Chapter 2: The Story Begins
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Two Weeks Later...
There was much to be accomplished, for being in the middle of a forest. They were digging, carrying, and building. Others though were scanning the woods for twenty-five miles in all directions. They worked day and night. There was no time for breaks, as they didn't need them. Nor would their master allow any. Dr. Eggman, though able to live a life of luxury, would never stop his robots that were working round the clock on a number of critical projects he'd started a little over a week ago.
Though Eggman was quite happy now, staring down from his Egg Flyer at his worker robots, he'd been in tantrums two weeks ago. How humiliating, that Sonic and his cohorts had unraveled yet another of his world domination schemes. As always when Eggman was defeated, he swore revenge on Sonic and pledged to dominate the world. Yet again.
The only thing that kept Eggman from trying something on ARK, as everyone was teleporting back down to his pyramid base, was the fact he couldn't think of anything TO DO, at least not yet. For that little while that he was in forced, friendly contact with Sonic, he behaved. A true first, indeed, for a mad scientist anyway. But, his behavior returned to normal, the very next day, after the ARK incident.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The day after he returned to his base, he set about moving out. Knowing that his base was no longer secret, or impregnable, Eggman had no choice but to order his robots to crate up all the equipment that they could and move out. While packing up a bunch of computer disks, Eggman had his interest piqued by one in particular. It was the one that held his grandfather's diary.
Curiosity getting the best of him, he just had to review the data once more. They were still the same psychotic ramblings of his ancestor as from before. But, he knew that there had to be, must be, something worth looking further into. "After all, true scientists always put their most valuable information in password protected files," Eggman said reminding himself of his own record keeping. True enough, there, on a relatively small space of the disk was one file that required a password. Second- guessing his obsessive grandfather was no difficult task. A few keystrokes and: M-A-R-I-A unlocked the file.
The large, holographic computer/space transporter/television monitor displayed scant, but critical information. Eggman gasped, then chuckled. Quickly, he closed out the files from the disk and then opened his own file on ARK. Amongst his own records, he opened up a video clip he had made from some of ARK's many surveillance cameras. Finding the image he was searching for, he then began doing a series of mental computations. Finally, he had the specific information he needed. "The trajectory from ARK to.......HERE!" Eggman pointed quickly to a portion of the planet below in the video clip. By the next day, Eggman all the robots that he had, and all of his equipment from his old base, were in the middle of the very forest he'd pointed to.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That was then, this was very much so, now! From his Egg Flyer, Eggman oversaw a huge construction crew. The intended fortress he was constructing wasn't being placed randomly. Oh no. Here, in the middle of this heavily wooded area it was actually quite perfectly hidden. Yes, hard to believe, but Eggman had come to the conclusion that having large banners, search lights, and other such paraphernalia around his base was as smart as day-glow camouflage. This base he was building would be hidden in this forest, and not AS outstanding either.
Suddenly, two robots came into the clearing, and into Eggman's view. One rather tall and lanky one began waving to him, the other, squat and hefty, was waving too. Eggman piloted down to the two robots he had activated earlier that week. Decoe and Bocoe were Eggman's solution to being pulled in so many directions by so many projects. Always up for making his own life easier, Eggman had created them so he could delegate his authority, or in other words, simple tasks that required SOMEONE to watch over their completion. For their first chore, he'd put them in charge of the very easy, yet highly important task of leading a search team into the surrounding forest.
"Well?" Eggman asked the taller robot. "Lord Eggman, we've found what you requested," Decoe's electronic voice said proudly. Eggman cackled, "Excellent, let's see him!" From behind the two robots came two more, they were a couple of Eggman's no longer state of the art Kiki monkey-bots. These and many other of Eggman's old models and series robots were scheduled for replacement after the fortress was built. For now, they were put to use and were carrying a stretcher. The stretcher held something, or someone, but you couldn't tell for sure because a large white sheet was draped over whatever it was.
Eggman hopped out of his Egg Flyer. Smiling broadly he stood over the stretcher, still in the Kiki's paws. "But, sir are you sure he can be of any use? After all, a scan of his body shows that he's barely alive and in a deep coma," Decoe questioned his master. "But of course, after all," Eggman said not looking at Decoe, removing the sheet, "he IS the ultimate life-form!"
