I hope you all had amazing holidays, and the new decade ushers in better times for us all! I… have some explaining to do.

Since the last episode, I decided to take a week's hiatus to focus on personal matters, especially final papers. After that, though, there were matters I had to settle through PM. All this time, I assumed I'd never gotten an answer, when in reality, I had. Fanfiction, however, decided to neglect to send me an email. I cannot convey how sorry I am that this has happened, and I can completely understand how frustrating it could have been.

As today is already Monday, I won't be writing this coming Friday, but the next one, January 10. The rough deadline for responses will be midnight that day.

That being said, let's get back on track! Props this week go to Reaver17 for Void and his opinions, and to RCTSG for writing everything after *an unknown, remote location*!

"They were right," Rachel said to the camera as the show went live. "Getting your wisdom teeth out is no fun. Your mouth bleeds and hurts for the first couple of days. You can't chew all that much for even longer than that; I've been living on mashed potatoes and soup for the past few days." She sighed. "Ah, well, it could definitely be worse. The purpose of the surgery is to prevent worse. Welcome back to Thoughts of the Unknown! This week, we're taking a look at two adventurers with similar energy and vigor. One's got a versatile tail and the other's got… knuckles. To put it simply. Tangle and Knuckles. How do they match up? I personally don't want to say anything for certain, but if I had to… it's just barely a no. Like I said before, these two give off a similar energy. I feel like they both would derive pleasure from beating up bad guys together. Only thing is… if I remember correctly, they can both also be a bit hot-headed, especially Knuckles. I feel as if alongside their fighting alongside each other, they'd end up fighting… against each other, even if just via constant arguments. Usually, constant fighting isn't healthy for a relationship. I feel as if they could make it work if they wanted to, but it's not a meant-to-be partnership, basically. Let's get our good ol' Thoughts of the Unknown veteran out here to give his take! Please welcome Void back to the stage!"

Rachel and Elektor applauded as Void gladly made his way over to his tattered seat.

"What are we thinking this time around?" asked Rachel.

"Ahhh, Tangle and Knuckles," Void replied. "The fledgling hero and the commander of the resistance (in the new continuity, anyway). It's simple enough to see why someone would think of this one. They are both outgoing, loud, and in-your-face, and they both like a little adventure now and then. Okay, maybe a LOT of adventure, probably to the point they need health insurance based around the possible injuries sustained while being a hero, on the rare occasion their ridiculous durability can't just walk it off like it was nothing. Honestly, I think this one could go either way. Knuckles could find Tangle's constant cheery demeanor either endearing or extremely annoying. Tangle might find Knuckles to be overly temperamental, or she could just find it to be an excuse to crack jokes at his anger's expense and make him laugh. I suppose it all depends on a good first impression since I don't think they've really had a conversation yet. Oh, I know! Here's something I haven't done in a while! I'll say it is Possible Under Specific Circumstances. No more likely, and no less."

"Oh, the good ol' PUSC!" Rachel reacted. "Wow, it's… strange how long it's been since anyone's brought that one out."

"Seems like we're in agreement, though," said Void.

"Seems so," Rachel nodded. "This could happen, or it could not. I guess we can't really say for sure yet."

She stood.

"That's it for this episode of Thoughts of the Unknown," she said. "Next time, we'll be pairing our long-tailed adventurer with another recent addition to the cast, Jewel the Beetle! We'll see you all then!"

*an unknown, remote location*

Steam_Punk leaned towards the monitor as he started a live chat with his client. He liked to keep his clients updated with his progress whenever he took a job. The screen came on with a live image of a silhouette of a large man. His voice was modulated, so it sounded robotic to disguise his voice. Funny enough, Steam_Punk had this same feature in his mask to help avoid being identified by the authorities.

b0tn1k spoke.

"So, tell me everything you've managed to get done so far."

"Where do I start?" Steam_Punk replied. "I installed a backdoor in the university servers, I hacked into all cameras that are everywhere the crew goes, and I've managed to get every bit of info on all their digital lives. At this rate, you'll have me hack into the whole city!"

"If that is necessary," said b0tn1k. "Then yes, you will."

Steam_Punk sighed heavily.

"Listen," he said. "You are going to have to fill me in on this plan of yours before I do anything else. I've invaded quite a few systems, and frankly, the authorities don't like me very much. With every camera, phone, and computer I hack, it gets increasingly easier for them to find me. I've never been caught before, and I don't intend to do it now."

b0tn1k quickly responded, in a reassuring tone, "Relax, Mr. Steamy, I won't have much more work for you. In fact, all I need you to do at this point is make a call."

"Care to elaborate?" asked Steam_Punk.

"All in good time, my friend," said b0tn1k. "For now, I'll need you to focus on relocating yourself."

Steam_Punk nodded in agreement before saying "Things are getting too close for comfort here… I already spotted three cops or detectives or whatever snooping around one of my recent camera hacks."

b0tn1k remained silent for a moment before saying "Let me see that trio."

Steam_Punk gave a slight shrug before sending the screenshot over. b0tn1k then looked over it and sighed.

"Unfortunately, I know those three," he said. "In fact, I had even hired them on one occasion. Didn't end too well…"

Steam_Punk raised a brow behind his mask.

"Yeah?" he reacted. "Well, they are getting a bit too close."

b0tn1k then sent over a digital file.

"This is all the information I have on them," he said. "Study them and prepare yourself, because you will run into them eventually. You can choose to relocate now or prepare yourself for an altercation. This choice is yours, but I expect the result to remain the same: you fulfilling your end of the deal. I already have everything set up for your operation for when you succeed."

Steam_Punk nodded before signing off. He leaned back in his seat for a moment before pulling out a small drawer in his desk.

Inside were several black bottles of medicine with an orange cap, each one labeled "Neuropozyne." He then pulled one out and grabbed a syringe, filling it up with the liquid. After pulling his hood down to reveal his neck, Steam_Punk injected himself before giving a pained grunt. He always hated sticking a needle in his neck, but it was thankfully only required once a week.

After setting the medicine down, Steam_Punk immediately got up and walked across the room to the opposite side, over where his workbenches were. It was only better to be prepared for a fight, so it was only logical to take b0tn1k's info and make the best of it.

Steam_Punk switched on his lamp before grabbing his tools. It was time to get to work.