The Seafoam green tinted Tightwad could not help but admire the vivid colors that blurred together underneath him. Edwin had never been to Daisy Gardens, although he had seen pictures and heard stories about the scenery and smells. It generally went against the rules of Cog HQ to speak about such things, but the rotund robot had always secretly wanted to explore more of Toontown and take in some of the sights and sounds. Unlike many cogs, Edwin didn't hate Toons, well he didn't think he did. Although after the situation with Alex, nothing was off limits anymore in regard to his confused mind. For now, though, his mind felt free of the stress and frustrations of his day-to-day life. Today he was simply a cog taking flight into Toontown. Other cogs who he passed had no business to know his true intentions, and he had no intention to tell them. This would be Edwin's first foray into the southern part of Toontown. While he had flown over the large flora and fauna of the nature-filled playground, the only time he had set foot in Toon territory was in Minnie's Melodyland. Even then, that hadn't offered him any semblance of direction where he was going. There could be hundreds, possibly thousands of shops here. How was he supposed to pick out one small diner? Not to mention, he would have to be careful in avoiding the wrath of oil-thirsty Toons whose sole purpose was to destroy him and anybody who looked like him.

With a gulp and forced motivation, Edwin began to descend below the "danger line" close enough that Toons could easily take notice of him. The first thing the android noticed was that it was surprisingly barren of other cogs. The cog had made sure to land on a street, as it was generally known landing in a playground would mean almost certain death with the number of Toons there. A street allowed some opportunity to patrol and take on smaller groups of Toons. It didn't take long before Edwin was subject to notice from a foe. "Look Cheese, a Tightwad! You need that for your task, right?" A pair of mice, with large heads and aggressive faces pointed towards the frightened cog. "Quick, let's go defeat him before he flies away!" The slightly taller, dark green mouse stormed forward like she was shot out of a cannon. The other mouse, a dark yellow, nearly identical looking Toon didn't bother to follow normal, respectable fighting, and began launching fruit pie slices at Edwin, narrowly missing him.

"I'm not looking for any trouble, please leave me alone!" Edwin screeched out. Hopping backwards long enough to allow his propellor to fly him away, Edwin breathed a sigh of relief as the frustrated mice shook their fists and pouted at missing their opportunity. "Savages…" He whimpered out loud, realizing he had been nipped by the crust of a stale pie slice. "It will take me forever to wash this out." It appeared this would be more dangerous than he had anticipated, but it was something he needed to do. If he didn't, there would always be a nagging feeling in the back of his mind prodding at him. What if Alex was still alive but captured by Toons, and he was sending a message to Edwin somehow? He needed to find that café!

The next several hours were spent carefully landing and observing different shops and streets, much to his dismay they continued to end pointlessly. Several more attempted attacks by Toons had built up a lack of emotion inside of Edwin who had begun to feel dull. What if this was all just for nothing? An imagination gone rogue, conjuring up images of his best friend to help fill the gap in his heart, to help comfort him. However, it was either do this or go back to his miserable life in Cashbot HQ. Plus, he was only about ten minutes away from Sellbot HQ, so he could easily attend that night's sermon. The worst-case scenario for him no longer appeared to be his own demise, but rather the continuance of his own existence. As the weary android touched down on the soft grass of another street, Edwin was relieved to see that there was no other soul in sight aside from a single Name Dropper who was strolling casually up the dirt road in the opposite direction. Much to Edwin's surprise though, the cog stopped near a junction and turned to look around. The purple-haired robot then walked over to an ordinary looking yellow-brick building and entered a door near the side. A smallish wooden door. That didn't appear to be typical procedure for infiltrating a building. Was this some sort of different technique taught in Sellbot HQ? Camping out for a while longer, ensuring he was hidden safely in some bushes, the Tightwad was flabbergasted as nothing appeared. Was the Name Dropper destroyed? No longer able to wait, Edwin needed answers. Once he felt comfortable exiting his position, and built up the confidence to move his feet, the green cog shuffled quickly over to the same entrance the other level three had entered. "Alright Edwin, here we go…"

Inhaling, Edwin latched his cold metal hand on the doorknob and twisted slowly. Secretly hoping that it would not twist far enough to open, the android felt his gears churn rapidly as a clicking sound indicated that hope would be dashed immediately. Taking one last deep breath, Edwin pushed open the door with a rush of adrenaline and prepared himself to be unprepared. Inside of the building was only something Edwin could dream of. A small café with colorful wooden tables in the shape of flowers. Large parasols attached that also looked like flowers clung to each table like a stem in the ground. However, what seemed most surprising was that there were multiple cogs inside. Some seated at the tables, others were waking around. Caught off guard, Edwin didn't even notice that there were also many Toons mingling among the Minglers and Yesmen. "Edwin? I'm surprised to see you here."

