Taismo: RE Chapter 6 Part 2

by ~akiadan

Taismo; Resident Encounter (CH6) (PT2)

To be honest falling was one of Cody's favorite sensations. There was something calming about it to him and he never thought of it as showing off. Falling was simply, a pleasure in his life. Perhaps that is why he took up to running the rooftops of cities. Perhaps falling is why he became a pilot. It's strange really, how to many people it's a fear when for him its a joy. It wasn't for the adrenaline, it wasn't for looking good, and it most certainly wasn't because he was suicidal. The reason he likes it though, he keeps it to himself. Maybe one day he will tell someone about himself, maybe.
Cody himself was astonished at all the pods around him. Miles upon miles it felt like he fell. Of course that was not possible but it was still quite a long ways. The trouble of course is deceleration, for that is the trouble with falling. There was not enough space for a parachute but he still had a solution as always for this. He could in fact since he was wearing his collar which had the protection of the power ring, he could simply just grab hold of something with his hands and slow down without fear of friction burns.
Cody flipped midair so his back was facing down. He aimed his left arm holding the gauntlet and shot the grappling hook out of it. When it impacted the line coming out of his arm began to slow his fall. Gradually but quickly he slowed to a stop that only yanked at his shoulder from his body weight reaching the end of the line. He could see the platform below him where the rest of the party awaited. Sierra stayed quiet only informing him of his altitude from the platform. He looked down seeing the party and waved with his free hand. Chris nodded while Sheva waved back with caution.
The fact that they were suddenly contacted, and then easily tracked, Chris and Sheva weary of their surroundings. After all, they didn't know who it was contacting them, or if they could trust them. Chris saw the tail dangling on the figure above him and relaxed but only slightly. It was obvious it was another person from the world Tails and Cosmo came from but could he be trusted? After Cody got through the difficulties of lowering himself to the platform finally he stood a comfortable distance away on the platform from the rest of the party. Tails just getting Cosmo back was in no mood to have her taken away yet again and stood protectively holding her and standing in front of her as well. Cody bowed respectfully from his shoulders up trying to appear less hostile.
"I'm sorry to drop in like this and I'm sure you have many questions about how I am here and who I am but let me address one. My name is Cody, I am from the same world as Tails and I wish to help you." Tails looked Cody over cautiously and he could determine as much that he was in fact from Mobius, his home planet.
"Well Cody, how did you happen to find us? Let alone get here from another world?" Tails asked. Cody nodded disarmingly and explained as best he could. He told them how back home everyone knew what was happening and how knuckles let him and Dr. Robotnik use the Master Emerald to create a portal near the location of the Chaos Emerald Tails was in possession of. He explained the situation and dangers that could happen if they weren't able to stop this operation quickly.
"Within a few days we could be facing a change that would effect both worlds. One world would simply vanish while its occupants found its way on the lands of the other. Either way this is a very bad thing, I could only imaging the fighting that would happen due to the event. I came because I have something to protect back home, and because I am a soldier. I want to help, I even brought something for all of you." Cody pulled out the bracelets that he had put together for everyone that held the power of the Rings from Mobius. He explained what he did to them and explained how the rings worked to Chris and Sheva. Tails being able to use the power of Chaos Emeralds as well was able to sense that the rings were in fact infused in the objects. He was the first to take the bracelet from Cody and the other followed in step putting them on. Cody smiled and continued with important business.
"Also, Chris, Sheva, I have weapons for you. No doubt you are exhausting your ammo supply and I have guns that are like Tails' but of course, less kick." Cody held out the two handguns that looked similar to the M9s that Chris and Sheva were using and they in turn took them.
They both said a thank you in their own way and disposed of their old guns and ammo which to their surprise eased them of nearly thirty pounds of gear. Cody approached the computer again and typed passively into it.
