Patronage Part 4

Patronage
Part 4
Home Sweet Home

Lien-Da gazed about her surroundings in a mix of shock and awe.  She found she was resting on silken sheets guarded by four bronze posts shaped like ancient Echidnan Knights.  She was in a space that, judging from the ceiling, was as easily as vast as a battleship hangar was big!  The small area she was in had a canvas frame top, supporting a crystal chandelier that gave a soft light like candles.  Carefully getting off the bed, her legs still shaky from when she fainted, she made her way to what appeared to be the only exit to the “room” she was in.  She squinted in the brighter light as she stepped through the “doorway” and into a nursery area easily three or maybe five times bigger than what she had in her lab!  It was fully equipped and furnished, and in a similar style to the bed she had rested on . . . almost like somebody had went back in time and brought the golden days of Echidnan Past to the present!

“Amazing isn’t it,” said an all too familiar voice.  Lien-Da turned to see the huge figure of Mammoth Mogul standing with his back to her.  Seeing the timeless wizard in the flesh answered a good number of questions right quick . . . he had brought Lien-Da here after she passed out, and this had to be the new “base of operations” he had planned for her in his deal.  
“Almost hard to believe,” Mogul spoke again, this time drawing Lien-Da’s attention to what he was standing by . . . a large play pen that held her baby Freedom Fighters!  
“That something so small and fragile could have caused me so much difficulty,” the powerful mammoth said reflectively as she held up his trunk, on the end of which clung Baby Sonic and Baby Sally!  Even seeing her upgraded Stork-Bots standing watch didn’t stop Lien-Da’s instincts from flaring up and bringing her marching over . . . just in time to hear Mogul say, “So strong of spirit and will . . . and now so delicate I could break them like dolls . . .,” and see him send the little ones flying upward with a simple flick of his trunk!!  Lien-Da started to shriek, but just before the slightest note could escape her lips, Mogul gave his trusty cane a whirl, creating a cloud that caught both babies easily in its fluffy softness and brought them floating back down to his waiting free arm and curled trunk.  “And yet now . . . offering opportunities almost as precious as their very lives,” he said with a warm and almost impassioned conviction that caught Lien-Da even more by surprised as he turned to face her.

“I . . . I thought you were only going to take an observatory stance in this,” Lien-Da managed as she stepped up before him, her eyes flicking from meeting Mogul’s to the babies in his grasp and the others who were all looking up and the two of them, all of them completely without fear of being here.

Mammoth Mogul just chuckled as he handed Sally to Lien-Da, “Huh, huh, huh, observing is rarely just watching now isn’t it?  And you shouldn’t deny an old man his interests.”  He said it so casually . . . so unlike the force of power responsible for the Wizard Wars centuries past Lien-Da had heard about.  “So, what do you think of your new place?” he asked with a sweep of his cane, careful of the swing of his trunk that still held the playfully wiggling Sonic.

Lien-Da shook her head for moment, getting her hair and dreadlocks out of reach of Baby Sally’s playful hands before repositioning the little one to her hip and turning to take in all she could see of the cavernous space.  “When you said it was going to be ready so soon . . . I never expected such a huge place!”

Mogul smiled as he stepped up beside her, lifting his cane and sweeping it grandly toward the cavern sealing.  “Hmm, in truth, my workers discovered these grand complexes in the mountains against which Casino Nights was originally built.  Having underground wings for the Casino and Club were natural choices for expansion . . . this particularly large cavern however had been left unused . . .  It’s size and security showed promise, so I kept it separated from the rest of the business . . . until I could find just the right use for it.”  

Lien-Da looked up into the cock-eyed half-grin on Mammoth Mogul’s face with curiosity.  “Oh, really . . .,” she asked as S03 stepped up in swan-mode holding out her downy wings.  Without consciously thinking, Lien-Da handed Baby Sally over to the bird-bot, just as Mogul released Baby Sonic from his trunk.  “And you thought ‘my needs’ could prove the right use for such a place,” Lien-Da’s tone being both inquisitive as well as a little sarcastic.

