ZONERUNNERS CONCEPT WORK


The Runner Movement - Origins and Development (Part One)

ORIGINS

Mobian history has always been poorly documented and archives are few and far between. Because of this, the beginnings of the Runner movement are shrouded in mystery.

The famous image of a 'typical' Zonerunner, weapon in hand and swamped in heavy clothing, comes from the dark days of the Mobian Occupation. However, the Runner Movement can be traced back to the introduction of the first human being to set foot on the planet - Doctor Ovi Kintobor.

The tale of Sonic's 'recreation' and the transformation of the gentle Kintobor into the fiercely evil Doctor Ivo Robotnik is still seen by many as a debatable modern-day myth. However, none can deny the sense of contempt the Doctor showed toward the natural inhabitants of Mobius. A traditional confrontation between good and evil was inevitable - and as the dark plans of the Doctor were repeatedly thwarted by Sonic, popularity for the world's new hero grew. These very early 'followers' of Sonic were to later become the founding members of Mobius's most controversial freedom fighters.

Sonic's fame grew with time, and soon he was a familiar symbol of optimism all over the planet. His abilities were unparalleled, and his devotion to the job that needed to be done was more than admirable. Imatators and 'wannabe heroes' were very common - the most famous of these being Miles Prower - but their attempts at heroism were nieve, unneccesary and sometimes childish. Realistically, everybody everywhere depended on Sonic to assist in the preservation of peace. Unfortunately, this dependancy later proved to be a fatal weakness in Mobian society.

After many successful attempts at defeating Robotnik's insane schemes, Sonic simply disappeared. There was no explination, no evidence and no clues as to where he had gone or what had happened. Weeks passed with no news and no Sonic - people began to fear the worst. This was when Robotnik surfaced again.

Bringing hordes of machines loyal to him, he siezed the centres of importance on Mobius and announced to the world that their hero had been defeated once and for all. The populace panicked - their dependance on Sonic to help them all too evident. It was also alarmingly clear to the Mobians that the threat of the madman was larger than ever - much bigger than anyone could have dared to believe, with vast armies of badniks, weaponry and legions of six-foot tall humanoid robots - the soon to be dreaded 'Trooper Badniks'.

Towns, villages and even entire Zones fell to the soon-to-be dictator as he swept across the planet, unhindered and unchallenged. Areas previously constructed by Robotnik such as the Chemical Plant Zone, Scrap Brain and the dreaded Oil Ocean Zone were recovered, repaired and reinforced, given the new task of producing chemical weapons or full-scale Badnik production. The young Mobian population were rounded up and forced to work in these hazardous environments while others were used as 'organic batteries' for older style Badniks. These few horrific weeks signalled the end of the world as the Mobians knew it and the beginning of a new age of oppression and fear. There was no Sonic to help them, and no opposing force to the megalomaniac's iron grip on a slowly dying Mobius.

However, not everybody was shaken into submission by the dictator's evil ways. Sonic was gone, but not forgotten. Somewhere deep in the Chemical Plant's tangled maze of factories, a worker, just like any other, battled daily to survive. Unlike many others however, he was not afraid. Inspired by Sonic, he knew the importance of standing up to a threat, however intimidating it may be. He believed that there was hope in every situation - even in a world controlled by Robotnik. While his body toiled at his enforced duties, his mind worked relentlessly at his unquestionably strong ideals. With every punishment, every beating, every additional strenuous task given, his hatred for the new Dictator's reigeme grew, and the desire to stand up for the people's freedom became the foremost thought in his head. This worker's name was Talbot.

To the Troopers that directed their aggression and contempt to him, he was no threat. A small dog, meek, educated, elderly, softly spoken, wearing glasses to help his poor eyesight. Little did they know that this vulnerable looking exterior concealed the biggest threat to Robotnik's New Order since Sonic himself. He was no fighter, but over the months Talbot used a weapon more deadly to the occupying forces than any he could have held in his hands - the weapon of speech and communication.

Talbot was a great user of words. He spent much of his time voicing his ideals, his visions, and his drive for freedom. He was an inspiration to those around him, and built up a trust with his fellow workers. One individual in particular was captivated by his dreams, and spent many hours, whenever she could, talking with Talbot about a Mobius free from the tyranny of machinekind. She was strong, determined and authorative. This was Sab - later to acheive fame with the Mobian population as the leader of the Chemical Plant Zone resistance.

Slowly but surely, more and more workers began to feel hope for the unlikely cause. Talbot's talks became secret 'preachings', where he would tell the gatherings that they had nothing to fear from Robotnik's minions. Morale was growing, and spirits were lifted - this was when the plan to escape was quietly passed around.

A confrontation between a Trooper and a worker sparked the first step toward rebellion - Talbot surprised everyone just as the Trooper lifted his arm to strike the exhausted worker. Standing on a balcony above, he thrust his hands into the air and shouted at the top of his voice to the workers that they must not fear the oppressors no matter what happened to them. Sab and a few younger individuals, seeing their opportunity, violently attacked the Troopers near them, calling to the stunned bystanders that Sonic would never have accepted a life of slavery for the people of Mobius. The factory burst into absolute chaos, the Mobians finally beginning to fight back. Weapons were seized within minutes, and the first battle for freedom by the people had begun.

The Troopers were taken by surprise, having never encountered resistance from the 'slave workers' before. Thankfully, the robots lack of practice enabled many Mobians to escape with their lives. However, many a brave citizen made the ultimate sacrifice before the guards were finally overcome.

Within an hour, the anarchy that had raged within the four walls of the factory had been hushed. But the workers were not safe yet. Escaping into the maze of the Chemical Plant Zone, everyone was told to get as far away from the site as possible - out of the zone, if they could. Sab decided to remain hidden nearby, with a few others armed with the Trooper's weapons. They were to stop any pursuing Troopers that may have been called to the scene. This temporary safety barrier in the coming months was to become a resistance group of it's very own, led by Sab - later given the nickname 'The Flock'.

To Be Continued...