In response to some of the comments about the attorney, I decided to add in one more little part about him! Also I realize that things haven't been going too well for Shadow but this is the last particularly difficult chapter for another few years. Anyways, hope you enjoy! - Anne
In a bare, off-white room Shadow sat at a light colored wooden table across from his sister while he explained his verdict. Behind thick windows stood two bored looking GUN guards. As he said each word, he examined her face for any kind of reaction, but she kept the same blank expression. "And so I have to go to the space colony," Shadow finished. He waited for Scarlett to say something, but she only looked away, thinking. "And then that lawyer…" Shadow continued bitterly.
Before Shadow could finish, Scarlett began to giggle, "Yes, the attorney!"
"What's so funny?" Shadow snapped.
"He was quite awful to the both of us, wasn't he?" she mused, "I couldn't help but wonder, is this typical of lawyers, or is this one just particularly talented at making up little stories?"
"Little stories? More like a load of shit!"
"Watch your language! But you must admit he did his job quite well, didn't he?" Scarlett said airily.
"Never mind him…I can't believe the judge believed that shit from the attorney, it's completely ridiculous!" Shadow continued.
"Really Shadow, watch your language!" she snapped and then continued slowly, "The judge didn't believe it."
"What? What do you mean? Then why am I being shipped off to ARK?"
"Staying down here freely was never an option. This entire situation has brought to light exactly how much damage we, including Flash, can cause. Being sent to ARK is essentially a "not guilty" verdict," she replied, looking away. Underneath the table the cuffs around her ankles jangled.
"I don't see how any of this is positive," Shadow grumbled.
"I think living at ARK is actually a wonderful outcome. Think about it, you'll be allowed to roam the colony as you please, you won't have to worry about the general population and I believe Maria's already up there. You two still get along well, right?"
"Yes," Shadow said, looking down at the ground.
"Well, it sounds as if you will have a very peaceful time up there," Scarlett said airily.
"Or boring…" he grumbled.
"Well you can always spend some time in a GUN prison if that suits you better," she snapped with a frown. She waited for a moment for a reply, and then continued, "That's what I thought. You can cut out all the whining then."
"What are you going to do?" Shadow asked bitterly, "You can escape! I know you can!" He looked around the barren room, noting the different ways Scarlett could potentially escape. "See! Look at the-"
"Shadow, honestly!" she groaned, and held up her hand, "And what exactly would I do then? Hm? I'll tell you, I would be running for the rest of my life. It would be a miserable existence."
"You could hide at ARK," Shadow suggested.
"I appreciate the concern, I really do, but I have faith that the Lord will protect me."
"And what if-if something happens to you? What then?"
"What are you talking about? I'm going to go to a secure prison and I'm going to sit there until GUN is satisfied that I'm not a threat," Scarlett said.
"What if they decide you're better off dead?"
Scarlett's eyes narrowed, "I don't know where you're going with this idea, but you're best off just keeping your head down and staying on GUN's good side. You understand me? That would help me the most, not running off and doing something stupid!"
"But you could…"
"I don't want to hear anymore of this nonsense!" Scarlett interrupted, "You are to go quietly to the space colony and then wait until everything has calmed down or you find a way off this damn planet."
"Okay," he said and grimaced.
"Very good," Scarlett said.
"They're making me give up my emerald too," Shadow muttered, still scowling.
"Yes, they took mine as well. However, Dr. Robotnik suggested to me yesterday that he may have something in mind to help you. I've already turned in my emerald, so there's nothing he can do for me…"
"How long do you think they're going to keep you here?" Shadow asked.
Scarlett gave an exasperated sigh and looked away, "I don't know. We'll have to wait and be patient."
They then sat in an uncomfortable silence, each avoiding the other's gaze. Shadow squirmed in his chair, his mind racing with a hundred different questions. Outside, the guards seemed to notice the silence and one began to glance down at his watch. He took a deep breath and decided on one final question, "Will this be the last time I see you?"
"For now," Scarlett said and watched the disappointment grow in Shadow's expression, "but we must remember: only the kingdom of heaven lasts forever."
"That doesn't really help," Shadow said quietly as his breathing became jagged.
"Shhh…" Scarlett reached across the table to place her hand on his shoulder, "Please, please, don't cry." She stood up and walked, chains clanking around her ankles, then knelt down next to him, grasped his wrists and pulled him so she could face him. "I'll see if I can write you, but no promises," Scarlett placed her hands on each side of Shadows face and kissed his forehead, "I think our time's up, dear. Listen, Schatten, I will see you later." she said and looked over to the window where the two guards were moving toward the door. As she stood up again, Shadow heard the bang of the heavy door opening, then soft footsteps accompanied by a metallic jingle. He allowed himself one final glance and saw Scarlett glance over her shoulder as the guards escorted her out.
Back in the research base, Shadow waited impatiently as Dr. Robotnik hurried back and forth from the entryway to his office, grabbing this and that before they finally left the base to go to the space colony. Shadow leaned up against his crutch, his emerald cradled in his hands, as the doctor rushed back to his office muttering that he had forgotten something. When he returned, he was still muttering, "can't believe I didn't anticipate this. It's a borderline disaster, it is," and digging through a black overnight bag, he continued, "And they're already here! The one time the government is early for something, I'd rather them be late!" Shadow glanced outside at the black car as it slowed to a stop in front of the base. "Put that thing up," the doctor said and hastily waved a hand at Shadow.
"I have to turn it in, remember?" Shadow said, tightening his grip on the emerald.
"No, no you aren't. Losing the other emerald is already enough of a setback. Didn't Scarlett speak to you about this?" He huffed and dug deeper into his bag, "Here," he said and pulled out a dull, black jewel.
"You want me to give them this?" Shadow scoffed and took the fake emerald to compare it with his own, "They'll never accept this!"
"GUN barely knows what the hell a chaos emerald is! Come now, give the real one to me!" he held out his large hand expectantly. Still skeptical, Shadow gently dropped the shimmering black emerald in his hand. "Let's go now," the doctor said and ushered Shadow out the door and toward the three GUN officers who were just stepping out of the black vehicle. Two of the three raised handguns and pointed them in their direction.
"Doctor…" Shadow muttered and immediately froze.
"It's just a precaution, hand the emerald to me," the doctor replied in a hushed voice. Shadow handed over the fake emerald and watched as the doctor slowly stepped toward the third officer. He scrutinized every move and facial twitch the third officer made, waiting for him to realize that the emerald was a fake. The doctor, however, strolled over to him and held the emerald out with a slight nod of the head. As the officer gingerly examined the emerald, the doctor turned slightly and invited Shadow to approach them. Another nerve wrecking moment later, the officer secured the emerald in his coat pocket and turned back toward the car with the doctor and Shadow following him.