PoC: Okay I think I forgot a disclaimer recently, so I'll put up a long one just to be sure: PenFullofChaos819…

Metal: …might not own the characters that aren't in the plot, but that's not going to hurt him since he owns the OCs that ARE in the plot…STRANGE ISN'T IT?

PoC: *Growls* SIIIIIILVER! What the hell did you do to Metal?

Silver: Geez boss I didn't do anything! Why's everyone always blaming me when something bad happens?

Silver: With all due respect, you do cause these two a lot of trouble later.

PoC: ?

Silver: ? What the…?

Silver: ? What're you all staring at?

PoC: Two of them?

Silver: Two of me?

Metal: THERE IS ONLY ONE SONIC!

PoC & Silver & Silver: ?-?-?

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Release

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What was he built for? To issue Eggman's orders for him? To pester stuck-up machines with too much attitude? To get smashed into walls for his annoying voice? To fetch a cup of coffee he would end up wearing overnight?

Perhaps all of the above applied, but this…this was pushing the line of excessive.

"Now if you don't hold still, how will I be able to verify your E-series code?" the mobile sphere continually made passes at the elusive…whatever it was. Besides being clearly robotic, there was little else Orbot could discern from the few glimpses he'd had. Above all, this machine did fit the description Eggman had asked for: stealthy and fast. It's evasion wasn't used to necessarily get away from Orbot, instead it appeared to be playing or taunting the helper into chasing it around. Fairly soon his desire to chase the silly thing was worn to a nub. Having exhausted his last shred of patience, Eggman's right hand turned his back on the slippery fool, choosing instead to contact the doctor about 38's reluctance to obey orders.

"We'll see how happy the boss is when he hears about your disobedience." He scoffed at the shadows in his typical snotty tone. Though he lost no time in switching his frequency over to the master's channel, Orbot did not count on spindly arm to snake its way around his throat, followed by a disturbingly high laugh.

"How rude of you! Tattling to the master when I was starting to enjoy myself!" the voice retained its high-pitch for this statement, sounding almost teasing, but the following sentence was eerily lower, having easily reached a bass note "That's why I've always hated you: You're all talk and no bite." 38 decided to let the helpless attendant go, but not before carving a mark into his neck "So tell me, coward, what's the good word? What sort of filthy job does the big man have for me this time?"

Holding his neck from the slight damage he had taken, the orderly-bot was almost inclined to not reply. Only when he considered the danger he was in, and the fact that he now, mysteriously, lacked a working outside connection, did the rolling slave say "Master Eggman has charged me with the task of finding a suitable kidnapper. You were his first choice, as I have already tried to explain numerous times, but I can just as easily get someone else for the job."

Having jumped, slid, or strafed in front of his path, E-38 came into visible light at last. Its body had a very, to put it mildly, unique shape. The machine's torso and body were generically humanoid save for its irregularly thin abdomen, while its limbs were long and unmistakably mantis-like. To add to its bizarre image 38 sported heterochromatic eyes, of which both had vibrant color in the place of pupils. In any normal person's eyes the whole thing would've appeared to be an elaborate joke, a robot with little or no functional value.

"My rank, is that why?" it's vocals hummed with faux amusement "Mr. Master must think sooo highly of his other BIG numbered bots that he figures he can give me the dreg-jobs." Though it had taken a mildly indignant edge, 38 immediately spun around once in happiness and then exclaimed "That's why I loooove serving him! He always lets me handle the mean and icky missions! So, who am I nabbing? A helpless animal? A little girl? Or maybe a sweet little boy?"

Orbot fought hard to not toss his breakfast at the robot's sick state of glee, even knowing he didn't the stomach to do so. In his own innocent musings he wondered why the doctor had so many sputter-sparks like 38 and 72 in his elite staff.

"Those mass production 00 series are so much less nutty for nutter bars, even if they do get disposed of too quickly." Keeping these thoughts low-profile, the perpetually loyal roller led Eggman's chosen to its briefing.

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*With Metal*

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"Private Metal!"

How annoying. What did the lumbering general have to say this time? The copy didn't really want to talk to him, hence why he was making headway for his 'favorite' wing of the base. Regardless, he had a long distance to go and therefore couldn't shrug the larger robot off for long. Inevitably the bulky leader forced Metal to acknowledge his presence.

"Caught up to you at last." He heaved, clearly not built for sprinting for long durations "I want you to be on the lookout for this AWOL unit." At this point Metal was shown a digital picture of what appeared to the cowardly officer Metal had recently shipped out with "Let me know if you have any information on his whereabouts. I went ahead and checked his record after that little cargo fiasco and found him to operating under false I.D. and production code. As far as we know, his stunt of cowardice may or may not have been a coincidence."

"I get the idea…" Metal flatly replied, having internalized the possible traitor's data down for later. Pushing past the more sizable machine, a comical scene to anyone watching, the doppelganger went right on his way as though they had never spoken. Gruff though the act was, 99 rather understood that to be the cold hedgehog's way of saying "I'm busy, but thanks for the heads-up". His complacent reaction hinted that the general was beginning to see the method behind Metal's madness, perhaps out of some growing respect.