A deep voice penetrated Edwin's robotic ears. A deeply familiar voice. However, not the one who he had journeyed to search for. "Isaac?" Edwin whispered, turning to his side to a large table where the Crosstian was seated alongside a Big Cheese and an orange rabbit. "Wh- what are you doing here?"

"Hmm. I guess it would behoove both of us to ask that question. Well, I guess it would be best if you took a seat and we discussed things." Motioning for the smaller cog to join him, Isaac cleared his throat. "Would you care for a drink? They serve a brilliant caramel oil brew here." Noticing that Edwin didn't seem enticed, the leader of the sermon changed tones and nodded. "Very well, let me explain things."

"Alright." Was all Edwin could muster out. In his head he wanted to explode and tell all about what he had seen, about Alex, about Horacio, and his knowledge of this place without ever setting foot inside. Reluctantly, the Tightwad sat opposite of the cog who he had only seen inside of the hidden church in Sellbot HQ. "What is this place?"

Isaac spoke confidently and smoothly, as if he had auditioned for this exact role for years. "Well Edwin, you know that we believe that cogs have been hindered by our own inability to see past what is ahead of us. We spend so much of our lives working towards a goal of war and destruction. We are unable to see the bigger picture. A greater purpose. Some of us have been awakened, however it is a very real threat to our mission that other cogs who have not been blessed with our vision yet come across our humble church. What would happen in such a scenario? Well not anything good, that is all I know. So several months ago, I reached out to those who were sympathetic to our cause. I found solace knowing there were Toons who believed in our mission as much as we did and offered to provide shelter in a place away from Sellbot HQ. When we feel that we may be at risk, we meet here. It also offers a refuge for cogs sent to this part of the world who do not wish to fight, but to love. It is a beautiful place. I was unaware you knew of it. What brought you here young one?"

Edwin was skeptical, but he figured there was little chance of getting information any other way. Even if only a sliver of what Isaac would tell him was true, it might lead to something else. Joining the mentor at the table, the Tightwad slumped forward and exhaled. Cogs showing negative emotions was generally frowned upon. So much that most would not acknowledge any feelings that were not strictly related to business and the joys surrounding it were usually cause for reprogramming. However, in this place, similar to the church, he felt that he could open his vulnerabilities. After all, this was a hideout for cogs in the Toon's world. They were already breaking the law and all it would take was one Cog turning on them for things to head south quickly. "Isaac, I saw Alex here. I don't know how to explain it. I shut down for the night and the next thing I know I was teleported here… Alex… Alex was here." Looking up and expecting Isaac to wave off his concerns, Edwin was surprised to see Isaac's thoughtful and caring attention. A nod let Edwin know he was free to continue. "Anyways, I've never seen this place before, yet I knew exactly what it looked like. Down to these specific tables. Well, Alex had said he expected me to be here… and we talked. We talked just like we used to, and everything was great. But then…" The mint tinted Cog couldn't continue and skipped over the gruesome parts. "He also mentioned Horacio. He said Horacio would be here." Pausing, Edwin rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand. "They're both gone now though. How could either of them meet me here. I don't know what it means."

"Your mind seems quite troubled, Edwin. I'm glad you came to this place." Isaac put his hand on the Cashbot's shoulder. "You have a lot of stress, and your mind is overwhelmed with negative emotions and a lack of faith. I think you were simply dreaming."

"Dreaming?" Edwin was confused. Cogs didn't dream. He had heard of the concept when he had inquired about Donald's Dreamland in training. "How could that happen?"

The Crosstian rubbed his chin, considering the possibilities. "Well, it is possible…" tailing off, Isaac spoke vaguely, pretending not to notice Edwin's curiosity. "Hmm, that couldn't possibly be it though."

Immediately forgetting his earlier skepticism, Edwin was drawn into the questions Isaac was asking. Clearly, he seemed to know something, but what was it? "What is possible? Wait, are you talking about me?"

