Chapter 13: Voyage
Location: Prime Minister's Residence
Two days later...
Sally sat in front of her vanity dressed in a blue nightgown with NICOLE laying open on the counter in front of her as she he busied herself with brushing her hair. Not a peep had been heard of Eggman after his attack on Diamond Hills, the entire incident little more then a ruse to distract everyone while he went into hiding. MPs from all over the Terran Republic were still gathering in Central City for the emergency session of the National Assembly, but it was taking longer then expected. The National Assembly wasn't set to reconvene until next week, days later then what had been expected. The uncertainty of what to expect when she spoke before the National Assembly was taking an emotional toll on her, especially when Humanity First had no intention of hearing her out.
"Sally?" NICOLE asked as he holographic form appeared before her.
"Yes NICOLE?"
"Don't let it bother you," she replied, "I'm sure everything will work out in the end."
"Nothing's bothering me," Sally replied defensively.
"Sally, I know you well enough to know when something is bother you," NICOLE said, causing the Princess to sigh.
"You're right," Sally admitted, "I knew that getting the Terrans to ally with us wasn't going to be a cakewalk, I just never thought I'd face so much resistance."
"Well it's as you said before; even if we don't get the Terrans to ally, we'll have still managed to open diplomatic relations with them." NICOLE stated.
"I haven't even spoken before the National Assembly and already I'm facing stiff opposition, if the news is anything to go by," she said.
"The media has a tendency to exaggerate things," NICOLE commented, "Wait...incoming message."
"Whose it from?" Sally asked.
"I can't triangulate the signal, it being bounced through a dozen different relays," NICOLE stated, "I'll display the message now."
YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRE ON MADUBIN ISLAND AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
BRING ALONG OTHERS TO THE COORDINATES PROVIDED IF YOU MUST.
"Where is Madubin Island located?" Sally asked.
"The coordinates lead to a small island in the Tyrador Province," NICOLE answered, "So what's the plan then?"
"I'll worry about it tomorrow," Sally replied with a yawn as she stood up, "I've been up for far too long anyways."
"Goodnight, Sally," NICOLE said.
"Goodnight, NICOLE."
Location: Prime Minister's Residence
Late the next morning...
"Blast! I never meant to sleep till nearly twelve," Sally said as she emerged from her room, "and why didn't you wake me, NICOLE!?"
"You were up till three in the morning," she reminded, "You were in need of the rest."
"Well there's no point in worrying about it now," she sighed, making her way to the staircase, "I need to find the others and figure out who'll come with me to Madubin Island."
As soon as she reached the ground floor of the estate, she found Timothy; one of the servants busy watering some of the indoor plants.
"Ah, good morning, Princess," he said cheerfully.
"Good morning. Do you know where everyone is?" Sally asked.
"The Prime Minister in his office meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources, several of your friends headed into town, but Mr. Prower and Mrs. D'Coolette, Miss. Badger, and Mr. Thorndyke are currently still on the premises," Timothy replied.
"Do you know where I can find them?"
"Mr. Prower is currently in the archives and Mrs. D'Coolette is currently by the pool with Miss. Molly," Timothy explained, "Miss. Badger is..."
"Say no more," Sally said, raising her hand.
"Mr. Thorndyke was feeling unwell earlier and is somewhere on the premises."
"Thanks you for the information," Sally said.
"My pleasure," Timothy replied.
Sally emerged from the Prime Minister's home and found Bunnie and Molly sitting by the in ground pool. Dripping wet, Leon ran about along the circumference of the pool, pursued by another boy with dark haired. The pool had been apparently been a spur of the moment thing for the two boys, as neither had on bathing suits, having instead stripped themselves down to their briefs.
"Mornin', Sally-girl," Bunnie greeted.
"You're up late today," Molly said.
"NICOLE said I needed the rest," she replied.
"No point at burning the candles at both ends," Molly stated.
"Who's the kid?"
"Oh that's Colin Phash; the son of my father's Minister of Natural Resources," Molly explained.
