Chapter 47 - Self Renaissances
"Alright," a male weasel spoke. With a clipboard in his hand and a pen in the other, he marked down the pile of supplies that were on the counter. On the other side, there was a group of men.
"...grain...salt...meat...pelts...fabric...wool," he stated. Looking back at the items one more time, he then looked over at the leader of a group of stoats.
"You want to trade this in for money or other supplies?"
"Other supplies," the lead man stated then did arm gestures. "...if you know what I mean."
"...ah..." the weasel nodded his head. Instead of continuing the transaction, he put the cap on the pen. Inserting it into a groove of the clipboard, he moved the document holder to be under an armpit. Turning a little to the right, he pointed down the street that led further into the town.
"If you are looking for armaments, you'll find those in the flea market. There are more traders and shop owners that have more inventory and variety to buy from."
"Word of mouth said you be one to deal with weapons," another stoat spoke annoyed.
"Weapons I have...but to trade essential supplies for destruction," the shop owner clarified turning back to the group. He showed them a neutral expression.
"Is not my business trade."
"You are joking right?" the lead questioned with a smirk. "A trade is just a trade. There is no moral code that needs to be honored here."
"If you lot showed up a couple of months ago...you'd probably be right," the merchant agreed; however, his expression did not change.
"As of how things are now, shop owners are not desperate. I am not desperate. And because of that, I can choose who I do business with. You boys understand me?" he asked and pulled out a pocket pistol. The weapon attracted their attention making the leader only nod his head.
"Good...word of advice if you are going to the flea market. Do not take your stash of goods there. Still has sniveling thieves that try to swipe customers things in that market. Keep three behind to guard your belongings and the other two to scout a buyer. If you go into a store building though, you can bringing your stash in there."
"We'll...keep that in mind," the stout lead spoke stiff as if annoyed.
Seeing the older trader keep a stern look while pointing his firearm down told him to not attack the person. Turning to his other members of the group, he motioned to continue further. Getting nods from the five male stoats, they walked deeper down the street. When the posse was out of hearing range, the weasel trader pocketed his weapon. Reaching under his kiosk counter, he grabbed a headset. Putting one earmuff on and adjusting the microphone, he clicked a switch on the comms equipment.
"South Post here. Got five stoats entering Oastial Harbor from the forest. They are heading in the direction for the flea market. Main interest is in buying weapons. Selling essential supplies. Did not state reason for needing weapons."
[Copy that] a reply came from the other end. [Keep post until you are relieved. Continue to report if any developments.]
"Roger. Over and out," he confirmed. Turning the comms device off and putting the headset back down, he resumed his post at the kiosk.
'Hard to believe that this town has changed since the incident 2 months ago,' the man thought looking at buildings. Being stationed at the south end, the rough looking and partial slum appearance had changed.
Since the explosion incident, main crime operations and criminal activities took a nosedive. Because of that development, the town began to rebuild itself. Now, one would see that the coastal location was more of a developed place. Nothing like the large and advance metropolises on other lands. But, one could say that Oastial Harbor was a decent place over its previous appearance.
'With the rapid recruitment in OHP and increased businesses...starting to shape up this town and give it a good rep.'
'Also,' he continued. Walking out of his stall to be partially in the street, he looked eastern-south. Only seeing a forest near and far, the sky above had a different color. The black smoke from a certain location kind of grayed the blue sky a bit despite the sun being out.
'That evil scientist has been quiet for a while too...ever since the burning corpse mist, the robot encounters and attacks have been less.'
"...feels like a storm is brewing..." the man muttered. Walking back inside his outpost, he stood behind the counter. Staring at the road outside, he crossed his arms over his chest.
"...and we don't know what type it is...or when it will hit," he continued. Blinking from hearing a static buzz, the comms device had someone speaking.
[West post reporting. Got 2 objects coming in hot along the coast...correction, 2 hedgehogs running] a male officer stated.
