Chapter 27 - Rejuvenescence of Being
[Successful passage over Trident Sea doctor. Reaching destination, Stratpolis, in 10 minutes] the AI spoke from his monitor.
"Excellent. We are right on schedule," Ivo remarked with confidence. "I can hardly wait to see my...old friend."
After going over the large body of water for a good period of time, Robotnik saw the first signs of land. Upon looking at his GPS display, it showed where the city he was flying too. Seeing the first landmasses for the neighboring continent was rather long and narrow, it was more of a union. Named as the Collective Republic, it combined a few standalone countries into one group. Though separate from the next continent that was nearby, both conducted policy and commerce with one another.
[Warning. Incoming aircraft from land. Signature...automated. No lifeforms aboard]
"Ahhh...sentries," the human male muttered to himself and smirked. "I can only wonder who would build robots out here...type of craft?"
[Identifying...scans read armed planes with munitions]
"Hmm," Ivo responded with amusement. Leaning back in his chair and stroking his mustache, he waited for the machines to respond first.
[Aircrafts are hailing doctor]
"By all means...open a channel," he remarked. Hearing an electronic switch engage, a pop audio intercom appeared on the screen.
[You are entering Stratpolis airspace...monitored and patrolled by CRG] one craft announced in a robotic voice. [Identify yourself]
"This is Dr. Ivo Robotnik. I am seeking an audience with Dr. Swvedstin"
[...purpose and relationship with Dr. Swvedstin?]
"We were colleagues during a portion of the Great War. I seek his...expertise on robotic engineering"
[...processing...] the automated plane spoke.
[Activate munitions doctor?] the AI asked from inside his ship.
"As much as I would enjoy the light show...the CRG is not a group I wish to create enemies with," Ivo answered with a smirk. "However...they will be useful down the line and going forward. Do not engage any weapons unless I give the command."
[Waiting on your command]
[...you are allowed to visit Stratpolis Dr. Robotnik...] the aircraft machine spoke through the speakers. [...we will escort you to a nearby port...any deviation from our flight path will be seen as contravention of CRG airspace law]
"Thank you very much...how fitting to have escorts to acknowledge my scientific genius mind and stature."
Watching the two planes turn around and head back to the mainland, Robotnik followed them. Upon getting closer and closer, he initiated his onboard computer to search for the professor he was seeking. After it did its search, it highlighted a spot on the GPS. Grinning for now knowing where his old war councilman was residing, he began to devise a plan. Going over it and recalling when the last time he was in the old war room, he gently patted his left breast area of his jacket. The feeling of the pistol there gave him a feeling of security and confidence.
Following the escort patrol to the flight docking bay, it was one of the more heavily security ones. Upon deactivating his ship and exiting, he was greeted by three sentry robots. In comparison to his creations that were in his base, these were much leaner. Having a more exposed frame and exoskeleton, they seemed to resemble that of humanistic beings than automated machines. Each of the mechanical patrollers wielded an assault rifle that seemed to shoot plasma rather than regular ammunition.
'Seems there has been some advancement here than the last time I came,' Ivo commented in his head. Seeing one approach, the thought of using his firearm came. However, he put that on a back burner for he was outgunned and outnumbered.
[Dr. Ivo Robotnik...under the doctrine of CRG...you are allowed to visit in this city] the lead robot stated. Instead of a harsh computerized tone, it was closer to sounding life-like with someone with a dry mouth.
"Why thank you...am I to be escorted all the way to my friend?"
[...you do not have a warrant...or a criminal record for our databases...escorting is not necessary]
[However...given that you are a visitor...you will be monitored]
"Hmph...noted," the doctor replied with a half frown. Watching the cyber being to his right turn around, it pointed down a neighboring street.
[...Dr. Swvedstin's lab...is 4 blocks down that way] it stated then turned back to him. [...do you have any questions?]
"None that come to mind bot."
[...you may proceed...do not disturb the residents on your passage to Dr. Swvedstin's lab] the lead robot commanded. Watching the three patrollers slowly turn around, they began walking away. As if going back to sentry mode, they were doing sweeps while heading to one of the command center buildings for the flight docking bay.
'There are no bipedal rodents here,' Robotnik observed from the port area.
