TV: …as court adjourned today, both the prosecution and defense declined to comment, leaving the world to wonder - what truly happened in the Radika Case?
TV: Spectators the world over have expressed concern regarding how Sunnyside - as well as its infamous governor, Dr. Robotnik - will handle criminal actions within its borders, and with an international racing star at the center of the incident, many foreign administrations are considering this tragic event to be a test of his competency as a supposedly benevolent leader.
TV: I tell ya, Ron, these guys never get off our case, do they? Two whole years of peace since Sunnyside's founding, and they act like each and every one of our humble citizens are involved in the plot for some new nefarious scheme!
TV: It sure is a doozy, Phil! In local news, authorities are still on the lookout after multiple Badnik factory robberies…
Reiker: Yeesh, my first big case and everyone is watching…
Yanshu: I can't believe how many newscasters were waiting just outside the doors!
Flash: You guys're lucky I was there to play keep-away. Pro'lly would'a been squashed otherwise!
Yanshu: [Shudder] That would certainly complicate things… Do you think they're still in the building?
Reiker: That doesn't matter - we won't be staying here long. Did you manage to transcribe the-?
Yanshu: The directions? Yeah, I mapped them out. I even compared them to some satellite images and blueprints of the city's underground to see exactly where we were going - it looks like we're headed to pump station 17!
Reiker: "Directions" is a strong word for what he gave us…
Flash: Ha! Have you ever talked to someone that doesn't speak leagal-ese, or is this your first time?
Reiker: I-… Let's just get going. I'd like to get done with this sewer business as quickly as possible.
Reiker: Urgh, I was really hoping to be over this stench... At least now we know it's the same as the one coming from Radika's jacket.
Reiker: [Sigh] I miss the sun…
Yanshu: Oh, come on! Sure, the smell is pretty bad, but once you get used to it, this place is a little cozy, no?
Reiker: Are you really calling a sewer cozy?
Yanshu: Not the sewer! The tunnels just-… Y'know?
Reiker: I, uh… Don't think I do, no…
Yanshu: Oh...
Yanshu: ... Are you okay, Mr. Strait? You look kinda pale...
Reiker: By Gaia, how much longer do we have to-
???: Hey, who else is in here!? IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!
Reiker: I think I know that voice…
Cubot: Stop right there! This is an active investiga-! ...tion...
Cubot: Oh... It's you two.
Reiker: Yeah... I guess I should've expected that we'd run into you two down here.
Orbot: Frankly, I'm surprised we ran into anyone in this maze. We've been wandering blindly since the last court session was adjourned.
Yanshu: Oh, I printed out a map if you want to follow us! I even brought an extra copy, just in case!
Cubot: Hmph… We can figure it out oursel-
Orbot: How generous of you! We'd really appreciate the assistance.
Reiker: … Did you two not notice the arrows?
Orbot: Of course we noticed! We just had to check the Sonic traps.
Yanshu: The... Sonic traps?
Cubot: What, you think that rodent gets a free ticket into the city? If he wants to sneak around in here, he's gotta come in the hard way!
Orbot: The boss ordered us to make sure no one set off the auxiliary Badniks while we were down here. Punishment for our shoddy investigation work, it seems...
Reiker: Speaking of punishment, weren't you two supposed to be taking a hematology course?
Orbot: It was truly a rigorous 10 second download.
Orbot: Cruel and unusual, if you ask me...
Yanshu: 10 seconds? That sounds awfully fast for something so comprehensive!
Yanshu: So... How big was that file? Was it just text, or a PDF, or... Can you download video that quickly? How much localized storage space do you-
Reiker: Yanshu…
Yanshu: Aah, sorry…
Yanshu: … So, any sign of Sonic?
Cubot: N—ope, doesn't look like he's been here, but if we find so much as a quill, this whole city's on LOCK DOWN!
Reiker: (Please, Sonic, just this once, be lazy and stay home… I don't think I could stand a lock down in the sewers, especially with these two.)
Yanshu: Oh, I think I see a light down that tunnel! That must be the place!
Jetsam: I, um... Y-you guys aren't… A-Alcost… What're you doing here?