[Any visual of the two? Descriptions? Anyone on the wanted or watch list?] another asked with a deeper tone.
[...how are they running that fast...especially on sand of all things] the man asked in a tone of wonder.
[This is Commander Darcia] a female spoke sternly through the comms. It made all the enforcers listening stiffen a little. The aspect that she was listening on the line was not unusual. It was her tone and speaking authority that made everyone listen.
[What is the visual of the 2 hedgehogs? Is one a blue child and the other a cyber amputee?]
[...y-yes...that is the visual of the two commander...how did you-]
[I am enroute. Flag them down and stall them. Snipers in sections 3, 6, and 9. Divert sights towards West entrance and train on the two. Special emphasis on the cyber amputee. Do not let him out of your sights] the feline officer partially barked. Sounds of her rushing out of a meeting was followed by commotion getting further away from where she was.
'What the...who the heck is coming for her to be this agitated?' the south post enforcer wondered.
[Do all of you copy!? This is not a drill! The cyber amputee was the one that caused the death mist incident! THIS IS A PRIORITY ONE ALERT!] Darcia barked in immediate frustration. It took all officers by surprise.
[Roger commander! Section 3 has sights locked on target!]
[Section 6 ready!]
[Section 9 RTF at your order Commander!]
[West port ready Commander!]
[Backup Squad. Time to Western Entrance? I will be there in 30] she spoke with authority. Getting into a vehicle, she peeled out and raced down a street.
[Backup Squad enroute. We will be there in 45]
[...shit...] she muttered then cut off her comms. Her action caused all involved to suddenly think a disastrous storm was coming that would cause untold destruction. Focusing on their tasks, the officers with sights cautiously watched the two incoming individuals traveling faster than any of their road vehicles at top speed.
"Hey Speed!" Sonic shouted while running. He pointed seeing the coastal town in the distance.
"There it is! Oastial Harbor up ahead!"
"..." Vermilion felt his left eye shift to different points of buildings. Three were on roof tops while two were on the ground. With his right eye, the city seemed to have gone through some changes.
"I see it!" Speed responded.
"Could we go tour it a little?" the boy asked looking back with a small smile. Seeing the stoic face, only his right eye turned to him. The left one continued looking straight ahead though gave the impression it was looking at something higher than the ground.
"Your choice!"
"O-Okay! Let's take a look!"
Looking back forward and focusing at the buildings in the distance, both would reach the Western entrance in several seconds. Getting about 100 yards away, Sonic began slowing down as well as Speed. Reaching to a street block away, both had reduced down to a walking pace. While the child was looking at the changes from the exterior, the amputee kept looking forward. His black-red eye kept rapidly glancing at the five points from early. The regular eye was staring at someone standing a post box that mimicked a trader's kiosk stand.
"..." Speed narrowed his right eye from seeing the individual suddenly raise his hand. Lowering his head a little to glare, his left eye kept rapidly moving to the other four points. Seeing who the individuals were and what they were holding, he curled his left fingers to form a closed claw hand.
'THEY #$ #$% #$RESENTYOUR #$%!$E#$# $#$# $#$!#$N#!$!C*$#$% ' a vicious multitude of voices scrambled in his mind. 'G# $ ##$&G*#&E $^T #$ %&E($M #$I ^N!#$!#$^)(N!O(*%$&T #%$H %$(I($^*N ^G &^ %$E #$ #$^S!'
"T-That guy over there...is waving at us?" Sonic commented then pointed. Turning his head to the right, he stopped walking from seeing the changed in demeanor of his mentor.
"Don't stop...keep walking," Vermilion voiced normally continuing forward. Hearing him get beside him and looking back at the person, the individual motioned them to come to him.
"There are snipers on three rooftops...one inside a building to the left...don't look at them."
"...!?" the blue hedgehog looked in surprise with widen eyes. "B-But...we haven't done anything."
"...here..." Speed began and opened his left hand. Feeling the child reach out and grab it, a strong electrical current flowed between them. Within a second, both of the images vibrated hard then vanished.