True enough, Shadow lay on the stretcher, hovering perilously close to death. He had many cuts, bruises, and a number of broken bones. Signs of breathing were almost non-existent. But, he was alive, for the most part. "Now, bring him to him to my tent," Eggman ordered, as he returned to the Egg Flyer.
Eggman flew off toward a huge tent, leaving the four servants to unhappily have to WALK across the entire construction site. Decoe and Bocoe couldn't wait until the new base was completed. It meant not having to stay in the many, shoddy tents that Eggman built to house equipment and robots that HAD to have repairs when they came close to or actually did break down. Thankfully it was only temporary conditions. After a long and slightly dangerous journey past earthmovers, storage crates, large robots, small robots, the four finally made it to the largest and most luxurious tent in the general area.
Inside, they were greeted with air-conditioning, sites and sounds from all sorts of large machines, numerous playthings (such as a full-sized batting cage that shot out "Sonic's head" shaped baseballs), and large bookcases stuffed with anything and everything scientific. There were even huge, thick plastic mats that interlocked covering the ground. Ignoring the huge gap between master and servant, the four continued on.
They found Dr. Eggman standing next to a large bed-like stasis chamber, a few computers, and a small staff of medic-bots. The Kikis gave the stretcher to two of the medic-bots and left. The medic-bots, in turn, placed Shadow in the stasis chamber. Once their patient was in place, they and the few others set about their duties.
Eggman had designed these medical machines to handle any and all medical problems that could affect him. But, fortunately for him, he hardly ever needed them. Instead though, they were put to better use on his former ally. Each medic-bot had a different attachment to their hand in order to care for the fallen hedgehog. While one sterilized Shadow's wounds, another followed in behind with a gel that acted as substitute to stitching. Another robot stamped sensors onto Shadow's temples and chest. These were in turn hooked up to the computers. They moved slowly, but steadily.
While casts and bandages were placed over the various places of broken bones, Decoe anxiously questioned his master further, "Well, are you certain that he will be on OUR side this time? I mean he did whole- heartedly join Sonic."
Eggman, chuckled at his robot's ignorance, "Yes, but he wouldn't have done so if not for his promise to my dear-departed cousin."
Decoe confusedly asked, "What promise? How do you know he made a promise?"
Eggman answered knowingly, "This!" Eggman placed his grandfather's digital diary into one of the computers. "Here are the most crucial facts about my grandfather's final prototype of the Ultimate Life Project." The computer screen displayed a 3-D version of Shadow. One half of his digital self was wire-framed; the other was overlaid in "skin".
"According to this data," Eggman continued, "Prof. Gerald had indeed made Shadow's mind pure, perfect even. Shadow's brain has proven so advanced in biomechanics, that it is similar to a computer. And, like a computer it can be accessed, and more importantly, PROGRAMMED. My grandfather had intended to use that in his revenge plan against the world. Unfortunately, the military didn't allow him enough life to totally "reprogram" Shadow. So, instead of going with a complete reprogramming, he opted to use Shadow's adoration for Maria with a slight twist. Accessing Shadow's memory of a promise Shadow had made to Maria, he hastily, in secrecy, manipulated Shadow's brain patterns to think he made a promise of vengeance. Apparently, that jerry-rigged plot fell through when, somehow, Shadow's memory was jogged and remembered his TRUE promise."
The two robots stood in silence, absorbing all this. Typically, this was all Bocoe did. It's important to know that Eggman figured he only needed one assistant to talk, the other to just work, so he neglected Bocoe's speech functions. Decoe, who WAS given a voice, finally used it in just one more question. "Well, how is that any use to you?"
