#turnabout assembly

Reiker: Well... My name is Reiker Strait, I'm 26 years old, and a recent graduate from the Acorn Kingdom's School of Law. I've volunteered at-

Eggman: The Acorn Kingdom, hm? Why come to Sunnyside?

Reiker: ... Sunnyside?

Eggman: You don't know the city's name?

Reiker: Oh, everyone outside of this place has been calling it Robotropolis... That's what this island was called before it became Eggmanland, wasn't it?

Eggman: Heavens, no! I gave up on that concept a long time ago. This one is entirely new!

Eggman: ... [Ahem]

Eggman: Regardless, you have yet to answer my question. Why come here?

Reiker: Uh... Let's just say there aren't many opportunities for new lawyers in the Acorn Kingdom. I was hoping some positions might become available once the Restoration was finished with their cleanup. I guess now that everything's settled, most people just want a return to form.

Eggman: Hm, I see. I wont lie, this city itself is new blood - only a year old - but we're a bit desperate in the legal department. We can actually start you today.

Reiker: Oh! Like, agreeing on a salary? Setting that up?

Eggman: No, I have a case for you to defend. If you meet my expectations, I'll sign you on full time.

Reiker: WHAT!? There's been a crime already!? I've only been here 30 minutes!

Eggman: No, no... This case has been on hold for quite a while. We simply haven't been able to assign a suitable lawyer for the defendant.

Reiker: ... You're kidding.

Eggman: I wish... The last buffoon ran off weeks ago. I've tried to reach out to other "well respected" lawyers, but most people don't trust a man hellbent on world domination who waged a global war and destroyed their livelihoods to hold a fair court of law.

Reiker: Oh, yeah... So I just-?

Eggman: You're due on stand at approximately 9 AM. You will find your client in the defense lobby.

Eggman: ... Oh, you'll also be needing this.

Attorney's Badge has been added to the Court Record.

Eggman: That badge will grant you free access to the judicial areas of the building. That being said, I'll see you in an hour.

Reiker: ... Wow.

Reiker: (I guess I got the job... But is this really happening? I'm still not sure of what I'm doing, but he's just... Tossing me into the deep end.)

Reiker: (... Is this a trap? Is this how I get roboticized?)

Reiker: (Well, I better get going. Definitely shouldn't no show on my first case... That wouldn't look good on my record, if it ever leaves this island.)

Reiker: (This must be the defense lobby. Now where is-)

???: ...

Reiker: (Is this... My client?)

???: ... Oh, um... Hello.

Reiker: (Gah, I'm freezing up! I need to say something...)

Reiker: Uh... Hi?

???: .........

Reiker: (Oof, that's no good... Why am I blanking now?)

Reiker: (Think, Reiker. You can be personable! Just take a breath. Ground yourself, visualize your Thought Pool and... Jump!)

Reiker doesn't always know what to do or say. That's when he needs help from his Thought Pool (that's you guys)! Simply reply to this post with what you think he should do next (actions, statements, questions, etc)!

Yanshu: You only started today!?

Reiker: (Shoot, my badge!)

Reiker: Well, yeah, but don't say it like that! I'm qualified!

Reiker: [Sigh]... Listen, I'd like to help you with this case. I spent the past 8 years of my life working my tail off so I could get this job, and every lawyer has to have a first client, so... May I help you? For both our sakes?

Yanshu: I-I mean... It's not like I know what I'm doing, and the thought of going in there alone terrifies me, but... You didn't even know my name. Do you know anything about the case?

Reiker: Right… We should probably talk about what we're doing here.

Yanshu: W-well, I'm on trial for the, um… Dismantlement? Of my b-best friend.

Reiker: Wh… Do you mean dismemberment?

Yanshu: I… Yes. No? The terminology surrounding Robians is still pretty vague, despite everything.

Reiker: Alright, um… So your best friend is a robot?

Yanshu: Yes, his name is Flash, and he's very important to me. I'm worried sick… Whoever did this, they stole his parts. Took everything that made him him...

Reiker: So like… His face?

Yanshu: No, no… His personality, his memories, everything that makes him unique! ... Everything I can't replace...

Reiker: I… Didn't know that could be taken away.

Yanshu: Well... You've used a computer, haven't you?

Reiker: Of course.

