Space Colony ARK: The Robotnik Quarters, Tuesday, 6:50 a.m.
Maria had woken up early today and was finishing getting ready when her doorbell rang. It was her grandfather.
"Good morning, Grandfather, how was your sleep?" she asked.
"Fine, and yours?" the Professor asked.
"It was good. Would you like to eat breakfast with me today?"
"I would love to," he replied.
They left their quarters and started towards the Café.
"May Shadow eat with us today, Grandfather?" Maria asked.
"Of course, Maria. We can stop at his room on the way." He replied.
"Thank you."
When they approached Shadow's room, Maria rang the doorbell. Shadow, this time answered.
"Good morning, Maria. Good morning, Professor. How was your sleep?" he asked.
"We both had a good night's rest," the Professor replied, smiling at his own creature's good manners.
"Would you like to come down with us to breakfast?" Maria asked.
"Sure."
Space Colony ARK: Evan's Quarters, Same Time
Evan's mom barged into his room.
"Evan! We're going down to breakfast now. Are you coming?" she asked.
"Yes, mom." He moaned. "Can't they ever sleep in like normal people?"
He got ready in record time and went with his parents to the café.
The Café: 7:10 a.m.
Evan's family arrived at the café and sat down.
"I told you to take a right at that second junction, Carl!" his mom yelled at his father.
"How would I know that it would lead you to engineering? It's only our first day here you know!" He yelled back.
Evan sighed. As if on cue, the waitress appeared and asked if they wanted anything to drink.
"Coffee, black," His father said.
"Just coffee," his mother replied.
"Orange juice," Evan said.
"I'll be right back," she replied, and left them with some menus.
Suddenly Evan saw Maria and Shadow with who looked like the head professor.
They all looked so happy together, talking away.
I wish my family could be like that, he thought.
They sat down in the table across from them.
Their drinks came and they ordered.
Evan looked at Maria and Shadow's table and almost screamed.
"What is that thing at the other table!?" she asked in a low voice.
His father looked over and gasped, "I didn't know that it was capable of higher functions!"
Evan slapped his forehead and sank down in his chair.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"That's the Ultimate Life Form, Clara! Can't you see?"
"Ohhhh…What?! Are you telling me that we're eating next to some wacky experiment?!
"Yes, I guess you could put it that way," he replied.
Maria and Shadow had just finished ordering. They looked over and waved.
Evan waved meekly and sank lower in his chair.
"Let's go, Carl! I don't want to be anywhere near it!
"Yes, honey."
And with that, they left, but Evan stayed behind. He walked over to Maria and Shadow. He was still starving.
"Hey, can I uh, eat with you guys? My parents just left and…"
"Sure, we would love to have you join us. Waitress!" The Professor said.
A waitress came over and the Professor told her to direct Evan's order to their table. Evan took a seat between the Professor and Shadow.
"Evan, this is my grandfather, the head professor here." Maria said.
"Hello, Maria's grandfather, Professor, sir." Evan said nervously.
"Hello, Evan. I've heard so much about you from the recruit profiles. How is your family adjusting, Evan? I know it's very different from past environments." The Professor asked.
"Fine. My parents are just having some trouble getting around."
"It's actually a natural thing here," Shadow replied.
"We all still get lost in sometimes," Maria said. "So why did your parents leave so abruptly?"
"Uhh…I guess they just wanted a quick cup of coffee," he replied nervously.
Their food came shortly. The Professor ordered an eggs and toast, and Maria, Shadow, and Jacob all ordered cereal and milk.
After they finished, they got up and left.
"Where are you kids going today?" The Professor asked.
"We don't really know yet." Shadow said.
"We're just going to go to Shadow's room for now," Maria replied.
"I'll see you all soon," The Professor called as he started walking towards the lab.
"Well I guess it's off to my room," Shadow said.
"Lead the way," Evan said.
After about 5 minutes of walking, they finally reached a door with a plaque to the side that said:
Project: Shadow
Top Secret
"Are you sure we're allowed in here?" Evan asked, looking at the plaque.
"It's my room," Shadow replied.
They entered the room and looked around. Everything was a crude modern grey. In the middle of the room was a large capsule, obviously Shadow's bed. To the side was a bunch of toys strewn everywhere.