Mogul simply watched S03 take the little tots over to where the other swan-mode stork-bots were watching over the rest of Lien-Da’s little litter play on the big open mat area.  “Hmm, hmm, as matter of fact . . . the moment I saw what you were up to behind Robotnik’s back, I knew a venture with such potential . . . not to mention such time spanning requirements . . . would need a more appropriate setup.  With not simply more room for your brood . . . but room enough for it to grow . . .”  The hint in his words and the gleam in his eyes made Lien-Da look away with a touch of blush, “Don’t try to deny it my dear . . . I saw quite clearly . . . that hungry look of desire . . . the fire of your maternal instincts in your eyes when I showed you the images of the Guardian,  the Thief, and her new compatriots.”  The more he spoke, the more Lien-Da tensed, trying not to show how upset she was with herself for letting that warmer side her to be seen so easily.  “That little bit of evidence confirmed my hunch . . . but of course as you can clearly see . . .” he put a huge but surprisingly comforting hand on her smaller shoulder, drawing her attention back to the tour, “there is much more beyond the nursery and your new living quarters.  As I said, this venture of yours is time spanning . . . and you’ll no doubt need room for . . . other amenities as you ‘raise’ your new little treasures.”

Hearing this snapped Lien-Da out of her self-disapproval to take in this vital bit of information.  To better illustrate, Mogul used the tip of his cane and actually drew a rough outline of the cavern’s layout in the very air itself.  As she looked over the diagram, Lien-Da first marveled at the detail with which this simple bit of the elder wizard’s magic accomplished, but then as she actually looked at the layout, her mind began to race.  The sheer size of the cavern alone had potential, but then the depth, structure, and features all offered a myriad of prospects that she could put to use in times to come.  Slowly, an almost “giddy” grin stretched over Lien-Da’s lips as she began casting her mind toward the future before her.  She looked up toward her new benefactor from the side, her grin in clear view as she spoke, “You thought of everything haven’t you?”

Mogul just shrugged, “just looking and planning ahead.”

“Something you’ve have more than a dozen centuries of practice in.”

Again the old Mammoth just shrugged with a nonchalant smile as they both turned back toward the babies playing.  The whole thing felt almost like a dream to Lien-Da, beautifully and enticingly laid out before her . . . but then it quickly felt like a nightmare as she caught sight of a clock on the wall telling time with a rotating day and night sky. “Great Aurora!,” Lien-Da yelled as she slapped her brow in panic.  “What time is it?!”

Mogul just looked at the clock on the wall and then pulled out a simple looking pocket watch from his business suit jacket pocket to confirm.  “Hmmm, it is about an hour before you are due to meet Robotnik in the Testing Labs to show him what you’ve been working on all this time,” he said matter-of-factly.

“What?!” this time Lien-Da’s scream of duress got the attention of the babies who turned to look toward her with innocent concern.  “How could this have happened?!” Lien-Da grabbed and squeezed her head in disbelieve as she realized that she didn’t time to get anything ready for the meeting . . . meaning that Dr. Eggman would demand to know the truth . . . if he didn’t just torture it out of her—a thought that drew her to meet the little ones’ eyes with fear and worry for their sakes just as much as her own.

Mogul didn’t seem the slightest be worried as he once again placed a huge hand on Lien-Da’s shaking shoulder.  “Regardless whether they be mere pawns on the front line, or pieces that stand at my side,” Mogul started, “I always keep watch over those I work with. When you fainted from the stress of your prior situation, I had the stork-bots take care of bringing you here.  It was very fortunate that you programmed them so well . . . they instinctively knew everything of importance that was needed from that little bunker base of yours.”  With a simple sweep of his cane, Mogul caused a canvas covering in the corner of the chamber near where Lien-Da ha woken to fly away . . . revealing her computers, lab equipment, and files all set up in a much larger lab area!  “So, after they helped to bring you and your little ones here, they automatically set to work moving everything else here as well.  And while they tended the babies while you got some clearly needed sleep,” he gently shepherded her into her new lab and tapped on a short stack of files and diagrams, “I put together a little something that should put the ‘good doctor’ off your trail for now.”

Lien-Da could hardly believe such a stroke of luck.  She carefully moved to the desk and flipped through the files, her eyes becoming as wide as saucers at what she found.  “Wha . . . what is all this?” she asked with a hint of awe.

“As I stated in our original meeting,” Mogul said simply, “my offer includes not just a new base of operations, but access to my resources as well.  This was just a little something leftover from the last Great Wizard war . . . one of many little articles I kept as both a souvenir and a something to ponder over in my spare time in later years.  A little shining here, a little touch of arcana there, and it should suffice to suite your needs well enough.”