Cubot: We got a warrant to investigate this area as part of the murder case. What're you doin' down here, bub?
Jetsam: Ah-… We practice down here! A lot! I—t's… Stability training!
Reiker: And by "stability training" do you mean "knocking each other into the sewer water?"
Jetsam: … What? Only Tony does that, then he gets heated when he's shoved back! It's his own dumb fault he fell in!
Reiker: Right, and you're training... Now? Alone?
Jetsam: W-well, I... was waiting for coach to get here! Obviously!
Jetsam: ... Listen, I don't come into your place and ask what you're doin' there!
Reiker: (Seth's presence is way too coincidental, but I can't let him distract me from the real stuff going on here… I need to investigate and press him for any information he might have on this place.)
TV: And… We're back from the break! Next up, here's sports with Ron the Swan!
Reiker: Phew… I finally got everything set up. My office is tidy, my papers are in order, and my waiting room is prepped for a party of any size wanting to support a client!
Reiker: Now, if only I had clients… Or anything to do other than catch up with the news.
TV: ...and the entire city is in an uproar over last night's race!
TV: Undefeated local champion, Radika Bodacious, was originally known for blowing her opponents out of the water with times upward of 30 seconds faster than her podium competitors!
TV: But with internationals well underway, the "Totally Tubular Trailblazer" has been starting to slip up against some of the biggest names in the business! Today's win was a mere .12 seconds faster than international superstar Jet the Hawk, and it has left many wondering... Can Radika keep this up, or will she crack under the pressure? It seems the only way to find out is to buy tickets to the E-Stadium Quarter-Finals next Friday at 8 PM! 'Til then, back to you Phil Wilson!
Reiker: Huh... Is racing even a sport…?
Yanshu: Well, it is a competition, but it focuses more on skill than physical-
Reiker:
GAH!!
Yanshu: Eek!
Reiker: Yanshu!? Y-you, um… Didn't tell me you were coming.
Yanshu: S-sorry, Mr. Strait! I didn't mean to scare you…
Reiker: It's fine, I, uh…
Reiker: (… Forget what I was doing…)
Yanshu: Are you sure? Your feathers seem a bit, um… Ruffled.
Reiker: IgnoreTheFeathers.
Reiker: [Ahem] So, what brings you in today?
Yanshu: W-well, um… Oh!
Yanshu: I almost forgot, I have someone to introduce you to!
Flash: Pfft-… Nahhh, I'm just messing with ya! Thanks for making sure Yanshu didn't get canned, I dunno what I'd do if-
Flash: Well, I guess I wouldn't be doing much of anything if you didn't get her outta that mess. The whole "being dead" thing kinda makes that difficult.
Reiker: Oh, I-
Flash: Ooh, is that Radika on TV!? I gotta see this!
Reiker: Oof!
Yanshu: Flash!!
Reiker: (Jeesh... How did he move that fast!?)
Yanshu: Sorry about that, he's... Excitable.
Reiker: No, no, it's fine. Don't worry about it.
Reiker: … So um... Have the guys at work been giving you trouble about the case?
Yanshu: No, I, er-… After speaking with the doctor, we agreed it would be best for me to take a... Vacation? Today's the start of my year long sabbatical.
Reiker: A sabbatical? You mean those long vacations that people take when they're depressed?
Yanshu: I'm not depressed! Just… Working through some stuff, that's all. I haven't been that scared since, um...
Yanshu: ... Actually, I probably shouldn't think about it...
Reiker: Ah, well… I can only really help with law stuff, but you're always welcome if you want to-
🎶 DUN DUN, DUN DUN, DUN DUN DUN DUN, DUN 🎶
[BOOM]
Reiker: Jeez, that's loud! Think you can you turn it back to the news Flash? Or something... Quieter?
Flash: Oh, this is the news! That's their breaking news jingle. Something exciting must be going on!
Reiker: Didn't know you needed to burst a bird's ear drum to indicate breaking news…
TV: THAT'S RIGHT, WE ARE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH A BREAKING REPORT; THE BODY OF RACING STAR, RADIKA BODACIOUS, HAS BEEN FOUND AT THE LOCAL SKATE PARK!
