Chapter 10: Neotropolis City Races
A week had past since the small group had wasted Robotnik's main factory. Robotnik had tightened his grip on the city and made his loss felt by issuing a draft for clean up workers.
In the small resistance base Shadow and Knuckles paced around waiting for news from Larez. Pacing…and pacing…
"…Knuckles…how did you bump into Tyronos?" Shadow asked breaking the eerie silence.
"…he just showed up." Knuckles answered.
"Hmm…" Shadow pondered.
Shadow gave a suspicious glare causing Knuckles to stop in his tracks and look Shadow dead in the eye, the stare was cold enough to freeze water; Knuckles scowled and tightened his fist as Shadow continued to stare. The door swung open with a bang killing the tension. Larez stood in the doorway with his arms crossed.
"Robotnik is trying to turn the citizens against us. He's forcing them to clean up the disaster area." Larez said.
"We know that. Hear anything from Vector?" Shadow asked.
"Nope. Although I did hear something interesting…" Larez said, "I heard that the surge of energy caused by the destruction of the weapons factory fried one of the energy towers."
"You mean those big towers that have the long pipe that stretches into the Capital Tower?" Knuckles wondered.
"Exactly. However…getting in won't be easy, as the only person who could break the locking clamp is busy at the racetrack." Larez casually spat out.
"Racetrack?" Knuckles asked.
"This city has an annual cup race every year; the winner gets to see Robotnik's throne room personally and receives a very rare orb of highly refined Emerald Ore. However the races are deadly and very few survive." Shadow answered in a less than thrill voice.
"Can't be that bad." Knuckles shirked.
"The race craft move at Mach 20, the course have very tight turns, high inclines, fast drops, are filled with booby traps and deadly obstacles, and take place on land and in the air. Not your average race." Shadow said with a hint of disgust in his voice.
"Very fast, very loud, and very dangerous." Larez groaned.
"How about I go and visit this racer? Perhaps we can work something out." Knuckles offered.
"I'm coming too; you can't be trusted alone…not with that charming temper you've developed." Espio interrupted.
"You're late." Larez rudely shot out.
"Espio and I had some business to attend to…well if you plan on entering the races…I could get you on Charmy's team, winning a race will definitely get you on her good side. She'll probably assist in opening that door." Vector said calmly.
Knuckles stood straight and brushed his chest with his right fist quickly. He grinned and held his chin up high…
"Let's do it then." Knuckles confidently said.
Entering the massive stadium filled with spectators Knuckles and Espio carefully followed the directions given to them by Vector, walking down the long corridor they came up upon a dirty hanger filled with piles of metal with a single racer being held up in the air as a small bee continued to twist and crack the nuts and bolts on it. Espio gave a small cough causing the bee to yelp and drop its wrench, the bee flew down furiously and stopped in front of them scowling.
"What the hell is your problem! Sneaking up on people like that isn't cool!" Charmy said scolding Espio.
"My bad Charmy, I didn't know how to get your attention." Espio chuckled.
"Well your stunt that put a dent into my racer! You'd better be ready to pay to get that fixed or I'll put a dent in your skull!" Charmy shouted, causing Espio to squirm in fear.
"Is this how you treat all your teammates?" Knuckles asked.
"Shut the fuck up! Wait…YOU are my new driver?" Charmy said, irritable as ever.
"In the flesh, motor mouth." Knuckles shot back.
"What racing skill do you even have? Last time I checked that blue moron Sonic still ran circles around you." Charmy said cruelly.
"I'm nearly as fast as him that's all that matters. Now are you going to hover there and keep fussing or can we get to business." Knuckles said, putting an end to the insult fest.
"Fine, what do you want?" Charmy grumbled.
"Knuckles here will race for your team, but you need to help us open the door on Sigma Tower." Espio interjected.
"Whoa! Messing with Robotnik's security isn't what I call fun. What do I get out of it?" Charmy yelped.
You keep the Emerald Ore, the trophies, and your team will get some recognition." Espio said confidently buttering up Charmy.
"What if Knuckles doesn't win the race?" Charmy asked.
"In that case Espio will clean up your garage." Knuckles said quickly.
"Wha…" Espio gasped in surprise.
"Deal! This qualification round takes place this afternoon. You have 2 hours to write your will and Espio…you'd better buy some gloves because most of this shit is dirtier than Vector's ass." Charmy coldly stated.
"You don't like us much huh?" Knuckles stated.
"You guys are working for Vector, he betrayed us and works for Robotnik…what's there to like?" Charmy said in a hurt tone of voice.
"If that's your opinion. We'll be back in 2 hours." Espio said while guiding Knuckles out of the garage.
Knuckles and Espio quickly left the hanger and walked out into the population Stadium Square, the sheer number of people moving about was staggering. Knuckles quickly sat down on a bench and glared at Espio, the sun was beaming down on Espio turning his purple scales to a bright pink. Knuckles swallowed his spit and looked up at the sky. Before Knuckles could open his mouth a black blur stopped in front of them.
"We got trouble." Shadow said.
"What?" Knuckles grumbled.
"Auree is stuck out in the middle of the Lambda Forest. She was there checking up on some rumors, communication suddenly stopped so…" Shadow said assuming the worst.
"The race starts in 2 hours. We don't have time." Espio spat out covering his backside.
"Fuck the race, she is a very valuable resistance member, we can't lose her! Here…" Shadow said while dropping a large pouch onto the ground taking out what looked like a compressed shotgun. I
t had an average gunmetal gray barrel, long handle and what looked like a hand crafted grips, it gleamed in the sunlight yet wasn't noticeable. Shadow then took out the holding case for it and tossed both into Knuckles' hands.
"That's been custom made for you Knuckles. You might need it as Lambda Forest has a nasty Quaro infestation. Hurry!" Shadow commanded.
"I like this…be nice to put a hole in Robotnik's head with this bitch. Fine…we'll save the chick and get back in time for the race." Knuckles confidently said.
"…You're giving him a gun? A powerful gun at that! Isn't that the…" Espio gasped.
"Dark Gear ZX? Yes…Knuckles can handle it…MOVE OUT!" Shadow screamed.
Knuckles and Espio instantly took off upon Shadow's order…