Chapter Five
Disappointing News
Rouge opened the door to her suite over Club Rouge. She, Shadow, and Omega had just arrived back after attending the meeting GUN called for and all three of them still had the whole morning's events fresh on their minds.
As she walked inside, Rouge sighed in content, happy to be back home and she hung her wet coat and umbrella on the nearby hooks next to the door.
"Finally back," said Shadow as he walked in after her. "We were gone a lot longer than I expected."
Omega walked in behind Shadow.
"According to my calculations..." it began. "Were it not for the extra stop as well as the weather, we would've returned an hour ago."
Rouge walked back to the door and closed it after they were all inside.
"I'm just glad to be out of that horrible weather..."
"Yeah," Shadow agreed as he looked over at one of the windows and narrowed his eyes at the raging storm. "And it looks like Omega's right. It's going to get a lot worse from the looks of it."
"High winds and hail imminent," the robot said as it turned its head to the window as well.
Rouge let out an exasperated sigh as she went into the living room of the suite, turned on the heater, and sat down on one of the sofas, trying to put her travelling mind at ease and relax after such a long start to the morning.
Having the same idea, Shadow took off his coat and hung it as well before talking over and joining Rouge on the couch, sighing in content as he leaned back into it.
"Much better." He looked over at Omega and smirked. "You're missing out."
Omega turned its head to look at the hedgehog.
"Changes to the temperature don't effect nor affect me."
Rouge couldn't help but chuckle.
"We know Omega. You're a robot."
The mention of hot temperature gave her a thought as she turned to Shadow.
"Speaking of which, would you like a hot drink?"
"Sure," said Shadow. "That could be just the thing we both need." Rouge nodded and stood up, stretching out her body as she did so.
"Come on then. I'll have a look in the kitchen and see what I can round up for us."
She looked over at Omega and giggled softly. "I'd offer you something Omega, but you can't drink."
"Truly a shame, heh," Shadow chuckled as he stood up along with Rouge.
Rouge agreed, smiling but then she heard a few beeping sounds come from Omega and watched with Shadow as it walked over to look out one of the window.
"Hey Omega, you alright?"
"Affirmative," the robot answered.
"Then what're you doing?" Shadow asked.
Omega's eyes scanned from side to side as it looked out the window.
"Along with keeping track of the weather, also scanning for traces of the individuals we learned about."
"Ah, I see," Shadow said with a nod.
Thoughts of the meeting came back to Rouge and she nodded as well.
"Alright. Let us know if anything comes up and we'll be right back." She turned to go to the kitchen before turning back to Omega. "Oh, one more thing. Don't overload yourself, okay? I know you're a robot but you can still get tired."
"Yeah," Shadow agreed as he looked over at the robot. "Don't push it."
Omega nodded its head, not taking its focus off the window. "Understood."
Rouge smiled fondly at Omega before motioning with her head for Shadow to follow her.
"Okay Shadow..." she began as they entered her kitchen. "I think we got coffee, different kinds of tea, hot chocolate even." She went to a cupboard, opened it, and pulled out a container of caramel hot chocolate. "I think we have a winner."
"I'll have whatever it is you're having," said Shadow.
"Okay," Rouge responded with a nod before taking out two mugs and starting to prepare the hot chocolate, giving her back to Shadow.
"Do you need any help?" he asked.
Rouge turned her head to him and gave him a smile. "Thanks Shadow, but I've got it."
Shadow nodded to her before walking over and having a seat at the kitchen table.
Turning her attention back to the hot chocolate, the smile remained on Rouge's face.
'He's such a gentleman. Always offering to help.'
A few seconds later, a flash of lightning spread across the sky outside followed by a loud crack of thunder.
"Jeez!" Rouge exclaimed as she jumped slightly. "Man, that was loud! Hope it doesn't cut the power!"
"Yeah," said Shadow. "That's the last thing we need to happen." He looked over and saw Rouge had finished preparing the hot chocolate and walked over to the table, handing him one of the mugs. "Thanks Rouge."
"You're welcome," the bat answered with a smile as she went to sit opposite of him and started to stir her drink.
Shadow gave her a smile before he stirred his drink as well and they both started to drink their hot chocolate together.
A few moments later, the home telephone rang.
"Hmm? Who could that be?" Rouge asked, looking in the direction of the living room where her phone is.
Shadow shrugged. "Don't know."
Omega walked into the kitchen.
"Rouge, caller ID says Topaz is calling."
"Topaz?" Rouge repeated. "I wonder what's up. Thanks Omega." She stood up and walked towards the living room.
"I'll be right back guys."
"Take your time," Shadow called out before having another sip of his drink. "Topaz, huh? I wonder what's going on."
Omega shrugged its large shoulders, it itself wondering what Topaz was calling for.
Rouge walked into the living room and had a seat on her sofa once more before picking up her phone and holding it to her ear. "Hello? Topaz?"
