Chapter 10: Meet and Greet
Location: Central City
Evening, the next day...
The Mobians along with the Prime Minister and his family stepped out of the limousine into a large crowd of photographers and journalists that had been waiting for them on the steps of the Central City Museum.
"Ulgh! Paparazzi," Amy complained when she was blinded by the flashing cameras as she stood in her shimmering red gown.
"Can't really blame them," Carmichael said, "This is a big deal for a lot of people."
"The reopening of the museum? Or us?" Sally questioned, walking towards the entrance of the museum in her purple cocktail dress.
"Can't it be both?"
"I suppose. Looks like they've forgotten about Sonic's drug arrest from earlier."
"Huh?" Sonic asked upon hearing his name.
"Are you alright, Sonic," Tails asked.
"Naw. These fancy parties just isn't my thing," the hedgehog replied.
"It's just for two hours," Sally stated.
"Sticks..., are you doing alright?" Amy asked.
The badger was dressed in a black gown with a single sleeve and a white sash wrapped around her waist, her blue eyes regarding everyone with suspicion.
"Peachy," she replied.
The group passing the privately hired security and headed inside where they found numerous other Terrans and Overlanders standing in the cavernous entranceway making cheap talk and sipping cocktails before dinner.
"D-doesn't look b-big outside," Ray stuttered as he stood next to Leon.
"Yeah, the exterior of the building is really deceptive," Tails remarked.
The group was greeted by a middle-aged man of Asian ancestry with greying black hair and dressed in a suit just like all the other male guests.
"Greetings. My name is Doctor Charles Atsumi and I am the curator of the museum. I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your schedule to be here tonight," the man said.
"Hello Dr. Atsumi," Miranda said, "It's good to see that the funds that were raised were put to good use."
"I have you, Constantino Terra, and young Mengsk to thank," he replied, "the rebuilding would've never gotten off the ground without you."
"Doctor," Prime Minister Carmichael said, "Allow me to introduce you to Ambassador Sally Acorn and her companions."
"It's a pleasure to be here tonight," Sally said, shaking the man's hand.
"The pleasure is mine," Dr. Atsumi said with a smile, "Drinks are available and dinner will be served in the Pantheon within the hour. Please excuse me, I have other guest that I must greet."
"Let's go to the Pantheon now," Carmichael suggested once Dr. Atsumi was out of ear shot, "my knee is beginning to bother me."
The group soon reached the Pantheon which was little more then a wide open area where numerous tables had been set up for the guests.
"Man I'm bored," Sonic complained to Sally as they followed the Prime Minister through the crowd of people.
"We haven't been here five minutes," Sally said.
"You should just enjoy the evening," Amy stated.
"Yeah," Sonic muttered.
There was a large group of people in one area of the Pantheon and Sonic briefly caught a glimpse of a large man with short, but thinning gray hair who was dressed in military attire who radiated authority. He had an impressive physique, but he gave Sonic the impression that he was nothing more then a shaved gorilla that was posing as a man.
"Who's he?" Sonic asked Molly.
"General Edmund Duke, member of the Old Families and Commander of Alpha Squadron," replied the young Terran, "Never thought he was the type to enjoy museums."
"He looks kinda intimidating," Mighty said as the Prime Minister took a seat at one of the tables.
"He's always had that problem," Miranda explained, "people respect him mostly out of fear."
"Honestly, you'd think they would've dealt with the vermin when they rebuilt this place," a voice said loud enough for everyone to her.
The Mobians turned to see a gnarled old woman floating into the room seated in a hoverchair that was flanked by an entourage of people.
"Who's the big mouth?" Sonic asked.
"Oh god it Andrea Tygore; Matriarch of the Tygore Family," The Prime Minister replied, "Please let her break her hip, please let her break her hip."
"Sweetie, she's a hundred and sixty years old and paralyzed from the waist down," Miranda said, "Oh dear god she's coming this way."
"It's kinda ironic that she's in a museum, she must be visiting the other relics," Molly said bitterly.
"Shouldn't you respect your elders?" Amy asked.
"Considering the type of person she is...no," Carmichael said, "Andrea! Lovely to see you as always."
"Drop the act, Carmichael. You don't like me and I don't like you," she said rudely.
"Very well...what made you climb out of the tar pit this evening? Looking to bribe a building inspector perhaps?"