Yanshu: So... When you're roboticized, you turn into a computer. Your body becomes the case, and your brain the technical components. Instead of storing data biologically through neuronal connections, information is written to several storage disks as raw code, and can be accessed at any time. Since it's a physical storage unit, these disks can be removed. This is usually only done during maintenance where units have to be repaired or replaced, in which case the data is backed up and transferred, but if someone has bad intentions, they can just... Take them. Doing that while the system is active can damage the hardware, or corrupt the data, or... I can't stand thinking about it.

Reiker: ... That's upsetting.

Yanshu: It really is, and if I'm found guilty, they… They'll probably roboticize me, too.

Reiker: What? You can't be serious!

Yanshu: I am, and if they don't figure out where those components went, they'll assume I destroyed them - that I truly killed him - and that's why I need your help finding them! I-if I can find them, I can fix him, and he can tell them what happened! That I didn't do it!

Reiker: I'm afraid that's going to be hard to do from a courtroom...

Yanshu: Please, Mr. Strait! He-… He's all I have…

Guard-Bot: CURRENT TIME: 0900 HOURS. ALL TRIAL PARTICIPANTS ARE TO RELOCATE TO THE COURTROOM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

Yanshu: … I guess that's us, but… Before we go in, please, take this.

Friendship Photo has been added to the Court Record.

Reiker: Oh, is this your friend?

Yanshu: [Sniff] Y-yeah, it is. He knows I don't like being in photos, but he took and printed it before I could take my phone back. He kept asking me to keep it - to put it on my desk or something - but I didn't have a frame on hand, so...

Reiker: So… Why are you giving this to me?

Yanshu: I don't know, it just… Feels important. Maybe you could put it to good use? I don't think I'll be needing it if I'm... Y'know...

Reiker: Don't worry, Ms. Dryll, I won't let that happen. I promise.

Reiker: (Now here's hoping I can follow through…)

[Next >]

______________________________________________________________

Payne: Seems the murderer finally gathered enough funds for a private defender. How'd you do it? Kill another robot? Rob a casino?

Eggman: Actually, this man is our new public defender. This will be his first case.

Payne: Oh, how precious… I bet he'll be running out of town with his tail feathers between his legs after we confirm the guilty verdict.

Reiker: (… Is he serious?)

Eggman: We’ll see, now… Let's not keep this waiting any longer than we already have. Prosecutor Payne, your opening statement?

Payne: The solution to this case is so obvious that no private defense attorney would even pick up the case! In fact, I almost feel sorry for the poor sap standing across from me.

Reiker: Can we get on with it instead of gloating?

Payne: So eager to face your own demise? Very well, then…

Payne: The crime took place around 8:45 PM last Wednesday. The victim, Flash Driver, is a new member of the doctor’s E-5000 line.

Payne: The victim was found with his legs battered and multiple components taken out of their rear hatch. We cannot obtain camera footage due to the parts being missing, however, we have multiple reasons to believe it was the mole standing before us today.

Reiker: Wait, his legs were battered?

Eggman: This is basic information, did you not read the autopsy report!?

Reiker: With all due respect, you never gave me the autopsy report, your honor.

Eggman: Hm… I suppose in this instance your ill-preparedness is somewhat understandable. Don't let it happen again.

Payne: Feh. Here, fledgling - your first piece of evidence. Please try to keep your gape-mouthed self from drooling all over the pages.

Strait: … I think I’ll be fine, thanks.

Autopsy Report (Flash) has been added to the Court Record.

Reiker: (I should take a closer look at that. Remember, Strait - evidence is a lawyer's best friend! Good thing I keep it Pinned at the Top of my mind!)

Reiker: I notice you haven't mentioned a motive, or why my client is your prime suspect. Was she even near the crime scene at the time of the murder?

Payne: Listen, kid, I have this case down tight. Your defendant there is one of 10 people who could have possibly committed the crime at hand.

Reiker: … One of 10? How do you figure?

Payne: Let's just call them the tools of the trade. Specifically, the tool set a Robo-Tech like her uses daily.

Eggman: Ah, you must be referring to the Omnitools, no?

Reiker: Omnitools?

Eggman: You're familiar with the concept of an army knife, correct? Imagine a compact device like that, equipped with every screwdriver, wrench, and key needed to access all the technical parts of my machines, including Robians. This one is assigned to her.

Yanshu's Omnitool has been added to Court Record.

Payne: No one could have accessed the stolen parts without those tools, not to mention that Yanshu was the last person to meet with the victim, during a routine maintenance checkup…

That was anything but routine!

