While the Knothole freedom fighters celebrated a small success, it hadn't been a good week for the rest of Mobius as a whole.
After Tails destroyed one of his bases, Robotnik became enraged. Not only had he spent valuable resources on equipping that base, he had lost one of his newest creations as well.
Robotnik had only created the nano-machine controlled Elias Acorn the previous month. He hadn't even gotten to see what he could do and he was already destroyed.
The strangest thing was that Robotnik knew no rebels were active in that area. Knothole had been eradicated and all of them were dead or currently serving him as Robians. Robotnik had checked all of his files and security tapes; only to find no real clues to how this had happened.
The rotund dictator slammed his fist down on the computer desk; almost breaking it in the process.
Robotnik stood and looked out a nearby window. He looked upon Robotropolis with a sneer.
Snow. Snow was falling.
The temperature had been falling...explosives had been used.
Robotnik looked at his computer and used a voice command to bring up his list of currently living freedom fighters.
Robotnik scanned the list and then asked the computer to show only those fighters that were cold weather fighters.
The list quickly shortened and Robotnik smiled and called for Metal Sonic.
He had a mission for his creation...he'd make them pay for destroying his base.
***Several days later***
It was colder than normal here in the Northern Tundra and I had decided to save my outdoor duties for later.
It wasn't like there was much left for Robotnik here. He had already taken all of the Walrus clan and made them into Robians. If it weren't for Augustus and I, there wouldn't even be a reason for Robotnik to care about this sector anymore.
We hadn't done much fighting lately as we had lost too many of our group. Erma and Flip had been Roboticized while we were trying to save some of the Walrus clan from being kidnapped. With Knothole out of commission, there wasn't anyone close enough to help us.
Sonic being taken was the gut punch that made us retreat and only do local runs. We didn't have any backup in the Mobian Great Forest anymore. The deserts were mostly run by the Dingo clan and they wouldn't help us for any amount of money or goods. It had become dog eat dog out there and we didn't want to be next on Robotnik's list.
Loosing Sealia was the final straw that canceled any further attacks on Robotnik. We had no clue that he began sending attack probes throughout Mobius...No idea that one would be in the ocean...waiting for us. Had Sealia not shoved me out of the way, I'd have died.
Instead, she was vaporized by the laser blast. Nothing even left to bury. No hope in de-robotication. She was gone.
With that, our resolve was also...gone.
I went back into what was left of the Arctic Freedom Fighter Headquarters and went to the command center. It was slightly warmer there...the computers kept it that way.
When I walked inside the command center, I noticed Augustus had his feet up his desk and was asleep. His snores almost managed to rattle the blinds on our windows.
Augustus was a huge piece of Mobian muscle. A Polar bear with a heart of gold...but would not be afraid to rip off an arm or two if need be. However, losing our friends had taken his resolve as much as mine. We were both just trying to survive at this point and so far had been successful.
"Mornin' Augustus." I said.
The polar bear opened one eye. "Mornin' Guntiver"
I walked past the large bear and sat down at my desk. I allowed the computer to boot and checked our security cameras for any signs of Robotnik. Everything seemed quiet. The cold would make it hard on Robotnik's Swat Bots and that was good for us.
I did happen to notice a video message had appeared in our inbox.
We NEVER got messages.
Hell...no one was LEFT to SEND messages.
"Yo! Augustus, wake up and come over here!"
I heard the bear let out a bellow of a yawn.
"This had better be good. I was gettin' my beauty sleep."
"Check it. A message. A real. Actual. Message."
The Polar Bear slid me out of the way to see the screen.
"But...that's...that's impossible. We all know Knothole is gone. Nothing is left."
"Yet...there it is. A message."
"Are you going to play it? What if they need us?"
I glared at the bear and slid my chair back to my desk.
"Yes Augustus...I am going to play the message."
I clicked on the message and the seal of Acorn appeared on the screen.
"This message is from the Knothole Freedom Fighters. As of three days ago, this rebel force has been reinstated. The group is currently small, but is looking for any assistance it can get to fight Robotnik. Tails Prower and Elias Acorn are alive and hope to put an end to Robotnik and his tyranny. If you can spare anyone or any supplies, please contact us on this secure line."
The message closed and re-encrypted itself. That was clearly authentic. It was almost like Sally was back. The voice sounded just like her AI unit. I had seen it once before.
That was silly. Sally was dead...or at least a Robian. They all were.
But the message...Tails...Elias are alive.
I looked at Augustus.
"What do you think about this?"
The bear shrugged.
"It looks real enough to me...but what can we do for them? We are all that's left here...and we need to protect our own home."
I sighed. "You are right, of course...we can't really do anything for them...we are only two people."
I stared at the computer for a few minutes and decided to send them my own message. I would tell them that our group was also decimated and in small number. That way they knew we were here...but would not expect us to help them, when we couldn't help ourselves.
I wrote the message and sent it. I almost felt sick for doing it. Wasn't right and I knew it.
But we had lost so much...we only had each other.
"Guntiver...did we do the right thing?"
I looked at the bear and shook my head.
