Chapter 3 – Failure
As Alicia landed and rolled something inside Petya finally gave way. The squirrel had been taken away like her and Miles had been earlier and had returned in a similar state. Alicia immediately curled up and started to breathe quickly. Miles was soon at his sister's side but Petya wasn't watching them. Her gaze was fixed on the guard that had brought Alicia in. She growled at them loudly.
"Looky here Phil. That wolf is growling at ya." said one of them.
"Who cares Steve." replied Phil.
"Yeah it's not like she can get out."
"Coochy coochy coo." said Steve waving his finger at Petya.
Petya just growled again. The two men sneered at her and walked off. Petya remained staring at them until they left the cell block. Slowly Sarah came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. Petya spun and almost bit her head off. Sarah stumbled back slightly and looked slightly worried.
"Petya?" she asked.
"I'm sorry Sarah." said Petya roughly.
"I'll check on Alicia."
Sarah slowly walked over to where Miles and Alicia were and started to fuss over Alicia. Petya glanced over at them and then returned to the bars. She gripped them tightly and tried to pull them apart. She had tried this before with no success but it had never stopped her from trying again. This time, like the others, resulted in failure as before. She rattled them angrily and then spun away in disgust.
"That's it! We're getting out of here!" she growled to herself.
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Later that day Petya was resting against the side of the cell near the door. She had her eyes closed but her ears were pricked upright listening for one particular sound. Sarah and the kids were asleep as the far end of the cell. It was then that she heard it. The soft whoosh of the cell block door opening. The sound was followed by the sound off footsteps, then a bleep as a keycard was run through the cells locking mechanism. Petya opened her eyes slightly to see one of the guards from earlier standing in the cell holding a number of small trays. He put them down and looked around. Petya quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She heard him put the trays down and turn round. Petya readied herself for the next step when she heard something she didn't expect. The guard seemed to turn and step….towards her! Petya almost laughed with joy. This would make her task so much easier. The guard seemed to be getting closer now. Just then Petya felt the guard's breath on her face.
"I gotta admit, you are damn pretty." said the guard to himself.
Petya smiled inwardly. He must think I'm asleep she thought to herself. Time for some fun.
"Why thank you." she replied opening her eyes.
The guard took a few steps backwards and looked angrily at Petya. Petya just smiled at him and then looked at where he was standing. He was standing right over her feet, perfect.
"Why don't you come closer and try me out?" she said seductively beckoning him with her finger.
The guard still just stood there looking at her.
"Or don't you have the balls to do it?!" cried Petya.
With a swift movement she brought her foot up into the guard's crotch. He gasped and then fell to the floor with a thud. As the guard curled up in pain Petya jumped to her feet.
"SARAH!" she barked loudly.
Across the cell Sarah and the children woke with a start. They all gasped at the scene.
"Come on you lot! Can't you recognize a jail break when you see one?!" cried Petya running for the open cell door.
The others took a moment to register what Petya had said and then scrambled to their feet. Alicia was still pretty wobbly after her ordeal earlier but Miles helped her along. Petya ushered then out of the cell and down past the rows of cells. Taking out the guard's security key she wiped the lock and the group ran out into the main corridors of the ship.
"Petya!" cried Sarah, "What's going on?"
"We're busting out of here Sarah. I've had enough of it." replied Petya.
"But how?" asked Sarah.
"I haven't got that far yet but if we come up against anyone I can…"
"Hey hold it!" came a cry.
Everyone looked up to see a small patrol of men at a corridor intersection. With a shove Petya pushed Sarah and the children to one side and stood in the middle of the corridor. The group of men turned and fired at her but she ducked out of the way of it. She stood up her palm glowing brightly. The bars of her cell might have been able to repel her attacks but she doubted the rest of the ship would. With a whine a charge built in her palm and she let it fly towards the group of men. It hit the wall and blew a huge hole in it. The alarms all around the ship suddenly went off and a number of large metallic shutters slammed down around them.
"They know we're out." said Miles.
"No problem kid. Now I'm out of that cell there isn't anything that can stop me." replied Petya.
The group watched as Petya flung her arm back and was encased in a golden coloured sphere. Sarah was by far the most surprised. Petya drew her arm back and then threw it out in front of herself. A huge energy beam shot from her palm and struck the metal door. The door sudden changed colour to red and then exploded outwards away from them. The men behind it were all knocked over and thrown a few meters. Petya's sphere faded and she called for the others to follow her. They did and the group made a mad dash along the next corridor.
"Sarah! Do you know where the shuttle bay is?" asked Petya.
"Yes. I came from there when I first arrived on the ship. It's on the lower level around the mid deck." answered Sarah.
"Lower level eh? Only one way there." said Petya.
As they ran down the corridor Petya threw her hand behind her and charged another shot. Throwing her hand forwards she launched it at the floor ahead of them. The floor exploded in a large explosion and she quickly pushed everyone threw it much to everyone's dismay. Petya landed lightly on the next level lightly followed by Miles landing next to her. Miles quickly spun and looked up to try and catch Alicia only to have her land on top of him. Sarah managed to land perfectly on her feet, being a cat she was very agile.
"So where now?" asked Alicia.
