A/N: Sorry for the delay in your Sonic Chao Chronicles… but 2012 was a pretty poor year for me, here. Anyways, hoping this makes up for it.

Human Card: Colonel Card Passer

Occupation: GUN Colonel, CLIP Commanding Officer

Known Family: None

Hobbies: Weaponry, Hunting Sonic

GUN HQ Exterior- 12:24

"So let me get this straight," Chris commented to his father as they witnessed a large combat walker mech being rolled out from the back of a truck. "GUN paid you to design giant robots that are to be piloted by humans for the sole purpose of hunting down Robotnik and Sonic?"

"After the incident in Guatemala where I met Sonic in person," Nelson replied silently, "I initially was against it. However, we've already been paid for the things months in advance, and publicly Sonic is on the fence between superhero and vigilante. Besides, Robotnik is the primary target of these things, not a Mobian hedgehog."

"…What exactly is your stance on Sonic?" Chris questioned.

"I never told you?" Nelson asked, nervousness hinted in his voice.

"Not really, dad. That was mom who's made it obvious she approves of him, not you."

"…Oh." Nelson awkwardly chuckled. "Well, son… I want to say that I don't trust him considering his outward appearance… but he and his team did save our lives in Guatemala, and, according to reports, he's saved your girlfriend's life twice now. I personally feel like I owe Sonic somehow." Chris blushed at the indirect mention of Helen. "Oh… you and Helen still aren't dating?"

"Dad…" Chris said through gritted teeth.

Sensing his son wanted to change the topic, Nelson agreed to it. "Okay, anyways , Chris, I'm afraid my hands are tied in this. If the Big Foot can help GUN protect America from terrorism in exchange for sort of betraying someone who I owe, then that's going to be a sacrifice. It's nothing personal between me and Sonic… I just hope that this never has to be used."

"Dad," Chris asked, "what about that other project of yours?"

"Project Extreme Gear?" Nelson asked, remembering that project. Nelson knew that well- a rather passive idea compared to the Big Foot, the Extreme Gear was the concept of creating a series of high-speed mobile transportation devices consisting of hover boards, air skates, and even hover scooters, to allow people comfort of traveling at the speed of the wind. It was something Chris, Sam, Chuck and Nelson all agreed on (which Lindsey was shocked that all four of the males she was close to by either marriage or blood actually occurred, as at least one of them disagreed on something).

Nelson sighed. "I'm still having trouble getting it approved by the board," Meteor Tech's CEO announced. "Some members in our military's pocket argue that since we have always made weapons for the military- in fact, a majority of the mechs you've seen used by GUN are a result of the company- that a rather passive idea would ruin our relationship with GUN and they would stop being our primary benefactor. Some insist that while this would decrease fuel costs due to how it runs on air power and can run on solar panels with the right adjustment, we would be dangerously making automobiles obsolete too soon. Finally, there are those who think this would only appease the younger crowd. Your Uncle Sam disagrees with this notion, of course, but he's not a Meteor Tech employee and his car was actually designed by us, so his opinion doesn't help my case."

"So still nothing, huh?" Chris asked.

"I'm afraid not," Nelson groaned. "I love the idea, and if I could get it approved, I damn well would. However, today is not the day. Anyways, how about we just watch the weapon demonstration and get this over with. The sooner we're done with things here, the better."

"Agreed," Chris nodded with his father. As they turned to the Big Foot, Chris noticed out of the corner of his eye the door to the facility closing, and, looking around, he saw that Karin Naka was no longer there.

Good… enough time was bought for Karin to get in. Well, that was the good thing about today.

However, that was the simple version. She had to sneak through an entire military facility undetected to find at least Swift to rescue him. From there, the two would have to rescue Frances before the rest of the GUN agents caught onto them.

Karin had probably the hardest job in the world right now.

"Okay," Nelson announced to the gathering GUN officers who had come to see the demonstration. "As you all know, this is Meteor Tech's newest combat walker: the F-6 Big Foot." Pointing to the empty cockpit, Nelson explained, "From this bulletproof cockpit, the pilot would have full access to a wide range of homing missiles, such as Slammers, Sidewinders, and Sparrows. Not only that, but this baby can take a beating."

