Fandom A lesson in empathy and proper stealthiness [SONIC OCxOC RP]

[VixenWritez]

Spoiler: Roleplay Partner

KittyPupHana

Spoiler: Awequa

art cred

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"So why exactly am I being sent here again, Jewel?"

"I know you're usually on rescues and not recon, but you're soort of the only one available right now who can reach this place- Our usual aquatic scouting team is on another mission, and I tried asking Vector, but he hasn't been answering, Probably busy with something else. Don't worry though, just an easy in and out, see if you can find what eggman's up to with this new base of his, and report back! you'll do great."

Before Awequa could protest, she was met with the click of her receiver disconnecting from the call, earning a huff and groan from the shark but still swimming towards her mission nonetheless. Taking in the architecture of robotnik's underwater base as she glided along the current, her eyes scanned carefully for any kind of less obvious entrance. There was technically the main door located slightly above water, but it was heavily guarded, and even she knew better than to try and strong arm her way through on what was supposed to be a stealth mission.

Her keen eyes and occasional patting around the base's structure eventually paid off, revealing a small manhole-like entrance, more than big enough for her to open and climb up into. Awequa peaks her head out just enough to check for any patrolling guards, and slowly uses her arms to pull herself out of the water and onto the metallic floor once confirmed. After taking a moment to smooth out her ponytail and shake off the last of the water off of her waterproof vest, she silently thanked the restoration's tailor for her recently modified outfit, making switching between land and water much simpler for her.

Refocusing back on the mission, she begins her search, being extra conscious of the sound of her boots tip toeing about the eggman-shaped dome. The first few rooms she had visited had nothing really of value to her besides a lived in but currently empty living quarters, and some charging stations to help her calculate numbers on how many badniks the doctor had stashed in this base in particular- she made sure to make note of it for both her report later and as a precaution for what to expect in this new and strange Lair.

The further she continued her search, the heavier the security, leaving her no choice but to stick more to the shadows if she wanted to find what she was looking for. A few close calls later, she was able to make it to the front of the craft, fumbling around the keypad to the main bay using the code she memorized another guard using.

Though still cautious, she relaxed a little seeing only one other in the main room with her- a mobian cat from the looks of it, something else to note for later. What she was most interested in the moment though was the important-looking folder the cat was turned away from a good few feet behind. If awequa could juust snag the folder, she could be out of here and home in time to relax and curl up with a good book.

Unfortunately, the files NEXT to the folder had other ideas for her, loudly scattering about after she had accidentally bumped them while grabbing her intended target. She bolted to hide behind one of the desks with folder in hand, praying she still had a shot of at least keeping the element of surprise should she need to fight.

 

[KittyPupHana]

The hum of the base was Niko’s lullaby, a low thrum that vibrated through the reinforced glass and into her bones. She ran a gloved hand along the bioluminescent algae clinging to the observation window, its ethereal glow casting an eerie green light on the endless, blue beyond. Another sector completed; another tick in the endless security checklist. Three hours down, five to go. Boredom gnawed at her more effectively than any robot that Eggman would build.

The air, recycled and slightly stale, tasted of ozone and algae. Now. it seemed to be the quietest time of the day – except for the insistent, almost imperceptible *drip…drip…drip* of a rogue leak she’d yet to locate. This routine security sweep was tedious, but vital. This base Eggman had constructed, and foolishly left that damned alligator, Aquariana, in charge of, held secrets worth more than any earthly treasure. And Niko, barely fifteen, was the one entrusted with their protection. The weight of that responsibility settled heavy in her chest, a counterpoint to the steady thrum of the base.

The silence, usually a comfort, felt brittle today. An almost imperceptible shift in the pressure, a faint *fwish* from somewhere down behind her, shattered the monotonous rhythm of the base’s internal systems. Niko froze. It wasn't the usual groan of settling metal or the gurgle of the water purification system. This was files falling to the floor in a place where a breeze wasn't prevalent

A primal fear, cold and sharp, pierced the mundane routine. Intruders weren’t supposed to happen. Not here. Not nestled miles beneath the crushing weight of the ocean. Yet, the unsettling sound had echoed with a disturbing clarity.

Niko gripped her metallic arm with her gloved hand, her finger first had become a flashlight, but ready to transform into a blaster upon need. Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs, a counterpoint to the base’s steady hum. The silence had returned, thick and heavy, pregnant with unseen things. But the unease lingered, a phantom touch on her skin. Slowly, deliberately, she turned. Yet there was nothing, no intruder, or if there was, they were in the shadows. And it was the possibility of an intruder in the shadows that caused Niko to break away from the security check to scan the area around her

 

[VixenWritez]

If the impending sense of doom or cold steel of the desk didn't aggravate her nerves, the whirring machinery and shine of the flashlight as the particularly intimidating guard patrolled for the source of the sound she so clumsily created certainly did. Awequa curses herself silently as she does her best to stay out of the spotlight, moving methodically between different desks and other nooks and crannies in the room to stay out of sight.

She was always great at being particularly silent in the water, but on land was a bit of a different story, especially with cargo to keep track of. she was quiet, but anyone paying close enough attention could easily hear the swish of the papers moving against her chest as she raced to beat the spotlight, or catch a glimpse of her shiny, rubber-looking tail swaying up and down behind her when she was simply a little too slow.

Sweat long ago formed began to settle its way into her hair and skin, leaving her uncomfortable and getting sloppy in her hiding, she knew she couldn't do this forever. Deep blue eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of another door to exit from, or a way to get out the way she came, something. A one on one fight she may be able to handle, but the decently sized army waiting just outside the door would leave her sorely outnumbered.

In a last ditch attempt, she makes her way back to the door she came in from, trying to open it and make her great escape... If the door would actually open. Did it really make this much sound when she opened the door on the other side? looking back at the other mobian behind her, she couldnt help but be curious about their obvious enhancements and unfair advantage in their little game of hide and seek.