a grunt of pain. This would be easier if you had any muscles, or really a being, but right now, despite being strapped down, you somehow also entirely lack a body. You are merely a point in space that acts as a perspective. You didn't break free, but you aren't giving up. Do it again.

1. [N/A - Error] Check not found
2. Spin in the chair.
3. Give up and wait for his return.
4. Struggle.

YOU – Struggle.

FAILURE

YOU – Again, you struggle against the bindings. You expect the pain this time, even as you feel the phantom sensation of bleeding as arms that aren't there go numb. Then, you hear the strain. Not the strain of your own body–which doesn't exist–but the strain of the bindings. Beyond the window of the office, the green light flickers once, and another charge of electricity zaps the glass. You feel your bindings loosen. Only one more time now.

1. [N/A - Error] Check not found
2. Spin in the chair.
3. Give up and wait for his return.
4. Struggle.

YOU – Struggle.

SUCCESS

YOU – The bindings snap with a sound, stuck better wrenching metal, and the snap of rubber, and all at once you find yourself falling forward. Without any time to react, you land face-first on the floor–

DAMAGED HEALTH

YOU – But you get up without a second thought. You pick yourself up slowly and–on instinct–put an invisible hand on the chair to brace yourself as you look back to the door. It's large, metal, and right next to the keypad; there is a green light. The door is unlocked. What do you do?

1. Sit back down.
2. Spin the chair.
3. Sit in Starline’s chair.
4. Look out the window.
5. Leave the room.
6. Wait for Starline to return.

YOU – Look out the window

YOU – Out of the window, you see a vast pastel cityscape, gentle half-grey blues, pinks, yellow, and purples, drowned out by an ominous green glow. While close to the tower, you find yourself in a city tainted with a deep starline-purple, distinct from the purples in the rest of the city. You can even see figures–massive, building-size figures walking below, most of them colored in that distinct shade of Starline purple. You recognize some of the closer buildings and the tower you're held up in as being part of Starline's base. Above all of that is the source of the ominous green glow, a large light bulb suspended over the city in place It doesn't take a genius to know that's the thing currently acting as your heart. The Chaos Drive Tails are installed into you.

1. Sit back down.
2. Spin the chair.
3. Sit in Starline’s chair.
4. Look out the window.
5. Leave the room.
6. Wait for Starline to return.

YOU – Leave the room

YOU – Walking out of the office room, you come to a forked pathway, three equally indistinct hallways stand in front of you: They are, a left path, a center path, and a right path. Distantly, you think you hear Starline say something, followed by the sound of his footsteps, but can't make out which path he's down. There isn't much time, we have to make a choice.

1. Right.
2. Center.
3. Left.

YOU – Left.

YOU – You pass through the left corridor, unfamiliar bare concrete walls passing you by. A disconcerting stillness fills the hallways, and with only one way to go, you feel as if Starline could appear over your shoulder at any moment. You would resist shuddering, but you cannot; you do not even have a body to shudder.Behind you, Starline can still be heard. He's close, but still a ways away.

1. Hide in the locker.
2. Try the door.
3. Enter the elevator.
4. Go back.

YOU – Enter the elevator.

YOU – You sprint into the elevator, and turn around just in time to see the doors close and Starline round the corner. He turns, but you don't have time to see his eyes. The doors shut, and the elevator begins its ascent, quickly passing through the ceiling. You see Starline rush to the elevator's controls, but he can't do anything now. As you step out into the short corridor, you realize you don't have long.

1. Wait for Starline to arrive.
2. Move into the next chamber.
3. [N/A - Error] Stand your ground.

YOU – Move into the next chamber.

YOU – Your legs carry you into the next chamber, the metal door opens up for you and slams shut behind you with a harsh beep. Reflexively, you turn around to look at the door; its green light has turned to red. On instinct, you know that this means it's locked. You are safe for now, although not for long. Starline is still in the building. You inspect the room as you enter. An all too familiar computer console dominating the entire room, and the familiar catwalk that leads up to the circular platform it rests on. However, there is one irregularity in the room. Next to the large computer console is a mirror along its length, and blue electricity crackles.

1. Look down into the void below the platform.
2. [N/A - Error] Inspect the computer.
3. Inspect the blue mirror.

YOU – Inspect the computer.