Eggman: Uh... Interesting. In what way was it not routine?

Payne: Well, the perpetrator is right here. Why don't we ask her? Miss, let's start with your name and occupation.

Yanshu: Eep! I, um… M-… My name is Yanshu Dryll. I'm a Class C Robo-Tech, f-for the Main Division…

Payne: And if I'm correct, you assisted the victim…

On the day of the murder!?

Yanshu: W-well, yes, but that doesn't mean I killed him!

Eggman: The court will be the judge of that. Now, if you could please testify regarding this maintenance appointment you had.

Yanshu: Y-yes doctor- I mean, sir! I mean-… Y-yes, your honor!

Testimony 1 - The Maintenance Appointment

1:) I had been assigned to Flash to do a routine checkup, scheduled for Wednesday at noon.

2:) All the required checks were proceeding as normal, and the appointment was rather short.

3:) My boss came by and signed off on my maintenance sheet…

4:) … And shortly after that, Flash left, just like he usually does. That was the last time I saw him.

Reiker: (Hm… Not much to work with... At least that old cat has just as little information as I do.)

Reiker: (But if that’s really the case, why does he look so confident…?)

Payne: … Really? That's all you have to say?

Yanshu: Y-yes, and it’s the truth! Wh-… What more could you want?

Eggman: I will kindly ask the prosecution to not badger the witness. Now, defense, are you ready for the cross examination?

Reiker: (I need more information… Just gotta dive into the old Thought Pool and figure out what to ask. Maybe I'll glean some new information! Once I think I've got it down pat, I can Present an idea by connecting a Statement with an Item in the Court Record!)

Reiker: Does anything in this photo stand out to you?

Yanshu: Well, besides the missing components… Oh!

Yanshu: This black piece… I didn't put that there!

Reiker: So I was right!

Reiker: (Good thing the doctor let her in to help!)

Reiker: We have proof that the witness was tracking the victim on the night of the murder!

Rythen: W-What!? Impossible!

Reiker: This piece right here, a black disc on the upper torso. Care to explain it?

Rythen: P-… Oh, please! Obviously that was attached by the creator herself!

Yanshu: Uh-… I have my blueprints! I can prove it isn't supposed to be there!

Yanshu: Besides, that size and shape… It looks like the GPS tracker from one of the Omnitools!

Bolton: … Oh! Yeah, the trackers. You mean…

Bolton: … These ones, right?

Yanshu: Y-yes, those!

Bolton: Well… I have mine right here, don't I?

Yanshu: B-but... I-!

Eggman: Reiker, unless you have something else to say on the matter, it seems like you've reached a dead end.

Reiker: W-wait, your honor! I know I've got it!

Reiker: (Okay, think! Where else could that tracker have come from…? There's gotta be something in the Court Record I can use here!)

Rythen: Hoohoohoohoo~…

Reiker: … What's so funny?

Rythen: If Miss Dryll's tracker is missing, then that means she tracked her own robot down!

Reiker: What!? No! I-… I'm saying Axel tracked hers!

Axel: Here we go again with me me me! Just 'cuz I'm the manager it's aaaaall me!

Axel: I can't access her GPS tracker, bird-brain! That stuff's admin-only!

Eggman: He's correct, actually. I had to pull this GPS Report myself.

Reiker: (Well, there goes that theory, but…)

Reiker: Sir, may I request that Axel's Omni-Tool and tracker be added to the evidence?

Axel: WHAT!? I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! YOU'VE GOT NO PROOF!

Eggman: … I have to agree with Mr. Bolton. Just why should we confiscate his tools as evidence?

Reiker: Well… He made it relevant when he brought it out, didn't he? I have a theory, but I want to investigate the tools first.

Eggman: … Fine, but no funny business, you hear me?

Axel: ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?

Axel: Fine, take it. Take everything while you're at it! My shirt, my gloves, this broken drill while you're at it. Who knows? Maybe that'll come up, too!

Axel's Omnitool has been added to the Court Record.

Reiker: (Now, let's see…)

Reiker: (It seems like the tracking devices fit perfectly inside the Omni-Tools no matter which one it came from… The only notable feature is this big six on the back.)

Reiker: (Wait, does that line up with…?)

Reiker: … Yanshu, what's your employee ID number?

Yanshu: Um… Six. W-why?

Reiker: Mm-hm… So I'm guessing your tracker would have a six on it, right?

