"Well that could've gone better," the polar bear sighed.

"I dunno," the duck replied, "I had fun with that one."

Sighing, Bark the Polar Bear chose to ignore Bean's comment. The duck could only watch as the polar bear put the surveillance system into a large unmarked cardboard box. He was a little annoyed, until two hours ago that box had been Fort Castle, and now it would remain yet another box full of random tech the duo had obtained from numerous facilities over the last few days.

"We got lucky tonight," Bark said, "it's a miracle we got away from that bat and that giant walking death machine."

"Well Sonic saved us," Bean replied, "Like he did in-"

"Sonic wasn't there,"

"Yes he was, there was a superfast hedgehog giving chase, that had to be Sonic."

"It wasn't him." Bark said, "Didn't even look like him, and you'd be insane to think otherwise."

"Well then I'm crazy, because he totally was Sonic, had the red stripes on the black spines with the rocket boots and everything."

"Bean," Bark said slightly frustrated, "You really are an idiot."

The pair bickered for the rest of the night arguing about who was to blame for being noticed, whether it was a valid strategy to blow up a dinosaur skeleton, and if nacho cheese was an acceptable ice cream topping before eventually calling it a night.

Sleep wasn't easy for the duck though. He kept feeling like he was being watched. This sensation was not helped by him noticing a robot floating just outside his bedroom window. Initially Bean refused to acknowledge it, hiding under the covers of his bed, only finally coming out when the robot actively destroyed the window and entered Bean's room. This caused the duck to flee as fast as he could.

A grumpy polar bear was stood in the hall when Bean ran out, "Bean what is going on?" he asked. A red robot, only slightly smaller than Bark, ran straight past and somehow the bear both understood completely, and yet was also at a complete loss.

Bark recognised the robot. He'd seen it before; it was part of their last kerfuffle that had led to them directly working with Sonic. In his groggy state Bark couldn't recall precisely what had happened. He also didn't need to, right now there was a robot chasing his friend through their building, and all Bark needed to do was stop it.

As the robot gave chase Bean began throwing some of the explosives that he seemingly always had on him. None of them were thrown with any real care, and only one hit the robot, exploding shortly after bouncing off, and barely putting a dent in the machine. However this was enough to allow Bark to get close enough to jump for the machines legs and pull it to the ground.

The machine thudded down hard, and before it could right itself Bean was stood in front of it with another bomb ready to go. "Okay mister robot, what are you trying to do here?" the duck asked.

"I'm simply here for a blessing." The robot answered.

"Yeah, and I'm the president of South Island," Bark said sarcastically. The polar now had one foot on the back of the machine, keeping it pinned down. With the duck ready with a bomb, the machine seemed unwilling to try escaping."

"You are?" Bean replied, "Did I vote for you?"

Bark rolled his eyes, "Listen… mister robot," Bark eventually said realising he didn't know what to call the machine, "You're the reason we got stuck on that airship. So forgive us for wanting nothing to do with you."

"Actually," Bean said, "it wasn't all the robot, I mean some of it was plot contrivance and the fat guy's obsession with the emeralds. Plus there was some other stuff." The duck added, trailing off as he did. He didn't want to think too heavily about what happened.

"I don't care," Bark said, "This robot's bad news."

"Fine," the robot replied. It enabled its thrusters and shot forwards along the ground, knocking Bean to the floor, and sending Bark flying backwards. The robot righted itself and immediately turned around, grabbing Bark as it did. "You should stay out if this," the machine said, "This is no concern to you."

The robot held Bark tightly, and while the polar bear flailed about he was unable to break free of the machines grip.

Bean stood their panicked. He didn't know what to do. His usual approach, throwing bombs at the enemy, would be no use here. He began to clutch his head in panic. He was desperate for some idea, any idea that would help, but his brain was just too muddled, too garbled with noise.

Bark clutched desperately at the machine, desperate to pry apart its grip as he watched his friend fall to the floor. He knew what would happen next "Fight it Bean" he yelled. The polar bear had seen this before, and knew that Bean was now overwhelmed.

"I can't," Bean said as he looked at his friend held by the robot. The duck was convinced he could see the machine smiling, despite its lack of a mouth. There was something about this machine; something that made it more than just a machine, Bean knew it all too well. His head was now pounding, with dark thoughts invading his mind. They weren't Bean's thoughts, they never had been. "Go away!" he yelled at his own mind, "I want this to end!" Bean commanded.

"Done," the machine said. Immediately it let go of Bark and fled off into the night sky.

The polar bear immediately ran over to his friend and helped him off the floor. "That was odd," he said, "Why did it leave so sudden?"

"Beats me," the duck said oddly calmly.

"You okay?"

"I've never felt better." The duck smiled. After months of fighting, he was finally victorious and at last in control once again. And soon, he smiled to himself; the rest of his brethren would be free.