Lien-Da could hardly believe what she was hearing, let alone what she as seeing . . . but there was only one real way to be sure . . . and from the look on the clock, she didn’t have much time to think of another option.


The air was tense at the Testing Labs of Eggman’s Fortress.  Robotnik sat in his mobile command chair, tapping his fingers together in thought as he watched Lien-Da’s presentation.  Out in the enclosed testing ground, he watched as he observed what appeared to be an echidna shaped automaton take on a unit of Egg-Bots.  The robot was rough and simple, but as the battle ensued, he showed surprising maneuverability as it ducked, dodged, and weaved about the incoming fire and flack.  It got in close, causing the Egg-Bots to hit each other with their own guns, right before it began to rip off their damaged limbs and gear!  Lien-Da flicked her eyes back to see what Eggman thought, but the Doctor didn’t give little more than hum to himself as he kept tapping his fingers.  Then he pressed a button that stepped up the difficulty level, Lien-Da looked back to see even more Egg-Bots appear and join in . . . the over whelming numbers and firepower reduced the robot echidna to a heap of smoking parts.  
“Hmmmm . . . I was expecting a little bit more from you Lien-Da . . . “ Robotnik started, clearly showing he wasn’t impressed and would press her for the truth . . . but a quick press of a trigger on her control pad, and the old Egg held his words as activity started anew in the testing grounds.  Lien-Da watched hopefully as sparks began to flow about ‘her’ robot’s remains.  A second later, those same sparks arced out to all the torn and broken Egg-Bot parts scattered about the floor.  She did her best not to smile as the parts all began to pull together and reconfigure into a much larger and stronger looking automaton.  Without hesitation, the big hulk of amassed parts began tearing into the surrounding enemies.  It swatted several down like valley balls, another dozen it cut down with the guns it assimilated . . . every time the Egg-Bots managed to severely damage the droid, it just let out another stream of sparks that rebuilt the damage from the heaping supply of scrap on the battlefield.  Soon . . . there was only one big bot left in the room.  

Lien-Da let out her breath very carefully so as not to reveal her nervousness as the huge amalgamation of scrapped bot parts lumbered toward the window to stand at the ready before the on lookers like the soldier it had been programmed to be.  But just after saluting . . . its power ran dry and it began to fall apart . . . returning to a pile of parts ready for recycling.  Lien-Da didn’t know what to say, so she just held her calm as she waiting for Robotnik to speak.  A silent moment that felt like the long wait before an execution.

“Hmmmm,” Dr. Robotnik broke the silence as he stroked his chin before speaking.  “Seems I stand corrected Lien-Da.  You have been working on something rather interesting here.”  The interest on his face was clear and true, but so was the driving look in his eyes for an explanation.

“Well, I was combing through some old records left behind by my Great Grandfather Dimitri . . . telling of some of our ancient ancestors’ long sense lost developments.  On a hunch, I held on to them, and when I was managing the redevelopment of the fortress . . . I came across some fragmented data files on your oldest works with nano-tech.  I was inspired to cross examine the files . . .”

“And discovered a way of blending the old with the new,” Robotnik finished contemplatively.  “Hmmm . . . a little rough . . . yet also classic . . . clearly needs more work . . . but holds possibilities . . .”

“Not’ta mention could save us a fortune in wasted parts,” Cu-Bot piped in as he pointed to all the salvage the prototype had brought back from the field.

Robotnik ignored his goofy little assistant as he kept his eyes on Lien-Da.  The Kommissar felt like a gun was being pressed into her stomach under his gaze.  But then, she heard something that was like the flapping of angel wings . . . Eggman was slowly, clapping his hands!  “Well, well, Lien-Da . . . it seems congratulations are in order.  It needs a little refining, but this actually impresses me.”  Lien-Da couldn’t believe her senses as she saw what was clearly a smile on Eggman’s lips.  “Or-Bot, have a team sift through that rubble and retrieve the Prototype’s components . . . and then have the rest sent to be recycled.”

“Yes, sir,” Or-bot said with a bow as he turned to a transmitter and sent out the order.

“As for you, my Kommissar of the Dark Egg Legion . . . I want all files and records on this little project of yours turned in to me . . .,” Robotnik stated calmly as he turned to leave.