"So this is where you live," Evan said.
"Yes, anyways you can sit here," Shadow replied and gestured towards the floor next to the toys.
"So what do you guys want to do today?" Maria asked.
"I don't know. Did you bring anything with you from Earth, Evan?" Shadow asked.
"I think I brought my skateboard and my bike," He replied.
"A what?" Shadow asked.
"You know, you ride on them to get to places, they have wheels..." Evan replied, and then suddenly remembered. "You've never been to Earth, have you?" he asked.
Shadow shook head, "Neither has Maria."
Evan looked at them in astonishment. "That's crazy! You had to have been to Earth at least once, Maria. It's impossible to live here your whole life. This is a research lab."
"Maybe when I was very young but I can't remember a thing about Earth. I live here with my grandfather who is trying to make a cure for a disease I have. The disease remains inactive up here though, which is why I live here. If I didn't I would most likely die." Maria replied.
"This disease isn't contagious, is it?" Evan asked.
"Of course not," Maria said.
"Good," he replied, relaxing. "Anyways back on topic. I brought my skateboard and bike so we might be able to ride them around."
"They'd never let us ride them around the colony. We'd need a big room or something so that they wouldn't get in anybody's way." Maria said.
"What about the track? Nobody's ever there since everyone is always working, so as long as we're all alone, we'll be alright." Shadow replied.
"Good idea, let's go get the stuff at my place," Evan said.
They left Shadow's room and started walking towards Evan's quarters.
"What would happen if somebody saw us?" Maria asked.
"We would most likely have to have a long talk with the Professor and Evan's parents, a LONG talk." Shadow replied.
"Wait, MY parents?" Evan asked.
"They're the ones responsible for you, aren't they?" Shadow asked.
Yes but I forgot to tell you, my parents hate you, Shadow. If they found me hanging around with you they'd kill me, or worse, they'd ground me and I couldn't leave the house for a week!" Evan said, scared that his parents might appear at any time.
"I really can't understand your logic, wanting to be killed rather than grounded. Why would they hate Shadow so much though? He's one of the most kindhearted, caring people I've ever met." Maria said.
"Because they think of him as a dangerous experiment, not as a kindhearted person." Evan replied.
They were silent for a moment.
Then Shadow said, "I don't care what your parents think of me, I want to know what you think. You're still friends with me, right?"
Evan was startled. Nobody had ever asked him how he'd felt, or what his opinion was.
He replied, "I like you, Shadow. You're a very loyal friend and I know that you would never try to hurt me."
Shadow, apparently happy for his answer, though the only way you could tell was from the very slight half smile he gave, said, "Then I consider you a friend too. How are we going to get the bike and skateboard out of your quarters unnoticed if your mother is there and she hates me?"
"I never thought of that," Evan replied, feeling stupid for not remembering that.
"Why can't Shadow just wait around the corner while we go in and get the stuff?" Maria suggested.
"Fine with me."
"I'll meet you two at the track. I'll check and see if anyone's there, and I'll report back to you when I find out," Shadow replied.
Thus the plan went on. Maria and Evan got the bike and skateboard out of Evan's quarters and got to the track as quickly as possible. When they got to the entrance of the track, they were surprised to see a sign on the door which read in sloppy handwriting:
Closed for Renovations
"What? You've got to be kidding me!" Evan yelled.
"Wait a minute. That's it! I think it's ok to go in, Evan." Maria said, smiling.
"Does anybody listen to signs anymore?" Evan muttered.
They went in, and saw a huge track that obviously wasn't being renovated at the time, and Shadow in leaning on the wall in front of them.
Shadow approached them, and asked, "You didn't fall for my sign, did you?"
Maria laughed, "Shadow, the Professor and I taught you to write. I know your writing like I know mine."
Shadow smiled, "Let's hope nobody else does."
"Wait a sec. You made that sign to stop people from coming in beside us? That's genius! Next time tell us before you do though."
"Let's just get on with this now, shall we?" Shadow asked. "I want to try the one with two wheels."
"You mean the bike?" Evan asked.
"Let's go with that," Shadow said.
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Sorry I haven't updated for a while, guys. These past few days have just been so busy! Anyways hope you like the chapter!