All of the questions were thrilling Eggman with a chance to talk and strut his genius, but they were becoming an annoyance, what with so many. "Simple! Now that I have Shadow's body AND brain, I intend to do a much better, more thorough job of reprogramming him and making him a perfect weapon against Sonic!" Eggman paused, and looked thoughtful for a few moments, then slightly disgusted, he continued, "But that will take a lot of time, as it will require almost an entire overhaul of his brain patterns. That and the fact that it will be no small feat to accomplish." Eggman, having faced the computer the whole time, now turned to his two flunkies, "Now, leave me to my work, you two are now in charge of the construction team, get going!" The two robots made a hasty exit and set about to their latest tasks.
As the Plexiglas cover to the stasis chamber closed, thus signaling the medic's exit, Eggman now turned and placed his hands on its surface. "Ah, now then, you and I have to make a few trips down memory lane, and do a little landscaping while we're there," the sole speaker chuckled, "I will admit this though, even I'm surprised by your little space ride. But, when I read that same file containing those few notes over your mental AND physical characteristics, I became even more impressed by grandfather's work. Yes, you're genetically engineered tissue makes you impervious to the damages of aging and sickness. You are the only living thing blessed with nothing short of IMMORTALITY," that last thought rolled a tingling sensation over Eggman. After a short pause he continued, more upbeat, "Yes, I know, now, that you weren't cryogenically frozen, just made to lie dormant for those fifty years at the military's secret lab. You didn't age because you can't! And now, I have the chance to unlock your full potential! Hahahahahahahahaha!!!" Eggman's laugh grew louder as he threw both fists in the air and proclaimed to the sky, "Yes, now I posses the ULTIMATE WEAPON!! What hope do you have now SONIC?!!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Outside the tent, their master's continuing laughter actually unnerved and distracted the robots nearby from their duties. Though constructed not to feel fear, they could come to the conclusion that something scary was underway through their logic programs. What it was though couldn't be deduced. Except for the few that new better.
Now, only time would tell when Eggman would strike, as he was sure to.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
End Chapter Sonic Shout-Out:
Hey, today's Sonic Shout-Out goes to none other than:
Anthony Bault!!
Thanks for the good word! By the by, I did check out your fan fic you recommended. Sorry, but Role-Playing Games were never my thing, but your story was good all the same! Hope you hear me out there! As for the rest of you, see you tomorrow!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Two Weeks Later...
There was much to be accomplished, for being in the middle of a forest. They were digging, carrying, and building. Others though were scanning the woods for twenty-five miles in all directions. They worked day and night. There was no time for breaks, as they didn't need them. Nor would their master allow any. Dr. Eggman, though able to live a life of luxury, would never stop his robots that were working round the clock on a number of critical projects he'd started a little over a week ago.
Though Eggman was quite happy now, staring down from his Egg Flyer at his worker robots, he'd been in tantrums two weeks ago. How humiliating, that Sonic and his cohorts had unraveled yet another of his world domination schemes. As always when Eggman was defeated, he swore revenge on Sonic and pledged to dominate the world. Yet again.
The only thing that kept Eggman from trying something on ARK, as everyone was teleporting back down to his pyramid base, was the fact he couldn't think of anything TO DO, at least not yet. For that little while that he was in forced, friendly contact with Sonic, he behaved. A true first, indeed, for a mad scientist anyway. But, his behavior returned to normal, the very next day, after the ARK incident.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The day after he returned to his base, he set about moving out. Knowing that his base was no longer secret, or impregnable, Eggman had no choice but to order his robots to crate up all the equipment that they could and move out. While packing up a bunch of computer disks, Eggman had his interest piqued by one in particular. It was the one that held his grandfather's diary.
Curiosity getting the best of him, he just had to review the data once more. They were still the same psychotic ramblings of his ancestor as from before. But, he knew that there had to be, must be, something worth looking further into. "After all, true scientists always put their most valuable information in password protected files," Eggman said reminding himself of his own record keeping. True enough, there, on a relatively small space of the disk was one file that required a password. Second- guessing his obsessive grandfather was no difficult task. A few keystrokes and: M-A-R-I-A unlocked the file.