“Yes, Doctor,” Lien-Da stated, regaining some of her old composure, “at once . . . “

“Oh, and one more thing,” Robotnik added as he turned back to hold her eyes with his stern gaze, “while I applaud anything that advances the growth of the Eggman Empire . . . go behind my back again . . . and I won’t be so forgiving next time.”  The cold hard edge in his words raked like a set of steel claws down her spine as Lien-Da nodded with hard gulp.

“Of course sir . . . never again.”

As the sun began to set outside the fortress, Lien-Da finished turning in all the files she had concerning “her” new prototype.  After one final promise to Robotnik not to do anything without his approving, she was out the door . . . and heading for the nearest dark corner she could find.  Once she was out of sight, she pulled a little gold ring enlaced with dark purple runes out of her pocket.  Flipping the ring into the air, it expanded into a shadowy portal, which she quickly stepped through.  Once she was passed through, the ring collapsed in on itself, leaving no trace of her leaving.

Lien-Da exited the shadows into the welcoming light of the nursery.  The moment the portal closed and the arcanely treated warp-ring returned to her hand, she jumped as high as she could and crowed in joyous relief!  

“Yahoooo!!  It worked!  I can’t believe it worked!”  She came down clasping her knees for support as her heart pounded like a jackhammer.  The sounds drew the Stork-bots attention and brought them running to her side.

“Welcome back, Mistress” the little flock of bird-bots said in unison as they bowed in greeting . . . and then began inspecting her with their soft swan-mode beaks as they registered worked up vital signs.  Lien-Da was too excited and relieved to think about their behavior . . . just breaking down and laughing as their attention reminded her of pet cats or dogs greeting their master’s return home.

Home.  The word echoed in her mind as she looked up and around at the new base that had been provided for her.  She looked at the lab with all its new equipment, files, and resources that just allowed her to snow blind Dr. Robotnik.  She looked out at the vast complex of a cavern that now acted as her new hiding place and offered so much potential for the future of her “plans”.  Then she looked about the huge nursery surrounding her . . . huge, roomy, waiting to be filled . . . and readily equipped and furnished to her liking.  And nested in one small section, were the crib-pens that held “her” baby Freedom Fighters . . . all of whom had their little hands against the sides of the cribs and where burbling and cooing happily at her return.  And just a few feet off to the side . . . a fully set table with six warm bottles of formula and a silver domed tray with steam venting out of it.

With her Storks at her side, she walked over and lifted the lid off the tray . . . and the sweet and spicy aroma of her favorite meal, home cooked like she always wanted, wafted up to embrace her senses.  But though her mouth watered at the thought, her instincts drew her back to the bottles, and she knew what came first.  Putting the warming lid back over the tray, she grabbed the first bottle and walked over to the cribs.  Before she got the rim of the first pen, she looked back at her Storks, who were waiting as if for her approval . . . her trusting approval.

“Well . . . what are your waiting for?” she asked sarcastically with a welcoming grin.  The Storks acted like they were ruffling their feathers in excited thanks as they took up the rest of the bottles and joined her.  With a growingly contented smile, Lien-Da reached in and lifted Baby Vanilla up from her crib, and holding her cradled in her arm, walked over to a chair that was waiting for her.  As she sat down, she found what had looked like a simple lab chair was actually a reclining rocking chair.  Caught by surprise for only a moment, Lien-Da just gave a sighing laugh as she offered the bottle to little Vanilla, who happily wrapped her little lips about the nipple and began to feed.  Lien-Da found herself unable to resist smiling as she subconsciously rocked the chair slowly.  A smile that grew warmer as the Storks sat down about her, each holding one or two of the other babies, all of them cutely cradled in the bird-bots’ down-soft wings and enjoying their supper.

As she sat there, Lien-Da could feel somebody watching her . . . a certain somebody she knew was going to be watching her for quite a long time to come.  Looking up at the sealing, she gazed about for any signs of cameras . . . but found not a one.  Then, looking straight out toward one particular spot . . . she could feel somebody looking right back into her own eyes.  And yet, she no longer felt on edge about it.  She was holding and was encircled by her new life’s work . . . which had only just begun to grow . . . she was surrounded by her vast new den . . . which offered sanctuary, secrecy, and security . . . she was finally where she could be her own echidna once again . . .

She . . . was “home”.