Chapter 14 - Flight Plans
The group found themselves, once again, in Rouge's office to discuss what was found. Nicollette was currently resting on a couch in the office and was being tended to by Rebecca, Sally, and Nack. Nack and Nicollette wanted to be present, despite Nicollette's condition, to find out what was going to be done.
"Colony ARK?!?" Rouge said, surprised at what Anthony, Tails, Tyreke, and Ryan had to say.
"Yeah," Ryan said. "Sounds like whatever they have planned is there. Which means, if we want to stop them we have to go there."
"...and we may also find the Emeralds and the Chao there as well," Knuckles commented.
All present nodded in agreement. Anthony and several others, however, also turned towards Sonic, who was presently frowning at the situation. "Sonic," Anthony said, concerned for his friend, "I know how you feel about this, considering what happened to Shadow..."
"I'll be alright, Anth," Sonic said, fighting back his emotions. "I need to do this...Shadow would have wanted it."
"You sure? I mean...if you break down like I did..."
"I won't," Sonic said. "No way am I going let my feelings get in the way of beating back those bastards."
"That's good to hear...because I want you to rip them a new one for what they did to Nic!" Nack said.
"Only one problem..." Julie-Su said. "HOW are we going to get to the ARK?"
"I can get us there," Amy said. "I've been there before, so I can use my Teleport psi power to..."
"Too risky, Ames," Anthony said. "Even if you focus on the interior of the ARK, there's still a chance you'll warp us to the outside of it. Even if I used Teleport and drew upon the Descendancy Powers, that might still happen."
"So we'll need a shuttle like what Sonic, Knuckles, and I used..." Tails said.
"Then consider yourself in possession of one..." the group heard a voice say. All eyes turned towards the door to the office, and found Sara walking in with...who appeared to be a GUN commander.
"I'm glad you're all here," Sara said, then focusing on Anthony. "Especially you, Gamemaster..."
"Lord...not this again..." Anthony thought to himself.
"Sara...what is GUN doing here?" Rouge asked.
The GUN commander stepped froward and said, "We heard what the PHM was doing and we want to lend our services to the cause. We have already procured a shuttle for transportation to the Colony ARK. While you take care of business on the ARK, my men are ready to defend the city. We can also supply you with any troops you need."
"Awesome!" Red Sonic said.
"We appreciate it, Commander..." Lazer said, prompting a request for a last name.
"Commander Claude Dias Arngrim, at your service," the commander said.
Anthony raised an eyebrow at that name, since all three of those names were characters he knew from video game RPGs on Earth, and two of them were badass characters at that. "Thank you, Commander Armgrim," Anthony said. "We'll let you know what troops we need once we get our plans in order."
Commander Armgrim and Sara took their leave, and the group got back to discussing the situation. "Now...I suppose the next question is...who here wants in?" Rouge asked.
"I suppose we can include Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Julie-Su, Mina, Red, Lazer, Ryan, and myself," Anthony said.
"I also want in," Rouge said. "I've been to the ARK before, so my experience will come in handy."
"I'm going to have to go too," Teila said, "since my Emerald can only be touched by me."
"If she's going, then I INSIST on going," Tyreke said.
"Tyreke, I'll be fine..." Teila said. "You should stay here and help the GUN troops with your powers. Besides...I owe them big time..."
It was at that time that Aura and Lisa felt wriggling in their arms. They looked down and saw Hogi-San and Ryndar motioning as if they wanted to say something. "What is it, Hogi-San?" Lisa asked.
Hogi-San and Ryndar then both pointed at themselves. "YOU want to go?!?" Aura said, shocked. "No...it's too dangerous, Ryndar..."
It was at that point that both Chao started to do a pantomime. Both placed their paws over their eyes as if looking for something, and when they looked at each other, they pointed. "Wait...you're saying you can find the Chao?" Lisa asked, getting a nod from the two of them.
"Makes sense," Anthony commented. "If they're connected to Chaos like what I witnessed on Angel Island, they might also be able to home in on each other."
"Alright...but if they go, Lisa and I should come too to keep an eye on them," Aura said.
"I agree," Lisa said.
"Sal, you want in?" Sonic asked.
"No...I'm going to stay behind and help co-ordinate the efforts to protect the city if necessary," Sally said.
"I'm also going to stay behind, but to help Nack keep an eye on Nicollette," Rebecca said. "I can also watch Kyle for you, Lisa."
"Thank you, Rebecca," Lisa said.
"That shuttle's going to be crowded..." Tails mused.
"Even more so if we bring the Tornado Three and Tornado GM," Anthony said, "which we'll probably need."
"Definitely!" Knuckles said. "In fact, we'll need something else." He looked towards Tyreke and said, "Tyreke...can you Teleport me to Angel Island?"
