*outside Lukas is piloting his Northstar/Ion hybrid titan passes by Shotaro* Lukas: Another day... another patrol route to clear up. Ion: Every day is a patrol.

The wind picks up as the Titan walks past the building, however it's the vibrations that cause him to stir into action. "And now there's construction going on outside, great!" He throws up his arms as he leaves his seat once more and moves towards the window. Expecting to see a construction crew is one thing, but there was no way Shotaro would've been ready for the Titan. He returns to his chair with pursed lips and begins typing again. "The early morning sun just crested over the city skyline. The wind was cool and stiff as if hinting towards his arrival. The arrival of my greatest case yet, a mecha. His cold exterior-" He stops typing. "Nope. Don't know how to put what I just saw into words." He reaches for the paper in the machine and tears it out before tossing it into a waste bin.

*Lukas' titan looks into Shotaro's room as Lukas himself climbs out* Ion: Good morning detective. It is recommend to not document the actions of a Pilot and or Titan for it will be confiscated VIA Frontier Militia agents. Lukas: You suppose to be a poet or a detective?

The sudden entry through the window is so horribly unexpected that Shotaro nearly falls out of his chair. However, he quickly scrambles to his feet and dusts himself off before eyeing Lukas. "A wise guy, eh!" He tries to act intimidating and get up in Lukas' face...before calming himself and stepping back. "Yes. I am a detective. Hidari Shotaro, hard-boiled detective extraordinaire! At your service."

Lukas: Frontier Militia Lieutenant Lukas Swisshelm and meet the first ever Titan Hybrid Northstar Chryses IV. *Ion saluts but it slaps Lukas off the cockpit hatch* Ion: Oops...

Shotaro winces as the man is flung off the cockpit. "Ah, mou! That looks painful!"

Ion: Most Pilot suits are integrated with a recoil and trauma dampener. Even falling from intense heights will absorb the fall. Lukas: Pilot tech for the win!

The man lets out a sharp cough before laughing. "Haha! I...I knew that! I was testing you, and you passed! Aha....ha...ha...erm...ahem." Shotaro was out of his element like nobody's business. "So, Lukas, what can I help you with on this fine day?"

*Lukas grapples up to his Titan* Just doing some patrols. There suppose to be a air drop of supplies for the Militia.

Militia? Air drop? Shotaro is severely out of his depth. However, his hard-boiled training has taught him to save face. "Well then, I wish you the best. Don't go dying on me, you hear?" Perfect. Right from one of his detective novels. "Remember to come back here if you ever need something investigated."

Lukas: Pilots can only die if there is another pilot with equal skill, which the chances are low. *he jumps back into the Titan Cockpit* Ion: Re-initiating patrol route.

A man privy to the half-boiled detective's schemes comes from a door adorned with several trilbies near the entrance . "Shotaro, would you keep it down, please? I'm beginning to learn of the wonderful art of "Crocheting"! It's a fascinating technique of making practically everything using yarn and a hook!"

Shotaro sees off the man with a wave...what did he get himself into this time. With an exasperated sigh he'd return to his seat and begin typing. "Frontier Militia Lieutenant Lukas Swisshelm and his partner, Titan Hybrid Northstar Chryses IV. A fitting combination of man and machine. A warm hand and a cold fist working together to protect those within their reach. They showed up and left just as a summer's breeze would blow through a field. What mysteries surround that pair? I'm just itching to crack them wide open." With a satisfied grin, he'd add the sheet to his compendium before stretching out on his chair and making himself comfortable once more. "An interesting combination huh?" As if on cue, Phillip pulls Shotaro from his thoughts and drives him out of his chair. "Ah! Another stint? And on crocheting? Come on Phillip, you aren't an old lady!"

Phillip keeps one hand behind his back, likely holding something. "Quite the contrary, Shotaro. Crocheting takes considerably more skill than half-boiled detective work. To think that many people take it up as a hobby astounds me! You should know I've taken the liberty of purchasing several kilograms of yarn and 3 crocheting hooks." He chuckles to himself, quite pleased.

"I'll show you half-boiled! Wait..." A very important question crosses Shotaro's mind as the corner of his mouth begins to twitch. "Ph-Phillip...please tell me you did a lookup for wherever we are before you got hooked into crochet!" Shotaro grabs Phillip by the shoulders and begins lightly shaking him.

Phillip shrugs, and pulls his hand out to reveal a rainbow patterned trilby made of yarn. "I haven't left the building yet. You mean to tell me we are no longer in Fuuto?" He holds his hand to his chin, deep in thought. "Shotaro, I know you aren't one to drink, but would it be possible that you're intoxicated?"

