Nicole the Holo-Lynx

NICOLE is the name of the AI program usually resident in Sally's handheld computer. She's incredibly versatile and able to interact with and manipulate most machinery and computer systems. She is capable of mental and emotional growth, and thus has gradually become more and more lifelike in demeanor during her time interacting with the Freedom Fighters. Eventually she herself desired to "live" as they do and developed a fake physical body that can be projected with the right resources.

Creation
NICOLE was created by Rotor in the future at Queen Sally's request, thinking that in the past she could have done with a personal friend and confident. Thus the handheld computer was transported back in time. The future Rotor installed heavy protection and firewalls to ensure that no one in the present is able to discover NICOLE's origin, including his younger self. (StH: #119, IYF)

Freedom Fighter
Despite early on seeming more of a utility than a member, NICOLE assisted the Freedom Fighters greatly in their campaign against Dr. Ivo Robotnik, often through access, manpiluation or diagnosis of the evil genius' own creations. She often assisted Sally and others in formation of plans and their execution. NICOLE was vital in developing the plan to rescue the Mobians from Dr. Eggman's Egg Grape Chambers during his attack on Knothole. (StH: #176)

New Form
Once, due to an odd technical misshap, NICOLE and Sally swapped mentalities. NICOLE was quickly enthralled with what she experienced in a physical body; however, the experience was brief as she and Sally soon reverted. Inspired and yearning for more, NICOLE began working on a side-project; to create a way for her to once again experience the joys of physical existance in her own body. Eventually she was successful; Sally discovered a lynx in a purple toga enjoying the starlight outside and quickly discovered it was NICOLE herself. However, the success was short-lived. After talking in the grass with Sally, NICOLE admitted that the simulation was extremely complex and used vast amounts of power; she was not able to maintain it long and shortly disappeared. (StH: #146, #151)

Eventually, NICOLE discovered another means. The nanites used by A.D.A.M. had clustered and formed a city-like structure; once A.D.A.M. was destroyed, NICOLE was able to seize control of the nanites. Through herself she was able to reconfigure them into a replica of Mobotropolis. She initially designed this as a surprise to her friends in Knothole who'd long hoped to regain their former city; however, she was forced to unveil it early when Eggman destroyed the village. Once the Freedom Fighters arrived in the new city, NICOLE appeared in her lynx form, introducing herself as their hostess in New Mobotropolis. (StH: #174, 175, #176)

New Mobotropolis
As the entire city is constructed of manipulated nanites, NICOLE is able to project her simulation form anywhere within New Mobotropolis. She essentially has supreme control over the city, as she is able to control virtually all its aspects. She can appear anywhere within the city at any time (provided the matrixies that support her simulation are intact and aren't under nanite repair) and manipulate its form at will. She is also able to generate a powerful shield around the city itself to protect from outside threats. However, her power and energy aren't infinite; if enough energy is required to maintain any aspect of the city (for instance, strenghtening the shield during attack), she may be unable to maintain her lynx form at the same time. However, her AI is always present. (StH: #176, #177)

Abilities
NICOLE is capable of high-speed computations and processes and interacting with most forms of machinery or computer systems. She can also act as a communications system. Within New Mobotropolis, she can teleport herself or others (with special nanite placement), generate shields and manipulate the landscape (for instance, projecting walls and barriers from any surface).

Personality
Over time, NICOLE has become more personable and established more emotions than she had in her early days assisting the Freedom Fighters. After she and Sally temporarily swapped bodies, NICOLE was able to have a brief experience with emotions and senses, including some romantic feelings for Sonic (due to Sally's own feelings for him). Since she has become a constant holographic projection, she has also demonstrated signs of frustration, anger and empathy. (StH: #146, #181)