The red-furred wolf watched through the window on the door at how the other two young men started talking, smiling to himself and nodding before leaving to one of the communication rooms. He connected the great device to his headset and contacted… A certain person.

"What do you like to do?", Veloz asked Gabe. The latter had already asked the same to the other, having received "training" as a response—Without going into much detail about it. "Well…", Gabe started. At the orphanage there hadn't been much things to do to pass the time, everyday was the same routine; Get up, eat, class, and so on. He had free time, of course… And yes, several of these breaks were soured by the other children torturing him. That thought caused certain anxiety, avoiding his partner's gaze out of habit. "… Let's just say that I know how ot take advantage of the free time I have, heh…", he said to avoid leaving the other waiting for too long. "I read, watch TV…", he said, soon running out of many ideas. "I see.", said Veloz, following it up with a common question, but particularly uncommon for the white wolf. "What's your house like?", he said. Thank Chaos the young white wolf had time to think of what to say, since Veloz started talking about his own first. "Mine's pretty big. Since my father's a soldier he could allow it. We have an attic, Dash and I—" "Dash?", asked Gabe, interrupting Veloz. Immediately, he felt like his heart skipped a beat. Most times he remembered interrupting someone ended up with him being scolded and punished. Not by Ebony, of course. In the second between that question and Veloz's answer, a thousand and one thoughts crossed his mind, the most prominent one of all being that the wolf would take a bad impression and potentially step away. He prepared for that fact's impact and immediately felt relaxed and somewhat confused when hearing the response. "My brother.", explained Veloz, still with a kind expression. "Well, we have separate rooms, and… Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to go on for too long.", said Veloz. Gabe kept a neutral expression, only nodding when Veloz explained who this "Dash" was. Now, however, he had explain himself about his home. He barely remembered a home besides the orphanage. And, was he really going to tell him he grew up in an almost completely abusive environment? Even more so with the emotional trauma on top? "… I… I…", the white wolf remained quiet for several seconds. Veloz tilted his head with certain curiosity. Or well, not certain, rather curiosity ate away at him. But while poor Gabe didn't decide between telling him and risking his fears (though senseless) turning true or lying and risking that in a future he found out and that caused damage to their relationship, a fact that made him a bundle of nerves… The reaction from the dark-gray-furred wolf was placing a hand on the shoulder of the other while this one was deep in his thoughts. "Look… You don't have anything to worry about.", said Veloz. In those words, Gabe couldn't avoid remembering the moment Ebony met him. "If you don't feel comfortable talking about those things, I'll understand.", he concluded. Gabe's body, which was so tense up until that moment, relaxed against the wall. He breathed in and out slowly and smiled at the grey wolf. "… Thanks… I just feel like I'm not ready yet.", he explained. Veloz nodded and once again smiled kindly at him. "I understand. I'll wait as long as it takes.", said Veloz.

