17. Attempt
Tails - March 29, 2036, 4:45 P.M.
When I saw that no-nonsense expression on Sonic's face, I instantly knew there was serious trouble. "What's going on?" I quavered.
"I need your help finding my family… Sally and Manik… they've been kidnapped," He replied slowly.
"Kidnapped?! That's awful! Is Dr. Eggman back?" My eyes widened in shock. As if I wasn't already dreading enough knowing that Cream is in danger, now another one of my closest friends is in trouble!
Why is this happening all at once?
"No, I don't think it's Eggman." Sonic shook his head. "If he was behind this, I would have rescued them in no time. But it's been more than a week since they disappeared, and I still don't have the slightest idea of who's responsible. Not even the police have made any progress."
"Okay, but how do you know they were kidnapped, then? Not to doubt you or anything, but surely you'd have some clue that would suggest that foul play was involved."
He fidgeted silently. "I thought that way, too. For a long time, I wanted to believe that maybe Sally and Manik were caught in an accident and couldn't reach me. But then…" He took off the backpack he was carrying along with a piece of paper with some writing and showed it to me.. "I found Manik's bag in his room a couple days ago. Someone broke into my home and placed it there along with a note while I was away."
I read the writing on the paper and then look at Sonic in confusion. "Shouldn't you tell this to the police?"
Sonic dropped his arm. "I know I should, but… I'm too afraid to do that. There was also a note left behind threatening me not to inform them or anyone else. Hell, I shouldn't even been talking to you about this, either,"
"What? If you're not going to tell them about this, why are you telling me instead?" I told him, not realizing that I was raising my voice.
"I don't know! I thought maybe it would be better to at least show someone else."
"That doesn't make sense! What's the point, then? Why are you–"
"I'm not sure what to do at this point! If you didn't fucking hear me, this isn't another obvious scheme by Eggman, Tails!" He interjected. "This kidnapper has been able to see through every move the police and I make and is damn good at evading us! She's anonymously taunted me numerous times over the phone, and she even nearly killed an officer who was investigating my family's whereabouts.
"Everytime something develops, we either miss the chance to find this bitch or end up in limbo! If I tell the police about the backpack, I risk losing Sally and Manik for good! And from what I've been through myself, even if I do as she says there's no guarantee that she'll keep her promise! Nothing about this is predictable!"
I was taken aback by Sonic's sudden aggression. Sonic let out a breath and quickly calmed down. "I'm sorry, Tails. I'm just so distressed. I want Sally and Manik back more than anything else, and I'm seriously worried that they're being hurt a whole lot more than I am."
Sonic's voice grew softer as he spoke. This was hitting him much harder than I first thought; I hadn't seen him in such a defeated state in a very long time. "Don't apologize, Sonic. I understand how you feel. Sally is my friend, too, you know?" I tried comforting him. "Wait, did you describe the abductor as a 'she'?"
"I did. What about it?"
I shook my head. "Oh, um, it's nothing." I found it peculiar that both Cream's attacker and Sonic's abductor were female but dismissed it as coincidental. "Anyway, Sonic, I honestly still think that you should give your son's backpack to the police if you want this investigation to move forward. I don't think you should easily give into the culprit's demands."
Sonic sighed. "Okay, if you say so. But before I do, let me tell you why I came here in the first place: I need an extra hand other than the police to find my family, and I'm asking you to be that hand."
"Why me? I'm not so much of an expert at criminal investigation or any of the sort. Wouldn't it be better if you asked someone else like the guys at the Chaotix Agency? They're more skilled at these situations."
"True, but I'm not looking for more investigators this time–I'm looking for an inventor who can create gadgets that can help us catch this criminal. And if there's anyone who can do that, it's you."
"Oh, so you just want me to build some kind of spy gear for you? Sounds simple enough."
"Pretty much. But I don't want any cliché stuff like those hidden cameras disguised as everyday objects that you can probably find at some cheap retail store. I need something far more inconspicuous."
"Well, in that case can you be more specific on what you want me to build?"