"So this walker is specifically ground-based?" a GUN officer questioned. "Doesn't seem useful against flyers apart from the homing missiles."

"I'm actually working on a flying variation of the Big Foot right now," Nelson stated. "One that can fly indefinitely. However, that's not to say its big brother can't be useful in the air, though…" Turning to the pilot that had climbed in, he asked, "Hit the bright blue button, will you?"

"Uh, okay…" After the cockpit was closed, the pilot pressed the aforementioned button… and amazed the audience as the legs to the Big Foot suddenly retracted upwards towards the main body before igniting with rocket boosters, hovering in the air. While Chris was amazed by this, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Danny writing down notes.

"Danny," Chris whispered, "should I be worried about your sudden interest in my dad's machine?"

"Just thinking of possible upgrades for the Tornado," Danny replied. "Maybe a combat walker mode is just what we need in the case we get into a huge firefight."

"A combat walker mode?" Chris chuckled. "Next thing you know, you'll want to turn the Tornado into a jet or a car. Is this seriously how you spend your free time when you're not working with us or at school?"

"Well what do you do when you're not busy doing school or Sonic work?" Danny whispered to Chris in an accusatory manner. "You tinker with your grandpa's inventions, too."

"…Point proven."

GUN Base Interior- 12:45

"I'm extremely disappointed in you, Ruby," Maggie scowled as she walked through the halls, the Chao on her shoulder. "It's one thing you stole again, but to get arrested and I have to risk my career to get you out?"

"It's not my fault this time, in case you forgot," Ruby said with a swirl over her head. "It was that hedgehog Chao's fault. I hope GUN finds out what makes him tick so I can break it."

"Ruby," Maggie scowled, "it's not his fault your jewel kleptomania hasn't stopped, yet." The Chao looked down at Maggie. "Listen, Ruby. I know it's a hard habit to kick, but it's something you have to. After all, my uncle was the one who took us in when mom and dad died. He got us both off of the streets in New York. He got me into GUN when I'm still in high school myself. He knew the kind of trouble the two of us used to get into, yet he covered for us, and still does. We owe it to him to go clean."

"Maggie," Ruby replied, "don't think I'm not thankful for your uncle, but old habits die hard. And besides, that's no ordinary jewel I fought that stubborn hedgehog Chao for. It's bigger than an ordinary jewel."

"…And you assume I care?" Maggie asked.

"You will when you find out what it is," Ruby slyly grinned, a heart over her head.

"Still," Maggie interrupted, "I warned you what would happen if you got into trouble again." Maggie then stopped at a room that was labeled, "CHAO REGISTRATION". Ruby's heart turned straight into an exclamation point.

"No… I'm not doing it," Ruby breathed. "I'm not working for these soldier boys."

"Too bad, sweetheart," Maggie replied, seriousness in her tone. "I told you if you got into one more once of trouble, it would be GUN boot camp for you. However, when you're done, I'll see to it you join me and Topaz. Welcome to the Guardian Units of Nations."

As Ruby grumbled in protest while she and Maggie went inside the registration room, neither of them noticed Karin peaking into the hallway, looking around for any sign of life. When she didn't see anybody, she sighed in relief.

"Now," Karin muttered to herself, "if I was a mutant Chao with a lot of Chaos Energy, where would they lock me up?" The scientist proceeded down the corridor, hoping to find Swift before someone found her.

After a few minutes of walking, she heard banging. "Let me out of here!" a small certain voice growled. "You can't hold me forever!" Karin looked at the cell door, and sighed.

"You make it too easy, you little speed demon," the Chao doctor muttered with a smile. "Now, about letting you out-"

"HEY!" a masculine voice spoke up, stopping Karin in her tracks. She turned to see a GUN soldier walking over to her, his face masked under the armor. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Well, um," Karin began, "I was just-"

"Doctor," the soldier commented, "if it's about the girl with Chaos energy radiation, she's three floors down! That's just a small yet dangerous prisoner in there- some sort of mutant Chao if I've ever seen one. Really fast yet impatient. I wouldn't risk going into a Chaos energy cell, anyways!"

"…Oh," Karin blushed, realizing the soldier mistook her for the Chaos energy doctor. Well, this worked in her favor. "Sorry. Anyways, though… I may need a Chao for this."