Not a second passed before Gadget, a little exalted, entered the room again. All the recruits stood up, some confused, others scared because of their leader's sudden entrance. "... Follow me.", said the young soldier to his recruits. They were taken outside, where in the middle of the air one could see one of the airships once used by Eggman's army. Out of instinct, as soon as he saw the airship, Gabe took Veloz's hand without thinking. Though apparently, not even Veloz noticed from the surprise. "Now, I know what it looks like, but calm down–" Gadget started to say, only to be received by an angry exclamation by one of his own recruits. "Calm down?! That's one of the Eggman Empire's airships!", said the panicked Mobian. Gadget continued trying to explain, though he was still received by negative comments. Having snapped out of it and let go of Veloz, Gabe's reaction was to lower his ears, cover them and crouch, trying to block the noise–the commotion making him remember many bad moments. This, in turn, made Veloz remember the amount of times that Dash and him encountered themselves in a similar situation as to what he did next; He crouched next to Gabe and gave him a light shoulder massage, trying to help calm him down. Both found the amount of kindness curious as they had just met. However, the noise went on, and now having reached the limit of his patience, Gadget adjusted the mic in his headset, and this one took care of raising his voice's volume exponentially. "CAN ALL OF YOU SHUT UP?!", he shouted, finally making all the present rookies shut up. The red-furred wolf stared at them with noticeable and justified frustration while the airship drew near. "Think about it. If this was a threat, I'd have told you to stock up on Wispons… But I haven't, right?", he explained with certain aggressive-ness. Veloz helped Gabe stand up while he unexpectedly found himself backing his leader up. "He's right. Gadget's the Mobian who defeated Infinite along with Sonic, he wouldn't bring us out here to be gunned down by Badniks.", the dark-furred wolf explained… Gabe stayed where he was while his friend stood beside his leader. That is, until the landing of the airship at one of the Resistance's hangars caused a wave of wind that almost took his glasses off. Gadget breathed in deeply and spoke again, his mic now disabled. "Thanks, Veloz.", he quickly said, still a bit frustrated. "Well… Again, follow me.", said the red wolf, guiding his squad towards the hangar. From there, they could see the enormous airship up close, and how the gates of it opened… And how the fastest thing alive came out of it, his signature smug grin displayed upon his face when seeing Gadget. The whole squad was silent. "Sonic.", said Gadget, extending his arms. "Gadget.", said Sonic, extending his own. The hedgehog and the wolf approached the other, briefly hugging before Gadget–as if it were necessary–turned to the crowd of recruits and said; "Guys, I introduce you to Sonic the Hedgehog.", with a happy tone. One could barely hear how everyone breathed in to scream before Gadget acted again. "Hey-hey-hey-hey-HEY! … Keep the shouting down, please.", he said, and looked at Gabe. "Some of us have more sensible ears than others.", he concluded, winking at the recruit. "I didn't expect this on the first day of work, huh.", said Veloz with a surprised smile, of which Gabe only imitated the second part, nodding in some shock. "It's like attending film school and Stanley Kubrick showing up on the first day to talk.", he said, at which Veloz shot a sort of confused look, just before the silence was broken by the blue hedgehog with a giggle. "How kind! Besides, it looks like we have a geek among the recruits, huh?", he said while laughing again. "But don't worry, Gadget is as well.", the hedgehog cleared up. Gadget rolled his eyes, the other recruits laughed and Gabe simply hugged himself. "Aaaaaanyway, I suppose I owe you an explanation. Summing up, we fought against a certain Metal Over-jerk, and–" The silence was broken once again, this time from the gasp that had everyone turning towards its source. "You fought Metal Sonic?!", said an excited Veloz, approaching the hedgehog. "What was he like?! What form did he take?! His personality, his design?! Did he give a tough fight?!", he asked, cheering the hedgehog up with his enthusiasm. "Heh! I like you, you… Sorry, what's your name?", said the hedgehog, offering the dark-gray-furred wolf a handshake, who accepted it and caused jealousy in almost every watching recruit. "Veloz, Veloz the wolf.", said Veloz. "Very well, Veloz… Look, I'd love to stay and answer questions, but Gadget and I need to talk about something. Maybe at another time.", said Sonic apologetically. "But don't worry about us, it's your first day and we just defeated a certain robot with delusions of grandeur, so, how about a celebration?", he said, slowly raising his jollier tone. "Ah, good idea, the other superiors will set up something small for the squads, I'll join you later, y-you can go back to the main building.", said Gadget, rather nervous. Up until now he had a happy expression on his face, and though it hadn't vanished, he did seem nervous now as well… If it wasn't noticeable enough from the way he looked at Sonic when he mentioned there was something to talk about.