Going towards the open gate that led into the city, there was not much traffic going on. Entering and walking on the sidewalk, there were more two legged machines out and about. All of them had a function of either cleaning up the trash, washing windows, conducting construction repairs, or applying touch up paint. Blinking and narrowing his eyes to peer down the street, only other mechanical beings were moving around.
'Appears there are no humans here either...except for the former war counselor.'
Deciding to traverse further, Ivo walked a block. Seeing a unique building in the distance, it gave the impression that it was his destination. Continuing and looking around, Stratpolis had changed a lot. Remembering when it was a city ran by humans, it did not look as pristine and organized as it was now. Buildings that showed old age or deterioration were now undamaged and looked stable. Potholes in the street were many in the past. Now, nonexistent.
"Hmmm," the scientist commented with a contemplative look. Stopping in front of building, it had a sign that it was a trader business. Seeing minimal signs and advertisement, he peered at the viewing window to see what was inside. Only staring for a few seconds, something came to life.
[...Good morning sir...] a robotic voice chimed in.
"...?" the man reacted with looking up a little. Seeing small speakers outline a strip of the building's perimeter, it was coming from one of them.
"Morning unit."
[How are you today? Finding something of interest?]
"Just visiting from another land beyond the ocean."
[...I see...looking for a souvenir to take back home? Or something to gift for a friend?] the machine asked talking in a salesman pitch.
"At this time, I do not have any intensions," he stated narrowing his eyes. A feeling came to him wondering if the robot has an advance complex program that allowed it to have conversations.
[...okay...well sir if you every have a change of mind, the store is open every day from sunrise to sunset]
"I will keep that in mind...are all stores in this city on that same time frame?"
[...yes...all stores in Stratpolis operate on a fixed time schedule]
"This use to be a colonized region with humans and bipedal anthropomorphic beings," Ivo began then crossed his arms over his chest. "When did it become an automated city only?"
[...I can process that request sir...for a price]
"...what?" he asked with a lone raised eyebrow.
[...you are not seeking business of merchandise at this time...you are seeking visitor's information...since this is not the V.I.C. booth, information comes with a processing fee...hope you understand sir]
"...heh..." Robotnik gave a small snort and smirked. "How human of you."
[...thank you sir...I try...are you interested in purchasing a processing fee?]
"Let's say I am...what is the cost and what will it get me?"
[...aaahhhhh...] the mechanical voice spoke. It made sounds of friction which gave the man an image of two hands rubbing together.
[...details of a sale...I can answer that...for 5 coins sir, it will pay for the processing fee of your inquiries...and...allow you access into Dr. Swvedstin's building]
"..." Ivo reacted with a neutral face. Feeling his hand against the pistol in his jacket, he proceeded without taking it out.
"How did you know that I was seeking Dr. Swvedstin?"
[...patrollers at the flight docking port...gave a bulletin to the messaging mainframe...it alerted all units that a visitor of your description was heading to Dr. Swvedstin]
"...in case I do something coyish?"
[...it is how Stratpolis...stays safe and keeps peace sir...it is for our protection as it is for your protection as well...I hope you can understand]
'Mmmm...rather blast this loud speaking box of bolts instead than need its protection,' he complained internally. About to get out a PDA device and access it, a hovering globe robot headed towards their direction. Turning his head and seeing the basketball size floating unit, it stopped several feet away.
[...Dr. Ivo Robotnik...what an unsightly surprise] an older gentleman spoke through its speakers. His tone was that not pleased or displeased.
"Dr. Gerard Swvedstin," Ivo spoke with more of an elated tone. "It has been a while my old friend."
[Drop the act Robotnik...we haven't spoken since the war council parted ways...why are you here in my territory?]
"I thought we could trade information...I have an inquiry about your robotic engineering files."
[...trade information...that's rich coming from you...and pray tell what information you have to trade for that?]
"I suspect that one of your war experiments...is still alive in the land I reside in."
[...] the man spoke with a pause. [...do I have to be reminded of how many failures were made for that war effort? All ones I kept track of were-]
"Deceased due to complications. Yes yes, I was there to see it too old friend," Robotnik interjected with a hand wave. Moving his hands apart to give an open greeting, his face held a smirk.
"This one...has your cybernetic eye implant characteristics...black screen...red ring for an eye...and the being moves...irritatingly fast for a midget bipedal."
[...] Dr.. Swvedstin responded with a longer pause. Hearing a sound of something being deposited, Ivo flinched from hearing the store robot speak.