"Yes because you stand on such a moral high ground," she said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tygore. I am Sally Acorn; Princess of the Acorn Republic," Sally introduced.
"Ew...get away, you're probably infested with fleas," she said leaving all the Mobians in utter shock, "Why your kind was allowed within our territory I will never know."
"Now wait just on second!" Sally said.
"Andrea! What a lovely surprise," A voice called out.
Those gathered turned to see four figures strolling through the dining hall. One was a blonde haired middle-aged man with a bushy moustache and wearing a dark blue suit, the other was a young woman with long blonde hair that was braded into ponytail, with vivid green eyes and dressed in a red gown that shimmered like countless rubies. The third figure was a tall woman with red hair and pale skin and clothed in a white silk gown that showed off her slim, willowy figure. The final figure was a young man that was the living definition of a pretty-boy, with short blonde hair, grey eyes and dressed in an outfit that was both regal and yet militaristic at the same time, with a red cape that flowed behind him.
"Tino. Good to see you," Andrea said.
They group took notice of the vain bulging on his forehead, yet he managed to maintain his outward composure.
"Do you have a moment?" Constantino asked, "There something that I'd like to ask you."
There was a sigh of relief as Andrea hovered away with Constantino in tow before Sally finally spoke.
"I hate her," Sally declared.
"She just likes winding people up, Don't let her get to you," the younger man said before introducing himself, "Valerian Mengsk."
"How is your grandfather doing? I heard he hadn't been doing well as of late," Carmichael stated.
"Grandfather's doing fine now, thanks for asking," Valerian said, "He was in need of a new kidney and the transplant was a success."
"I suppose the chances that his body would reject was greatly reduced given the fact that it was cloned from his own body," Miranda said.
"Hello, Uncle Victor," the young woman said kissing the Prime Minister's cheek.
"Hello, Nova. I'm surprised to see you here," Carmichael said.
"When I heard that the museum was reopening I begged daddy and Eleftheria to bring me," Nova replied, gesturing to the red head.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Prime Minister," she said.
"I see Bella's didn't come in with you," Miranda stated.
"Mrs. Terra has chosen to remain behind in Torsonis City," she replied.
"Wait! Is she not his wife?" Sally whispered to Molly.
"No. Marriages amongst the Old Families are rarely done so out of love," Molly explained, "It's a union of bank accounts, nothing more then that."
"That's...seriously messed up," Chris muttered, readjusting the tie of his cream-coloured suit.
"I heard that you've been training as a-," Miranda said before Nova raised her hand to cut her off.
"Please...I'd rather we not talk about it," Nova said.
"It's seems that your father once again saved my ass," Victor said.
"He knows how much you don't get along with her," Nova stated.
There was the sound of a fork being tapped against a wine glass near a microphone causing everyone to focus their attention on Doctor Atsumi who was addressing the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen. May I have you attention please."
Location: Central City Museum
Two hours later...
Sally stood outside one of the exits breathing in the refresh night air while she consumed her third Mojito of the evening. After her encounter with Andrea Tygore she had tried not to let the old Terran get to her but that was easier said then done. Sally stared out into the busy street and noticed a hedgehog walking across the museum's parking lot in her direction. As he drew closer, Sally realized that it's skin was actually black gold metal with a green gem inserted into the torso. Sally was immediately found herself on edge, recognizing the robot as the renegade Metal Sonic v2.5.
"Princess Sally," Shard greeted.
"Metal Sonic," Sally said, "You broke into the Mobotropolis Computer Network."
"And tangled with Metal Sonic during Eggman's attack on Soleanna," he reminded, "And it's not Metal Sonic anymore...it's Shard."
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"My boss is pleased that you arrived safely," he said, "He would like to meet with you at a later date."
"Why? Who is he?" she asked.
"He is someone you are familiar with," he explained, "As to the why; well...there is something you must be made aware of."
"That's...unhelpful," the Princess said.
"I'm not here to provide you with exposition," Shard stated, "Further orders will be sent to you at a later date."
"Yo Sal!" Sonic called out causing her to turn to see him standing in the doorway.
"We're leaving," Sonic said, "Sticks insulted one of the guests, and I don't think Leon or Ray's got much energy left."
"I'll be right there," Sally said.
As she turned back to the robot, she discovered that Shard had disappeared, though it was likely that he was nearby as his jet engine would've draw too much unwanted attention.