Chapter 16: A Whisper in the Darkness
Sally sat in a chair looking at data on the Bunker's computers, when Lupe arrived and sat next to her.
"We gathered what intelligence we could, most of that is data we'd salvaged from our own computers and what we observed here in the city. It's not much use right now," said Lupe.
"That's fine, Lupe. You guys did well. I honestly didn't know what to expect when we got here," said Sally.
"We did what you would've wanted us to do, Sally. We knew it was a longshot you getting our message, given what equipment and means we had at our disposal," said Lupe.
"Things have a way of working out. But now isn't the time for rest, we have to figure out a way to get you guys off this planet. And right now, I'm rattling my brain," said Sally.
"You'll think of something, Sally. You always do," said Lupe.
"Indeed. I must," said Sally.
Jericho and Geoffrey then walked up to Sally.
"How are we doing?" she said.
"My guys are going into town, they're gonna check on the status of our informants and other allies inside, see how the Empire's doing. We're hoping to salvage what we can from this mess," said Jericho.
"And what of the Empire itself? Any activity that may be circling towards us?"
"Not yet. I don't think they know we're here," said Geoffrey.
"Good. Let's keep it that way. Last thing we need is to get their attention."
"Agreed," said Lupe.
"Where's Sonic?"
"He's getting some air, he's being careful," said Jericho.
"That word isn't even in Sonic's vocabulary," said Sally.
"Oh, and here's my report, Princess. It looks like you got a shot 'ere," said Geoffrey.
Geoffrey handed a datapad to Sally, who plugged it into NICOLE and downloaded the information off it.
"Thank you. I'm gonna talk to Sonic. We'll need him for this," she said.
Sonic was sitting under the shelter of a wrecked speeder as it continued to rain, and he munched on a ration bar when Sally arrived.
"Hey, Sonic."
"Hey, Sal."
"You okay?"
"Same as yesterday, Sal. My blood is boiling from watching all this."
"Well, maybe this'll improve your mood. We're going back to Knothole."
Sonic almost choked on his ration bar.
"Say what now, Sal?"
"I know what you're thinking. But I wouldn't be doing this unless we had to. I had hoped this wasn't the case, but it was."
"Yeah, and…?"
"When the Rebellion salvaged NICOLE's primary data core and placed it in this new handheld unit they built to replace the one lost at Yavin, NICOLE ran a system analysis, some of her data files were corrupted from damage. But fortunately, there is a backup server with the last saved files from our computers at Knothole."
"Sal, you think the Empire would've found it by now?"
"I sent Geoffrey out there to survey where it is, and it looks untouched. And besides, it's not connected to the power grid in Knothole, it runs off a generator that NICOLE managed to power down remotely during the Empire's attack so they couldn't track its power signature. We're gonna go there and access that backup server, and restore NICOLE's databases, and hopefully recover some of the data we lost in the attack."
"Where is it?"
"Hidden amongst the trees outside the village...or where the village used to be."
"You thought of everything, Sal."
"Well, this backup was NICOLE's suggestion. She reminded me that she was not easy to repair or replace, so it was a reasonable idea."
"Yeah, I'm game, Sal. Just point the way."
"I'm gonna take a few of our friends with us as backup, just in case."
"Good, I bet they're dying to kick some butt."
"If this goes well, we won't need to."
Sonic and Sally got up and stepped outside, but as they turned a corner back towards the bunker, Sally stopped.
"Sal?"
"Hey, Sonic. Look under that pile of junk."
"More junk. So?"
"No. I mean, there's a large object under there."
"Like I said, more junk….wait. Yeah, looks like an old freighter. So?"
Sally developed a smug smirk on her face.
"Sal, I know that look. You got the ol' plan, don'tcha?"
"That I do, Sonic Hedgehog. That I do. But first, let's get back inside."
The two of them began walking back inside the bunker, but far above, a figure was watching them through a scope, and when they went back inside, the figure leapt off the junk and disappeared. Sonic and Sally meanwhile walked down the steps where the other Freedom Fighters were.
"Okay everyone, I need at least a couple of volunteers to come with me and Sonic, at least 4 will do," said Sally.
"What for?" said Knuckles.
"There's a backup server near the remains of Knothole, we're gonna go there and retrieve some data that we had backed up inside. Some of our data was lost in the attack, and if the server's still intact, we can recover it," said Sally.
