Corruption discovered at the core of Excessive Corp!
Reunited, Jordan the Echidna and Senator Tikal discover the
full extent of the deception. Shadow the Hedgehog is sent
to the rescue. He refuses to trust Jordan, and asks
Tikal not to work with him. Determined to save the
banks, she refuses her husband's request, throwing
their relationship into turmoil. Voted for by both the
Separatists and the Republic, Jordan is elected new
leader of the Galactic Corporation. Now all attention
is focused on Cool Edge, as the important transfer of
power begins….
A Mobotropolis Guard shuttle along with gunships landed on a platform outside of the Cool Edge neutral zone. Tikal and Jordan exited the shuttle and were met with Breezie the Hedgehog, a Separatist wolf Senator and a line of Metals. "Welcome back to Cool Edge, Jordan. Our government has great hopes for you" the wolf said. Jordan bowed his head "Thank you, Senator. Only you and Senator Tikal will be allowed to monitor the exchange proceedings. No forces will be allowed into the Neutral Zone". A polar bear clone stepped forward "Senator Tikal, we will be right here if you should need us" "Thank you, Commander Rudyard.".
They entered the courtroom where the leaders of Cool Edge were speaking to the Excessive Corp Council "It is with great disappointment that I implement the following verdict. By decree of the people of Cool Edge, the five representatives standing before me are found guilty of embezzlement. They shall be imprisoned forthwith, and control of the banks shall transfer immediately to Jordan the Echidna under the guidance of the Cool Edge government". Guards took the Council away and Jordan stepped forward, "We are grateful to you, Jordan, for everything you have done for the people of Cool Edge. To have lost the banks would have been an historic disaster". Jordan bowed "I would like you to know I have no interest in controlling the banks. I am simply here to re-establish order". The leaders applauded; the wolf Senator stepped over to Tikal "Do you think our friend is up to the task?" "There are few men I have met in my career who are more dedicated to a cause than Jordan. Once he decided what he is fighting for, little will stop him for achieving it" "Let us hope you are right, for all our stakes".
Jordan was now in his new office at the very top of the city dome when a hologram of Dimitri appeared "Ah, Jordan. How are you liking your new office? I must say, you look very comfortable behind that desk" "Dimitri, what do I owe the pleasure?". Dimitri smiled "Come, come, my boy. You don't think I'd let such an important day pass without wishing you the best of luck" "Thank you, but luck has nothing to do with it. The transfer has occurred without a hitch". Dimitri nodded "Well, of course it has. The Separatists are fully behind your appointment. After all, aren't we the ones who put you there?". Jordan paused for a moment and cleared his throat "For your support, I am grateful, but I now must lead without allegiance towards either side". He turned his chair away from Dimitri who started laughing "Is that so? Quite the idealist you have become in so short a time". Jordan turned back to him no longer being respectful "What do you want, Dimitri?" "To collect on my investment. How do you think the Republic would like to know that it was I who supplied you with all the information he needed to topple the leaders of the Excessive Corp?" "I will tell them myself". Dimitri grinned "Oh, but you can't. I put you in power. You belong to me, and if you want to stay in control, you will do as I say" "The banks will remain unbiased". Dimitri crossed his arms "Then I'm afraid the Separatists will be unable to pay the interest on our loans" "But the banks will collapse, and then-" "Not if you raise interest rates on the Republic". Jordan stood up in disbelief "What? You know I can't do that" "Oh, but you can, and you will, or everything you have fought so hard for will be destroyed".
Later Tikal and the wolf were in the council room being looked down by the new five leaders with Jordan at the centre "By the new order of the Traxus Division and in an attempt to stabilize the banks, it is essential that interest rates on loans to the Republic be raised immediately". Tikal and the wolf were both surprised by this "What? You can't do that". Jordan looked away from her and the council then left "Jordan, what're you doing?" Tikal yelled after him.
An emergency Senate meeting was taking place "This is an outrage!" "We warned you this would happen!" "What of the Separatists?". Solaris spoke "From the little information Senator Tikal has been able to establish, there will be no raise on their current loan". The entire Senate erupted in anger over this information. Shadow, Blaze and Merlin were watching from a viewing platform "Hmm, you seem to have been correct about Jordan" Blaze said to Shadow. Merlin pondered "It's incredibly foolish for him to make a movie like this so early. He has turned the whole Republic against him". Blaze nodded in agreement "We don't know what his objective is. He may want this". Shadow hated to admit it but "Something's wrong. This doesn't make sense". Solaris raised his hands to calm the Senate "I would like to call for restraint and allow us time to analyse the situation".
A huge Separatists fleet jumped out of hyperspace and headed for Cool Edge. On the bridge of the lead Egg Carrier Dimitri spoke to a Swatbot "You may begin your attack. It is time to make Jordan look like a powerful Separatist" "Right away, sir".