"What?" the soldier asked. "Ma'am, with all due respect, why would you need a Chao? And why him?"

"Well," Karin explained, "believe it or not, even though we humans may not be one-hundred percent immune to Chaos energy's side-effects, Chao certainly are basically the intelligent life equivalent of cockroaches when it comes to all kinds of radiation, Chaos energy especially. They feed off of it, actually. Why do you think there were very little Chao casualties of the atomic bombings in World War II? I mean, yes, hydrogen was used, but the nuclear energy that affected Hiroshima and Nagasaki also increased Chaos energy outputs." The soldier blinked again. "Furthermore, he's a mutant Chao, right? Well, he should have no trouble helping out with this. If he does this well, we can let him go."

"Okay," the soldier commented. "If it will help." The soldier then walked towards the cell, and opened up, allowing Swift to tumble out of it and onto the floor. The soldier then picked him up, and handed him to Karin. "Don't do anything stupid, Chao."

"I won't," Swift said, an annoyed swirl over his head. The hedgehog Chao then looked at Karin, who looked annoyed at something. "Is there something wrong?"

"Other than the fact that I nearly messed up my own first field mission?" Karin whispered. "Well, I just realized I just signed my own paperwork for a suite in hell for what I just said." Swift's swirl turned into a question mark at the statement.

"So…" Swift asked, awkwardly, "where's Chris?"

Karin answered, "He's watching stuff blow up for what I feel like has been months. It's how we got in. Now, let's save Frances before something bad happens."

Exterior- 13:00

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

Chris' group took shelter behind the blast shields as the Big Foot's weapons test was completed. Chris looked up at the destruction that the Big Foot left on the field- targets everywhere were annihilated by the missiles and machine gun. Needless to say, he was hoping to repair Sonic's reputation as fast as the hedgehog could run.

Topaz whistled next to him. "I'd hate to be Robotnik or Sonic and go against that thing!"

Chris muttered, "I'd hate to go up against that without knowing how."

Nelson questioned, "So, boys. How was that?"

Ahaw Kin asked, "Don't you think that was a little excessive with the firepower?"

"Kid," Card Passer commented as he walked over, "you clearly don't know how GUN works." Topaz quietly saluted. "At ease, Agent Stone." Turning back to Ahaw Kin, he continued, "Firepower is everything in war. The side that wins usually has the best guns. Our organization, the Guardian Units of Nations, was created to have the best weaponry at our disposal. Many people believe that the best weapon is the one you never have to fire. Well, I'm not one of them. The best weapon is the one you have that can counter any threat. And with guns like these, our enemies have no chance. You picked a fine day to be friends with a billionaire's son. Otherwise, you wouldn't get to see this once-in-a-lifetime demonstration."

Chris then questioned, "Do you think that there will be any reason to ever use the Big Foot?"

"I sure hope so, kid," Passer grinned, much to Chris' discomfort. "As long as there are threats to America and the free world like Dr. Robotnik or that blue hedgehog running around, there will always be a use for the Big Foot. We need its power and weaponry to destroy our enemies and make sure nothing can stop us."

"Precisely why Doctor Robotnik would probably want it destroyed," a robotic voice interrupted. Chris, Danny, Miles, Ahaw Kin, and Spike all looked up to see Decoe and Bocoe piloting Robotnik's "Egg Mobile", floating down to them. "Greetings, humans," the golden Decoe spoke up.

Chris scowled. "These guys," the younger Thorndyke commented coldly. This did not go unnoticed by Danny.

"Chris," the pilot commented, "you seem a little peeved."

"Oh, I'm very peeved," Chris replied with a whisper. "These guys kidnapped Helen, ambushed you, and held my parents hostage. And now, they're after the Big Foot. I'm not letting them get away with all of that."

"I have to say, robots," Passer commented, "you must really have the guts to try to assault a GUN Base by yourselves. We have several armed personal and every single one of them can be called up here to raise hell on you two. If you want to prolong you remaining functional until you tell us where Robotnik is and what he's up to, I suggest you surrender right now."

Bocoe and Decoe looked at each other, their eyelids lowered. "He seriously thinks we were programmed to be stupid?" Bocoe commented. "If our predecessors were here, this might have worked."