[Thank you for your patronage Dr. Swvedstin] it chimed with an enthused tone.
[...sure...I will bite at your bait Dr. Robotnik. Quit dilly-dallying and get into the hover-porter]
"Excellent Dr. Swvedstin. I knew you'd see the interest."
[...hmm...] the speaker on the floating orb grunted. Turning around and flying in another direction, a small hover vehicle came around the corner. Stopping at the sidewalk where Robotnik was at, it opened its door.
[Greetings sir. I am here to take you to Dr. Swvedstin's lab. Please step inside]
'I am getting the feeling that I am not at full liberty here,' Ivo thought. Feeling ambivalent to the wonder, he stepped inside. Sitting down and seeing the door close, the floating vehicle moved forward to the unique building a couple of blocks away.
The prisoners in the Sanctum lobby area were looking around for anyone. The sight of two out of the three sisters being dead almost seemed unreal. They constantly glanced back at the two corpses to see if they moved or not. As if the conditioned fear for them kept popping into their mind, the sight of them was enough to trigger tension inside themselves. A couple felt brave enough to talk to one another in which lessened the gloomy atmosphere all were in.
"...!?" one of them reacted with surprise. Raising his ears and tilting his head up, there were soft sounds coming from the floor above.
"Hey! Hey! Someone's a comin'!" he stated in a harsh whispered. Everyone complied minus the ones that were silently praying to themselves and not paying attention to anything else. Hearing the noises of dragging get closer and closer, it stopped. Peering up, all flinched with trepidation. A dark silhouette with a haunting red ring for an eye stared back at them. Seeing it move to pick up something, it dropped through one of the broken glass panels.
"..." Speed spoke after landing hard on the floor. Standing up and rolling the last sister off his shoulders, she laid on the floor unconscious. The sight of both of them triggered a whole new persona in all of the captives.
"Hey!" one cell-dweller loudly spoke.
"..." the amputee responded with turning around and looking up.
"You killed all of them?"
"..."
"What does that look like to you down there idiot?" another stated out loud.
"Shut up! I was just asking a question. If all of them are dead, we ain't got nothing to fear anymore."
"..." the one arm hedgehog spoke. Turning around, he bent down and grabbed one of the bat woman's ankles. Walking away from the hanging group, he dragged her with him.
"H-Hold up! You can't leave us in here!" a female cell dweller stated loudly.
"You got to get us out of this hell hole!"
"..." Speed commented continuing to walk. Heading toward the other sister corpses, thoughts were passing through his head. At the same time, flashbacks of the past came to him regarding this place.
"WAIT!" one of the male prisoners shouted. "I will give you half of my stash!"
"..." the amputee replied with not stopping or turning around.
"I will give you 75% of my stash!" another person yelled. Again, the cloaked man continued toward the other downed sisters.
"100% of mine!" a female interjected while grabbing onto her cell bars.
"Your material offerings...will not save you," the one mumbling captive stated in spite to the others.
"Put a sock in it you crazy woman! You seem to want to live in this shit hole than the rest of us!"
"..." Vermilion said with a small frown. Letting go of Malaria's foot, he decided to act. With his figure vibrating and thinking about how to execute his plan, he commenced his plan.
"Come on man! Get us..." a male prisoner began then trailed off.
The other prisoners quieted down quickly from what they were seeing. The cloaked figure's imaged vibrated then glitched. Within a blink of an eye, he materialized at a far wall. Seeing him not move, something was activated. Everyone felt a small jolt in their cages followed by the pulley systems working. Being lowered to the ground, the creaks of metal and metal reverberated in the main chamber space.
Of the most vocal of the captives, he was about to open his mouth when Vermilion's image glitched again. Instead of materializing in their sight, he disappeared. Still being lowered to the ground, the prisoners began scanning around themselves. With only the sound of the chains above their cells sounding and the pulley system active, nothing else was seen or heard in the space. About to whisper to each other, something of a dim light flash was seen down the west tunnel.
All felt something zipped by them as a blurry shadow. It went from the left wall to the right wall in less than a second. Turning to the opposite tunnel, everyone felt a mild fast rush of air underneath them. It was not strong enough to sway their cages, but it was enough to grab their attention. Without warning, a sound explosion of air erupted out of the previous tunnel. Expanding into the large lobby area, it echoed off the walls to make the audible violent rush sound massive.
