Chapter 18: Escape from Robotropolis
It was very early morning over Robotropolis, though the amount of rain clouds overhead did not indicate so. The door to the bunker opened, as the Freedom Fighters exited the bunker one by one under the cover of the darkness. They ran for the Barloz-class freighter atop the flatbed speeder, and were ushered aboard. Inside, Seraphine and A.J. guided them into various openings and compartments throughout the ship. They squeezed themselves into the various cramped spaces, sometimes close enough they were pressed against each other.
"Are we supposed to endure this all the way?" said Jian.
"Unfortunately, yes. If you want off this planet, you'll have to endure this. Relax. Once we're safely away, we'll let you out," said Seraphine.
Jian rolled her eyes as the Freedom Fighters continued bunching themselves in the confines of their hiding spaces.
"Rest assured, this is better than any Imperial Prison, I believe," said Lupe.
"If you say so, Senorita," said Reynard.
"Do not worry, brothers and sisters, 'tis ensures we will live on to fight another day," said Bow.
"How often have you guys done this, may I ask?" said Spike.
"This way? You're the first," said Seraphine.
"What?!-"
Spike was cut off as Seraphine shut the door in his face, and she and A.J. closed up all the compartments.
"We're good on this end, sis," said A.J.
"It's gonna have to be. Let's go," said Seraphine.
Outside, in the rain, the Knothole Freedom Fighters and Rebels were hopping aboard their TC9s. Sally looked up at Whisper, who hopped down from her vantage point.
"How are we looking?"
Whisper leaned close to Sally and quietly whispered.
"...Few patrols, most waiting for shift to end, should expect minimal interference…"
"Good, this is our best shot to get them across town with few problems. Jericho? You ready?" said Sally.
"If these mercs are ready, we are. Let's go," said Jericho.
"Knuckles, are you coming?" said Tails.
"This is where I gotta part ways with you guys," said Knuckles.
"You sure you ain't doing this to ditch us, Knux?" said Sonic.
"Knock it off, Sonic. No, I'm not ditching you guys. I just gotta take care of some unfinished business back on Angel Island. I won't get another chance," said Knuckles.
Sally walked up to Knuckles.
"You're taking a big risk, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"I know what I'm doing. I'll find my way off this planet, Sally. Relax. I made my own arrangements to get on the island, I just have to figure out the rest," said Knuckles.
"Well, be careful, Knuckles. Don't get yourself killed," said Tails.
"I don't plan to die for a long time, Tails," said Knuckles.
"Good luck, Knux," said Sonic.
"Yeah, you too, Sonic," said Knuckles.
Knuckles then began walking out of the Junkyard and disappeared out of sight. The rest of the Freedom Fighters boarded their TC9s, and took their seats. Sonic sat in the lead TC9, and as he sat, he saw the Metal Sonic 2.5 sitting in the back.
"You sure we gotta take that with us, Sal?" said Sonic.
"Sonic, I don't wanna hear it, we're taking it with us," said Sally.
"I'm watching you," said Sonic.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you," said the Metal Sonic.
"Let's roll, then," said Sonic.
Tails drove the lead TC9 out of the junkyard with the others following. The flatbed speeder with the Barloz followed behind. They drove onto the streets, which were very desolate, owing to how early in the morning it was. They carefully drove through the streets until they crossed one of the Main Citadel Streets.
"This feels too easy," said Rotor.
"You sound like Derek right now, Rotor," said Jericho.
"Just like I predicted, the guards are either too tired to care, or just wanna go to sleep after an all-night shift," said Seraphine.
"We're fine. We have Sonic to help us," said Amy.
"Don't patronize me," said Sonic.
They then got closer to the spaceport, and they were just approaching an intersection when a pair of AT-STs and an AT-DP appeared. They stopped.
"Oh, crud," said Tails.
"Don't make any sudden moves. Let them pass," said Jericho.
The three walkers stopped for a moment and turned to face them, their lights shining on the transports. They appeared to be examining them. But after a few minutes, the three walkers moved on.
"Too close," said Bunnie.
"Let's just move on. We're getting close now," said Sally.
The group moved out, following the streets to a boulevard which led to the spaceport.
"Whisper, how are the passengers doing?" said Sally.
"...All's quiet. No complaints. Confinement not dampening their spirits," said Whisper.
"Good to hear. We're almost there," said Sally.
They drove down the boulevard, passing a convoy of AT-ACTs until they approached the Spaceport.
"Here we go. Moment of truth," said Dayton.
"Let's hope they don't look at our derelict too closely," said Sally.
"If they do, they're gonna have to deal with me," said Sonic.