Flash: WHAT!?
TV: AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE AREA AS WE SPEAK, AND A SUSPECT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY!
TV: WAS IT FOUL PLAY? A HIT FROM AN OPPOSING TEAM? WILL THIS BE THE END OF THE SUNNYSIDE EXTREME GEAR LEAGUE!?
TV: IF ITS INTERESTING ENOUGH, WE'LL TELL YOU WHEN WE FIND OUT!
Reiker: Oh wow, that's…
Reiker: (A bad slogan…)
[Vrr vrr! Vrr vrr!]
Eggman: REIKER, GET YOUR TAIL FEATHERS UP TO MY OFFICE THIS INSTANT!
Reiker: Oh, yes sir! Be right up!
[Click!]
Yanshu: Oh, are you taking the Radika case? That's great!
Yanshu: I-I mean, it's terrible that she died, but… It's great that you'll be working on something so high profile! You might be able to go behind the scenes and meet the other competitors and-
Reiker: Hold on, I don't even know what he's calling me for! The news broadcast is probably just a coincidence-
Flash: But you gotta find out who killed her! You solved my murder, and she's, like... The coolest Extreme Gear racer ever! Having her around made Sunnyside worth living in!
Reiker: Listen, I'm gonna go upstairs and see what needs to be sorted out, okay? I'll catch up with you later.
That's right, it's finally here! Case 2: 1080 Freestyle Turnabout is finally ready for us to release! We're hoping to start up within the first week of May, but we're so excited to get back to Reiker and Yanshu's adventures, this time with investigation phases! There will be much more to this case than the first, and we hope you have fun guiding these two through some cool urban locales and colorful conversations with the locals we have planned out!
Reiker: Tony! That was kind of a big thing to just toss out there. Care to explain?
Tony: Heh… Yeah, man, of course!
Tony: … Explain what?
Reiker: SEWER LAND!?
Tony: Ohhh, right… The Dank Cave Zone!
Tony: So I found this place a few months ago, right? It was before the skate park opened, so I was doin' some of my sick corkscrews in those big tunnels down by the industrial sector.
Tony: Well, I kinda got lost for a bit, but then I came across this giant room with a bunch'a pipes n' stuff pumpin' this purple gunk around! Smelled nasty, but the vibes man… Immaculate aesthetic.
Reiker: (How does he manage to sound so wistful about a sewer room of all things…?)
Tony: I told Radika about it, then we started to hang down there when she wanted to get away from the public eye, y'know? No one ever let her catch a break!
Tony: Then coach whiskers showed up one day and suddenly it was an "improvised track" for training or… Whatever.
Reiker: An improvised track...?
Tony: Eh, I never got the deets on that. Somethin' about trainin' to ride on different terrain? Seemed more like "try to knock each other into the sewage" to me, which… Gross, but it might'a been fun if Alcost didn't ruin it.
Reiker: Well, I agree with your theory that Radika could've came from there, but-
Yanshu: Sorry, Mr. Strait, I… Needed a minute. Did I miss anything?
Reiker: Oh, there you are! Well, uh…
[Reiker tells Yanshu what he learned about the DCZ.]
Reiker: But all that leaves us with a bigger problem than we started with.
Yanshu: And that would be?
Reiker: Alcost and Seth both said Radika was at the official track, and, well… It's their word against Tony's.
Yanshu: Right…. Lawbot's whole timeline is based on Radika leaving the training grounds and going directly to the skate park. She'd have no time for a pit stop in the sewers, and it's hard to believe that she would-
Flash: GUYS! GUYS!!
Reiker: Flash? What're you-
Flash: I UNSCRAMBLED RADIKA'S PHONE DATA!!!
Reiker: Oh, thank Gaia!
Reiker: Wait, did you manage to find anything useful?
Flash: Oh, not much… Just all the text messages from the day of the murder!
Reiker: Oooh…!
Flash: Woah!
Reiker: Thank you!!!
Reiker: Okayokayokay, let's go through them real quick! There's gotta be something good in there!