"I recognize this place." said Sarah, "We are now about three levels above the shuttle bay."
Petya nodded.
"Looks like I'll have to break a few more floors. Gimme a seconaaaaaaargh!!!!!"
A sudden humm filled the air and Petya fell to the floor with a thud. Miles and Alicia were so shocked they just screamed. Sarah quickly knelt down next to Petya and grabbed her shoulders. The wolf was visibly shaking.
"Petya! Petya what's wrong?!" she cried.
"Paaaaain!" was all Petya could whimper.
"Petya! PETYA!" cried Sarah.
"What do we do?" asked Alicia.
"Surrender." said a voice.
They looked up to see a group of soldiers in front and behind them in the corridor. They quickly looked back at Petya, who was still shaking on the floor, then back at the soldiers. They all gulped and slowly raised their hands.
"Good. You three restrain them." said one soldier.
Three others stepped forwards with binds and caught hold of Sarah, Miles and Alicia. They struggled slightly but finally resided to their fates.
"Take them to holding cell block A3. The commander wants maximum security on them." said the first soldier.
"What about her?" asked another pointing at Petya.
"Take her to confinement."
"What have you done to Petya?!" cried Alicia.
"I'll field that." said a voice.
The soldiers parted to reveal a squat looking officer. He held a small control pad in his hand.
"I'm Stuart Hardwell, second in command of the battleship Phantom. As my superior is on your planet right now I'm in charge." he said.
Miles snorted at him but the man seemed to ignore it.
"You ask what I've done. Simple, remember when you first came on board?"
The officer raised the control pad and pressed a button on it. Petya's body was suddenly encased in a black sphere. She screamed as if her heart was being ripped out before her scream was muted.
"I just turned the power level up again." finished Hardwell.
Everyone's faces fell. They all suddenly realized what had happened. The Alliance had found out about the Power Stones and also the frequency needed to completely disable them. They had found it out during Petya's capture completely be accident and had since used it on a low setting to control Petya's powers in the cell block. They had all forgotten about its higher power settings. It showed on their faces.
"Take them away and make sure you use maximum power on the field generator on HER cell." sneered Hardwell pointing at Petya.
Miles, Alicia and Sarah slowly walked off with their heads bowed in the accompaniment of several guards. All their thoughts dwelled on Petya and what would happen to her now.
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Morgan Jake walked with a swagger into the main control room in Robotropolis, which had since been renamed to New Washington. Since the incident at Knotlake village there had been very little activity from any of his enemies and Morgan was enjoying his command. To his delight he had also been informed that the computer hackers working on the cities main computer network had almost cracked the entry codes. He was now on his way to check on their progress. The hackers had been working since they had secured the city until now to break the codes. From what the hackers could tell the codes consisted of two layers. An outer layer that looked like a last ditch effort to seal the computer off and then the real access codes underneath. The outer layer had now almost been breached but it had been hard work. The codes used were extremely foreign due to then being implanted by the resident of this world. As Morgan walked into the control centre two programmers stood up and saluted him. Morgan saluted then half heartedly and spoke.
"Report." he said.
"Sir!" said one of the programmers.
He turned and flicked a switch. A screen lit up showing a few lines of code.
"What's that?" asked Morgan.
"This is our latest attempt to break the final outer layer code sir. It didn't work but the code we are running right now…." replied the programmer switching to another screen, "…is working much better."
Morgan compared the two screens. One had stopped after a few lines and gone red. The other was still going and was displayed in green.
"How long until it completes?" asked Morgan.
"Well if it fail it will stop in a short time. Only thing to do is wait sir."
Morgan sighed but was feeling in a good mood, which was rare for him, so he took a few steps away and sat down in a chair. Minutes turned to hours very quickly and Morgan started to get inpatient.
"What's taking it so long?!" he growled.
"It won't be long now sir." replied the second programmer.
"It better not be."
A few moments later there was a few bleeping noises and the screen stopped. The programmers clustered round the screen and scanned it quickly.
"Sir! Sir it's finished and…"
"And?!"
With a flash the main computer screen viewer in the room sparked into life. A shimmer went across it as the dust layer on the screen was electrified by the current of electricity that had poured into the screen. A large word saying 'Rebooting…' sprang up on the screen and started to flash. Moments later a number of small screens lit up and a humm filled the room. The programmers both crossed their arms and smiled. Morgan just stared at the action around him and then looked back at the programmers. They looked to be wallowing in their own glory so Morgan decided to investigate himself. Walking over to a nearby screen he suddenly became puzzled. The system had rebooted now but all the screen was displaying was a sequence of command codes and then a flashing cursor. The programmers came over to where Morgan was and also became puzzled.
"Say that looks familiar." said one.
"It sure does." replied the other.
"What looks familiar?" asked Morgan.
"That setup. It looks just like the boot system of our computer network some forty years ago."
"It's what?" cried Morgan turning to look at them.
"Thirty to forty years ago we used a system just like this to access all our computer networks. It was the most secure one we had until the latest system came out."
"But how is that possible. That system was only used on Earth. How could anyone here have access to that system? You have to be mistaken." said Morgan.
"Only one way to find out." said the second programmer.