The transports drove towards the checkpoint near the cargo loading area. As expected, it was fully manned by SWAT Bots and Imperial Troops. The lead TC9 approached the checkpoint as a SWAT Bot approached them.
"State your business for departure." said the SWAT Bot.
"Salvage crew, taking recovered vessel for salvage purposes," said Rotor.
Sally transmitted the registration and all relevant data to the checkpoint.
"Proceed for contraband scan," said the SWAT Bot.
"Here we go," said Sally.
The TC9 pulled forward into a large scanner, and the scanner began scanning it. After a minute, the Stormtroopers ordered the TC9 to pull forward. Then the next TC9 followed for scanning. And then the next, and then the next one after. Then it was time for the Flatbed Transport. It pulled forward into position and the scanner began scanning it. Sally took Sonic's hand and squeezed it tightly, clearly nervous. Sonic and her then crossed their fingers. The scanner scanned over the flatbed and the Barloz, it then stopped.
"Radiation traces detected on the transport," said the SWAT Bot.
"Relatively consistent with a derelict. Possibly leftover traces from when it's reactor was deactivated," said the officer.
"Recommend deep scan for more accurate conclusion," said the SWAT Bot.
Sonic and Sally squeezed each others' hands.
"Negative. Radiation levels are trace amount, well within acceptable levels for salvage. No deep scan needed," said the officer.
"Affirmative," said the SWAT Bot.
Sonic and Sally and their friends let out a sigh of relief as the scanner continued scanning the Barloz until it had concluded.
"Scan Complete," said the SWAT Bot.
The transports were waved on through the now-deactivated force field as they drove towards the Cortosis Pride. The TC9s drove up the boarding ramp towards the docking bridge leading back to the ship. The flatbed speeder stopped below the Cortosis Pride. One of it's hangar bay doors began to open above. Soon, a tractor beam came online and began slowly lifting the Barloz off the flatbed and into the hangar bay. The hangar doors then closed beneath the Barloz as it was gently lowered down. Above, the TC9s pulled into their parking spots and the Freedom Fighters and Rebels disembarked them.
"We did it, Sal."
"We made it this far, Sonic. Now we just gotta get off the planet."
The group went up to the bridge of the Cortosis Pride where Derek, Rodney, and Milena were talking.
"Welcome back," said Rodney.
"Hello, Mr. Alddelfor," said Sally.
"Mission accomplished?" said Milena.
"Yep. We got it, sis," said Dayton.
"We about ready to depart?" said Jericho.
"Just about," said Derek.
"Good, sooner we get outta 'ere, the better," said Geoffrey.
"Four friends of yours boarded the ship just about an hour or two before you did," said Rodney.
"Honey, Jewel, Perci, & Staci?" said Sonic.
"Yep," said Rodney.
"Are they okay?" said Sally.
"They're down in the bunks," said Rodney.
"I'll go check on them, make sure they're okay," said Tangle.
"Thanks, Tangle," said Sally.
"We'll be departing within the next hour," said Milena.
Sally nodded as she spoke into her comlink.
"Everyone okay, Whisper?"
"...Still good. Just waiting for when it's safe," said Whisper.
"We're not in the clear yet. Keep quiet and don't come out until I say it's safe," said Sally.
"Understood."
"What now, Sally-girl?" said Bunnie.
"For now, we just ride along and see if we can get off the planet without anyone looking too closely," said Sally.
"Let us be hoping Monsour Marquand's men be knowing what zey are doing?" said Antoine.
"They'll be fine, Antoine. They said they've been doin' this all the time," said Bunnie.
"Hey, Sonic. You may wanna come down here, man," said Manic.
Sonic spoke into his comlink.
"What's wrong, Manic?"
"Guess," said Manic.
Sonic facepalmed in annoyance.
"Be right there," said Sonic.
Sonic walked to the elevator and rode down to the crew deck of the ship, where he heard a loud scream. Sonic ran at full speed towards the source, where Manic was standing.
"GET IT AWAY FROM ME!" said Sonia.
"Get what away?" said Sonic.
"Under the bed! GETITOUTGETITOUT!" said Sonia.
"Uhh….wha?" said Manic.
Sonic crouched down and saw something underneath the bunk.
"A mouse droid? Seriously?"
The mouse droid rolled out from under the bed and went out the door.
"Sonia, everyone in Robotropolis is on our butts and you're wigging out over a mouse droid?"
"What else is new?" said Manic.
"Wait! Where's the luxury suites? I'd like a more comfortable bed, please," said Sonia.
Sonic and Manic just looked at each other.
"Some things never change," they both said.
Down below, Tangle walked up to a room where Jewel was.
