Chapter 2 - Dreams and Mysteries
Morgan Jake sat thinking in his chair. He was thinking of the past few months. Since he had found out the Phantom had been destroyed by an unknown group of ships he hadn't been happy. Thankfully for him and his men in New Washington a smaller Alliance ship had been on course to the planet and had picked them up. This is where he was now, sat on the bridge of the EAS Reliant a small gunship class ship. It was much smaller than the two mile long Phantom at only five hundred meters but it was powerful none the less. Nearly the entire surface of the ship was covered in some type of weapon bank or turret and the hull itself was nearly as thick as the Phantom. The Reliant was part of the second wave of ships sent to Mobius. The wave also included a few small fighter transports, a couple of bulk carriers and two new multi-gun frigates.
Morgan sat up in his chair. The bridge was fairly quiet right now as it was during a duty change. He got up and walked to the front of the bridge and stood next to the large viewing windows. Outside all was black with small white speckles, just like space should be, but other things were visible. The multi-gun frigates sat motionless in space nearby watching over the work going on. The two bulk carriers that were part of the fleet were hardly recognisable. All that was left after their cargo had been taken off then was the long thing joining strut holding the bridge and engineering sections together. The centre of the ship was completely gone as this was were the cargo pods had been fixed. The pods were also in pieces, floating nearby, their contents removed.
As Morgan continued to scan the area he saw where the cargo was. Floating nearby was a large satellite. It had a giant dish at one end surrounded by solar panels and the rest of the ship tapered off to a point behind the panels. Morgan rocked forwards on his feet and smirked.
"This'll sort them." he said to himself.
"Pardon sir?" came a reply.
Morgan turned to see the bridge was now filling up with the next shift. The ships original captain was standing behind him looking puzzled.
"Ah Captain Tanaka." said Morgan.
"Yes sir. May I ask what you were doing?" replied Tanaka.
Morgan looked at the Japanese captain. He had been serving the Earth Alliance for a number of years and had a tendency to flick between emotions very quickly. He could be balling his head off at someone one second and talking up the women the next. Morgan liked him, not for these reasons but for another, he was a master tactician. Tanaka had been in nearly every possible situation you could imagine and had come out with hardly any casualties every time, this is why Morgan liked him.
"Ah I was just admiring your handy work captain." replied Morgan.
"Ah you mean my project." replied Tanaka.
"Yes, she is a nice piece of work."
"I think you'll be even more impressed when you see the results. I've been working on this for years getting it just right."
"Well if it's like all your other plans it should go perfectly."
"Thank you sir."
"Now, how long until it is complete?"
"Not long commander. We should be starting the first tests in a few hours."
"Very good captain and ahead of schedule I see."
"Schedules are there to be beaten. Those who can't beat them shouldn't be there sir."
"Well said Tanaka. I must say I have enjoyed working with you and your crew."
Tanaka gave a small smile and then quickly bowed. Morgan laughed, Tanaka was definitely one for tradition, he even had a samurai sword in his quarters. Morgan slowly turned back to the window.
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Sally sat on a small grassy bank next to a stream. The crystal water played happily on the stony bottom and ran gurgling down the hill towards the Great River. In her hand Sally held a small coloured ball. She was tossing it up and down happily as she listened to the sounds of birds in the trees. Just then she heard a few soft footsteps behind her. She turned to look over her shoulder. A familiar squirrel stood behind her smiling. He wore a smart blue jacket with yellow tasselled shoulder pads and a pair of boots. On his head rested a small crown of gold. Sally immediately jumped up and ran to him, throwing her arms around him. The larger squirrel knelt down as best he could under Sally's hug and returned the embrace.
"Hello Sally. Having fun?" he asked.
"Yes daddy. Lot of fun." replied Sally letting go.
"Well I'm glad. Where are the others?"
"You mean Sonic, Bunnie, Rotor and Ant?"
"Yes that lot."
"Oh they went off for a while. Something about wanting to see a cave."
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"I was happy here. Besides I wanted a break from them for a while. Sonic can get annoying sometimes."
"Yes I noticed. I should ask Sir Charles to keep a keener eye on him."
"Oh it's ok."
Sally gave a small giggle and took a step back. She started to throw her ball around again.
"Well I don't want to interrupt whatever you're doing Sally. Just make sure to be back in time so you can clean up before dinner. Oh and you can invite the others if you like."