You know what a rave is like? A show of lights and music, maybe some food and drinks for the attendees? Well, imagine that for how the "small get-together" organized by the squad leaders was like. Because it definitely wasn't small… Torture for Gabe, who, with great difficulty made his way among the the other rookies that enjoyed the celebration while returning to his little safespace with Veloz. Luckily, they agreed on something; It wasn't as fun as the movies made it look like. At least not to them. "At least the drink selection is good… The Chaos Cola suffices for me, though.", mentioned the white wolf, sipping from his cup. "I still can't get the fact that Sonic shook your hand out of my mind.", said the young man, to which the other one rolled his eyes. "Ah… I don't understand the reason for the drama.", Veloz said. "I would've been more excited meeting Tails, or Blaze… But oh well, Sonic's Sonic. Besides, I see him rather often." Gabe did a spit-take when hearing that. "You see him often?!", he said in clear shock, to the other's delight. "Yep. At a restaurant close to where I go shopping, he always goes and asks for chili dogs… Hey, he said he wanted to answer my questions. Maybe I can take you with me to see–" And another spit-take. "Really?!", said the white wolf, this time sounding more excited. Veloz nodded, and then like it happens to many people, Gabe felt the weight of several eyes fall onto him, and he shrunk where he stood,.diverting his gaze. How could he let himself get carried away like that? "Sorry… Yeah, I'd like to… If it wasn't a bother, of course.", said the young man in a lower tone. Veloz smiled kindly at him. "It's not a bother, and… Did you feel bad for raising your voice?", said the dark-gray-furred wolf, to which the other nodded slowly, setting his eyes on him when he felt his hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to be ashamed if you feel excited… Look at me. I went from being quiet to approaching him before anyone else and asking about his enemy the moment I heard about him.", he said. Gabe could see his point, but he knew it wasn't that easy. And Veloz, too, knew that Gabe knew it wasn't that easy, and knew for a fact that it wasn't that easy. "I envy you a little because of that…", said Gabe with a small smile. "... I understand… Hey, do you have a phone? I'd like to add your number.", said Veloz. Gabe got surprised but nodded and took out the phone Ebony had bought him some Christmases ago. He turned it on… And for a second, one could see the notes app opened on a page titled "Wispon - Ideas". In this second, Veloz caught it. "What's that?" "What's what?" "That note, 'Wispon - Ideas'." That was the exchange between the two and Gabe could feel his spirit leave his body while he slowly turned to Veloz. And similarly to their previous conversation, he started to stammer. "Uh… It… I… I-It's just… It's…". Veloz looked at him with some sadness and sighed. "I'm sorry if the question's uncomfortable. You don't have to–" "No…", said Gabe. He stood firm, sighed… And spoke. "Can we go to a more private place?"

Gabe looked around. Luckily everyone seemed to be in the celebration, giving them enough privacy just by being by the door. Gabe took out a notebook and started to talk, voice still having an insecure tone. "... So… Wispons. They're heavy and cover most of your arm… I've thought, what would one that's smaller, more ergonomic be like…? Plus being able to have more than one color power?", he said. He handed the notebook and cellphone to the dark-gray-furred Mobian. In the notebook, some crude drawings of a Wispon with an appearance more similar to a handgun, what would be seen in a saturday morning cartoon on Nickelodeon. Think Invader Zim. And in the phone's notes, some ideas on how each power would work keeping the weapon's reduced size in mind. Veloz looked shocked. "... This… Looks great!", said Veloz, causing a bit of a confused reaction from Gabe. "It has a lot more sense and it sounds more useful than the usual Wispon… We should tell Gadget!", said Veloz, excited and about to start walking to find their squad leader, which Gabe stopped by grabbing his hand. "N-No!... No…", he said. Veloz was about to ask why, but Gabe answered. "... I don't know how they'd react… And it worries me.", he said softly. "So… At least for now, I wanna keep it a secret… Please… Keep it a secret as well.", said Gabe, his tone making it clear he felt bad just by asking Veloz for secrecy on the first workday. But Veloz understood. He nodded and sighed. "Of course… Sorry.", he said, and that both relieved Gabe and made him feel bad. On one hand, good, he was gonna keep it a secret. On the other hand, he didn't have to apologize. "It's alright, Veloz… Don't worry.", said the young Mobian. "... We should go back in, in case they…" His phrase was interrupted when he saw a certain pink-quilled hedgehog approaching.

