Part 1

The plan was simple. Melany would cause a scene and incite the people with Faucon's help and then quietly walk off, adding fuel to the fire by appearing indifferent to what she had done. She'd walk two blocks and round the corner and get into the cab that Autruche was currently driving, on loan from the cab company he worked for part time before he joined the resistance.

So how did this happen? How did she and Autruche both find themselves in the presence of the man who lead the attack on Italica, Melany was dead quiet, she was still in Junk Town when the attack happened, and helped with securing the gate to keep reinforcements out, what she knew about the attack she heard from the resistance when they came to pick her up at the gate to help out with the distraction plan. She looked ahead at Autruche, she could tell he was doing everything he could not to turn around and give them a piece of his mind for attacking Italica and kidnapping Ciel.

"Ya know buddy, I was bout ready ta take da little lady here home when yous barged in like dat." said Autruche, still keeping up with his act. "Don't know where yous guys are from, but round 'ere it's impolite ta barge in on another person's cab." He turned around in his seat, draping his arm over the seat of the cab. "Didn't your parents teach ya any manners kid?"

"Kid?" The man glared. "You dare insult me?"
"Whoa whoa, take it easy dere pal, I wouldn't want to offend ya no sirrie, Reploids have been labeled Maverick for far less believe you me."

The man, and the bunny girl both blinked.

"You're a reploid?" The bunny girl asked.

"Yup." Said Autruche. "Been a cab for 50 years now, it's not much but it's a living, I know these streets like the back of my hand."

"Is that why you can understand us then?" asked the man.

"Well I am a civil servant." said Autruche, he sat forward again, flipping the flag up to start the meter and taking off down the road. "Public transportation like busses or dis 'ere cab are all covered by the government, therefore I am technically a government worker and, as a reploid have access to da language database to download any and all languages dat I, the driver, need to properly communicate wit any and all passengers I may pick up during my shift. Naturally I picked up that funny new language that was recently translated, did it on a whim ya know?" He came to a stop at a light, leaning forward against the wheel, he looked in the rearview mirror, poor Melany had a look of confusion on her face, she didn't yet know the language. "But ya never know when someone who speaks a weird language may hop in yer cab." They all looked out the window, watching a progression of rather angry people marching down the street.

"What is all that about?" The bunny girl asked.

"Eh who knows, lately people haven't been too keen on Neo Arcadia politics, now me, I stay away from all dat, just keep my head down and drive my cab. Name's Autruche by da way, best cabbie in Neo Arcadia. My friends call me Artie"
The bunny girl smiled. "You certainly are a friendly one."
"It's a cabbie's duty to be friendly to their passengers, makes da trip more comfortable, you two have a name? Or it just 'your highness" and "Bunny girl"."

The man twitched, but the bunny girl merely chuckled slightly. "Well if you must know our names. I am Tyuule, and this here is Prince Zorzal of the Empire."

"Zorzal?" Autruche asked with a smirk. "What yous mean like da wine?"

Again Zorzal twitched, and Tyuule just burst out laughing this time, even Melany joined in on the laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" Zorzal said glaring at Tyuule.

"Oh come now dear." said Tyuule. "You have to admit it is a little amusing, that your name over name here is a type of wine."
Autruche just smiled as he turned a corner and headed down the road.

"Autruche come in, where the hell are you?" A female voice came over the radio, it was Moineau.

'Crap.' said Autruche. He picked up the receiver and looked back. "Gotta take this, it's dispatch." He switched to English, figuring Zorzal wouldn't know it yet, use to be able to talk in his native language with all the Reploids around him able to speak it so easily. "Artie here, got one last cab fare before I clock out."

"Yeah I know that what's taking you so long." Moineau asked. "And what's with the accent?"

"Ah well ya see the fare is 3 people, got me some tarted up red head, and get this, I got me a prince and a bunny girl in the backseat!"

"WHAT?" said Moineau. "Are you kidding me?!"

"Relax boss." said Autruche. "Guy just wants a tour of da city! Just think of da payout!"

