Chapter 3

It was business as usual back at the mechanical workshop where Tails worked. Tails was what one would call gifted, to say the least. More accurately, he was borderline savant, without all the side effects that came with being one, and a crack inventor who made many gadgets by hand. A lot of pilots, knowing of his mechanical genius, asked for him by name if they needed a repair-and yet he was barely old enough to pilot the airships he fixed.

"Message for a... Miles Prower?" a messenger ran in holding up a letter.

A letter for him? At this time? Tails could barely believe it. He usually never met the people he worked for, and if he did, they didn't believe that he did all the work. He was too young, in their eyes. Tails snatched the letter from the carrier, said thank you, and busied himself opening it as the courier stood by, waiting for a response. Tails read aloud,

"Dear Tails, we're wondering if you could assist us with your gadgets and know-how, we're kinda stuck. Thanks, Sonic and..." Tails squinted to make out the small handwriting, "Shadow?" He set down the letter, grabbed some stationery next to the receptionist's desk and began writing, his twin tails bobbing up and down excitedly.

Dear Sonic and Shadow,

I would love to, just let me know what you need and I'll be sure to bring as much as I can!

-Tails

PS: Thank you so much for letting me come along!

Tails handed the letter to the messenger and tipped him a few rings, and watched him go off on a motored bicycle. It was quite large, any larger and Tails could've sat in it. He made a mental note to see if he could build one that was more practical, and probably faster too.

He went over to his storage space for all the stuff he made. Guns in one corner, random tools and other items for fixing things in another, and in the far back, more practical gadgets like grappling hooks and smoke grenades. He grabbed a backpack and started loading up with equipment, from ammunition, gunpowder, and weapons, to tools to more fuel for Shadow's shoes he built a while ago.

"I wonder if this is enough..." Tails mused.

There was a chime of bells at the door. Tails looked at the intricate clock on the wall, it had already been an hour. Maybe the motored cycle was practical. Sure enough, when Tails opened the door, the messenger was waiting.

"Messa- Ah, you're here. Well then, here you are," he handed Tails the letter, which he took it to a workstation and opened.

Dear Tails,

Be sure to bring pretty much everything you can, including rings. You might be away from the workshop for a bit. Shadow says to bring more fuel, too. Don't forget that. That should be it. We've already paid the messenger a tip, so just focus on supplies and getting here. Enclosed is a ticket for the railway.

Sonic and Shadow

Tails thanked the courier, and then sent him off. The railway! Tails had never been on the railway before, there was no practical reason to go when he stayed in his workshop almost the entire time. The day was just getting better and better.

Tails grabbed his backpack and almost all the rings out of the cashier's box and ran out the door, only to realize he had left it unlocked and ran back to lock it. After checking the lock, he used his twin tails to rush to the railway. The ticket said for one o'clock in the morning, and he had fifteen minutes to get his seat and settle down.

Tails looked around at the city where he lived and worked. The air had a sense of perpetual dust in it, making everything seem dirty and brown. There were storefronts beside the road and sidewalk, which Tails walked on, while the occasional steam powered car would drive by. The roads were steep, Tails was pretty sure someone could slide down the street as long as they didn't hit a car. Beside the road were trees and the occasional person coming home from a bar or club.

He took a turn down towards the station of the railway station, a grand building with a huge arch, and an impossible number of people, even at this time. Tails took a deep breath and stepped forward with his ticket, his backpack, and an excited air.

"What brings you here to Memorial Station tonight, young lad?" The ticketmaster asked as he examined Tails' ticket.

"Um... business, I suppose," Tails answered nervously.

"Very well, lad. Just be sure to keep whatever's in your backpack in your backpack, holding a special ticket means nothing if dangerous items are used upon the railway. You understand?"

"Ah, yes sir," Tails didn't even notice the ticket said special cargo on it.

"Very good. Have a good trip." The ticketmaster punched the ticket, "The conductor will show you to your seat on platform SA2."

Tails thanked the ticketmaster and headed down into the heart of the station, where steam powered trains of all sorts.

"Platform...CD...S3K...SA1...SA2!" Tails muttered to himself, looking at the ticket one last time, and then sizing up the train. The behemoth belched some steam, and then stood quiet. The awesome piece of machinery was almost too much for Tails.

"Going to step aboard, young man, or are you going to stand there and enjoy the view?" The conductor leaned out of the train's entrance.

"No, I, um, I was going to get on. I was just looking. Sorry," Tails sheepishly shrugged and handed the ticket to the man. "Here."

"First class, huh? Well, then. Go up and to your right, to the second passenger car. You have Table 06. Enjoy your ride."

"Thank you, sir," Tails took the stamped ticket, got aboard and followed the directions to his seat. The table was empty at the moment, and Tails took the opportunity to hide his backpack in a compartment below the seat.

First class was quite luxurious. In the aisle was red carpet, slightly worn from the stewardesses and stewards walking by with carts and trays of alcoholic beverages for the adults and juice and water for the underage or non-drinkers. The tables were strictly wood, what looked like mahogany, and well-polished; the seating was faux leather, and extremely plush. The lighting was minimal, adding an ambiance to the passenger car. There were a few other people in the train, a family of avians, all in fancy dress; Tails couldn't make out what species they were. A lone vixen sat in the back, facing the entire cab, swirling a drink. Behind Tails was a young couple, enjoying the lights of the train station before they set out.

Tails sat down with a deck of playing cards and began shuffling to pass time. He wasn't tired like the young kids a few rows down, sleeping in their suits. In between his fourth shuffle, the conductor came back on the train, closing the door behind him.

"Welcome aboard! My name is Nathaniel Beauregard Morgan, and I will be your conductor today. If you should require anything, please just ask one of the friendly stewardesses. They will be more than happy to assist you in whatever you need. Complimentary drinks are shuttled down the aisles every five minutes, and food will be served halfway through our train ride if you so please. Have an enjoyable trip, and thank you for choosing Genesis Shuttle Company."

Tails went back to shuffling after Nathaniel left, and he eventually began a game of solitaire, playing until no more moves were available. He put the cards away and leaned back, looking out the window at the towns and plains, rolling hills and small cottages, farms and markets. Before long, Tails was fighting sleep. He tried resisting it, but his body gave in, and he shut his eyes and resigned his body to rest.