Chapter 5 – Pain
Links stopped suddenly in his tracks. Lavender and Bunnie almost walked into him. Since they had left Knotlake that morning they hadn't stopped once and Links certainly hadn't been shabby with the pace. It was now late afternoon they both felt totally drained. Links glanced sideways at them and then went back to looking at the horizon. He cocked his head and listened before raising an eyebrow. Bunnie was getting a little irritated.
"Hey sugah." she said, "Do you even know where y'all going? We've been following you for ages."
Links looked at her and gave her a 'be quiet' type of look and Bunnie shut up. Links went back to the horizon. Lavender was feeling tired now. She had a certain amount of energy but this was ridiculous. She put her pack down and collapsed on top of it. Letting out a long sigh, she looked up at the sky. Why was Links so interested in the sky? It didn't look any different to her. She found herself staring at a cloud. As she did, she felt a strange feeling run through her. The cloud seemed to change shape into the face of Tails. Lavender raised an eyebrow.
"Am I seeing things?" she said to herself.
"What sugah?" asked Bunnie.
"Oh nothing." replied Lavender looking back at the cloud.
The cloud didn't do anything for a second and then suddenly exploded. Lavender shot upright and looked around. She blinked and looked back at the cloud. It was as it had been before it had changed.
"Father." she said quickly.
Just then Links swept past her at a run. Bunnie was looking from him to Lavender with a frantic look on her face.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Come on Bunnie. We have to hurry." said Lavender scrambling to her feet and hoisting her pack onto her shoulders.
She took off after Links with Bunnie in quick pursuit. Lavender's energy was full again and she quickly caught up with Links. She looked up at him and he looked back down.
"Do you feel it?" he asked.
"Yes. Father's in trouble." replied Lavender.
Links nodded and looked ahead.
"Something bad has happened."
"But what?"
"We'll just have to find out."
-----------------------------------------
Sarah sat next to the bars of her cell holding the sleeping form of Alicia in her arms. The small squirrel had cried herself to sleep and Sarah hadn't the heart to let go. She looked over at the other two in the cell. They were both stirring and showing signs of waking up. Sarah continued to wait. Time slowly passed and eventually the hedgehog groaned. He rolled over and slowly sat up. He shook his head and blinked a few times before glancing around. His eyes went wide as he saw where he was. He spotted Sarah and Alicia.
"What's going on?" he said looking from them to the cell and back again, "Where are we?"
"The cell block of a Dauntless class Earth Cruiser." answered Sarah slowly.
The hedgehog looked over at Sarah and walked over to her. He knelt down next to Alicia and looked at sadly.
"She's alright." said Sarah.
The hedgehog pushed the hair out of the squirrel's eyes and then looked up.
"Do you know here?" asked Sarah.
"She's my sister." replied the hedgehog.
"Oh." said Sarah.
There were a few moments of silence. Finally the hedgehog spoke.
"What is going on?" he said.
Sarah sighed. All this was her fault, how could she explain it.
"Well…..I…" she began.
Just then the wolf gave a small moan. The hedgehog leapt to his feet and darted to her side. Sarah was amazed at his speed. The hedgehog rolled her over and gave her a shake.
"Petya? Petya, you alright?" he asked quickly.
The wolf moaned again and then slowly sat up with a bit of help from the hedgehog.
"Ooooh my head. I've only felt like this one before….and that was after one of T2's parties."
The blue hedgehog gave a small nervous laugh in reply. The wolf was looking around.
"Where are we Miles?" asked Petya.
"The cell block of some Anth Cruiser from what she told me." replied Miles.
"She?" asked Petya glancing around.
It was then that she saw Sarah and Alicia. She slowly made her way over to the bars and eyed the cat. Sarah looked back slightly sheepish under Petya's stare.
"Hello." she said.
"Under other conditions I'd slap you on the back and offer you a drink but these are not normal conditions….where are we?" replied Petya.
"You're onboard a Dauntless class Earth Cruiser that is currently orbiting the planet." replied Sarah.
"Orbit?" said Petya slightly startled, "And what's Earth?"
Sarah sighed. She might as well tell them.
"Earth is a planet a long way from here. We traveled here from there." she said.
"You mean there another planet out there like ours?" asked Miles.
"Yes…but not like ours I'm afraid." said Sarah gloomily.
"What do you mean?" asked Petya raising an eyebrow.
"Twelve years ago I lived on Mobius like you…and then something happened." said Sarah before stopping.
"Something?" asked Petya.
Sarah didn't know what to say. Would they know about Pholon? Probably not.