On the landing platform inside the shuttle Rudyard and his men were watching a scanner "It looks like an invasion fleet, sir" "We're caught out here in the open". He picked up a minigun and run out of the shuttle with his troops "Get the men off this landing pad and beyond the city gates!". He got on his commlink "Senator Tikal, come in, please". There was a pause and then "What is it, Commander Rudyard?" "We're under attack by the Separatist garrison. Looks to be a full invasion". "Invasion?" Tikal said in shock, "We can't get to you. I suggest you get to a ship as soon as you can". Eggrobos suddenly flew down and fired rockets at the shuttle destroying it and then the gunships before they could take off. Two clones used their rocket launchers to destroy the Eggrobos. "Let's move! Hurry!" Rudyard ordered. They ran for the city doors, but two gunships flew ahead of them and dropped a squad of Omegas. They started firing on one another, but another gunship flew behind them and dropped even more Omegas along with Metals. The clones were getting massacred until Rudyard was on his own trying to destroy as many badniks as he could. He got hit in the shoulder but kept firing. As the badniks got closer he started knocking them back with his weapon "For the Republic!". He was then shot in the chest causing him to drop his minigun. He was shot again twice at his shoulder. He grunted in pain as he fell to his knees. He stared at up at a Metal in front of him with a half dead expression. The Metal then shot him in the head, and he fell back dead. The badniks then all lined up as Dimitri's ship arrived. He exited the shuttle and walked pas the lines of badniks, kicking Rudyard's arm out of his way.
Solaris was in his office with Shadow and Julien listening to a hologram of Tikal "Our garrison has been attacked by the Separatists, and it appears they are staging an invasion of Cool Edge". Solaris looked surprised "An invasion? What do they hope to achieve? With this news, the Senate will vote immediately to attack Cool Edge" "It appears war has already come to Cool Edge" "I want you off that planet immediately" Solaris ordered. Tikal shook her head "I can't" "Surely you can get to a ship" Shadow said. Tikal sighed "General Shadow, I'm afraid I'm trapped" they suddenly heard a noise and a Metal appeared and seized Tikal who struggled "Let me go!". The hologram cut off and Solaris turned to Julian "Invoke an emergency meeting of the Senate. There is no time to lose". Julien left the room and Solaris turned to Shadow who looked concerned "I feel it is only right that you should handle this matter, my boy. A lot will be entrusted to you".
Jordan was in his office with the wolf clone when Tikal was brought in "Uh, don't touch me!". She was thrown forward and Jordan kneeled down in front of her concerned "What did you do to her?". The Metal said nothing, "Jordan, what's going on?" Tikal asked. Jordan sighed "I didn't want this, Tikal". Dimitri then entered in his armour "Why don't you tell her what you did want and how you got it". Tikal's eyes opened wide "Dimitri" "Tikal, this is not what it seems". Dimitri watched them "Hasn't she joined our cause? Jordan here told me how instrumental you were in getting him to power". Tikal looked like she was about to punch Dimitri, but the Metal kept her back "If I had known-" "Either you are with us or you are against us. Arrest her". The wolf stepped forward "We can't do this, Dimitri. The Separatist Senate will never approve". Tikal then grabbed a blaster from one of the Metals and stepped back. She pointed it at Dimitri who smirked and raised his hand. Tikal suddenly couldn't control her own hands and she turned to the wolf who had a look of shock on his face before Tikal shot him dead. Tikal quickly dropped the baster "No!" she kneeled down at the body. Jordan turned to Dimitri "Are you insane? This was not part of the deal" "What deal!?" Tikal yelled at them. Dimitri smirked "He has given us the banks. Gone are our debts and gone is any rings for the Republic". Tikal looked up to Jordan with a betrayed face "How could you?" "There was nothing I could do" "Everyone has their price, my dear" Dimitri said. Dimitri left and the two Metals seized Tikal.
Solaris was speaking to the Senate "It is with grave news I come before you. Dimitri and his Separatist betrayers have manipulated us, my friends" "The war must go to Cool Edge!". Solaris continued "Jordan had been their puppet as they Separatists are currently invading Cool Edge" "We must stop them and secure the planet!" "We have handed the entire economic system over to Dimitri" "We're doomed if we don't invade Cool Edge". Solaris nodded "As Supreme Chancellor, I must abide by the consensus of the Senate. We shall commence a mercy mission to Cool Edge to be led by General Shadow the Hedgehog. The banks will be secured at all costs, and the Republic will not crumble!" the Senate applauded.
Shadow was about to board a Republic cruiser and was speaking to Blaze and Merlin. "Will you not find great emotions on Cool Edge?" Blaze asked, "I am worried for Senator Tikal. I'm afraid we may be too late". Blaze nodded "You were correct about Jordan, but you must let go of your selfishness if you are to see clearly. Not all is as it seems" "I understand, Master". Shadow bowed his head and then entered the cruiser.