Everyone reacted quickly to covering their ears. Cringing from the sharp sound, others were looking around with wonder. Hearing that the echoing sound wave was dying, a few uncovered their ears. Hearing ringing in their heads, they noticed that the cages were only a couple of feet from the ground. Not slowing down, the bottom of the containments hit the floor with a jolt.
"...hey...what the hell was that noise?!" one whispered loudly not sure if the blast wave triggered something.
"Sounded like...something exploded," another remarked loudly then quieted down.
"Quiet!" a female stated over the others. "Listen. Something is coming from the north wall."
Not hearing anything in particular, a sound was slowly getting louder and louder. Not recalling it initially, one by one the prisoners remembered. Moving from the front of their cages to the center, the tidal wave of massive crawling brought them fear. Staring down the north tunnel passage, dull light at the end of the passageway would go in and out. It was then that the ones staring saw the crawlers' mass.
Numerous black ligaments moving and clawing the ground and over each other. Seeing them in the illumination of the room showed that they were hideous looking creatures. As if sick Frankenstein experiments gone awry. Slowly backing up in their cells, terror gripped them quickly from being trapped. As the beings got closer, they didn't see a silhouette of darkness flash before them like before. With their fur standing up, a fast and shallow breeze was felt readily making them glance to the right.
Again with no warning, a massive sound wave came. Like an explosion of air coming out of the right tunnel, it became monstrous and painfully loud in the main area. All covered their ears again to protect themselves; however, it seemed the second wave was much more piercing. Figuring it was because of hearing it from the ground, the most terrified prisoners flinched from another sound erupting. The crawlers were in a frenzy and chaotically spasming.
'...those things...can't stand loud sounds?' one of the cell dwellers wondered.
Staring and still keeping her paw fingers in her ears, she watched as some the creatures began bleeding from their orifices. Slowly, some succumbed and collapsed to the ground. Others were thrashing about regardless of leaking out a pungent iron odor smelling liquid. With a couple regaining their senses, they proceeded forward towards them. Unlike the firm and even forward movement, they were shaky and grunted loudly as if in pain.
The closest crawler was only mere feet away from one of the prisoners. Seeing that it was the woman that mumbled and stated that it was hopeless, the others held mixed feelings about her getting eaten. Watching her look at the oncoming monster, it opened a grotesque mouth with yellow jagged teeth. Breathing out a foul smell from its lungs, a dark object viciously slammed on top of it from the ceiling. A loud scrunching pop was heard followed by a short gasping grunt from the monster.
"..." the furred person said looking up.
Seeing it being a cloaked individual, its hood was up and casted shadows over its face. Only the red ring eye stared back emotionlessly. Watching it turn around to the right, the cape part of the outerwear revealed its left arm. Seeing it carrying a canister of some kind, the person threw it at the crowd of crawlers. Hitting one of the corpses, a mildly vicious liquid began pouring out profusely from the container.
Smelling something distinctive, a couple of the captives became very concerned. To what they dreaded, they heard a flick from a lighter. Everyone glanced at the cloaked individual and saw a flame was produced from a handheld lighter. With no statement or fear, the figure threw the small fire towards the crawler masses. Once it struck a monster that was stained, a chain reaction occurred.
A massive bonfire erupted. With only a couple of crawlers able to escape from catching on fire, the rest were set ablaze. The prisoners stared in mixed emotions from hearing the abominations screech and moan in pain while frantically trying to escape. The ones still alive and burning began moving around to try and escape. The majority that died from the sonic boom, began to roast as the flames started reaching higher and higher. The once bleak, grime, and isolating dungeon lobby became an inferno of audible death.
"...hell...this is hell..." the woman prisoner muttered. Looking back and forth between the inferno and the lone standing person nearby, she couldn't determine if he was a savior or a demon.
"...ah shit..." a male captive stated loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Stiles is coming."
"..." Speed spoke.
Moving fast, he quickly went to the sisters. Dragging each of them to be in front of the cages, he made Malaria's unconscious body be in the center. Turning around and facing the prisoners, they saw him not looking at them. Focusing on nothing, his left hand slowly went into a loosely formed fist of the hook knife he was holding. Unable to see his entire face due from the hoodie, the cybernetic one seemed to have a piercing cold gaze.
"...!?" Stiles reacted with surprise upon entering.
