Prologue

"Chaos…Control!"

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, the now famous clip of President Barack Obama fleeing his address played once again on the television. The screams of those in the crowd soon became just as ingrained into every bar patron's ears as the president's speech itself.

Rainy had spent a long enough time at the bar to see each patron run the usual gamut of emotions, beginning with shock and fear, then morphing into concern and contemplation of what the future would entail for the world. Inevitably, usually after a pint or two, the emotion rinsed off, and they began to see the endless news broadcasts as mere white noise.

A few patrons requested changing the channel. Perhaps they came to the bar to ignore what was happening in the world, and every reminder was unwelcome. This endeavour would always prove fruitless, leading everyone back to the same story being covered on every channel. Strangely, Rainy thought, no one ever suggested merely turning the TV off.

"The question on everyone's mind is what can be done to prevent a worst case scenario."

A purple chameleon was speaking on the television set with an urgency that was somewhat betrayed by his guest's colourful dress and bright smile. Enough time had passed for newscasters to begin questioning everyone they could get their hands on, and, possibly foolishly, there was at least one person of interest willing to appear on these news stations. A certain sheep Rainy was somewhat familiar with.

"Secretary Coopworth, as GUN's commander, it comes down to your organization more than anything to step in should an emergency happen. Is there a chance the president could use the Chaos Emeralds? Should we panic?!"

"I understand that everyone is concerned," spoke Lanolin Coopworth. Her calm demeanour felt practiced, and almost necessitated by the frightening headlines scrolling underneath her. "For us at GUN, these are the kinds of questions we have to ask ourselves every day. The important thing to remember is that when it comes to emeralds, it's an all or nothing deal."

Rainy took another sip of her glass; cream whiskey. She'd been at the bar since morning, ever since she felt a few too many eyes on her. All week, since the incident with the president began, it had felt like she was being watched. She wanted to get away. Not like the other patrons, drowning their sorrows away or making cracks about Ms. Coopworth's low cut blouse. For Rainy Bunbun, today was simply not a day to stay at home. Nothing good could come out of all this.

"One Chaos Emerald is enough to channel the chaos powers that President Obama demonstrated earlier this week, and more famously during the Colony War," Lanolin continued. "Without all seven, though, his capabilities will remain as we've seen, and that's the key to our preparation."

"So you're saying GUN can handle the president's chaos power, but only if he stays limited," the chameleon newscaster summed up. "What happens if he gets all seven, though? We can all see the damage the complete set can cause whenever we go outside at night and see the state of the moon. The people need to know! What can be done to avoid disaster against these weapons of mass destruction?"

The interview continued in such fashion for a while. Rainy was beginning to tune it out, already familiar with the circular logic the news cycle had grown comfortable with. Always questioning every glimmer of hope. Each promise having doubt cast upon it to inspire more panic and fear in its audience. It gets the views, after all.

They're not wrong, though, thought Rainy. She never trusted the media. Fear mongering was as much a part of the business as PR-savvy politicians and commanders in chief offering practiced reassurance. Like most people, Rainy wanted to believe these promises. They were the only reason she was able to live an almost normal life, after all. It often felt like just yesterday that she herself was a part of the big scary news headlines, and it was people like the Secretary of Defense who had come to her aid.

That was a long time ago, though. All the government checks and cover-ups in the world weren't enough to make her feel safe right now. Rainy just wanted to be a civilian during this disaster, hidden in some tavern on the side of the road where no one could find her, but she knew it was only a matter of time before some government stooge found her in her hidey hole.

"I don't know why she makes these public appearances. It's not like anyone ever stops asking her the same questions. They never listen."

Rainy turned to the person speaking besides her. A lone bat woman took up the stool next to her. Her makeup and attire would make one believe she was merely looking to party, but to Rainy, her intentions were clear as day.

Rainy was wearing her thickest jacket, with a cap covering as much of her head as possible despite her long rabbit ears pushing it upward. Trying to act inconspicuous never worked for her, since people's eyes always seemed drawn to busty bunnies for some reason. However much she knew it was pointless, though, Rainy wished to avoid painting a target on her back.

"So what's your operative number?" Rainy asked the white furred bat.

"If you knew I was coming then you could've made my job a little easier. This is the fourth bar I've checked."

