Sleeping…dreaming…

Night…hunting…slinking through the forest prey on his mind, those that sense his presence grow quiet, those that do not are quieted forever -- a scent! prey? Or something more? Between trees, through bushes, until he arrives there on a log, by a fire two of them, a kitsune watching the stars and another one…familiar…the feline looks his way! Sees him.

Watches…watches…waits…

* * *

Tails weaved between trees, bridges and cottages high in the trees above Knothole, through gaps in the treetops he could see the stars sparkling in the night sky, seeing no clouds he knew that this would be a great night for stargazing. But when he approached his usual stargazing perch he saw that it was already occupied.

Upon closer inspection he recognized the now familiar orange and black striped fur of Kytan. He also noticed that Kytan was so intent on staring at the stars that he didn’t even know Tails was there, so deciding to have a little fun Tails flew behind the tree and snuck up on him. Landing as quietly as he could on a branch right behind Kytan he prepared to ask a question and enjoy the reaction.

“Hi Tails, care to join me?” Kytan said without even turning around.

“Ahh, how did you do that?”

“Trade secret.” He said as he twitched his ears.

Tails settled into a comfortable position seeing as how Kytan, leaning against the trunk of the tree, his legs stretched in front of him and his arms behind his head, and his tail hanging down from the branch slowly waving in the night breeze had taken his usual spot.

“And how did you get up here, I thought I was the only one who knew about this spot.” Tails asked once he had settled in.

“Again, when you’re in my trade, climbing up a tree is no big thing.”

“Are you really a treasure hunter and a bounty hunter?”

Kytan turned from the convenient hole in the tree through which hundreds of stars shone and looked at Tails. “Yeah I am a treasure hunter, and I’m afraid to say I have done a little bounty hunting over the years, but only when I had to, its not something I’m proud of.”

“Really? You’re not? The only other bounty hunter I’ve ever met is Nack the Weasel and he sure enjoys his job.”

“Yeah, maybe a little too much.”

“You know Nack?”

“Yup, nice guy. Except for the fact that he would sell out his grandmother to the highest bidder.”

Tails laughed. “You sure do know Nack.”

“We’ve met on the few occasions I’ve done bounty hunting.” Kytan put up a hand. “But the difference between me and him is I only take bounties where the target is someone who broke an actual law.”

“Oh, cool. But I bet you have a bunch of exciting stories from your treasure hunting. Tombs, traps, angry villagers, and stuff.”

Kytan laughed. “A few, but not as many as a Freedom Fighter like you, I’m not on the most wanted list of a major dictator.” He paused. “Anymore.” He paused again and scratched the bandage on his head. “That I know of.”

Tails smiled, happy to be able to share some of his adventures with somebody who wasn’t there at the time. “Well I’ve been a few places, done a few things.”

Kytan waved an arm in Tails’ direction and bowed. “Well, share with us unenlightened my many-tailed friend.”

And so, while the moon made its nightly trek across the section of sky that the two adventurers could see Tails and Kytan traded stories of adventures, fights, and wondrous travels. After all the tales had been told the two just watched the sky in silence. And the only ones who conversed were a unevolved owl somewhere in the trees and the occasional night breeze that blew through the branches almost silently and quietly rustled the leaves above Tails’ head and at Kytan’s feet.

Kytan returned from the past and the stars to continue the conversation.

“How did you find this place? It’s perfect for stargazing.”

“You can get a decent view of the stars from the ground but there are too many lights down there, and too many people. So I searched around until I found a place that nobody knew and I thought that nobody could get here either cause its so far up.” Tails answered then countered with a question of his own. “Why are you up here this late? I thought I was the only one awake.”

Kytan paused for a second then answered. “I…. Couldn’t sleep. I guess I’m just not used to sleeping indoors I’ve been camping out for a few weeks now. Plus I’m not used to going to sleep without having an argument…er conversation with M.A.X. first.”

“Where is M.A.X. anyway? I’ve never seen a robot design like him before.”

“I’m not surprised you’ve never seen his design before, he’s built from an Overlander probe from the Great War. Definitely before your time. As to his whereabouts, Princess Sally told me he went to Rotor’s workshop to get his damage assessed.”

“Why do you have an Overlander probe from the Great War?”