Dimitri was heading back to his ship while speaking to a hologram of Mephiles "Lord Enerjak, the Republic fleet will be arriving shortly" "Very good, my lord. Jordan has blindly played his part. It now appears he has coordinated the entire Separatist takeover". Mephiles nodded "And because of this treachery, the banks will be firmly placed under the control of the Supreme Chancellor" he started to cackle. Dimitri grinned, walked over a dead clone and entered his shuttle.
Tikal was still in Jordan's office "Why are you doing this?" "You wouldn't understand. I had to strike a deal with Dimitri, but don't worry, I'm the one in control. As soon as things have settled down, I can get rid of him and I'll control it all again". Tikal sighed "Listen to yourself. The Republic is sending its armada to take back the banks. You've brought the was right where it cannot be war. Your actions have destroyed the banks once and for all!". This seemed to hit Jordan who quickly turned away from her.
The Republic fleet arrived and engaged the Separatists in space. The cruiser then released gunships with Shadow in the lead one with Fang "Fang, have you gotten a fix on Senator Tikal's position?". Fang checked the scanner "We'll have a better lock once we get near the city, but initial scans suggest she's still alive, sir" "Good". Shadow got on his commlink "Hawk, we're gonna need air support once we're on the ground" "You'll have it, General. Me and the boys are ready to fly". The fighters gave the gunships cover as they passed the fleet.
Onboard the Egg Carrier, Dimitri entered the bridge where the Swatbot was waiting "My Lord, we have fully engaged Republic forces, but we are suffering heavy losses" "We have accomplished what we came here for. It is time to withdraw". The Swatbot didn't understand "But, sir, our forces are still engaged in battle on the planet" "Leave them" "As you wish". Dimitri sat on the command chair as the whole fleet jumped to hyperspace.
A hologram appeared to Jordan "Sir, a Republic attack fleet has just entered orbit and is approaching the city". Jordan sighed "Get me Dimitri" "It appears Dimitri has left the planet's surface. The Separatist forces are in full retreat. We are on our own".
The fighters engaged the Eggrobos allowing the gunships to land on the platform. Shadow led the clones "Fang, hold the badniks here. I'm gonna push on and get Tikal" "Copy that, air". Shadow ran through the badniks on the platform as Fang and the clones gave him cover fire.
Jordan watched the battle form his window with a blank expression "I had such plans. You know I've spent so much of life misunderstood. What will they say about me now? What will I have left behind?". Tikal sighed "Jordan, you have to turn yourself in". Jordan turned to her but then saw Shadow enter and cut through the two Metals. Jordan quickly rushed forward, grabbed Tikal, and put a pistol to her head. "It's over, Jordan" Shadow said as Jordan stepped away from him "Stay away from me! I didn't do anything wrong! You have to believe me!". Shadow stayed where he was "You don't want to do this" "You don't understand. You're all being deceived" "Yeah, by you". Jordan shook his head quickly "No! By Dimitri". He started to look deranged "I'm not the villain here. Tell him, Tikal" "Let me go, Jordan". They circled each other and Jordan tried to back up to the lift. Suddenly Jordan saw a flaming Eggrobo heading right for them. It crashed into the office causing it to begin to collapse. Part of the roof fell and hit Jordan causing him and Tikal to slide down towards a drop. "No!" Shadow yelled, he ran forward and grabbed both their hands just before they fell out of reach. He was struggling "I can't hold you both". "Let me go" Jordan said, "No, Shadow, don't!" Tikal told him. Shadow kept trying to pull them both up "Try and climb". Tikal tried to pull herself up but couldn't "I can't". Shadow began grunting in pain "I can't hold on". Jordan lowered his head and then looked to Tikal "I'm sorry" he let go of Shadow's hand and he fell. "No!" Tikal yelled; Shadow reached out his free hand trying to catch Jordan with the Force but the pain he was now feeling in his arms stopped him form concentrating. Shadow then saw Jordan hit the ground and sighed before helping Tikal back up. Tikal then immediately hugged him which he returned "It's okay. You're okay" "I'm sorry, Shadow. I'm so sorry" "It's over. It's all over now". The two stayed like that until the ships arrived.
Breezie was now speaking to the Senate "It's clear to Excessive Corp that it was Jordan who was behind the corruption that almost caused our collapse. In hope of a better tomorrow, we secede control of the banks to the office of the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic". Most of the Senate applauded but Wynmacher and Cosmo in particular didn't seem to like this. Solaris stood up "It is with great humility that I take on this immense responsibility. Rest assured, when the Clone Wars end, I shall reinstate the banks as we once knew them, but during these treacherous times, we cannot in good conscience allow our money to fall under the manipulations of a madman like Dimitri or Separatist control again. May there be prosperity and stability in all our Republic lands. May our people be free and safe. Long live the banks!". The Senate erupted in applause and started repeating Solaris' words.. Shadow and Tikal watched form the viewing platform with the latter looking troubled.