Author Note: Normally I wouldn't do this, but I think this case warrants it. This story is a direct sequel to my previous work, The Heroes of Mobius. Most of the characters are originals (canon characters appear later), so if you haven't read it, you might not understand what's going on. Go check out The Heroes of Mobius first!

Prologue

The Diary of Maya Morceaux

April 11, 3236

I can't believe that I'd forgotten about my diary! I started this diary over eight years ago now, way back when Robotnik first took over and ran us all out of our homes. I remember starting this diary on the only computer remaining in the town after Robotnik's armies rolled through, leaving nothing but demolished buildings in their wake. I was so confused and depressed that I didn't know what to do with myself for a whole week, and writing in this diary is probably the only thing that kept me sane.

Well, I can't believe I forgot about it. I guess with all of the confusion and carnage over Robotnik's last scheme I lost track of my thoughts... Oh, how I wish I'd have had it around during many of those sleepless nights. I'm still a little surprised that we all survived that incident, and I don't think any of us will ever be the same again, even now seventeen months later.

But, I guess it isn't all bad. Like I said, we all survived, and I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We lost a lot of equipment and blood in the battles, and I think that we all have had a healthy dose of humility from Robotnik, but through it all we've managed to deal more damage to Robotnik than ever before, and to top it off we've even added to our own strength of numbers.

We were all a little suspicious of Kaplain when Seltic first introduced him to us (not to mention how he nearly scared me to death, having a robot stare you down in the middle of Armadi isn't something I was expecting). Kyros didn't trust him at all, and I can hardly blame him, but I'm glad we all decided to keep him around. He nearly died when he was deroboticized, but after a few weeks he recovered his strength and has since proved himself to be a hard worker. Heaven knows that we can use all of the help we can get around here. Kaplain tries hard to do what we ask of him, and he seems to have blended in with the rest of us pretty well, but he still doesn't like to go back to Robotropolis for anything.

I really can't blame him though, since I don't think any of us like to go to Robotropolis. What normal person would? I am thankful that he sticks to his original promise to do whatever we ask of him, and even though Kyros likes to poke fun at him, I know he's grateful to have another gun around when the shooting starts.

But, with a new mouth to feed and the equipment losses that we've sustained, things are a little tight around here. We lost both of our hover transports in the fateful mission into Robotropolis that ended up in the orbital weapons being destroyed. Well, most were anyway, we've seen Robotnik use one or two every once in a while so obviously he managed to save a few. Despite our setbacks though, I think we'll manage. Seltic has managed to keep the SWATbot pods that we stole in working order, and our stock of weapons is still pretty good. Food is always a concern, and Robotnik has started being a little more stingy about throwing out edible food, but we always find a way.

Everything considered, I'm tired of thinking about all of our troubles. They always come and go, and until the day that we stand victorious over Robotnik or he drags us to our graves, they always will. I had to learn years ago that the best thing to do was to dwell on them as little as possible, and we are all very much overdo for some rest. Robotnik seems to have begun to focus his efforts elsewhere as of late, and I think that taking a few days off couldn't hurt. If Robotnik hasn't found Armadi in the past eight years with random searches, I don't think he's going to do so now.

So to just take a little time to relax, I think we should all take a short trip to the beach about two hundred or so kilometers from here. I remember going there when I was younger, and I believe that it would do us all some good. I can only hope that Robotnik hasn't built in the area, but even if he has taken the coast line, I'm sure we can find a secluded area somewhere to rest a while. I'll probably bring it up over dinner tonight, and I doubt that anyone will have any objections.

If we all make it back alright, I'll be sure to update again.