[The targets vanished!?] one of the rooftop officers stated in surprise.
[I lost visual of the two!?] another voiced in similar demeanor.
[I don't see them anywhere in the vicinity of the West side!] the ground spotter commented doing sweeps with the scope. [There is no one out there!]
[Nothing seen at further distance...what the hell was that?]
[West port. Give me a visual] Darcia ordered making a hard turn. Tires were screeching on the road as she straightened out and floored it.
[West port do you copy!?]
[...] heavy breathing was heard on the comm line. Causing a wave anxiety amongst the security team, the snipers trained at the post box. Not seeing anyone around it, they figured the two suspects were inside.
[...uh...is this thing on?] a boy voiced not sure. After a slight pause, the young individual cleared his throat a little.
[H-Hello. We don't mean any harm. We just wanted to visit the town...uh...over] Sonic spoke a little nervous into the walkie.
Letting go of the talk button, silence came from loudspeaker end of the device. After several seconds, the boy looked over at the officer. Speed's left hand had gripped his face and was gripping it hard. Pinning him to the floor, the older hedgehog stood on the dog man's arms. Glancing at the amputee's face, it had the look of a primal predator staring at prey.
"..." Vermilion stared at the officer beginning to sweat. A small pulse generated inside the cybernetic eye and started to move to the left by itself. Feeling the man's pulse increase from the action, a distant screech was heard from behind. Both hedgehogs' ears perked up.
"That...a vehicle?" the boy asked.
"...backup...yes?" the amputee asked with his right still boring at the pinned individual. Only hearing the man breath and stare back, he cringed from suddenly feeling the hand grip his face harder.
"H-Hey Speed. Will we get banned from messing with security?"
"..." Speed narrowed his right eye at the person. Pulling his left hand up to lift the man's head and upper torso, he lifted his left leg up and slammed it into the individual's chest. Hearing him shout and cringe verbally of losing his breath, Vermilion walked off him. Stopping in front of the child, Sonic looked up at him.
"...time..." he began. Offering his hand slowly, the boy noticed that the black-red eye was staring at something above him. The right one was looking at him. Knowing that meant someone or something was coming, he reached out and grabbed his hand.
"To meet...an acquaintance," the hedgehog finished.
Instead of vibrating, Vemilion rushed out of the kiosk opening. Upon stepping foot outside with Sonic in tow, both bolted to the back side of the post box then blasted into the dark aisle ahead. The whole travel time only last a second when both hedgehogs slid to a stop. Just as the child let go of his hand and looked forward, screeching tires were heard at the other end. About to speak, he saw Speed look at him with a finger perpendicular to his mouth. Nodding his head and pointing to a large dumpster, both traveled to stand behind it.
"Anyone come out of the post box?" Darcia asked getting out of her vehicle. Rushing around it and heading to the alleyway, it was a direct path to where the officer was stationed.
[Negative. It has been quiet ever since the kid spoke on the comms] one of the snipers answered.
"Damn it," she voiced with clenched teeth.
While running, she got out her firearm. Checking to make sure there was bullet in the chamber, she looked back up and could see the small outpost. Running passed the large dumpster to the right of her, her fur started to stand up. Sliding to a stop, she pivoted 180 degrees. Pointing the pistol at the large trash container, there was someone standing there. The sight of the black-red eye glowing in the dumpster's shadow made her tail stiffen greatly.
"Hello."
"...!?" the feline woman flinched from hearing a boy speak. Keeping her weapon sights at Vermilion, she nervously looked behind her. Seeing something smaller than her, her eyes went down and saw a blue hedgehog child. Remembering who that was, the aspect that he got behind her without her noticing was confusing.
"Um...could you not point that at him? Officer...uh...um..." Sonic began. Looking like he was trying to remember her name, he gave the expression of thinking hard.
"...Darcia..."
"...!?" she felt a pulse wave of fright strike her nerves.
