Agent Jack

Taking a peak from behind the rocks that she had traveled up by the location she came from, seeing a robotic hedgehog. Hesitating to get herself into a situation with him, not even certain if he could be hostile. but to her believes that it’s doubtful. So what she suggested doing is sneak from behind him.

That’s one way to venture pass him and not make much noises, which again by one of the many mistakes doing so, knocking into a fewer rocks on the rock by her foot. Oh geez, this would surely catch his attention now. This isn’t at all her day…

There it was again. The same noise from before.

“You can come out... I won’t hurt you- unless you’re another of those big baddies that want to turn me into a tin can, I guess.” Ok, that was definitely not the best way to reassure someone, but hey, he was not the best when it came to... well, literally anything that doesn’t involve going fast or destroying stuff. That usually included dealing with other beings, be it people or robots.

As he saw the other tote around his arm-cannon, he gave a clap of admiration at the sheen of it. 

“Hoho! High speeds? I imagine you’d make a fine rival to Sonic or Shadow. It seems you were modeled after a hedgehog, after all. Suppose we’d have to wait to see you in action, then, eh?”

Honestly, Nikola’s questions that popped up in his brain seemed endless. At first, he wanted to just make the automaton look more trustworthy. But now, his curiosity has started to take over.

“Does it take long for you to recharge? How fast is your recorded time? How to you keep yourself polished?”

Nikola, please, slow down.

“You can bet I am!” Well, time ago he had been more than just a rival for them, but there was no need to let anyone know that, not now or ever, right?

As fast as the guy was going with his questions and as much as he asked, Shard wasn’t neither bothered nor overwhelmed. His processors could handle way more than a curious bird.

“Eh okay. Found a new dumpster. You?

The vixen gave a small twitch at the ‘buddy’ statement, almost tearing her hand off the robot’s shoulder in resistance to break it… was this guy for real? Before some of the other people could question it, Fiona yanked the robot away from the crowd as they backed away from her. She narrowed her eyes and pointed at the robot’s nose when they had space.

     ❝ Unless you want me to throw you back in traffic, DON’T ever call me that again… Who the heck are you anyway. ❞ 

Ok, maybe that hadn’t been the smartest idea, after all. Looks like old habits die hard even for robots.

“Is that so? No particular place of origin?” Nikola seemed surprised at the other’s vague question, a crack in the smile he worked to play up in the presence of the others. Why wouldn’t he want to tell them where they were from? Perhaps they were shy…? “Either way, it’s clear that you’ve already gotten some experience in this manner of work…”

What to say next, what to say next…? He thought of ways to continue talking up the automaton, wanting to milk this PR scheme as much as possible. Ah! How about weaponry…?  Recruits spoke up a lot about the Wispons…

“It seems you have rather powerful jets on you, friend, but are there any unseen talents hidden under that shining frame?” Without realizing it, Niko had already shifted to interview mode.

‘Some experience’ was kind of an understatement. He had been quite literally built for this. Or, well, rebuilt. Not like it really mattered now, though.

“Well, I got quite a few tricks up my sleeve.” With a nonchalant tone, he waved his cannon arm. It wasn’t exactly a sleeve -he didn’t even wear clothes-, but that was how the saying went, right? At least that’s what he heard the organics say sometimes. “It’s mostly a laser cannon, though.”

Then, he pointed at his eyes. “Got some pretty good scanners up here too. And I’m fast. Really fast.” He took pride in his speed, even if it was just the result of how he was built.

She wasn’t going to let him dismiss the topic so easily. “I d-don’t think that’s quite true… There’s no way a-anyone could replace you… S-sure someone could build a b-bot just like you but it wouldn’t have your personality…” Sure many bots could be replaced and it would be no big deal but there were some that were special, that had their own personalities and were practically their own person. Shard is one of those bots in her eyes.

“A-alright then we’re going in?”

Somehow, as sincere as her words sounded, he didn’t quite believe it. It might be because he already was a replace- a bunch of parts recycled to put together a new body to accomodate a conscience. 

However, as much as he disagreed, he couldn’t simply ignore her. That was what organics considered rude, right?

With a wordless nod, he acknowledged her words, his scanners not picking up any hidden trap or danger. Maybe it was just as safe as his systems told him, but there was no way to be sure until they went in.