Sonic the Hedgehog and Tails the Fox copyright to Sega. Knothole village copyright to Sega. Josema Bane and Rik Salubrious copyright to John Avon, aka. Teeto Fox.

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He walked through the village with an air of jolliness that was part of his genetic makeup.

"Morning, Tails!"

"Mornin' Tails."

"Mornin', sport." Came the pleasant greetings from the various villagers and freedom fighters.

Recently the fighters had cleared a part of the forest and transformed Knothole from a small encampment into a new living environment for many of the fighter's families - various flats and apartments were dotted around the village, and some of the greetings came from a housewife out on her weekly shopping trip.

Tails walked, nodding and smiling his own pleasantries and greetings, his hands stuffed casually into his jean pockets.

"Hey there kiddo."

This was uttered by an unfamiliar voice. Tails glanced to the right at a face he had never seen before - it was that of a rat. The rat stood short - in fact, was only slightly taller than the young kitsune fox - and with a ruggedness ad even unkemptness about him that suggested he lived alone. He was of a muscular disposition, with strong-looking hands that were scarred in places.

Tails smiled at the rat, surreptitiously scanning him and memorising him. He turned his attention back to his destination that now lay before him - Sonic's hut. As he walked up to the blue one's abode, he noticed another unfamiliar figure leaving, that of a handsome raccoon. Tails again smiled and nodded, getting a courteous response out of the friendly-looking raccoon.

Out of the hut, just after the raccoon, stepped Sonic. "Looks like you're our newest member - welcome aboard."

The raccoon paused in his footsteps to turn to face the hedgehog. "I'm looking forward to this. See ya 'round." And, with a curt nod to the fox, he left.

Turning to Sonic, Tails gestured towards the raccoon with an inquisitive hand. "Who was that?"

"Our newest member," came the reply. "by the name of Josema Bane."

Tails nodded. New members were interesting to meet, and more than that, they were Sonic's department and therefore not his problem.

"You can't stay, kid. We gotta 'nother one comin' in soon. Gotta interview him, you know." Sonic told the fox with a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Tails in turn nodded, and turned to wander off in the sunshine.

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Once again, two figures were seated at the table. No food was laid out - instead, there was a jug filled with juice and two glasses. A conversation was underway:

"So, what's your story?" This was the easily distinguishable voice of Sonic.

"Ah, long one mate." This was spoken in a thick foreign accent, and it emanated cheerfully from the aforementioned rat.

"We got time."

"Do we? Seems like I never have time for nothin' anymore mate. Well, in a nutshell, I used to work for some company that...produced locks and slapped 'em on things. Like doors." This was accompanied with a chuckle. "So, I got pretty advanced lock-picking skills, o' course." Another chuckle.

"Any other skills? I gotta note this down, so speak a bit slower dude."

"Well, I got basic weaponry and espionage skills - see, my dad was a bit reckless in his youth." A pause as this was noted. "My mum weren't no better either mate, lemme assure you. 'Course, she might have been better, only she died a long time ago - God bless her soul - so I wouldn't know." A pause as this wasn't noted, but as the rat contemplated his next words. "I got survival skills, and I know one or two things about vehicles too."

"I see...Salubrious - foreign name?"

"Aye, s'an old one though mate." Came the cheerful reply.

"I got no mention of Rik Salubrious here on record. If you been in jail, I'll know."

This comment was greeted by a braying laugh. "Praise the lord, no! I ain't been near a jail...well, ever."

"And you didn't work for Robotnik either?"

"Robotnik? Oh - lord no, ain't never worked a day for him and I ain't about to begin either."

"I think we can accept you...mate. Welcome aboard the Freedom Fighters." This was spoken with underlying tones of hesitation - the hedgehog was doubtful of the rat's history, and intended to check up on it.

Then, they leant across the table and shook hands.

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Again, read and review, please! ^_^ *huggles and kisses*

John/Teeto