"Heh, been looking for a little action. I'll go," said Knuckles.
"Tails, you come too," said Sonic.
"You got it, Sonic!" said Tails.
"Sonar, was it?" said Sally.
"Yes, Princess," said Sonar.
"Your hearing is extremely acute, it might come in handy when discretion is needed, as is the case here, come with us," said Sally.
"Of course, Princess Sally! Anything!" said Sonar.
"And finally...Tangle," said Sally.
"Aw, sweet! A real mission!" said Tangle.
"Yeah, it'll be awesome," said Sonic.
"The rest of you, stay here, we'll be back. Oh, Seraphine, Jericho, can you come with me real quick?" said Sally.
"Sure, Sally." said Jericho.
"Yeah," said Seraphine.
The group then exited the bunker and walked out to where the derelict freighter was buried under the junk.
"I can't even see it under there...looks like a derelict Barloz-class freighter. Those things are old," said Seraphine.
"What are you thinking, Sally?" said Jericho.
"Seraphine, did Han Solo teach you any of his tricks about smuggling?" said Sally.
"I'd be a fool not to have learned a few...but in that wreck?" said Seraphine.
"Nobody said anything about flying it. Just...using it," said Sally.
Jericho and Seraphine then got what Sally meant.
"Oh, I see, you think we can use that to smuggle our friends off the planet disguised as salvage," said Seraphine.
"The Empire is gonna be focused on our transports, they won't think to check the wrecked vessel too closely," said Sally.
"In theory, anyway. How do you plan to get it out from under there?" said Jericho.
"We'll need to find a salvage team to remove this wreck and get it from here to the Cortosis Pride. And fast," said Sally.
"Super Sonic fast," said Sonic.
"I think I may have someone who can help with that. I'll work on it," said Jericho.
"You think you can get a salvage crew here in under 24 hours?" said Seraphine.
"I know people, you're not the only smart one here who knows people," said Jericho.
"Let me know how that works out, Jericho. Time is of the essence here," said Sally.
"Right," said Jericho.
"Seraphine, in the meantime, see if you can climb in there, see what you can come up with," said Sally.
"Sure thing," said Seraphine.
"The rest of you, let's go," said Sally.
As Seraphine walked over to the wrecked Barloz, Sonic, Sally, and their group made their way to the edge of the junkyard at the fence, and there was fortunately, a gap in the ground to allow them to go under it. They then began walking towards what was the Great Forest. When they arrived, they saw that most of the trees in this area were either burned, broken, or fallen.
"I still cannot believe this was once forest, now look at it. A wasteland," said Sonar.
"It really was. Mother Nature at it's finest, until the Empire came and dumped their incendiary bombs on this area," said Sally.
"Yeah…" said Knuckles.
"Don't gimme that look, Knuckles," said Sonic.
Sonar's ears then twitched.
"I hear something. Sounds like buzzing," said Sonar.
"Could be insects, Sonar," said Sonic.
"No...electronic buzzing," said Sonar.
"Droids?" said Tangle.
Sally looked around and saw a nearby crater.
"In there, stay low!"
Everyone hustled into the crater and went prone, aiming their blasters in the direction Sonar pointed. Sure enough, something floated into view from behind a few trees.
"That's a probe droid. Stay out of it's sight. If it sees us, it may alert the Imperials," said Sally.
"I can smash that thing with one shot," said Knuckles.
"No, I can, Knuckles," said Sonic.
"You two will not. Jericho warned me those things have self-destruct charges, you might set them off with a physical strike," said Sally.
"Whoa, not cool," said Sonic.
"Then what do we do?" said Tangle.
"Stay low. See if it passes. If it doesn't...shoot it," said Sally.
The FFs kept low and aimed their blasters at the probe droid, which stopped. The probe droid looked around, scanning the area. It looked in all directions, even in the direction of the crater, causing the FFs to feel their palms sweat. But then the probe droid floated away in the opposite direction, and the FFs were relieved.
"Too close," said Tails.
"Let's get moving before it comes back," said Sally.
The group hustled out of the crater and went deeper into the wasteland forest. Sonic looked up at the sky through the trees still standing.
"I'll never get used to seeing that sky here. I remember how full the trees were. Now look at it," he said.
"Was this place really that beautiful?" said Sonar.
"It was," said Tails.
"Yeah, you Desert Raiders would've loved to have seen this," said Tangle.