Yanshu: Well, yeah, but-…

Yanshu: … Wait. Wasn't that-

Reiker: In his Omni-Tool? Yes. Which has to mean…

Reiker: That's it!

Reiker: Sir, this tracking device obviously belongs to Yanshu!

Eggman: What!? Let me see that!

Eggman: Mr. Bolton, can you explain the meaning behind this!?

Rythen: Well, your honor, he-

Eggman: THE MUTT, PAYNE!

Rythen: Yeek!

Bolton: This has to be some kind of joke! That two-bit lawyer of yours obviously switched 'em!

Reiker: Are you sure? Because there's one surefire way to check.

Axel: And that is…?

Reiker: Simple, we check the tracker on the victim's body.

Eggman: Brilliant idea. It's been stuffed inside the storage room since the investigation started.

Eggman: BAILIFF, THE CADAVER!

Bailiff-Bot: YES, DOCTOR.

Eggman: While we wait for that… Would you like to say anything else, Mr. Bolton?

Axel: I-… Why you little…!

Axel: SHOW ME THE TOOL, THEN! I DARE YA! YOU SHOW ME WHAT I USED TO RIP THEM PARTS OUT OF THAT BUSTED TIN CAN!

Reiker: (He's starting to crack… We're almost done!)

Reiker: (In regards to the murder weapon… I think the answer has been right under our noses this whole time.)

GPS Analysis Report has been added to the Court Record.

Reiker: (Well, there's that… Now for-)

Reiker: Mr. Bolton, would you mind telling us more about your attempt to remove the core?

Bolton: A-ah, uh, removing the core…? RIGHT, during maintenance! Yeah, uhh… So I told Yanshu if she couldn't get it out, I would. Shooed her off despite the whining.

Bolton: See, these screws that were in there, they definitely weren't a Robotnik regular. When I went through every doohickey on my Omnitool, none of 'em fit, and when I went to try and unscrew it with something close, it completely stripped!

Reiker: Like… The screw broke?

Bolton: Yeah, yeah! I couldn't do anything to unscrew it, and the second I started trying something else, mole girl comes back saying she couldn't find anything, but that she'd try to mold a tool for it with the 3D printer. I told her that was fine, so long as it was on my desk by the time she clocked out.

Bolton: But of course, hours later, I realized that girl took off with her lil' spy friend right after her shift! I clocked out and gave chase after him. Figured I'd just have to remove it forcefully.

Reiker: OBJECTION!

Axel: … Huh?

Reiker: There's no reason for you to have waited so long! If she left after the appointment, shouldn't you have gone after her right then and there!?

Axel: Man, I'm a supervisor. You think I keep track of every person every second of the day? I'm bouncing between employees from clock in to clock out! Besides, it was her last appointment for the day.

Reiker: But you waited all the way until 8 PM?

Eggman: Mr. Strait, those are the standard working hours for one of my Robo-Techs. Due to the varying schedules of Robian citizens, we perform these maintenance appointments from 6 AM to 8 PM.

Reiker: … But he didn't check his desk all day?

Axel: I'll admit the maintenance sheet was under a bunch of other papers. I can only suspect she threw them on top to cover her tracks.

Eggman: Hmm… Well, I truly don't see a point to this objection. Overruled.

Reiker: (Shoot! I thought i had that for sure. Maybe I should ask Yanshu…)

Reiker: Your honor, before I continue with my questioning… Now that my defendant is not on the witness stand, do you mind if she comes behind the defense desk for a private sidebar?

Eggman: Eh… I don't see why not, but make it quick.

Yanshu: Oh, um… Do you need something, Mr. Strait?

Reiker: So, I have two questions…

Reiker: First off, if Flash was your robot, and you were worried about Axel finding out about him… Why did you let him tinker around with Flash?

Yanshu: Well, I figured he'd need a lot of muscle to get any of those pieces out… Truth be told, I was worried Flash would have an issue like this, so I installed some strip screws last time I did work on him.

Reiker: Oh, right, those screws that are meant to never come out…

Yanshu: Yeah, those! I really didn't wanna leave, but sticking around was gonna be suspicious, and, well… Axel's kind of lazy. I don't even know if he remembers my name half the time…

Reiker: Yeah, he seems a bit… Dull, but do you think it's possible he did it?

Yanshu: I… It had to have been. I didn't have my Omni-Tools with me! I never take them anywhere outside of work…

Reiker: Before we get into that… I wanna ask about the incident. Were you there? Did you see him?