"Lucky for us," Decoe replied, "Mechs Scratch and Grounder were salvaged prototypes by the Doctor's hand for being so stupid, and what was left of Scratch's processor was in the Egg Rooster. That was the first elite robot destroyed by Sonic. As for Grounder… well, the doctor planned on using his drill nose for a mobile mining operation."

"I take it you two aren't going to comply," Passer assumed. "Well, if you two aren't stupid, you're having a difficult time convincing me. Does that hovercraft even have guns?"

"Not yet," the golden robot replied. "Oh, by the way… about coming alone? We didn't." All of the sudden, the sky above the base became dark. Soon enough, several Egg Pawns and Beetles landed or flew down, guns ready. "Do not resist, humans," Decoe warned. "We just want a few things, and we'll be on our way."

"A few things?" Topaz asked, holding her gun towards the two robots in their hovercraft, Bocoe checking a screen.

"…It's underground," Bocoe announced. "We'll have to access the main base."

Chris, Danny, and Ahaw Kin all realized what was going on right away as they took cover. "The Chaos Emerald," Chris breathed. "They know its here!"

"That is unfortunate," Ahaw Kin agreed. "If we cannot stop the robots from breaching the base before Dr. Naka completes her objectives, then we may not be able to save your Frances. We must change into Tails and Knuckles."

"Great idea," Danny sarcastically agreed. "Let's change into Neo Mobians right in the middle of a Mexican standoff, not only exposing ourselves, but getting us shot by either the military or Robotnik's robots."

"But we're not in Mexico," Spike commented.

"Sarcasm," Miles sighed with a swirl over his head, "you are lost on this poor Chao and his owner."

"We cannot just do nothing," Ahaw Kin replied. "We have to stop Robotnik's forces."

"Look here, metal heads," Passer spoke up. "I don't know why you're here, and frankly I don't give a damn as to why you're here. However, there is no way you're going to step one foot into my base. I have plenty of soldiers who would gladly sacrifice themselves to keep you from getting your oily little hands on GUN technology."

"Uh, sir," Topaz spoke up, "not to be rude, but there are civilians present! One of whom is our client!"

"Not to mention that the doctor in treating Chaos Energy has arrived on base and is inside," another soldier commented.

"What?" Passer questioned. "I never actually called for a real doctor…."

"We need Swift," Chris whispered. "As Sonic, I'd be able to do a lot of damage quickly. Is there any way to reach Dr. Naka?"

"No," Danny replied. "The base kills all radio and even cell signals in and out unless under a secure feed. Dr. Naka was alone the moment she stepped into the base." Chris sighed as the gunfire started, and Nelson scrambled for cover with the help of Tanaka.

"Swift," Chris breathed, "hurry."

Interior- Radiation Decontamination Chamber- 13:12

"I'm just saying I want one of those suits of yours," Swift announced while holding the Chaos Emerald. After coming downstairs, Karin was fitted with a radiation-proof suit and demanded the Chaos Emerald and the purple Morpher for the operation. Now, Swift was holding the yellow Emerald up while Karin was fitting the unconscious Frances with the Morpher.

"When Chao stop being able to convert Chaos energy into a life-sustaining subsistence and are no longer immune to radiation, then they'll start making suits in your size," Karin waved off before looking down at Frances. She was surprised that the burns inflicted by the Emerald in the first place on her hands had already healed up. "Frances may have had her first solidified Chaos energy exposure," the doctor mused, "but if she's developed some sort of rapid healing like Chao and Mobians when it comes to fire, then maybe this accident can produce a new set of humans."

"New set of humans?" Swift asked, a question mark over his head. "You mean Frances could be a mutant case?"

"Yes," Karin answered while activating the Morpher. "Chris' report of his… encounter with Frances after you left to chase down the Emerald thief was that she developed some sort of pyrokinetic abilities and now knows he's Sonic. Rumors of autopsies upon the bodies other patients with a similar condition hint that had they survived their exposure, they would have had similar powers developing. This is precisely the reason why we can't lose Frances to GUN if she wakes up from this extraction of more Chaos Energy- the last thing we need is to hand GUN a new weapon."