"I hope you're having fun. My name is Amy Rose.", said the same hedgehog when getting up to a podium in the room, drawing everyone's attention by speaking through a mic. "Your superiors have already welcomed you into the Resistance… However, I have to give you some news.", she said, planting the seed of fear in everyone present. "Knuckles, former leader of the Resistance, has said that this one is no longer necessary, since there's nothing left to resist since the world is free from the Eggman Empire… And partly, I have to say he's right. Because of this, he's decided to disband the Resistance." First reaction, groaning. You know that feeling of when something goes back and your stomach hurts? That's what Gabe and Veloz felt at that moment. "... Partly.", Amy remarked. "There may not be a tyranny to eliminate. A yoke to break free from. But the evils that threaten our world are still present! What would happen if Metal Sonic acted again like he did in Angel Island?! If Infinite returned?!", the hedgehog exclaimed, leaving several recruits in shock as well as 'inspired', so to speak. "As such, we can't let this group fade… So from now on… I'm in charge. We'll defend this world from the evil that threatens it, and if something causes great harm, we'll work hard to fix it… So… Welcome to the Restoration." With the speech finished, several recruits applauded, and while Veloz found Amy's dedication touching and inspiring, he let out a heavy sigh. "Whew… I thought they were kicking us out on the first day, heh..", Gabe nodded with a nervous smile, and the following moment, the order was given; "This signals the end of the celebration over the victory in Angel Island. Meet back with your leaders and they'll take you to training."

Gadget took them to a big room with a tall ceiling. By the entrance, a yellow-furred wolf kept an eye over several Wispons. When Gabe eventually approached to get one, he could hear her murmur something. Something along the lines of "I show them what I'm capable of and on the first fucking day, they have me working like a school's food seller." … Thinking back, he understood her pretty well, down to the accent. The first training consisted on practicing with Wispons, one color power at a time. While Gabe slowly but surely got used to the use of a Lightning Wispon, which created an electricity whip, one could notice Veloz had some trouble; Gabe was right. They were heavy and not that easy to use, especially when the trigger and other buttons were hidden under the area that covers the arm up to the elbow. In regards to his aim, however, he showed considerable competence. Once the Wispon training ended, Gadget passed onto showing them the uses of the wrist-mounted grappling hook–which were of course given out by Ms. Unfriendly the Wolf, who, grumbling all the while, handed one to each of the rookies. "Alejandra…", said an exasperated Gadget, making everyone notice that 1) This girl was called Alejandra, 2) This type of thing had happened before. Both things were confirmed with the next thing she said. "How many times have I told you not to call me Alejandra?!", she exclaimed. "It's Ale… Caos, este pibe se hace líder de escuadrón y se le sube la arrogancia que no veas.", she concluded. Gadget gave up on her, especially when she left as soon as she handed the last grappling hook to a member of the team.

For the sake of Gabe's reputation, I'll just say everyone has their first time at something.

Veloz wasn't that different, though he didn't have as much of a [REDACTED] result, one could notice he was uncomfortable using the device, rubbing his wrist once he took it off.

What followed were some more advanced combat techniques, and other uses for the grappling hooks. It took a while, but most apparently got used to it, at least by the time Gadget got a call. As soon as it ended, he turned to his team with a serious expression. "Several prisoners of Prison Island Zone have gotten out of their cells and there's a revolt… I think I have your first mission." And so, not long after, the squad was in the back of a truck, heading to the mentioned Zone. During the trip there, Gabe looked at his equipment, and at a certain moment… "What was the training like, Vel?", he said. "Well, it was–... Wait, Vel?" Before, it was a slip with the phone, now it was his mouth that caused Gabe to enter a mini panic attack. "Oh, sorry! I just meant Veloz, I-I don't know why I only said 'Vel! I-I mean, I partly do know, but I mean–You know–It's like–I mean–" And so on, stumbling with his words until he gave up and in a sad voice, said "Chaos… Just take me already…" as he pulled his hood over his head… Which Veloz removed. "It's alright… You didn't say anything bad, it just seemed a bit… Curious.", he said. Maybe it needs some clearing up, but summing up, Gabe said the nickname by instinct, feeling comfortable enough with Veloz for a moment… At least until he snapped him out of it, of course. "But in regards to your question,", Veloz said, changing the topic, "It seemed good, but I don't know… I don't feel completely comfortable with this. I'm more used to normal weapons, like a bow and arrow, or even an ax." He said. Gabe nodded. "I understand… It'll take a while for me to get used to it. And… An ax?" Added the white wolf, to which the other explained "It's the weapon I used when some Badniks attacked my village.", and with that, Gabe started to think. Would it be hypocritical to say what he was gonna say? Was he being selfish when assuming that the use of an ax in battle was as weird as a Swiss Army Wispon? Would it be more cruel not to tell him? For a moment, he sighed and shook his head, clearing himself up to talk. "You know… If you want, we can tell Gadget later… I feel like he'll understand.", he said. Veloz stayed quiet for a moment, but smiled. "... I like the idea… You seem like the kind of Mobian who always gets the best ones.", he said. Gabe blushed a little from the compliment, trying and failing to hide the smile. "Ah… Well… We haven't met Tails yet. I wouldn't recommend setting me as the standard.", Gabe answered. As soon as he finished talking, the vehicle stopped and the driver said they'd arrived.