"I was somehow pulled out of space and time and ended up on this planet, Earth. It's a very strange place, inhabited by humans."
"Humans!" cried Miles.
Alicia suddenly groaned and stirred but didn't wake up. Petya's gaze narrowed on Sarah. She looked like a Mobian but you could never be sure. Humans were slippery critters, and definitely not to be trusted. Sarah swallowed as she saw Petya's glare.
"I see you know about them." she said slowly.
"Unless you have been totally out of the loop on Mobius these past twenty years of course you would know about them." answered Petya as she stopped glaring, "Go on."
"They found me to say the least. They shut me up in a military complex and didn't let me out for twelve years. In the mean time they sent out ships to look for our world."
Sarah stopped and sniffed back a few tears.
"I had no idea they would do this! Why would they want to attack?"
"ATTACK!" cried Miles.
This time Miles' cry woke Alicia. She sat up quickly and looked around. Panic set on her face as she remembered where she was. Miles noticed and knelt down next to her and threw his arms around her. Alicia replied by hugging him too.
"Oh Miles……what's going on?" she said.
Just then there was a small laugh. Everyone looked up to see that a large metal door had slid open and a figure stood in the doorway. They all noticed that he wasn't Mobian, he was human. The figure walked further into the cell block flanked by two guards. Sarah clenched her fists.
"Morgan!" she snarled.
"Yes Miss Mathews." replied Morgan giving her a glance.
He looked at the others in the cell.
"And who do we have here?" he asked with a smile.
Miles and Alicia were on their feet and holding each other tightly. Petya stood in front of them eyeing Morgan closely. Wolves were naturally tall and Petya managed to rival Morgan's size. She growled slowly and bared a few teeth, something she had hardly ever done in her life. Morgan watched closely.
"Not very talkative? Very well, then I'll just go on to my next step."
Morgan reached in his pocket and took out two small rings. Each one was made of gold and had a flat circular top on it. On this top was the symbol of a tree and in front of the tree was an acorn. Petya's gulped silently, the Royal Signets! Morgan looked over the rings for a moment and then spoke.
"These rings look very special to me. You wouldn't be prepare to tell me what they are would you?" he said.
Petya was fast to answer.
"Nothing, they're just rings." she said.
"Interesting." said Morgan glancing at Miles and Alicia for a moment.
He motioned to one of the guards and the guard handed him a small box. Petya looked at it for a moment. Morgan slowly flicked a switch on it and pulled out an aerial.
"I really would like to know." he said, "This is your final chance."
"Or you'll do what?" scoffed Petya.
"This." replied Morgan.
He pressed a button on the box and Petya felt a small tingle spread throughout her body. The tingle increased and then in a flash became a blinding pain. It was so sudden and so intense that Petya completely forgot to scream. It was as if the breath had been sucked out of her. She suddenly collapsed to her knees and finally screamed. Miles and Alicia gasped and raced to her side. Sarah was now pressed up against the bars staring at Morgan. Petya curled up into a ball and screamed again. A faint black glow surrounded her. Alicia's face filled with panic, it was the same as what had happened on the surface before they had been captured. Sarah was shaking the bars now trying to get at Morgan.
"Stop it!" she cried, "You're hurting her."
"Not just hurt, this will kill her eventually if it goes on long enough." replied Morgan quickly, "Tell me what I want to know."
"They're the Royal Signets!" yelled Alicia suddenly, "Stop it! PLEASE!"
Morgan pressed another button and the glow surrounding Petya faded away. Petya's screams slowly faded to a set of painful moans. Morgan smiled.
"You know what this is? It was pure chance that we found it. If the fighters had been using mark three concussion bombs it wouldn't have happened. As it happens they were only armed with the cruder mark two's." he said.
Miles, Alicia and Sarah looked at him. Morgan laughed.
"You have no idea do you?" he said, "The frequency of the concussion bombs used was the exact opposite of the power reading from that interesting looking glowing rock. If it hadn't been Delta wing that had found you I would never have found this useful interrogation tool."
"Interrogation?" yelled Miles, "How can you interrogate someone who is in this state?"
He looked down at Petya. She was whimpering softly to herself, a sight not befitting her. Morgan laughed.
"Not her, you." he said.
"Huh?" said Alicia looking up at Morgan.
"You will tell me what I want to know or I shall kill her." he said running his finger over the box, "Now you can start by telling me who you are…..little princess."
Sarah could only watch on sadly as Miles and Alicia slowly answered Morgan's question. She couldn't believe what was happening.
