Queen's notes: A little bit of a set up chapter for filling in some of the blanks between this and the other stories in the Road Saga.

Chapter Twenty One:

Seven, eight, these are ya mates

"Vector?" Jessy asked, taken aback a bit at the sight of the big blond man, and then she was moving over, smiling as she latched onto the man in a hug.

Sonic couldn't help but palling just a little under his fur for a just a moment. Staring with Tails at the new human that didn't seem to be a part of security but was built just like the bouncers almost.

He had no idea humans came in that size!

Brian 'Vector' Hunter was not a normal man that Sonic had gotten used to meeting. Not just that the man was taller (almost half of everyone was taller than Sonic), though standing at about six foot ten or eleven with and a muscle build like that of a wrestler, big shoulders and a deep chest. The man had dark, intelligent brown eyes, short dirty blond hair under a stinson 'cowboy' hat.

...or maybe the man was more like a bouncer since Vector fit in with those that were around guarding the entrance of the club. It wouldn't be until a little later that Sonic would discover this man that was hugging his sister not only had a deceptively sharp mind, but a good heart too.

"What you doing here Jessy?" Vector asked, puzzled, putting the woman back down on her feet

"What are you doing out of Station Square?" Jessy asked back with a raised eyebrow, tilting her head back to Sonic and Tails then nodded at the club, "Was getting some information, but Batty wanted to talk to be about an attack with-"

"Robotics?" Vector asked, cutting in as he stood up a bit taller, turning partly to look at darkly colored anthro just inside the inner club doors. That anthro was oddly hard to make out but gold eyes were reflecting the light as he nodded.

"Yeah..." Sonic said slowly, looking at Jessy.

"We came for the same reason more or less." Vector made a motion to come inside with them, away from the people who were still eyeing the two groups who got in for free and no fuss. "Come on, Batty is waiting likely. This is my new partner Espio." Vector introduced as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and then smiled warmly down at Tails, that moment to show kindness to the kit was what had Sonic starting to like the man.

The hedgehog shifted his gaze to look at the other anthro that was with this giant of a man, clear emerald eyes met almost metallic gold. The reptile cocked his head to look around the horn and get a better, taken aback a little at the blue fur, even as his scales shifted colors from red and brown to a marble mix with darker oranges and purple mixed in. Oddly it was not a bad mix, and gave the reptile anthro a bit of a handsome quality, enough that he felt a little awkward at the appraising looks from some of the females (and males) in the club were giving him and the lanky runner beside him.

Both had a similar build, lean and solid muscles, though Sonic stood a few inches taller. The hedgehog though once realizing he was being eye had a different reaction, not keeping his eyes straight ahead and hiding a blush, but his quills lifted off his neck and shoulders. It took the reptile anthro a moment to realize this blue male was giving a half smirk, almost a grin at the attention, before he seemed to shift his stance as if about to flirt outright.

"Jessy my darling and- oh my water god Vector that hat!" A new female voice called and then cut herself off.

"Howdy Breezy," Vector said as he lifted a hand, tilting his hat, while his accent changed to that of southern, old faction American, and little cheesy, instead of that from his native home-Zone. "How might yea be doin' this fine evening?" His brown eyes were glittering with mischief at the female anthro before him and Jessy, the mechanic looking up at the man with widening eyes at the unexpected accent.

The reptile anthro blinked, leaning around Vector, then noticed the blue furred runner had stopped short to stare, startled at the sight before them. At the female that was jumping up to wrap her arms around the man's neck in delight.

Sonic couldn't help staring at the turquoise colored female, who was as much like him and Amy as she was vastly different. Not short but able to look most people in the eyes. Her own eyes were almost glowing lavender, reflecting the lighting in the club. The female had long quills, some painted or dyed in shades of amethyst and lavender, though her quills were far from wild like Sonic's, but stylized. Wearing a black and lilac dress, highlighted in lines of silver that matched her jewelry. She wasn't slender like a runner, nor looked like she had defined muscles...but she didn't look weak.

Oh no, the chameleon thought as Espio realized what he was seeing, This woman is a whole lot of trouble. He was also not missing how Vector was acting and reacting, subtly checking his jacket's pockets. How Jessy, after a hug, did the same thing while the female hedgehog was exclaiming in delight at the necklace pendent she wore then the other two pieces. Both the humans were comfortable like with an ally, but not as a trusted friend such as each other.

Espio started to frown, moving to use his forearms to check that the pouches on his belt were closed, the movement also gave him the reassuring feeling of cool metal brushing against his hide in a few places. He glanced at the runner, noting the almost blank look, and was on the verge of being exasperated with the furry male, before a thought struck him.