"Fine, just be careful okay?" said Moineau.

"Always! Artie out!"

"Tarted up redhead?" Melany glared at Autruche, keeping in character. "How dare you insult me like that!"

"Ah lighten up lady!" said Autruche, he switched back to imperial dialect. "Sorry bout dat, dispatch was wondering whats taking so long. So what did you want ta see, yous said ya needed a tour guide."

"Yes we do." said Zorzal. "We were told a tour was being arranged for us but I was getting anxious staying up in that room for so long. So we asked the front desk of the inn we are staying at the best way to see the town, they recommended a 'Cab'."

"They also recommend we change our clothing, less we stand out too much." Tyuule said, as her rabbits ears twitch ironically.

"So are dose ears real? Dats not cosplay?" Autruche asked.

"Of course they are real." said Tyuule. she blinked. "What is 'cosplay'?"

"What ya don't know cosplay?" Autruche asked as he made a turn. "Its all da rage ya know!" He tapped his chin. "You ever have fancy costume balls?"

"From time to time yes." said Zorzal.

"Well Cosplay is like dat, only more casual, sometimes even professional!" He made his way down the road. "Tell ya what! Let's make da first stop of the da Artie Neo Arcadia tour Akihabara."

"Must I be dragged along?" Melany asked irritated.

"Ah lighten up lady, you'll enjoy it." said Artie.

"I have much better things to do then gallivanting around some Otaku stores." said Melany with a huff. Zorzal and Tyuule blinked, looking at each other rather confused.

Compared to the rest of Neo Arcadia's shopping district, which Autruche pointed out to his passengers on the way to their destination, the Akihabara shopping district was like stepping into another world, even though they were in another world. Tyuule seemed almost mesmerized by the sights, the vast number of shops with their big vibrant signs advertising their products, and the people walking about, human and reploid alike, there were some dressed up in colorful costumes, promoting their stores, handing out flyers, was that the 'cosplay' that Autruche had mentioned?

"What is this place?" said Tyuule dumbfounded.

"Pretty amazing eh?" Autruche said as he pulled up to a curb. "Welcome ta Akihabara Shopping district, also known as Akiba for short." He'd put the cab in park and cut the ignition, getting out and walking around and opening the door. "Come on, I'll give you a close up tour, you two lady." He aimed this last one at Melany, who sighed and relented. Zorzal got out on his own trying to loosen the collar of the shirt he wore with Autruche, being a gentlemen helped Tyuule and Melany out before closing and locking the cab. "Yes sirrie! Dis here is yer one stop shop for all things electronics, entertainment, and just about everything in between!" They were walking down the sidewalk now, Zorzal and Tyuule mesmerized by the sights. "Ya gots all sorts of stores for Manga and Anime straight outa Neo Arcadia's Little Tokyo district, game stores and Electronic stores." Zorzal blinked seeing two girls dressed as maids, one of them gave him a smile and handed him a flyer, Autruche grinned, Tyuule merely glared at the maid. "Oh and of course the Maid cafes."

Zorzal blinked. "Maid Cafe?"

"Yup!" Said Autruche. "Little cafe shops where the waitresses dress up in these cute frilly maid costumes and serve on yous hand and foot, making you feel like a king! Treat em kindly though and day will take care of you."

"Well I am already used to being treated like a king, being crown prince and all, one day I will be emperor." Zorzal said smugly. "Though I confess to being curious of these cafes."
"I bet you are." mumbled Tyuule.

"Probably best ta check out the cafes without da women hanging around." whispered Autruche to Zorzal. "Less your girlfriend there beats da crap out of you."

Zorzal blinked, looking to Tyuule who just gave him a death glare before casually looking away in a huff, making Melany giggle.

"Hmm, perhaps you are right, I will have to schedule a visit on my own sometime in the future."

"Yeah dat would be best." said Autruche. "I can show you all the best spots." The two men both grinned lewdly, making Melany twitch before kicking both of between the legs with her heels, royalty and reploids be damn as they both dropped to the floor.