"Sure thing," Tyreke said, getting up from his chair.
"We'll meet back at the hotel, Knux," Ryan said.
Knuckles and Tyreke nodded and Tyreke grabbed Knuckles's wrist and the two of them disappeared. The group then began to file out of the office, Nack and Rebecca helping Nicollette. As they began to exit to building, Sara walked up to them and said to Anthony, "Gamemaster, may I speak with you for a minute?"
"Of course," Anthony said, and then turned towards the others. "I'll meet you later, guys." He then shot a glance towards Ryan as he started to giggle. "Stifle it, Bat!"
As the group left, Anthony turned back towards Sara and asked, "What may I help you with, Sara?"
"Well...this is somewhat embarrassing..." Sara began to say. "But...I feel I must apologize."
"What for?" Anthony asked.
"For making you uncomfortable around me," Sara said. "I know I made it sound like I was coming on to you..."
"Did you get that impression from the black echidna that just left?" Anthony asked.
"Yes..." Sara said, beginning to blush in embarrassment. "I hope you can forgive me. The fact is...I actually admire your past accomplishments, Gamemaster...that admiration just came out wrong."
"Don't worry about it, Sara," Anthony said. "I understand completely...and please call me Anthony. The title is a bit pretentious and makes me sound like Captain N."
Sara giggled and said, "Alright then, Anthony." She then extended her hand as if to be shaken. "Good luck."
Anthony shook Sara's hand and said, "Thank you."
Anthony then left the building and walked towards the hotel. He noticed Ryan waiting for him, who upon seeing Anthony said, "So...when's the date?"
"Won't happen, Ryan," Anthony said. "Turns out she's just a fan, not a potential date."
"Bummer," Ryan said. "Would've been interesting..."
Anthony nodded in agreement as the two headed back towards the hotel. As they walked, Anthony thought to himself, "Yeah...would've been interesting alright. She'd probably whack me with Amy's hammer if we were to have watched the Sonic Anime and I laughed at how she was depicted on it...."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside a military base outside of the main islands, a shuttle was being prepared by members of GUN. Inside that shuttle, a large group was currently seating themselves. The group included Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, Julie-Su, Mina, Red Sonic, Lazer, Teila, Ryan, Aura, Lisa, and Anthony. Hogi-San and Ryndar were also sitting in the laps of Aura and Lisa, strapped in as well, and the cargo hold in the back of the shuttle held the two Tornado units.
As the group readied themselves for the trip, Anthony looked towards Knuckles. Knuckles was currently holding what looked like a large Chaos Emerald, a foot in diameter, and was curious. "Knux...I have to know," Anthony said. "That's the Master Emerald, isn't it?"
"It is indeed," Knuckles said. "We'll need it to track down the Chaos Emeralds."
"Okay...but the last time I saw that, it was four feet tall," Anthony asked. "How the heck...?"
Knuckles demonstrated how he managed to resize the Emerald by concentrating on it and causing it to shrink to the size of a golf ball. He then placed it inside his left glove. "I have control over it...one of my Guardian abilities."
"Yeah, but don't you need it to keep the Island afloat?" Anthony asked.
"No...the Super Emeralds inside the Island are keeping it afloat," Knuckles said. "The Master is merely a controlling force for the other Emeralds."
"I see..." Anthony said.
Amy looked towards Anthony and said, "Anthony, are you going to be alright?"
"I will be..." Anthony said, and then looked towards Sonic. "I'm more worried about Sonic. After what happened with Shadow..."
"I know what you mean," Amy said. "Do you think he'll be fine?"
"I hope so..." Anthony said.
Suddenly, the group heard a voice over the loudspeaker in the shuttle. "Get ready for launch. Take off is in five minutes."
The group all sat back into their seats, and felt the shuttle being moved into position. They then felt the shuttle being pointed upright, which in turn pressed them further back into their seats.
"Hopefully, none of you get space-sick," Rouge said.
"If I do, you'll be the first to know, Rouge," Red Sonic said. "I'm sitting in front of you."
"Thanks heaps, Red...I appreciate it," Rouge said, sarcasm at full.
"Um...don't we need some kind of space suits?" Anthony asked, a tone of worry in his voice.
"Our space vehicles are built more like those shuttlecraft you see in that show on Earth, Anthony, so they aren't necessary except for emergency evacuations," Ryan said. "I believe the show was called, 'Star Trek'."
"Ah..." Anthony said. "In that case, I should've gotten myself a cheap toupee and should start...talking...like...this..." That last part got a giggle from several present.
Sonic was the only one not giggling. He was too focused on what was going to happen next. He even thought to himself, "Shadow, wherever you are, watch over me, bud."
Soon the countdown began, and when it reached zero, the group was pressed back into their seats as the shuttle began to accelerate. It's destination...Colony ARK.