This male hedgehog, may not have met a female of his own type.

Hedgehogs were almost as uncommon as reptiles, let alone Espio's own type of chameleon.

"Oh my, who is this?" Breezy said, her voice settling into a richer tone as she noticed Sonic over the human woman's shoulder, her eyes brightening.

"Hurm..." Sonic half mumbled, rocking back on his heels, ears erect at attention, eyes wide as the female moved closer, but he seemed rooted to the spot.

This could be a lot more trouble than Espio wanted to deal with, and he almost regretted his dissection to stay with Vector.

"Breezy, meet my brothers," Jessy said, pointedly, "That's Sonic, and the little one is Tails."

"Hello miss Breezy!" A young voice piped up from closer to hip level, "You're really pretty..."

Breezy came up short, more at Jessy's words, and then completely froze before looking down at the fox kit at Sonic's left side, holding the male's hand. She blinked down at the golden brown fur, the swaying two tails, and then looked back at Jessy.

The mechanic had her hands in her jacket pocket, staring intently.

Espio took a subtle step to his right, he knew that protective look.

Breezy gave a brilliantly charming smile, as she remembered what Rouge had said a few weeks ago, looking down to Tails again as she couched with knees close together. The woman smiled, a hand over her chest, "Why thank you little one, that compliment means very much to me." She leaned over and kissed the boy between his ears, and Tails ears flush dark in a blush. "Why don't you go over to Emerald and Obsidian over there," Breezy moved to point to one of the empty bars with a green feathered avian anthro female and a raven male, she gave a wink, "Tell her Breezy sent you, and Emerald will get you some soda and maybe something from the kitchen."

"Really?" Tails looked at Sonic, then over to Jessy as the male was still in shock.

"I think that's really cool," Jessy said, smiling in reassurance, "You're safe here Tails, Breezy and Rouge are friends."

"It's okay?" The kit asked, becoming shy.

"Breezy here runs this place, so if she says so..."

"It's alright," Breezy assured, pulling something out of the hidden pockets of her dress' skirt. A handful of round polished stones, with a VIP carving in them, she gave one to Tails, "Take this, and anyone with the value patch will help you out while your sister and brother talk with us."

Tails took the near coin thin stone. Looked around and with Jessy's assurance and then Sonic's nod he ran over to where the two bird anthros were, shyly introducing himself to the female that leaned over the counter.

"Cute kid," Breezy said, looking pointedly at the mutation of the two tails, and then back to Jessy, "He's why you want to see Rouge?" getting a nod, the hedgehog lady sighed, and tossing the other VIP stones to them, turning her back so she didn't see an interesting thing, "Come on then, there's some others she thinks you need to talk to as well."

Espio for a few moments was almost gaping in shock, having caught his badge for this club, he had been about to catch the other stone for Sonic, but he wasn't fast enough. Something impossible it seemed happened as the dark blue hedgehog had just... blurred as he moved too fast to properly see and snatched the stone out of the air.

Sonic was alive again, his ears rotating and twitching as he examined the badge, then looked after Tails, flashing a grin and wave to reassure before fallowing the two humans. "What?" Sonic asked, seeing Espio's look, and then smirked.

"Nothing," the chameleon said, brushing past him, reclaiming his composter and folding his arms, one over the other below the level of his chest, tail flicking.

Sonic chuckled and caught up to loop an arm around Jessy's shoulders and leaning on her, one ear keeping in the direction of Tail's voice. He peered up at Vector, "Sooo... how do you know Jessy?"

"A few years ago," Vector said with smile, "She fixed my old bike, back when I was a bouncer for hire, spent a year in Seattle and met Jessy." The man shook his head, "It was at a cavern market, and every since we kept in semi contact. When I was an officer at Station Square Jessy would come stay on my couch during the conventions and shows for car and motorcycle parts."

"That makes sense knowing how you serpent a three day weekend at one of those in Seattle." Sonic rolled his eyes, grinning as he was shoved off and Jessy was mature enough to stick her tongue out at her brother.

"Brat."

"And you're not?"

"Dear, the day Jessy isn't a brat in some manor," A new female voice said, and a slender, toned, white furred anthro with large ears and sharp teal eyes. She was in a black dress with dark pink-red highlights, and what looked at first like a cape of white. "Is the likely around the same time I retire." Her voice was surprisingly deep and rich for her frame type, and as she stood from another bar ring in the open floor plan of this club to come over, the cap shifted and lifted off her shoulders. The clasp around her front, over her chest, proved that it wasn't a knotted clasp but gripping claws for her wings that were partly opening.

