Chapter 40: Asia VI
It's 1:50 pm (USA time: 1:50 am), our team is flying above Iran.
"The word Iran has been derived from the Proto-Iranian term Aryānā, which means "Land of the Aryans." The official name of Iran is 'Islamic Republic of Iran.' The capital of Iran is Tehran which is the 19th largest city in the world. Iran is also the founding member of the UN, NAM, OIC, and OPEC. Mt. Damavand, the highest peak of Iran, is located on the Alborz Mountains, which stands at 4,667 m. Carpets from Iran contribute as the second-largest export commodity. These carpets are renowned all over the world for fine design and quality. Iran also has some of the world's best caviar, the luxury delicacy that consists of non-fertilized, salted, and processed fish eggs. Iran has many animals that are surprisingly native to the country; a few of them are crocodiles, Asiatic Cheetah, and Caspian Horse. There were even Iranian tigers, but people hunted them to extinction 50 years ago," said Amy, reading her guidebook.
"We're flying above Iran," said Tails.
"Where's our location for the next battery," said Tikal.
"Azadi Tower."
"At least this one isn't a skyscraper," said Sonic.
Then Amy says, "The architect, Hossein Amanat, won a competition to design the monument, which combines elements of Sassanid and Islamic architecture. It is part of the Azadi cultural complex, located in Tehran's Azadi Square in some 50,000 m². There are several fountains around the base of the tower and a museum underground. The iconic Monument des Martyrs in Algiers (built, 1982) shows a strong influence by this monument in its general design and details. Built with white marble stone from the Esfahan region, there are eight thousand blocks of stone. The stones were all located and supplied by Ghanbar Rahimi, whose knowledge of the quarries was second to none and who was known as "Soltan-e-Sang-e-Iran." The shape of each of the blocks was calculated by a computer and programmed to include all the instructions for the building's work. The actual construction of the tower was carried out and supervised by Iran's finest master stonemason, Ghaffar Davarpanah Varnosfaderani. The main financing was provided by a group of five hundred Iranian industrialists. The inauguration took place on October 16, 1971."
"Woah! What a tower," said Knuckles, sees the Azadi Tower.
As Sonic takes pictures, he said, "let me guess. The battery is underneath it."
"Yes, but not underground," said Tails, lands the plane, and turns into a jeep.
The Team goes underneath the Tower and sees a 4ft battery in a 4ft plug on the wall. When Tails disable it, Cream then notices Zor is on the ceiling, like a bat, sleeping.
When the rest looks up, Knuckles says, "so, he is more than just a Zeti. He is a vampire-bat-thingie."
Then Cream takes out a wooden stick use for vampires from Knuckles' backpack. She throws at Zor, and it struck on his head, which woke him. Then Team Sonic leaves when he fell and flees in the jeep.
At the Espinas Hotel, it's 1:59 pm (1:59 am USA time). Team Sonic is playing volleyball, boys vs. girls, while Cheese is the referee.
"You're going down, Rosy. You pink little Rascal," said Sonic, teasing Amy as flirty winks at her.
"I haven't been called that since we first meet, Blue Boy," said Amy, as she serves the ball.
Then Zor comes in with an ax while saying, "oooh! I'm going to have a lucky rabbit's foot."
Then the volleyball hits Zor's face, and everyone saw him.
"Uh… did we win," said Cream.
"Maybe…," said Tails.
"Let's go to the gift shop. I'm going to get a gemstone turquoise," said Tikal, leaves the gym.
"Right behind you," said Knuckles, who follows her with the rest of the team.
"Speaking of going anywhere, our next stop is India. And we got three batteries there too. India is only three hours and fifty-four away from Dubai," said Tails.