-----------------------------------------
Tails' head swam. He hadn't moved since had woken up a little while ago. His fur was stained by blood that had oozed from several gashes on his head and body. His eyes were half open and he had a drunken type of expression on his face. He could remember what had happened but for some reason it didn't seem important, nothing did. He starred straight up at the canopy of trees above him and felt his head go light again. Just then he heard a faint call.
"Oh ma stars!"
Tails' eyes slowly opened slightly more and he looked up to see the face of a familiar rabbit looking down at him. He tried to speak but couldn't.
"Shh." said Bunnie, "Don't try to speak sugah."
Bunnie looked away and yelled.
"LINKS! LAVENDER! OVER HERE!"
There was a silence for a second and then Tails heard a pair of gasps. Seconds later something grasped his left arm. He slowly rolled his head to see a white face staring at him.
"La….Lavender." he said slowly.
"Oh father!" replied Lavender and collapsed on top of him.
She hugged him tightly whilst rubbing her head on his shoulder. A few specs of blood brushed off against her face as she did.
"There there sugah." said Bunnie, "It'll be alright."
Bunnie took Lavender's hand and pulled her slowly off Tails. Another face replaced Lavenders. A blue one, Links.
"Well you're in a pretty state aren't you nephew." said Links, "Hold still one moment."
Links stood up and held his staff out in front of him. He lowered the end so the blades were on either side of Tails' neck and the glowing blue ring substance was only inches from his neck.
"Now hold still and don't move a muscle Tails." said Links as he closed his eyes.
The ring substance glowed brightly for a moment and Tails slowly felt his head clearing. A warm feeling flooded his body. A few moments passed and Links removed his staff.
"Now how do you feel?" he asked.
Tails blinked as his vision cleared completely. Slowly he propped himself up against a tree and looked at Links. He rubbed his eyes and smiled slightly.
"Where'd you come from?" he asked.
"Great way to sat thanks but I understand." replied Links, "Ok Bunnie."
Within a split second Lavender was by Tails' side again and hugging him tightly. Tails was only happy to return it. He sighed.
"Me and Links felt you were in trouble so we came to help." said Lavender with a smile.
"Well I'm glad you did." said Tails.
"What happened sugah?" asked Bunnie.
"You mean you weren't at Knotlake?" asked Tails.
"No, I felt the need to get out and these two decided to come with me." said Links, "We left this morning."
Tails scrambled to his feet. Lavender looked a bit shocked.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I have to get back there. My transmission was cut off half way through. I have to be sure they got it." replied Tails quickly.
"What transmission? What was it about?" asked Bunnie.
"The fighter crafts that attacked me." said Tails.
"Fighter crafts?!" cried Links.
"Oh ma stars!" said Bunnie.
"What fighter crafts? Where were they from?" asked Lavender.
"I don't know. I was flying along in the Hurricane and they appeared and attacked me." said Tails, "Wait a second…..the Hurricane!"
Tails looked around quickly and saw the large trail the crashed plane had left. He darted off after it with the others following him. Tails made it to the end of the trail to find a small crater in the ground. Bits of charred metal lay scattered around. Tails stopped and went down on his knees. He picked up a piece of metal and turned it over. On the reverse of it was a small printed name. Most of it had been burnt off but you could still make out the letters 'H__RI_AN_'. The others arrived behind him.
"My Hurricane." sighed Tails, "This is all that's left now."
He stood up and threw the piece of metal hard against the ground. He glanced at the others and then back at the crater.
"We have to get back to Knotlake. I have to warn them."
-----------------------------------------
Commander Francis made his way onto the bridge of the Phantom. Unusually the bridge was very quiet. This puzzled him for a moment but he soon shrugged it off. He walked further onto the bridge and over to a console. He entered his access code and looked at the screen.
"Now to find out what's going on." he said to himself.
He started to flick through various menus, entering codes when he needed to and muttering to himself. Finally he came to the menu he wanted.
"I see." he said, "It's worst then I feared. I have to do something."
He stood up from the console and turned. He froze instantly. Commander Morgan and a number of guards stood behind him holding laser rifles.
"So you finally show your true colours my dear Jeremy." said Morgan.
"This time Earth has gone too far. President Higara would never have authorized this…" started Jeremy.
"President Higara is dead! Jacob Kidderminster is a far more capable leader than she ever was."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"You're going to tell me where that boy Jet is and then accompany him to the cells."
"And if I don't?"
"I'll kill you and his mother. It makes no difference to me. We will find the boy eventually, with or without your help. But this way you get to stay alive, at least for a little longer anyway."
Jeremy glared at Morgan. He had little choice. He couldn't help Jet if he was dead. He sighed and nodded.
"Very good. Now you will show us where Jet is." said Morgan with a smile.