"KNOCK IT OFF WITH THOSE LEWD THOUGHTS YOU PERVERTS!" said Melany twitching. "Just because I can't understand that weird language doesn't mean I don't know a couple of low bred ingrate perverted dogs when I see them!"

"So...much...pain..." Zorzal said, wincing in pain.

"Man women are scary when day get mad." said Autruche.

"Serves you two right." said Melany, grabbing Tyuule by the arm. "Come on you, let's leave these two idiots to their own devices and browse the stores."

"Huh?" Tyuule blinked utterly confused due to a lack of understanding what the redhead was saying as she was dragged away.

"It hurts to move." said Zorzal whimpering.

"What kind of shoes are those anyways?" Autruche asked. "Day hurt a lot man!"

Part 2

It was about an hour later when Melany and Tyuule finally returned, with several shopping bags in tow. The boys, deciding that staying out of trouble was better for their health, quietly waited in the cab, Melany just smirked as she motioned for Autruche to pop the trunk which he did. "Well now, it seems you managed to behave, not bad for a second rate reploid." She and Tyuule got back into the cab after the bags were packed away, Autruche grumbling as he started up the car.

"Anything left in the stores?" Autruche asked. "Looks like yous two went and bought out da whole district."

"Well a girl has to have some fun." Melany said with a smirk.

Autruche just let out a sigh as he started up the cab and pulled away from the curb.

"So what else is there to see?" Zorzal said looking out the window.
"Ah all sorts of places yer majesty." said Autruche. "Yous got the Tower complex but I wouldn't recommend it, nothing but stuffy politicians, A lot of historical sites, plenty of museums, I recommend da national history museum myself over in the downtown district, Gots a lot of cool stuff in it let me tell ya." Autruche idled at a light for a moment looking up at the sky. "If you ask me though, lot of the people round 'ere are just lying to themselves."

that made Zorzal raise an eyebrow. "Lying to themselves?"

"Look round ya. People say things are normal now, dat everything is a-okay, but truth is, we still has dat energy shortage, reploids face oppression, and now we got dat gate and nothing being done about it."

"Hmph." said Zorzal. "Not my problem now is it?"

"Well it ought ta be." said Autruche. "I mean you empire guys over there could help us out or something." He sighed, blinked and his eyes widen suddenly. "Holy shit!"

"Now what?" Melany asked noting the cursing was in English. She followed Autruche line of sight, as did Zorzal and Tyuule and all 3 went wide eyed seeing the large plump woman approaching the cab, her chubby fingers waving it down as Autruche desperately looked up at the light.

"Ah shit light is still red."

"Run the light damn it!" said Melany. Too late. The door swung open and the heavyset form of Ms. Eleanor Picney tried to squeeze herself into the back.

"Ah, good I caught you in time." she said. "I had just missed my bus and would have been here for over an hour had I not spotted you waiting for the light.

Autruche stared at Picney, he swore he heard the car creak. "Uh ma'am the cab is kind of full at the moment you'll have to find another one."
"Find another one? Absolutely not!" said Picney. "I must get home right away and make sure those horrid mettaurs from the construction site aren't using my garden as a shortcut again. Come on! Scoot over!"
"There's no room to scoot over!" said Melany. "You're going to crush all of us!"
"Watch your tongue young lady!" said Picney. "A woman of your status and position should be more respectful of her elders."

"Hey careful lady!" said Autruche, feeling the cab creek and rock. "I got royalty in the back seat dere!"

"Royalty you say?" said Picney, eyeing the three.

"Yeah, dat guy there is an honest to god prince." said Autruche. He looked at Zorzal. "Your highness might I suggest you come sit up front. That should give Ms. Picney some room." and hopefully balance out the cab, Autruche thought to himself.

"Hmm? Fine, fine." Zorzal got out of the cab allowing Ms. Picney to squeeze in with Tyuule and Melany shifting over while Zorzal got in the front seat.