Exercising all of her willpower to not pull the trigger, she shook a little. Slowly moving her eyes slightly to the left and up, the amputee stood 1-2 feet away from her. He was not in the gun's line of sight. Seeing the stoic expression on his face along with his physical appearance, it brought back the feeling she felt a couple of months ago. Trying to calm down, the boy spoke again.
"Oh right! Officer Darcia," the kid stated with a finger snap. "Wait...how did you remember her name?"
"She made...an impression," Speed explained then looked at him. "It is difficult...not to remember someone that points a muzzle...at your face."
"...yeah..." Sonic agreed then scratched the back of his head. "Makes sense."
"..." Darcia blinked and looked back and forth between the two. "...what?"
"Huh?" the blue hedgehog asked looking at her.
"Something the matter...Commander?" Vermilion said turning his head back to look at her.
"...what...is going on?" the woman questioned quietly looking ambivalent. Slowly turning to face them, she pointed the firearm at the ground at an angle. Both of her hands were still on it and held it tightly.
"..." the gray ash hedgehog tilted his head a little to the left and stared at her.
"...uhhh...you mean," the boy began. Rapidly pointing back and forth between himself and Speed, he continued.
"Why we are here? Or something else? Wait...are you on a mission or something!?" he asked getting excited.
"...?" Darcia blinked confused again.
Seeing the child get excited was not too strange given the situation. However, it was the amputee that was causing a vibe distortion. Her preconceived aspects of how the older man would act and behave seemed altered now. His voice was very clear with no raspiness to it. His atmosphere was nowhere near the same as the incident. Instead, something had changed to make him slightly less monstrous.
[Commander...what's the situation? Are you close to the West Entrance Post?] one of the backup units called in. [We are nearing in 15]
"Tell...us Commander," Vermilion spoke. Grabbing her attention readily, she firmed her grip on the handgun again.
"The course of action you want this to take...imprison us...free us..."
"All while your...supports converge to our focal point," he pointed out with an open hand. "Time is...of the essence."
"Shut up," she retorted with a frown. "What did you do to my officer?"
"Pinned him...then kicked his chest."
"..." Darcia stared at him then looked at the child. "That all he did?"
"Y-Yes ma'am," Sonic answered with a quick nod.
[West post. Come in. You alive?] one of the snipers radioed in. There was a brief pause until the slight static went away when someone pressed talk on the walkie.
[...uugghh...West Post...here...damn that hurt] the officer responded.
[Where are the two hostiles? Did you see where they vanished too? Only a blur came out of the outpost but couldn't make what it was]
[...no idea...rrmmnnph...] the injured security personnel answered with a grunt. [That gray hedgehog kicks...like getting slam tackled to the ground from a standstill]
"..." Darcia blinked while listening. Looking back at the two, only the boy seemed to diffuse the tension between her and Speed. He had not blinked nor straightened his head. Frowning at him and narrowing her eyes, she slowly pointed her firearm at him. Sighing out loud, she pressed her comms device.
"Attention all units. This Commander Darcia. Stand down. I have the suspects cornered in an alleyway at gun point."
[Roger]
[Backup units nearing your location in 5 Commander]
"Copy," she spoke then took her hand off her walkie. Looking back at them, Sonic looked a little nervous while Vermilion hadn't moved or blinked still.
"...I can't promise you that you won't be disciplined from attacking an officer."
"I will go...under one...condition..." Speed spoke then straightened his head. Gesturing to the boy made her glance at the kid before looking back at the man.
"...I'm listening..."
"I attacked...the boy did not...you show him the town," Vermilion continued then lifted his left hand up. At the same time, multiple running boots were heard coming from both ends of the passageway.
"...and I...will play this...game."
"...!?" the blue hedgehog blinked in surprise. Seeing both ways out of the alleyway blocked, he looked back at the female officer.
"..." she stared with a small frown then turned to her head to the left. "Get the ankle cuffs and cuff his hand to them."
"Got 'em on me ma'am," one officer stated.