Flash: Heh... Alright, so-
Flash: 12:45 PM, Radika gets a message from Alcost that says they'll meet at "the usual place, usual time."
Reiker: That must mean the official training grounds…
Flash: You would think! But here's the thing… 12:48 PM, Radika sends two separate texts - one to Seth, and one to Tony - both saying that they're gonna meet at some place called "DCZ!"
Reiker: Wait, DCZ?
Flash: That's what it says!
Reiker: So… Tony, if you got a text saying to go to the DCZ, why didn't you?
Tony: Wait, she texted me? I didn't check my phone after I got to the skate park…
Reiker: So that's one recipient accounted for, but why did Seth go to the official track?
Yanshu: And why did Alcost say Radika went to the official track when he actually sent her to the Dank Cave Zone?
Reiker: That is pretty suspicious…
Flash: Ha! This investigation stuff is awesome!
Flash: Well, if you ignore the murder part. I forget that stuff's permanent for you guys.
> Radika's Cell Phone has been updated!
Reiker: Okay, we're about to reconvene, guys. I'm sure we've got this now that we have this new information!
Flash: You've got this!!
Reiker: (I'm getting a sense that the tides are turning… Now I just have to see it through!)
Eggman: Alright, break's over. Does the defense have control of their client?
Reiker: Yes, sir!
Lawbot: And hopefully you two've decided to throw away that silly sewer notion of yours?
Reiker: Not at all!
Lawly: … I beg yer pardon?
Reiker: Actually, I'd like to call Coach Alcost to the stand to testify about his alleged meeting with Radika yesterday!
Eggman: Now you wait just a minute, Strait! Only the prosecution is the allowed to subpoena a witness!
Lawbot: Oh, don't you worry, yer honor. I was plannin' on callin' the coach in as a witness anyway. I think his testimony will clear up all this sewer nonsense real nice.
Eggman: D'oh, well… Fine. Bring him in.
Lawbot: Will the witness please state their name and occupation?
Alcost: Winifred Alcost, coach of the Sunnyside Extreme Gear League, your honor.
Eggman: Well, it is a great honor to have you coaching our city's aspiring racers! I remember betting on your races at the Westside Island Casinopolis a ways back… Knowing the Lavender Lightning is training my stars? Wonderful!
Reiker: Is Eggman… Geeking out?
Yanshu: It sure looks like it… I've never seen him so enthusiastic!
Alcost: Oh, please… Anything for the love of the sport, doctor!
Lawbot: All flattery aside, how's about we start with what happened at the training facility that day, hm?
Alcost: Ah, yes, of course!
TESTIMONY 5: Alcost's Account
Alcost: It's like I told the both of you - Radika came in, got impatient, and left.
Alcost: She'd stayed for all of 5 minutes after she signed the training sheet, then left to go find the others.
Alcost: Seth came in a few minutes later, but Radika still wasn't back yet.
Alcost: We were expecting her to come back with Tony, but… She never did.
Alcost: We only found out where she went after we saw the news.
Lawbot: So this training sheet… Could you explain that part in a lil' more detail fer the court?
Alcost: Oh, yes! That would be the attendance sheet I have all my racers fill out. It includes all the racers' names, what track they were on, and when they came and went.
Alcost: You can see right here she signed in at the OTG yesterday - the Official Training Grounds.
Eggman: I see… The court will accept this as evidence.
> The Training Sheet has been added to the Court Record!
Eggman: Alright then, does the defense wish to perform their cross-examination?
Reiker: You bet I do!
Reiker: (Okay, we definitely have the upper hand here! Let's push forward and see what we can find!)
Reiker: (Oh, right... Introductions. I was never good at those...)
Reiker: My name is Reiker Strait, and I'm going to be your defense attorney today.
???: O-oh, hello... Th-they told me you might not show up and I was waiting and I... I...
Reiker: Well, I showed up! Got here as soon as I could. Anything for someone in need, miss... Come to think of it, what is your name?
???: He... Didn't tell you my name...?
Reiker: I'm afraid not... I just got this assignment, and it was kind of rushed. Today's actually my first day as Sunnyside's public defender.
