The AI refrained from proffering any data on its own capacity for lying and deception, and instead maintained respectful silence as they debated. Chances were it would speak again when addressed.

There was a light lurch from the ship. A burbling, bubbling noise followed the sensation of gently descending, comparable to an elevator. If one turned attention to Casey at the helm, they'd find that he was paying little visible attention to their conversation, and was indeed up to something.

Cutting off any what-the-hecks before they were spoken, he leaned around his seat and waved.

"Don't worry—just dippin' us under the waves before any patrols spot us! Figured it'd be safer."

True to his nature, he stayed out of the conversation. Pax was the commanding officer, and military operations weren't democracies, so all he was concerned with was hearing the big man's order.

The AI answered without delay.

"The leaders of Chimera utilize a network of 'teleporter' devices to travel quickly between Earth and the XSV Typhaon. With the correct supplies, it would be possible for you to construct one of these devices and connect it to the network, enabling direct and immediate access to the capital ship."

An image came up on the floating, volumetric display in the middle of the room, showing several devices. One, a sort of mechanized-looking circular pad, very technical, with a couple variations, and another, much more ancient-looking pedestal with a large, red gem.

"Most materials necessary may be obtained or fabricated through conventional means, but the most crucial component will require... clandestine appropriation." From the sounds of it, that was a polite and bureaucratic way to say theft. "All Chimera airships containing these devices are too heavily guarded to consider another direct assault such as this one. I believe I have successfully located two such devices in considerably more remote locations, however, where they would be easily appropriated."

A map appeared, displaying two separate islands. The three-dimensional map rotated to show that one of the islands was actually in the sky.

"Several ancient examples of this technology are believed to be on Angel Island, in what is known as the 'Hidden Palace.' This area is thought to be undefended, but has shown signs of volcanic activity, and may be home to unknown natural hazards and even some robotic sentries left abandoned after Dr. Eggman's last campaign there."

"Alternatively, my records show that the first modern examples of this teleporter technology were constructed at a remote location known as Carnival Island. Carnival Island has long been abandoned and is included on few maps, but seems to be of great importance to the Capsule Trooper Army; there are many heavily-encrypted files pertaining to the location in CTA databases that not even I have access to, and, prior to your successful hijacking of this craft, it was under constant radar surveillance."

"Neither option is safe nor guarantees success. It is up to you to select at your own risk which option you wish to investigate, if either."

Latika surely knew her Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Which was more than could be said for Ivan. He was never much one for studying. Granted, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know of someone like Knuckles. Ivan knew the name some of the stories of his exploits with the blue blur, but he certainly didn't know about his...home life, per se.

"With Pax as our diplomat, be there any doubt?" Ivan grinned in response to Latika's query. Was that a burn? Don't be silly.

"Only one way to find out," blurted Casey back to Desmond in jolly repose of the topic as he took to the controls and started makin' it happen. "Settin' course!"

The engines whirred and the water burbled as the airship-transformed-sub accelerated, made a gentle, sweeping port turn, ascended, and burst free from the waves, the blast shields opening just in time to see the foamy, roaring ocean spray across the windscreen.

"Let's see what this baby can do!"

And up, up, up crept the throttle in the hog's grasp. Much to his surprise, the harder he pushed it, the more response it gave; he soon found himself pressed back in his seat. He refrained from giving it any more steam too abruptly, lest it bowl his passengers off their feet.

"Not b-b-bad," he stuttered with jowls all a-quake, powerful engines rumbling the whole ship.