-----------------------------------------
"Can you make any sense of this unc?" asked Sonic.
"Afraid not Soni boy." answered Charles as he put the transmission sheet down.
The sheet was the same one they had received earlier from Tails. Charles had spent the last hour looking over it.
"So we still don't know what's going on." said Sally.
"Where's Petya when you need her?" asked T2, "She could figure this out in no time."
"Or sis." said Manic, "Sonia's got a great head for problems."
"I'm just worried about Tails." said Amy, "The transmission wouldn't have cut off normally. Something must have happened."
"You're right Amy." said Sonic, "Tails is the most reliable person I've met. He wouldn't stop the transmission."
"I just wonder what was on the part that didn't send." said Charles, "It might have been important."
"Yeah." said Manic.
"Well I'm going to check on Knuckles again. I'll be right back." said Sally as she waved and walked out of the hut.
-----------------------------------------
"Alpha one to Gamma one."
"Gamma one reporting."
"Make ready. Alpha wing set weapons to ready status."
"Confirmed Alpha one."
"Gamma wing make ready."
"Confirmed."
"Target now bearing one six six degrees south south east."
-----------------------------------------
Sally walked across the village pondering about what was going on. She wished everyone was together. Problems work out easier if you have more people to think about them. She sighed and walked slowly into the medical hut. As always, Knuckles lay in his bed. Sally was worried about him. He had been in a coma for a few months now and nothing they could do was waking him up. She checked his vital signs and found them all green and steady. Well at least that was something to be glad about. She sat down on the bed next to him and blinked slowly.
"Oh Knuckles, why won't you wake up?" she sighed, "Everyone is worried about you."
She leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"I'll be back later." she said sitting up.
Sally stood up and made her way over to the door. She glanced back for a moment and then opened the door. As she did a giant explosion threw her backwards into the room. She slammed her head of the corner of a bed and collapsed to the floor.
-----------------------------------------
Morgan eyed the back of Jeremy as he walked along the corridor. Jeremy had his hands handcuffed together and was flanked by two guards. Morgan walked along behind him with a smile.
"You better be telling the truth Jeremy." said Morgan.
Jeremy looked over his shoulder at Morgan.
"You couldn't do anything worse to me if I wasn't." he scoffed.
Jeremy fell into thought. He had to find a way to get Jet off this ship. If he got to the planet he might be able to escape and find help. Think Jeremy think! It suddenly clicked. A smile spread across his face. Morgan was also thinking. The information supplied to him by Miles and Alicia had been very useful. It was then that another guard approached him and saluted. Morgan nodded.
"Report." he said.
"The attack has just started sir." replied the guard.
"And?"
"We have encountered no resistance at all. It appears the village has no defense."
"Excellent. Bring the Phantom into firing range."
"Sir?"
"Bring this ship into firing range of the target. Arm the main cannon and make ready to fire."
"SIR?"
"We already have the prince and princess of this world. What good are the king and queen? Do as I instructed."
"Aye sir." said the guard before spotting Jeremy, "Commander?"
"You are dismissed." said Morgan getting irritated.
Jeremy watched the guard leave. The guards face was totally shocked. It seems that not everyone is for Morgan's choice of strategy. If I can use that to my advantage…
"Alright we are here." said Morgan, "Jeremy call the boy."
Jeremy closed his eyes and took a breath.
"Jet." he called, "Jet open the door."
"Jeremy?" came a response followed by a loud bang.
There was a moment of silence, some shuffling and then another call.
"Erm…one sec Jeremy."
They waited and a few moments later the door slid open. Jet stood there holding a smashed picture.
"Sorry Jeremy I dropped this and…"
Jet stopped as he saw Morgan and the two guards. He dropped the picture again and was about to turn when the guards grabbed him.
"ARGH!" he screamed, "Lemme go!"
Jet thrashed around but the guards grip was tight.
"Restrain him." said Morgan.
One of the guards took out a set of cuffs and slapped them on Jet before he could do anything about it. Jet stopped struggling and looked at Jeremy. Jeremy's face was one of sadness and regret.
"What's going on?" asked Jet.
Jeremy didn't reply.
"You're going to accompany your mother in the cell block that's what." said Morgan, "Escort these two to the prison block."
"Yes sir." replied the two guards.
Morgan shot another glance at Jeremy and Jet and walked off.
-----------------------------------------
"Sally? SALLY WAKE UP!" cried a voice.
Sally suddenly felt someone shaking her and slowly opened her eyes. Sonic was standing over her. She suddenly remembered what had happened and sprung to her feet.
