Chapter 7: Decision Time
Knuckles is reclined in the driver's seat and sleeping when his phone vibrates on the dashboard. He is woken up and looks at the caller I.D
Vector
"About time..." he mutters as he answers the call "You get everything you need?"
"Yes, but we need to do this NOW. By morning, they'll know what's going on and Angel will be long gone" Vector responds
"Alright. I was gettin' sick of waiting, anyway. We'll meet up at the spot. Stay off the phone until we see each other"
The Echidna ends the call and puts the keys in the ignition to start the engine, getting the attention of Shadow, still standing on the back porch around the other side of the house.
The Android watches Knuckles back out of the gravel driveway and speed off into the darkness.
Knuckles checks the time on the car's digital radio display
1:08. It's still early. Plenty of time before sunrise.
He turns on the car's highbeams so he can see better out on the pitch black back roads.
Back at the house, Sonia is woken up by the car leaving, so she goes outside and catches a glimpse of the tail lights disappearing into the darkness.
Shadow stands next to her and shakes his head
"I never thought he'd ever give up and abandon his friends... first time for everything, I suppose"
"He wouldn't abandon us, Shadow. He's probably just going for a night drive to clear his mind" Sonia says
"..you must hold him in high regard to still defend him. After everything he's said and done to you. That's love"
Sonia looks up at him "...I mean, I care about him a lot, but-"
"You say you can see through my bullshit, I can see through yours, as well. I'm not as Knuckles said, a retard. I might not be able to feel love, but I know when I see it. You love him"
The pink hedgehog breaks eye contact and looks at the ground "...maybe I do. But, I don't think he shares that love, or at least wants to show it. He's something else, but deep down I know he's a good guy"
Shadow turns back to the porch "...I think we both know what he loves. Inflicting pain, anyway he can. That's all he knows.. That's no good guy, to me"
Sonia sighs and walks back inside the house, while Shadow crosses his arms and leans against the wooden railing on the back porch.
Vector parks a dark blue van in a parking garage two levels below ground, while Espio types on his Tablet screen in the back seat. They hear the sound of the toll gate opening up echo through the concrete walls as Knuckles drives the stolen car down to meet them in a back corner. He parks the car three spaces away from their van and gets out.
"Nice ride, where'd you get it from?" Vector asks
"Fuck-face stole it, I don't know where from. Anyway, fill me in"
Espio jumps out from the side door "We were able to access the records of many known associates and former friends of Angel Lefthand. Many of them are in prison because of his testimony, and would love a chance to have him sent to their penitentiary. In other words, we uncovered everything he covered up"
Vector grins "We got the son of a bitch, Knux!"
"I knew I could count on you guys" Knuckles smiles "...so, any idea where he is right now?"
The chameleon pulls up a live feed on his tablet and shows him
"At the Luxor Champagne Lounge, currently indulging in some highly illegal cocaine use"
"That's an odd combo" Vector says
"Well, I hope he enjoys it, last time he'll ever get the chance. I'm going up there"
Espio reaches into the van, grabs a grey gym bag and hands it to Knuckles.
"Espio will cover the outside, should he try to escape in a getaway car" Vector says "...me and you will breach and take opposite sides of the building in case the little prick tries to run. You got a taser, pepper spray and a pair of cuffs in this bag, if you get to him first. You're gonna need me once we catch him, since you're no longer employed by the department. They hear you don't have police privilege, and you bust Lefthand? His lawyers will file lawsuits out the ass long after they release him"
"..would be a lot easier just to toss the little fucker off the roof.." Knuckles says
Vector looks at him "Hey, you wanna take him down? This is the only way we can do it. We need him alive, Knux"
"...I need your word on something, both of you"
Knuckles puts the gym bag down and looks at the duo
"..anything happens to me up there, you make sure Sonia and those kids are alright. And I mean, fuckin' ANYTHING. Do I have your word?"
Espio nods "Yes"
"On my life, brother. They'll be fine" Vector assures him
"..alright. lets go bag this sum'bitch"
Up on the 26th floor of the Champagne lounge, Angel sits back in his black leather chair, his girlfriend Jay sitting on his lap as they drink from their glasses.
"..you remember when those hacks told me I was only ever gonna be a lackey, and never make it to the top? Look at me, look at us, babe. We're here" Angel says
Jay pushes her long Brown hair out of her face and kisses him on the cheek
"I never doubted you" she says
Down in a dark security room, a young, skinny member of Angel's Flock skims through his computer screen, looking out for any intruders or suspicious activity.
Then he reads the Vace Beach news article on all the uncovered information Angel had his men cover up.
"Holy shit..." The kid says "..they know. They Know! Fuck!"
He buzzes up to the Lounge but no one answers because everyone is too busy enjoying the cocaine. The kid buzzes once more, then takes off running to the elevator, having to go up there himself and tell his boss the bad news.
About a minute after he leaves, Knuckles and Vector appear on the security camera entering the garage, and splitting off towards two different stairwells.