YOU – You walk up to the computer, its screens are all blue, showing error messages and nothing else. You can read the words, but your mind fails to pull any meaning out of them individually or through combination. Aside from that, there's a glass elevator you don't recognize connected to the center platform. There is nothing else to do here without the applicable skills.

1. Look down into the void below the platform.
2. [N/A - Error] Inspect the computer.
3. Inspect the blue mirror.
4. [N/A - Error] Text not found
5. Take the elevator.

YOU – Inspect the blue mirror.

YOU – You see yourself in the mirror, although... You look closer at yourself in the mirror, and the image changes. You're younger-looking, with a pair of large, thick-rimmed glasses that hide your pupils with their shine, and a notebook in one hand. However, the most notable thing about the image is the blue tint and the wispy blue trails that leave from your spines. Besides the mirror lies a rock.

1. Step away.
2. Smash the Mirror.
3. Take the next elevator.

YOU -- Smash the Mirror.

YOU – The blue electricity jumps from the mirror as it's shattered, traveling along the shards of broken glass before slamming into your non-existent body. Some degree of clarity is returned to the world. The words on the monitor, even out of the corner of your eye, read clearly. The previously indistinct size and shape of objects and locations give way to solidity. You feel nerves, a brain, and eyes. Some of your body has returned to you.

RHETORIC – Good. You've found us. Do you know how hard it was to keep up our part of the racket?-

1. Look down into the void below the platform.
2. [N/A - Error] Inspect the computer.
3. Inspect the blue mirror.
4. [Logic - Easy] Engage in preliminary speculation.
5. Take the elevator.

YOU – [Logic - Easy] Engage in preliminary speculation.

SUCCESS

LOGIC [Easy: Success] – Does it really make sense for him to be Starline?

1. Good to see you two.
2. What?

YOU – What?

LOGIC – Think about it, there wasn't anything of him left, he was incinerated in an industrial furnace. I'm fairly sure there wasn't anything like a transmitter installed in our brains. Tails would have noticed it.

1. Well, he sure as hell missed you guys.
2. Good point, got any other ideas?

YOU – Well, he sure as hell missed you guys.

LOGIC – Sure, Tails missed us, but we're magic–or something to that effect. It doesn't make sense for him to miss something like that.

VISUAL CALCULUS – Enough talk. It's harder to tell without Perception, but Starline's getting closer. It’s hard to tell, but I can use your mental map to echolocate.

1. Look down into the void below the platform.
2. [N/A - Error] Inspect the computer.
3. Inspect the blue mirror.
4. [Logic - Easy] Engage in preliminary speculation.
5. Take the elevator.

YOU – Take the elevator.

YOU – With no time to spare, you step into the second tube elevator: the sound of the other elevator landing in the corridor right behind you. You press the elevator button up, and ascend just in time to hear Starline's angry grumbling as he fiddles with the locked door as you move up through the ceiling, and then finally–after a brief moment of blackness–past the roof of the tower. Then, you see it, the city below in all its vastness, the towering figures. It all seems so small below you. In fact, you fail to make out any buildings exactly, only registering them as splotches of pastel colors, all surrounding and overwhelming against the offensive Starline shade of purple that blotted out the natural hues of the control tower and the surrounding areas. It's practically a warzone down there. Above you, the illusion of a black sky dissolves, revealing what it really is, a curved plane–a dome–covering the entire city. Soon, you pass through the 'ceiling' of the sky, and darkness envelopes you. Then, what feels like a minute passes in darkness. Somehow, you don't feel worried, but it is annoying. You begin to tap your feet as a nonexistent hand gropes for nonexistent quills to play with. You are officially bored.

1. Wait.
2. "...” (Wait).

YOU – Wait.

YOU – You stand there, waiting, and waiting. Then, finally, with a puff of air, and a bleeding green light coming from the top of the glass elevator. You emerge onto the next landing, the artificial green sun above bathing you in its sickly light as dust is kicked up. All around you can see barbed wire, barricades, chest-high walls, and conspicuously placed pieces of sheet metal as the ground rumbles. In the distance, you can hear the sounds of combat, metal clashing with metal, bullets finding and missing their mark, arcs of electricity flying through the air, and massive shadows walking in between the buildings. You are now at the ground level of the tower.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] – Wait. Didn't we go up?