???: Oh, I see... My name is Yanshu - Yanshu Dryll - and I-
Yanshu: You only started today!?
Reiker: (Shoot, my badge!)
Reiker: Well, yeah, but don't say it like that! I'm qualified!
Reiker: [Sigh]... Listen, I'd like to help you with this case. I spent the past 8 years of my life working my tail off so I could get this job, and every lawyer has to have a first client, so... May I help you? For both our sakes?
Yanshu: I-I mean... It's not like I know what I'm doing, and the thought of going in there alone terrifies me, but... You didn't even know my name. Do you know anything about the case?
Reiker: Right… We should probably talk about what we're doing here.
Yanshu: W-well, I'm on trial for the, um… Dismantlement? Of my b-best friend.
Reiker: Wh… Do you mean dismemberment?
Yanshu: I… Yes. No? The terminology surrounding Robians is still pretty vague, despite everything.
Reiker: Alright, um… So your best friend is a robot?
Yanshu: Yes, his name is Flash, and he's very important to me. I'm worried sick… Whoever did this, they stole his parts. Took everything that made him him...
Reiker: So like… His face?
Yanshu: No, no… His personality, his memories, everything that makes him unique! ... Everything I can't replace...
Reiker: I… Didn't know that could be taken away.
Yanshu: Well... You've used a computer, haven't you?
Reiker: Of course.
Yanshu: So... When you're roboticized, you turn into a computer. Your body becomes the case, and your brain the technical components. Instead of storing data biologically through neuronal connections, information is written to several storage disks as raw code, and can be accessed at any time. Since it's a physical storage unit, these disks can be removed. This is usually only done during maintenance where units have to be repaired or replaced, in which case the data is backed up and transferred, but if someone has bad intentions, they can just... Take them. Doing that while the system is active can damage the hardware, or corrupt the data, or... I can't stand thinking about it.
Reiker: ... That's upsetting.
Yanshu: It really is, and if I'm found guilty, they… They'll probably roboticize me, too.
Reiker: What? You can't be serious!
Yanshu: I am, and if they don't figure out where those components went, they'll assume I destroyed them - that I truly killed him - and that's why I need your help finding them! I-if I can find them, I can fix him, and he can tell them what happened! That I didn't do it!
Reiker: I'm afraid that's going to be hard to do from a courtroom...
Yanshu: Please, Mr. Strait! He-… He's all I have…
Guard-Bot: CURRENT TIME: 0900 HOURS. ALL TRIAL PARTICIPANTS ARE TO RELOCATE TO THE COURTROOM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Yanshu: … I guess that's us, but… Before we go in, please, take this.
Friendship Photo has been added to the Court Record.
Reiker: Oh, is this your friend?
Yanshu: [Sniff] Y-yeah, it is. He knows I don't like being in photos, but he took and printed it before I could take my phone back. He kept asking me to keep it - to put it on my desk or something - but I didn't have a frame on hand, so...
Reiker: So… Why are you giving this to me?
Yanshu: I don't know, it just… Feels important. Maybe you could put it to good use? I don't think I'll be needing it if I'm... Y'know...
Reiker: Don't worry, Ms. Dryll, I won't let that happen. I promise.
We received a good number of replies this round! We don't have a Thought Pool Point for this post, but feel free to share your thoughts, and stay tuned for the start of the trial next week!
Reiker Strait: Mobian palm cockatoo, 24 - Sunnyside’s latest public defense attorney, appointed by Eggman himself. Prides himself on professionalism and dedication to the truth, but often struggles under pressure and his own standards.
Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik: Human, 53 - ruler of the Eggman Empire, creator, mayor, and chief justice of Sunnyside. Seems to be busy most of the time; understandable, given his sheer number of titles.
Yanshu Dryll: Mobian mole, 20 - one of Dr. Eggman’s Robo-Techs and the creator of Flash Driver. Currently on sabbatical, acting as Reiker’s field assistant. Rather prone to anxiety, but remarkably knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics, particularly within more technical fields.
