War profiteers! In times of war, rings are the fuel
that fund all operations. Senator Tikal is sent to
Cool Edge to resolve matters between the Republic and
the Intergalactic Excessive Corp. Here she is reunited.
With Jordon the Echidna– a once-close friend, but now a
known traitor to the Republic. When Jordan reveals
corruption at the core of Excessive Corp, Senator
Tikal helps him steal vital files that may uncover
the full extent of the plot. Shadow the Hedgehog is sent
to rescue the Senator, and escort the information back
to Mobotropolis, leaving Excessive Corp in chaos...
The Five Council member were speaking to Breezie "The Shinobi Shadow the Hedgehog should never have been allowed to leave with the Senator in tow. Any future disruptions will be placed upon your shoulders, Breezie" "As you wish". A vulture then walked in "Sir, we have confirmed that Jordan was on the Shinobi ship" "Then there's nothing we can do". Breezie was surprised by this "But they have the files" "Unfortunate, yes, but they need more than just files to incriminate us". "That will only take them time" a snake council member said, "We'll all be destroyed" a hyena said. "We must remain calm. The only way they could find our secret accounts is if one of us told them" Prank said. Breezie got angry "I want it noted that you and you alone allowed this to happen and that it has put us all at risk". She left the room and went back to her quarters. She closed all the windows activating a holo-unit showing Mephiles "You're late. What news?" "Jordan, the Senator and the Shinobi are on their way. They have the information" "Good. Then we continue to the next stage of the proceedings". Breezie stared at him "And what about me" "You will be protected; I can assure you".
The shuttle arrived at Mobotropolis and landed at the Senate building. As they exited the shuttle Blaze came to greet them with Republic guards. "Master Blaze" Tikal said surprised with Shadow adding "We weren't expecting such a formal welcome, Master". Blaze nodded "The Chancellor requested that I escort you, Senator" "Have you met Jordan?" Tikal asked. "Yes, we have met. We are most intrigued by your return to Mobotropolis. Much distrust is focused upon you". Jordan regretfully nodded "I understand, but I hope to right the wrongs that I have done" "Then we must not delay".
They along with the council were now in Solaris' office when Wynmacher entered "Excuse me if I find it hard to trust you, Jordan. You used to sit on this very Senate even as you funnelled rings into the badnik foundries of Dimitri". Jordan stepped forward "I understand all of your trepidation, but there is corruption in in the banks" "And once we find this corruption?" "I believe the ones responsible should be ousted from control before the entire banking infrastructure collapses". Shadow scoffed "Oh, and I suppose you're the man to do it" "I only want Excessive Corp to be what it once was, a fair system of trade and commerce. I came here to root out the criminals and reveal the truth behind what is happening". Solaris stood up "Now, now. We are grateful for you bringing us this information, but what exactly can you prove". Jordan placed a device on the desk "These files show that huge funds have been diverted out of the banks and into what I believe are private accounts" "And the veracity of this information?" Wynmacher asked. Tikal stepped forward "I was the one who downloaded the files from Excessive Corp's mainframe. I believe that what Jordan is saying is correct". This seemed to be enough for Solaris "Then, Senator Tikal, I would like you to spearhead this investigation. I want you to work with Jordan and find and expose these secret accounts". Blaze began to feel a strong emotion coming from somewhere but couldn't tell where.
Solaris continued "Once we know exactly what we are dealing with, then we can decide how best to handle this situation". Everyone left the office, but Shadow stopped Tikal and waited for the others to get out of sight "Why didn't you just say no?" "Say no?" "You shouldn't be working with Jordan. I don't trust him". Tikal glared at him for a moment "Well, you're going to have to trust me" "Like before. When you were almost killed. Or how about just yesterday when I had to bail you out of a prison cell?" "The Chancellor has asked me to do this, Shadow". Shadow sighed "I'm asking you to say no. You're in too much danger". Tikal looked insulted by this "We've been over this. I'm not foolish enough to allow myself to be deceived twice, Shadow. This is too important to ignore. If you can't trust me-". They then heard someone clearing their throat and saw that Jordan behind them "Excuse the interruption. Tikal, shall we begin?" "Not yet. I first must write to Rita-Le's family. Her husband should know what's happened" "Yes, of course" Jordan replied respectfully before leaving. Tikal and Shadow glanced at one another before Tikal followed Jordan.
In Dimitri's palace he kneeled in front of a hologram of Mephiles "Lord Enerjak, it is time for you once again to recruit our friend Jordan. He appears to have lost his way" "And how would you like me to do that?" "We're going to help him take over Excessive Corp. But first, you must entrap him, so he has no one else to turn to". Dimitri bowed his head "Of course, my lord. As you wish".