The prison showed itself as a tower, tall and wide. According to the guards, despite the amount of loose prisoners, which they had managed to keep in the dining room so far, it wasn't even half of the ones that had gotten free. Once inside, the doors closed, and the squad was divided into two. One part went after the ones in the dining room, the rest went for the ones closer that caused disturbances in other parts of the prison. Gabe and Veloz were in the latter group, and for the first minutes of combat, it proved to be difficult due to the reduced space and the circling hallways of the place, and because several were considerably taller and stronger. This was proved when Veloz, surrounded and a Hover Wispon out of his hands, received some help from Gabe, when his grappling hook lodged into one of their ankles, and after a tug, caused this one to fall against the floor. The next one–"Get down!"–Gabe dealt with when going over Veloz with a jump, right after hitting the crook with basically a slap… With a whip made of electrical energy. Veloz recovered his Wispon, and Gabe sighed heavily, somewhat tired, but definitely with more energy. "You know…? I think… I have an idea…", said Gabe, trying to catch his breath. Veloz was all ears to the idea, which went as follows; Gabe would leave the prisoners unconscious or at least vulnerable enough, and Veloz, with a gust of wind from the Wispon, got them back into their cells. This went on for several minutes until the duo left one more in their cell. "That's the last one!", said the leader of the dining room team. "And we already took care of ours!", exclaimed the leader of the second team as the members of it entered to help as much as they could to lock the low-life Mobians back up. Veloz sighed, tired. "We make a good team, huh?", he asked, to which Gabe, just now recovering from the dose of adrenaline caused by the continuous combat, just nodded while they dragged a prisoner back to his respective cell. "High-five.", said Gabe, raising his hand, and Veloz high-five-ing it. "Still not used to the Wispons, but we didn't do bad, heh.", said the dark-gray-furred wolf. Once every prisoner returned to their cells, the guards performed a roll call, and that's when the weird thing came up. Everyone was there, except two in particular, whose names and pictures were handed to every rookie. "Rough and Tumble.", read Gabe aloud. "Hm… Maybe they took advantage of the revolt, or maybe they received help from outside.", commented Veloz, putting the "Wanted" poster in a pocket. With the mission accomplished, they were good to go back home. Of course, before each one went their respective ways when getting back to the city… Gabe offered a handshake. "Well… I hope to be able to work with you again, Veloz.", he said, and Veloz, sharing the sentiment, took Gabe's hand. "Friends?", asked Veloz. "... Friends.", said Gabe, squeezing Veloz's hand before letting go. With a goodbye gesture, they both went back home.

"So?", "How was the first day?", "Tell me you met somebody." These were the questions both received, Veloz from Dash, Gabe from Ebony when calling her. "Well… Where do I start? I met this guy, his name's Gabe/Veloz.", they both said, almost word for word when talking to their respective loved one. "He's shy, but a good person.", said Veloz. "He's much more extroverted than me, but he's very kind and sweet. He fights well.", said Gabe. "He's smart and has very good ideas.", said Veloz, deciding to keep the specific mention of the multi-use Wispon to himself.

"He's great. I already imagine we'll be very good friends.", they both said.

A good start for working in the Restoration. And a good start overall for both of them.