"So where too ma'am?" Autruche asked once the cab stabilized.

"5th and Lane over in the noble district." said Ms. Picney. "You can't miss it, it's one of the largest manors in the area."

She looked at Zorzal. "So you are a prince huh? I have never met royalty before."
"He don't understand English ma'am." said Autruche. "Hasn't learned it yet, gotta speak to him in da native tongue."

"Oh is that so." said Picney. "Reminds me of those weird knights Master X was showing around the other day, I believe they were from that empire from the gate or something to that extent, I wasn't really paying attention anyways." She turned her lead, looking at Tyuule. "And what about this person? Are those ears of hers real or is that just some silly costume?" she watched Tyuule's ears twitch in confusion.

"Days real alright." said Autruche as he turned a corner. "Girl there is a real life Bunny girl."

"Such strange people they have over there." Ms. Picney said, somewhat dismissively.

"So ma'am, what do you think of the current situation." said Autruche. "What with the Energy shortage still going on and all."

"No concern of mine I assure you." said Ms. Picney. "That's a problem for the reploids and less fortunate who cannot afford to live well or they are so busy complaining about the problems they aren't doing anything about it."

Melany twitched, and looked at her. "You're a citizen of Neo Arcadia as well are you not? Shouldn't you be expressing your own concerns about the goings on in the government."

Picney looked at Melany. "My dear the government is doing everything they can to provide for all of us, you must understand how difficult it is when you have Mavericks running around causing problems."

"How can you spout that kind of nonsense when the government is doing nothing about the energy crisis even with that gate around." asked Melany. "And as for Mavericks, from what I heard the only mavericks that the government goes after is that resistance bunch. What about the rest of the mavericks out there making life difficult for people who are living outside the dome?"
Ms. Picney raised an eyebrow. "Little missy, there is nothing but Mavericks outside the dome."

Melany gritted her teeth, fist clenched as Ms. Picney continued.

"Really now? Master X need not concern himself with the state of affairs outside the dome, all that matters is the people living here in Neo Arcadia, as far as I'm concerned you have to be a damned idiot to want to leave this splendid city, really I feel sorry for the poor souls who thought they could survive out the-" Autruche had hit the breaks in surprise sending Zorzal into the dashboard and Tyuule bouncing off the back seat with a "yelp", staring in the rear view mirror at what had just happened. Melany stood there, glaring daggers at Ms. Picney who held her cheek in surprise after being slapped across the face by her.

"You conceited, arrogant, BITCH!" she said. "How can you be so damned callous and cruel!? You have NO idea what it's like out there! Working day and night just to survive! I lost my family! MY WHOLE FAMILY to mavericks who showed up one day at our village, killed everyone there JUST FOR FUN! And where was Neo Arcadia huh? Where was the great protectors of humanity who come to the aid of the humans huh? Oh that's right, they were too busy hiding in the dome protecting YOUR FAT SORRY ASS! You sit here inside the dome with your lavish lifestyle, your luxuries and your posh extensive manor house, saying that the problems of the world aren't your concern while the REST OF us suffer on a daily basis! And now here's the gate, a whole other world that is vibrant and teaming with life, and again Neo Arcadia does NOTHING!" she pointed at Zorzal, but not in anger though. "It's obvious that Neo Arcadia made contact with the people who live on the other side, why else would the Prince of a kingdom be here huh? But is Neo Arcadia doing anything about it? Is Master X in talks with said Prince here about bringing some of us over to the other side to make settlements and possibly put an end to all of our problems? No! Because the Prince here is stuck in a cab and having to listen to YOU complain about things you don't even care about! I am grateful that neither him or his companion does not understand our language, because I am sure he would be utterly disgusted by how uncaring you are to the plight of this city and the world at large! People like you are the REASON that Neo Arcadia is in the state that it's in, because the Government is bending over backwards to make you happy and content and not caring about anything else!" Angrily Melany threw the door open and stepped out. "I've had enough of this cab ride, I hope you choke on your pastries during tea time! GOOD DAY!" she slammed the door and stormed off across the street, angrily flipping the bird at a car that stopped suddenly as she was crossing.