"Oh, sorry. Did I say that out loud? I apologize, sometimes my thoughts escape my own imagination. Never mind what I said, it seems quite unlikely that my simple theories could be true." Smirking lightly as Edwin seemed to be lured in, Isaac just needed to reel him in now.

"Please, tell me what you're talking about!" Desperately pleading, Edwin walked right into Isaac's subtle trapping.

Sighing as if conflicted, the Crosstian gave in and offered his wisdom. "Well, I think it may be a vision from the Great Creator Himself. I believe he has seen your tormented soul and was offering you hope through a vision. Although, I would be surprised because generally He saves his infinite wisdom for those of a dedicated heart and mind to Him. I know you have been attending sermons lately, but still, it seems quite soon."

Edwin pondered for a moment and considered what he had been told. It made about as much sense as anything else. Although, as Isaac said, why would he be singled out. He couldn't be the only Cog dealing with these stresses. Even if he was, why did it wait until now? Why here? "So, He wanted me to come here. I still don't really get why though. Why would He want me to come here?"

"Well, you must've figured that out by now. You are in a spiritual crisis, and you needed somewhere to go. Well, this place is a safe, Holy place. You saw your friend, and Horacio, because they are also seeking salvation in their deaths. They have likely been lost and needed to find this place. They were warning you to come before it is too late. They want you to join our Mission, and find eternal salvation, Edwin."

"Mission? Is that the one you were talking about before? Spreading the message to other Cogs? I'm not really sure how that makes sense." Biting his lip and realizing that he may come off insultingly, Edwin retraced his words. "Sorry, I didn't mean it in a bad way. I just mean, I already have been going to the church, why would I need to be sent here?"

The religious robot had Edwin hook, line, and sinker. "I'm going to be honest with you Edwin. I was not fully truthful and for that I must apologize."

Leaning forward, tilting his head, and furrowing his brows, Edwin spoke with frustration. "Tell me what is going on. I'm tired of the games. Why am I here?" It was uncommon for the mild-mannered android to speak so bluntly and angrily, but he was slowly reaching a boiling point. It was one thing when it was just him, but this now seemed to involve Alex and Horacio, the two Cogs who had the biggest meaning in his short life.

"I understand you are angry, but you must also understand that I withheld this information because I needed to ensure that you would be safe to speak truthfully to." Isaac quieted his tone as a pair of Mover and Shakers entered the shop and walked past. "Edwin, this place is not simply just a reserve against hostile attacks against our church, it is also a place for us to meet about a great danger to Cogdom."

"Danger? You mean the Cogs who don't believe in The Great Creator? Isn't this something that could just be discussed at the church?" Edwin was flabbergasted at Isaac's stunningly pointless reasoning. "Everyone there must be aware, or else they wouldn't have to meet under such conditions at a hobbled old building in Sellbot HQ. Isn't that why Missionaries have been sent to campaign and spread the word?"

Isaac seemed confounded by Edwin's questions. Usually those who he spoke with were hesitant, if not outright against prying into the reasoning given to them. While Edwin wanted to believe in the best of intentions, it was difficult when he felt he was being given a run-around. "Ah, you're still young my boy. I guess I should have explained things better." Pausing, the Crosstian spoke with a more intense tone. "If we are discovered we will be at best re-programmed, and at worst we will be meeting the Great Creator himself. While I pray for the day, I meet him myself, I know that myself and most cogs have other purposes in this world. We should have a place to come together in case things ever reach that unfortunate point. This is why we come here. For prayer, for comfort, and for the delicious food to be fair. It shows that all Toons are not evil, and maybe that we can all work together for a greater purpose."

Edwin contemplated everything that he had taken in. The Cog was consistently conflicted by his own thoughts on the subject. Did any of this actually matter? He had only come here, and to the church in general, looking for answers, and yet he seemed to find none. All he found was more questions, and more trouble. "Well, I guess that answers all of that. I was kind of hoping for something more… I don't know, concrete?"

"Well Edwin. Maybe there is another reason you were told to come here." Standing up, Isaac placed his hands behind his back and circumnavigated the table to be near Edwin. Kneeling beside the Tightwad, the larger robot spoke softly. "You have been a loyal friend to the church, and as such I think I would be permitted to share this information with you."

"Information? What do you mean?" Edwin was once again flummoxed. The Cog was not designed for this sort of intensive thinking and effort. All of the words were floating around in his brain like a blender, and none of them seemed to mix purposely. "Is this about Alex?"