Shadow was in his quarters welding a small piece of machinery when Espio entered "I have been looking for you" "Something wrong?" "You tell me". Shadow shrugged "Not that I'm aware". Espio looked concerned "Master Blaze feels that your judgements concerning Jordan are clouded". Shadow stopped welding and started fixing it with a screwdriver "I believe he can't be trusted" "Yes, but there is more, isn't there? I sense a deep anger in you by my simply saying his name". Shadow stopped what he was doing "He almost got Senator Tikal killed, and I would have been responsible" he said trying to hold back his anger. "The Senator has risked her life many times. She's quite capable of taking care of herself". Shadow moved over to a chair and sat down "They had a relationship… once. I simply feel she is vulnerable to her emotions". Espio stared at him for a moment "She is or you?". Shadow looked up to him hiding his surprise "What're you implying?" "Shadow, I understand to a degree what is going on. You've met Liza. You know I…". It hurt Espio to think about it "It's not that we're not allowed to have these feelings. It's natural" "Senator Tikal and I are simply friends" "And friends you must remain. As a Shinobi, it is essential you make the right choice, Shadow, for the Order". Shadow looked away "I understand my responsibilities" he stood up and started pacing. Espio watched him "Responsibilities that must be observed whatever relationship develops between Jordan and Senator Tikal" "They have no relationship. It is simply business between them" "Then we should have no problems, should we?". Espio walked out the room, Shadow looked like he was about to tell him something but stopped himself.
In Tikal's apartment Jordan was showing her the information on a screen "Look here. They haven't been repaying any interest on their loans. But still, Excessive Corp is promising to lend rings to the Republic, rings they simply don't have" "But where have all the savings gone?". Jordan opened a different file "Each of the files that you downloaded shows hundreds and hundreds of small withdrawals, small enough to remain undetected individually, but as a sum total it's a devastating theft" "Whoever is behind this is no fool. We need to find out who's benefiting. We're still lacking a critical piece of information". Jordon closed the computer and the two of them moved over to a table to eat "Whatever we find must remain between only you and I. This would be highly dangerous information should it get into the wrong hands" "Of course". They sat down and Tikal suddenly chuckled "This reminds me of when we had to prepare for that Senate hearing. Remember, we had to rescue Bromlarch's planetary aqueduct system". Jordan smiled "We were so stressed we couldn't sleep the whole week". They both shared a laugh, but Tikal then noticed Jorden was starting to stare at her "We should start eating. So, why have you gotten involved with Excessive Corp?" she said trying to change the subject away form their past. "I believed in the banks. The system worked. Excessive Corp isn't a bad place it's just a dishonest few who are destroying everything for their own gain". Tikal handed him a plate of food "You know, you've never told me how you rose to such heights without Excessive Corp".
Jordan's face dropped slightly "It's not a happy story. My father was personal attaché to the household of one of the head Cool Edge families. We were basically servants" "I had no idea". Jordan sighed "As I grew up, the head of the family took a personal interest in my education. I was the same age as his children, and so we all studied together. When my parents and his wife were killed in a shuttle, he adopted me" "How old were you?" "Twelve". Tikal looked sympathetic "That must have been very hard". Jordan began to look regretful "I was accepted as their child everywhere we went. I almost forgot where I was from" "They sound like good people". Jordan stood up and began to pace "They are. Most of them are. And they want this corruption to end more than I do. You should know my contacts within the Cool Edge government run deep. I have many allies, should I need to call on them". Tikal walked over to him "I didn't appreciate how personal this was for you" "Now, maybe you'll trust me", Tikal smiled "I'm here aren't I". Jordan took her hand "I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. I don't think I would have had the strength alone". Tikal suddenly realised what was happening "Don't" she walked away, "It's that Shinobi, isn't it?". Tikal stopped but didn't turn around "General Shadow? We're friends, nothing more" "Friends don't argue the way I saw you arguing today". Tikal turned around and walked back to him "You're confused. There is nothing romantic between he and I" "Then there is absolutely nothing to stop us from doing this". He suddenly put his hands on her shoulders and was about to kiss her "Jordan. Jordan, no!" Tikal said backing her head away.
The doors to the room suddenly opened revealing Shadow who's face very quickly filled with rage "Get away from her!". Jordan turned to him when he was suddenly grabbed by throat with the Force. He started to choke as he began to hover and was then thrown into the wall "Shadow, stop!" Tikal yelled. Shadow ignored her, went over to Jordan, and repeatedly punched him in the face. Shadow then picked him up, threw him into the table "Shadow! What're you doing?" Tikal yelled. Shadow got in front of Jordan and was about to punch him again but a memory of a human in silver armour cowering from him entered his head. Shadow suddenly froze and then looked horrified "I'm… I'm sorry. I…". They then heard Remington over Tikal's commlink "Senator Tikal, is everything okay in there?" "No. Come in immediately". Shadow began backing away scared as Tikal made sure Jordan was okay. Remington ran in with guards "What happened?". Jordan with struggle stood up, he now had black eye and bruises all over his face "There… was an attack. It was my good fortune to have General Shadow here. The assailant escape on a speeder at the balcony". Remington looked to Shadow "Is that what happened, sir?". Shadow finally snapped out of his trance and quickly nodded "Yes" "There's a medic robot on its way". Two guards helped Jordan to the guest room to lie down. Once Remington left Shadow went over to Tikal looking guilty "Tikal, I'm-" "Stay away from me" she said for once sounding afraid of him before following the guards.
