Chapter 2: Electromagnetic Outage

One night at the Wachowski residence, Tom is driving his truck home from work, and pulls it into the driveway. Soon, he notices a couple of raccoons rummaging through the garbage bin. Tom honks his horn to get their attention, but they seem to ignore him.

Tom then calls out, "Uh-uh! Hey! No, no. Get out of there."

He then exits the truck, annoyed and agitated, "Oh, come on! Get out of there!"

The raccoons soon begin to leave.

Tom continues to say, "Get out of there, you trash pandas."

Moments later, Tom walks inside his home and closes the door.

He calls out, "Maddie, as Green Hill's most respected veterinarian, what is the fastest way to exterminate a raccoon?" and sets his work bag up.

Then his dog, Ozzy walks over to greet his owner.

Tom kneels to the dog and pets him, "Hi, Ozzy! Hello! You're glad to see me! You don't eat garbage, do you?"

As Tom pets his dog, Mddie walks in with an envelope.

Tom soon stands up, noticing Maddie with the envelope in her hand.

Tom asks, "What's that? Is that what I think it is?"

Maddie nods her head, "Uh-huh. Open it."

Tom walks to Maddie and takes the envelope.

Inspecting it, Tom says, "Oh, it's kind of small. Is that bad?"

"Just… open it," Maddie says, smiling with excitement and anticipation.

Tom then begins to open the envelope as he and Maddie walk into the kitchen and stand in front of the counter.

Tom takes a deep breath and begins to read the letter, "Dear Thomas, we have reviewed your application to the San Francisco Police Department, and pending interdepartmental review and background check, we are happy to inform you that you have been selected to join our team."

Maddie becomes ecstatic, "Aah! Oh, my God!"

Even Tom is excited, "Wow! Oh, my God."

Maddie then pulls out a pink box from under the counter and sets it down.

She opens it to reveal the cake, "Ta-da!"

Tom looks at the cake and reads, "San Francisco Sucks."

The cake shows the Golden Gate Bridge on fire, and blue letters read "Forget Those Morons, San Francisco SUCKS!"

Maddie looks to see the cake, "Oh!"

Realizing her mistake, Maddie puts the cake away, "Wrong one!"

Then pulls out another box and opens it to reveal another cake, "Ta-da!" Then let out a giggle.

The new cake shouts the words, "CONGRATULATIONS in red letters at the top, "I Never Had A Doubt!" in blue letters at the bottom and a decorative portrait of a police officer in the center.

"You never had a doubt, huh?" Tom questions.

"No! Mm-mmm," Maddie replies.

Tom and Maddie then hug each other and give each other a kiss.

"I can't believe this!" Tom says, surprised and excited.

"Oh, I know! You did it!" Maddie happily says.

Tom soon notices Maddie's laptop is open, and decides to look, "Hey, what are those?"

"Apartments for rent I found on Zillow," Maddie says.

Her laptop shows a listing of apartments on a website as Maddie explains, "I thought Ozzy and I could fly there tomorrow and check out some neighborhoods."

"I mean, this is all happening so fast," Tom says.

Tom then walks to the dining room and sits down at the table.

[Tom walks to the dining room and sits down at the table]

"Oh, man. It's the craziest thing; you apply for the job, you get the job," Maddie says, and walks to the dining room.

Then sits across from Tom.

"Well, pending a background check," Tom says.

"Oh, man. Hope they don't find out about that time you used the neighbor's Wi-Fi," Tom says.

"Correction: I'm still using the neighbor's Wi-Fi," Tom says.

But then asks, "But, Maddie, are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Thomas Michael Wachowski, what did you do the entire time I was in veterinary school?" Maddie questions.

"I worked a second job to pay the rent and-" Tom says.

Then Maddie says, "A third job to pay tuition. You sacrificed for me. I'm happy to sacrifice for you."

Then the couple smile.

Maddie then gets up and walks away from the table, "Babe, are you sure you're okay with this? I mean, there's been a Wachowski protecting this town for more than 50 years. This is a big change."

"I'm positive," Tom says, and gets up from the table, "It's time for this guy to get out there and prove himself."

Then walks to Maddie, "I love Green Hills, but, you know, I want to help people in real trouble. I want someone to turn to me in a life-and-death situation and I'll be there for 'em."

Then he nods his head.