'Rouge! Hey!'
"Heya Topaz!" Rouge said smiling, happy to hear her friend's voice. "How's it going? Everything okay on your end?" Rouge heard a sigh come from her.
'To tell you the truth, I wish I could say yes but this isn't exactly a social call.'
Rouge raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What's going on?"
'What do you mean "What's going on?" You got a call from HQ too, didn't you?'
Confused, Rouge reached into her cleavage where she had her cell phone and cursed.
'Damn it,' she thought. 'I turned it off so that I could concentrate on driving.'
"No, I didn't. In any case, what's all the fuss about Topaz?"
'Commanders Abraham and Samson got in touch with me just a second ago and informed me of the plan they came up with concerning those guys they told us about.'
"A plan of attack?" Rouge repeated. "What did they say?"
Back in the kitchen, Shadow and Omega were listening in on Rouge's side of the conversation.
"A plan of attack, huh?" Shadow said out loud. "It sounds like the commanders are taking action."
Omega nodded its head and continued to listen with Shadow.
'Well, I thought you may already know, but since you're just now finding out, I'll explain all I know.'
"By all means Topaz," said Rouge as she leaned back into the sofa. "Fill me in."
'The commanders have decided to go with an espionage mission to find out what it is we're dealing with, and they want the two of us to do it.'
Rouge's face fell at hearing that. "
They want us to do it?" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. 'So much for a vacation and time at home...'
'Yep.' A sigh came from Topaz on the other end of the phone. 'So much for that cruise I was planning, huh?'
Rouge couldn't help but sigh as well because she knew how much Topaz was looking forward to her cruise, but now she wasn't able to go through with it. "So, when do the commanders want us to report for the mission?"
'They want us there tomorrow. They feel today's already been a long and trying one for us all and want us to relax for the rest of the day and come there tomorrow. From what I understand, its just gonna be us two since we're the best spies in the organization.'
"Alright. At least we got the rest of the day off," Rouge said before sighing again. "Alright Topaz, I'll see you at HQ tomorrow morning. Thanks for calling and letting me know everything."
'No problem at all Rouge. You take care okay? And don't let this get you down. We'll take care of this and put those clowns in their places.'
"Okay," said Rouge. "Thanks Topaz. You take care too. See you tomorrow."
'Later girlfriend.' Topaz hung up on her end.
Rouge hung up as well and sighed before tossing her phone on the sofa and walking back into the kitchen, rejoining Shadow and Omega. Shadow looked over at her and some the stressed look on her face as she sat back down at the table.
"Well, it looks like I got my vacation time cut short..." Rouge said before explaining everything Topaz told her to both Shadow and Omega. After hearing everything from the bat's mouth, Shadow closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and leaned back into his chair, taking into account all he heard.
"Unexpected turn of events," said Omega.
"Yeah," Rouge nodded. "I was looking forward to some relaxation time and spending time with you guys." She sighed and shrugged. "Oh well, duty calls...At least I get to enjoy tonight."
"And you report to begin your mission tomorrow?" Omega asked.
"Yeah," said Rouge before crossing her legs and taking another sip of her drink.
Shadow, who hadn't moved an inch since Rouge told him and Omega about the phone call, finally spoke. "Well then, if that's the case..."
Rouge looked over at her friend, a slight look of confusion on her face. "Shadow?"
Shadow opened his eyes and looked at her. "It looks like I'm going to be going with you." He looked at Omega afterwards. "You want in on this too Omega?"
"Affirmative," the robot responded, clenching its claws.
A soft smile came to Rouge's face. "That's really thoughtful guys, but the commanders requested me and Topaz only, and I wouldn't want to ruin your time off."
"You wouldn't be ruining anything Rouge," said Shadow.
Rouge looked back at the hedgehog. "You sure?"
"Of course not," Shadow continued. "And besides, the more of us there are, the better our chances of finding out something." He looked back at Omega again. "These guys may not be any of Dr. Eggman's robots, but I'm sure that you'd have just as good a time stopping these guys as you would any of those 'worthless consumer models' as you like to refer to them as."
Omega clenched its claws tighter in anticipation.
Rouge chuckled at her two friends, her smile growing. "Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I'm sure Topaz would say the same."
Shadow nodded at her. "You report for the mission tomorrow morning right? We'll come along with you and explain everything to the commanders. I'm sure they'll understand about us joining you two."
"We'll find out tomorrow," said Rouge, her smile still present on her face. "Thanks again, you guys."
"You don't have to thank us Rouge," said Shadow. "We're your friends."
"We'll support you in any way we can," Omega added.
Rouge smiled at them, thankful for their support and friendship as one last thought came to her mind.
'Thanks guys. What and where would I be without you two?'
Poor Rouge and Topaz, having their time off cut short. At least Shadow and Omega have offered to help. :) Such gentlemen! lol!