"Hey Batty." Jessy said far too innocently to really be innocent, and then grinned before coming over to surrender a hug to Rouge.

"See?" Rouge half demanded, hugging Jessy with arms and wings, "A full on Brat."

"Yep. But she can fix what others can't." Vector pointed out, hugging Rouge as well, and both Sonic and Espio could see the bat anthro only had four digits on her hands, and three exposed on her wings' wrist joints. She also had rings for both, and enough jewels that Rouge likely had several thousands of dollars and Coins worth on her person from head to tail, to feet. "As if you would retire while those pretty wings still work." He scowled, but it was more for some past annoyance in his days as an officer.

Rouge widened her eyes, before flicking her wings closed over her shoulders again, and motioned to the bar where a few anthros and an older human man were sitting at the far end, looking placed at the attention his drooping, but elegant mustache was getting. "Come over, drinks are on me, and a few rooms for you too," Rouge looked at Jessy and Sonic, an then smiled at Espio who was half behind Vector's bulk. "And you'll find a refund in your rooms, I made sure the floor managers and security are keeping watch on your rooms for that sleeping prince."

Vector tensed, rumbling a warning growl out of his big chest.

"Don't be so surprised, you know I have a good information network," Rouge sniffed as she stepped up to the bar to sit.

"But she doesn't want to admit that you threw her off showing up with that kid," An older Anthro with short black fur that was starting to grey, and thick armor plates over his head and down his back with a twitching long black tail. He was built not unlike Vector himself, just a bit shorter, as he turned from the counter, setting down his glass. "I have to admit myself that I wasn't expecting you to end up with the kid Hunter."

"Just Vector now Bill." The human said shaking hands, "Good to see you again, how's your boy?"

"Doing good, becoming quite a performer I hear." Bill said as the armadillo anthro settled back, looking at the other three, he perked up and inclined his head to Jessy, "Oh, hello there miss!"

Jessy arched an eyebrow, smiling back, "Coree."

"Coree!" Bill sat up and brightened even more at hearing the traditional greeting, "What clan are you?"

"We're Rain Walkers," Jessy started as she leaned on the bar by Rouge.

"And Storm Runners." Sonic jumped up onto a stool behind her, "It's a joined clan, how about you?"

"Sand-burned Riders," The elder armadillo poofed with pride, "My home caravan is in town, I'm catching up with Rouge here."

Sonic frowned for a moment, scratching at his left ear, "I think I remember seeing banners going underground."

"Likely them," Rouge crossed her legs, reaching out to adjust Jessy's necklace, "But he's mostly why I wanted you two to come here, Jessy, Brain."

"Vector," The taller man corrected, he didn't want her to use his first name, Vector leaned against the bar, motioning Espio to come over and order a drink as well. "It's to do with the macha attacks?"

"Yes," Rouge nodded, sighing as she got a new glass of wine, unsurprised that Jessy was asking about honey bear, or that Sonic just wanted something sweet and full of calories. With that build and that glimpse of speed she would bet one of her favorite wing-claw rings that that male burned through calories much faster then she could. Vector ordered ale and that reptile wanted a small glass of white wine. Probably to keep Brain- Vector from pestering him, "There's been a lot of activity." She twitched her ears, one aiming back to check on Tails, "And kidnapping of anthros of all types as well as odd vanishing of several humans. But it wasn't until that..." Rouge hesitated, picking her words out carefully, "That..."

"Massacre." Vector growled, baring his teeth at his ale.

"What?" Sonic and Jessy said at the said time, confused, and worried as they looked as one over to where the kit was sitting on his knees, now happily chatting with 'Emerald'. His two namesakes waving excitedly as he was given a basic of fries.

"Maybe this is best discussed a little more privately?" Espio suggested from his spot on a stool, tail loosely wrapped around the legs. He glanced at the older human male who was looking back.

"Likely a good idea." The stranger agreed, as Bill nodded.

"But Tails..." Sonic started.

Rouge stood, reaching out to pat a blue knee. "He'll be safe I promise. I own this building and the next one over, Breezy runs this place for me. But my security is as good as my information network handsome. I asked Emerald to watch him before you came up, that's why that bar is closed." She swayed her hips as she walked over to the older human, who was giving Sonic and thoughtful look, "Charles, would you walk me?" she asked, holding out her free hand, and smiling as he promptly set down his glass to do so.

