Check Yourself

[megabuster]

I know everyone is really working hard to figure out what's going on around here lately, but I just wanted to make sure that no matter who you are, you're being careful. Make sure you don't overwork yourselves.

[LOOKING AT YOU, LUCCA.]

And make sure you don't take any undue risks.

[LOOKING AT YOU, ZERO.]

Remember, nobody's in this by themselves!

Comments

[lovesthepain]

Caution does seem like the wisest way to proceed. I have the suspicion that we'll be seeing more natural disturbances before this is through.

[megabuster]

All the more reason everyone needs to take care. If things get worse, we need to look out for each other.

[lovesthepain]

What we need is clear and rational thought. Reacting if the situation worsens is all well and good, but our goal should be understanding the root cause before it gets worse.

[megabuster]

I agree. But it's weird... None of these strange things happening seems to actually be related, you know? I mean... What's the common thread?

[lovesthepain]

We don't seem to have near enough data to be sure. Rising water levels, minor earthquakes, apparently the wildlife has been evacuating the forest... normally, I might suspect it's a sign of an impending natural disaster, but spaced apart like this, I wonder if that's really the case.

[megabuster]

But flooding and earthquakes are already natural disasters... Whatever this is, it's gotta be an unnatural disaster. I've seen Robot Masters who could create earthquakes and floods before.

[lovesthepain]

I'm talking about something on a much grander scale. These incidents, while inconvenient, certainly haven't been catastrophic in their magnitude. That's what makes me suspect they may merely be symptoms of a much bigger event.

[megabuster]

If only we could figure out what that was, though... It feels awful not knowing. I could imagine Dr. Wily doing something like this... Do you think someone is controlling it?

[lovesthepain]

I don't think we can necessarily rule out the possibility, but I'm hard-pressed to discern a motive for an approach like this. What would they intend to accomplish with a few minor, apparently unconnected changes to the environment?

[megabuster]

I don't know... Unless it's just a test run for something bigger... But I don't know. Agh, it's so confusing!

[lovesthepain]

All the more reason to seek answers.

...I... don't really know where to start, but I think I'm going to assess all the meteorological data for this place that I can. If whatever's happening manifests itself as natural disturbances, maybe we can find some indication where to look next.

[megabuster]

Is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to just sit at the sidelines in all of this...

[lovesthepain]

You're much more familiar with this area than I am. Is there anything you can tell me about the geographical landmarks surrounding the city?

[megabuster]

Well, there's a volcano, but other people are already investigating that. And there's the Floating Island, which is really mysterious... I don't know much about it, really.

[lovesthepain]

The island is an unknown factor, certainly. As for the volcano... who's looking into it? I'd like to make use of their data too, if possible.

[megabuster]

I think Sonic and Blaze were talking about it before on the network...

[lovesthepain]

I'll have to make a point of speaking to them, then. Any data they might collect would be very useful. A volcano's activity level is largely dependent on what's going on far below the ground -- it's possible there's a link between it and the earthquake we experienced.

[megabuster]

Well, the only place I know that far underground besides the volcano are the bunkers under the school...

[lovesthepain]

And we intend to search those ourselves. You will be coming along, correct?

[megabuster]

I'll be glad to help! I've felt terrible being on the sidelines all this time... I'll help in any way I can!

[lovesthepain]

I'm certain you'll prove very useful, in that case. It'll be dark and confined, and we don't know what hostile elements might be there... so plan accordingly.

[megabuster]

Got it! You can count on me! I'll get whatever I can ready!