He quickly sat down at the screen and started to enter strings of code into the computer. Moments later there was a flash and the main screens lit up with camera views of the city and the other screens lit up with a menu. At the top it read 'Robotropolis Central Computer System' and under it were a number of commands that could be given. Morgan peered over the programmers shoulder.
"What did you just do?" asked Morgan.
"I simply input the main programming code into the system. It allows anyone to just bypass passwords and security checks and boot the main system. The code I used was the same as we used for this system on Earth." he replied.
Morgan blinked. What the hell was going on? How could a computer system hundred of light years from Earth have the exact same security codes? Just then something caught his eye.
"Bring up that." said Morgan pointing at the screen.
The programmer typed something and brought up the option Morgan had selected. Another screen came up saying 'Historical Reference Database'. Morgan pushed the programmer aside and started to read it. It took time but after a while he had read a fair amount and found something very interesting.
"Transfer this entire database to the Phantoms computer system. I need to make a call." he said as he got up and left the room.
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With a loud boom a black whirlwind ground to a halt in the middle of a large military base. It quickly exploded sending bolts of lightning flying all over. Several struck the wall surrounding the base blowing huge holes in it. At the centre of what had been the whirlwind stood Links. His eyes were almost slits as he growled to himself. His blue fur was glowing lightly now and the darker lines of blue had gone a bright yellow colour. His gem in his staff glowed a dark black colour as did the gem in his amulet. He reared up to one side and quickly swung his staff around in front of himself. A blast of wind erupted from his staff picking up various items scattered around and throwing them a good few hundred meters. A large jeep hit a fuel tank causing both items to explode violently. Storm clouds had started to gather now and the sky was alive with activity. Lines of yellow flashed across the clouds and rumbles could be heard. Links closed his eyes and tensed up.
"You did it to him! I'll kill you all! You hear me?! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!" he screamed.
With a flash a huge bolt of lightning shot from the clouds and hit a building off to one side of the base. It exploded but the bolt kept going, digging into the ground until it reached its target, the underground tunnels. With an explosion that rocked the entire ground the section of tunnel exploded throwing rocks and dust into the air as it did. Links still didn't let up. His next attack sent a wall of ice flying at another building and his next a trail of fire at the sole surviving fuel tank.
The chaos in the base was evident from a long distance off as the sights and sounds of explosions filled the air. Due to the earlier attack by Tails the base was also unable to fight back. Links finally raised his staff into the air directly above him. The clouds above started to spin above him. A column of wind started to build up around him as rings of energy built around the staff's end. Links gritted his teeth and growled again.
"I'll kill you all." he said slowly.
With a flash the clouds spiraled down around him into a tornado and seconds later they exploded outwards in a huge explosion.
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"Oh god Links!" wailed Bunnie as she ran fell pelt after the fox.
She had left Jet looking after Lavender who was still crying over Tails body. Bunnie had closed her eyes as she had seen the first explosions. As the last, and biggest, explosion had hit the ground Bunnie had felt tears forming in her eyes. She was upset not only for Tails and Lavender but also for Links. She hadn't been there the first time Links had truly shown his powers but Chalk hadn't stopped talking about it for some time. The time Links, Chalk and Tails had gone to rescue Lavender from Robotnik and Links had gone crazy with rage. Chalk had been specific on the details and Bunnie could see the similarity now. She hoped that she was wrong but as she got nearer she could tell otherwise. The military base was no longer there and in its place was a large crater. Bunnie stopped on the edge and took a deep breath.
"Oh Links, what have you done?" she asked slowly.
She shook her head slightly.
"Links!" she called, "Links you here?"
Bunnie received no worded answer but could catch the faint sound of sobbing to one side. Bunnie raised both her ears to get a clearer picture of the sound but she was right, it was sobbing. She turned from the crater and walked to her left. The remains of a forest stood to one side of the base about forty meters from where she was standing. As she walked towards it the sobbing increased in volume. Eventually she found the source, Links was curled up in a ball at the base of a burnt tree. His staff lay on the ground a few meters away and still glowed with a black glow slightly. Links himself had his arms folded in front of his face and his legs tucked up tightly to his chest. He was sobbing into his arms and no way looked like he was fifty one. Cautiously Bunnie approached and sat down next to him. She reached out her hand and ruffled the hair on Links' head. Links didn't even respond to her, he just continued to sob slowly. Bunnie moved her hand from his hair down the side of his face and finally to his chin. Apprehensively, she lifted his head up. Links didn't resist at all, it was almost like he had lost all power to react to anything. Bunnie looked sadly into Links purple eyes and rubbed her thumb across his cheek.
"Links sugah?" she asked.
Links raised his eyes slowly and looked at her with a sorrowful expression. He sniffed and then spoke in a low defeated voice.
"Leave me Bunnie. Leave me alone and go." he said with a small sigh, "Just leave me and go. Please."
"Links what do you mean?" asked Bunnie.
Links screwed up his eyes and sobbed again.
"Just go! Please, just go and leave me here!"
"Links why would I want to leave you?!"
"I'm dangerous. It happened again! It happened all over again! Just like last time! I went crazy and it happened again!"
"Links please stop it." said Bunnie as she started to cry also, "Links sugah please!"