"I don't know. But...at least we know there are others out there now."
I leaned back in my chair and put my legs on my desk.
"I'm gonna take a nap. This gave me a headache...and I don't wanna think about it right now."
Augustus nodded. "I already napped today. I'll go ahead and check the perimeter for bots. I'll wake you around dinner if you aren't already up by then."
I waved at my friend and watched as he left the room. I sighed and closed my eyes.
I woke up thanks to my own snore and fell out of my chair. Damn, glad Augustus didn't see that!
I looked around and noticed that Augustus had not come back. I looked over at the clock and realized he was long past due coming back. I ran outside and sure enough...it was dark and the cold had really come full on. It had to be below zero right now. My breath floated up quickly as I was breathing heavily.
Damn it where was he? Why didn't I wake up sooner?!
I ran out into the snowy tundra and turned on my flashlight. I looked all over the base for my friend, but could not find him...couldn't even smell him. He had left no tracks in the snow either. Which meant he hadn't come back whenever this snow hit.
I decided to check the cameras. That would be easier and faster and getting an idea of where he went.
I ran back inside.
"Computer. Activate the security recordings. Rewind until you locate something on the cameras."
The computer bleeped in understanding of my orders.
I looked up on the big screen and waited...he had to be out there somewhere.
The cameras went all the way back to the morning and found nothing.
How bizarre...he HAD to have been out there.
I sniffed the air. My eyes went wide.
I turned and there he was. Big as life...but something was different.
"Augustus? Are...are you alright?"
The Bear did not answer, instead he lunged at me. I jumped and watched as he went through the desk and destroyed the computer and everything nearby. The computer destruction caused the electric to surge and suddenly we were in the dark.
"Augustus? What the hell is wrong with you?"
The polar bear slowly stood up and turned. In the dark his eyes glowed red.
"Dear god...no." I said with a gasp.
"Priority one. Arctic Wolf...Guntiver. Capture. Priority one."
I stepped backwards and prepped to run. How did this happen? How did the camera miss this?
I turned and ran into Metal Sonic. Now...how did I miss him? Had Robotnik equipped him with a stealth module?
"Hello...Guntiver...long time no see. Or should I say it has only been a short time? Hmm?"
I stepped back...and ran back into Augustus. He grabbed me by the arms. I was trapped between a robotic hedgehog and a Polar bear that was as big as a house.
"W...what do you mean a short time?" I was so nervous that I began to stammer.
The robot's optics glowed red in the darkness...it was a clear example of his anger at my answer.
"Do not play dumb with us. The Master KNOWS that you and your "friend" over there attacked one of our bases. You have been a thorn in his side for too long. The Master has ordered me to bring you to Robotropolis and I must do this."
"Neither I, nor Augustus have left the tundra in over two years! You killed our entire force! We've just tried to live! We've done nothing...we only want to live in peace!"
The Robot's eyes became even REDDER at this point. The robotic hedgehog grabbed me and pulled me in close.
"Do NOT lie to us. We KNOW you attacked the base. There is no one else that could have."
"No...I do not lie...we...didn't..."
Suddenly my mind went back to the message I had gotten earlier today.
I knew who had done it.
I snapped back to reality when the robot's hand went around my neck.
"Freedom Fighters...Knothole...did it." I said as the Robot had started to choke me.
"Impossible. They are gone. My memory banks inform me that they were all killed or Roboticized."
"No...received...message from...them...today..."
I realized that Augustus had destroyed any proof I had. It was not looking good for me.
"Let me see it then! Prove it!" The Robot threw me into the broken desk and I hit my head. Hard. Everything was spinning.
"Can't...Augustus...broke...computer."
I looked at my friend...just standing there...eyes glowing red.
"What did you do to Augustus?" I said as I pulled myself back to my feet. "He isn't Roboticized...but his eyes...you've done something to him!"
The Polar bear grabbed me again. "I was given new lease on life. I am part Mobian...part Robian...it feels wonderful to no longer have any worries...any emotion...I am just a warrior to be commanded. Robotnik is now my Master and I will obey...just like you will soon do."
I elbowed my former best friend in the face and attempted to run. The bear took no notice of my blow and grabbed my arm.
"You do not have enough strength to stop us. Give in. You have no choice in the matter."
"Augustus...remember who you are! Don't let them take me!"
Metal Sonic walked up and two tendrils came from the top of his hand.
I felt something enter my neck...it stung...almost like a bee sting.
I began to feel very tired.
Everything went black.
My head...
What...
Where?
Slowly the world regained shape and I realized that the I was not on the tundra anymore.
It was hot...the entire place stunk. It smelt of exhaust and burning oil. My throat burned.
I tried to move, but could not. I put my hand up and realized I was trapped inside something. I was in a glass containment unit...but...why?
I looked and saw Augustus standing beside Ivo Robotnik. Damn him! I remembered now! They had come for us! Taken Augustus's mind and...
Something had happened to me...but I didn't remember. I felt a twinge of pain in my neck, but couldn't remember what they'd done to me.
Robotnik walked up to me and I slammed my fist into the chamber. No use...it was far stronger than any attack I could muster.
