Over ninety percent of Robotnik's total available robot workforce was now working on making a factory designed to increase the robot numbers. Save for the security robots, and those in the temple that he had been investigating, and Metal away on his own missions, Robotnik was currently unable to do anything else, but work on his designs for weaponry and robots. Of course this too had to fit between maintaining his fake identity as Roger the Walrus, the owner and builder of the new water park, which was merely cover.
Still, even in his cover as Roger, life was far from ideal. Though he had been doing an excellent job at not revealing his identity to anyone, many people had began to question the creation of the park in amongst what was previously an area listed as protected. Local newspapers had been snooping as they usually did, all eager to catch an expose on Roger, and had been painting him as a menace, one even going so far as to compare the Walrus' assumed evils up there with Robotnik himself.
Hence the human had agreed, after much harassment by the media, that he would give an interview. Originally he had been hesitant to do it, but now with his robots making a hidden factory, he needed the media to at the very least leave him alone. So once again Robotnik donned the costume, and went to the under construction park to stand and give a short speech and answer questions.
Robotnik arrived, wearing a suit over his full body costume, with reporters and camera crews waiting for them. He looked on from backstage, while a PR assistant stood making introductory speeches. Robotnik had no idea who she was, nor did he care, she was just some cat one of his underlings had hired. She didn't matter in the grand scheme of things, and Robotnik wouldn't really care if she did.
Nonetheless, he listened to her for his cue. She waffled on for a little bit about the park, before finally introducing Roger. Walking as calmly as he could, Robotnik walked out to a small wooden podium on the stage looking over a room full of eager press and journalists. He looked over them for a moment, trying to remain calm in what would be a nerve wracking situation if he didn't already know that everything he was about to say was a pack of lies.
"Fellow citizens of Northside Island," he opened. His first words were a deliberate psychological trick to try and instantly make the connection that he was like those who deemed him otherwise. "I want to address a few issues that have been plaguing my company lately," he continued, his efforts here to both disconnect himself centrally from what was going on, and also to further his claims of being part of the community he was using.
"I understand that there have been some frustrations about the construction of the Hydratic Carnival Zone," as Robotnik had taken to calling the place, "and in particular about how we are 'damaging the sensitive ecosystem'," Robotnik continued trying to hide his glee and sarcasm. "I appreciate that we are in fact located within a stone's throw of some of Northside Island's most beautiful and important natural forests, but I feel that the concern has been misattributed. Upon the initial planning of this park we looked into locations that would be both close enough to a local water source so we could avoid further deforestation by digging through excess soil and also inland enough to not destroy Northside Island's coastline.
"We worked very closely with an independent environmental agency," Robotnik admitted, though he failed to declare that by 'work with' he actually meant 'bribed extensively', "and found that this site in particular was recently damaged by flash flooding," Robotnik said, looking as several of the journalists nodded with each other. "The environmental agencies concluded that this place, while repairable, no longer deserved it's protected status."
"Do you have any proof of this?" came a cry from one of the news reporters in the crowd. Robotnik failed to identify which one, but was prepared for such a question.
"The original planning permission should realistically be enough. Those aren't granted on areas listed as protected" Robotnik smiled, knowing that wouldn't sedate the reporter at all, "But if you need further proof, contact the Mobian Environment Organisation. There report states that, and I quote, 'The two miles in question,' the place where Hydratic Carnival Zone is now under construction, 'have sustained heavy flood damage, and would no longer meet the criteria necessary, hence it is regrettably the MEO's decision to declare that area as not protected. However," Robotnik continued quoting, "Due to the nature and protected status of the surrounding land, MEO must insist that this land be used only for naturalistic commercial ventures, such as camping sites, nature retreats, or other business enterprises that promote the natural environment." Underneath his costume, Robotnik smirked slightly. He was sure that was enough to silence his critics.
"And you think this water park of yours is promoting nature?" the reporter declared again. Robotnik got a good look this time; it was a black cat, short and scrawny. She was making things tricky, and Robotnik made a mental note to find out who she was.
"Personally, I believe we are doing all we can. Now I will concede that the construction is not ideal, but that is the price of progress," Robotnik replied, the first honest thing he'd said throughout the entire press conference. "Construction is only temporary, but what will follow is a world changing Water Park that will not only be completely nature powered," Robotnik continued, returning to his deceit, "and will invest fifteen percent of its profits into looking after the surrounding natural habitat. Furthermore, I also intend to invest further into flood proofing the entire river, making it safer for not just visitors to the park, but for any residents who live near the water banks."
The crowd seemed mostly sedated on that line. It was a fantastic piece of rubbish that Robotnik had pretty much made up. Yes, he did intend to flood proof the river, but his ideal way of doing it was to completely conceal the river into a network of pipes, and distribute the water around the island as part of the factory process, much farther from what he imagined people were picturing.
"I understand how this must look," Robotnik continued, "And it must seem suspicious that someone from overseas is coming here attempting to turn a profit. But the way I see it is I'm generating money into your economy. People will come from all over the world to this park," Robotnik boasted, again omitting how they would be forcibly kidnapped and turned into robots, "And the money they bring will go to pay for the wages of park staff, locals to the island, just like the locals who are helping to build the park. Hydratic Carnival Zone will benefit all of us," Robotnik grinned, fully appreciative of his own double meanings.
Robotnik could tell that he was winning over most of the reporters. One or two were still sceptical, but this was always going to be the case. All Robotnik needed was the majority, and he would be able to carry on unhindered by the press.
But there was still that one. That cat still remained sceptical. "And what if your park tanks?" she asked, "Who will fit the bill when the place goes under?"
"Ideally," Robotnik replied, taking a moment to think of the best answer, "The park would be the runaway success I'm hoping. But, as every businessman knows, not everything succeeds, and if the park should happen to fail then the park itself would be an asset of my company, and would therefore revert to my company. Obviously I don't want to expand too far on my businesses contingency plans, the board of directors would not be too happy about that I assure you," Robotnik lied again, the entire company was still just him and his robots, all the employees were merely contractors to him. "The point is if the park looks to be a failure, I will cut my losses long before I am bankrupt. My company has made many other successful parks in the past, including the refitted and repurposed Casino Night Zone."
"So if it does fail?"
"I will close it down, and repurpose what I can into my other parks. I assure you, if this endeavour completely fails, the area will be largely clear, and still perfectly usable." Robotnik replied, again choosing to omit that the only use it would have should such a failure happen would be as a trash heap.
"Now, are there any further questions?" Robotnik asked his audience. He waited patiently for a moment, as the press collectively decided they had heard all they could. While some of them weren't fully happy, Robotnik knew that they wouldn't ask anymore, assuming all they'd get out of Roger would be positive spin.
The press conference ended shortly after. As Robotnik walked off the stage he watched from the back as the press were slowly herded out. The room emptied, and Robotnik sighed quietly. That one reporter had given him so much grief, and he wanted to know who she was. He began researching, looking through the list of guest names against the visitor past numbers that had been handed out. He saw from the stage that she was number seventeen, and he eagerly scoured the list until he got the name.
"Honey the Cat," he muttered, "I must keep note of that."