Sally sat down with Nicole and brushed her hair out of her eyes. She had chosen to let her grow out further than she normally kept it, much to Rosie's dismay. It had only grown down to about her shoulders in the last four months and she intended to let it keep growing. She liked it; it gave her a more mature look despite Rosie's protest that she looked very "un-princesslike". Nicole's screen projected the latest map of Robotropolis and she looked around for anything new. Robotnik's newest factory had gone online months ago and even had its own power source. They had been wondering why the raids were so easy when they went in; Robotnik had drawn energy away from the main SWATbot plants. On top of that Uncle Chuck had been unable to determine what was actually in the plant. Nothing had come out of the plant the entire time they had scouted it out and it was practically impenetrable. They would have needed Sonic to have even a remote chance.
Sally shook her head trying not to think about him. It had been over four months since he had left in the middle of the night. He had told no one except her what he was doing but what he hadn't said where he was going or how long he'd been gone. Most of the village had seen through her lie easily and figured he was doing something else, though they couldn't determine what. She still missed him and his absence was still like a void in her being.
He promised he'd come back, she thought zooming in on an area of the map. Sonic has always kept his promises, he wouldn't start breaking them now. She yawned and looked at the area she had zoomed in on. A confused look crossed her face as she zoomed in closer on a particular building. It was the size of a small house but from what the map showed it was heavily guarded. What would Robotnik want with a simple house?
"Nicole, can you give me an interior view of that building?" she asked the small computer. "I will try Sally," the computer said. Sally waited while Nicole redrew the hologram thinking that she'd have to ask Rotor if he'd be able to install some of those updates he kept talking about into Nicole. She still ran fine for what they needed but some extra power wouldn't hurt. "Simulation complete Sally," Nicole said. "Unfortunately due to interference I am unable to show all objects."
Sally looked at the one room building carefully. There were no SWATbots in the building, only outside it. The only area that Nicole had been unable to draw up, as far as Sally could tell, was a large square in the middle of the floor. "What kind of interference Nicole?" Sally asked curiously.
"Unable to determine Sally," the computer replied. "Energy is of an unknown source."
Sally was taken aback. This was the first time Nicole had ever given her an answer like that. She'd been able to determine the amount of energy that the Deep Power Stones could generate and yet a hole had her stumped. This was something she had to check out. Sally closed her up and attached her to her boot before hurrying out her door, nearly knocking down Ari and Lupe in the process.
"Princess Sally!" Lupe said as Sally grabbed her arm. "It's good to see you again."
Sally smiled at the leader of the Wolf Pack Freedom Fighters. "Sorry you two," she said helping Ari up as well. "I was just going to get Dr. Osaka to take a look at something I had found."
"Perhaps we can help, Princess," Ari offered. "Lupe is very knowledgeable in the ancient history of Mobius and I have a great deal of experience with technology, especially Robotnik's." At the end his face twisted as if he had heard a sour note. Sally remembered that Ari had been tricked by Robotnik to lead Sonic into a deadly game that had almost gotten him sucked into the Void, though he had eventually sacrificed himself to save Sonic. Though no one blamed him he was doing everything in his power to make up for his betrayal. Sonic's disappearance had hit him rather hard since he had never really had an opportunity to apologize or thank the hedgehog.
"Well, I found this odd house in Robotropolis," Sally began. "As near as I can tell there's nothing inside of value but Robotnik has it as heavily guarded as his SWATbot plants. I tried seeing more but Nicole says there's some kind of interference."
"That does seem odd," Ari said crossing his arms. "Would you mind showing us?"
Sally nodded and motioned for them to follow her to the War Room. Once there she set Nicole on the table. "Nicole, display last hologram," she commanded.
"One moment Sally," Nicole said.
Once the image came up Sally pointed to the blank square in the floor. "Nicole wasn't able to scan what's in this area," she explained. "No matter what kind of field or energy I've had Nicole scan she's never failed me. Whatever's in there is interfering with any sort of sensors, which may explain why Robotnik has his SWATbots on the outside."
Ari had a confused look on his face while Lupe looked extremely concerned. "I believe I may know what it is," she said. "Unfortunately the only way to determine whether I am accurate or not is to go there." She began coughing gradually getting more violent. Ari caught her and helped her up.
"Are you sure you want to do this in your condition?" he asked still holding her. Lupe nodded and looked at him.
"I am sure," she answered. "I will not let a little illness stop me."
"What's going on?" Sally asked. "Is there something wrong at your base?"
"We have been having some strange...storms lately," Ari said as Lupe erupted into another coughing fit. "It began earlier this month. Many of the Wolf Pack have felt something odd in the wind for some time now. Just a couple weeks ago we noticed that a large storm had perched over the den. Right now it's just wind and lightning but we're expecting the worst. It was nothing at first, but with every passing day it has gotten worse."
"We should check that out first," Sally said closing Nicole. "We can check this out any day; I'm more worried about you guys."
"We will be fine, Princess," Lupe said standing. "The only reason that I am ill is because of someone's meddling in the elemental energies."
"The what?" Sally asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The very energies that hold Mobius in balance," Ari explained. "Certain tribes are more aware of changes that occur when someone attempts to harness their power. It just so happens that the Wolf Pack is sensitive to changes in the wind, especially a storm of this size."
"Some time away will help," Lupe said gently brushing Ari's hands off. "Besides, what is in that dwelling may in fact help with our problem."
"I'll get a team together," Sally said. "In the meantime, I want you to go see Dr. Osaka. No complaints!" Sally raised her hand as the wolf began to protest. "I need you in your best condition for this mission. Don't force me to make this a Royal Order."
Lupe sighed. "Very well Princess," she said. "Seven of us would be the most appropriate number and will allow me to see the truth of this place."
Sally arched an eyebrow but chose not to question the wolf. Lupe broke into another fit and Ari picked her up. As he carried her to Osaka's hut Sally couldn't help but wonder if there was something here she was missing.
Two hours later Sally, Ari and Lupe, Tails, Bunnie, and Antoine were crouched behind a pile of scrap just beyond the guarded house. Sally looked to the sky to see Dulcy circling around. Robotnik's radar had not yet picked her up and Sally couldn't help but be grateful. Dulcy was wearing soundproof earmuffs that would protect her against the R-Wave but it also prevented her from hearing anything else.
Without warning Dulcy plunged, sucking in a huge amount of air. She let loose her icy breath freezing all but one of the SWATbots who had the mind to duck out of the way. It had only begun to raise its arm when Dulcy shot out a small fireball and turned the bot into molten slag. The others ran towards the house as Dulcy gently touched ground and removed her earmuffs.
"I have to admit Dulcy you're getting much better at landing," Sally commented to the dragon.
Dulcy beamed. "I've been practicing," she said. "That was landing number ten with no accidents during or after."
"Should we be getting inside soon?" Antoine asked nervously looking around. "Ze lack of the alarms is unsettling."
"Tony's right," Dulcy said. "You guys get in there, I'll make sure these guys don't thaw out until you get back."
"Be careful, Dulce!" Bunnie yelled as they entered.