Chapter Text
Smithy awoke in his bunk to his daily 6:00 AM alarm. Getting up early consistently is one of Smithy’s most important tenants to a productive day. The lion smiled assuredly as he moved through the rest of his daily routine: warm shower, morning stretches, and a hearty breakfast. He had to make sure that he started today in particular correctly. After all, this was the day his mentor Dr. Nemis would judge his advanced wispon models. Today would also be the culmination of the Doctor’s own experiments in refining and purifying hyper go-on energy.
Doctor Nemis was an interesting sort, coming off as both reserved and secretive as well as eccentric and manic depending on what day Smithy caught him on. Smithy was apparently the first person the Doctor had collaborated with in over a decade as Nemis had a long history of what he called “betrayal and disappointment”. Because of this, Smithy was still left mostly out of the loop of what Dr. Nemis considered his primary projects, only knowing the general aspects, but the hyper go-on research would play a key role in this project. Smithy’s involvement in it means that he was only a step away from learning what the doctor’s supposed magnum opus would be.
As Smithy made his way through the metal corridors of the secretive research facilities from his quarters to the kitchen, he pondered what the doctor could have been working on for all this time. Whatever it was, Smithy knew Nemis had hit a definitive roadblock, otherwise he would have never accepted Smithy as a student in the first place. It still likely wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the doctor’s robotic assistant IDL3 insisting on him obtaining some help. Said robotic assistant was waiting for Smithy in the simple, practical kitchen.
“Good morning, Smithy!” stated mammalian themed robot. IDL3’s was technically an AI capable of managing and controlling most of the systems in the facility, but preferred to primarily inhabit they’re humanoid vessel. The vessel most closely resembled a feline mobian form, with an average build and pointed ears. IDL3’s form lacked most other facial features, such as a nose or mouth, and used an LCD screen in place of eyes, allowing IDL3 to emote quite effectively.
“Mornin’, IDL3,” Smithy replied as he got his breakfast. IDL3 had already prepared it, knowing Smithy’s punctuality. “Is the doctor still not up yet?” Smithy took note that IDL3 had only prepared his meal.
IDL3 seemed to almost scowl at the entrance of the room. “As it just so happens… He is. My creator has just decided to forgo sleeping in favor of analyzing results from yesterday’s tests.” IDL3 turned back to Smithy. “Having another living person around has convinced him to cooperate with other people on a more regular basis. Now he’s researching psychic abilities, and he’s helping a young psychic develop her powers.”
“But we haven’t even finished our hyper go-on experiments, how can he have time for this?”
“Dr. Nemis conducts his research on his own terms. He rarely makes compromises. It took me years to convince him to take on an actual assistant. Always saying ‘Why would I need any assistance? I already have you.’” IDL3 raised their hands mockingly. “I’ve been messaging him to get some sleep or at least eat something. It’s bad for his heart to go so long without food or rest.”
IDL3 and Smithy exchanged solemn looks. Smithy had come to learn of the doctor’s medical condition. His heart was constantly degrading, he has had three transplants thus far, but the transplants soon also began to degrade. Smithy had figured this had to do with Nemis’s attitude in researching new endeavors. He’d seen it before, back when he was a soldier.
Desperation, that’s what it was, desperation to die for something, anything, to convince them that their life meant something, they become reckless and foolhardy. Smithy thought back on the many soldiers who charged head first in hordes of Eggman’s forces, hoping to just put a dent in the army while they breathed. He supposed that the doctor’s incessant side projects were a scientist’s version of that. To make some breakthrough that he would be remembered for.
As Smithy finished his breakfast, a certain deep violet sea otter finally joined them. Dr. Otto Nemis, expert in artificial intelligence, cybernetics, robotics, and advanced weaponry stood before his two assistants. “Ah Smithy, you’re already awake, good. I want to proceed with our final experiments as soon as possible.” While many would expect Nemis to carry himself like a sophisticated, learned genius, in person he carried himself like a prisoner of war. He perpetually slouched and dragged himself around like the upper half of his body was a sack of potatoes that his legs were carrying. He spoke like he was putting all his effort into whatever he was doing, but he didn’t have much effort left to give.
IDL3 stomped over to him, dropping their usual sing-songy tone. “Oh, no you don’t! You are going to sleep before you collapse from exhaustion! Then you are going to eat an actual meal, not just granola bars and coffee!”