"Bunnie! You don't understand me."
"Then make me!"
Links slowly sighed and sobbed a few more times. He slowly looked up at the sky.
"Bunnie you must understand that I was a part of Pholon." he said.
"I know Links." replied Bunnie wiping away a tear.
"While I was a part of it I did things I now regret. Things that I swore never to mention to anyone at any time. When I spoke up against my brother because of how he and Juanita had treated Tails they banished me and continued along their old path. I was left for dead after the conflict although they didn't recon on my strength. I lay for what seemed like an eternity feeling my life slowly draining away. Much of that time I do not remember, I remember passing out but that is all. When I woke I was lying in a bed in a small wooden cabin. At first I couldn't remember anything about my life but slowly it started to come back. It was then that I met Alindel. She had found me in a near coma and had brought me back to her home. My initial reaction must have scared her half to death as I tried to kill her."
Bunnie gasped slightly at this statement but then motioned for Links to continue.
"Well I didn't, I was too weak but I certainly gave it a try. The thought of being helped by another from outside Pholon disgusted me. However she continued to care for me and slowly over the course of a few weeks I began to develop a fondness for her. Over the same time her kindness towards me started to brush of on me. I began to question my life up to then. Was the way of Pholon really right for me? Was evil the real course of my life? The more I thought about it and Alindel the more I though no it wasn't. After a few months of being bound to a bed I began to regain my strength and managed to walk a short distance. I fell over and injured myself again, much to the concern of Alindel. After that she fussed over me even more, she genuinely seemed concerned for me. I slowly found myself falling in love with her and a few weeks later that love was consummated in…err…..bed."
Bunnie smiled slightly and blushed. Links bowed his head slightly.
"She must have been feeling the same for me for a long time. However we didn't have enough time to truly express our feeling for each other. It must have been about two months later and I had only just regained my feet when it happened. As I had recovered my powers had slowly been increasing with my recovery. My brother and Juanita must have detected this and they came looking for me. It was late evening when it happened, they appeared in a flash outside of Alindel's cabin and blew the whole thing into the sky. Alindel and myself were forced to flee and flee we did. However with myself still recovering and my powers still weak we stood little chance of escape. As we fled Alindel was hit and she told me to run. She died right in front of me Bunnie. No more than a few meters away."
"Oh Links…" said Bunnie slowly.
"Since then I have been living in fear and hiding. Always trying to stay on step ahead of my brother and trying to undo what I did in my past. I walked the four corners of this world in search of my redemption and found it after years of toil. The ring substance in my staff and amulet allows me to channel my powers through a pure form of energy. I can control my aggressive side and have always strived to leave Pholon behind."
Links stopped and looked at Bunnie sadly.
"But I've been unable to do it. My time within the Order of Pholon has given me a permanent scar that I will carry for ever. My anger is the key to it combined with hurt to others. Just like when Robotnik tried to robotisise Lavender and a few other times in the past, it happened again now. Ever since Alindel was killed I've been unable to shake the feeling of revenge. Arthur and Juanita may now be gone but it was too late by then. Anyone harming others, that's what sets it off Bunnie. I go crazy and even the pure energy of the ring substance can't stop me. My full powers of Pholon arise and I just use them."
Again Links stopped and sighed. Bunnie put an arm round Links back and raised her hand to ruffle his hair from behind. Her other arm squeezed his forearm.
"Links, I had no idea. Really I didn't. But I can't just leave you here." she said.
"Don't you get it Bunnie?!" cried Links jumping to his feet, "I'm dangerous! Dangerous to even you and the kids! Anyone around me is at risk if I go to far. ANYONE!"
Bunnie remained seated and looked up at him.
"I know Links, but you're my friend. You're everyone's friend. And right now they need you and so do I. We all need your strength and support. Please Links…please…."
Bunnie lowered her head and began to cry slightly. Tears returned to Links also as he knelt down next to her. He slowly reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. At this Bunnie leaped at him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Links please don't leave us! Please!" she wailed.
"Bunnie…I…"
"Please."
Bunnie slowly looked up into Links eyes. Bunnie's emerald eyes no longer sparkled like they usually did, they looked dulled and faded. Links raised a finger and slowly wiped away a tear from Bunnie's eye.
"Thank you…" she whimpered softly.
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"Uplink established standby." said a computers voice.
Morgan turned quickly towards the screen and straightened his uniform. He coughed slightly and then stood to attention. The screen fizzed and lit up. Looking back at him on the screen was a man of medium statue and a fairly average build. He was balding slightly on his head and his face was rather round and a bit chubby. It was World Leader Jacob Kidderminster. Morgan quickly saluted him.
"Sir!" he said.
Jacob nodded at him and then spoke.
"What have you to report?" he asked.
"Sir I am please to report that we have cracked the data locks on the New Washington computer network." replied Morgan.
"That is good to hear. What do you have to report about it?"
"It is very interesting sir. The outer layer of locks were alien to us, obviously some coding placed by the residents of this world. However the inner locks were that of the old CI computer system used on Earth some thirty to forty years ago."
"WHAT?! You mean to tell me that computer system was built using Earth technology?!"
"Yes sir."
"How is that possible?"