Espio easily climbs up the drainage pipes on the side of a 10 storey apartment building that's directly across from the Lounge, then he pulls out his phone
"I have eyes on the closest exit" he says
"Good. Keep it together, guys. The precinct will take another 20 minutes to respond to the news, so we have to be fast. We're the only ones already here. If we get made, it might be a shootout" Vector says
Knuckles walks up the garage staircase, enters a back hallway the janitors use, and pushes open the doors to a service elevator, used to lift janitor carts up and back down the building. He gets inside and closes the doors behind him, then pulls out his phone
"Which floor is he on?"
Espio takes a second to look at the live feed on his tablet
"..26th, Main Lounge"
The elevator only goes to the 20th because the top floors have separate cleaning services, so Knuckles pushes the last button and the elevator makes its way up.
He reaches the 20th floor and keeps his back to the walls at all times, staying out of sight of the cameras.
As guests are being escorted out of the building, Sargent Luggs sees something move out of the corner of his eye, so he heads over to it.
Knuckles punches the doorknob off of an office and enters, so Luggs raises his gun at him and shouts
"Jonathan! Freeze!"
Knuckles slowly turns around and stares his former boss in the eyes
"...my team knew Angel had a rat in the police department, but I honestly didn't think it was you" Knuckles says
"How dare you, I'm the Staff Sargent of the-"
"Don't bullshit me. How else would you know to be here, waiting, on this specific floor, at this specific time? You even told me you watch everyone, including your operatives. It's YOU!"
"I was waiting here to flush out the rat, Jonathan! There's a reason why we called your team in to help us! We KNEW there was a rat, we just didn't know WHO!...What would I have to gain if I worked for Angel?! Nothing!"
Knuckles doesn't know whether or not to believe him, but once Luggs puts his gun away and leans against the wall, he feels there is no danger.
Luggs closes the door so no one sees or hears either of them talking
"...I can't say I approve of your methods, especially after you freed those convicts. But, you've definitely put the squeeze on this department. Whoever the rat is, their breathing space is getting smaller, thanks to your tactics"
"Enough of the bullshit. You knew I was right about Angel, and that he had a rat. But you still gave him immunity and arrested Sonia. The fuck for?"
"To get him to make a mistake. He thinks we'll never find the evidence, and we never would've, if you, Gaspard and Simmons hadn't gone rogue and did the dirty work-"
"You mean do your fuckin' job for you, right" Knuckles clarifies
"Anyway, we have it. But arresting Angel is only part of the job, you knew that. We need his rat, or any other cop he has in his pocket. And Dogg. That's what you were hired to do. Don't get things twisted"
Knuckles looks out the window, trying not to act out in anger.
"...we bust Lefthand tonight, he'll be out just as fast. We need all the players, Jonathan. Okay?"
Luggs puts his hand on Knuckles' shoulder and looks at the tall Echidna
"It's a losing battle, son. At least it is tonight... go home. We'll sort this mess out, and clear your name"
"And Sonia's! She had nothing to do with this, apart from trying to be a friend.."
"You have my word. Come on, I'll call off my men and make sure you get outta here safely"
Luggs opens the door to leave but he's faced with the barrel of a revolver
Knuckles watches the bullet enter the sargent's forehead, dropping him instantly
Then Mighty the Armadillo enters
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
M holsters his weapon and puts his hands up defensively
"Hey! Chill out, Knux! He's the rat! I have proof! Calm down!"
"Wha- that don't mean shit now, you killed him!"
"He burned us, man, trust me! You know damn well you wouldn't have left here alive!... we need to go-"
Knuckles pushes a table at the armadillo, reaches down and grabs Luggs' gun.
He raises his weapon "You're fuckin' done. You and Luggs here at the same time, both of you saying you're not the rat? That's too many coincidences, one of you is, and I'm willing to bet it's you - HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD!"
"Knuckles, believe me, it's not me! I didn't get Sonia arrested, HE DID! I heard what he said to you, why do you think he wants you to leave Angel alone? HE IS THE RAT! Come on!"
"Yeah? Then why kill him instead of arrest him?"
M doesn't answer
"I should shoot you for the hell of it, you snake cock sucker...!"
The Armadillo's eyes widen "Knuckles, DON'T! Julie is here, she's pregnant with your kid! She asked me to help find you! I swear on my life!"
Knuckles hesitates, realizing this could be the only truthful thing Mighty has said to him this entire time.
"I swear to fuck, if you're lying to me-"
"I'm not! I can prove it! I'll call her!"
"Do it, gimme the phone"
M reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cellphone, but Knuckles punches him in the face before he can react. The punch knocks him out and he falls next to Lugg's body.
Knuckles opens the phone contacts, taps on Julie's name and calls her.
He points the gun down at M "You better hope she backs up your story.."
Julie picks up her phone "Hello?"
"Julie, it's me, Knuckles!... is it true? You're pregnant? ...I'm the father?"