"I'm sure we would've, it would've been a nice change of scenery from back home," said Sonar.
"Whoa."
"What is it, Knuckles?" said Sonic.
Knuckles pointed ahead of him.
"There's a wrecked probe droid over there."
"Yeah, you're right. But Geoffrey said he never engaged any probe droids, this is fresh. I can smell it," said Sally.
Sonar's ears then twitched again.
"Wait. I hear another one! Get down!"
The group hustled behind a log and took their blasters out again as another probe droid came by. The probe droid checked the wrecked droid and began looking in all directions. It then floated away from the group.
"It's gone. Let's go," said Sally.
They had barely gotten back out in the open to resume their trek when Sonar heard something again.
"Watch out! It's coming back!"
But before they could turn to face their hiding place, the probe droid came out and spotted them.
"Watch out!" said Sally.
The droid aimed it's blaster at them and just before Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles could take aim, a teal aura appeared around the droid, and it seemed to be moving through the air against its own will. The droid flailed it's arms as it made electronic wails until it was smashed against two trees until it finally was destroyed. The aura then vanished as it dropped to the ground in pieces. Sonic then looked around, and he saw a male silver hedgehog glowing the same aura.
"Mind if I lend a hand?"
Sonic put his hands on his hips.
"Silver! We could've handled that, man!"
Silver nervously grinned and laughed.
"Heh, heh. Sorry, didn't mean to step on your toes," said Silver.
"It's cool. Glad you're here and alive at least. Thanks for dealing with that other probe droid for us," said Sonic.
"What probe droid? I only just got here and saw the other one about to attack you guys," said Silver.
"How odd. If that wasn't you, who was it?" said Sally.
Sonar's ears twitched again.
"There's another one!"
They turned as another droid came hovering straight at them. But before it could fire at them, a blue beam of energy struck it and blew a hole right through it. The droid simply fell to the ground and smashed to pieces in front of the awestruck Freedom Fighters.
"Uhh...since when could you do that, Silver?" said Sonic.
Silver's face suddenly lit up.
"I didn't! I think it must be the legendary Guardian Angel!" said Silver.
"The Guardian Angel of the Battlefield?" said Sonar.
"Uhh...the Legendary who-now?" said Sonic.
"How do you not know about the Guardian Angel?" said Silver.
"Uhh…"
"Sonic, did you ever not listen to those reports from the other cells that I'd read to you?" said Sally.
"Cause they make me fall asleep, Sal," said Sonic.
Sally groaned and facepalmed.
"Well, I heard that many Freedom Fighter cells would report a mysterious person who'd turn the tide of battle, but never joined up with any of them. Whoever it was saved my life more than once! They must be here to help us again," said Silver.
"Is that why you're here, Silver? Besides that future business? Hoping to get an autograph? How did you find us anyway?" said Sonic.
"Oh, I came here hoping to meet up with you guys, but obviously, that didn't happen. I spotted someone looking around here earlier, I think it was one of your allies. I followed him back and I saw you guys in the junkyard. I ran into Amy when I looked around, she told me where you guys went, so I came as quickly as I could," said Silver.
"Well, we could use your talents, Silver," said Sally.
"Thank you, Princess. I'm honored," said Silver.
"Silver, this is Tangle & Sonar, two of the other Freedom Fighters. Ladies, this is Silver the Hedgehog," said Tails.
"That was cool! You're really hovering with your mind?" said Tangle.
"Uh...yeah?" said Silver.
"AWESOME!" said Tangle.
"Let's keep moving, the server is over the next ridge," said Sally.
The group continued walking up the next hill, when Knuckles started to ponder.
"Now I have to wonder, why is the Guardian Angel here now?" said Knuckles.
"Now that you mention it, I saw that same energy blast from when me and the other Freedom Fighters were rigging that relay tower to send out the distress call, remember that, Sonar?" said Tangle.
"That's right, it was the same weapon, same energy blast," said Sonar.
"You saw the Guardian Angel?" said Sally.
"No. When we turned around, he was gone," said Tangle.
"You mean 'she'," said Sonar.
"What do you mean, Sonar?" said Tails.
"Me, Spike, and Trevor Burrow saw her...albeit, for a brief second. I saw her ponytail flap against the moon," said Sonar.
"So the Guardian Angel is a female?" said Knuckles.