The large, holographic computer/space transporter/television monitor displayed scant, but critical information. Eggman gasped, then chuckled. Quickly, he closed out the files from the disk and then opened his own file on ARK. Amongst his own records, he opened up a video clip he had made from some of ARK's many surveillance cameras. Finding the image he was searching for, he then began doing a series of mental computations. Finally, he had the specific information he needed. "The trajectory from ARK to.......HERE!" Eggman pointed quickly to a portion of the planet below in the video clip. By the next day, Eggman all the robots that he had, and all of his equipment from his old base, were in the middle of the very forest he'd pointed to.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That was then, this was very much so, now! From his Egg Flyer, Eggman oversaw a huge construction crew. The intended fortress he was constructing wasn't being placed randomly. Oh no. Here, in the middle of this heavily wooded area it was actually quite perfectly hidden. Yes, hard to believe, but Eggman had come to the conclusion that having large banners, search lights, and other such paraphernalia around his base was as smart as day-glow camouflage. This base he was building would be hidden in this forest, and not AS outstanding either.
Suddenly, two robots came into the clearing, and into Eggman's view. One rather tall and lanky one began waving to him, the other, squat and hefty, was waving too. Eggman piloted down to the two robots he had activated earlier that week. Decoe and Bocoe were Eggman's solution to being pulled in so many directions by so many projects. Always up for making his own life easier, Eggman had created them so he could delegate his authority, or in other words, simple tasks that required SOMEONE to watch over their completion. For their first chore, he'd put them in charge of the very easy, yet highly important task of leading a search team into the surrounding forest.
"Well?" Eggman asked the taller robot. "Lord Eggman, we've found what you requested," Decoe's electronic voice said proudly. Eggman cackled, "Excellent, let's see him!" From behind the two robots came two more, they were a couple of Eggman's no longer state of the art Kiki monkey-bots. These and many other of Eggman's old models and series robots were scheduled for replacement after the fortress was built. For now, they were put to use and were carrying a stretcher. The stretcher held something, or someone, but you couldn't tell for sure because a large white sheet was draped over whatever it was.
Eggman hopped out of his Egg Flyer. Smiling broadly he stood over the stretcher, still in the Kiki's paws. "But, sir are you sure he can be of any use? After all, a scan of his body shows that he's barely alive and in a deep coma," Decoe questioned his master. "But of course, after all," Eggman said not looking at Decoe, removing the sheet, "he IS the ultimate life-form!"
True enough, Shadow lay on the stretcher, hovering perilously close to death. He had many cuts, bruises, and a number of broken bones. Signs of breathing were almost non-existent. But, he was alive, for the most part. "Now, bring him to him to my tent," Eggman ordered, as he returned to the Egg Flyer.
Eggman flew off toward a huge tent, leaving the four servants to unhappily have to WALK across the entire construction site. Decoe and Bocoe couldn't wait until the new base was completed. It meant not having to stay in the many, shoddy tents that Eggman built to house equipment and robots that HAD to have repairs when they came close to or actually did break down. Thankfully it was only temporary conditions. After a long and slightly dangerous journey past earthmovers, storage crates, large robots, small robots, the four finally made it to the largest and most luxurious tent in the general area.
Inside, they were greeted with air-conditioning, sites and sounds from all sorts of large machines, numerous playthings (such as a full-sized batting cage that shot out "Sonic's head" shaped baseballs), and large bookcases stuffed with anything and everything scientific. There were even huge, thick plastic mats that interlocked covering the ground. Ignoring the huge gap between master and servant, the four continued on.
They found Dr. Eggman standing next to a large bed-like stasis chamber, a few computers, and a small staff of medic-bots. The Kikis gave the stretcher to two of the medic-bots and left. The medic-bots, in turn, placed Shadow in the stasis chamber. Once their patient was in place, they and the few others set about their duties.
Eggman had designed these medical machines to handle any and all medical problems that could affect him. But, fortunately for him, he hardly ever needed them. Instead though, they were put to better use on his former ally. Each medic-bot had a different attachment to their hand in order to care for the fallen hedgehog. While one sterilized Shadow's wounds, another followed in behind with a gel that acted as substitute to stitching. Another robot stamped sensors onto Shadow's temples and chest. These were in turn hooked up to the computers. They moved slowly, but steadily.