"Sonic, what's going on?" she asked quickly.
"We're under attack. Twelve fighters that look like the ones on the transmission we got from Tails." replied Sonic quickly.
Sally darted outside. The village was in disarray. Several huts, including hers, had been totally destroyed. Fires had sprung up everywhere. As she watched a missile hit the mountain above the village sending rock crashing down onto the village. As quick as she could she swung her hand down and scooped Nicole out of the pouch on her leg.
"Nicole." she said quickly.
"Sally." replied Nicole.
"Nicole quick. Activate program H-12. Activate all village defense systems."
"Working."
Knotlake might have been a secret from Robotnik but they hadn't taken any chances this time. The village was armed with a number of large laser cannons and other defense systems. They hadn't been used before now. Just then there was a rumble and several large ground mounted laser guns appeared in the cliffside….
-----------------------------------------
"Gamma four to Gamma leader."
"Go ahead Gamma four."
"I'm picking up some power readings. It looks like…"
Suddenly a large laser shot flew threw the air striking Gamma four. The ship glowed for a second and then exploded in a huge explosion. Several more laser beams shot into the sky causing another three crafts to explode.
-----------------------------------------
Jet and Jeremy walked side by side down the corridor flanked by the two guards. Jet looked up at Jeremy again.
"Jeremy what's going on?" he asked again.
"Quiet!" sneered a guard.
Jet looked at Jeremy again. His eyes where closed but he had a smile on his face. Jet was puzzled for a moment but got his answer quickly. Jeremy suddenly launched himself sideways, smashing one of the guards off the wall. The guard was knocked unconscious in a second and Jeremy spun to the floor aiming for the guard's gun. The other guard spun and quickly grabbed Jet.
"Jeremy!" cried Jet as the guard aimed his gun at the cats head.
Jeremy spun round holding the first guards gun and stopped.
"You were too slow." said the guard, "Now if you kill me, I kill him."
"Jeremy." said Jet slowly.
Jeremy just looked at the guard, the gun extended. It was a good old fashioned stand off but Jeremy wished it wasn't. Just then something caught his eye and he quickly glanced over.
"What?" said the guard looking too.
There was a pulse and the guard screamed. He fell to the floor a smoking hole in his uniform. Jet and Jeremy looked to the side to see the guard from earlier standing in the middle of the corridor holding a laser assault rifle. He lowered the gun and walked over to them.
"I had a feeling you didn't like Morgan." said Jeremy.
"Commander Francis sir. This time Earth has gone too far. Attacking an innocent planet? I can't stand by and let it happen. I'm with you." replied the guard.
"Very well." said Jeremy fishing the keys to his restraints out of the dead guards pocket.
He undid his cuffs and them Jet's. Jet rubbed his wrists and looked at Jeremy.
"What's going on Jeremy?" he asked once again.
"I'll explain on the way. We have to get to the launch bay." replied Jeremy.
"Right." replied the guard.
The three of them took off down the corridor.
-----------------------------------------
Morgan walked onto the bridge. Things were going smoothly.
"How is the attack going?" he asked.
"Our ships have come under fire. They are requesting backup."
"What's the status of the main cannon?"
"Sir?" said the weapon officer turning round.
"The charge status lieutenant."
"We haven't started charging it sir."
"WHAT?!"
"We got no order to start charging."
"But I sent someone. Where is that…"
"SIR SIR!" cried a guard running onto the bridge.
Morgan spun and looked at the new arrival. It was one of the two guards that where supposed to be escorting Jet and Jeremy.
"Sir!" cried the guard, "They've escaped."
"WHAT!" roared Morgan spinning.
"We have intruders in the launch bay sir." said another officer.
"Show me."
Morgan spun back to face forwards. A large screen lit up at the front of the bridge. On it was direct feed from one of the launch bay security cameras. On it Jet, Jeremy and a guard ran along a gantry in the launch bay.
"It's him!" cried Morgan, "That's the guard I sent to you about the cannon! He's helping them!"
"What should we do sir? Should I alert the ship?" said an officer.
"No. I'll deal with this myself. Seal the launch bay." replied Morgan getting up, "And charge the main cannon."
"Aye sir."
-----------------------------------------
Jet, Jeremy and the guard skidded to a halt as a large metal shutter slammed down in front of them. Jeremy looked around.
"They know we've escaped." he said.
The guard ran over to the door and looked it over for a moment.
"They've locked the entire launch bay down. We won't be able to open the space doors if we don't disable it. I'll cover that. You get yourself a fighter each." he said.
Jeremy looked at him and nodded.
"Very well. Jet." he said.
"Right." replied Jet.