"I was wondering the same thing sir but I think I've found the answer. We have already found out from our captives that until recently a creature called Robotnik was in charge of this world. At least he thought he was anyway."
"Go on."
"We also know that this creature was using the city as a base of operations for his conquest. Our captives never told us what creature Robotnik was but I understand why they hate us so much now. He was a human."
"A HUMAN! You mean our kind have been here before?!"
"Yes sir. And I also know where from too. Remember the Omega Revolution back on Earth about fifty years ago?"
"Vaguely. I'm not that old!"
"Of course sir, neither was I but it's required reading at the academy."
"Anyway I know of it." replied Jacob, "A group of Mars workers decided to start a revolution to push out the current Earth government. They failed and all seventy two members were sent to the outer colony prison on colony twelve. Thing is they never made it there."
"That's right sir." said Morgan, "Official enquiry said the ships drive system overloaded but I've found other wise. The CI computer system from the city is that of the prison ship."
"It what?!"
"It looks like that in the cities construction parts of the prison ship were used. Also I've confirmed what our prisoners said about the city. Initially it was another city called Mobotropolis and appeared to be the planets capital before this Robotnik turned it into what it is now."
"Interesting. Have you found out anything else?"
"Yes sir. Apparently the prison ship was on course for colony twelve when there was a scuffle on board."
"A scuffle?"
"Apparently some of the prisoners got free and tried to take over the ship. Somehow the ships star drive was activated and they disappeared into hyperspace. The ships records then show that it crashed here on Mobius. Also it looks like virtually everyone died on impact too."
"Who were the survivors?" asked Jacob.
"It looks like there were only two survivors on the entire ship. Two relatives by the name of Kintobor. The name is interesting too."
"How come?"
"Robotnik is Kintobor backwards."
Jacob let a small smile spread across his face.
"That is most interesting. What else?"
"These two managed to integrate themselves into the worlds populace and eventually one of them called Julian became the kings war advisor. It was then that he launched a coo and overthrew the king. It is also important to mention that this Julian Kintobor was the one who started the Omega Revolution."
"He couldn't over throw his own government so he decided to overthrow another. Well done Morgan. I knew I was right to assign you to this."
"Thank you sir."
"When will you be able to send the data to Earth?"
"We are currently uploading the entire database to the Phantom and once we have it stored we have to compress it and send it via hyperspace beacon. The data will be ready to go in a few hours and it will take a few days to reach Earth."
"That long?"
"Well we are talking several thousand Quintabytes here sir."
"That is a lot of data."
"It certainly is sir. The computer system has quite a few nice items in it too."
"Like?"
"Plans for a number of different military units. One called a 'Stealthbot', looks like a high speed surveillance and attack bomber. Not up to Earth standards but with a few adjustments it might make a helpful addition. Also some very interesting technology called 'Robotisation'. Looks like technology that can turn organic material to metal. For example turn a person into a robot."
Jacob was just staring at Morgan now.
"That does sound VERY interesting. Sounds like our boys in R&D will have a field day with this transmission."
"Yes sir."
"Very good Morgan. Contact me again when you are ready to send the transmission. I'll order all Earth based transmission dishes to focus on receiving this transmission. Hopefully it will cut down the send time a bit."
"Very good sir."
"Earth command out."
Jacob's face disappeared as the screen went blank. Morgan turned away and rubbed his hands.
"If this don't get me a promotion I don't know what will." he laughed to himself before walking off.
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Miles looked hopelessly at the bars of his cell. He was alone in a cell now with Alicia in another further down the corridor and Sarah even further away. The bars of the cell had been fully charged with their repulsion field now and sparked violently. Miles couldn't get within about two meters of them without being thrown backwards. He had already tried to rush them with now luck. He sat with his back to the wall staring at them now.
"What the hell are we gonna do now?" he said to himself, "Poor Petya."
He closed his eyes and though of the wolf. He couldn't imagine what they were doing to her now. His mind drift to Alicia and Sarah down the corridor and then back to his friends on Mobius. His mother and father, Tails and Amy, T2, Manic and Sonia, too many to think about all at once. He wondered where they were, what they were doing. Were they all alright? Was she alright? Miles shook his head.
"Damn I hope you're safe Lavender." he said softly.
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Lavender stood motionless next to a small pile of stones. A small wooden cross sat next to the pile and on it was written the following:
'Miles "Tails" Prower Aged 28 died here Mobian year 2353 A dear friend and loving father. An example for everyone on how to live life to its fullest and how to stand up for what you believe. We'll miss you.'
Lavender bowed her head slightly and whispered to herself.
"Farewell father. I'll never forget you as long as I live. I'll make sure that your dreams and hopes live on. Through me they will, I swear it father. I swear."
Links and Bunnie stood at the other side of the grave with an arm round each others shoulders. Both had their eyes closed and were breathing gently.
"Rest easy nephew." said Links quietly.
"Yeah sugah, rest easy Tails." replied Bunnie.
Jet meanwhile was sitting cross legged of to one side with his back turned to the grave. He was staring angrily at the ground in front of him. His fingers were dug deep into the ground on either side of him. He gritted his teeth as he sat a strong feeling welling up inside him.