“Oh, an old partner of mine built him, she just loves classic machines and robots and stuff, and she had a probe lying around so she used it. He’s been a great asset to me too. Since he is small and can move on his own he’s perfect for reconnaissance and helping me to explore complicated ruins and stuff. Plus I don’t have to pay M.A.X. a thing.”

Tails laughed and looked up at the moon again. “Woah, look at the time its later than I thought, G’night Kytan.” At that Tails jumped off the branch and started to fly away.” From behind him he heard: “G’night young kitsune.” He turned around to ask what a kitsune was but Kytan had yet again disappeared. Tails sighed to himself. “How does he keep doing that?” But as he flew to his cabin he knew he would get no answer tonight.

* * *

Morning came and went in the Great Forest without any more conflicts. After lunch Sally decided to go to Rotor’s workshop to see how the tests on the gun were going and for a routine checkup on Nicole. As she walked up to the cabin that housed his workshop she heard muted voices coming from within, upon opening the door she saw what the cause of the ruckus was. Rotor was having a heated discussion with St. John.

“You better have a very good reason for having that thing assist in the tests.” St. John said trying to intimidate Rotor (notice I said trying.)

“I let him assist me because he has sensor equipment I don't, and can help me make a more detailed analysis of the gun’s functions.” Rotor said, beginning to lose his reserve, something that almost never happened.

“So you just let him around potentially dangerous equipment, and allowed him to assist in the tests on a weapon that he could corrupt.”

“Yes, because of the assistance he provides and because I’m not as paranoid as you are.”

“Where Robotnik is concerned, you can never be too paranoid. Now I suggest you remove him from the rest of the experiments.”

“And I suggest you --”

Sally stepped forward and interrupted Rotor before he said something he’d regret (And I couldn't reprint.) “Hold on here, what's the matter?” She said as she took Nicole off her shoulder and placed her into the diagnostic/recharge unit that Rotor had invented for her.

St. John turned to Sally. “Princess, he has been allowing that probe of Kytan‘s to assist in his tests on the weapon”

“Is this true?” She asked Rotor.

“Yes it is Princess” Rotor responded truthfully, he has been an asset in learning about this new weapon of Robotnik’s, anyway, he’s had plenty of opportunities to betray us, and him and Kytan know enough about us to screw us over anyway. How is this going to make that much of a difference.”

“I understand your reasoning Rotor, but maybe you should have been more careful or at least talked to me or St. John before allowing it to help you.”

“Yes I understand Princess, and next time--”

“There won’t be a next time Rotor.” Said a metallic voice from the back room. M.A.X. floated in looking only a little better than the day before. “I have finished all the necessary tests on the gun; all information about it is on a disk on your table.”

“Wow, thanks M.A.X.” Rotor said and started to go into the other room to get the disk. “It sure is a good thing your here, it would have taken me days to gather all that information.”

The Princess gave M.A.X. a confused look. “What do you mean there wont be a next time?”

“What I mean Princess is this; we’re leaving, me and Kytan are packing up right now and going on our way.... As far away as we can.”

“Don't think that you’re just going to pack up and leave after all this stuff that's happened mate.” St. John said pointing at M.A.X. “We’re not letting you go that easily.”

“You don’t have much choice about.... Letting us go, as you so eloquently put it sir.”

Sally stopped St. John before he started another argument, this time with a robot. “Why do you have to leave now? You were supposed to stay until you had your repairs, that’s the deal that Kytan made with me.”

“That was the deal Princess, before I made a discovery that has convinced me that we must leave as soon as possible, for your sake and ours.”

Sally got slightly worried and suspicious. “Why? What is it you discovered that makes you feel you should leave before both of you are at full strength, you still have considerable damage, and your partner suffered a slight concussion last night.”

“Yes, and under normal circumstances we would stay as per our agreement with you...but these are anything but normal circumstances.”

“What is it? What's are these new circumstances?”

M.A.X. paused for a second to consider this question as Rotor walks out of the back room his eyes wide in a shocked expression. “The weapon we retrieved from Robotropolis, the De-Evolutionary ray...”

“What about it robot? We know what it was supposed to do; we’ve been over this. He’s up to something Princess, we can’t trust him. I say we just--”

“Uh.... Princess.... The gun...” Rotor began.

“Is functional, it works.” M.A.X. finished.

* * *