Flash Driver: Android Robo-rabbit, age N/A - Yanshu’s proudest achievement and excitable best friend. Currently filling in as Reiker and Yanshu’s office helper computer guy, primary informant, and head of communications! Surprisingly agile with extendable limbs, expressive eye-displays, and internet connectivity.
Tony Danforth: Mobian hawk, 24 - an avid Extreme Gear enthusiast part of the Sunnyside Extreme Gear League. Accused of murdering Extreme Gear racer, Radika Bodacious, currently being held for questioning. Presents himself as "chill" and somewhat dopey, but is much more bothered by the situation than he appears.
Vivienne “Viv” Pikmei: Mobian dog (poodle), 23 - a sophomore studying fashion design and marketing at New Yolk University and potential witness found in Collision Corkscrew Skate Park. Has a strong dislike of Tony.
Pookie: Bytenik, age N/A. Vivienne’s beloved, wall-eyed pet. About as spoiled as a bug-shaped robot could possibly be. Attracted to electric signals and (apparently) the sound of Extreme Gear.
Orbot (SA-55): Robot, age N/A - one of Eggman's long-standing personal assistants, rarely separated from Cubot. Seems to have been recently been assigned as head of forensics. Layers his various comments with a thin veneer of politeness. A self-proclaimed fan of doing nothing at all.
Cubot "Mr. Detective Cubot" (IDI-07): Robot, age N/A - one of Eggman’s long-standing personal assistants, rarely separated from Orbot. Seems to have been recently assigned as head of crime scene investigation. Still getting used to his new personality chip, according to Orbot - it has made him rather abrasive.
Winfred “Winnie” Alcost: Mobian walrus, age 56 - head coach of the Sunnyside Extreme Gear League and Jetsam's trainer. Comes across as rather strict with his trainees. He's never seen without his whistle.
Seth Jetsam: Mobian fish (barracuda), age 24 - a skate-type Extreme Gear racer part of the Sunnyside Extreme Gear League. Standoffish and serious, but squeamish about blood. He's apparently a collector of Chao Racing trading cards.
Lawbot (R-D57R): Robot, age N/A - Eggman’s new prosecuting attorney built specifically for the role. Appears made to resemble a Mobian lizard of some kind, though the western theme is curious. Charming and confident, but irks Reiker deeply.
This is a major announcement regarding Eggs Attorney's start date and the future of the project!
So... It's been a rough couple of months. On top of some personal setbacks and folks leaving the team, it's become increasingly clear that two newbie amateurs to coding aren't going to be able to make anything functional within a reasonable time frame.
So, in order to still deliver the story and characters and world we've worked so hard to share with you, we're going to take a different direction!
Inspired by the early days of Homestuck and CYOA, we'll be giving you a "mock" version of the game entirely through Tumblr! Each week we hope to post a small blurbs worth of content, moving the story along, capping off with a Scene Transition, an Investigation Phase, or a Cross Examination Phase.
Investigation Phases and Cross Examination Phases will be more lenient than most Ace Attorney Games, you simply reply with what you want to ask! This could be anything from "Press Statement 1" to "ask about her gloves, they look dusty!" to "Present the Oil Canister on account of his skirting around the subject!"
We'll do more in depth tutorials throughout the first and second case, going over each point as if it were a tutorial for Ace Attorney, of course. We'll also keep the Court Record pinned at the top for easy access.
For now though, know we'll likely be starting in / around the latter half of December. In addition, i figured we might as well ask:
Reiker: So, do the victim and defendant know each other? Seems like this was an awfully quick arrest.
Eggman: My detectives are finishing up questioning the defendant now, but they say he hasn't exactly been a font of knowledge.
Eggman: Nonetheless, Radika's colleagues have stated that he works with the league, so I can assume they were familiar with each other.
Reiker: Well, if they were racing together, they must have been somewhat close... If that's the case, why was he arrested so fast?
Eggman: According to my records, your client was found mere feet from the body seconds after the murder, and when the SWAT-Bots arrived on scene, the idiot tried to run. Why wouldn't he be detained after a performance like that?
Reiker: (Wonderful…)
Reiker: I should probably speak with him… You said he was being questioned?