Maddie then nods her head in reply, "I get it. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Tom says.

Then the couple gives each other a hug.

The next day, Tom is outside, giving his departure speech.

Tom announces, "And so, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you all that I've accepted a position at the San Francisco Police Department, effective immediately. It's gonna be tough to leave my hometown and all my friendships. But this is something I feel like I need to do to grow... as both an officer and a man."

As it turns out, Tom is mainly practicing his departure speech, and reciting it to his hood ornament, which is a pink frosted sprinkle donut wearing sunglasses.

He then asks, "What do you think, Sergeant Sprinkles? That wasn't so bad, right?"

Then says, "Now, all I got to do is… tell everyone who isn't a donut."

Meanwhile, Sonic and Eve decide to do a little exploring. This time, they are watching a baseball game as they peek from behind the trees.

"Whoa, the playoffs!" Sonic whispers with excitement.

The young baseball team continues to play the game. Sonic and Eve speed over to the bleachers to watch the game up close. Sonic and Eve watch the players congratulate each other. Sonic and Eve are amazed by it. Then they see the players lift the player who hit a home run and won the game.

The sun begins to go down as all the players with their families and friends pack up and head home. Soon, the baseball diamond is completely empty as the baseball lights begin to turn on. Sonic and Eve walk on to the pitcher base of the baseball field and are amazed by the field.

Sonic says in amazement, "Whoa. So cool."

"I know. This is amazing," Eve says.

Soon, Sonic spots some baseball equipment.

Then Sonic turns to Eve and asks, "You wanna play a game of baseball?"

"Sure," Eve says with a smile.

Soon Sonic plays the role of the batter at home plate.

He pats the baseball bat on home plate, "Bottom of the ninth, tie score. And exactly who you want at the plate with the game on the line-Sonic!"

Eve plays the role of pitcher from the opposite team, "But staring him down from the pitcher's mound is the most fearsome southpaw in Green Hills-Eve!" and holds the ball.

Sonic then says to himself, "Okay. Focus, Sonic. If you win this game, you'll be the most beloved kid in Green Hills."

Then Sonic takes the role of infielder. Sonic does a secret code with his hands, straightens his cap, slap his face a few times, does a couple of armpit farts, flaps his hands and cups them against his mouth.

Then calls out, "Hit it to the guy in left! He's a real space case."

Then Sonic plays the role of outfielder, and blows some bubble gum.

Eve rolls her eyes and says, "Ugh, I can't with that guy."

Then Sonic returns and acts as the umpire, "Hey, batter Sonic. Hey, batter Sonic. 'Suh-wing,' batter Sonic."

"Alright Sonic, you ready to play, or what?" Eve asks.

Sonic then returns and acts as the batter, "Show me what you got, sis."

Eve then throws the ball, and Sonic hits the ball high into the air.

Eve rushes to the outfield, "I got it, I got it, I got it!"

Eve tries to catch the ball, but is unsuccessful, "Don't got it."

At the field, Sonic runs to first base and heads to second base. Eve quickly grabs the ball and throws it at Sonic. Sonic however, makes a miraculous dodge. Then Sonic comes to third base.

Then plays as the teammate, "Go home! Go home!"

Sonic then runs around third base, and heads towards home.

This time, Eve acts as the umpire and watches to tag Sonic.

Sonic mutters to himself, "Come on!"

Sonic then jumps and makes a dive to home plate. Eve catches the ball, and Sonic makes it to home plate.

Eve calls out, "Safe, "Safe!"

Sonic slides to a stop. Then jumps with joy.

He cheers to himself, "Ah, yes! Yes, yes, yes! I did it! Did you see that? I did it! I did it."

Sonic then holds up his hand, but seeing that the baseball field is completely empty, and silent. Eve then walks to Sonic and gives him a high five.

She smiles and says, "Great game, Sonic."

"Yeah, great," Sonic says, sadly.

Eve notices the sad look on his face and asks, "What's wrong?

Sonic sadly says, "We really are alone. All alone… forever."

Sonic whips off the batter helmet and begins to run around the baseball diamond at top speed. Eve sadly watches as Sonic continues to run around expressing his anger and sadness. Suddenly, Eve notices Sonic's energy begins to build up at each lap.

"Uh Sonic," Eve calls out, but Sonic isn't listening.