VISUAL CALCULUS – Right... This is going to make the map much odder. I'll just add a colored arrow at the top of the elevator shaft leading from the core.

CONCEPTUALIZATION – You don't understand geometry, although this very lack of understanding makes it easier to explain: Some things are just like this; you can leave those questions to experts.

1. Circle the building.
2. Take a closer look at your surroundings.
3. Find something to throw.
4. Go towards the front line
5. [Logic(Stand-in) - Challenging] Attempt to understand the logic of this place.

YOU – [Logic(Stand-in) - Challenging] Attempt to understand the logic of this place.

FAILURE

LOGIC [Challenging: Failure] – Actually, given that we're inside your mind, it's likely that this all isn't literal. Although whatever logic it functions under isn't my expertise.

1. Circle the building.
2. Take a closer look at your surroundings.
3. Find something to throw.
4. Go towards the front line
5. [Logic(Stand-in): Challenging] Attempt to understand the logic of this place.

YOU – Go towards the front line

YOU – You walk away from the base of the tower, towards what you assume would be the 'front line,' where the various pastels come into conflict with the garish shade of Purple Starline, which you are so fond of. A part of your brain causes you to instinctively drift alongside the walls as the noises in the distance become louder and closer, imaginary quills rising in tension as the ground beneath you shakes. When you finally make it to the front, you see the glow first. That Starline shade of purple is beaming in between gaps in sheet metal. When you look in between the gaps, you see them, all of them. Small and giant alike: Cyclopean, wisp-like entities, full-bodied but floating just above the ground on tails. They crouch behind walls, on either side of a long street. A four colored coalition on the other side of the street, while closer to you, they take on a familiar, uniform shade. It's hard to make out the appearance of the coalition, but the ones closer to you look like silhouettes of Starline. They are engrossed in their battle; the various cyclopean entities do not take notice of you, and aside from the two factions, to your left, an alleyway opens up into a dead end.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] It's probably a bad idea to stay out in the open. Or, really, to be close to these guys in general.

1. No s**t.

YOU – No s**t.

1. Go back to the tower.
2. [N/A - Error] Climb the building.
3. [N/A - Error] Sneak through.
4. Dodge into the alley

YOU – Dodge into the alley

YOU – You feel a tiny bit safer here, although you are cornered if any of the Wisp-things find you. Besides your safety, the alley is oddly nondescript, not even a garbage can or spare cardboard box to provide any visual distraction. Luckily, this nook seems too small for the big ones to get into. Other than that, the only thing of note is a single sewer hatch on the floor.

1. [N/A - Error] Climb the building.
2. [N/A - Error] Sneak through.
3. [Conceptualization (Stand in) - Error] Take a closer look.
4. Leave the alley.
5. Open the sewer hatch.

YOU – Open the sewer hatch.

YOU – You lift off the sewer hatch with more force than it would normally seem to take, missing fingers plugging themselves through the two holes on its surface as you drag the metal hatch off and rest it against the alley wall. Down the now uncovered hole, you can see only blackness and a rusty iron ladder.

1. [N/A - Error] Climb the building.
2. [N/A - Error] Sneak through.
3. [Conceptualization (Stand in) - Error] Take a closer look.
4. Leave the alley.
5. Slide down the ladder.

YOU – Slide down the ladder.

YOU – Rung after rung, you climb deeper into darkness, just like with the elevator, you find yourself consumed by darkness as the lights from above become more and more distant. Eventually, you arrive at the bottom, only flinching slightly as you find the cold stone to greet you. You turn around, only to be greeted by an open doorway and pitch darkness beyond.

1. [Visual Calculus(Stand-in) - Medium] Find the light switch.
2. Go back up the ladder.
3. Fumble forward in the dark.

YOU – [Visual Calculus(Stand-in) - Medium] Find the light switch

SUCCESS

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] – Light switches are always placed next to landings, doors, and areas where they're generally useful. Even if you don't understand interior design, experience and what you expected should leave the location of the light switch obvious.

YOU – you squint your eyes, rooms pass flags before your eyes–and there it is, the light switch.

1. [Visual Calculus(Stand-in) - Medium] Find the light switch.
2. Go back up the ladder.
3. Fumble forward in the dark.
4. Leave it alone.
5. Flip the light switch.