The hedgehog waved at tails when the boy looked over, giving an exaggerated two thumbs up as he was the last to go after. Waiting until Tails waved back before trotting to catch up. He looked all around, and sighed soundlessly, but trusted that Jessy trusted this bat woman as they were lead to a back set of stairs to the level above. It seemed more like a restaurant area. Or rather many semi to privet dining rooms with a large oval table, one of them that Rouge came too, giving the elder man a kiss on his cheek. There was something oddly familiar about him to Sonic, but he couldn't place it. Something in his hazy memory, but he couldn't tell if it was before or after that truck.

The group settled down, Rouge asking a female canine anthro to let the chiefs know they would have whatever they wanted to survey in twenty minutes, and then the room's doors where closed with a guard outside.

"You're getting paranoid," Bill realized, having brought his drink as well.

"Rouse, my bike?" Jessy asked at the same time, "Did you have Big Mac moved...?"

"Yes, and yes," The bat nodded to both. "It's safe Jessy dear, and your bags are on the way up to your room."

"What did you mean a massacre?" Sonic demanded of the room, frowning as he claimed a seat beside his sister, quills fanning out.

"Don't give that look," Bill scolded Espio after seeing the reptile's expression, waving at Jessy and Sonic, "These two likely haven't been near any sort of news station. They're at the age of their Wander Years, out getting the worst out of their system before finding a convoy."

The mechanic swallowed thickly, "What are missing?"

"There was an attack, in a jungle sub-Zone," Vector spoke up, his shoulders slumping a little, and then he sat up, "An insect anthro kingdom, the Golden Blossom Hive was attacked. Half the Hive was killed; most of the others that didn't escape at first have gone completely missing. It happened about...six months ago." The big man motioned to the chameleon, "Not long after that, but before I met Espio here a survive came to me at Station Square. A woman and her son, turns out it was the surviving Queen and her only remaining son. Though she didn't admit it with the boy awake."

There was a faint scraping sound, Sonic's mostly rounded claws as his hands gripped and almost spazzimed before the runner grip the edge of the table. His emerald eyes wide as his expressive ears pinned back. Jessy was several shades paler, and slowly looking like she was getting sick, the younger two nomads were struggling to grasp what was said as reality. It seemed so unlikely, that couldn't be right. Even with the mysterious people back in Washington that had attacked them, it was a peaceful time in the world. Not like the uncertainly before the third world war.

"You have to be... there's no way...?" Jessy started, looking around the table.

Vector shook his head with Bill, "It's true. Whoever was after that colony, they came after the Lady. Torched my place and office almost, got her, but she saved Charmy by hiding him. I've been watching out for the kid ever sense."

"That's a kind thing to do," the older human said from his spot, inclining his head, "Considering the likely danger if that party wanted the child as an heir."

"I gave my word I would find his Hive, and his mother. I'm going to." Vector said firmly, before downing half his drink.

"I believe you," Charles nodded, smoothing down his pepper and salt mustache, glancing to Rouge, who had set down her glass and crossed her arms. The man turned to the two younger nomads. "Rouge mentioned you two were attacked by a mech?"

"...yeah," Sonic nodded, paused and he folded an ear back before looking at Jessy, "What did you call it?"

"It was one of those Hunter robots." Jessy said, "At least I think it was, it matched the descriptions from the internet." She gave a description of the robot, with Sonic while digging into her jacket for the camera to pass around.

"We founds Tails in side, he said that was taken when his home Zone was attacked." The hedgehog added as the camera was passed around.

"How did you take it down to get inside?" Bill asked, the armadillo flicked up his ears.

"Er, it's kind of a cross of stupid dumb luck and Sonic's speed." Jessy started to explain, "And finding the power source to disconnect it, but mostly it's all on Sonic for taking the thing down." At a few puzzled looks she gave a half hearted grin, still taken aback at the news of the Hive, pointing at the blue runner. "He's not called Sonic for no reason, and those quills are harder then they look."

"Add that to extreme speed." Sonic shrugged, rattling the quills that could be deadly, and then between him and Jessy they started to explain their story. How the robot was taken down, of Amy being attacked and her car destroyed, just how they found tails inside of the Hunter robot. The hedgehog didn't miss that he and his sister weren't being given a complete story of who might be behind the attack on them and the hive over dinner (dinner that was really good too!). There was something that the other four where hesitant to talk about with the two younger nomads and Espio there.

Something about it itched at Sonic's mind, like he should know but other than being brought up on events in the general public already, nothing was really divuldged yet.

And then a bomb shell was dropped it seemed when he was explaining how their Wander Years was unexpectedly started.

The armadillo anthro just about choked in perfect tandem with Rouge, and it took a lot of effort not the spit his steak onto the table, he was sure their hostess would kick him out. Grabbing his ale, he downed the last half of the glass to wash the food down the right pipe and gasped, "Kid, did you just say Greavenson?"