Sheilding himself from the flaming lights that were all around and building heat, he looked forward. Seeing the cell cages were brought down, what was on the ground in front of them shocked him. Seeing both Polio and Mars dead nearby, Malaria was in the center. Standing in between her and the prisoners, was Vermilion with his back turned. Not believing that he took the crawlers and sisters out, he was holding onto a bloody hook knife that was the fox woman's weapon.
"STILES!" Speed roared monstrously.
"...!?" the prisoners reacted with frozen fear. Not seeing his face when his voice boomed to life, they began to feel that he was more than just a primal. Seeing him slowly turn around, he gestured with the knife straight at the creature on the other end of the lobby.
"WELCOME TO THE HOLY SANCTUM!" the small man screamed with what sounded like untold rage. "JOIN YOUR BRETHERN! IN THIS BLISTERING SIGHT OF UTOPIA!"
"...Ver...Vermilion?" the creature muttered seeing the single red eye glowing. Surrounded by an inferno and death, it gave a perspective of what was in the one arm hedgehog's mind. Blinking, he flinched from seeing the amputee in front of him. Able to see his face, it was not a crazed expression. Wrath seemed to consume in his face.
"SILENCE OF THE LAMBS!? SPILL YOUR BLOOD TO HONOR YOUR FALLEN!" Speed roared.
With a flash of his left arm, he caused a laceration on Stiles's torso. Cringing out loud from the fresh wound going from his right side abdomen to his left collarbone area, something sharped hooked inside the cut. Looking down, the hook of the knife was inserted. Attempting to move back, Vermilion's figure vibrated harshly then vanished. Feeling a sudden warmth spilling out and dripping down his body, the monstrosity groaned loudly in pain.
"GGGGAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Stiles yelled in reaction to being deeply wounded. Unable to stop the massive bleeding, it hurt greatly to move his body. Kneeling down and curling himself into a half-shaped ball, his hands were clenched into tight fists. Trying to fight off the pain, he mustered himself to look up and open his eyes. Staring angrily at the cloaked individual, the amputee was looking down at him.
"...IIIII...wwwiiilllll...kkkiiiillll...yyyyyoooouuuu," he threatened through his clamped down teeth. Trying to intimidate the one-armed individual, he did not move or say anything. However with the flames still burning around them and the smell of burning flesh filling in the stale hot air, Vermilion looked to be more of a demon than the sisters ever did. Knowing that he will probably pass out from the lack of blood, he gave a sneer at the hedgehog.
"Yyyooouuu...aaaarrrreee...aaaa-kugh!?" Stiles began until his throat was slit open. Not seeing Speed attack him, he suddenly couldn't talk and felt blood rushing up to his mouth. Gurgling and coughing red liquid onto the floor, his mind began to fade. Struggling to stay awake, he mustered his strength to glare at the small being. The last thing he saw before collapsing was getting a heavy boot straight in his face.
"..." Speed commented. Watching the bodyguard pass out to the ground, he stomped on his head a couple of times. Feeling the skull crack after one more strike, he stopped. Tossing the knife into one of the burning corpses, he turned around. Walking passed the bonfires of dead crawlers, he headed to where the cages were.
Seeing relieved faces, there was also apprehension. As much as the captives would veer away from the cloaked figure, they were covering their noses and mouths. The growing stench of the burning dead and the carbon toxic fumes were sickening and forcing them to cough. Picking up Sars's mace and breaking the locks on each one, the cell dwellers slowly climbed out and got onto the floor. Seeing their faces of getting their freedom back, only one of them did not express the same reaction.
"...listen..." the amputee spoke not caring about the fire that was spreading in the lobby area. Getting their attention, he pointed to the tunnel at the prisoners left.
"...leads back to city...under abandoned admin building..." he stated then pointed in the opposite direction. "...leads to mountains...*cough*...primals reside at end...of cave."
"H-Hold on man," one of the male prisoners spoke with his hands up. "Those damn bitches have treasure stashes in their rooms...*cough cough*...It is worth taking before leaving."
"...do what you will..." Speed reacted impassively. Turning around, he headed to where Malaria was on the ground.
Reaching to where she was and staring down, a couple of the captives spoke and began fast walking away. Hearing them going to the left tunnel to the city, one ventured to the passageway that was behind him some distance. Waiting for no footsteps to be heard, he picked up the bat woman's foot. Turning to the pathway to the mountains and walking, there was one prisoner that remained. Reaching that person and stopping, she was sitting on the ground with a downcast head.