Eve calls out again, "Sonic stop!"

Eve sees Sonic is beginning to glow as he runs fast and faster. Taking the risk, Eve speeds after Sonic. Soon, both of their energies begin to combine into red and blue colored lights. Eve runs fast as she is closely behind Sonic.

Sonic then lets out a loud yell as Eve shouts, "Sonic! STOOOP!

As red and blue electromagnetic pulses explode into the air, causing the lights in the baseball diamond to explode, and spread throughout the area, and maybe farther than that. Soon, all the power in the area and beyond lost power, even disabling a satellite in space.

At the baseball field, Sonic and Eve look to see what they've gone

Sonic turns to Eve and says, "I'm sure no one noticed that giant blue explosion, right?"

"I'm sure someone will notice. Let's get out of here," Eve says, and takes Sonic's hand.

She then uses her powers to teleport herself and Sonic out of the field, and back home.

Meanwhile at the police station, the station's phone is ringing like crazy. Wade is staring at the machine in terror. He then decides to dial Tom.

At his home, Tom is walking in the dark, when he receives a call.

He looks at his IPhone to see Wade on the caller ID.

He answers the call and says, "Hey, Wade."

"Hi, Tom. Wade here," Wade says on the phone at the station.

He then asks, "What is going on?"

"Well, gosh, I think the power's out," Tom answers.

Wade panics on the phone, "Yeah, no dur! The lights are out. The whole town is freaking out. What should I do?"

Tom answers, "Okay, relax. Take a deep breath, call Gil, see if they can locate the downed line, then call Zim and see if he can get his generator over to the Super Q so the food stays fresh." Suddenly, Tom begins to notice something glowing red and blue in the dark.

"Call Zim before Gil? Call Gil-Hello?!" Wade asks, confused.

"I'll call you back," Tom says, not paying attention.

Wade freaks out and says, "Wait, no, no! Wait! Hello? Was that the end of the instructions?"

He then sets his cellphone down and says, "Okay, all right. You can do this. What was the first thing he said to do? Right. Relax."

Meanwhile, Tom slightly moves some stuff aside to notice the two strains of fur he has picked up begin to glow. He then picks them up to observe them. He notices that they both let out electric sparks.

Meanwhile, in a different part of the country, at a place called the Pentagram. Top members of the United States military sit down at the table in a joint meeting.

One of them, Commander Walters of the U.S Armed Forces says, "Twenty minutes ago, an energy surge knocked out power across the entire Pacific Northwest. What do we know?"

The Navy Chief of Staff says, "Well, our first instinct was it was an EMP. But electromagnetic pulses don't have that kind of power."

Then the Air Force Chief of Staff says, "NASA has ruled out meteor strikes or solar flares."

Then the Secretary of Homeland Security says, "The Department of Energy says it's not a power plant malfunction."

"Well, sounds like we're really good at figuring out what it wasn't," Commander Walters says.

Then the Army Chief of Staff says, "This could be a prelude to a larger attack. I'm suggesting we scramble the Fifth and Sixth Regiment."

But Commander Walters says, "No, no, no, no. This needs a much more sophisticated mind. Someone who understands technology."

"You want to send in a lab rat? Army Chief of Staff questions.

"Not just any lab rat. A lab rat with teeth," Commander Walters says.

The Air Force Chief of Staff shakes his head and says, "You're not suggesting who I think you're suggesting."

"I know he's a little weird," Commander Walters says.

But the Air Force Chief of Staff questions, "Weird?!"

"No. No. No way," Army Chief of Staff denies.

Then the Air Force Chief of Staff says, "He's a psychological tire fire!"

Then Commander Walters says, "But he's also brilliant. Five PhDs, IQ off the charts. And his drone tech is revolutionary!"

"You're sure he can handle this?" The Army Chief of Staff asks.

"He has a perfect operations record. Remember the coup in Pakistan?" Commander Walters responds.

"No." Army Chief of Staff answers/

Then Commander Walters questions," Or the uprising in Azerbaijanistan?"

The Navy Chief of Staff answers, "That's not even a country."

"Exactly. And you can thank Robotnik for that," Commander Walters says.

"I can't believe you're bringing that freak into this," The Air Force Chief of Staff says.

"Neither can I," Commander Walters.

Then says, "But… we have no choice."