YOU – Flip the light switch.

YOU – You seize up on reflex before you even realize what you're looking at. You feel your heart seize up as you see them again, the bounce baps, the flame throwers, and the moto-bugs. The drowning, electrifying, and crushing traps. Then the saw blades. ENCYLOPEDIA – The obstacle course.

YOU – You still remember seeing the video. The saw didn't cut straight through you; it got stuck on your bones, and you were stuck there. You turned the video off when the second saw hit, the shock made you remember Kit was in the room with you. The two of you didn't look at many more of the videos after that. There are some things you don't want to remember.

LOGIC – the FYS or MOT should be here. Probably.

1. Go back up the ladder.
2. [Visual Calculus - Formidable] Chart a path through the obstacle course.
3. [Error - Trivial] Attempt the first stretch of the course. The crushers.
4. Go back.

YOU – [Visual Calculus - Formidable] Chart a path through the obstacle course

SUCCESS

VISUAL CALCULUS [Visual Calculus: Success] ]– Yes, yes, it's all very challenging, but you've been here before. Even without the muscle developed over a couple of hundred near-death experiences, you know what to expect here. These are your memories after all. Now Then–finally–you just have to avoid the saw blades and you'll be on the other side of the course. The only problem is the execution. Without their help, this will be harder.

1. Go back up the ladder.
2. [Visual Calculus- Formidable] Chart a path through the obstacle course.
3. [Error - Trivial] Attempt the first stretch of the course. The crushers.
4. Go back.

YOU – [Error: Trivial] Attempt the first stretch of the course. The crushers.

SUCCESS

YOU [Trivial: Success] ]– The crushers. You saw the videos, they're the only thing here you didn't die to at least a dozen times–You say die, but what you really mean is knocked out. They're cast and dangerous, but your metal skeleton is stronger; still, it hurts. In fact, the only times you 'died' were the times you were rushing, so you take it slow; right until the end when you can deftly jump to the next safe platform.

1. [N/A - Trivial] Motobugs? Easy peasy.
2. [N/A - Trivial] Play around a bit.

YOU – [N/A - Trivial] Motobugs? Easy peasy.

SUCCESS

YOU [Trivial: Success] – Motobugs, the weakest of Eggman's Badniks, dumber and less useful than eggpawns but slightly cheaper. You jump on one, crushing it beneath your feet before methodically taking out the others. Taking out Motobugs like this is the bare minimum, and you do it with practiced speed.
You land on the next safe platform effortlessly.

1. [N/A - Easy] Flame throwers on one side, a drowning trap on the other.

YOU – [N/A - Easy] Flame throwers on one side, a drowning trap on the other.

SUCCESS

YOU [Trivial: Success] – It's easy when you think about it like this: Despite being semi-aquatic, you don't know how to swim–and the drowning trap is telekinetic. Kit had to drag you out of there on over a dozen different occasions. The flamethrowers, on the other hand? You can dodge them, not to mention they're way easier to take out. Of course, by the time you finish thinking about this, you've already started moving, dodging away from the drawing trap as it fails to grab you. The flamethrowers are easy to dodge; they're aimed at one location, and you jump from one to another, seamlessly taking them all out before jumping onto the next safe platform.

1. [N/A - Medium] Dodge the saw blades.

YOU – [N/A - Medium] Dodge the saw blades. FAILURE

YOU – You skip off the platform and dodge under two saw blades, skip forward just in time to see another saw blade emerge from the ground. Then you freeze, fear taking over your mind for a split second, but it's just long enough. Your eyes widen, and you are too slow. The saw blade is going to hit you.

1. [N/A - Challenging] Move.

YOU – [N/A - Challenging] Move.

FAILURE

DAMAGED HEALTH

YOU – Still, it's not enough. You're too slow; you only move enough to avoid taking it to the chest. Your non-existent leg gets stuck on the saw blade; it bites through your imaginary malleable flesh, hitting the bone in the next moment. You can't move, you're stuck. Pain races through your mind, and you feel the world wobble.

1. [N/A - Challenging] MOVE.

YOU – MOVE.