"…Pyrokinesis is the ability to control fire, right?" Swift asked. "Considering what happened with this duel emerald, I was thinking Frances had lightning powers. Like weather control or something neat like that. She would be like that comic book character I read about. What was her name, again? Storm?"

"If Chaos Emeralds ever give someone to control weather," Karin replied, "then I would be worried. Start absorbing the energy, Swift."

"Got it," Swift agreed, focusing on extracting the Chaos Energy with the Morpher into the Emerald. Just like Karin predicted before, using the Emerald that caused Frances' condition as well as an unused Morpher seemed to speed up the process of draining Frances' Chaos energy build-up.

"It's working," Karin declared, looking at the Morpher. "The Morpher's taking up the energy. Swift, we did it. Just a few minutes of this and Frances will be stabilized."

"Thank Chaos," the hedgehog Chao smiled, a heart over his head. All of the sudden, the base shook causing the heart to turn into an exclamation point. "Dr. Naka… please tell me it's more field tests to that weapon Chris' dad built."

"I honestly want to say 'yes'," Karin replied, not looking up. "We better hurry up and finish the extraction before Frances wakes up, Swift. Who knows if that was a one-time thing?"

"Yeah," Swift agreed. "But if Frances does wake up and try to attack the closest living thing to her, do you know any karate?"

"No."

"Taijitsu?"

"No."

"Xiaolin?"

"No."

"Kung-fu?"

"No self-defense martial arts of any kind!" Karin snapped. "I earned my doctorates in either medicine or studying Chaos Energy. I didn't think I would end up joining a team of super-heroes as their Chaos Energy computer genius."

"…Not even wrestling?"

"Swift, focus!" Karin yelled, causing the Chao to flinch with a swirl over his head. Karin, sensing she hurt his feelings, sighed, "Look, I'm sorry. I'm not a fighter like you and Chris. Which is why if something happens, I'll need you here to help me out."

Swift calmed down, and focused on Frances. "Don't worry, Frances… we're here for ya," the hedgehog Chao told her unconscious form. "This'll all be over, soon."

Soon, the two were interrupted by the sound of alarms ringing throughout the facility and the door opening up. "You two," the soldier yelled at them, causing Swift and Karin to turn their heads. "We can't stay here! The base is under attack by Robotnik forces!"

"What?!" Swift asked, nearly dropping the Chaos Emerald. To Karin, he whispered, "How in Chaos' name did Eggman find us?"

"One," Karin corrected, "his name is Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Get it right, Swift. And two, it's not like GUN actually hides their headquarters, Swift."

"Come on, you two," the guard nodded. "We have to evacuate all nonessential personal. GUN will not be held responsible for what happens to you if you don't!"

"But we can't just leave this innocent girl to die," Karin argued. "We need a few more minutes, I swear!"

While looking at Frances, Swift had to think about the situation. On one hand, Frances needed a bit longer to get enough Chaos Energy out of her to have non-fatal levels left. Also, if Frances got free and was not able to control herself, Karin had no chance against a pyrokinetic Frances. On the other hand, if what the soldier said was true, Chris needed him. No doubt Chris could survive without him, but Chris' father was not a Neo Mobian and by extension lacked the faster healing or survival instincts that Chris had. Nelson would no doubt be caught in the crossfire between GUN and Robotnik.

No matter which choice Swift made, no doubt someone would get hurt in the next few minutes at best, die at worst.

With a swirl over his head, Swift asked himself, "Why does being a superhero mean making tough choices?"

Robot Card: Big Foot

Model: F-6 Walker Unit

Equipment: Gatling gun, heavy armor, heat-sinking missles, hover technology

Purpose: Combat riding mech, combatting Robotnik forces... destroying Sonic

Kingdom Rider92's Notes: So… it's been over a year if memory serves. And I'm sorry for it. But between school, work, looking for work, writer's block, briefly losing interest in this story and trying to upload it to deviantART, then somewhat getting back onto this story, I've got a lot of things going on and this wasn't on my priority list. This chapter… well, it just plain sucked for me to write.

So, to make it up to you, I'm going to give you all a new poll on my page. Who do you think Swift ought to save? Either way, Sonic WILL show up next chapter...

Aw, who am I kidding? You guys are pissed! I have a lot of making up to do in 2013! I'll go through and personally answer all comments. Kingdom Rider92, out!