"Well I figured you'd notice I didn't want to be found after the first three."

The bat woman smirked, then pointed at Rainy's drink as the bartender gave the new patron a questioning glance. On cue, he refilled Rainy's glass with more cream and left the two women alone.

"I'm Rouge. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bunbun. Can I call you Rainy?"

"Only if the next thing to come out of your mouth is 'Goodbye, Rainy.'"

"You really wanna do this the hard way, huh?" said Rouge. She gave a little pout, almost childishly, and crossed her arms over the bar counter. After a long enough awkward silence she called the bartender back and ordered a drink of her own. A moolata.

Rouge the bat downed half her glass all at once before slapping it loudly onto the counter, maintaining eye contact the whole time. Rainy the rabbit merely took a small sip of her fresh cream. She left the bat waiting for a response, with only the sound of ice cubes in her whiskey glass clinking to fill the silence outside the news broadcast playing above the two.

"Seriously, you're a sneaky girl," said Rouge, "and I think that's pretty cool. You clearly knew GUN would send someone to find you, but you still had the guts to try and run. It's almost cute."

Rainy groaned, her voice having grown more cracked and gravely with age.

"What happens if I just say no?" she asked.

"Well I'd have preferred you waited at your apartment to tell me that if that's all you had to say," the bat replied. "But I'm not here to convince you. I'm just your escort. We've got the nerds up in space waiting to do the talking, and if I can't bring you to them they'll just send someone else who can."

"Sounds like I don't have much choice."

"Mr. President didn't exactly give any of us much choice, missy."

"I'm not your missy, hon," Rainy answered with the correct amount of sarcasm. She began to slowly finish her glass, having accepted she'd be dragged out of here one way or another once she was done.

Rouge sipped her own cocktail as well. It was as exotic as her. She had bright blue eyeshadow and magenta lips. They stood out against her white fur, which was slightly ruffled, but in a very deliberate way. Her ample cleavage showed one set of curves while her skintight pants exposed another. She looked like she'd be at home in a nightclub, not some run down bar full of mostly middle aged men. Already she had garnered a few onlookers.

Rainy figured this was all an attempt to lower her guard. Had GUN sent a troop of soldiers after her, it would hardly be very inviting. A female operative dressed like she was enjoying her one day off, though, was something different. Rainy, if nothing else, was happy that her comfort was being taken at least somewhat into consideration.

Once Rouge's boredom began to show and she began to check her nails, Rainy finally let out a cough. Rouge acted natural. She was clearly in no rush. She wouldn't wanna scare off her target.

"Alright, fine, let's go," said the grey rabbit. She gulped down the rest of her drink, letting an ice cube fall into her mouth to suck on before slamming the whole thing back down. She propped herself up, her arms wobbling for just a moment as she realised she was a bit more tipsy than she was used to at this hour. For a brief moment though, she paused, unable to move her feet off the barstool.

"We can take our time heading back, but we should still get to the ARK as soon as possible." Rouge's words felt calm. She sympathised with the greyish blue rabbit. "I can come back later if you want."

"No," Rainy sighed. "I'll do it..."

Rouge got up and helped Rainy to her feet. Despite some slight unevenness from getting up too fast, Rainy still held her liquor well, and didn't need much help. It was mostly the nerves that held her back. Rouge couldn't help but smirk at the rabbit's sighs of surrender. After a slight pause, she turned to leave cash on the counter, giving the bartender a nod as she pointed Rainy toward the door.

Rainy rolled her eyes. Not at anyone in particular, aside from herself. She had told herself she didn't want to be found, but she knew all along it was pointless to try and escape. GUN had allowed her her freedom for fifteen years, but there was no chance of her going back to a normal life for good. It was only a matter of time before her past would come to haunt her more directly than simple recurring nightmares. Still, she at least wanted to let her stance be known, and she had gotten her wish. Now it was time to face the music. One being conducted by a full militia.

The two stepped out, into the sun. It felt like an eternity since Rainy went inside that morning, but the day was still young. She felt instantly sobered, but that didn't stop her stomach from churning at what she could only imagine awaited her.

"You ready?" Rouge asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," said Rainy, rubbing her neck to ease some of the tension in her body. She felt like a schoolkid being sent to the principal for a crime she didn't commit. "Let's go see what GUN wants."