Yanshu: Right, right… Well, I didn't see the moment it happened, or much of anything besides Flash broken on the ground…

Reiker: So you didn't see Axel at all?

Yanshu: N-… No?

Reiker: So he lied! He must have gone for Flash, but how?

Reiker: (Think, Strait! Something's gotta conflict with his testimony…)

Reiker: (Yanshu seems sure that Axel didn't remove anything during maintenance, but something must be different… Maybe he added something instead?)

Updated Testimony: Maintenance Supervision

1:) So I had just gotten back from lunch. Yanshu was the only one working, so I decided to go check on her.

2:) I went over and immediately noticed the weird personality core in the E-5000 she had.

3:) I tried unscrewing 'em with all my tools while Yanshu looked for something to remove them, but all the screws just broke!

4:) She couldn't find anything, and my next appointment came along, so I told her to keep at it and left.

5:) When our shift ended, I found the maintenance sheet on my desk, but with no core!

6:) I chased after Yanshu. I knew she was probably making off with the spy 'bot, but by the time I got there, he was destroyed…

Rythen: Oh, is that what she told you? Because she was found a mere 2 blocks from the scene of the crime. Isn't that right?

Yanshu: W-well, yes, but-… I mean… I always keep my tools at home!

Rythen: Then why were they found stashed in a bush just behind the body!?

Reiker: How can we be so sure that they weren't used by some other technician in the shop?

Rythen: Well, our eyewitness who reported the crime, of course.

Reiker: An eyewitness? Who else would be out at the park at that hour?

Rythen: Well, to answer that, lets start with a piece of evidence. Miss, do you recognize this sheet of paper?

Maintenance Sheet (Flash) has been added to the Court Record.

Yanshu: O-oh, um… Y-yes, that's one of our m-m-maintenance rep-ports…

Reiker: (Uh oh… She's shaking badly. Something's gotta be up…)

Rythen: Flash's Maintenance report, to be precise. And here, at the bottom… This is your signature confirming that it was you who performed said maintenance, isn't it?

Yanshu: I… Yes…?

Rythen: And here, this note from your boss about the unauthorized parts… You were aware of it, weren't you?

Eggman: Unauthorized-… IN MY MACHINES!? WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED BEFORE!?

Rythen: It's clearly marked on her maintenance sheet here - "Incorrect certification mark. Deliver unit to head office for examination" - signed by her boss. It's the primary reason Ms. Dryll is on trial today. Her manager noticed the discrepancy and followed her Omnitool's GPS tracker to investigate.

Rythen: When he finally caught up, he discovered the gruesome aftermath of the disassembly and contacted the authorities!

Yanshu: Listen, I can explain-!

Eggman: Ms. Dryll. You should be well aware of how serious this issue is!

Reiker: … And for the new parties who may need filling in?

Eggman: [Sigh]… Let me put it in terms you'll understand. Imagine you're using your Prower-brand home computer, hear a weird noise, open it up, and find an EggTech chip inside. That would cause mayhem in the Acorn Kingdom, no?

Reiker: And this is… The inverse. Are we sure its a competitor's parts, though?

Yanshu: I don't know about competitor, b-but… I explained to my boss when he asked the first time, my Omnitools weren't compatible, and only the personality core that had that issue. I didn't think-

Eggman: It was only the personality core?

Yanshu: … Yes, sir... Only that.

Reiker: … I feel like I'm missing something here.

Yanshu: Well… When I first started, I was told that personality cores are a Robian's most important part because it contains the one digital copy of that person's identity. The code is incredibly complex, would take an incredibly long time to back up, and can't be replicated.

Reiker: So if I understand this correctly, you're saying you didn't want to tamper with a person's entire sense of self over an odd decal.

Yanshu: That's exactly what I thought! If something went wrong, I-… I don't think I could live with myself...

Eggman: Can you officially testify to this?

Yanshu: Y-... Yes, sir.

Testimony 2 - The Foreign Component

1:) It's true… The personality core was visually different from the standard.

2:) But even so, Flash was operating well within the acceptable parameters!

3:) There weren't any other defects or strange marks…

4:) … So I decided to leave the personality core as it was.

Reiker: (Jeesh, this isnt good… We already have my client lying on the stand, but why would she lie about this, and why do I feel she's still hiding something…? I should check over everything I have in my Court Record to see if there's anything amiss.)