"Thanks father. I'll do that."
"Ok then Sally, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye dad!"
Sally stood for a moment waving as her father left. After he had slipped out of sight she sat back down and continued to throw her ball. It was then that she heard a faint call. She sat up and listened. The call came on the wind, almost to faint to hear.
"Sally…"
Sally became puzzled and stood up again. She looked around but couldn't see anyone.
"Sally…" came the call again.
Sally started to get irritated, who was calling her and from where? Was it Sonic?
"Sonic is that you?" she asked.
"Sally…" replied the call.
"Come out now!" said Sally sharply putting her hands on her hips, "I order you to come out now!"
Sally continued to look around and slowly she saw who was calling. The new figure stood a little way off beside a plum tree. Sally looked at him for a moment, studying him closely. He was a squirrel, about as big as her and wearing a small jacket on his back clasped round his neck with a metal tie. His fur was a lighter shade than hers and his black hair stuck out in large spikes that bent downwards under their own weight. His tails looked rather scruffy but altogether he looked presentable.
"Who are you?" asked Sally.
"My names Talyn." replied the squirrel.
"Were you spying on me?"
"No not at all! I came to tell you something."
"Tell me what?"
The squirrel went quiet and looked away slightly. Sally was getting even more irritated now.
"Tell me what?" she repeated.
"I'm…I'm….your brother." replied Talyn.
"My…"
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Sally woke with a start, her eyes flying open in surprise.
"…BROTHER!" she cried.
She quickly looked around and then relaxed. Letting her head sink back into her pillow she sighed.
"Just another dream. Boy are they getting stranger. I never even had a brother."
Sally looked over at the window. It was still dark outside and Sally yawned.
"Go back to sleep Sally girl." she said to herself, "Why can't I just get a full night sleep?"
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"Are we ready to precede Tanaka?" asked Morgan.
"Almost sir. We're just making the final adjustments." replied Tanaka.
"Ah good. Let's just see how good Sunscorch is shall we."
Tanaka stood up fully from his console and walked over to Morgan. They both looked out of the window. The satellite from earlier had now moved to one side and was flanked by the multi-gun frigates. One of Mobius' moons was now in view through the window too and the suns glow was just starting to peek out over the lip of the planet.
"You sure this will work Tanaka?" asked Morgan.
"Positive sir. I've not spent this long developing it to let it fail now." he replied.
"Well that's good."
"Captain Tanaka sir." came a voice behind them.
The pair turned to see Tanaka's first officer standing there. He saluted and then continued.
"Sir Sunscorch is in position sir. Targeting systems are online. We're ready to proceed." he said.
"Very good. Well shall we execute sir?" asked Tanaka.
"Of course." replied Morgan.
Tanaka smiled and turned to the bridge.
"Ok everyone head up and listen! We're now entering test phase four! Engage full safety locks and prep ship for shockwave. Activate solar batteries on Sunscorch and angle for a sweep attack pattern!" barked Tanaka.
Second later a siren started to blare out and the bridge descended into darkness before powerful red lights came to life and filled the room with a red glow. Several monitors started to display the message 'Level 4 Test Phase Imitated' and the bridge started to buzz with activity. Outside the two multi-gun frigates started to peel off from their flanking position on the satellite and pulled back. Several small engines ignited on the satellites tails and started to push it forwards. The glow of the sun over the edge of the planet was getting stronger. A few stray rays struck out and started to fill the darkness with light. The satellite turned into the rays and the huge solar panels started to glow brightly. On the bridge Tanaka and Morgan watched the power readings slowly increasing on a monitor.
"It's working Tanaka." said Morgan.
"Better than I thought it would. The levels shouldn't have reached this level with the current radiation." replied Tanaka.
"Well that's good."
They continued to watch as more of the sun came into view over the planet and the power reading began to climb even further. The panels on the satellite began to crackle, bolts of energy jumping all over them as the dish at the front of the satellite also started to glow. In the middle of the glow a bright spot of light could be seen.
"That's it!" said Tanaka, "The charge is almost ready. Is the target set?"
"Yes sir." replied his first officer, "The dish is angled to the correct position with corrections for recoil and other elements."
"Good. How long to maximum charge?"
"Ten seconds sir."
"And the sun?"
"Should be appearing in three, two, one."
Outside the sun suddenly burst forth over the planets rim. The panels on the satellite literally exploded with light and the bright spot on the dish glowed so brightly it burned to looks at it.