"Yes, it is! Where are you? I need to talk to you in person!" she says in a slightly desperate tone
"What? Something wrong?"
"...this guy, Sleuth Dogg, he's looking for you. He's using me to - get to you..."
Knuckles' adrenaline spikes upon hearing that name
He hears Dogg and Clove in the background of Julie's room
"Is that him?" Dogg asks, voice muffled in the background
"...I'm sorry, Knuckles" Julie says
"It's not your fault, don't be sorry... Put him on.."
Dogg takes Julie's phone and clears his throat "Hey, pal"
"You leave her outta this, she didn't do nothing! You wanna fight me? I'll meet you. Just - don't you fuckin' hurt her"
Dogg laughs "...sucks not being able to protect someone you love, eh. I know how ya feel. Don't worry, I won't touch her. But I need something from you"
"What do you want?"
"Ooh, you sound scared, Knuckles"
"Just fuckin' tell me what you want and I'll do it!"
"Angel and Enerjak. Bring 'em to me. Then me and you can settle this whole thing like the psychologically damaged men we are. You knew how this was going to end"
Knuckles freezes on the spot, Dogg's words sending a chill down his spine.
He snaps out of it when his own cellphone rings, Vector on the other end
"Knux, where are you? Angel knows we're here for him! He's got a chopper coming!" Vector shouts
Dogg hears this on the other line and laughs
"You're going to arrest him? ...you do that, and I won't keep my word to your old lady, Knuckles. You bring that sack a' shit to me or Julie gets it"
Vector hears this threat on his end
"Knuckles, he's going to escape if you don't move NOW!"
The Echidna shuts his eyes and cries out in desperation.
He hangs up on Vector and speaks to Dogg
"I'll talk to you when I have Angel"
"And Enerjak-"
Knuckles throws M's phone at the wall, smashing it to pieces. He punches a hole through the wall, exposes a pipeline that leads to the 26th and climbs up, one floor at a time.
Shadow's right eye starts blinking and he looks up, only to be shot in the chest and dropped on his back.
The lights inside the house turn on and Sonia looks out the kitchen window
"What was that?!"
As he gets to his feet, another bullet is fired and this one is so powerful, it tears off his left arm.
Sparks fly as the android struggles to get to his feet, then he sees what is shooting him
The Tracking Wheelers Mr. Hood sent out have finally caught up to them.
"Stay inside-"
The next bullet rips through the back of Shadow's head and he falls to the ground.
The red light in his right eye slowly shuts off and fades to black.
Starr, AJ and Duncan try to get a look at the machine but Sonia pushes them back inside.
"Stay away from the windows!" Sonia shouts
"Wait, I think I can scramble the connection!" Duncan says
He pulls out his phone and frantically types in a series of code into a special app he designed. Once he's satisfied with the work, he points his phone at the Wheeler and presses a button on the screen.
The Tracking Wheeler stops and the lights turn off.
"Holy shit, it worked!" Starr says
"Course it did, I built this thing specifically for this reason!" Duncan gloats "Lets see Knuckles do that!"
Sonia steps outside and leans down next to Shadow, but then gasps as a dozen more Wheelers surround the house
Mordred Hood, Angel's tech genius, sits in the back seat of a Black car holding a Tablet
"Get the boss on the line, he'll be happy to hear we have them" Mordred says
Angel is escorted into the stairwell that leads to the rooftop, where a helicopter has landed and waits for him.
"Keep the boss safe! We have stragglers in the building!" A guard shouts
Before anyone can react, Knuckles uses a taser to knock the first three guards down, then slaps one cuff link around Angel's wrist.
"No! You motherfu-"
Knuckles elbows the gothic hedgehog in the mouth, dropping him to one knee.
"You're coming with me"
Angel's cellphone rings and he reaches into his jacket to pull it out, but Knuckles takes it from him and answers it himself
"Boss, we have Rochev and the Elementals" Mordred Hood says on his end
Knuckles looks at the video call and sees Sonia, AJ, Duncan and Starr surrounded by Angel's Flock.
Angel laughs as he wipes blood from his mouth "...betcha didn't think we'd find them, huh"
"LET THEM GO"
"Wait! - You unlock the cuffs and let me fly outta town, and I'll release them. If you take me, they die in that field tonight!" Angel warns
Vector calls Knuckles once again so he answers
"Please tell me you have him, Knux!"
"I got him, but... I'm not turning him in..."
A smile crosses Angel's face once he hears this, assuming the echidna is going to let him leave.
"Knuckles, what are you doing?!" Vector demands
Knuckles sprays Angel in the face with a can of pepper spray. He screams in pain and flails around, grasping his eyes, while Knuckles drags him down the stairwell and back into the Lounge.
"Vector, I need a favor. Please, they're going to kill Julie and Sonia if I don't do this! I need your help, you AND Espio"
"...what do you need?"
As Knuckles explains the situation to the crocodile, he drags Angel out of the Champagne Lounge and back to his car in the underground parking garage.