"Now, now...is that any way to treat someone that saved you?"
My eyes went wide.
"Saved me? What are you talking about?"
"I saved you from yourself...and from being destroyed by my 'bots. You and your friend here have done far more damage to my operations than you realized. Not only did you delay me for over six months...but you destroyed my newest creation. I didn't even get to finish testing him."
"What did you do to Augustus?" I yelled through tears. I knew my end was near.
"Oh...him? He is another one of my new creations. Completly Mobian...except where it counts.
The brain is Robian and he serves me just like any other Robian."
The dictator turned. "Isn't that right Augustus?"
The bear nodded. "Yes Master. I am happy to serve you and your cause."
I pounded my hands on the glass. "No...he might as well be dead..."
Robotnik laughed as he rubbed the polar bear's chest. "Now, now my boy...he is perfectly capable of obeying and getting the job done...isn't that right?
Augustus nodded. "Yes Master Robotnik...I am strong...I will complete whatever orders you give me."
This was torture. Watching my only remaining friend in the entire world like this was worse than death.
"Just get whatever you are gonna do to me over with."
Robotnik laughed. "Don't worry Guntiver...soon you will one of my servants...and you will replace the one you allowed to be destroyed!"
I pounded on the glass again. "We didn't do it! I swear! It was Tails Prower! The Freedom Fighters are back!"
Robotnik busted into laughter and began to type something on my capsule's computer.
"Tails Prower? He has been dead for years! There isn't anything in old Knothole. I destroyed it YEARS ago!"
Suddenly I felt something burning inside of me.
I stood up and braced myself against the glass.
"What...what is happening?" I said. "My body...on...fire..."
Robotnik laughed. I wanted to get my hands on him...but I knew that was impossible.
"Metal Sonic infused you with nano machines back in the tundra. I have just activated them. They will slowly begin to consume your body. You will feel pain like never before."
I looked at my hand and watched as it was covered by a black substance. My hand and arm burnt...it felt like I had stuck my hand into boiling lava.
I screamed...then howled. I fell to my knees and howled until my voice was gone and I could no longer scream.
I looked and noticed my arms...legs and body began to be covered...the pain increased. I couldn't pass out...why...why couldn't I pass out.
I began to slam my head against the glass...had to stop the pain...but nothing worked.
The subtance had made its way up to my chest...my heart began to thump randomly...I felt like I was dying...which would have been a blessing to me.
I still could no longer scream...then these...nanos...took my head...and my mind. Everything went numb...I felt no pain...had no emotion...no memories...I just...exsisted.
Then all of the pain came back at once as I felt my insides being eaten. The nano machines were taking my Mobian body...I could feel it. I was being recreated...the pain was the most intense thing I had ever endured in my whole life.
I could feel my mind slipping. I couldn't let Robotnik take me. I could fight it. I could still be myself...even after all of this.
Suddenly my head felt like knives had been stabbed into it multiple times. The pain was the worst yet. I fell to my knees and grabbed my head. I moaned...it was all I could still do.
I managed to open my eyes and see myself in the glass. My entire body was covered in the black substance now. All I could see were red...glowing...eyes...
They were looking at me...into my soul...then...
Then my soul was taken. Eaten away by the nanos. My spark...was gone.
Then...suddenly I felt something inside of me again. I looked at my hand and watched as the nanos went into my body. The pain was gone and I was no longer my former self. Guntiver the Arctic Wolf no longer existed.
I was more than that now. I had been recreated by my Master...made better...stronger...I was reborn.
The Master had made me into this being...I could blend in with Mobians and they would never know I was a spy.
My mind was no longer my own. I had several objectives ingrained inside my new mind.
I would obey Robotnik's commands without question or fail.
I would protect Robotnik from harm.
I would destroy the remaining Rebels, unless commanded to bring them to the Master for programming.
I would use my old persona to gain the trust of Mobians. Then, I would turn them over to my Master.
The capsule I had been created in opened. I stepped out and fell on my face in front of my lord and Master.
I felt a hand lift my chin and I saw the Master in all his glory.
"Who do you serve?"
I bowed again.
"I serve you...always M'lord."
"Guntiver, you are no longer Mobian, yet you are Mobian. You can think for yourself...you can bleed...you can even cry, but you also are not Mobian. You can regenerate if hurt...you have enhanced speed, intelligence, strength and eye sight. You are perfect...and you obey only me."
I slowly stood to my full height. The Master was right. I was stronger than I ever remember being. My body was strong and I knew it. I remembered being a strong wolf before...but now it was different. I hadn't gained hardly any bulk, but I felt incredible power.
The Master handed me a new pair of boots and gloves. I put them on and was then given a new jacket. I put the jacket on and the arms ripped before I could even get it fully on. I ripped the arms off and kept the jacket. I pulled up the collar and smiled at my creator.
"How do I look?" I said with a grin.
Like you'd fit in with any Mobian on the planet. Now...listen to me...I have your orders.
I stood and listened as I was given my first assignment.
I smiled. I would obey.
To be continued.