"A tracking device would be most useful–one I can attach discreetly to someone without them noticing. And if it's possible, make it so that it can be planted from a distance. Can you do that?"
"You talk as if you've never seen me invent anything before. Of course I can! I'll try to get it done as soon as possible."
Sonic nodded. "Thanks lil' buddy. I knew I could count on you at times like this. I hope we still have time to save Sally and Manik, though."
I smirked reassuringly. "Hey, we're never late in saving the lives of those we care about."
…
I glanced over at the clock and saw that it was a quarter before eleven o'clock. Three hours had passed since I began working on that tracking device Sonic requested.
I didn't design the device to be anything too special or complicated–besides being a transmitter, my invention included a built-in microphone and was programmed to be compatible with my trusty Miles Electric. It was also a very small gadget, being a little above the size of a dime.
"Now to test this thing out," I took the tracker to my bedroom, activated and placed it next to my alarm clock which I proceeded to set off. I went back to my workshop and opened the radar on the M.E. A white dot appeared on the screen, indicating that it was detecting an unregistered device. Upon enabling the sound speaker, the M.E. blared out the alarm from my clock loud and clear.
"Great! It works just fine. I'll go to Sonic's tomorrow and show this to him." Putting away the M.E on the table, I headed for my bedroom again to revert my alarm clock and get ready to go to sleep. I only reached the workshop door before the M.E. unexpectedly went off, transmitting the alarm from my bedroom again.
Confused, I looked over my shoulder to see the light being emitted by the M.E.'s screen and walked over to it. I was sure I turned it off, yet it was powered on with the radar still running.
I probably restarted it instead of actually powering it off. It's late, and I am tired. I picked up the device and made sure that I properly shut it down this time. Once the screen went black, I put it back down and made my way out.
No sooner had I reached the door than the M.E. turned back on by itself again and continued transmitting the beeping noise of my alarm clock again. Annoyed, I told myself, "Its hardware is likely malfunctioning. I'll take out the internal battery out for tonight and see what the problem is tomorrow."
But as I was about to flip over the M.E. and unscrew its back, the alarm stopped abruptly and was followed by what sounded like grumbling from the other end. Then the device turned off.
Oh no… did someone break into my house?! A chill went down my spine and I dashed to my bedroom as fast as I could, subconsciously bringing the M.E. along. I barged through the door, flicked on the lights and was met with only an empty room. The alarm clock was still beeping as if no one had touched it.
Tired and dazed, I merely sighed and reset the alarm and put the M.E. on my desk. Either the Electric has to be fixed or the transmitter needs more work. I should just call it a day and go to sleep before I lose my mind.
…
A loud, high-pitched beep emitted from within my bedroom, waking me up. I turned my head around and saw that the M.E.'s screen was brightly lit up. It was still dark outside, and I guessed it was around 2 or 3 in the morning.
"Geez… what now?" Dazed and tired, I got up from bed and walked over to the M.E. The radar was detecting a signal nearby, showing a white dot on the screen. I let out an exhausted sigh and held the power button, but the device wouldn't shut down. Eventually, I took out a screwdriver from my nightstand and unscrewed it's back, revealing its internal battery. "I should've taken you out like I said I would," I removed the M.E.'s battery and was about to go back to bed, only to realize that the device still kept running.
I was bewildered; with it's only power source now disconnected, the M.E. should've powered off instantly like any other electronic device. But here it was still functioning like I hadn't tampered with it at all.
I flipped back to the screen, its luminescence irritating my already tired eyes. The radar was still running except now the white dot had changed to red. The screen turned black, leaving me with a message reading "WARNING:FATAL_ERROR".
I scratched my head, telling my mind in a bore, Okay, okay. This is all just some bizarre dream. I'll wake up sooner or later for real and everything will be normal again.
"No, you aren't dreaming. You're fully awake right now." A girl's voice came through the M.E.'s speaker.
My body stiffened in fear. I looked at the M.E. once more. The word "WARNING" disappeared from the pop-up, so only "FATAL_ERROR" remained. Then, in the reflection of the screen, I barely noticed what appeared to be a large hammer slowly rise above my head.
