City Streets

[Dr. Robotnik]

That blasted chip gone...

His hand unconsciously drifted to the spot on his arm where the robot's needle injected that wretched electronic scrap. The bear still recalled the day Robotnik took over almost every day. First their fair city suddenly became scrap metal, and those too unlucky to escape were rounded up and quickly injected with tracking devices. It was a day he'd remember for the rest of his life.

Mention of the tracking chip seemed to override the bear's need to find out more about what he was getting into. More than anything, he wanted it gone as soon as possible.

"Okay," the bear said, with a very anticipatory, almost salivating tone. It was like he'd just been offered a steak dinner. "I'm game. What do you need done?"

[Chadin]

The stranger smiled at the bear's eagerness. "Excellent. What I need of you is quite simple really. Since Robotnik controls all the labour he'll ever need through slave labor or machines, he has little need for such things as money or gold. There is a large stockpile of gold bullion not far from here. Better still, it is poorly defended because once again, what use is it to a man who commands and owns everything? You, are going to help me orchestrate it's... how should I put it? Liberation? In exchange, I will remove your tracking chip, and offer you a portion of the gold you manage to liberate."

[Dr. Robotnik]

That too sounded very good to the bear. While here they got a small ration of supplies and food from Robotnik, it wouldn't be that way once he left the doctor's glorious nation. The bear did wonder what he was going to do about money after leaving this place, and it looked like this was just the ticket to solve that problem after getting out of here.

"All right...so where's the vault?"

When the man mentioned removing the chip again, the bear couldn't help but think about something else.

"And how are you going to get the chip out? You got doctors or something who can extract it out of my body?"

[Chadin]

The the large stranger lifted his hand and waved his large finger at the bear like a nanny scolding a child. "All in good time, I assure you. But first I need you to round up some trustworthy associates that can help liberate that gold from the vault. I shall wait here for your return. Might I also suggest finding some transport? It would be quite difficult to leave the city with all that gold by hand, don't you think?"

[Dr. Robotnik]

"Friends will be no problem," the bear said as he gave an acknowledging nod.

After leaving here, the first thing he planned to do was run home to his ratty tenement and give his family the news so they could pack. Then he'd run over to his local pub (or what passed for one here in Robotropolis) and gather up some of his mining buddies.

However, he distinctly looked a little more worried about the mention of finding transportation.

"A vehicle...that won't be so easy," he mulled, as he scratched his chin vaguely but gently with a sharp claw. The doctor didn't encourage (more often, he opposed) vehicle ownership around here, as it gave more opportunity for his citizens to run. "I think...I think my old friend Benny's got an ancient rustbucket of a pickup in his shed. But I don't think it's been started up for a while. I'll have to see..."

[Chadin]

"An antiquated pick-up certainly won't be enough to carry out the sum of gold ripe for the picking. No matter, I am certain there will be plenty of Robotnik's own vehicles available inside the vault you can use." The stranger reckoned.

[Dr. Robotnik]

"That is true, but it does leave us with a different problem. Do you know how to fly one of them? Because Robotnik only lets his robots use them."

The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to know how this guy knew all he did about the city. But he seemed so evasive of probing questions. Regardless, what did he have to lose?

[Chadin]

"No need to worry about that. I've seen the machines using ground transports as well. They will suffice. Besides, I'm sure you'll manage. But if you're uncertain you can adapt to the situation, I'm sure there are others who are more flexible that I can recruit for this task. I'm sure they'd be happy to be rid of the tracking chips as well. Sorry to trouble you, sir. Good day." The hulking figure slowly turned to walk further down the alleyway and potentially be swallowed up by the darkness.

[Dr. Robotnik]

"No no no! I can help!" the bear shouted, quickly chasing after him.

But then he realized he'd made a mistake, as he cupped his hand over his mouth. He made a quick look around to see if anyone else had heard him. A few people were giving him quizzical glances, so he decided to just follow Mystery Man deeper into the alley and out of sight. That, and pray no one recognized his face later.

Feeling thoroughly embarrassed (not to mention having his macho exterior shattered), he stayed in step with his savior.

"I mean...they let us use some equipment down in the mines. I...I can adapt." He almost said 'think' in that last sentence but figured it wouldn't project much confidence. Of course though, all the heavy vehicles and machinery in the mines were controlled by AI. Again, it was another measure of control, so the slaves didn't have a chance to use them to revolt. But if they were going to use something on the ground, well...how different could it be from a car? He'd driven them before this happened to the city...

[Chadin]

Though not entirely visible as the huge stranger continued walking down the alley, he sported a large, satisfied smile. "Excellent. Then I will leave the details in your capable paws. Now then, I have many other tasks to attend to, so for now, I shall leave you to gather what you need. Meet me back here at this precise spot in two hours. Understood?" The huge figure replied, pointing at a large, crudely spray painted X on the alley wall.