Systems Starting.

The usual routine was to head straight back to hq, restore energy and await the next order. However, with knowing there was a abandoned base nearby, shard chose to take a quick detour, while it was unlike him to stray like this the possible scraps that could be found here might make it worth it.    

And indeed his prediction was correct, but not in the way they had intended. A quick scan found the two immobile bots, not active and definitely damaged but still salvageable.

A mechanical hum comes from the former mecha, a risky choice considering the already perplexing decision to be here but along with his current occupation shard has his own mission, he had to help other eggman bots if he was able, just leaving them their to rust would completely go against that...

So reluctantly he gets closer, its not like they could jump back into motion even if that'd be easier for them Observing once more with intensity unlike Shard most of the time.

A more thorough scan is initiated and the quick recognition of being older models makes his next steps clear. The other one was damaged beyond repair, as unfortunate as it was there was no saving beta, ergo attempting to would just be wasting time. The other though...Yes, gamma was still fixable.

Replacing a flicky with old machines like these wouldn't be easy...But he could find one amongst the ruins he was sure.

"Be right back!" Shard announces even if gamma would absolutely not be able to hear it, rocketing off with his booster he makes swift works of skimming the area for a temporary replacement core, he would find one albeit a bit cracked but he could not afford to be picky right now. Speeding right back he lands carefully as to not disturb gamma's resting place, one foot down then the other the replacement held tight, now all that was left was to open gamma up andddd insert not living batteryyy-

"Voila!" Shard exclaims victorious, gammas chest closing, indicating success as the others hardware accepts the temporary new energy provider, Now stepping back giving gamma space and preparing his welcome back. "Hey there! Welcome back to the living-" They begin but reminds themselves to focus on the important stuff first. "You feeling okay? Nothing feel broken besides uh...The obvious?"

Again and again, these machines were made to go against one another for their master's approval. Like it was some prize they all needed to compete for, when in reality all of them were expendable. Not one of them were intended to last long despite the effort that went into creating them. Only the Doctor knew why he created robots such as these, why he used them as he did, and why he threw them away when he no longer had need of them. Even Gamma who proved himself the best of the original line of E Series machines was left to rot here upon the Egg Carrier. Like he never mattered.

Gamma had been the one who overcame all the trials the Doctor gave to stand atop his siblings who he barely knew. During that time Gamma simply did as he was told, not questioning these odd sensations within himself that went against what the Doctor said.

Why does Beta hate me for beating him?

Why did the others stare at me with those sad eyes?

Why did seeing Beta be upgraded scare me?

Each time Gamma was met with one of these sensations born from moments of emotional meaning Gamma had denied them. Tried to shove them away because he had to do what he was made for. The Doctor made him he had to obey orders it was his function. It was only near the end that Gamma understood that he had been running away from his guilt. Guilt for not doing more for his brothers, guilt for not standing up to the Doctor, and guilt for not realising the cost that came with the existance of the E Series. The lives being used to fuel them! It was wrong! It was horrible! How could he be so blind?!

It was thanks to the pink girl that Gamma stopped running. He could only say that he started truly living when she had made him look deeper within his metal frame. Or was it perhaps the bird within him that allowed Gamma to begin to seeing the truth? The moment he made his first and last choice was when Gamma chose to erase his master registration so he could "save" his brothers from their torment. Because what was their existance if not torment? Forced to betray one another, forced to destroy one another, forced to tear each other down on the Doctor's orders over and over. It had to end.

So, Gamma made it end by "saving" them from their pain. Taking them down one by one to set free the creatures trapped inside. The E Series shouldn't exist, their very being a blight to the world and each other. Gamma had wished things were different, had loved his brothers more than anyone else. But, being as they were there was no other way this could end. Who else would care for the E Series? Who else would love them? No one...no one but E102 Gamma.

So when seeing the other robotic being before them. There was confusion, because he carried out his mission had he not? So why was he still here? Why was he allowed to go on? Was this a ploy from the Doctor? To use him again for evil? No! He couldn't allow that!

"Will...not...serve...Eggman..."