"Firing in five, four, three, two, one!" said Tanaka.
As he finished the countdown the panels on the satellite dimmed slightly and then erupted followed closely by the bright tip on the dish doing the same. A ring of energy spread out from the point moments before the point formed into a beam and shot from the dish. The bolt of energy tore across space towards its target, the moon. The panels still glowed collecting even more solar energy from the now clearly visible sun. The beam finally made contact with the moon and for a moment nothing happened.
"What's happening?" asked Morgan.
"The beam is super heating the moon's surface." replied Tanaka.
"To what end…?"
Morgan's question was suddenly answered as half of the moon suddenly shattered into fragments followed closely by the rest splitting apart into huge chunks. The rock had been turned into glass and shattered by the sheer impact of the beam. The satellite still wasn't done as it continued to collect the suns energy and supply even more energy to the growing beam of energy.
"Shut down the panels." said Tanaka quickly.
There was a bit of moving around on the bridge and slowly the panels started to loose their glow. The panels finally stopped glowing and folded back along the satellites length. The beam started to taper off and slowly fizzled into nothing as the energy finally ran out. Tanaka turned to Morgan and grinned slightly.
"Well?" he asked.
"Tanaka remind me to push for your promotion." replied Morgan turning to face him.
Morgan glanced out of the bridge window again and then rubbed his hands together. This was most excellent.
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"Ah it'll be good to get back eh." said Sonic stretching.
"Sure will." replied Chalk happily.
The small group had forgotten its earlier fight and was now within a short walk of Little Planet and could already see it hanging in the air above Never Lake. They were currently walking down a small hill towards the far edge of Never Lake. Sonic had lightened up slightly since the incident in New Washington and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. All but Miles that was. He followed slightly behind the others thinking to himself. He hadn't slept a wink the previous night and since yesterday had been thinking of what his father had said. What was so wrong with Sally it had Sonic this worried about her? He couldn't figure it out, she had seemed fine when they had left Little Planet. So what was going on? His pace was slowing and he started to fall further behind the ground, what's more he didn't even notice. That was until a hand landed on his shoulder. Miles jumped and looked up.
"You look a bit lost." said Sonic looking down at him.
"Oh hi dad." replied Miles, "Guess I fell behind a bit."
"A bit? Try a load Miles."
"Sorry."
"Hey no worries. Just pick up the pace a bit. We're nearly home you know."
"I know. I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
"Mother."
"Oh."
Sonic looked away slightly and didn't say anything else. Miles decided to ask what he had been thinking.
"Dad, just what is wrong with her?"
Sonic sighed and looked back at Miles.
"I guess you should know. I was going to tell you but I found it upset me enough I didn't want to upset you either." he replied.
"Its ok dad, I'm worried enough now."
"Guess so. Well recently Sally has been having some odd dreams. Mostly about us and the others but some have disturbed her badly."
"How come?"
"Memories Miles, old memories that she'd rather forget. She's been a bit tense of late too which hasn't helped. I might be over reacting but I worry about her."
"Hey she'll be alright. She's been through worst right."
"I guess so Miles. I guess so."
"Think we should catch up?"
"Hmm?"
Sonic looked up to see that they had come to a complete stop and so had Manic and Chalk. They had already made it to the edge of the lake and were waiting impatiently.
"Heh! Guess we both go slow when we think." said Sonic.
"Then I guess we should stop thinking and go fast eh? Race ya!" replied Miles.
"Think you can beat me?"
"Anytime."
"Let's see how you do then. Ready?"
"GO!"
Miles shot off down the hill before Sonic could react.
"Hey! Cheat!" cried Sonic as he blasted off in pursuit.
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Lavender bounded happily over the grass towards the Little Planet transporter. She could feel the group approaching and wanted to be the first to meet them. Since meeting up with Miles again, Lavender had been spending a lot of time with him and couldn't wait to see him again. As she neared the transporter she saw that she wasn't the only one to feel the groups return. Her mother and Sonia stood next to the transporter waiting. Amy turned as Lavender came to a bouncing stop next to them.
"Hi mom!" she said happily.
"I wondered when you'd show up. Anyone else behind you?" asked Amy.
"I don't think so mum."
"Oh well never mind then." said Amy, "Although I was sure Sally would be here at least."