One of them quickly snapped the metal shackles above Speed's feet while the other grabbed his wrist. While this was happening, Darcia felt her nerves were stressing. While Vermilion's right eye stared blankly at her, his cybernetic one kept looking at all the law enforcers that were around. It gave the feeling that it was calculating on how to take all of them out. The stern voice of one of the backups brought her out of her stupor.
"Move it scum," he stated and pushed the amputee with his rifle from behind.
"..." the one-handed hedgehog took a larger walking step from the shove. Not missing a beat, he walked normally with two officers at his sides. Walking away, he never looked back at them.
"..." Sonic watched him get taken away.
Feeling an urge to free him from a misunderstanding, he didn't act on the impulse. Remembering what he said to the female officer, he looked at her. Putting her firearm away, she was discussing with other officers who part of the backup group. Giving out orders to the others, she pressed her comms device. Her communicating with her team did not bother him. It was when the adults began walking away from him that he felt a mental click in his mind. Their action of ignoring him caused a recall of what Speed told him before.
'...you are an...individual...out in the wilderness...or...in an urban environment...survival knows no age...' a mental voice of the older male spoke. They were practicing single file running at a much faster pace; however, Speed's tone seemed to pierce through whether in front or behind Sonic.
'...you must make...your own decisions...your own choices...your own paths...'
'...others controlling your...choices...will limit your...will...'
'...the moment...the opening...the clear path...from a controller's...disregard of your...presence...decide...act...'
'...be...your...own...instrument...not...someone...else's...'
"..." Sonic frowned a little watching the adults walk away. Despite not liking the situation on two fronts, he shook his head.
"Guess I'll explore what changed myself," the boy decided.
Staring at the single story building that was behind the dumpster, he got into a sprint position. Without winding up or having to concentrate on the electrical current through his body, he bolted forward at full speed. Reaching the wall and running up vertically, he timed the moment to clear over the roof edge. Doing so and clearing it, he began rooftop hopping.
"Do we need to put a team to watch the one-arm guy?" the backup security officer asked walking with the Commander.
"..." Darcia blinked while walking to the West post building. Getting out of the alleyway, the person stationed was outside and holding his chest. Looking to be relatively fine, he still had a winded look.
"Station a small detail for that individual. But do not engage him."
"Is he really that dangerous Commander?"
"He is...when he chooses to be," she answered. Approaching the injured law enforcer, he stood up at attention.
"No need for that. You alright?"
"Yes commander," the officer replied relaxing. "Just...trying to get air back into my lungs still."
"Did you see him before he attacked you?"
"No," he shook his head. "When the two were just walking...they were about a street block away when I motioned them to come closer. Then...they vanished...next thing I knew was getting dropped...and locked in submission by the older hedgehog."
[Commander. We got a blue hedgehog roof hopping...and...running across the sides of buildings...appears to be just a kid] a sniper reported. He sounded a little bewildered. [...I've...never seen that before...orders to engage?]
"..." Darcia felt her eyes widen a little. Turning around and looking back at the alleyway, there was no one there. Recalling the words that Speed told her, the fur on her tail straightened a bit.
"...Commander?"
"...it is nothing," she stated. Heading back to her vehicle, the backup unit leader escorted her. She hit her comms device.
"Do not engage the blue hedgehog. Let him...explore if you want to call it that."
[Copy that] a series of confirmations came over the walkie from other surveillance operatives.
"Is there any new incoming activity?" she asked walking faster.
"Other than the report in from the South post of a group of stoats trading goods for weapons, nothing else."
"Go ahead and follow-up with that lead. Might be a new gang of some sorts."
"Roger Commander," he stated with a nod. Reaching the other side of the alleyway, there were some crowd onlookers staring in their direction. When eye contact was made, more than half broke away and continued on. The remain were murmuring with others.
"..." the female leader ignored them and headed for her vehicle. Getting inside and closing the door, the other officer was at the passenger window.
"Heading back to HQ?"
