Chapter 3: Alpha the Hedgehog
July 3rd, AD 2169, 8:00 AM.
Location: Project Shadow Research Facility Bravo, Robotnik Enterprises, Somewhere in North America.
They called him Alpha, but that just wasn't right. It didn't sound right, it didn't feel right. He felt the need for speed, but the scientists who created him just wouldn't listen. Alpha longed to break the Sound Barrier, a feat, which was seemingly impossible; at least it was if you were not trying to pilot a vehicle.
But the impossible was his specialty, because he was a Mobian. In theory, he shouldn't even exist, but due to the amazing designs of his creators, he was here. Standing almost four feet tall, his kind was designed to be a marvel to the world: a genetic cross between man and various animals, blended together into a form that looked natural, and was not contributed with the ugliness that similar creatures were characterized with in various novels.
Alpha was no exception. He was a blue-furred hedgehog with brilliant green eyes. His chest and his arms were tan in color, a sort of birthmark unique to him. He wore a pair of white leather gloves, initially to protect his hands whenever he was in combat training. Now, he wore them all the time.
In the distance, he heard two of the sergeants arguing heatedly. Alpha glanced over, shrugged, and then continued to read. Whatever the problem is, he thought, it must be pretty bad to get them yelling at each other like that.
Alpha was lying on a tanning ledge close to the training ground, lazily drinking lemonade and reading the latest news on his Reading Tablet, when his thoughts was rudely interrupted by someone who thundered his name. Startled, he jumped to his feet in surprise. As he scrambled to his feet, he knocked his Reading Tablet and his lemonade onto the ground. With a hiss and a few sparks, the Tablet short circuited. Damn, not again. That was my fifth Tablet this month. Oh well, it really isn't worth that much…
"Alpha, Get your lazy ass over here now!" Sergeant Miller bellowed, as the great man lumbered over to him. "You should be practicing your sparring skills, not lying around like a sack of useless grain! We do not need to keep the Professor waiting, or the new batch of recruits, and I do not want to get my ass handed to me on a platter, just because you are the laziest Mobian in this entire facility!"
Sheesh, what has gotten you all riled up? Alpha thought, quickly springing to attention.
Of course, Alpha was actually one of the best; which is the reason why most people assume that the Sergeant singles him out constantly. What appears as one thing on the surface, however, isn't always what is really going on. Technically, Alpha was commissioned. But due to Robotnik Enterprises Militia Division regulations, and the fact that he was a Mobian, he was under the personal command of the top NCO in the building, Chief Master Sergeant Miller, until he was considered trained enough to leave the MCTF, or until he chose to leave.
He graduated Basic Training with top marks, and would've been sent into the reserve if he hadn't refused to go. Unlike most Mobians, Alpha decided to stay at the MCTF to receive his Commission, as well as to receive the Advanced Combat and Tactics Training Course required for a Mobian to do so. He was nearing the end of the ACTT course, after which, he would be Immediately promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and would be considered of equal rank to any Human of the same rank, assuming that he won his fight against, Knuckles, who was competing against him for that honor.
"Yeah, Yeah, Sargent, I am coming," Alpha replied in a bantering tone, "Don't get flustered. It's not the end of the world."
"It may not be the end of the world for me," The Sergeant growled back, "but it will definitely be the end of yours if you embarrass me and your colleagues in front of the professor and the new recruits."
Despite their apparent animosity, Alpha and Sergeant Miller were the best of friends. The Sergeant has long been one of Alpha's mentors, but due to their positions within Robotnik Enterprise's Militia, they were forced to keep their friendship hidden.
"New recruits?" Alpha gasped in shock, "B…but they were not supposed to arrive until next week, sir. "
"I am well aware of that, Alpha," his friend growled between clenched teeth, "but they arrived sooner than expected, and we cannot let them just sit around idly, now can we?"
"But today is supposed to be-"
"I am well aware of what today is supposed to be, cadet," the sergeant cut him off coldly, "And I will have to speak with Professor Jason about it. Now, come with me."
Sergeant Miller led him to a training ground where a small group of Mobians stood. Alpha took a long look at the new recruits from a distance. He had never seen them before, and they all looked like they had just come out of the Bunks, the places where Mobians were created and raised until they were considered fit to be enrolled in the Militia. They all looked rather young, which was not a surprise, considering they were fresh recruits.
"What do you want me to do, sir?" Alpha whispered so that the recruits could not hear him.
"Alpha," Sergeant Miller rolled his eyes in exasperation. "If you were paying attention to the announcements this morning," he replied in a low voice, "you would know that there was supposed to be a demonstration of what exactly Mobian soldiers can become. I selected you for the demonstration because I thought it might do YOU some good. Demonstrate your combat techniques to the new recruits, and don't you dare hold back. The professor will be watching.
The sergeant paused to think a moment, and then he spoke again, "Alpha, I cannot stay to guide them, so you will act as the drill sergeant in my place till I return. You will demonstrate your abilities when I return. Hopefully you won't make a total mess of things while I am gone."