"Tangle, you made it!" said Jewel.
"So did you, you little goober!" said Tangle.
The two of them hugged.
"Are my minerals…"
"They're fine. They're aboard one of the TC9s down in the garage," said Tangle.
"Oh, good. I don't know what I'd do if we lost all that hard work," said Jewel.
"Hey, it ain't no thing," said Tangle.
"It's just...it's happening so fast…"
"Hey, take it easy. We will come back here. One day, Jewel. One day….whoa! I think we're starting to move!"
Sure enough, the docking anchors detached from the ship as it slowly started to move. The ship moved away from the dock as it's engines fired up. The ship began to lift off into the sky, into the rain clouds above until it emerged from the sea of clouds into the clear sky above. The ship then began steering onto an exit vector as it took off. It joined several other transports and freighters as they exited the atmosphere and into orbit of Mobius.
"Getting out isn't gonna be as easy as getting in," said Seraphine.
"You said it, sis," said A.J.
"Leave it to me, kids," said Rodney.
"All Transports and Freighters, please transmit departure clearance codes," said an Imperial Office over the comms.
A.J. pushed a button on his console transmitting the codes. There was silence on the bridge as they waited.
"Cargo Vessel Cortosis Pride, you have departure clearance," said the officer.
"Cortosis Pride here, understood control. Commencing departure from the system," said Rodney.
The Cortosis Pride, alongside several freighters and transports, began moving away from the planet. It didn't take them long to pass Mobius Alpha, the moon and out into open space.
"Well, Princess….looks like we're clear."
"Thank you, Mr. Alddelfor, and thank you all for your assistance on this mission," said Sally.
"We did it, Sal! Let's go down there and give our friends the good news," said Sonic.
"Indeed, after you," said Sally.
Sonic, Sally, and the Freedom Fighters, with Jericho and Geoffrey in tow, went down to Hangar Bay 3, where the Barloz was sitting. Sally walked up to the boarding ramp and pulled the release to open it, and lowered it down. She walked up, where Whisper was huddled, clutching her Wispon. Sally then gave a thumbs-up to her. Whisper returned the thumbs-up and the two of them joined their friends as they unlocked the various hiding spots.
"Everyone out! We're off Mobius!" said Sonic.
The other Freedom Fighters slowly got out of their hiding places, free to stretch their arms and legs at long last.
"I must say, that operation was very well executed," said Lupe.
"Aye! Tis very well done! Well done indeed!" said Bow.
"Just doing our job," said Jericho.
"This is gonna be a major win for us when we reach safety," said Geoffrey.
"Now, let's get you all something to eat and drink. Follow me to the mess hall," said Sally.
Sally led the Freedom Fighters off the transport as they headed for the elevators. Sonic and Tails stood and watched.
"We did it, Sonic!"
"That we did, bud. That we did."
The two of them fist-bumped in acknowledgment.
"Sonic, you think Knuckles is gonna be okay?"
"You know him, Tails. We'll see him again. What he can't get out of, he punches his way out," said Sonic.
Earlier….
Knuckles walked down the rain-drenched streets of Robotropolis, not drawing attention to himself. He was approaching a landing pad with a shuttle landed on it. The pad only had two SWAT Bots guarding it.
"Please show your ID codes."
Knuckles placed his ID chip on the scanner, and the SWAT Bot scanned it.
"ID verified. Have a nice day," said the SWAT Bot.
"Yeah….'nice... right," said Knuckles.
Knuckles hopped aboard the waiting shuttle. He was glad it was empty. He then walked up to the cockpit, a male Mobian Dingo was sitting, reading a datapad.
"Hi, Harry," said Knuckles.
"Knuckles. You sure you wanna do this? It ain't pretty," said Harry.
"I'm sure. I gotta do this. I left things unexpectedly, and I gotta tie up my loose ends," said Knuckles.
Knuckles then handed Harry some credits.
"Little something for your trouble, maybe you can buy yourself passage off world," said Knuckles.
"I don't need your credits, friend. But I appreciate it," said Harry.
"Let's go, then," said Knuckles.
"Have a sit and enjoy the ride," said Harry.
Knuckles sat down in one seat and Harry started up the shuttle and took off. Knuckles simply sat and cradled the RSKF-44 blaster pistol he had on his person. He watched as the shuttle went through the rain clouds until emerging in the sky above, leaving a sea of clouds below. Knuckles watched as the shuttle flew through the sky, watching the clouds clear, revealing the land below.
"There it is, up ahead. I'll drop you off outside the city," said Harry.
Knuckles walked up to the front of the shuttle as he saw Angel Island, floating in the sky. But he also saw plumes of smoke coming from where the city of Echidnaopolis was.