"She's probably busy." said Sonia.
"Yeah probably."
Just then the transporter started show some activity. Energy started to build up on it and a moment later there were a number of flashes to one side of it. The flashes cleared and Sonic, Manic, Miles and Chalk stood there. Sonic looked up and saw the small gathering.
"Hey guys. We're back." he said.
"We can see that Sonic." replied Amy putting her hands on her hips and giving him an odd look.
Lavender wasted no time and ran towards Miles. She threw her arms around him and hugged him.
"Glad you're back Miles." she said.
"Hey Lav! I've only been gone a few days. What's with the sudden missing me?" he said.
Lavender pulled back and blushed.
"Oh uh nothing I guess."
Miles slapped an arm round her shoulder and smiled at her before breaking out into laughter. Meanwhile Sonia had moved over towards Chalk and the two were now talking.
"Well that was an odd tip I must say." said Chalk
"What you mean by odd?" asked Sonia.
"I'll explain later when I've had a sit down. Besides it will all come up at the meeting. Right now I need a foot bath and a massage. Catrina can be a heavy thing to carry round."
"I think I can rustle that up for you Chalk."
"That'd be brilliant Sonia."
The two friends walked off chatting about various topics and catching up on news. Amy watched them leave before turning to Sonic. He and Manic were still standing by the transporter with thoughtful looks on their faces.
"So you do it?" she asked.
"You mean scout round?" asked Manic looking at her, "Yeah, but…"
"But?" asked Amy.
"Not now." interrupted Sonic, "I want everyone together for this, and I doubt you'll all believe me when I tell you."
With that Sonic walked off leaving Amy feeling very confused. She looked back at Manic who just shrugged.
"He's been acting differently recently." he said.
"I noticed." said Amy giving another look in the direction Sonic had gone, "Well I guess we need to round everyone up. I'll see to it, I got nothing else to do."
"If you need a hand give me a call, I'll be in your parents house getting something to eat." replied Manic with a smile.
"Joy!" laughed Amy.
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A few hours later the group was assembled. In the front row sat Chalk and Sonia, who were still talking, and T2, who looked distant and lost. Behind then sat the three children. Miles sat in the middle with Lavender to his right and Alicia to his left. They were both glad to see him again and hadn't left him alone since he had got back. To one side of the group sat Amy's parents, Patrick and Marian, they were watching the group and exchanging small words from time to time. Bunnie and Alindel sat behind Alicia watching her in case she hurt herself again. Manic was leaning against a wall a few meters away chewing on a large sandwich and Amy stood next to him thinking. Sally was nowhere to be seen.
At the front of the group stood Sonic. For some reason he had put on his royal cape, which he hadn't worn in ages. Nobody really noticed though but Sonic didn't mind. He brought a couple of fingers to his mouth and gave a sharp whistle. The noise around the group instantly stopped and they all looked at him. Sonic waited a moment before he spoke.
"Ok now we're all here I guess its time to fill you in." he said.
The group just looked back at him as if to say 'fill us in on what?'.
"Well you all know about our latest trip to what was once Robotropolis, now New Washington. Myself, Chalk, Manic and Miles were all there and the situation is certainly odd." continued.
"Odd in what way sugah?" asked Bunnie.
"It's dead!" replied Chalk turning round to look at Bunnie, "Completely dead."
"Dead?" came a collective cry from a few furries.
"Well not dead as in dead but quiet." answered Sonic, "There's no-one there. No guard, no ships, no anything. It's as if they packed up and left."
"They wouldn't just do that." said Sonia, "Would they?"
Sonic turned to face her and shrugged.
"Who knows Sonia. The EA seems to be operating in a 'take what we need and move on' routine. They might have no use for the place now."
"I doubt THAT Sonic!" came a voice from behind him.
Everyone looked round to see Sally walking towards them. She had her old togs on and if she had looked slightly younger you could have sworn she'd walked straight out of Knothole. She stopped a few meters away and put her hands on her hips.
"I doubt they'd just pack up and leave Sonic. What would be the point in that?" she continued.
"Sally! I'm glad to see you! I couldn't find you earlier." said Sonic walking up to her.
Sally made no move forward of backwards, she just looked at Sonic.
"Just answer the question Sonic." she said.
Sonic stopped and looked at Sally feeling a little hurt by her welcome.
"There wouldn't be any point." he replied heavily taking her tone, "They spent a while fortifying the place and to leave seems stupid."