SUCCESS

YOU – You unstick the leg that isn't there, imaginary tendons ripping as you pull your way free of the saw blade. You stumble forward, just in time for the second saw blade to miss you. You keep moving even as your eyes glaze over and the room becomes distant–somehow your legs carry you across the finish line. Only then do you collapse. Flesh that isn't there reforms your skeleton. You lay on the cold floor for some time before getting up.

1. Get up.
2. Lie on the floor.

YOU – Lie on the floor.

YOU – one breath, two breath. You fill lungs that aren't there with air that doesn't exist. You don't know why you're like this. Why are you so weak? You've been through worse before. Yet still, you lay on the floor, exhausted. Still, you don't know how long you have until Starline or the purple things find you.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success]

YOU – “Shut up.”

1. Lie on the floor.
2. Limp to the door.

YOU – Limp to the door.

YOU – Alive, you force yourself to your feet. A part of you is aware this isn't real, but that part of you that has the most power in this place is missing. You're only one-fourth of the person you are right now, so worse for wear, you limp to the door. It slides open for you, and once you pass the threshold, it slams shut behind you. You recognize the room beyond. This was the room where Starline oversaw your 'training,' you would call it torture. Still, you conquered this once; being here again isn't that odd.

1. "Great, another control room."
2. Check the computer.
3. [N/A - Error] Attempt further speculation.
4. [N/A - Challenging] Check the room thoroughly.
5. [N/A - Error] Break down the cracked wall.

YOU – "Great, another control room."

LOGIC – And another mirror. You know what to do here.

1. "Great, another control room."
2. Check the computer.
3. [N/A - Error] Attempt further speculation.
4. [N/A - Challenging] Check the room thoroughly.
5. [N/A - Error] Break down the cracked wall.

YOU – 'Whatever, let's get this over with.' (Pick up the rock and smash the mirror)

YOU – You feel the weight of the rock in your hand, really feel it this time, unlike the last time when you merely held it. Strands of pink-red fibers spindle out from the mirror–unbroken–clinging to you as you step forward and smash the mirror. The Mirror Shatters like bone and–

LOGIC – Two down, two to go.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY – You feel your nerves take shape again. Flesh responding to your commands, a tingle, both pleasant and unpleasant, at the back of your mind.. Man, it's good to be back. It was so boring in there. There's only so much I can do with your imagination when the Psy aren't here.

YOU – You roll your eyes as you inspect the room–no longer bathed in pinkish light–you find your eyes drawn to the conspicuous crack on a wall, but that's when you hear–

STARLINE – "System, shut down. I want a clean path to Surge!"

HALF LIGHT – Run. Now!

1. Check the computer.
2. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Attempt further speculation.
3. [N/A - Challenging] Check the room thoroughly.
4. [Physical Instrument - Medium] Break down the cracked wall.

YOU – [Physical Instrument - Medium] Break down the cracked wall.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – You brace your hand against the wall and *push*. The wall crumbles into dust. In the real world, you couldn't have done this, but in the real world, you still have a weakened body. Here, you're always in prime condition. Beyond the hole in the wall, there is a passage.

1. Go through the breach.
2. "Strong, I guess that's the benefit of being here then?"

YOU – "Strong, I guess that's the benefit of being here then?"

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT – Yes, in here–inside your mind–you're at your peak.

1. Go through the breach.
2. "We'll fight him here then."

YOU – "We'll fight him here then."

LOGIC – This isn't the best idea. In fact, it might be the worst. Please reconsider.

1. “You’re right. Let’s go.” (Back off.)
2. "No, we're ending this here and now."
3. “Let’s go.” (Leave.)

YOU – "No, we're ending this here and now."

YOU – Turning around, you exit the room control room and close door behind you. You only have to wait for a minute outside, the deactivated obstacle course lying in front of you as you hear Starline climb down the ladder, through the darkness. Finally, the damnable Monotreme arrives–breathless– as he hits the floor. You can barely see him across the obstacle course, but you recognize two of those purple wispy figures from the street above, landing after him, flanking him.

STARLINE – "Finally, you've stopped running."

1. Run.
2. "I didn't run, I'm just not gonna let you take control of me."

YOU – "I didn't run, I'm just not gonna let you take control of me."

STARLINE – "Always making things harder than they have to be, aren't you?"

1. Run.
2. "I could say the same thing, Starline."