Chapter 7: Kindred Spirits
Location: S.S.P.D. Headquarters
That same time...
"Ah, Delta 1 to base. I'm afraid that roadblock didn't work."
"No! Don't tell me he got through," the dark-haired Intel Officer asked.
"Okay."
Letting out a groan, he turned in his seat and looked at the ginger-haired man dressed in a red and white racing outfit. His name was Sam Speed, and he was the Capitan of Station Square's high-speed pursuit unit - the S-Team.
"Ugh, bad news."
"Don't worry. I think we've got what it takes to round up our furry little friend. Speed Team, get ready to roll!"
Exiting the operations room, he stepped into the hallway and was joined by four other members of the unit. Entering into the garage, they found that their Formula-One dragsters were receiving last minute maintenance.
"What's the temperature of the road surface tonight?" Sam asked the mechanic working on his vehicle.
"It's about 70 degrees and dry as a bone," he answered, turning around.
"Light breeze from the west?"
"Almost nothing."
"Road, pitted or smooth?"
"Nice and smooth."
"Then, let's see...," he said, slipping on a white balaclava, "Give me the 5 groove medium-soft."
"Here you go," another mechanic said, rolling the wheel over.
As the other mechanics began attaching the tires onto the car, Sam slipped his helmet over his head and slip into the cockpit. Locking the steering wheel into place, he found himself approached by one of the technicians.
"I programmed gears 5 and 6 to freeway speed," he stated, leaning into the vehicle.
"Great."
"Oh, and I filled that secret fuel tank on your car just like you asked me to."
"Good work."
"Chief, they last spotted the subject in mile 79 on 101 north," reported the Intel officer.
"Roger. Alright team, let's move out!"
Lowering the canopy, he activated the light and slowly pressed down on the accelerator. Taking the lead, his comrades followed him out of the garage, sirens blaring as they pulled out onto the street.
Location: Highway 101
Fifteen minutes later...
Sitting atop a lamp post, Sonic gazed up at the night sky, the authorities having seemingly called off the chase. Common sense would've dictated that he retreat back to the Station Square Hotel, but he loathed to admit that he needed a moment to catch his breath.
"The sky looks the same," he marvelled, "So do the stars and the moon."
Leaping down from his perch, the hedgehog was about to hit the road once more, when he heard the sirens of five approaching Formula-One police cars. He watched with slight amusement as one of the men climbed out of the cockpit of his vehicle.
"Hi there! You're a hard hog to keep up with," the man said.
Sonic wasn't interested in chatting with the lawman, instead turning away with the intention of leaving.
"Hey, hold on! We don't get such fast company very often. In fact, I'm glad you showed up. This place is way too peaceful," he stated.
The man who was casually leaning against the side of his car when the hedgehog looked back, watching as he removed the white balaclava that covered his head. He was young, late twenties, with short red hair that had been parted to the left side of his face.
"Over the last 12 months, I've only made one arrest. Some joker got it into his head that he was a hot-shot driver. Had his own Formula-One car and everything. I guess he thought he give it a run for my money. But it was all over in a minute. Took me longer than that to suit up!"
Sonic couldn't help but smirk in amusement, finding the lawman's enjoyment of speed respectable.
"He never had a chance. Of course it's our own fault, this town's dull mainly because of us. You see, we're the high-speed pursuit unit, the S-Team. And I'm the leader of the team. They call me the 'Highway Star'. So even if you think you're the fastest thing around, think again!"
Without warning, the remaining Formula-One cars revved their engines, prompting Sonic to tear off down the highway.
"Run fast, hedgehog! I wanna be the one to catch you!"
With the highway deserted of all traffic, Sonic could really let loose, but so could the members of the pursuing S-Team.
"So you wanna play tag? This should be interesting!" chuckled the hedgehog as he poured on the speed.
"It's accelerating! Boost your rear-wing A to 20 degrees!" Aaron reported.
"Roger," acknowledged his team members.
"Well, well, well! It's starting to look like the rush hour!" Sonic commented, watching the vehicles attempt to box him in, "Oh no, how will I ever escape?"
"Where is he? Did I run him over?" Simon demanded.
Hearing a knock on his window, Simon turned to in time to witness the hedgehog bolt past. Unable to see him, he looked up to find him standing on the hood of his car.
"Huh? Hey you! This is dangerous! It's irresponsible! What happens if kids start trying this?"
Realizing that he had a point, Sonic promptly dismounted from the vehicle and tore off down the road.
"You're not gonna treat the S-Team like chumps! We'll teach you a lesson! Boost all wings .5 degrees and let's get this guy!" Hector ordered.
"Roger!"
"Full throttle! Huh?!"
Hector's confidence quickly evaporated upon seeing Sonic running backwards, smirk on his face and arms crossed.
"What the-? How can-? It's playing with us!" Hector roared at the indignity.
"Where did this thing come from?" questioned Lynch.
"Chief, you gotta do something!"
"Playtime is now officially over! Attention all units, open the center line!" Sam ordered, his teammates complying, "I didn't think I had to do this but I have no choice. I will NOT have anybody, faster than me, on my highway!"
Activating the Super Nitro, the vehicle rocketing past those of the other S-Team members, nearly mowing down Sonic in the process.
"The only way you can beat me now is if he goes supersonic!" Sam declared.
With his vehicle reaching well over 500 km/h, Sam was confident that he had beaten the hedgehog, that was until he zipped right past him at supersonic speeds.
"A sonic boom! He's moving faster than the speed of sound!"
"Chief, you're running out of road!" he heard Hector warn.
Slamming on the breaks, Sam deployed the emergency chutes, watching as Sonic launched himself right off the highway.