"Yeah, and she didn't look very big, that's what made us think that," said Sonar.
"That makes you the third group to have caught a glimpse of the Guardian Angel, the Wolf Pack and the Mercia-Avalon group have seen her," said Sally.
"Yeah, she had a really distinctive weapon blast," said Sonar.
"You mean a Wispon," said Sonic.
"Wispon?" said Sonar.
"What makes you sure it was a Wispon, Sonic?" said Tails.
"That energy looked a lot like it. I've seen it before in my encounters with Wisps. It was cyan in color, right?" said Sonic.
"Yeah," said Tangle.
"Like a Cyan Wisp," said Sonic.
"Oh yeah, I remember now," said Tails.
"And it wasn't a standard one if that's what it was," said Sally.
"What do you mean?" said Silver.
"Wispons aren't like regular blasters. Wispons are designed for battling large groups of enemies with the Wisps' powers, but this one is way more precise compared to a normal one," said Sonic.
Suddenly, they heard a bunch of noise from over the ridge. The group ran over until they could see what was going on. They saw a figure standing in front of a wrecked AT-ST, firing what appeared to be a weapon with cyan blasts. Suddenly, the weapon changed colors to pink, firing what appeared to be a buzzsaw-like blast that failed to penetrate the AT-ST's front. The weapon then changed to an orange color firing a massive explosive blast, which only moderately damaged the AT-ST. The weapon then turned blue and it turned into a hammer-like shape, and she smashed it, but the AT-ST didn't budge.
"The server is right there, the AT-ST must've fallen in front of it," said Tails.
Silver was visibly excited when he saw the Guardian Angel, before anyone could stop him, he rushed out.
"That must be her. Hey, Guardian Angel!"
The Guardian Angel suddenly gasped and then her Wispon turned green and she began floating into the trees above.
"No! Wait!" said Silver.
"We're not bad guys!" said Tangle.
"I don't understand...we're all on the same side. I'm a huge fan…" said Silver.
"Silver...you said that she never joined the Freedom Fighters, right?" said Sonic.
"And you did mention she avoided contact with anyone, right?" said Sally.
"Yeah….so?"
"So obviously she prefers to work solo, for whatever reason. Not everyone likes being part of the crowd," said Sonic.
"That's right," said Sally.
"I never thought of it that way," said Tangle.
"I see...I guess I've been so lonely for so long, I never considered the idea of wanting to be alone," said Silver.
Sonic looked up and saw the Guardian Angel hiding in the brush above.
"Hey! Sorry we came on so strong! My name's Sonic! My overeager friend here is Silver. And these are my fellow Freedom Fighters; Sally, Tails, Knuckles, Tangle, and Sonar! We and the rest of our group really appreciates your help! We just wanna know if you wanna help us out too!" said Sonic.
"Sonic, what are you doing?" said Sally.
"C'mon, Sal. It's worth a try," said Sonic.
"Look!" said Tangle.
Suddenly, the Guardian Angel's cape came open, as several Wisps exited some canisters she had strapped onto it, and when they saw Sonic, they came flying towards him with excitement; hugging and cuddling up with him.
"Whoa! Hahaha! Hey guys! I thought I saw some Wisp Powers going off!" said Sonic.
"They haven't even met you before, and they're excited to see you?" said Sonar.
"Yeah, Tails and I saved them a few times before, I guess that left an impression on them," said Sonic.
Suddenly, the Guardian Angel dropped down and removed her mask, revealing that she was a female Mobian wolf. When she spoke, it was in a quiet tone.
"...Whisper…"
"Cool," said Sonic.
Silver then began whispering.
"...Okay, but why?"
"No, genius. Whisper is her name," said Sonic.
"Oh," said Silver.
"Well….Whisper, on behalf of myself and the Freedom Fighters, we're very grateful to have you as an ally, I've heard much about what you've done for us, even if you did so the way you're comfortable with," said Sally.
"...Thank you...and you're welcome…," said Whisper.
"I guess that you were trying to clear the way for us and got stuck with this AT-ST. We're gonna have to move it to get to the server," said Sally.
"Leave that to me," said Silver.
Silver then reached out with his Telekinetic Powers and began glowing cyan as the AT-ST slowly was engulfed by a cyan aura. It slowly lifted off the ground as Silver struggled to lift it off the ground and out of the way. It had moved only a small bit before Silver began straining. But then, Knuckles walked up the floating AT-ST and smashed it with his fist, sending it flying into some rocks nearby. Silver slowly started catching his breath as Sally checked the entrance to the server, which was inside a tree. She saw the door controls were visibly damaged.
