Chapter 2

6 months later, the city was a much different place. Robotnik was serious when he laid down his expectations. He introduced his new regiment of robotic enforcers called SWATBots. Soon after, a small monthly tax was instituted to ensure each family had at least one breadwinner. Man or woman, it didn't matter. At least one had to be actively employed.

Some of the people had difficulty accepting this change. They were certain that their Aleena would not allow him to turn them into slaves, to punish them for not supporting their families. They found out the hard way when the tax collectors came and the family's elected head was carried off to be roboticized. The surviving family quickly went to find work. Soon nearly whole blocks of lower classes vanished. Those surrounding assumed they had all been roboticized. No one noticed that the working middle class was largely unaffected. They ignored the fact that employers were now expected to pay a living wage while at the same time; immediate deflation was instituted so that a living wage wasn't a burden on those employers. The value of the Mobian went up exponentially. SWATBots patrolled regularly and any crime, no matter the offense, was dealt with harshly. Known criminal handouts were raided within mere weeks.

Most of the middle and upper classes recognized this as their new leader making the city safer and their economy stronger. The lower classes and a handful of the middle classes felt the man was overstepping. They believed he was being cruel, selfish, and uncompassionate to their needs. After all, food and shelter were necessities. They shouldn't need to work for them. The upper class had plenty to share. It was as Jules said; the aristocracy was simply a selfish lot that needed to be taken down a few notches.

Of course not all of the lower classes believed this just as many of the middle and upper classes believed all of the changes were for the better. However, into the sixth month, even those spoke positively of the new regent began vanishing.

In response to this, what they considered unjustified, forced labor; small cells of rebels began cropping up. Participating in guerrilla style behavior to try and undermine his work. They called themselves the Freedom Fighters.

Robotnik, on the other hand, called them what they were. Terrorists. Worse, they were rather pushy in their ideals if the three families that currently approached him were any indication.

"None of us know what to do anymore," declared a lanky, cat creature with two wiry antennae extending from his head. "They approach us three or four times a day. Now they are threatening us and our children if we do not join them."

Robotnik sighed. This was the fourth time he'd been approached with this matter. "You and your families will be given a temporary home in the palace until another solution can be found."

The cat-man bowed. "Thank you Sire, thank you." He said as a SWATBot led them to some rooms.

The regent breathed a frustrate sigh. He was more than willing to help these people after the last six hard months. They were dreadful. It felt like someone or something had forced him out of his body to do terrible, wicked things in the name of vengeance. Many innocent people were now slaves because of him and he had no way of reversing it. Yet.

"I must amend my actions, Maria. I must atone for what I have done," he said to himself. "But this castle is not big enough to house the entire kingdom." He massaged his aching temples. Lest he make his migraine worse, he decided to think of something else. Something happier. Like just a few days prior.

"Just hold steady Delilah," Robotnik instructed the minkette through the labor. "It's going to be alright. He's almost out now. Just keep calm, keep pushing."

Lady Montclair was in labor and Albern trusted no one but his close friend to deliver the baby. Good thing too, as the child had decided to come out in reverse.

"Come Delilah, come on," Albern encouraged his wife. "You can do it."

Delilah was very tired from the labor. The pregnancy had been very hard on her and left her bedridden for the final month.

Things had taken a bad turn after an ultrasound revealed the baby in a breach position. Unfortunately, the child was stubborn and refused to turn around. To make matters worse, her cervix nearly refused to dilate. In fact, the good doctor had to induce it to do what it was supposed to. He wanted to perform a cesarean section but with the baby still in a position to be delivered safely, naturally, that was his friends' preference. He could understand as cesarean sections often made it harder for conception later on.

"Alright, one last, good, push Delilah," Robotnik told her. "Almost there…and…yes! He is out. Safe and sound, a beautiful, baby boy." He wrapped the baby mink in a soft, fluffy, pink blanket after cleaning him up. He was currently furless but In a few weeks, he would be just as fair and blonde as his sire and dam. He handed the baby to his mother while Albern looked into the eyes of his child. A pang ripped at his chest. "I must return to the palace, there is much work to be done." He turned to leave. He would never forget that right about now, he should have been holding his baby.

Albern placed a hand on his friend's shoulder before he could leave. "Julian, please wait. I know this can't be easy for you. Delilah and I, we cannot give you back your wife or your child. However, there is something we can do."

Robotnik turned as Delilah continued for her husband. "It isn't much, but we would be honored if you would be our son's godfather." She bit her lip.

Robotnik accepted the offer and actually decided to stay a little longer. The boy was named Bartleby which means Son of the Furrow. Robotnik swore that he would watch over and care for the boy as he might his own son.

"Now, I need to make sure Möbotropolis is a safe place for him to grow up. But how can I do this?"

"Perhaps," a rough, sand-papery voice announced the appearance of a sea-green, reptilian anteater dressed in a dark shroud. "I could be of service..."

AN: Another dramatic cliff-hanger. These first several chapters would all be considered its own episode, sort of an Episode 0 if you will.