While casts and bandages were placed over the various places of broken bones, Decoe anxiously questioned his master further, "Well, are you certain that he will be on OUR side this time? I mean he did whole- heartedly join Sonic."
Eggman, chuckled at his robot's ignorance, "Yes, but he wouldn't have done so if not for his promise to my dear-departed cousin."
Decoe confusedly asked, "What promise? How do you know he made a promise?"
Eggman answered knowingly, "This!" Eggman placed his grandfather's digital diary into one of the computers. "Here are the most crucial facts about my grandfather's final prototype of the Ultimate Life Project." The computer screen displayed a 3-D version of Shadow. One half of his digital self was wire-framed; the other was overlaid in "skin".
"According to this data," Eggman continued, "Prof. Gerald had indeed made Shadow's mind pure, perfect even. Shadow's brain has proven so advanced in biomechanics, that it is similar to a computer. And, like a computer it can be accessed, and more importantly, PROGRAMMED. My grandfather had intended to use that in his revenge plan against the world. Unfortunately, the military didn't allow him enough life to totally "reprogram" Shadow. So, instead of going with a complete reprogramming, he opted to use Shadow's adoration for Maria with a slight twist. Accessing Shadow's memory of a promise Shadow had made to Maria, he hastily, in secrecy, manipulated Shadow's brain patterns to think he made a promise of vengeance. Apparently, that jerry-rigged plot fell through when, somehow, Shadow's memory was jogged and remembered his TRUE promise."
The two robots stood in silence, absorbing all this. Typically, this was all Bocoe did. It's important to know that Eggman figured he only needed one assistant to talk, the other to just work, so he neglected Bocoe's speech functions. Decoe, who WAS given a voice, finally used it in just one more question. "Well, how is that any use to you?"
All of the questions were thrilling Eggman with a chance to talk and strut his genius, but they were becoming an annoyance, what with so many. "Simple! Now that I have Shadow's body AND brain, I intend to do a much better, more thorough job of reprogramming him and making him a perfect weapon against Sonic!" Eggman paused, and looked thoughtful for a few moments, then slightly disgusted, he continued, "But that will take a lot of time, as it will require almost an entire overhaul of his brain patterns. That and the fact that it will be no small feat to accomplish." Eggman, having faced the computer the whole time, now turned to his two flunkies, "Now, leave me to my work, you two are now in charge of the construction team, get going!" The two robots made a hasty exit and set about to their latest tasks.
As the Plexiglas cover to the stasis chamber closed, thus signaling the medic's exit, Eggman now turned and placed his hands on its surface. "Ah, now then, you and I have to make a few trips down memory lane, and do a little landscaping while we're there," the sole speaker chuckled, "I will admit this though, even I'm surprised by your little space ride. But, when I read that same file containing those few notes over your mental AND physical characteristics, I became even more impressed by grandfather's work. Yes, you're genetically engineered tissue makes you impervious to the damages of aging and sickness. You are the only living thing blessed with nothing short of IMMORTALITY," that last thought rolled a tingling sensation over Eggman. After a short pause he continued, more upbeat, "Yes, I know, now, that you weren't cryogenically frozen, just made to lie dormant for those fifty years at the military's secret lab. You didn't age because you can't! And now, I have the chance to unlock your full potential! Hahahahahahahahaha!!!" Eggman's laugh grew louder as he threw both fists in the air and proclaimed to the sky, "Yes, now I posses the ULTIMATE WEAPON!! What hope do you have now SONIC?!!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Outside the tent, their master's continuing laughter actually unnerved and distracted the robots nearby from their duties. Though constructed not to feel fear, they could come to the conclusion that something scary was underway through their logic programs. What it was though couldn't be deduced. Except for the few that new better.
Now, only time would tell when Eggman would strike, as he was sure to.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
End Chapter Sonic Shout-Out:
Hey, today's Sonic Shout-Out goes to none other than:
Anthony Bault!!
Thanks for the good word! By the by, I did check out your fan fic you recommended. Sorry, but Role-Playing Games were never my thing, but your story was good all the same! Hope you hear me out there! As for the rest of you, see you tomorrow!