"..."
"Leave me alone Vermilion," she stated not looking up. "I wish to perish in a place that took my benevolence."
"...throwing your humanity away...?" he questioned. It caused the female to look up at him. Her expression was that of hopelessness.
"I'm not a human...I'm not an animal...I am this hybrid experiment that has the characteristics of a dog."
"..." Speed reacted with staring. Feeling a harsh ping in his head, flashbacks came to him hard.
Visions of death and destruction came to his mind's eye. Battlefields among battlefields were seen with humans and anthropomorphic beings killing each other. Images of research labatories, operation tables, heavy and massive machinery flooded his sight. Distant shouts of anguish filled his ears as maniacal laughter and roars were heard in the background. Recalling something, the images and sounds were quick. He was only able to obtain one statement out of the onslaught of flashbacks.
"...a testimony...from the A.D.A.A.M. doctrine..." he stated feeling ambivalent from the visions.
"...!?" the woman reacted with shock. His statement seemed to enable her to bypass things as it brought reflections of a time ago. The aspect of what this place represented, her decaying mindset, and being surrounded by flaming death seemed to not grab hold of her as fiercely. Standing up slowly, she continued to stare at him as if what he said was marvel.
"W-W-Where did you hear that!?" she asked walking to be near him.
"..." the amputee reacted with narrowing one eye. "...don't remember...seems a period of time ago...based on flashbacks."
"Nobody knows about the A.D.A.A.M. doctrine unless you were around during the Great War," she stated then put a hand on her chest. "I was a field nurse for the Rebellions against the Autocrats."
"..." Speed reacted with just a blink.
Letting go of the foot he was holding and turning around, he bent down. Grabbing Malaria and muscling her over his shoulder, he slowly stood up. Seeing that her head and feet did not touch the ground, he turned to the tunnel leading to the mountains. Instead of looking at the female prisoner, he started walking. Quick feet got next to him as her face seemed to have changed.
"..." the amputee spoke. Seeing her from the right corner of his right eye, the cybernetic one continued looking forward. Instead of being desolate and void of living, a spark of life seemed to have seeded and give her adrenaline. The aspect that hell was behind them didn't seem to faze her still.
"...here..." he began. Balancing the bat woman and reaching into a ratty knapsack, he got out a simple remote. It had a red button, an antenna, and a half-sphere light bulb. Handing it to her, she gingerly grabbed it.
"...if you suddenly...have a will to live..." the one arm man began. Turning his head to look at her, she looked back at him still with wonder and attention.
"...cleanse this place...I will talk..."
"...this isn't...a bomb detonator...is it?" the canine asked as both entered the tunnel. There footsteps began to echo in the long underground passageway.
"...no...just a conflag starter..." he answered which she looked at him with surprise.
"So you were in the war...the Rebellion side used these a lot in the beginning because they couldn't make controlled bombs initially.
Without a second thought, she pushed the button. Hearing distant glass breaking, it sounded as if a firestorm occurred down the adjacent tunnels. Glancing behind, a massive fire wave erupted out of the passageways like a flamethrower. Startled by the size and magnitude, she heard heavy footsteps walking away. Turning around and walking quickly to his side, they continued down the tunnel.
"I'm Triselle by the way."
"...I...don't know my...real name..."
"The sisters stated a name...I'm assuming it was their name to you?"
"...like they did with...other long-standing tenants..." he stated as the intense flames behind them grew and engulfed all of the lobby area.
"Do you have...a preferred name?"
"...the boy...stated Speed...it is...fine."
"Kind of fitting for what you can do," the female dog mentioned. Her tone sounded a little at ease from the ongoing conversation. Feeling heat behind her, she looked back. Seeing what looked like a hellfire and corpses turning into colors of coal, she looked back at him. Seeing only half his face, not seeing the robotic eye made him less menacing.
"One question before I chew your ear off with questions."
"...listening..." Speed replied with indifference.
"...how...could you...scream like that?" Triselle asked curious. "I heard you lost your tongue...then only got a transplant a day or so ago."
"...you don't need a tongue..." Speed began with a stoic tone. Turning his head to the right, he stared at her from the corner of both eyes.
"...to vocalize pain...to express wrath...to utter animality..."
"..." she reacted with feeling goosebumps and the fur on the back of her neck standing on end.