The group found themselves, once again, in Rouge's office to discuss what was found. Nicollette was currently resting on a couch in the office and was being tended to by Rebecca, Sally, and Nack. Nack and Nicollette wanted to be present, despite Nicollette's condition, to find out what was going to be done.
"Colony ARK?!?" Rouge said, surprised at what Anthony, Tails, Tyreke, and Ryan had to say.
"Yeah," Ryan said. "Sounds like whatever they have planned is there. Which means, if we want to stop them we have to go there."
"...and we may also find the Emeralds and the Chao there as well," Knuckles commented.
All present nodded in agreement. Anthony and several others, however, also turned towards Sonic, who was presently frowning at the situation. "Sonic," Anthony said, concerned for his friend, "I know how you feel about this, considering what happened to Shadow..."
"I'll be alright, Anth," Sonic said, fighting back his emotions. "I need to do this...Shadow would have wanted it."
"You sure? I mean...if you break down like I did..."
"I won't," Sonic said. "No way am I going let my feelings get in the way of beating back those bastards."
"That's good to hear...because I want you to rip them a new one for what they did to Nic!" Nack said.
"Only one problem..." Julie-Su said. "HOW are we going to get to the ARK?"
"I can get us there," Amy said. "I've been there before, so I can use my Teleport psi power to..."
"Too risky, Ames," Anthony said. "Even if you focus on the interior of the ARK, there's still a chance you'll warp us to the outside of it. Even if I used Teleport and drew upon the Descendancy Powers, that might still happen."
"So we'll need a shuttle like what Sonic, Knuckles, and I used..." Tails said.
"Then consider yourself in possession of one..." the group heard a voice say. All eyes turned towards the door to the office, and found Sara walking in with...who appeared to be a GUN commander.
"I'm glad you're all here," Sara said, then focusing on Anthony. "Especially you, Gamemaster..."
"Lord...not this again..." Anthony thought to himself.
"Sara...what is GUN doing here?" Rouge asked.
The GUN commander stepped froward and said, "We heard what the PHM was doing and we want to lend our services to the cause. We have already procured a shuttle for transportation to the Colony ARK. While you take care of business on the ARK, my men are ready to defend the city. We can also supply you with any troops you need."
"Awesome!" Red Sonic said.
"We appreciate it, Commander..." Lazer said, prompting a request for a last name.
"Commander Claude Dias Arngrim, at your service," the commander said.
Anthony raised an eyebrow at that name, since all three of those names were characters he knew from video game RPGs on Earth, and two of them were badass characters at that. "Thank you, Commander Armgrim," Anthony said. "We'll let you know what troops we need once we get our plans in order."
Commander Armgrim and Sara took their leave, and the group got back to discussing the situation. "Now...I suppose the next question is...who here wants in?" Rouge asked.
"I suppose we can include Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Julie-Su, Mina, Red, Lazer, Ryan, and myself," Anthony said.
"I also want in," Rouge said. "I've been to the ARK before, so my experience will come in handy."
"I'm going to have to go too," Teila said, "since my Emerald can only be touched by me."
"If she's going, then I INSIST on going," Tyreke said.
"Tyreke, I'll be fine..." Teila said. "You should stay here and help the GUN troops with your powers. Besides...I owe them big time..."
It was at that time that Aura and Lisa felt wriggling in their arms. They looked down and saw Hogi-San and Ryndar motioning as if they wanted to say something. "What is it, Hogi-San?" Lisa asked.
Hogi-San and Ryndar then both pointed at themselves. "YOU want to go?!?" Aura said, shocked. "No...it's too dangerous, Ryndar..."
It was at that point that both Chao started to do a pantomime. Both placed their paws over their eyes as if looking for something, and when they looked at each other, they pointed. "Wait...you're saying you can find the Chao?" Lisa asked, getting a nod from the two of them.
"Makes sense," Anthony commented. "If they're connected to Chaos like what I witnessed on Angel Island, they might also be able to home in on each other."
"Alright...but if they go, Lisa and I should come too to keep an eye on them," Aura said.
"I agree," Lisa said.
"Sal, you want in?" Sonic asked.
"No...I'm going to stay behind and help co-ordinate the efforts to protect the city if necessary," Sally said.
"I'm also going to stay behind, but to help Nack keep an eye on Nicollette," Rebecca said. "I can also watch Kyle for you, Lisa."
"Thank you, Rebecca," Lisa said.
"That shuttle's going to be crowded..." Tails mused.
"Even more so if we bring the Tornado Three and Tornado GM," Anthony said, "which we'll probably need."
"Definitely!" Knuckles said. "In fact, we'll need something else." He looked towards Tyreke and said, "Tyreke...can you Teleport me to Angel Island?"