Later Shadow was in the sitting room of the building. He was sitting on the steps of the balcony with his head lowered and his eyes closed. He then heard footsteps and saw Tikal enter. He quickly stood up "How is he?" "Nothing that won't heal" "I'm so sorry, Tikal. I-I don't what came over me". She walked past him "What's done is done" "It's just when I saw the two of you, I thought-" "It's not what you thought!". She sat down on the couch "And you must know, I don't care for Jordan. I've told you why I'm doing this, but you don't trust me. You could have killed him, Shadow". Shadow sat down next to her and stared at his metal hand "I know". Tikal sighed "This marriage is not a marriage, Shadow, if there isn't any trust". She looked away from him "We said at the beginning that this could be a terrible mistake". Shadow turned to her with his eyes opened wide "What exactly are you saying?" "That other people who are married have everything that we don't, everything we can't. We live in secret, Shadow. Like it or not our relationship is built on lies and deception. No relationship can survive that". She stood up and started walking away, "I know I went too far. It's just… I thought he was hurting you. I just… snapped" "I don't know who's in there sometimes. I just know that I'm not happy anymore. I don't feel safe". Shadow stood up "But, Tikal" "I don't think we should see each other anymore, at least not for a while. I'm sorry". Shadow was about to follow her but realized he'd just make it worse "I'm sorry too" he went to his speeder. Tikal left the room and was faced with Remington "Everything alright, Milady". Tikal paused before answering "No" she went past him, and he watched Shadow's speeder leave.
Jordan was sitting on his bed with the robot examining his arm "Nothing appears to be broken but more importantly someone wants to speak with you". Jordan didn't understand "What're you talking about?" the robot dropped a disc on the floor which projected a hologram of Dimitri. He stood respectfully "Hello, Jordon". Jordan turned stoic "What do you want, Dimitri?" "It appears we have a mutual problem that I would like to fix". In spite his injuries Jordan stood up "I know the Separatist have not been repaying their loans to the banks" "Now why would we support corruption?". Jordan scoffed "You expect me to believe that Vesper and his associates have no ties with you? They've allowed you to borrow credits and not pay any interest" "What you say is correct, but that information, if made public, will only bring war to Cool Edge, and the banks will fall. Nobody wants that. So, in the interests of all, I suggest we come to some arrangement". This got Jordan's attention "What're you saying?" "The banks need new management, and that it… could be you. That I would like to help" "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were afraid". Dimitri remained calm "I prefer the term careful. These are delicate matters. We need funds, just as the Republic does to pay for this war. I can give you the location of the secret accounts you are searching for so you can plead your case to the Senate". Jordon stared at him with suspicion "And you won't stand in my way?" "We'll even start paying the interest on our loans to show the Republic our full endorsement" "And what do you get out of this?". Dimitri shrugged "Stability in unstable times. The location of the accounts is on this disc". The message ended and the robot handed the disc to Jordan.
Breezie was in Solaris' office "The Cool Edge government has seized the accounts and arrested the heads of Excessive Corp. We are indebted to Jordan for his service to our people" "Well, I have only done what I thought was right". Solaris nodded "Considering the information it appears that the Separatist government has agreed to allow you to be the new head of the banks" "And the Republic?" "I can only give you my endorsement". Breezie smiled "Now all that stands in your way is the Senate".
A Senate meeting was now taking place "Jordan the echidna will now address the Senate" Julien said. Jordan's disc moved to the middle of the room "Traitor!" multiple senators were yelling. "I come to you today with irrefutable evidence that the heads of Excessive Corp have been stealing funds and have virtually bankrupted the system". He heard the senators start shouting over each other, so he tried to continue "I know the people of Cool Edge to be good and honest, and that it is the actions of only these unscrupulous few who are responsible. I humbly ask you for your nomination in taking over the banks. With it I will restore order and return the banks back to secure and mutual negotiations and transactions". "How can we trust you?" a Senator asked, "I vow to be impartial and show no favour to either side in this war" "But you have colluded with the Separatists" another Senator said. Tikal stood up "It is the Separatist ties to Jordan that has allowed them to accept this nomination". A disc carrying Breezie then moved to the middle of the room "He also has the full support of Cool Edge" "What of the Chancellor" Mordred asked. Solaris stood up "I believe that in these dangerous times, the bank must be protected at all costs and that a man who has no allegiance to either side, and the support of Cool Edge, is our best hope" "Then we shall put it to a vote" Julian said. Jordan waited as Julien examined the results as the votes came in. Shadow was also watching from a viewing window "A resounding majority in support of the nomination". Jordan sighed in relief before shaking Tikal's hand gratefully.
Later Solaris was walking with Shadow "My boy, I can tell this has been a difficult time. I've known you too long not to see something is troubling you". Shadow sighed "Your Excellency, forgive me, but I believe you have made a mistake in trusting Jordan". Solaris stopped and turned to him "Have I? Rest assured, my public endorsement of Jordan is not the same as my private confidence in him" "Then what exactly is going on here?" "We will watch him closely. I don't dispute your distrust of him. I think there is something we haven't unearthed yet, and I would very much like for it to surface". Shadow still looked troubled "But people have been hurt… could be hurt in the process" "Let us make sure that doesn't happen. Shall we?".