"I won't sergeant," Alpha replied, no longer startled. It wasn't against the sergeant to occasionally try to humiliate him in public.
"I think I frighten them too much, anyway," The Sergeant grinned.
Then, more seriously, he raised his voice. "I am transferring command of these recruits over to you. When I return, you will proceed with the demonstration. Right now, I want you to show them some of the basics, and address any questions they may have. Now get over there and do what you're supposed to do!"
Alpha sprang to attention, saluted the Sergeant, and then marched over to the new recruits. "Welcome to Mobian Combat Training Facility Bravo-17", Alpha bellowed in his best imitation of Sergeant Miller's voice, "Here, our goal is to turn you soft little whelps into combat worthy soldiers, able to defend themselves from anything the Enemy can throw at us! If you expect soft treatment, then you might as well pack your bags now and return to the miserable Bunk you came from, where you will care for all the Mobians too young to enter Boot camp! But, if you're expecting to be pushed near to death, then do not worry. As long as you put every single ounce of sweat into learning basic combat, you should be fine. Any questions?"
A yellow fox, with two tails, near the front of the group, raised his hand. "Umm… sir… where is the restroom?"
Alpha sighed. This was going to be a long day, he thought.
Sergeant James Miller smiled as he walked into Professor Jason's private observation room.
"You wished to see, me professor?" the Sergeant asked.
"Yes. How is Alpha?" Professor Jason replied.
"He is currently preparing the latest group of Mobian recruits for basic training."
"They arrived? I thought that they wouldn't be here for another week."
"So did I, professor. All of the other 1st generation Mobians are assembling in the Hall of Ceremonies, Should we continue anyway? "
The Professor thought for a moment. "No, Sergeant. Let's delay the ceremony for a week, and then have the Sparring match between Alpha and Knuckles privately on the morning of the ceremony. The early arrival of the new recruits means that we will have to focus on their first week of training more than the full-commission ceremony, besides, it gives me more time to think."
"That makes sense sir." The sergeant replied.
The professor remained silent for a few minutes then cleared his throat.
"What is Alpha's specialty?"
"Sir?" Sergeant Miller asked questioningly, "what does that have to do with the ceremony or the new recruits?"
"Everything, Sergeant, Everything. Whatever he specialized in during his training will determine his role in the Militia as a Mobian commissioned officer."
"Very well, professor. Alpha currently specializes in hit-and-run tactics, and hand to hand combat. His quick reflexes make him a natural master in those combat areas. He also possesses leadership qualities, although most of the time he prefers to be a lone wolf."
"What does he want to do Sergeant?"
"Professor, he likes to run..."
"…to build up his endurance? I meant what he does in his spare time, sergeant."
"He just likes running, sir. He dashes around the track as fast as he can for hours on end. His endurance is phenomenal, but eventually he wears himself out. When he is not running, he is reading the news or practicing his combat skills. I have very rarely seen him actually relaxing. I think running may actually be only real thing he enjoys. He has long desired to break the sound barrier, but of course he probably never will get the chance."
"Hmm… Interesting… I just might be able to help him fulfill that dream of his, provided he can win in the fight against Knuckles, of course. "
"Sir… that's impossible."
"You don't have confidence in his fighting abilities?" the Professor responded, looking a little bit startled.
"Of course I am confident in his abilities, professor," the sergeant retorted in an offended tone," He can win against Knuckles, I am sure of that. However, Alpha is not a very good driver, and he hasn't had any pilot training, the chances of him breaking the sound barrier on foot are…"
"Enough sergeant! If Alpha likes to run, specializes in hit-and-run attacks, and wishes to break the sound barrier, then that's exactly what I intend to give him the opportunity to do, IF AND ONLY IF he can beat Knuckles," The professor cut the sergeant off. He then continued on in a more reasonable tone, "It could give us innumerable advantages over the enemy, having someone so fast that he can cause a sonic boom. Coincidentally, some of my co-workers have been trying to get a man to break the sound barrier without a vehicle for a while. My scientists have designed a pair of shoes that, with the proper training and engineering, can enable the wearer to adjust the friction level on the ground immediately below his feet without even thinking about it. A pair of these shoes will be given to Alpha as soon as he receives his Full Commission, if he wins the fight."
"Alpha would like that sir, and um… speaking of gifts… there is one other thing…"
"What, sergeant?"
"Alpha would probably like a name change."
"I am not surprised. It is the least we can do to someone who has chosen to stay here so long, and he always cringed when someone called his name. What does he want it to be?"
"I don't think he has any idea. All I ask is that as part of the ceremony, you give him the option to pick the name he will be known by outside of this facility."
"Very well Sergeant, I will see to that," The professor said, "You may leave now."
Sergeant Miller sprung to attention, saluted, and then walked out.James silently thanked his superior for his thoughtful manner.
Thank you professor, the Sergeant thought, Alpha has been my friend for a long time, and it is about time he gets a chance to do something that he likes. You only need to wait a week longer, and then you will be free.