This was irrelevant to Metal who was, as per his normal behavior, in no mood to craft any man-to-man bonds, especially with one so 'dutiful' as 99. More than that, the replica was, though he did his best to hide it, feeling antsy. This was indirectly related to Eggman's lack of a current mission for him, though he had been invited to the monotonous cargo retrieval, and possibly because he had no one to converse with. Metal hadn't realized how much he craved action or distractions until there weren't any to bother him. Before he couldn't seem to leave trouble's spotlight, but now even 99 was trying to be friendly and non-confrontational. The copy's runaway memories annoyingly sought to cure his boredom by plaguing him with doubt and questions over his most recent job, thus leaving him volatile and agitated.

"Why do these idiots never bother me when I really want them to?" he muttered whilst nearly colliding against an automatic door, owing to his distracted thoughts. In his logic, if you want real trouble you have to go to the place where all your problems began, a sort of corruption of the 'back to basics' thinking.

Having traced his aggravation to the source, the copy stepped into a familiar field of white. For one reason or another, the only institute dedicating to robotic health seemed to be conspicuously bad for Metal's. For once, however, this visitation may be just the thing to fill the doppelganger's prescription for pain, excitement, or a bit of both.

Approaching the admissions counter, Metal noticed a secretary busily filling out unholy amounts of paperwork and miscellanea, a cringe-worthy sight indeed. Those hasty in her actions, the front-desk salve, as Metal called the position, quickly turned her attention to the waiting client.

"Sorry for the wait sir, do you have an appointment?" she asked stiltedly, obviously something she'd rehearsed in advance. However, Metal wasn't offered a moment to answer before the young worker gasped and spoke again "Oh pardon me! You must be here to pick up our youngest patient! The little dear was beaten up rather badly, but Miss 85 was able to fix him up perfectly!" Metal's irises arched and adjusted to make what appeared to be a look of total confusion. Had this female mistaken him for someone else? It certainly seemed that way, but how was it possible? He didn't look like any other bot in the whole base for crying out loud. Though he attempted to explain that he merely wanted to visit E-85, it was in vain in light of this juvenile girl-robot's spastic bursts of energy.

"Now I'll have him out in just a moment. You just have seat and I'll be right back!" she bubbled, rushing out in a near-frenzied state of happiness. The Sonic lookalike couldn't muster a single intelligent thought, as all he could conjure revolved around the five W's and how. On the bright side he had instigated the 'trouble' he was asking for, so he couldn't be all that upset. Besides, how much of an issue could the little guy be?

On second thought, Metal decided he'd better take that last part back.

"All set Mr. Metal Sonic sir!"

Too late.

She had come back wearing a big a smile as a non-living being could have, being one of those lucky bots that had been given a mouth (Metal was secretly deeply envious of this). But only she had returned; no patient was in front or in her hands. Metal thought perhaps she was malfunctioning, that could explain her mistaking his, in his own words, iconic image.

Feeling uncertain of what to say, Metal made a nervous scratching motion on his backmost quills "Uh… I don't see the patient anywhere. Are you sure you didn't screw up somehow?" well that was hardly as mild as he'd intended, but then Metal was not known for his subtlety. The lady-bot didn't appear distressed by his rude remark thankfully. Still, the hedgehog had to wonder why she knelt down, placing her hands on her skirt-like armoring.

"It's alright dear, don't be shy." What the hell was she talking to, her legs? Unless this person was…invisible? No, that couldn't be it…could it? Asking for more stress was putting Metal's head in high-caution mode, which sadly detracted from his 'common sense' department. This could explain why he was so shocked when a small pair of ears and eyes poked out from the secretary's side…and then darted back for cover.

The lady responded by giggling and stepping aside rather suddenly, leaving the sneaky fellow exposed to Metal's sight.

Taking a moment to scan the new sight, Metal deduced the small thing to be…a fox? If it was, it was unlike any he had data on, as it was covered head to toe with stitches. Tough kid must've had a hellish operation, but then that was strange too, for wasn't it a machine? Why on earth would it need stitches then? Stepping closer Metal saw how fake it's features were, so much the opposite of Silvia's very real fur and face. Despite it's falseness, the creature's expression was locked in state that looked helpless and sad, like it was perpetually lonely and searching for a friend. Perhaps the most noticeable feature was a tiny crystal attached to it's forehead via a thin antennae. Also noteworthy was it's all-black eyes that held a glint of fear, due likely to Metal's imposing figure hovering far above it's head.

Though Metal didn't like helpless robots anymore than he liked cowards, the fiendish killer did sink down on one knee to get a better look this…person or thing "Hmm… Tell me your name." his words were not unlike an order, which suited his blunt demeanor, but did nothing to calm the little one down. Metal saw it once again run behind the secretary, preventing any further communication.

