Few weeks have passed since Zero the leader of the jackal agree to form an alliance with the mad scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik. And so far the members of the mercenaries and thieves group were slowly adjusting to the new alliance. Along with the life they now lived inside the base. The members were training outside the base with some of Eggman's fail inventions, that are used as training dummies and still functional.
While Zero was sharpening and polishing his blade, with one of his squad members wearing a green banda sitting beside him. still unsure about his boss's decision to align themselves with the doctor. And seem a bit nervous about expressing his own opinion about the alliance.
"Boss? Why do you agree with the doctor on this? Its seem unlike you…"
Zero stop shaping his blade and look up at him.
"What do you mean?" Zero ask Jay suspiciously setting his blade down.
Jay was still a bit nervous, unsure if he could bring himself to tell Zero how he honestly feel about the alliance. Judging from the rumors he heard from the other mercenaries before heading out. They all described that the evil scientists backstab or marinate anyone in lies to get what he wanted. And he and the others wouldn't take any chances to trust him.
"I mean is that...you accepted the doctor's offer to help him with world domination! We're just group of thieves hire to get an price on our bounty!" Jay try his best to hide his shaking voice unsure how his boss will react. Zero look at him with an anger expression spreading across his face.
"You're saying that all of you are unsure with this alliance!?" Zero yelled at him with anger in his voice. Causing Jay to back off a bit in fright that his next words will set an ticking time bomb off.
"B-boss calm down! We're a bit worry if this alliance with Eggman can back fi- look what I'm trying to say is that you change when your sword hit that gem in doctor's hand. We're unsure that le-" before Jay finish he was cut off when the same dark expression was play on Zero's face.
"Go back to training Jay…." Zero slowly stand up and quietly left the training area leaving an frighten sitting Jay behind.
Zero walk toward the lab to see the doctor could answer his questions about the mysterious gemstone from earlier. The wasn't too hugely damaged by the attack from earlier but still functional. Eggman was still in the laboratory studying the phantom with some type of prototypes being created. Zero was confuse with the sight of them, looking that the prototypes then at the doctor. Who was too focus on the phantom ruby.
"Hmm…what will I do with this jewel after studies are complete on it…? The prototypes are still in the testing stages...huh? Zero! Glad that you drop in." The doctor say quickly hide the ruby from sight not hearing that Zero walk in an moments ago. Zero lookup that the doctor still have an confuse expression on his face, but quickly thought of a response.
"Doctor, can you tell me about why are you studying that mystery gem for? And why did I see that vision from earlier?"
Eggman was a bit hesitant to reveal his discoveries ;moverover, the purpose he had plan for the phantom ruby to the curious jackal. While he placing the real ruby down next to the monitor. With his thoughts forming and running for possible response. He give the jackal an smile and start walking towards an nearby prototype with Zero following close behind him.
"Well since you ask, I might as well tell you that this gem will be part of my experiment for world domination. But it's still in the testing phase along with the prototypes. and more studies needs to be done before I farther and move on with the next phases." reply the Doctor while looking at one prototypes abit deep in thoughts. "That's vision you saw earlier was the ruby's ability to show the victims' true desire."
Zero looked that the prototype then look back at the doctor. "So you want us to be your defense squad in cases someone break in and interrupt your research?" With hint of amusement in his tone.
"What smart dog but the experiment need someone strong enough to handle it. I'll continue my studies in Mystic Jungle." response the doctor deep in thoughts. Zero was about to head outside again but turn around to face the doctor one last time.
"First of all I'm not a dog! Second my squad and I will accept your offer and eliminate who trespass the area."
Eggman look at him couldn't help smiling.
"Alright we'll be leaving early tomorrow go get some rest. oh! one more thing tell your squad that my new robots aren't their dummies for target practice!"
With that the jackal leave the lab leaving the mad doctor alone with his prize experiment with the convision they have in his head.