Manic seemed to be flying the ship well enough, it seemed like enough time to relax until I felt two curious eyes staring at me. I opened them to find our world's tails looking rather eager to talk. A light chuckle escaped my throat before answering. "Y'know, if you have anything to say, you can just say it."

He tensed up slightly, probably embarrassed. "I'm sorry-! I just. Well. I didn't expect to run into you guys at all- I've been hearing so many stories about all of your missions, your successes! Everything the freedom fighters were willing to tell me!"
"Yea?" I asked, shifting in my seat. "So, why did you keep leaving the safety of sanctuary anyway? Just to meet people in the freedom fighters?"

He would rub the back of his head, probably an awkward question for him. "Well.. it's a long story. But to put it plainly. I just thought I could learn so much more and make a difference outside of there. I could already build and fly planes and ships well. So, they let me help them with their repairs and everything-"

"Hey- whoa- did you just say you can fly? How about driving?" Manic would question. "Think you can give us a taste?" He would offer, earning a look from Sonia. He would notice and shot her a sly grin. "Relax Sonia. If he's capable of it, then this shouldn't be a problem."

Tails was hesitant, but Manic seemed to just usher him to the seat and allowed him to take over. The kid took to it like a natural without much guidance if at all. "Not bad. Not bad. Tell ya what. You can drive for a bit and in exchange, I'll give you some secrets about this baby that I know when we're done with this." He winked at him.

"Whoa- really?" He was really excited to be able to drive the car for us and at least it meant Manic was free to assist with other things should problems occur.

I stood up and would walk to the front. "Let's make sure we're not drawing any attention.. We don't want to be caught on Robuttniks radar." Tails nodded, taking my advice.

Manic would take his seat and glance around. "Why do I get the feeling that this day is going to get even weirder. Should we tell the kid..?" He would whisper to Sonia and I. We looked at each other and I opened my mouth before we jerked to a sudden stop.

"What the-?" I turn to Tails to see what's wrong. He spoke up almost immediately. "There's someone right in the middle of the road... They aren't moving." That got my attention quickly. What? Why would they stop us? I rush to the door of the van and step out to see what was up with this. The stranger seemed to be scared.

"Hey- What are you-?" Before I could get a word out, she would approach me, she looked physically exhausted.

"Please.. You must. Turn back. There's a spy. He's expecting-" She then passed out in my arms.

"A spy?" I carry her into the car and would tell Tails it was time to kick things into overdrive. I'm not going to mention the spy yet. But..No, we just met the kid. He couldn't be the spy... Could he? I hope not. The thought made me all kinds of nervous. But for now, I needed to push those worries to the side. I laid her down carefully and looked to the others.

"We're finishing this mission. Robotnik's expecting us. We need to make this quick. Tails, you stay in the van, we're counting on you to be the getaway driver and watch over our new guest. Manic, be ready with your supplies. Sonia, I need you to stay close to me and see if you can't hack into the system to find out where the kid is."

The two would nod, the look on their faces said it all. They were wondering what the sudden change was about. There was no time to explain it.

-

I could hear footsteps coming into the room. Another check-in to see how things were going. I told him this was going to take time. But deep down, I felt he would figure out what I was up to.

"Well, how is it coming, boy?" He would ask, my eyes looking up at the rotund man. A hint of annoyance spread across my face.

I would continue to work, turning my eyes away from him. "I just barely started not that long ago. I need more time than this. The interruptions alone-" A laser blast was fired at my feet, missing. But it was a warning.

"No excuses! I will interrupt as much as I desire and if you keep up that attitude, I'll see to it that once you are done, you will be robotized rather than spending your life in here." I couldn't tell if he was actually serious, but I wasn't going to push his buttons any further.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again." My heart was still racing.

"Good. Seems your new buddies are heading this way. I'll be waiting in here for them so they can step right into my trap. That does mean. However, your work will be put on hold." He shot my legs with some kind of emitter that would lock my ankles together with some form of electricity. "I can't have you rushing to them. Now.. just watch and see.. The end of the rebellion!"