"Yes...I am going to interrogate that gray hedgehog," she stated strapping herself in.
"He seems to be someone that isn't from around here. What are you trying to get out of him exactly?"
"That man can fill in information holes with the cold cases we have. And potentially all related to the incident that occurred a couple of months ago," she informed and turned on the vehicle. "I'll make a detailed report of it if you are interested in the results of the interrogation."
"I would. Thanks Commander," he stated with a nod. Backing off, he watched the 4x4 vehicle make a U-turn and head north.
'Why did he come back?' Darcia thought while driving down the street. 'Is there left over business from before? Is there another underground activity beneath the city?'
'He brought the kid with him...but that doesn't disprove that there isn't an ulterior motive.'
"..." she glanced to her left.
A heavy squad car was parked on the other side of the street. Blinking and looking back forward, the vehicle had a reinforced containment section for suspects and criminals. The aspect that it was still there was strange. Looking in the rearview mirror, all of her nerves flared with eyes widening with fear. Sitting in the seat behind her, a crimson ring, black eye bored at her. Before she could react, a hand gripped around the back of her neck and squeezed to hold firm.
"Greetings interrogator," Vermillion spoke gravely. "Mind the road...and ask...your questions."
"..." Darcia curled her lips inward and bit down on them. Trying to fight off the snaking fright that was crawling up her spine, she sat in the driver seat much straighter.
"It's...hard to...breathe," she stated.
"..." Speed squeezed her neck a little harder.
"H-H-Heyyy..." a weaker voice came out of her throat.
"Continue your motion for your gun...if you want to end this session...quicker."
"..." the woman replied with freezing. After a few seconds of only the car engine roaring, her left hand had a slight tremor. Slowly placing her left hand back on the steering wheel, she signaled to turn into the upcoming street on her right.
"...you...will...answer...questions?"
"...depends..."
"...on...what...?"
"...you..."
"...me...?" she stiffly asked puzzled.
"Yes...it depends on...what choice you will make...now that you...caught me."
"...you think...this is...a...game," Darcia voiced with slight irritation. "Do you...even realize...what you caused...from that explosion?"
"...yes..." Speed said with no tonal change. "Liberation of...this establishment's...cancer."
"Setting...off a bomb...and caving in...a couple of buildings...is liberation!?" the female reacted with controlled elevated voice. His hand had loosened a little to allow her to speak better.
"...tell me...enforcer..." he said with a frown on his face. "...what...did...you...recover...from...that...event?"
"Recover? We couldn't recover anything from that cave-in you maniac," she retorted. "We didn't have heavy machinery to dig up that death grave and all the rubble."
"...so...you found out...nothing...is that it?"
"You were the only lead who knew more details of what was going on in that pub and the case of missing transients."
"...how...disappointing..." the amputee spoke with mild disdain. Without warning, he let go of her neck and put his hand on the door handle quickly. Opening the back passenger door, he jumped out into the street. Running immediately as fast as the security vehicle, he banked hard left and dashed down an alleyway.
"...!?" Darcia only blinked from feeling his iron grip hand let go of her throat.
Able to breathe and inhaling hard, she heard the car door open behind her. Opening her mouth to shout, he rushed away. Darting back forward and focusing on the road, she pulled over to the side and stopped. Just sitting there to mildly recover, a small tremor flowed through her body. Focusing on breathing, her mind was repeating what he said.
'...this encounter...only confirms that he is still...the prime suspect to fill in the gaps of information.'
'But with his disappearance...the amount of crime Oastial Harbor had was reduced substantially...is that only coincidental?'
"..." the feline grabbed her walkie and was about to hit the talk button. Thinking about it, her mind was filled with images of dead officers and a town painted red. Removing her hand, she formed a fist.
"...damnit..." she muttered to herself. Shaking her head and putting her hand back on the steering wheel, she got back on the road and continued to her destination.
'Guess I am going to have to work on this myself...hopefully I can get answers before he bounces or kills anyone.'