"Not so fast." said a voice.
They all spun to see Morgan flanked by several guards. They stared at him.
"Morgan." said Jeremy.
"You did well getting this far but I half expected you to escape." replied Morgan.
"Sure you did." scoffed Jeremy.
"Kill him!" cried Morgan suddenly.
The guards all raised there guns.
"NO!" cried the guard.
He flung himself forwards into the line of fire. He screamed and fell to the ground. Jeremy sprung backwards and opened fire. Several of the guards fell and the others and Morgan took cover. Jeremy grabbed Jet and pulled him behind a nearby console. Jeremy looked back at the guard, he was obviously dead though.
"Farewell and thanks for your help." he said slowly before raising his gun.
He looked straight up and spotted the central control room high above them.
"Time to get out of here. Jet take cover."
"Right!"
Jet quickly flung himself under a console and Jeremy aimed upwards. A small gauge on his gun started to fill. It went green then orange and finally red.
"Time to blow this joint." said Jeremy as he fired.
A huge laser beam shot from the gun and hit the control room. It exploded in a huge fiery explosion. A loud voice rung out over the room.
"Warning! Warning! Safety systems destroyed. Emergency overrides engaged. Lock down disengaged. Space doors opening. Warning! Space doors opening."
A loud klaxon started to bare around the room. Jeremy stood up and fired a few shots at where Morgan and the guards were hiding.
"Jet! Jet get yourself in a fighter. There's no time left. Quickly." he cried.
"What about you? AND MOTHER?!" said Jet frantically.
"Just get in a fighter Jet. There's no time left! GO NOW!"
Jet looked at Jeremy for a second and then darted to the side. He flung himself forwards onto his hands and then pushed down with then throwing himself into the air. He landed on the wing of a fighter and quickly took cover behind a tail fin. He looked back to see Jeremy still pinned down behind the console.
"I have to help him." he said to himself.
Jet dived towards the cockpit, which was open, and jumped in. He scanned the controls. He was just glad that Jeremy had shown him all the latest fighter and how they worked before they had left Earth. He pressed a series of buttons. The fighter's engines hummed and started up. The grapples holding the ship released and it hung in the air. Jet quickly closed the cockpit lid and flicked another switch. He grabbed the control stick and slowly turned the fighter's nose towards Morgan and the guards. Can I do this? Can I really do this? Jet closed his eyes tight and pressed a button on the control stick. The fighters laser guns glowed and erupted into life. Laser fire shot all over the place striking various consoles, other fighters and the walls. The launch bay erupted in explosions. Jet opened his eyes and looked at the scene. Jeremy had used the distraction to make for a fighter. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Jet a small smirk.
"ALRIGHT!" cried Jet, "Let's blow this joint."
He pressed his finger on the trigger again and spun the craft. Laser fire sprayed across the room again, causing another two fighters to explode.
"Alright Jet enough. Let's get out of here." came Jeremy's voice over the comm.
"You got it!" replied Jet.
The two fighters turned and headed for the open space doors. On the gantry Morgan suddenly stood up. He was holding a large cylindrical object over his shoulder.
"It'll take more than that to stop me. You'll regret this." he said.
The tip of the cylinder glowed and a huge laser beam shot from it. The beam struck Jeremy's fighter just before it cleared the protective force field between the bay and space. Jeremy's fighter shook and spun slightly as it passed out of the bay.
"Jeremy!" cried Jet over the comm, "Jeremy, are you ok."
"I am but this ship no longer is. That was a twenty gigawatt laser launcher. It's fried all of my systems." replied Jeremy.
The two fighters cleared the ship and were greeted by a volley of cannon fire from the Phantom's guns. The blasts shot past the two fighters narrowly missing them.
"Jet it's no good. I can't make a planetary entry with this craft in this state. You go and I'll distract them." said Jeremy.
"Jeremy no." replied Jet.
Several cannon shots hit Jet's fighter causing it to spin. He regained control and turned. The laser cannons flared and opened fire, strafing the hull with a volley of fire. Several small cannons exploded. Jeremy's fighter spun and put itself between Jet and the Phantom.
"Jet go. It's no good you staying. GO!" said Jeremy.
Jeremy's fighter lurched to the side and hit Jet's. Jet's fighter spun away to one side out of range of the Phantom's cannons. Jet shook his head and glanced back. Jeremy's fighter was a small white in space.
"Jeremy." cried Jet.
"I'm sorry Jet. I can't help you any more. You'll have to do this by yourself. Get down to the planet. Find help and stop them. You must stop them."
The comm shut off.