"Controls are damaged, they won't work in this condition," said Sally.
"Lemme try something, Sal. Sonar, turn the breaker on," said Tails.
"Okay...but what do you plan to do if it doesn't work?" said Sonar.
As soon as she flipped the breaker on, Tails pried open the door controls with his pry bar and pulled out a small set of pliers.
"Make it work. Good thing these are easy to crack," said Tails.
Tails worked on the wires to the control panel, joining together wires, resulting in a few sparks, but eventually, the door slowly opened as it was hotwired. Inside the tree, Sally walked up to a computer that she finished booting up, and plugged NICOLE's handheld into a socket.
"Ready, NICOLE?"
"Ready, Sally," said NICOLE.
"Start synchronization of data," said Sally.
"Synchronizing. Please stand by," said NICOLE.
Sonic tapped his foot.
"NICOLE! Get the ol' data out!" he said.
Sally glared at Sonic in annoyance.
"Synchronization complete. Most of my data was intact, but I did recover some that had been lost," said NICOLE.
"Good. Now...we're gonna destroy this server. Tails?"
"Setting charges, Sal," said Tails.
Tails planted some sequencer charges on the server itself, and the generator as well. He then walked up to the others, who had put themselves at a safe distance. Tails then walked up to Tangle.
"Tangle, wanna do the honors?"
"Do I? Yeah!" said Tangle.
Tails handed the detonator to Tangle, and when everyone was behind the cover of some rocks, Tangle pushed the button, and the charges detonated, obliterating the backup server and it's hiding spot, leaving little but the stump of the tree from which it hid. Tangle then flung her hands in the air.
"Woo-hoo! BOOM!" she said.
"Hey, don't get too excited," said Knuckles.
"You're right. Let's get out of here, before someone notices," said Sally.
"Grab on, everyone. Time to juice it loose," said Sonic.
Sally took Sonic's hand, then Tails took her hand, then Knuckles took Tails', and then Silver took Knuckles', Sonar took Silver's, Tangle then took Sonar's, but Whisper simply stood hesitant.
"Aren't you coming?" said Tangle.
Whisper simply looked away.
"I understand if you don't want to come, but it's faster," said Sally.
Whisper turned towards Tangle, who was still holding her hand out. Whisper slowly grabbed Tangle's hand, and Tangle then turned to Sonic. Sonic nodded and pulled out one of his Power Rings. It's energy began powering Sonic up as he revved up his feet and began running with his friends in tow. Sonic ran across the wasteland forest until they were back in the city limits. They approached the fence to the junkyard, and Sonic came to a stop. Everyone regained their composure from their high-speed ride with Sonic.
"I still gotta get used to that…good thing my lunch is already down," said Tangle.
"Sonic, how do you keep your lunch down at this speed?" said Sonar.
"Sorry, but there are some secrets you can't even share with one of your friends," said Sonic.
"Okay, everyone back inside. We got through half-a-day here, and we need to get back to the task at hand," said Sally.
"If your crazy plan even works, Sal," said Sonic.
Everyone began heading back inside the bunker, except for Whisper. Sally noticed her hesitation, and approached Whisper.
"If you don't want to come in, why don't you sit inside that old shuttle above the bunker there? Keep watch for us?"
Whisper looked up at the derelict shuttle Sally was pointing to. And she slowly nodded.
"...okay...thank you."
"I'll send someone up with some rations for you. Don't be surprised if they all wanna see you and give thanks for saving their lives," said Sally.
"...okay…" said Whisper.
"Alright. Let me know if anyone starts getting a bit too close, alright?"
"...of course…" said Whisper.
Whisper used her Variable Wispon to use a Green Wisp Hover power to get up to the wrecked shuttle and she made herself at home. Sally smiled as she went back inside the bunker, closing the door behind her. As she walked down, she heard Sonic, Silver, and Tangle talking the loudest.
"The Guardian Angel is a girl?" said Walt.
"Yeah! Her name is Whisper. She has this cool Wispon that can use all kinds of Wisp powers and all that! It's AMAZING!" said Tangle.
"Yeah, but you won't get to see her right now, she's….not a people person," said Sonic.