His face contorts in anger at the suggestion of him hitting the bottle so early, but the quality craftsmanship of the trilby causes his expression to soften. "Hey good job...wait, that isn't important right now! Come with me!" Shotaro begins leading Phillip out of the office and outside, rather forcefully. Once outside he points out into the distance and where there should be a massive tower, there is none. "I haven't had a drink since last week, and I doubt that messed me up enough to forget where Futo Tower is!" He turns to his partner with an almost pleading look in his eyes. "Phillip, buddy, please explain."

Where is- oh. It's gone. I was hoping to meet that giant robot... A young man adjusts his headphones just outside the door. Almost without thinking about it, he pulls out a device that resembles a handheld game console. He taps a few buttons, then looks in through the window. Seems kinda lively in there... He speaks to nobody in particular. A bad habit of his, he thinks. He's so wrapped up in his thoughts that he's a bit startled by the duo coming outside.

Phillip outstretches hands hands to his sides, and an ominous light seems to surround him. His eyes are closed as he begins to make strange gestures around him, almost as if perusing a library. "Beginning lookup. Shotaro, the keywords, if you will."

Keywords...alright, it has been some time since he last did this. He looks to his partner with a determined expression. "First keyword: Disappearance." That should cover the bases for why everything is gone, or it could cover the opposite if they were gone instead. He shakes it off and continues. "Second keyword: Titans and Pilots." Considering they were the first pair that Shotaro met, that should widdle away the results something fierce. Now lastly...a location would probably fit as a final keyword. However, what would be a good enough answer? His thoughts caused him to pace back and forth before noticing the gentleman standing by the door. "Aha! Excuse me sir, what do you call this place?" He'd speak with urgency as he walks towards the man.

Hm? The young man pulls down his headphones, letting them hang loosely around his neck. He doesn't seem fazed at all by the duo's confusion, or whatever they were doing. This place is called the Nexus, if that's what you're asking... Oh, are you guys new here? Nice. You don't seem too bad at least. The name's Kade, by the way. Kade pauses to press a few more buttons, then slides the device back into his pocket.

Phillip stands still, looking deep in thought, the ominous glow hasn't yet faded though. "There's no results using the second keyword, Shotaro. Try something else."

Shotaro snaps his fingers as he turns back to Phillip. "Thanks, Kade! And yes, very new and very good! Hey Phillip, replace the second keyword with Nexus!" Shotaro brings a hand to his hat in anticipation. Watching his partner at work was always a blast.

Phillip seemingly has a jolt of surprise, which is quickly replaced by a satisfied grin. "We have a hit. This is all very strange, if you ask me... It seems you haven't been drinking, Shotaro. We've truly left Fuuto, and all of Japan, behind." Phillip seems to be accepting of his new situation, but still appears to be a bit shocked.

Yep, you got it, buddy. You ain't in your world anymore. Well, saves me the trouble of being Mr. Exposition... Kade shrugs, still keeping his carefree grin. And before you ask, as far as I know, there's no way outta here. That's fine by me. I prefer this place, anyway.

Shotaro is reeling from the revelation. His knees buckle and he falls backwards with a worried expression on his face. "This isn't good Phillip. I know Terui is strong, but can we really risk a permanent vacation?" He gets back up on wobbly legs as his mind is flooded with worries. "What else did the lookup tell you?"

Phillip lets his hands fall down to his side. His expression fires up immensely. "As he said, we're in the Nexus, but from what I could find, the Nexus appears to be an amalgamation of worlds, all of them stitched together. I can assume that we represent the fragment of OUR world, but more than likely others will show up. Very little is written on the subject, so what precious information we CAN gather would make me VERY pleased!"

Shotaro smirks at his partner. "Sounds to me like we've got a case then! Let's get to the bottom of this crocheted world and get back home to the others!" With a renewed vigor, Shotaro walks over to Phillip and puts an arm around him. "Are you in partner? I can't be hard-boiled without my other half after all!"

Phillip giggles, his eyes hiding his glee. "Of course I'm in, but I still don't think you could be hard-boiled even with my help, Shotaro. After all, we're the most half-boiled team out there!"

"As much as I hate to admit it, you might have a point!" Shotaro takes off his hat and dusts it off before placing it back upon his head. "Well then, shall we begin the investigation, Phillip?" Before getting a reply, Shotaro had already began his journey into the new world known as the Nexus. First stop; wherever the winds take him!