"Dammit!" he said to himself.
He suddenly jumped to his feet and threw a couple of wads of earth at the ground.
"Dammit!" he cried loudly, "Why did this have to happen? Why the hell did it have to happen?!"
Everyone looked up at him as Jet spun back toward the grave.
"Jet calm down." said Bunnie slowly.
"I'm calm enough!" cried Jet, "What the hell do we do now?!"
Lavender was looking at Jet fairly worried. Jet was staring back at them. Nobody could answer his question or at least nobody wanted to. Eventually Jet closed his eyes and lowered himself into a crouching position. He placed his hands on his face and groaned slowly to himself. Bunnie slowly stepped forwards and knelt down next to him. She was about to put an arm on his shoulder when Jet suddenly knocked it away. Bunnie then felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Links standing next to her. He shook his head at her and Bunnie suddenly had a strange sense of déjà vu. She got up and took another look at Jet before walking away slightly and sitting down on the grass next to Tails' grave with Links. Lavender cocked her head slightly and looked at the grey cat. He looked totally sapped of all hope. He looked even more upset about Tails death than she did. Then she remembered, Jet's mother was out there and this had been probably their one and only chance to rescue her. Lavenders shoulders dropped and she sighed slowly. She took a few steps forwards and knelt down next to Jet.
"J…Jet?" she asked softly.
"Go away Lavender. Leave me alone." he said with his head still on his knees.
"Jet I…."
"I said leave me alone Lavender."
"I can't Jet."
"Can't or won't?"
"Can't Jet. I know this is hard, it is for me."
"You have no idea Lavender. No idea at all."
"JET! My father had just DIED!"
Lavender was about ready to slap Jet round the head. How could he be so insensitive, so selfish? Jet looked up slowly and looked at Lavender. Tear still stained her face and her lips trembled. Jet knew she was upset but so was he. This had been probably his only chance to rescue his mother and it was now lost. All hope seemed to have left him and he couldn't see anyway they could go now. He closed his eyes and looked away from Lavender.
"I'm sorry Lavender." he said.
"So am I Jet." she replied placing and arm round him, "I'm sorry too Jet."
"Why?"
"I forgot all about you. All your hope was lying on this mission and you watched it destroyed right in front of you. You lost your hope, I lost my father."
"Lavender I'm sorry too."
Jet turned and hugged Lavender which she was only happy enough to return. The wind brushed past them slowly as she sat like statues on the ground.
"I love you Jet." said Lavender finally.
"Huh?" said Jet totally shocked by her statement.
"I said I don't but I do. I love you Jet."
"I….I love you to Lav."
Just then the air was filled with a low rumbling sound. They looked up as a large Earth transport craft passed slowly overhead going in the direction of the destroyed Alliance base. Jet pulled away from Lavender and stood up.
"What is it Jet?" asked Lavender.
"The way forwards!" cried Jet his face suddenly lighting up.
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"This is Alliance transport 004921 to Edwards base, come in Royal Edwards." said the transports co-pilot.
"Anything yet?" asked the captian.
"Nothing yet sir. It's as if the base isn't there. I'm not even getting a radio beacon."
"Better contact the Phantom and ask for instructions."
"Aye sir."
The man reached forwards and flicked a switch.
"Transport 004921 to Phantom."
"Go ahead transport 004921." came a reply.
"We are unable to communicate with the Royal Edwards base. How should we proceed?"
There was a moment of silence before the reply came.
"Transport 004921, close in and investigate radio silence. Report back when you have found the reason."
"Affirmative, transport 004921 out."
It didn't take long for the transport to cover the distance from where they were to the base. They were greeted by a crater where the base had been.
"What the hell happened here?" said the captain.
"Sir should I contact the Phantom?"
"No not yet. Take us down for a landing on the south side of the crater. Better to find out what happened before we report it."
"Yes sir."
The transport wasn't the most aerodynamic thing in the sky. It looked like a brick for the most part. The cockpit was to the front of the ship and stuck out over the front of the brick shaped cargo bay. A set of downward pointing wings were mounted about halfway long the cargo bay and the rear tapered off into an X shaped tail. The engines were mounted on either side of the tails and looked like jet engines although they were in fact rocket engines. As the ship descended the wings on the ship moved upwards and the tips bent downwards making an upside down V shape. At the end of each one a small jet engine ignited into life. The cockpit of the ship slowly raised more and extended outwards away from the main body and several sets of large metal landing legs folded out of the bottom of the cargo bay. Several more jet engines ignited along the bottom of the cargo bay and the craft slowly landed with a few metallic thunks. The landing legs bent slightly as it landed like a kind of suspension.
A few moments later a large hatch opened in the side of the craft and a ramp extended downwards to the ground. A group of eight men started to walk down the ramp. At the front was the captain followed by the co-pilot and then the rest of the crew. The transport was big but most of it was just cargo space and the ship needed very little in crew to function. A couple of the men held small laser rifles but the others were apparently unarmed. They all stepped off the ramp and then stopped.
"Fan out and scout the area." said the captain.
The group split into four sets of two and headed in different direction. The captain and co-pilot headed off to the east and started to walk along the south eastern edge of the crater.