"Jeremy?" said Jet, "JEREMY!"
Just then there was a small explosion and the Phantom's cannons stopped firing. Jet's breathing became shaky and he shook slightly.
"Jeremy."
A feeling of sadness and loss swept over him. He couldn't believe it. He was gone. How could he do this? How could he do anything now? Jet suddenly shook his head and looked straight forwards. His hands landed on the fighters controls.
"Jeremy sacrificed himself to save me. I owe it to him to try." he said glancing over his shoulder, "I'll be back mother and I will rescue you."
The Phantom was getting smaller in the darkness of space now and the planet loomed large in the window.
"Computer make ready for atmospheric entry." said Jet his eyes narrowing on the controls.
"Confirmed." replied the computer.
-----------------------------------------
Morgan looked out of the open space door with a furrowed brow. He hadn't been quick enough. His comm started to bleep and he answered it.
"Yes." he said.
"Sir we have news on the fighters." came a reply.
"And?"
"It appears that one got away but we did hit it. It looks like we hit the fighter's atmospheric engines. It won't survive re-entry."
"Excellent. And the main cannons charge?"
"Fully charged sir."
"Even better. Tell our fighters to back off and target the location with the main cannon."
"Aye sir."
-----------------------------------------
"Look Sonic they're leaving." cried Manic as he stared after the departing fighters.
"Sure are Manic." replied Sonic.
"Nicole shut down program H-12." said Sally.
"No problem Sally girl." replied Nicole.
"That's our Nicole." said Sonic with a chuckle.
"Sonic! SONIC!" came a cry.
Everyone spun at the voice. Sonic froze solid. Amy and T2 were running up to them. In T2's arms was Charles. He wasn't moving and hung limply in T2's arms. Sonic raced to T2 as he put Charles down on the ground.
"What happened T2?" asked Sonic.
"He was caught in one of the explosion." sniffed Amy.
"Is he?" asked Manic.
T2 looked up, his eyes filled with sadness. He hung his head again. Sonic starred at him.
"Say it isn't so T2." he said.
"I'm sorry Sonic." replied the fox, "It is."
There was a moment of silence. The gentle crackle of flames was the only sound for a few minutes. Finally Amy spoke.
"I feel responsible." she said slowly wiping away a tear.
"How come?" asked Sally looking up, her face full of pain and grief.
"I could have saved him. My Acolyte powers, I could have saved him!" she said sniffing.
"It's alright Amy. It wasn't your fault." said Sonic.
Everyone looked at Sonic. He was starring down at Charles. A moment passed before he looked up, he scanned each of them in turn.
"It wasn't your fault Amy." he said again looking up, "It wasn't your fault."
Amy kneeled down next to Sonic and put an arm on his shoulder. Sally was about to do the same when Nicole started to beep. She took her out.
"Yes Nicole." she said sadly.
"Abnormal power reading detected Sally." replied Nicole.
"What readings?"
"Power levels off all available charted data."
"Where Nicole?"
Everyone was looking at Sally now with a puzzled look.
"Twenty miles directly above us."
Sally and everyone else looked up. Suddenly it struck Sally.
"Sonic! What if the fighters didn't leave because of our defense! What if they left for another reason? Where ever these ships came from it wasn't Mobius. They must be from a different world and they would need a ship to get here. What if…?"
"Oh god!" said T2 catching on, "We have to get out of here."
"T2, grab Amy and Sal and scram. I don't know if this is true but I don't want to find out the hard way." said Sonic.
"What about Knuckles?" asked Sally.
"I'll get him." replied Sonic, "Manic you take Charles."
"Right Sonic." replied Manic.
Manic picked up Charles body and looked at T2.
"Ok let's move." he said.
"Ladies." said T2 grabbing Sally and Amy, "Let's get out of here."
"Hurry Sonic." said Amy.
"Will do."
Manic spun and raced from the village. T2 was quick to follow as he spun his tails and lifted himself, Amy and Sally into the air. Sonic glanced back at the village and tore off towards the medical hut. He arrived to find that half of it was in pieces. He darted forwards and flung himself at the rubble causing it to scatter all over. Luckily the part of the hut Knuckles had been in hadn't been hit but the explosions had still knocked him to the floor. Sonic raced to his side, checked him over and then picked him up. He made his way outside again.
"Why won't you wake up you cursed echidna. Those bloody Chaos Emeralds have caused nothing but trouble. Wait!" said Sonic to himself.
He glanced around the now deserted village.
"The Chaos Emeralds. They're here in the village. I have to get them!"
