Chapter 8: Robotnik's Plot

The cold wind blew throughout the city as Knuckles and Espio dashed across the dusty metal ground, the sound of hover craft zooming through the air 7 stories over their heads filled their ears as people gave small shouts as they plowed through the thick crowd. Knuckles stopped as they came to a large walkway over a massive lake, Knuckles looked down over the railing at the dark blue water with various mechanical structures sticking out of them.

"Welcome to Sector Gamma, this is where the cities water supply is, also the city docks are around here, to the east you'll find the docks and the living quarters for some people, and to the west you'll find various businesses and warehouses." Espio said casually walking down the crowded streets with dozens of hovercraft zooming by overhead….

"Much busier than sector Delta from the looks of things." Knuckles noted.

"You could say so. Anyways we need to find "The Rocking Crocodile Bar" it's where Vector hangs out." Espio said.

"That's quite an original name." Knuckles commented.

"No need to be so sarcastic." Espio grumbled.

"Sarcastic? I was being serious. He must have turned into a real drunk." Knuckles said, "Hmm…shame that he's working for Robotnik too."

"Vector is a double agent! He works for us and for Robotnik! He isn't one of Robotnik's losers." Espio said.

"I've heard it all before. Don't be surprised when he turns his back on all of you." Knuckles stated.

"YOU'RE one of us too!" Espio shouted.

"I'm in this just so I can snap Robotnik in half! I'm not in this for your cause, for you, for anyone." Knuckles roared, "I have my own problems to deal with!"

Espio stopped and stomped on the ground, he walked over to a large crate and put his left arm on it and leaned into his palm.

"I grow tired of this…what the fuck is your problem? What REALLY happened to you in Robotnik's fortress? Tell me NOW! I'm sick of the way you act; don't think that because you're the Guardian of the Master Emerald I'm going to kiss your ass! I have better things to do than to take insults from you and defend your rotten ass!" Espio shouted furiously.

"I don't need you to defend me! I can pretty much handle myself! What Robotnik tried to do to me is absolutely NONE of your business!" Knuckles roared.

"ARG! You are really asking for an ass kicking!" Espio shouted slowly balling up a fist.

"Bring it!" Knuckles demanded.

"If that's your decision…" Espio whispered.

Suddenly the door to the side of the crate swung open and a large green crocodile with a yellow underside with headphones over his ears and a large gold chain stepped outside…

"Who the hell you two think you are…but you have got to keep it down I have customers…" vector shouted, "KNUCKLES! ESPIO!"

"Vector…" Espio mumbled.

"You guys are late." Vector said, Come on in…

Vector lead the two inside of the bustling bar, bright purple and green lights lit up the futuristic bar as various humans and animals danced and drank, Vector sat back behind his own personal table and waited for Knuckles and Espio to take a seat, after the two sat down and crossed their arms, Vector reached under the table and pulled out two large mugs of beer, the mugs slide across the table and stopped right in front of the two. Vector grinned and with the press of a button a barrier formed sealing the table from the ears of other customers…

"Ok…now on to business." Vector said as he looked Espio dead in the eyes.

"Yes…" Espio asked.

"Egg…I mean Robotnik recently has produced about 2000 Radio Drones…which he calls Egg-spies. These little bastards are very small and maneuverable; they have 4 mini-blaster cannons, and can listen in on ANY frequency. If these get released…the resistance is DEAD." Vector said, Therefore…you guys need to head out to his production factory and destroy the Egg-spies before they are activated. These will put me out of business…after all…not all my booze comes from his headquarters…not to mention my extra services…

"You mean the ooze?" Espio asked.

"Shh! That drug is top secret!" Vector grumbled.

"That's wonderful…now answer just one question…" Knuckles said with a flat base in his voice.

"Ask away." Vector said happily.

"Why is Robotnik giving Emerald Ore to the Quaro? AND why were YOU there overseeing the shipment?" Knuckles demanded.

"How the fuck did you find that out!" Vector shouted.

"I have my sources." Knuckles said with a grin.

"I can't answer that." Vector grumbled.

"You don't have a choice." Knuckles shouted.

"It's none of your damn business! You've got your task now get the fuck out of my bar." Vector demanded.

"Not until you answer my question." Knuckles said with a chuckle.

"Don't think your jailbreak went by quietly! I can still have your scrawny red ass placed back behind bars!" Vector roared.

"That would lead to the end of the resistance, and I'd be sure and tell Robotnik about this conversation and your illegal ooze factory." Knuckles said with a long sinister grin crossing his face.

"GGGRRRR! Robotnik gives it to the Quaro to keep them from attacking the city. He gives them Emerald Ore so they can continue to live on. Robotnik knows what makes the Quaro tick and needs them around to keep fear intact so he can continue to rule this wasteland of a world.

"How long can he honestly expect that to last?" Knuckles wondered.

"Even I don't know that, all I know is that the Quaro are growing stronger and are beginning to evolve. Now there are about 5 different types of the monsters." Vector said, "Awesome creatures…"

"What the hell! Why doesn't he just put a bomb in the shipments?" Espio asked.

"Because he seems to have some fascination with the Quaro." Vector growled

"So the whole story about them being all over the world was false." Espio asked.

"Exactly! Robotnik doesn't want people to know they are enslaved." Vector said.

"Now this has gotten interesting. Ok then…thanks for the info Vector." Knuckles said.

Vector grabbed Espio before Espio could walk away from the table after Knuckles. Vector pulled Espio real close…

"Watch yourself with him…Robotnik did A LOT of experiments on him…he could turn at any second. Don't say I never warned you." Vector said with a sinister chuckle.

"I understand." Espio replied.