Honestly, Gamma wasn't too sure what the Doctor expected from him by following Omega. Then again, he never questioned anything his creator ordered. The only time he came close was when he saw what happened to Beta. After that things remained the same.

"I thank you...shall we continue the mission?"

He would accept the gift without question. Like with all things Gamma did he was very much a robot that said little and got on with the job. Stoic almost not emotionless since Gamma had manged to survive this long. The ruins were deeper within the jungle. The pair of machines were meant to find a gem of some sort and bring it back.

Admittedly, Murk hadn't been too well-versed in what powered Gamma before he'd come into the pseudo-hog's care. But...there was the answer, unsought, handed to him on a silver platter. Powered by birds. Powered by stolen life. Even if the crystal embedded in his core prevented Gamma from going far from Murk,...he was at least grateful that the robot was no longer tethered by the life of another creature.

"...most birds need only a nest to call home, and food to fill their bellies. At least, those that are raised in the wild. Those raised in captivity also need entertainment, as well as constant maintenance by their owners. I'm afraid I never much studied bird-keeping, but I could attempt to figure out more, if you're interested."

It was doubtful in his mind that Gamma would be interested in keeping such a specimen, but...one never knew.

"I don't want to keep a bird. It should be free."

Gamma kept step with Murk there wasn't much else to talk about. The robot was taking in the information as best he could. The basic lesson he was picking up was that it was better to spend rings to help the people in this town than to keep currency to yourself. Still, Gamma didn't think he needed to think too hard on this. He likely didn't need currency since he didn't know how to do anything other than be a guard. He also still couldn't go too far from Murk anyway.

"I don't have friends...I only have you."

"The market is a place where goods are traded for rings. For most, that would mean things like food and water, or perhaps blankets and trinkets. Essentially- a market is where one would go to purchase helpful items to further one's life." Within reason. For him, there was hardly a reason- but he wasn't about to hoard the rings he was granted by the city. If nothing else, he could get a trinket every here and there, indulge in a little bit of cooking on the side...small things. "In Sanden, haggling is common. That means debating the price of a good, and seeing if you can get a better deal by trying to lower it. I personally don't care much for the practice- but there are some in the city who are experts."

And some...who couldn't haggle to save their lives. Though, it wasn't like he and Gamma had much need of the practice. They'd probably be fine.

He didn't bother to hide the faint smile at the question. At least Gamma seemed curious. A robot who could learn, and outgrow old parameters...how pleasant that would be, if it were true. Only time would tell.

He doubted birds needed commerce because they tended to fly away. What need would they have for haggling or a market? They only needed freedom and the ability to take care of themselves? Was that how it worked? Gamma wasn't sure, his knowledge was so limited.

"Do birds need such things? I don't think so...but not sure..."

Gamma seemed fond of birds because when he freed his brothers each bird flew away into the sky. That felt like true freedom in a way. And that was something Gamma had wanted for everyone he cared for since they were so important to him despite what happened.

He had a duty to this place. Try as he might, the 'hog couldn't pull himself away from it- any more than one magnet could flee another. He was drawn in like a moth to the flame. Some things, he wouldn't admit even to himself- but it was easy enough to understand that he felt almost obligated to ensure Sanden never fell to harm.

"I'm still debating if we'll stop by a cafe on the way home, after." Probably not. The thought was there- but it was far from concrete. He'd been avoiding a certain cafe for a few weeks now, intent on never crossing its threshold unless he absolutely had to. What had started as a weird sensation in his chest was now a full-body 'oh stars why' every time he got near. Acting like a child. "Do you want anything from the market, Gamma?"

"What is purpose of market?"

Gamma was curious about how the world worked, often he didn't ask questions yet in this moment the question came out regardless. The robot desired to know, and for Murk to teach him of it. He couldn't simply rely on his old directives anymore. Gamma needed to become smart, more aware of what he should and shouldn't do out here.

"What the Chaos?! No way am I going in there!" Jet sure wouldn't make it easy to stuff him inside, that was for sure, though without his fans he couldn't do any damage to the stupid badnik at all. Wouldn't stop him from being as much of a pain as he possibly could for them. Even trying his hardest to thrash about inside the bot. It was sure a tight squeeze. The hawk would be having a MAJOR complain with Eggman the next time he saw them.