Holding Knuckles tightly, Sonic shot to the side towards a small hut under the lip of the cliff. The hut had been sheltered for the most part from the attack and was still intact. Sonic barged the door down and skidded to a stop. There was a large metal safe at one end of the room. Sonic put Knuckles down quickly and went over to it. The Chaos Emeralds and Master Emerald had been kept here in Knotlake ever since the Chaos Zone broke down. Until now they had been left alone. Sonic was tentative about picking them up too. As soon as he did he knew he would go super and without a ring it would hurt like hell. But he couldn't leave them here if there was even a chance of the village being destroyed. He opened the safe and braced himself. He quickly grabbed the Emeralds and spun. Almost instantly they had there effect. There was a bright flash and Sonic's blue quills went yellow. The Chaos Emeralds sunk into him leaving him holding just the Master Emerald. The pain then hit him. It was just like before in the Chaos Zone, a blinding white pain that literally tore you apart. He collapsed to his knees, his eyes closed tightly. He opened them slightly and saw Knuckles. Suddenly the pain didn't seem so bad. He got to his feet and charged at Knuckles. Almost stumbling, he scooped him up in one hand, the other still holding the Master Emerald, and ran from the hut. Just then there was a pulse of red light. Sonic looked down at Knuckles. His body was glowing a bright red and it was gradually increasing. Just then Sonic almost stumbled. The pain of the Chaos Emeralds suddenly vanished and he found himself going slower. He looked at himself to see that his quills had returned to their blue colour and the Chaos Emeralds had been ejected from his body. He gasped but continued to run. The red glow around Knuckles increased, its intensity growing until it virtually became white. Suddenly there was a giant roar and Sonic stumbled. Knuckles flew from his arms and he hit the floor hard. He rolled and ended up on his back looking up. A small pin prick of light could be seen in the sky.
-----------------------------------------
"Main cannon charged and ready sir." said the weapons officer.
"FIRE!" cried Morgan quickly.
"Firing!"
The front of the Phantom lit up. The yellow light at its front increasing. There was a humm and a giant laser beam shot downwards towards the planets surface.
-----------------------------------------
Sonic screamed as he saw the light increasing. All he could do was look up at it as it shot towards him. Suddenly a small red speck appeared in the sky. It hung in the sky between him and the light. A green coloured sphere appeared around the spec and its red glow increased. A familiar voice rung out over the landscape, low and booming.
"No." it said.
"KNUCKLES?!" cried Sonic aghast.
"Hmm." replied the voice.
The yellow beam continued to shoot downwards. The spec glowed brighter and the green shield started to crackle. The beam finally made it through the atmosphere and collided with the spec. There was a flash and the beam turned red. Sonic, still on his back, continued to watch as the yellow beam stopped and its energy gathered around the green sphere. It moved faster and suddenly shot off into space along the same path it had come down.
-----------------------------------------
"Status!" cried Morgan.
"The beam, it's stopped! WE'VE GOT INCOMING FIRE!"
"Evasive action! All engines full reverse, hard to port!"
The Phantom moved but being a big ship couldn't move enough. The red beam of fire struck the ship in the nose ripping off the main cannon. Explosions ripped across the ships hull.
"The cannons core is going critical!"
"EJECT THE CORE!"
Explosions continued along the ships hull as a small object flew from the front of the ship. It didn't get far before it exploded in a huge fire ball, vaporizing part of the front of the ship.
"Status!" cried Morgan again.
"The main cannons gone, decks 3 through 17 on the fore section have been totally destroyed. We've lost Beta and Zeta wing and the forward launch bay and weapon array!"
"NO!" cried Morgan slamming his fists on the arms of his chair, "NO!"
-----------------------------------------
"SONIC!" cried Sally as she, Amy and T2 landed next to him.
"Sally!" replied Sonic getting up and running to her.
They embraced for a moment as Manic came running up.
"What is going on?!" cried Manic as he stopped.
"I can answer that." said a voice.
Everyone including Sonic gasped as slowly a bright red echidna landed next to them. His eyes were closed and his quills flashed a number of different colours. Slowly he looked up and opened his eyes, he smiled at the small group.
"Knuckles?!" said Sally staring.
"Yes. I am back." replied Knuckles.
"How?!" cried Amy.
"It was the Emeralds. The Emeralds were the key."
"The Emeralds?" asked T2.
"Yes. After three years in the Chaos Zone my body became dependant on the energy they give out. I understand that now. When the Emeralds came near me my body reacted. It drew on their power and now…" Knuckles took a deep breath and smiled broadly, "…..and now I'm back."
There was a moment silence. Suddenly Amy flung herself at Knuckles and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm so glad you're back!" she cried.