"Dammit Bernard this looks bad." said the captain.
"You're right sir. I wonder what the hell happened." replied Bernard the co-pilot.
"Maybe an overload or something?"
"I doubt that." said a voice.
The two men stopped dead. They had just started to pass the charred remains of a small forest when the voice had spoken.
"Who is that? Show yourself immediately." said the captain.
"With pleasure." said the voice.
The two men watched as a small grey cat stepped out from behind a burnt tree trunk. The two men took a step backwards and the captain went for a small gun mounted on his belt. The cat slowly raised his arms.
"No need to get violent. I'm not gonna do anything to ya." he said.
The captain finished taking out his gun and pointed it at him.
"Like I care. You furries have caused us no end of trouble." he said.
"What do you expect when you invade our world."
"I'd shut up of else."
"Who are you?" asked Bernard.
"I'm Jet Mathews." replied the cat.
"Jet Mathews! You're that boy the commander is after. Won't he be pleased with us."
"I don't think so." replied Jet.
"Oh yeah." replied the captain pointing his gun directly at Jet, "And what's going to stop…"
With speed that would have impressed Sonic, Bunnie leaped from the captain's side and laid a powerful blow on his outstretched arm. There was a crack as his arm broke and his gun flew into the air. A drumming filled the air as Lavender flew overhead and caught it in mid air. She flung it downwards and Jet jumped to catch it. Meanwhile Bunnie had spun the captain round and placed a choker hold on him. The whole thing had only taken a few seconds but it seemed to happen in slow motion. The captain was growling in pain over his arm and his co-pilot had Jet covering him with the captain's gun.
"Now then." said Jet smugly, "I think we have some talking to do."
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"Well that's all of em." said Lavender as she finished tied the last mans hand behind his back.
She stepped back to admire her work. All eight members of the transport crew sat on the ground in a line with their hands and feet tied and a gag in each of their mouths. She giggled to herself.
"Nice Lavender." said Bunnie.
Bunnie stepped up behind Lavender to admire the kitsune's handy work.
"Very nice indeed." she continued.
Lavender just giggled again happily.
"Now where did Links and Jet get to?" asked Bunnie.
"Right here." replied Jet pushing his way through a bush, "Links is waiting over by the transport."
"Alright sugah." replied Bunnie, "Come on Lavender let's go."
Lavender looked up at Bunnie slowly. Her giggling had stopped and she looked lost and confused. She closed her eyes and sighed before nodding slowly.
"It's ok sugah." said Bunnie placing a hand on her shoulders, "It…it a loss to us all but we have to do this. We can't let his sacrifice be in vain."
"He didn't sacrifice himself Bunnie!" snapped Lavender opening her eyes again.
Her eyes burned with a strong glow and her gaze pierced right into Bunnie making her look away.
"Sorry sugah, you're right." she said slowly.
"It's ok Bunnie. Tails just meant more to me than virtually anyone bar maybe mother. I just hope she's ok." replied Lavender.
"Hey!" butt in Jet, "I may not know her but from what I can tell she'll be fine."
He grinned at her and Lavender's gaze faded. She sighed again and nodded.
"I hope so Jet." she said.
Jet had really perked up since the transport had first appeared. His hope seemed to have been re-sparked with a vengeance. Earlier he had been trying to boss Links around as they had been rounding up the other transport crew members. Links hadn't been impressed to say the least but the cat hadn't been deterred one bit. Bunnie and Lavender had remained quiet for the most part and Links had been walking around in a sort of trance. Bunnie was worried about him. She hadn't told the kids about what he had told her. She was still coming to terms with it herself.
"Come on you two." she said firmly, "Let's get moving."
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Links stood by himself outside the Earth transport. He not only disliked it he distrusted it also. He was a few moments away from going into space and for some reason he didn't want to go. For the past year or so and certainly within the last few weeks he had wanted to go there. There was something in space that was drawing him to it and he would have given up anything to find out what it was. But now that the time was actually here he didn't want to find out. He turned away from the ship as he heard Bunnie and the others approaching. He could hear them behind him talking.
"Come on, come on!" cried Jet rather excitedly.
"Jet calm down. Lavender you go inside now with Jet." said Bunnie.
"Ok." replied the kitsune.
"Come on I'll show you the inside." cried Jet.
Links heard a dual padding of feet as the kids entered the ship by the walkway. It was then that Bunnie's hand landed flatly on his shoulder pads. He jumped slightly and turned to face her.
"Time to go Links." she said firmly.
Links just looked up at the sky and drew himself up.
"I can't Bunnie." he said equally firmly.
Bunnie drew him closer and whispered in his ear.
"Listen you. I've had enough grief and trouble for one day. Not only have I got my own sadness but Lavender is on the edge of flipping. Lord knows what would happen if she lost it, this entire planet could blow up."
"That's a bit over the top…."
"Shut it and let me finish Links. You are going to walk over there and get on that transport now or I'm gonna kick you so hard in the butt I'll be able to clean my feet on your tongue."
Links gave her an unimpressed look and then frowned at her.