"Sure thing," Tyreke said, getting up from his chair.
"We'll meet back at the hotel, Knux," Ryan said.
Knuckles and Tyreke nodded and Tyreke grabbed Knuckles's wrist and the two of them disappeared. The group then began to file out of the office, Nack and Rebecca helping Nicollette. As they began to exit to building, Sara walked up to them and said to Anthony, "Gamemaster, may I speak with you for a minute?"
"Of course," Anthony said, and then turned towards the others. "I'll meet you later, guys." He then shot a glance towards Ryan as he started to giggle. "Stifle it, Bat!"
As the group left, Anthony turned back towards Sara and asked, "What may I help you with, Sara?"
"Well...this is somewhat embarrassing..." Sara began to say. "But...I feel I must apologize."
"What for?" Anthony asked.
"For making you uncomfortable around me," Sara said. "I know I made it sound like I was coming on to you..."
"Did you get that impression from the black echidna that just left?" Anthony asked.
"Yes..." Sara said, beginning to blush in embarrassment. "I hope you can forgive me. The fact is...I actually admire your past accomplishments, Gamemaster...that admiration just came out wrong."
"Don't worry about it, Sara," Anthony said. "I understand completely...and please call me Anthony. The title is a bit pretentious and makes me sound like Captain N."
Sara giggled and said, "Alright then, Anthony." She then extended her hand as if to be shaken. "Good luck."
Anthony shook Sara's hand and said, "Thank you."
Anthony then left the building and walked towards the hotel. He noticed Ryan waiting for him, who upon seeing Anthony said, "So...when's the date?"
"Won't happen, Ryan," Anthony said. "Turns out she's just a fan, not a potential date."
"Bummer," Ryan said. "Would've been interesting..."
Anthony nodded in agreement as the two headed back towards the hotel. As they walked, Anthony thought to himself, "Yeah...would've been interesting alright. She'd probably whack me with Amy's hammer if we were to have watched the Sonic Anime and I laughed at how she was depicted on it...."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside a military base outside of the main islands, a shuttle was being prepared by members of GUN. Inside that shuttle, a large group was currently seating themselves. The group included Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, Julie-Su, Mina, Red Sonic, Lazer, Teila, Ryan, Aura, Lisa, and Anthony. Hogi-San and Ryndar were also sitting in the laps of Aura and Lisa, strapped in as well, and the cargo hold in the back of the shuttle held the two Tornado units.
As the group readied themselves for the trip, Anthony looked towards Knuckles. Knuckles was currently holding what looked like a large Chaos Emerald, a foot in diameter, and was curious. "Knux...I have to know," Anthony said. "That's the Master Emerald, isn't it?"
"It is indeed," Knuckles said. "We'll need it to track down the Chaos Emeralds."
"Okay...but the last time I saw that, it was four feet tall," Anthony asked. "How the heck...?"
Knuckles demonstrated how he managed to resize the Emerald by concentrating on it and causing it to shrink to the size of a golf ball. He then placed it inside his left glove. "I have control over it...one of my Guardian abilities."
"Yeah, but don't you need it to keep the Island afloat?" Anthony asked.
"No...the Super Emeralds inside the Island are keeping it afloat," Knuckles said. "The Master is merely a controlling force for the other Emeralds."
"I see..." Anthony said.
Amy looked towards Anthony and said, "Anthony, are you going to be alright?"
"I will be..." Anthony said, and then looked towards Sonic. "I'm more worried about Sonic. After what happened with Shadow..."
"I know what you mean," Amy said. "Do you think he'll be fine?"
"I hope so..." Anthony said.
Suddenly, the group heard a voice over the loudspeaker in the shuttle. "Get ready for launch. Take off is in five minutes."
The group all sat back into their seats, and felt the shuttle being moved into position. They then felt the shuttle being pointed upright, which in turn pressed them further back into their seats.
"Hopefully, none of you get space-sick," Rouge said.
"If I do, you'll be the first to know, Rouge," Red Sonic said. "I'm sitting in front of you."
"Thanks heaps, Red...I appreciate it," Rouge said, sarcasm at full.
"Um...don't we need some kind of space suits?" Anthony asked, a tone of worry in his voice.
"Our space vehicles are built more like those shuttlecraft you see in that show on Earth, Anthony, so they aren't necessary except for emergency evacuations," Ryan said. "I believe the show was called, 'Star Trek'."
"Ah..." Anthony said. "In that case, I should've gotten myself a cheap toupee and should start...talking...like...this..." That last part got a giggle from several present.
Sonic was the only one not giggling. He was too focused on what was going to happen next. He even thought to himself, "Shadow, wherever you are, watch over me, bud."
Soon the countdown began, and when it reached zero, the group was pressed back into their seats as the shuttle began to accelerate. It's destination...Colony ARK.