"But doth the lady wish to accept our many thanks?" said Bow.
"I think she's not the type who needs it. Hey, Sal," said Sonic.
"Where's Seraphine?" said Sally.
"The Lady Seraphine tis in the kitchen, your highness," said Bow.
"Thank you, Bow. And Rotor? Is it ready?"
"It will be soon, Sal. Just gotta make a few more minor adjustments," said Rotor.
"What will be ready, Sal?" said Tails.
"You'll see," said Sally.
Sally walked into the kitchen where Seraphine was helping arrange the rations.
"Seraphine, what do you think about that wreck?" said Sally.
"Yeah, it'll be easy to get it set up for smuggling duty, it's mostly intact. So as soon as Jericho comes through on that salvage team, we're good to go," said Seraphine.
"Is that where he is right now?" said Sally.
"Yeah. Not that he'll tell me where he's going," said Seraphine.
"Well, as long as he comes through. By the way, how did you know Han Solo? You worked together?"
"Couple times, we did. Worked for him as hired muscle. Not that the pay was good sometimes, but it paid our expenses," said Seraphine.
"But how did you meet him?"
"Met in a bar one night, I was pretty wasted on ale. I barely remember that night. Next thing I knew, I was working off a hangover aboard the Millennium Falcon, Solo says I was waving my gun around and calling him a 'hairless monkey', you know?" Seraphine said.
Sally tried not to snigger.
"That's what happens when you drink," said Sally.
"Indeed," said Seraphine.
"Okay, Sally! We're ready!" said Rotor.
"Great!" said Sally.
"Sal, you know how I feel about your secrets. What is it?" said Sonic.
"Before I do...don't be mad at me, Sonic," said Sally.
"Sal...what did you do?" said Sonic.
Rotor pulled back a curtain revealing a small repair bay that contained a droid that Sonic was all too familiar with.
"METAL SONIC?!" said Sonic.
"Sonic, wait! It's not what you think! It's the one you and Tails already beat!" said Rotor.
"I don't care! Metal Sonic equals trouble! That's the one who kidnapped Tails and also kidnapped Amy years ago!" said Sonic.
"Yeah!" said Tails.
"What were you thinking, Sally?!" said Amy.
"That maybe we could turn one of Robotnik's own droids against him!" said Sally.
"Yeah, right!" said Sonic.
"Geoffrey and his squad went back to the site of your last battle against this Metal Sonic. They found not much left, but they found that the Power Gem was still active, and to our surprise, it contained this droid's core programming. We brought it back hoping to salvage any useful data, and then I got the idea that maybe we could use scavenged parts from those Metal Sonic droids you defeated over the years and rebuild this one as a potential weapon," said Sally.
"Sal, that has got to be the worst idea you ever came up with! Metal Sonic is-"
"Power-up sequence is complete, Sal. We can start when ready," said Rotor.
"Don't you-"
Sally put her finger on Sonic's mouth.
"Sonic, I know the risks. If this doesn't work...you get to smash it again. And I'll say you were right...for once," said Sally.
Sonic snarled as the Metal Sonic droid powered up.
"That's not the Metal Sonic I remember from the briefings," said Tangle.
"That's the original model. That's the first one Sonic fought. I've fought it too," said Knuckles.
Soon, the Metal Sonic droid powered up and woke up. It first flexed its arms.
"About time you woke me back up! I was getting bored of sleeping, and…oh...it's you," said the droid.
"You're lucky you got Sal and Rotor here to defend you, or me, Tails, and Amy will have a score to settle with you, Metal Sonic," said Sonic.
"Uh...yeah…"
"Metal Sonic, run a diagnos-"
"All my core systems are online, Princess. Engines primed, targeting systems active, basic weapon systems online, scanners active, yadda yadda yadda, tech stuff working, blah blah blah. I'm ready here, and I'm ready for action," said Metal Sonic.
"You certainly saved me the trouble of asking," said Sally.
"Well, just...eager to be given a second chance after all I've….been through. So...when do we get to blow things up?" said Metal Sonic.
"Well, that won't be necessary, Metal-"
"Please don't...please don't call me that. Please. It's...no longer appropriate, given the present company."
"Yeah, right...we do need to come up with a better name for you...until then, try to get along, will you?" said Sally.
"Don't count on it, Sal," said Sonic.
Sally just rolled her eyes in disbelief.
