City Streets

[E-102 Gamma]

Gamma found the nearest road he could, and decided to follow it, trusting in the rabbit's advice.

[To Cross Country]

[Chadin]

Dusk in Robotropolis. In any other city it might be a beautiful sight. The setting sun painting the sky a vibrant orange and red while the scattered clouds take on a pastel purple hue. But in Robotropolis, the sky was choked with factory smoke, creating a stifling brown haze over the city skyline.

By now, many of the cities populace were beginning to make their way home before the Swat-bots came out to enforce the mandatory curfew. For many, the daily stress of living under such harsh tyranny had become routine and mundane. Others sorely longed for a chance to escape this life.

But one soul on the lonely streets stood within the shadows, apart from the people on the street. Watching and listening. Clenching his fist around his walking cane with anticipation, the figure watched the people on the street, and listened to their conversations. But though the wheels of his mind turned excitedly, discretion reminded him that patience would ultimately win the day.

Soon.

Soon.

[Dr. Robotnik]

For the most part, the people wandering around paid the shadowed individual no mind. However a cute little girl, a purple-colored raccoon, paused when she thought she saw his movement in an alcove just off the street. Her "mask" enhanced the effect of her eyes widening open. It kind of looked like a SWATbot...but she thought she caught glimpses of a cane and a suit coat around the figure's concealed silhouette. She wondered what such a nice-dressed person would be doing in a place like this, and began to wander over.

However, her mother's hand suddenly shot out of nowhere and latched around her own, dragging her off before she could get too close. The mother appeared unaware of the figure's presence.

"Come on sweetie, we need to get home or we'll be late."

"But...but...that man over there..."

"No time Lili, we have to go. Tell me when we get home."

Another person, this one a stout-looking bear, sat off to the side and following the girl's gaze. He too caught glimpses here and there of the nice clothes. Staring down, the bear looked in disgust at his own coal-stained overalls from his work in mines that day. Whoever this man was, the bear wanted to know more.

He began to vaguely wander over through the crowd.

[Chadin]

A broad smile began to spread across the shadowy figures face as he watched the bear slowly meandering over. Precisely as planned. Just the sort of individual he'd been looking for. The stranger made no motion to leave, but rather remained in the shadows and waited. Always patient.

[Dr. Robotnik]

A small sense of unease washed over the bear as he approached. He could almost feel the fur on the back of his head slightly prickling up. But seeing this gentleman had aroused his curiosity too much. When he was within speaking distance, the bear looked the man up and down, before saying exactly what was on his mind. Clearly this bear was of rather simple intellect.

"You aren't from around here. Your clothes are too nice and clean. I want to know who you are and where you came from."

[Chadin]

The first thing the bear would notice as he got closer was that this shadowy figure is just as large as seen from a distance. To put it bluntly, he is huge. Both in size and girth. Easily double the size of even the bear. "Very astute my young fellow." The stranger replied with a deep, booming baritone voice.

"You are quite right. I am not of this wretched city. I, unlike you, am free to come and go as I please. A state I am sure you desire to enjoy yourself, am I right? To be free from this grim and filth; and this back-breaking labour? Day in, day out. Hmm, am I wrong?"

[Dr. Robotnik]

The bear hadn't noticed it at first due to the shadows, but getting closer revealed something very surprising. Normally he stood taller than all of his friends and family. Well...not today. Whoever this well-dressed fellow was, he was at least 50% taller than even the bear. It visibly made him pause, as doubt briefly fluttered across his face. But the bear wanted to look tough, so he kept getting closer as the mystery man spoke.

"Of course I want to be free. Who doesn't around here?"

He briefly paused as he waited for Mr. Tall, Dark, and Huge to continue, but then the bear blinked a few times as he suddenly remembered something. He moved in closer, this time to whisper. It wouldn't be good to be overheard by the 'peacekeeping' robots taking about this.

"Say...a few months ago someone managed to break into Robotnik's tower over there." He pointed at a huge egg-shaped building that soared in height over all the surrounding structures in the city. "I heard it was freedom fighters. A deer and a cat...plus Tails. You a freedom fighter too?"

[Chadin]

This tidbit seemed to give the giant pause for a moment. Intrigued maybe. But regardless, he chose to ignore the question by redirecting the conversation.

"What would you say if I told you that I might be able to make your dreams of freedom a reality, my good fellow?" The hulking figure asked as he rapped his right hand lightly over his other hand leaning on his cane.

[Dr. Robotnik]

The bear frowned slightly as the man dodged his question about being with the freedom fighters. The offer was tantalizing but he decided to ask about the man's origins in a different way.

"I'd say that sounds like a great deal. But who are you? What's in it for you?"

[Chadin]

The large figure smiled imperceptibly within the shadows. "If you are freed of your shackles, then what difference does it make who I am? As for 'what's in it for me', as you put it, well. A simple exchange of services is all that I ask. You do me a favor, and I do you a favor; namely, removing the tracking chip the good doctor implanted you with, thereby allowing you to escape this wretched city."