"What am I doing?" the copy groaned "Do I actually WANT that pint-sized puppet to follow me?" he thought better of beckoning again, instead turning to the lady saying "I believe this…uh…thing wasn't waiting for me. Feel free to drop it off at the junk assembly until the master can find some use for it." His cold as ice dismissal had the service-machine horrified. Metal had rather cruelly suggested that this puppet be sent to harsh labor extremely unfitting of it's diminutive size. Without regret, the heartless copy abandoned the tiny puppet with the girl and took his leave. Being saddled with another 'partner' was not his idea of a good distraction.

"I'll take this valuable lesson, and remember to not go looking for trouble ever again. Good thing I left when I did." His assertions were more forced now than ever, as somewhere in his hardened mind Metal did feel bad for the little kid. But even so, the brat would be getting in his way and slowing him down, as if everyone else didn't to that enough already. Besides, no one would actually take his crazy advice. One even as scatter-brained as that attendant could see that he hadn't been serious…right?

Metal had to fight some inner urging to go back and check on things. No, surely E-85 would come up with something, like a fitting caregiver for the doll-like creature. Who knows? Maybe Silvia would be the one stuck with 'short-stack' in the end. Perhaps then she'd understand the struggle he went though with her.

In any case, it was no longer a worry for him. Seeing how his problem-seeking had almost landing him in an unfitting daycare setting, Metal was now content to sleep off his grief as opposed to finding a way to channel it. Talking about his issues was never his strong suit anyway.

The doppelganger counted himself lucky to find the capsule bay entirely vacated. It wasn't his first choice of relaxation, for no machine ever gets 'sleepy'; however, if he could forget about everything until the master returned or until something exciting happens, then he would at least be spared a headache or four.

Keying in his login code caused the sealing cell to open easily, almost too easily. Metal paused for only a brief skeptical moment to ensure his rest would go undisturbed. Having eventually satisfied his slight paranoia, the metallic hedgehog did step in and thus activated the sealing sequence. Feeling restful and very successful, Metal 'closed' eyes and deactivated.

For what might've been hours later, his rest remained peaceful save for a sudden noise and shifting that woke him briefly. A short and groggy observation revealed the noise to be nothing more than one of the capsules opening and closing; nothing to get jittery about.

"Urg! I need to get transferred to a larger capsule." Metal groaned in minor discomfort "This thing is feeling more cramped and crowded every day. I should've noticed it sooner." With no further complaints, Metal did finally drift off again.

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*Egg Base: Central Hall*

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Now what was there to do? Most certainly Eggman would have another mission for his 'best' soldier by now, given his most recent success of course. Well….half-success, but it wasn't his fault the carrier went down. It was that useless fresh-out-of-the-box idiot that set off the fire alarm; HE was the one to blame. And anyway, that just left one more incompetent rust-can out of his race for a promotion. No need to have more unwanted competition added to an already lengthy list. On the flip side, the death of a flawed newbie was hardly a cause for celebration.

"He would've been just another low-grade slave anyway." He mumbled softly, contemplating the danger of much bigger figures. E-99 for example commanded all of Eggman's forces in his absence. Now THAT was power! If only he had been given such trust, he could've nearly commandeered the base for himself. But even if he had the status, there were a number of things that stood obstinately in his way.

"Hmm…like that cheap mobian impersonator, Metal." The officer grumbled as he remembered how badly his position had been undermined by that arrogant hedgehog "Fool! I had a golden opportunity thrust into my hands until his 'heroic-act' ruined everything!" his rant would've continued had he not caught one such meddler within earshot. It was essential for him to keep out of sight until he had some sort of plan to deceive 99's 'oaf sensors'.

"It won't take much to trick him, but the others... I'll just have to worry about them later." entering into his custom-made concealment, the officer chose to escape for now.

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End of chapter Seventeen

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Well this was…depressing on my part. I don't know if I could've made this later unless I planned on not updating at all. Even so, it's now here, and I don't know how worth it the wait was (for you guys I mean). Read whenever, Lord knows I'm not going to get upset if anyone is late in reading this…unless I like being hypocritical. Ah yes, I'll explain later how 85 'fixed up' who is obviously TD (Tails Doll).

Serenity: Obviously I meant Thursday when I said 'the next day at the latest' don't you know? No really, I'm sorry for this late crap I've been doing. I hope you like the chap and forgive my slowness (it's not that I'm worried it'll bother you, so much as I just hate botching things I promise to provide up).

DanceDream: I know what you're going to say: "Don't sweat it; everybody is late once in a while." I know but it doesn't make me any happier about it. Some brief comments: Now Metal is adamant on finding a bigger problem to outweigh his current one! Suck logic maybe, but that's what I do when I'm stressed out. I was going to have Silvia in this chap; have her explain her somewhat curt reaction to Metal's return, but no such luck. She may not be as naïve as I let on XD. Just so you know, E-38 is a very…odd character, even for me. I hope I get work more on his/her personality soon enough.

Infamousplot: Whenever you have time as always. I never lose my patience with a reader. Oh by the why, TD is now here!

Super Shadix 520: Maybe this'll be a good chapter to then. If you see any issues or errors I made in my struggle to get this out, go ahead and ask or point 'em out (at very least point and laugh XD). Anyways, late though it is, I've updated at last.

Until next time.