"Well I never." said Ms. Picney. "Who does she think she is anyways?"
"A better person then you ever will be." said Autruche. "Ma'am I will kindly ask you to please get out of my cab, your presence is upsetting my passengers."

"Get out? Who do you think you are ordering me around."

"Get out or so help me god I will have you arrested for harassing a foreign dignitary!" said Autruche. "NOW!"

"Hmph, the nerve of some people. Fine I'll just go find another cab."

"Don't bet on it lady." said Autruche. "Better start walking cause after today no cab will ever take you as a fare."

"Why you! I'll have your job for this believe you me!" and with that Ms. Picney got out in a huff, storming down the sidewalk and barreling through people.

Both Zorzal and Tyuule were speechless, neither understood a single word that was said, but they could hear the anger in rage in Melany's voice.

"Is, is that Redhead going to be okay?" Tyuule asked.

"Yeah, just needs to blow off some steam." said Autruche with a sigh.

"What was all that about?" Zorzal asked, agitated by the whole thing.

"Oh, just your typical Neo Arcadia drama." said Autruche. He started up the car and continued on down the road. "Like I said, everything may seem like it's all fine and dandy, but it ain't." He looked at Zorzal for a moment, then back at the road. "Hey, yous is a prince right? Pretty high up in da ranks and all."

"Crown prince." said Zorzal. "I'm next in line for the throne."

"Well, yous can do something den!" said Autruche. "I mean think about it, all yous gotta do is speak up about it, let your people know whats really happening here in Neo Arcadia, the poor conditions, the animosity. Why yous could be a hero, heading up some kind of program to get people through da gate and building new settlements and such."

"A hero huh?" Zorzal said, thinking it over.
"You'd be saving a whole world! What other prince could boast dat eh?" Autruche asked.

"I will have to give it some thought." said Zorzal. "In the meantime, I think we should return to the hotel, it's been, quite the day."

'You're telling me.' Autruche thought to himself.

Part 3

20 minutes later, Autruche had dropped off Zorzal and Tyuule at the Hotel that Neo Arcadia had put them up in.

"What about payment for the ride?" Tyuule had asked.

"Ah don't worry bout it!" said Autruche. "We'll charge it to Master X, make him pay for it. Only fair right?" He'd give a wave and drive off.

"Well, that was certainly eventful." said Tyuule, arms crossed. "and if that argument is anything to go by, it would seem that things aren't as wonderful in this city as one would think."

"Let's worry about that later, I for one wish to relax a bit more before returning home." said Zorzal.

"Of course." said Tyuule following behind Zorzal.

Autruche returned the cab, giving thanks to his boss and letting him know of the fare.

"Don't worry Artie." said the Dispatcher. "We'll make sure Master X gets the bill."
Autruche gave a nod, a small salute and left, winding his way through the city he was heading for the rendezvous point, an old abandon warehouse in the industrial sector with a secret tunnel to the outside, which is how the group assigned to infiltrate the city got in the first place, and was how they got in previously in order to hit the forests. Autruche entered the warehouse, looking around for a moment before looking ahead, seeing Melany sitting on a crate, staring vacantly into space. Autruche said nothing at first, merely walked over and sat down next to her.

"I was 15, maybe 16 years old when it happened." Melany said, still staring at the stacked boxes. "It was a normal day, just like any other day. The village was peaceful, and even though we didn't have much, we thrived, regardless of what these people here in Neo Arcadia thought." she looked down at the floor. "We were happy, that's all that mattered. There were about 200 of us, my parents and their parents turned that barren land into a beautiful farming community, we sent our crops to other outlying towns and even traded with Neo Arcadia." Melany gritted her teeth. "That all changed when HE showed up."
"He?" Autruche looked at Melany.