Shaking his head, Isaac looked grim. "Well, not exactly. Although this does have to do with our friend, Horacio."

Struck by a sudden jolt of shock, Edwin's eyes nearly bolted from his head. "Wait, Horacio? Are you saying he is still alive or something? I thought he died!"

"Well, he did. That part is unfortunately still true. He is in the Great Factory now. Although that is partially what I'm referring to." Sighing, Isaac closed his eyes. "Now, be careful not to let this out to anybody, as we cannot confirm it is true. This is merely a hunch I had." Once he had Edwin's full attention, the religious leader continued his theory. "Horacio has been an upstanding and important member of the church for almost as long as we have existed. As a high ranking official with ties to the Chief Financial Officer, he held much more sway than the average Cog. We had hoped to use that influence to have a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer and potentially get an opportunity to present our faith in a meaningful, and respectful way. A way that could be integrated into Cog existence without any detrimental affect on productivity or business."

"Horacio was going to meet the C.E.O? Wouldn't he just discuss that with the C.F.O and then they would discuss such matters? Are regular Cogs allowed to conduct such business?" The Tightwad was in awe at how far Horacio had gone before his unfortunate death.

Isaac stood up once again and tilted his head back and forth, as if contemplating what to say. "Not exactly. The C.F.O had permitted him to go on his own accord and had set up a meeting for the next day – the day which he was found dead. However, there are rumors that the C.E.O didn't want any possibility of a "religious crusade" overthrowing his authority. He knows that when the truth is revealed, he would lose a significant amount of power. The Great Creator never intended for any one Cog to have the ability to oversee themselves as better than another. We are all created in a factory and live our purposes, as equals. The C.F.O. understands this and wanted this to be true for all cogs. It doesn't appear the C.E.O. did."

The mint green android could feel his head spin. He had just had a big weight level of information dropped on him, and most of it sounded plausible enough to be true which was even worse. "So, you think the C.E.O. killed Horacio?"

"Er, not exactly. We believe he had one of his underlings go and do the deed. Probably under the pretense of an informal meeting. However, we will likely never know what happened. The authorities have ruled it a suicide, and it isn't like anyone is going to go digging into this. So, it is up to us to enact freedom on the behalf of all of our brothers and sisters." Isaac was back to a more serious tone, tailing off at the end as if he expected Edwin to reach out and grab his words.

"So, what does that mean for me?" Edwin had forgotten the entire reason he had come momentarily while being swept away in the grand conspiracy. "If that is the case, it sounds like we are powerless to do anything."

Without another word, Isaac looked over to a Legal Eagle who was pecking away at a glass of oil, seated at a table perpendicular to their own. "Josiah, can you come over here for a moment?" The pastor beckoned over the robotic fowl who stood confidently, towering over Edwin. "Josiah, this is Edwin. I don't know if you two have met, but he also attends our church."

Stretching out his long, muscular arm, the Eagle smiled gently. "Good afternoon, Edwin. What a pleasure to meet you!" The Cog was much friendlier than the Tightwad had assumed. He spoke in such a soft tone, that it almost seemed as if he was speaking to a Toon.

"Thank you, you as well…" Edwin mumbled as he shook the bird's hand. "I'm surprised to see such a high-level Cog here."

"Oh, you're quite naïve if you believe Josiah here is the only one. Putting aside Horacio, we have many "higher-ranking" Cogs. We preach equality and while none of our members would ever look upon another as below them, we do understand we live in a society that attaches power to a simple number." Clearing his throat and getting back to the topic at hand. "Anyways, the reason I called you over is because I believe Edwin here would be a great addition to your current mission. Although, that is only if he is up for it."

Intrigued, but also unsure, Edwin responded quickly. "A mission? You mean like what Mason does? I don't know if that is a very good idea. I'm not really the best at that kind of thing."

Both Isaac and Josiah laughed at the misunderstanding, much to the chagrin of Edwin who was becoming more frustrated with time. "Oh, Edwin. Not that kind of mission. Although the offer is always available for that as well. No, this is something much more crucial, and potentially vital to our continued worship." Josiah took a sharp turn from exuberant to cautious. "Edwin, if you agree to this, you have to know you could not tell this to anybody who is not authorized. This could lead to us all being decommissioned."

"I mean, isn't that the case just from me being here?" Edwin said sarcastically. "Just tell me what the mission is."

"Alright, so this is what the plan is…"