"So we better not lose more time then we already are going to. I head the conversation you had with Excella and was able to find her position. It's about half a kilometer above us but still underground. Sierra, my nifty little AI friend, will help guide us." After a moment the elevator was moving at a slow pace upwards. "At this rate, it may take up to an hour so if you want to rest, now is the time. I will make food for everyone. I'm sure your all exhausted so please, rest. Let me handle everything until we arrive okay?" Again the rest of the party was cautious but agreed. Chris and Sheva both found a spot to sit down leaning against metal and Tails and Cosmo did the same in a more intimate way. Tails had both arms around Cosmo while she pressed herself into his chest as they sat down. Cody noticed that they were speaking quietly to each other as well as Chris and Sheva. He sat down where he was and began to get food supplies ready. He intended to speak to Tails alone at a later time but for now he must care for his party. Sierra finally chimed in after kindly letting Cody to his business for the time being.
"Do you think they trust you?" Cody smiled inwardly.
"No not fully, but at least enough. So..." Cody changing the subject. "Having fun poking around in my head again?" He chuckled to himself.
"Yes I am quite enjoying myself, though, I am worried now. How is it that you can still function while-"
"I don't wanna hear it, in short, I don't know why it is like that every moment of every day, all the doctors I have seen don't have a clue either. But that's not gonna slow me down, and I can't let Tails suffer like I do. His problem at least is mental, I plan to talk to him soon after we eat. But Sierra please, I'm fine, but thank you for caring." Sierra was silent and Cody nodded to the air again as he could fell Sierra inside his head. How he felt her was strange, he could tell if he concentrated what she was thinking, or what memory or emotion she was analyzing in his head. It felt like he himself was thinking but without having to. It was a rather curious feeling that he surprisingly missed.
He finished preparing the food and everyone was sitting in a circle eating. It was mostly silent besides a little small talk between everyone but Cody. Cody simply ate and listened respectfully and addressed Tails during a break in the conversation. He saw Tails was finished eating and took the chance.
"Hey Tails, could I please speak to you alone?" Tails looked at Cody then at Cosmo. Cosmo smiled at him and kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly.
"Don't worry Tails, I'm not going anywhere. It looks like it's important though so go talk to him." Tails smiled at her and hugged her back before standing and following Cody to the other side of the platform. They faced head other and Cody looked at Tails with meaning in his eyes.
"Tails, listen to me carefully. None of this is your fault." Tails was slightly caught of guard by this conversation and opened his mouth to speak when Cody put his hands on Tails' shoulders.
"Look, you are not yourself at all. I know exactly how you feel but listen you cant let it consume you. This is not you at all, you have to relax and realize a few things. You remember when you shot those people in the ally?" Cody asked as he took Tails hands into his own turning them over to see the wrap covering the burns. "There was nothing you could do, those people were already dead. If anything you gave them peace by not allowing their bodies to be controlled against their will. Cosmo being taken was not your fault either, it's pretty simple why it isn't. You have to start doubting yourself." Cody placed his hands back on Tails' shoulders.
"Every step you take you doubt yourself more and you are losing who you are. All you need to do is relax and let it all go. You cannot change to past but you can no matter what live in the now as best as you can. Look at all you have achieved! You have Cosmo back, you are in the middle of saving all life as we know it, you're absolutely amazing! Don't tell yourself your not good enough for her either I know you are. Look at you, your pretty damn sexy. I'd probably take you myself if you weren't taken" Cody winked at him and Tails looked down shyly and looked up with his eyes with a small smile. Cody smiled back and roughed Tails' hair in a brotherly way. "There's a smile. Now go back to her, we got a long ways to go now and you need to protect her. Lets get the job done and we can all go home eh?" Tails nodded and with a cocky smile he said "Yeah!"
They walked back together to the rest of the group and Cosmo greeted Tails with an embrace and they talked softly to each other again. Cody smiled at the sight and looked at Chris who looked slightly mournful. "Chris, we will get her back I promise you that." Chris looked at him and felt the confidence and with Sheva at his side and Tails, Cosmo, and now Cody here, he had found a place inside him and found some answers and a large amount of will. He straightened himself up and helped Sheva up. Sheva smiled and spoke her own words of encouragement and together as the lift stopped at the level they were to depart on, they took heart to what they must do. With a resolve to end it all the party pushed onwards through the door and traveled for only a little while. Then they came into a large room with glass tubes from floor to ceiling had a liquid that was unknown inside and a single man who looked worn down and ill sat in a metal chair under an observation window. There stood Excella with a confident gaze. The party faced towards her with steel in their hearts.
"Well, glad you could make it..."