"There you go then." said Sally, "There's another reason then isn't there."
"Hey Sally lighten up will you." asked Sonic.
Sally just looked back at him for a moment before turning away and sitting down next to T2. The fox didn't even seem to notice her, he was lost in his own thoughts. Sonic and everyone just looked at Sally for a moment wondering what was wrong before Sonic continued.
"Well clearly we need to find out what is going on." he said looking up.
A murmur ran through the crowd as various people put in their own thoughts.
"So any ideas?" asked Sonic.
The crowd went silent. Perfect thought Sonic.
"Well everyone start thinking. I hate not knowing what's going on." he said, "Dismissed."
Nobody moved though, they were all looking at Sally.
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Morgan leaned back in his seat and yawned. He sat in a small office on board the EAS Reliant thinking. A small pad sat on the desk next to him. On it were the test data from the recent cannon shot. So far Sunscorch was going to plan and there had been no indication that the furries knew about it. He picked up the pad and looked at the data again. What Tanaka had shown him had been a full yield blast, he had been showing off but then it was understandable. A normal shot was nowhere near as powerful but still enough for the rest of Sunscorch to go along without a hitch. He put the pad down and pressed a button on the desk that operated a small screen. The monitor flickered to life and a man's face appeared.
"Has the surveillance team checked in yet?" he asked.
"They just checked in sir." came the reply.
"What have they to report?"
"A group of furries were seen in New Washington yesterday. They report that the king was amongst them as well as his son."
"Interesting. They no doubt have seen the situation in the city and are puzzled I would think. Good, they will no doubt be back soon. Tell the surveillance team to clear out and report to secondary position. Leave the monitors in place in case our friends return. I want to know the second they turn up."
"Aye sir."
The screen went blank and Morgan waited for a few short moments before there was then a chime at the door.
"Come in." said Morgan.
The door slid open to reveal Captain Tanaka. He saluted the commander and stepped into the room.
"You wished to see me sir." he said.
"Yes Tanaka. Sit down and take the weight off your feet." replied Morgan.
"Yes sir."
Tanaka walked over to Morgan's desk and sat down. He settled into the chair and then looked at Morgan expectantly. Morgan was now running the test data pad through his fingers with a smile. He slowly put it down and leaned forwards.
"How long have we known each other Tanaka?" he asked.
"I'm unsure sir. A long while I believe."
"I think it's about seven years and you can drop the sir while you're in here Chen."
Tanaka smiled as he heard his first name spoken and then nodded.
"Very well Morgan, but what does this have to do with anything?" he asked.
"I've been planning something for the last month. I had other ideas for your little toy originally but those have changed. The situation on Mobius is a problem and the president is breathing down my neck to sort it. He wants the furries either locked up, killed or gotten rid of so they are no longer a hindrance to our operation. The problem is I haven't had the ability to do this. Every time I try something those furries interrupt it and stop me. It's beginning to be an annoyance to me and the president."
"I can imagine sir, what did you have planned?"
"Originally I wanted to use SC-01 to supply us with infinite solar energy for our bases on Mobius. It can do this correct."
"Yes. If we only use small amounts of energy we can focus a beam of solar energy into a dish on the ground and collect it to charge batteries or generators. It would be a lot like our Microwave power systems back on Earth but on a much greater scale."
"However if large power outputs are used we get the results of earlier correct."
"Yes, an offensive beam of energy capable of destroying just about anything. Why?"
Morgan smiled and leaned back.
"Chen since we got to know each other I've not kept a lot from you and I'm about to tell you something I've been planning for a few weeks now." he said.
"And what would that be Morgan?" asked Chen leaning forward in interest.
"What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room ok. No-one but myself and you are to know the full plan. If this works I'll be rid of those furries for good. You've heard about our troops pulling out of New Washington. After the computer systems got fried there hasn't been any point in holding onto the city so I'm going to use it as a trap."
"How so?"
"Well the complete absence of our troops will no doubt make them curious. I know that they know we have pulled out and I'm betting my pay cheque that they'll be back to investigate and then…"
Tanaka suddenly started to chuckle. He folded his arms and leaned back.
"Morgan I never knew you could be so sneaky. That explains why you wanted the cannon demonstration instead of the power cell demonstration earlier. You know it might just work."
Morgan nodded and leaned back drumming his finger ends together.