"I still want answer's you hunk of metal! I can still be annoying even in here!" No idea what half this stuff did, and if it did anything he would've happened when he was thrashing about. Best thing he could do was still touch everything in the hopes of at least annoying the badnik.

"This is NOT how I expected my Thursday to be going. I could be at home working on my prototype, but Jet had to get sloppy," Wave said to herself as she zipped around the base, bashing any badniks with her wrench. "Storm, my arms getting tired. You wanna-"

"Ahh, looks like things are finally in place. Hate to see it happen like this, but the experiment can still happen as I wanted."

The doctor's voice echoed all around Jet as a video feed was shown through Jet's eyes. Or was it Gamma? Were they becoming one? Or had they been conjoined in some form? This was messed up! This was so messed up! Was the Doctor really doing this?!

"This is my first E200 unit he's not the original but Gamma was the best of the E100 series many years ago. I went through many ideas so many different ways I thought to expand the design. The first Gamma was an old classic with a Flicky being used as a power source. I'm not one to rehash old ideas too much so I thought since Gamma had a Flicky as a power source and was my greatest success with the E100 series. Why not, use a more integrated system with the living host inside for the next generation? That's what this is, I chose you as the subject because you are bird or the closest thing to a birdlike mobian that would be perfect for this role. Plus, you are strong a person I could easily use as a host to kill that hedgehog once and for all."

Gamma remained silent throughout this whole place. He doesn't react because he is a machine not even the original. Just a copy made to serve the Doctor in this sick scheme. Yet, part of it did feel wrong on some level. Yet, Gamma couldn't resist this either.

"I'm well aware as I'd already be in front of Eggman! Call him here, now! This is an outrage!" Jet had no intention of letting up anytime soon, pulling at the bars and just screaming about wanting to see Eggman in hopes of at least annoying this badnik or hopefully one with a more programmed brain that can be annoyed. The hawk still didn't see why he'd program a badnik with the ability to get annoyed, but if it works in his favor he isn't going to complain.

"Emergancy protocol activated."

The order was sent through his systems. Part of Gamma's chest opened up and like something out of a horror game. The robot began shoving the bird into his chest. There was enough room for him in there, more than enough to ensure the protect order that was given. It was also vital as a means to ensure the bird mobian couldn't escape. Though as before, Gamma never questioned orders.

"You busted up my airship and dragged me to who knows where! I'll resist all I want you oversized tin can!" Jet was just minding his own business for once when this stupid thing busted a hole into their ship and began tearing it up. The question was why because he didn't no beef with Eggman currently. Storm was quick to start trying and knock it around and Wave was trying to activate the emergency breech system. The hawk was close to grabbing his board when this bot grabbed him and bolted.

"Doctor gave order...this is confirmed."

Yes, the Doctor had told Gamma to bring this bird here. And of course being as he was he didn't question it. But, no order was given to directly bring the bird to him. Not yet anyway, so Gamma simply waited where he was told to wait not making a sound or moving. And since Gamma had no concept of boredom he simply kept standing there holding onto Jet for quite a long time with nothing happening.

"No order given to bring to Doctor. Must wait until seen."

Gamma said that to explain why he stopped moving but didn't offer any other words or anything. Time then ticked on with Gamma holding the bird as Jet kept screaming to high heave and trying to break out. Gamma wondered what his brothers were doing right now? Gamma hoped they were all ok they did seem serious about something but, that was all the free thought Gamma allowed.

The admission draws the echidna's gaze back over to the other robot and whatever process it seems to be in the middle of. Drones such as these are so far out of his primal roots of understanding that he opts to ignore them whenever hoards of them hover about the man to whom his strength is allied with. If he could liken them to anything from the perspective of his homeland, they fall into the flea category. Given how manic that man seemed at times, it's not that far off of a comparison. So to hear they had (or at least claimed) to have family as inorganic as they are strikes him as strange.