"So, what are your plans for the day Sally-girl?" Bunnie asked.
"Actually that why I'm here, last night NICOLE received a message from our benefactor, he wants to formally meet but I'm only allowed to two of you with me," Sally said to Bunnie.
"And with Sugah-hog and the others out on the town me, Tails, Chris, and Sticks are your only choices," Bunnie said.
"I was going to discuss it with all of you then decide who should come but yeah that's pretty much the gist of it," Sally replied.
"Sho," the cyborg rabbit said as she stood up, "Ah been wantin' ta see the sites outside this city."
"Great," Sally replied, "Let's go find Tails."
"I'll let the others know where you've headed off to," Molly offered.
"That'd be great, thank you."
Several minutes later Sally and Bunnie arrived at a large room that contained rows upon rows of shelves that contained a large several hard cover books but the selection was small compared to the vast quantity of electronic Digi-tomes and filmbooks that were present. Several of the books were even locked up due to their delicate state but everything was available for viewing in digital format.
"Wow! The Grand Archive back home ain't got this many books," Bunnie said.
"Carmichael said that the early Terrans uncovered a vault the contained a large collection of human knowledge, so not only do they have all of their own history, but humanity's collective history as well," Sally explained.
As the two Mobians continued through the library they found Tails seated at a table reading, a stack of books piled atop it. The fox was currently reading one of the Digi-tomes, not even bothering to look up when they approached.
"Morning Sally, morning Bunnie," Tails said.
"Mornin', whacha readin'?" Bunnie asked.
"A fantasy called King Arthur. It's really interesting," Tails said.
"Are you even going to be able to read all of these?" Sally questioned.
"I donno, but I can try," he stated.
Bunnie happened to grab one of the books from the pile out of curiosity, taking a moment to study the name on the cover; the Kama Sutra.
"Uh...Tails, this isn't a book for kids," Bunnie stated, showing him the book in question
"It's not?"
"Sugar-Twan and ah saw a book like this in a book store we visited, it's a sex manual," she informed.
"Ew! What's it even doing here?" the fox asked.
"That'll be something we should bring to the attention of one of the servants," Sally stated.
"Was there something you needed?"
"We need the X-Tornado," Sally said, remembering the reason they had sought out the fox, "I received a message from our benefactor and he wants to meet."
"Alright, Sally, I'll go get the X-Tornado ready," the fox said.
"We'll go find Chris and Sticks and meet you outside."
"Why Sticks?" Tails questioned.
"A little time away from here will do her some good," Sally replied, "Might just keep her from chewing the electrical wires."
"Alright, I'll meet you outside," Tails said, standing.
Location: Tyrador Province
Two and a half hours later...
Augustgrad's artificial sun reflected off the waters as the X-Tornado soared over several small jungle covered islands that made up the Province of Tyrador; one of the most popular vacation destination for the citizens of Augustgrad. As he sat within the passenger pod with Sticks, Chris could help but be in awe at the diverse landscapes that they passed. He took a passing glance out the right side window, watching as Bunnie kept pace with the X-Tornado. With Tails behind the controls, they would reach their destination within the next couple of minutes. Everything was going well that was until thick, black smoke suddenly began spewing out of the engine housing of the aircraft.
"NOT GOOD!" Tails coughed, as the aircraft's attitude suddenly dropped violently.
"TAILS! Do something before we crash," Sally yelled covering her face with one hand.
Bunnie quickly accelerated forward and caught up to the X-Tornado and grabbed a hold of the vessel's nose cone, pulling with all her might in a desperate attempt to slow its fall. The aircraft just continued to pick up speed, and the jungle was quickly approaching the terrified passengers. The cyborg rabbit continued to pull as hard as she could, causing the entire vessel to shift, but in time to prevent it from crashing into the waterlogged ground. Bunnie was thrown from her position during the crash, her colliding body throwing water into the air. She came to a rest near the base of a massive tree, remaining conscious long enough to make out several humanoids moving through the underbrush.