"Bunnie…"
"I mean it Links! You just don't seem to get it do you? You've been looking at that cursed sky for near on a week solid now. Don't think I haven't noticed, it's obvious. I can tell there is something about it you're not telling me and maybe now everyone will find out what it is. I'm not letting you walk away from this, we can't do it without you. Tails was the brains of this operation remember. He drew everything up and planned it all out and now he's gone! I'm no military genius and the kids certainly aren't either. That leaves you Links! You got a duty to do this, not just for us and our friends, but for him! For your nephew."
Bunnie finished and blinked. She looked directly at Links waiting for his answer. Like Lavender's gaze had pierced into her, now hers pierced into Links. As she starred at him the lines of dark blue fur across Links body started to move faster. They split and shifted around frantically making it look like he was standing in a shower. She watched as the lines went a pure dazzling white colour and then returned to their normal blue. Links glanced over at her and then back at the sky. Bunnie continued to watch him closely. At length Links looked back at Bunnie fully and met her gaze. As he did Bunnie gasped and lost her gaze on the fox. Links' eyes looked like they were on fire, literally. His fur had calmed down completely now and, with a blink, he nodded at Bunnie.
"Let's go then." he said as he walked past her.
Bunnie blinked in puzzlement and then spun to follow him. As the pair entered the transport, Bunnie pressed a small control by the door and it shut and locked itself before pressurizing. They walked up to the next deck and found Jet and Lavender waiting for then outside the cockpit. Jet was pacing back and forth and Lavender was sitting to one side nearly asleep. Jet looked up as they walked up.
"About time." he said, "What were you doing?"
"None of your concern." said Links gruffly.
Links walked over to the cockpit door and it opened with no fuss at all. The cockpit was very large and looked more like a mini bridge than a cockpit. Jet followed Links in and stopped to puzzle over a few controls.
"I'm not too sure on the transports. I didn't really look at them much with Jeremy and they were pretty standard and non-interesting anyway." he said.
"Great." said Bunnie slightly irritated.
"No worries I can figure it out but I'll need some help." replied Jet.
"Uh huh. So long as you don't try to boss me around again." said Links.
Jet wasn't listening though. He had already dived into the pilot's seat and was flicking controls.
"Drive controls, navigation screen, altitude controls…" he started to reel off as he pointed to various systems, "…I need to know our current co-ordinates."
Bunnie started looking over a few screens. After scanning them and finding nothing she sat down in a seat to one side of the cockpit. The console in front of her was covered in screens and very few controls. One such screen showed a plan view of their current location. On it flashed a small red dot with a set of numbers next to it.
"Does 12:78:34 sounds about right Jet?" she asked.
"Bingo Bunnie!" cried Jet flicking as few controls, "You got it first time."
Jet flicked another control and a gentle humm filled the air.
"Ok air recycling plant is up and running and now…" he said pressing another control, "…so are the engines."
A loud explosion sound was heard that suddenly faded off to a loud whistle. Lavender suddenly came sprinting into the cockpit looking completely shocked.
"What's going on?" she blurted out.
"Just the engines starting up Lav." smiled Jet.
Jet turned back to the controls and started to flick more.
"Do you think it's a good idea to let him pilot?" asked Links.
Lavender started nodding slowly as Bunnie turned round in her seat.
"He managed to land that damaged fighter well enough when he arrived and besides he knows more about the workings of these ships than all of us combined. Now take a seat there mister and lend a hand." said Bunnie firmly.
Links grunted at her and sat down in a seat at the opposite side of the cockpit to Bunnie. Lavender meanwhile walked forwards to where Jet was sat and sat down in the seat next to him.
"Co pilot Lavender Prower reporting for duty sir!" she said giving Jet a salute.
"WHAT?!" cried Links and Bunnie together.
Lavender and Jet turned and looked at them.
"I told Lavender she could help me." said Jet.
"You WHAT?!" Links and Bunnie cried.
Lavender giggled slightly.
"It's ok. I'll only be doing what he tells me to do." she said.
"If it was anyone other than you Lavender I'd be having a fit right now." replied Bunnie, "Ok then but be careful."
Jet and Lavender both saluted Bunnie and turned back to the control panel.
"Oh ma star…" said Bunnie quietly.
Just then the door to the cockpit closed and the roar from the engines increased. They felt the entire ship move upwards slightly as the weight was removed from the legs by the engines. A moment later there was a dramatic increase in thrust and the transport left the ground, if maybe a little unsteadily. Links felt his stomach leap slightly but settled back down quickly. At the controls Jet was having no end of fun.
"Landing gear retraction…where is it? Where is….?" he said.
"Here." finished Lavender as she pointed to a control key.
It looked like a plunger sticking out of the console. Lavender placed her hand on it and tried to push it in.
"It's not moving Jet." she said.
"Try turning it." suggested Jet.
Lavender quickly turned it and to her delight it moved. She slid the plunger back into the console and there was a thud. The cockpit suddenly sank downwards as the wings folded down and the landing legs retracted .Jet placed his hands on the control and pulled back slowly. The huge transport slowly began to climb. Bunnie and Links watched on both interested and nervous at the same time. Jet pushed forwards on the thrust lever and the engines on the tail increased in power sending the transport high into the sky.
"Once we get to space we should be a bit safer." he said.
"A bit?" said Links questionably.