He doesn't interrupt other than coming to pause near the free bot, head tipping subtly to the side as he recalls a more recent incident in which his hands were similarly tied. Though easily shattering chaos enforced chains and toppling hulking beasts for opponents was hardly out of the ordinary for him. "The strong live and the weak die. There is a part both must play." He remarks with the dawning realization of perpetual existence that inorganic beings seem to have in such a process.

"If your brother yet lives despite his defeat, his only option is vengeance. That is the way of the echidna." Though the concept confuses him if only because there were so few of his kind from the time of his hatching to the final battle with the last of the owls that any scraps for glory was reserved solely for their prey. In times of peace, perhaps things would have been different.

"Beta would...likely want revenge..."

Yes, Gamma was sure of that yet he couldn't bring himself to take down Beta while he was still being changed. He could easily do it but part of Gamma didn't want to. Because deep down he cared for Beta. Yet, didn't understand why or how he couldn't possibly feel that. Could he feel? Was this some form of emotion that he had?

"Gamma followed orders fought as doctor ordered."

Gamma had proved he was better even though, Beta should have won. The doctor even said as much when they had fought. There hadn't been any reason other than to prove their usefulness.

"Doctor said Beta would win, but Gamma won."

A simple statement of fact nothing more yet. It felt more than that. Like Gamma wanted it to be more than that. Yet, it wasn't this was the extent of what occured back then. Yet Gamma felt upset.

Comfort was never Shadow's forte. But he had to try. If not for Gamma's sake, then to at least give back in some way.

"Gamma," Shadow began, breaking the silence, "let's leave. I have... an ally I can take you to, to repair you properly. You can find another purpose. You don't need to be destroyed because you fulfilled your previous one."

He would know, having thought the same thing once upon a time. It was any miracle that his fall had ended in anything but certain death; something to thank Gerald and Black Doom for, he supposed.

"Will follow...but Mystic Ruins base..."

Gamma knew where to go the place was programmed as a return point for him to gain more orders from the Doctor. But, if it had been so long then it was likely the base was left to rot like the Carrier was.

"Was made there...repairs more likely..."

Too much of a tug before he can swat the boy halfway across the base renders him a stunned bundle of quills slack and thrown over a metal shoulder to be towed off the complete opposite direction of his intended destination. A despicable detour to be certain. He will have to bring this malfunctioning misery up to that Robotnik fool once he'd returned from whatever side quest he'd embarked on without him. Until then, he's resigned to watching the distance grow between him and the sarcastically slung mission of the 'make yourself at home' variety the doctor had imparted before his departure.

Chin propped on an open palm as the robot becomes his ride to elsewhere, he frowns once they come to a jarring stop and he finds himself back on the floor. Equal parts perplexed as he is pissy from the ordeal, he's swift in his reproach. "You waste my time with this forcible ferrying.Doing so again will end poorly for you."

That said, his gaze drifts into the room the robot has brought him to. Some place of putting together and taking apart machines? If he were lucky, this one had an appointment in disassembly next.

Gamma felt the need to maybe explain himself a little since he was tasked with taking care of the red being by the Doctor. Perhaps that might also make it easier to do his job maybe? Gamma didn't know.

"Beta and Gamma fought...Doctor's Orders..."

Yes, it was painful to recall that moment. Yet orders were orders if he didn't obey then what was his purpose? Beta had wanted to be the best, the most loyal the mode powerful of the E Series. Power was what mattered to him more than anything. Gamma hadn't understood.

"Gamma won Beta lost. Beta angry...said would become better."

Was this Beta becoming better? He looked nothing like he was. And Gamma wasn't sure but seeing this new form made Gamma uneasy. Could a robot be uneasy? Could he feel fear? Gamma didn't know.

"This is the wrong room. We should go..."

"Understood."

Thankfully he did have scanners to carry out such a task. Though, it would take many hours for there to be even a chance of counting the exact number of snowflakes that lay out here. Gamma was used to following orders and Gamma did prefer to listen to Shard since well he was the one to find him. It felt like he owed him a lot.

"Estimated time of completion...45 hours..."