"Be ready, you're not gonna like it," said Harry.
Sure enough, they came within sight of the city, and much to Knuckles' surprise, the city was in ruins.
"Whoa…the Empire did all this?"
"They did. Didn't take 'em long after they came. They didn't even give these folks a chance to mount a defense. It was a slaughter."
"Oh no…"
"There's a good spot. You'll have to walk the rest of the way."
Harry piloted the shuttle into a clearing a short walk outside the city, and landed it there.
"Thanks again, Harry. We're even," said Knuckles.
"Take care of yourself, Knuckles. Good luck," said Harry.
Knuckles disembarked the shuttle and then the shuttle took off, leaving him to walk towards the ruined city.
Tails was doing some routine maintenance on the Star Tornado in the cockpit, making sure all the systems were working correctly. He had just finished making adjustments to the sensors when it beeped, revealing something. Tails took a closer look before heading off the ship. He ran to the elevator. Up in the ship's mess hall, the Freedom Fighters were eating the assortment of food that had been prepared for them. Sally was sitting with Sonic and Lupe when Tails walked up to her.
"Sally?"
"What is it, Tails?"
"I picked up something on the Star Tornado's sensors during my recalibrations. I think you wanna see this."
"Let's see it," said Sally.
Tails handed a datapad to Sally, revealing what he'd found.
"What is it, Sal?"
"It's an emergency distress beacon. It's coming from Sol."
"Sol? That's Blaze's homeworld, isn't it?" said Silver.
"It is," said Sonic.
"You gave her that beacon that was tuned to our frequencies, right, Sonic?" said Sally.
"Yeah, Sal. That means she's in trouble. We gotta help her," said Sonic.
"Agreed. Any friend of yours is a friend of the Freedom Fighters," said Sally.
"Sally, will you need support for this rescue operation? I'm sure many here would volunteer to help," said Lupe.
"I appreciate the offer, Lupe, but the rest of you are exhausted and we need you to reach safety. You'll stay aboard this ship and head for the rendezvous point. Sonic, Tails, come with me. We're heading to the bridge. Silver, gather the other Knothole Freedom Fighters," said Sally.
"Sure, Sally," said Silver.
On the bridge, Sonic, Sally, and Tails were showing the datapad to Jericho.
"Sol is off this ship's course, Sally. Maybe better we take your ship and the Storm Ranger to reach it," said Jericho.
"We?" said Sonic.
"Yeah. Me and my squad will go with you. If the Empire is already there, you'll need plenty of support," said Jericho.
Sonic and Sally looked at each other.
"Very well, prep your men, Jericho," said Sally.
"Good. We'll wait until we're outside the Imperials' sensor range before we take off, then we can make a quick jump to Sol," said Jericho.
"Tails, prep the ship for take-off," said Sonic.
"You got it, Sonic!" said Tails.
"Dayton, tell the others to get aboard the Ranger, and gear up," said Jericho.
"Right away, brother," said Dayton.
"Geoffrey, you and Milena stay behind, make sure this ship reaches its intended destination," said Jericho.
"You got it," said Geoffrey.
"You guys be careful down there," said Milena.
"We will, sis," said Jericho.
"Don't worry, this ship is in good hands," said Derek.
Jericho nodded as he accompanied Sonic and Sally into the elevator. Down below, in the Star Tornado's hangar, Sonic and Sally saw Antoine, Bunnie, Rotor, Amy, Cream, as well as Tangle, Whisper, and Silver.
"Tangle wanted to come with, Whisper was already aboard the ship," said Amy.
"So I see," said Sally.
"Relax, Sal! Tangle will do great!" said Sonic.
"Yeah! And this is gonna be so awesome! My first real mission on another planet!" said Tangle.
"Jericho and his squad will follow us on their ship. We'll make a quick jump that'll get us close to Sol, and then we'll find the source of that beacon. Hopefully, we'll get Blaze and get out before anyone even knows we're there," said Sally.
"Yeah! Blaze would be more than willing to help us, Sal. You'll like her," said Sonic.
"We are ready, moi princezz," said Antoine.
"Let's go then, sugah," said Bunnie.
The group boarded the Star Tornado and it's boarding ramp closed. Soon, the ship's engines fired up and the ship lifted off the floor of the hangar, which opened up to let the ship exit the Cortosis Pride. The Star Tornado descended around the same time the Storm Ranger did. Both ships moved away from the Cortosis Pride as it prepared to jump to lightspeed. A few minutes later, the Cortosis Pride jumped to lightspeed, and shortly after, the two smaller ships jumped to lightspeed as well.