“IDL3 please, we’re so close to completion, just a few more hours and-”
“Last time you told me that you lost a foot.” IDL3 looked down at the doctor’s right left. While not visible under his outfit consisting of a dark wetsuit with purple accents, black boots and gloves, and white lab coat, he had some cybernetics of his own. His right hand and foot were both advanced cybernetic prosthetics of his own design.
“Fine, but only two hours tops. I can’t afford to delay this experiment any longer.” The doctor quickly relented with a grimace. The experiment could absolutely be delayed for longer, but IDL3 seemed content enough with the compromise.
Smithy always had trouble getting Nemis to concede on his limits, often needing to bring up countless points about the health risks brought about his lack of concern for himself, usually only convincing him by mentioning how it would affect the efficiency of his work.
IDL3 on the other hand seemed to be the secret weapon for getting the doctor to take care of himself. Nemis had described IDL3 as having the sapience of any regular person and more of a capacity for genuine emotion than many people he has met. Smithy’s own experience with IDL3 seemed to line up with this. IDL3 not only came across as someone with their own developed personality, but also seemed to properly learn and grow from experiences. They were also frighteningly perceptive, being able to determine his preferred living conditions after just a week in the facility, but would only make any adjustments if he asked. IDL3 said it was more polite that way.
As IDL3 dragged the doctor back to his bedroom, a nearby screen on the wall lit like the eye screen on IDL3’s robot body. “Sorry for the delay, Smithy, but hyper go-on energy can get unstable. Not to mention all of the weapons you two will be surrounded by.”
“Actually this is perfect. I wanted to take some time to work on a little pet project on my own.” Seeing the opportunity, Smithy walked out of the kitchen to the Wisp Testing Lab, which was actually on the way back to his own bedroom. IDL3 had set his living quarters up purposely to be close to the rooms Smithy was most likely to use. Their efficiency in repurposing and reorganizing the facilities was another terrifying aspect of the AI.
Smithy walked through the lab’s automated doors to be greeted by five floating beings of various colors: Pink, Blue, Green, Orange, and Cyan to be exact. These were the wisps that Smithy had been working with the past several months. Smithy gave them each pats on the head while they mewled and purred at him. “Heh heh, hold on now, let me grab the translator.” Over on his work table lay a small tablet used for translating the wisps’ language to one he could understand.
“Today’s the day!” read the translator in pink text, corresponding to the wisp it was translating, a handy feature Smithy had added. “Where’s the doctor?”
“He’ll be a little while. IDL3 made him get some sleep after staying up all night again. Apparently he has a new test subject he’s looking into.”
Green text appeared on the screen. “Ooh, there’s someone new here? I wanna meet them!” The corresponding green wisp floated in little circles, excited from the concept of something new after months of the same experiments and tests.
“Hold on now Green, she just got here. I haven’t even met her yet.” The translator began lighting up with multi-colored text as the five wisps began to talk over each other. Smithy grunted “Hold on everyone. I can’t keep up with all of you at once. Although…”
As Smithy trailed off, he wandered over to a mask lying on the workbench, something he had been tinkering with in his off time. Seeing Dr. Nemis’ various automated systems throughout the facility had given Smithy some inspiration on how to make his own work process more ‘hands free’. First, he designed a mask with a camera up front that could interface with the lab room’s various cameras, allowing him to view tests from multiple angles without needing to move. Then he got an idea of how to more efficiently communicate with wisps. They seemed to pick up English pretty quickly, but their physiology made it too difficult for them to speak it. Additionally, mobians were not capable of replicating the intricate wisp language, nor could they even comprehend the full language, as it had an aspect that relied on a form of energy projection that was simply impossible for mobians.
Smithy smiled as he moved a detachable section to his ear, an LED lighting up as he did. “Okay, let’s see if this works.”
“Hey, he’s wearing that lame mask again,” Cyan snickered to Orange.
“I think it looks cool,” Orange responded.
“Why thank you Orange. Though I will admit, this design is more function over form,” Smithy slyly remarked.
The crew of glowing aliens lit up even brighter as they realized what this meant. “Wow, you can hear us now! Like, know what we’re saying!” said the cubical blue wisp as it began circling Smithy’s head in excitement.
As the other wisps began floating up to Smithy and chattering in wonder of his latest invention, the earpiece began to buzz as it attempted to translate the onslaught of wisp speech.
“Ow ow ow!” Smithy pulled the earpiece out as it began to spark and crackle. “Okay, looks like it still needs some work, but I’ve got some time to get this thing working and set up the weapons demonstration before the Doctor gets here.” Smithy put the mask down on the workbench, pulled up a chair, and began tinkering with the verbal translator component.