Eggman: Oh, yes… You'll find him in the holding cells on the first floor. Just show the guard-bots your badge, and I'll send the case files to your office computer. My detectives said they're finishing up in about 10 minutes.
Reiker: Yes, sir! Thank you, doctor.
Reiker: (Well, looks like I have some time to kill… I should stop by the office and print out those files for the court record.)
Yanshu: O-oh! Um… Yeah! Thought I'd test out the waiting room. A girl sure can wait in there!
Reiker: … Right…
Flash: So what's your new case? Is it Radika's? Are you gonna be-
Reiker: I'm, um… Not entirely sure if I'm allowed to tell civilians…
Flash: Aw, pleeeaaase? I mean, we're close, right? Our picture's on your little desk there! We promise we won't tell!
Yanshu: Flash, you can't just rush in and make promises on other peoples' beha-
Flash: But you promise, right?
Yanshu: [Sigh] Well, yes, but... Still.
Reiker: Well, if you promise… I am taking on the Radika case, but I was only popping in for a moment to grab some supplies.
Yanshu: Oh! Maybe I can help!
Reiker: I… Huh?
Yanshu: S-… Sorry, I-I don't want to butt in if you don't-
Reiker: Oh, no! I mean… It's okay! I, um…
Reiker: (This is all so sudden, but those baby-doll eyes are hard to refuse, and she was pretty helpful last time when she wasn't, well… On the verge of fainting.)
Reiker: It would be nice to have someone to talk to on the case… And another set of eyes might make it easier to spot something out of place…
Reiker: Alright, you can stick around, I suppose. Just keep to the sidelines, okay? This is delicate work, and I need to stay focused.
Yanshu: Wait, really? Oh gosh, I… D-don't worry, I'll be a glowing icon of professionalism!
Yanshu: M-maybe I can even take notes for you! I, um… I like notes…
Flash: She loooves notes.
Reiker: That sounds great! Now, then…
Reiker: Oh! I finally have a reason to use the board!
Yanshu: … The board?
Reiker: Hold on, let me just print some things out… Grab some tacks…
Reiker: All-righty, so! Here's all the places we need to go today. I already marked off Eggman's office, since I just went there, but I still need to go to the holding cells on the first floor to speak with my client, and I… Don't really know where the crime scene is, but once I do, I need to go there!
Reiker: I even have different color pins to hold up each photo! A ⚫ black one means I know it exists, but I can't access it for whatever reason. Maybe it's a restricted area, or maybe I just... Don't know how to get there yet.
Reiker: A 🔴 red one means I haven't explored anything in the area yet. I should definitely work on one of those next!
Reiker: A 🟡 yellow one means I've been there before, but there's still more to uncover! I may need to talk to someone, find more evidence, make a connection… You never know what could lead to a case getting cracked!
Reiker: A 🟢 green one means I've got all the information I need! A good lawyer needs to be thorough, so aim high!
Reiker: Lastly, a 🔵 blue one means that I found everything before, but something new has come up! Maybe someone has come or gone, or something is happening at the scene! If it's blue, it means I gotta go back there ASAP!
Yanshu: Aww, it's color coded? That's cute! Just, um… One question?
Reiker: Yes?
Reiker: (Cute…?)
Yanshu: How do you keep track of everything?
Reiker: Uh… What do you mean by that?
Yanshu: How do you know that you're missing information, or that something happened while you were gone? You, um… I assume you can't read minds, and if you aren't actively observing something, you, uh…
Reiker: Oh, I… I guess I would need someone at home base doing research. That would be-
Flash: [GASP] I CAN DO THAT!
Reiker: OH! Uh… Actually, yeah, I bet you're pretty handy with databases and all that, huh? Plus you can actually handle the sticky notes… I can just message you about how things are going, and you can update the board!
Yanshu: He could also send pictures of it whenever it's updated! I'll keep it with your Court Record!
Flash: Yesss, I'm helpful!
Yanshu: So now that we have a communications system in order… Where are we headed first, Mr. Strait?
Reiker: Oh, right! I was about to go speak with my client… We should start heading for the holding area. Flash, let me know if anything comes up in the news, alright?