"The maverick that killed my family and all my friends." said Melany. "At first we thought they were just passing through, we didn't think they'd actually be Mavericks." She laughed, a little crazed. "I mean, the Maverick wars have been over for a long time at the point, Neo Arcadia was peaceful and there are people outside the dome who are thriving despite the harshness of the world." She gritted her teeth. "My parents offered their hospitality to him, he responded by putting a bullet in my dad's head, and then slitting my mom's throat, next thing I know he's got the knife at my throat, and he makes me listen to the screams coming from outside." She rubbed her eyes. "He holds my eyes open, making me watch through the living room window as houses are being burned down by his buddies, my friends and neighbors being slaughtered, all the while he chuckled at it all, this low, unnerving laugh that sort of grates at your sanity you know?"

Autruche didn't say anything, what could he say to try and comfort her? Finally he settled for "Why did he let you live?"
"I don't know." said Melany. "I honestly don't know, maybe as a witness to his carnage as some sick joke. The whole time though, I prayed, I prayed that Neo Arcadia was coming, that they would save us, that they would take out these mavericks and rescue the survivors. But they never came, they never did." She looked at Autruche. "And you know what he said? You know what he said to me when it was all said and done? 'This makes number 10, and yet Neo Arcadia still doesn't come out. How disappointing.' "

Autruche twitched. "Are you telling me he destroyed yours and 9 other settlements just to get a reaction out of Neo Arcadia?"
Melany nodded. "He just left after that, I swear he looked bored out of his mind. Thankfully I wasn't the only one who survived. A few days later Barter and some of his friends showed up to provide relief and supplies to the survivors, when I heard he sold weapons as well, I followed them back to Junk Town."

"I heard he caught you trying to steal from his store. Were you intending on going after the Maverick that killed your family?"

Melany nodded. "Yeah, I was. A 16 year old hyped up on fear and rage isn't healthy. He managed to talk me down, well, after I had gotten jumped by his mettaurs and pinned down by them. the rest is history. He took me in, adopted me and taught me all the ins and outs of how to survive in the business."
"You do realize he probably did business with that Maverick." said Autruche.

"I know, but that's just how it is when you're an arms dealer, so I will forgive him if he sold weapons to the Maverick, but one day I will find him, and I will kill him." she looked down, trembling and wiping her eyes again. "When that woman started talking about how everything beyond the dome was pointless and that Neo Arcadia can't be bothered when there are "Other pressing matters to deal with." I got so mad I just wanted to kill her. People like her, who want to make sure that everything is provided for them and they have everything they need, they're the reason Neo Arcadia has gone to hell, not the government, not the Dark Elf, just her, her and everyone else with money who can buy their happiness while everyone else struggles and suffers." she gritted her teeth. "Long before the energy shortage forced X to start restricting reploid freedoms, the humans of Neo Arcadia were already greedily choking the life out of what left of the world and not caring about anyone else." She wiped her eyes again, tears forming. "I hate them, I hate every one of them, and X bends over backwards to keep them happy at the cost of everyone else because he has an obligation to keep the humans safe, and yet he neglects the humans that live outside the dome. It makes you wonder if the Dark Elf's influence over X really was recent."

"Melany..." Autruche put a hand of her shoulder.

Melany looked up at Autruche, buried her face in his chest and just let it all out, crying into Autruche's chest, while Autruche calmly held her. "It's okay Melany, it's okay, you did great today."

"Autruche this is Moineau, do you copy."

"Autruche here, I'm at the rendezvous along with Melany." he said somberly.

"Thats good." said Moineau. "We were worried when you said you had Zorzal as a passenger in the cab."

"Nothing to concerning." said Autruche. "Aside from the cab bill X is going to find."

"Colbar and his team are in place and ready to make their attack." said Moineau. "You better head out there and get ready to pick them up."
"Understood, but tell Colbar to extend his mini campaign." said Autruche. "I'm going to bring Melany home."

"Is she okay?" Moineau asked.

"Yeah." said Autruche, as Melany continued to cry into his chest. "Just bad memories. Autruche out."