13:53 G.U.N HQ, ARCHIVES

GADGET GEARS

"There has to be something I have clearance to gander at..." The canine said as he went through the files at his clearance level, the variety of screens around him flicker between folder after folder; no trace of the ARK of which he journeyed to find more about. "What's this?" After two hours of searching, one file blinked into view out of the corner of his eye, amber irises scan over the record, clicking it open and watching as it expanded to fit the screen that it'd been open on.

"This... Dates back years ago..." His voice trails, silence overcoming the sounds of people passing by. "This dates at least seventy years back, but from the details..."

THE SPACE COLONY ARK, APPROVED FROM THE CREATION OF THE ULTIMATE LIFE FORM AND FURTHER RESEARCH, CONTAINS VALUABLE INFORMATION TO ARTIFICIAL LIFE, PROFESSOR GERALD ROBOTNIK LEAD THE RESEARCH, ATOP THE ECLIPSE CANNON THAT REMAINED MOSTLY DORMANT FOR A TIME.

A RAID ONBOARD BY G.U.N AGENTS DISCOVERED THE WORK OF BLACK DOOM AMONG THE RESEARCH, PROJECT SHADOW BEING A SECOND ATTEMPT AT CREATING THE ULTIMATE LIFEFORM TO AID THE ADVANCE OF THE BLACK ARMS AND BLACK COMET.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE ECLIPSE CANNON WAS FIRED ONCE AND ONCE ONLY BY DOCTOR IVO ROBOTNIK KNOWN NOW AS DR. EGGMAN. PARTS OF THE MOON WERE SCATTERED INTO SPACE, HOWEVER, THE WORK OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG AND OTHERS STOPPED THE AK FROM CRASHING INTO THE PLANET AFTER THE BIOLIZARD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE END OF THE CANNON CAUSING THE STATION ITSELF TO BEGIN FALLING FROM SPACE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

SINCE THAT DAY, THE AK HAS REMAINED DORMANT, UNUSED BY ANYONE TO PREVENT THE SAME DISASTER HAPPENING AGAIN.

THE ECLIPSE CANNON

DESIGNED TO HARNESS THE POWER OF THE CHAOS EMERALDS, THIS CANNON IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS, CAPABLE OF DESTROYING PLANETS WHEN FIRED.

"This..." He paused, but briefly to take it all in. The amount of detail on the file couldn't be a coincidence, however, one large detail slaps Gadget across the face causing his eyes to widen at the last part about the cannon itself. "Harnessing the power of the CHAOS EMERALDS... If three are missing, then whoever stole them must have..."

Closing the files and leaving the archives, Gadget made way to control to report his findings, if the emeralds are heading for the ARK... then whoever stole them...

"...They must have plans to fire the Eclipse Cannon..." His fur stood on end to end, his arms and legs felt as if jelly. Another world disaster on the horizon so soon... "I need t-to gather as much information as possible for possible suspects. If I'm right, then this could spell worse than any imperial march ever could..."

FORMER KNOTHOLE FREEDOM HQ

14:00 (2:00)

SALLY ACORN AND ROTER WALRUS

"Rotor, do you come in?" Query spouted through lips, Sally, raising her wrist-watch styled communicator closer to visage so vocals can be clearer.

There was a brief silence before any response was given. Eventually, the familiar voice of the walrus came through.

"Hear you loud and clear, Sal. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you've caught wind of Sonic and Shadow's recent-" Pausing, lips releasing an elated hum as Sally was uncertain on how exactly she would've continued with describing it. "Activities, I discovered Scourge was at Prison Island while they were racing against each other. They're most likely in Orbit. But, when they arrive back. Could you please let them know what's going on? I have a feeling our old house invader's planning something..."

Rotor wasn't all too surprised to hear that the two rivals were racing. However, the mention of Scourge was startling... Rotor's previously calm demeanor grew more concerned.

"...Huh? Scourage..? That's-? A deep inhale came to calm himself before continuing... "Roger. I'll see if I can get through to them. Where are you right now?"

"Freedom HQ, near New Mobotropolis. Hang on a minute, I'm getting a message from Nicole!" Pressing 'silent' on her device, gaze found itself grabbed by green text that propped into their main computer screen. Even though they were only words, not spoken, but presented. Sally could practically feel immense distress radiating through these new statements presented. Orbitals grasped by what was being said here. an appendage arose to hide an instinctual gasp.

"THERE WAS A BREAK IN AT SONIC'S HOME. HIS DAD GOT HURT. I WAS GOING TO HELP BUT IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY. HE'S IN SERIOUS CONDITION. HE'S CURRENTLY WITH SIR CHARLES AT THE MOMENT."

Getting back with Rotor, she quickly caught him up on what had happened. Not leaving out a single detail that could be relevant within the grand scheme of things.

"Rotor, once you fill Sonic in. Please help his father, I don't think it should be stated who's behind such a thing." s

Once Rotor was clued in on what had happened at Sonic's house, the fingers immediately pointed to one possible perpetrator, without question, it was Scourge. Naturally up to no good as well.

"No way..! He moves fast! Wasn't he just-? Alright, Sal. I'll see what I can do. Though I can't help but feel this is some sorta organized trap... Maybe he /wants/ us to come to him?"

"That's what I'm afraid of. Still, from what we've gathered so far, he seems to be acting either independently or has limited assistance. If either are true, we do have an advantage in numbers and home-field. This isn't Moebius, he has no power here."

"...I'm not doubting your word, Sal. I just hope you're right about this." Just as he was about to break communication with the other, a final worrisome thought came to Rotor's mind. "Uh, stay safe, alright..?"