Chapter 13: Plan of Rescue
Location: Soleanna Forest Zone
Twenty minutes later...
Sonic breathed a sigh of relief, discovering that the X-Tornado remained exactly where Tails had parked it. The hedgehog skidded to a stop before the aircraft, waiting for his robotic doppelganger and the fox to finally catch up to him. Chris was back at the Regency Hotel with Topaz, Shadow, and Rouge, while they had ventured out to retrieve their travel bags. Mobotropolis also needed to be informed of Eggman's attack on the city and the subsequent abduction of Princess Elise.
"Not bad," Shard commented, looking over the aircraft.
"Don't get any ideas," Tails warned, landing behind the robot.
"What!? I'm just looking at it."
"And that's exactly what you're gonna keep doing."
As the fox scrambled aboard, Sonic was already busying himself with pulling their bags out of the storage compartment. Slipping into the cockpit, Tails settled into his seat and reached for the microphone for the CB radio.
"Tails to Mobotropolis, come in Mobotropolis."
For several seconds, nothing but static emerged from the radio, that was until NICOLE's voice came on the line. Serving as Mobotropolis' administrator, it was only natural that she would be the one to answer their communications.
"This is Mobotropolis. Go ahead Tails."
"We've got an emergency situation developing, the council needs to be informed immediately."
"Understood. What's the situation?"
"Intel provided by Shadow and Rouge indicates that Dr. Eggman had a base situated within the White Acropolis Peaks. Soleanna has come under attack by his battleship and he's abducted their princess."
"You mean GUN was conducting an operation in Murasia as well?"
"We encountered Agent Topaz in the city earlier, she's since confirmed that she and Rouge were dispatched to investigate the Eggman base. GUN wasn't even aware of Soleanna's existence until their spy satellites picked up images of the city."
"I'll relay the information to Sally and the council," NICOLE stated, "She'll make a decision on how to proceed."
"We'll do what we can to rescue Princess Elise," Tails said, "Contact me on the AVA when a decision's been made."
"Understood. Mobotropolis Out."
Climbing out of the cockpit, Tails shut the canopy and dropped down from the X-Tornado to the soft grass below.
"Ready to head back?" Shard asked.
"Yeah, I guess we better."
"Last one there's a rotten Eggman," Sonic declared, tearing off into the distance.
Tails and Shard cast a glance in each other's direction before tearing off in pursuit of the blue hedgehog.
Location: The Regency Hotel
The next morning...
The sun had risen over the land of Murasia and the citizens of Soleanna had already begun the process of cleaning up from Eggman's attack. Standing on the balcony, Shard gazed into the sky, observing the Daedalus as it held position over the city. Security had been increased overnight, owing to the Terrans' desire not to invite another attack. Members of the Royal Guards were patrolling the streets, their appearance only slightly differing from the marines of the Terran Republic Armed Forces. He retreated back into the interior of the penthouse, expecting room service to arrive at any moment. The others had not yet awakened, but he was fairly certain they would be appreciative upon doing so. The penthouse suite resembled a condo rather then a hotel, complete with its own living room, kitchen, and even a bar; the latter of which had little use to the majority of those present. He remotely switched on the television, the station having already been set to UNN - the state-owned media network. The morning news was being presented by Nora Colby; a female news anchor with an unremarkable appearance. She wasn't nearly as popular as Donny Vermillion or Kate Lockwell, which was the likely reason why she was being saddled with the morning news cycle. She was right in the middle of the business report, droning on about a proposed merger between Kelanis Shipping Guild and the Morian Mining Coalition. Hearing movement from outside the door and suspecting that it was room service, Shard quickly moved to answer it. A teenager boy stood on the other side of the door, a large room service cart parked against the wall behind him. Puberty was clearly not being kind to the young man, with ache having ravaged his face.
"Oh! Good morning," the boy greeted, "the concierge requested that I deliver your room service."
Shard stepped aside, allowing the youth to wheel the cart over to the imported sunwood dining table. It took him only a few moments to lay out the meal, in that time the smell had wafted throughout the suite.
"If you need anything, please don't hesitated to call the front desk," the teenager sated.
"I'll let them know if we require anything more," Shard said, handing him some credit notes.
He left without another word, grateful for the sizable tip he had received and Shard closed the door behind him, turning to find that the smell had roused the others from their sleep.
"Morning. Didn't know what you guys wanted so I ordered the basics," the robotic hedgehog stated.
"And...how did you pay for this?" Sonic questioned.
"My boss has some credits stashed away in the for just an occasion."
The blue hedgehog shrugged his shoulders and moved forward, marched over to the dining table. The others took this as a sign to take their own seats at the table, helping themselves to the freshly prepared breakfast items.
"So...," Chris began, "What's the plan, Eggman still has Princess Elise."
"We should ask around town, see if anyone's spotted the Egg Carrier since last night," Tails suggested.
"We've been recalled back to United Federation territory. Tower's orders," Topaz stated.
"So just like that you're leaving?" Sonic questioned, annoyance creeping into his voice.
"We've got no choice in the matter," Rouge said, "We were only dispatched to investigate Eggman's base in the White Acropolis Peaks."
"Which was amended to include gathering Intel on these Terrans when GUN discovered the existence of Soleanna," Topaz added.
"We still have time to assist," Shadow stated, "The Seahawk won't reach the coast of Soleanna for another couple of hours."
"…I'm worried, Sonic," Chris said, probing his scrambled eggs with a fork, "These Terrans have no idea what Dr. Eggman is capable of. What if he attacks the city again?"
"The doc's the one who's got no idea," Shard finally said, "You haven't seen the full military strength of the Terrans."
"I'm more concerned that ol' Egghead'll legionize Elise," Sonic said, dismissing the robot's statement.
"That's a scary thought," Tails said, shuddering.
"We need to split up," Shard suggested, "It's the only way to cover enough ground."
"We'll stick together," Shadow said, gesturing to Rouge and Topaz.
"I can cover one part of town solo," Shard stated.
"Which leaves me, Tails, and Chris," Sonic said, "It's as sound a plan as any."