After nearly a week of nonstop paperwork Lt. Cmdr. Sonic Hedgehog sat back at his desk relaxing for the first time in what felt like months. He had worked himself almost to death to get here and was apparently the youngest to ever manage the feat. Still, his father was not only the first Mobian to serve in the Vanguard but the youngest to be Commander and in the shortest amount of time. And now Sonic was expected to match those feats.
He'd had help. He and Mina had been given credit for destroying the Highwind research vessel. Then there was putting an end to Mammoth Mogul's reign followed by the match at the Fiesta where he and his father were at a stalemate until they were interrupted by the chimeras. Add to it all of his accomplishments and time as a Freedom Fighter and he was pretty sure he was on track to topping his old man one day. He leaned back in the chair as far as it would go...
And then the wheels promptly slid out from under him, sending the chair into the desk and him onto the floor.
"If I might say, sir, it looks like you injured your pride more than yourself," a female voice said from his door. He popped up to see Samantha, one of the technicians, standing there with a report folder in her hands. "Anyway, Director Ikari wanted you to have a look at this before the day ended and let him know if you're interested."
"Thanks, Sam," Sonic said, taking the file from her as she walked out. He'd originally thought she had a thing for him until Fiona had visited him and Samantha couldn't take her eyes off the fox. It must have been what the other males of the unit referred to as 'batting for the other team' though he had yet to see any bats or balls involved.
"Oh good. You've already seen Sam," his father said as his image appeared over Sonic's desk. He was still bandaged in several places and his left arm was in a cast and sling. "So what do you think?"
"I'm thinking even you can't possibly be that lazy. You're just a few offices away from me," Sonic commented without taking his eyes off the file.
"If I was in the office I wouldn't be calling you," Eric said with an exasperated sigh. "I'm waiting for the President to finish his meeting so we can start ours. I've been sitting here for an hour and I'm getting bored."
"Something tells me you only wanted a second-in-command so you didn't have to do field work." Eric scoffed.
"You think I'm so shallow," he said indignantly before smirking at his son. "I also needed someone to fetch coffee. And why are you even complaining? Would you rather be going to meetings and politicking or out in the field kicking ass?"
"Point taken," Sonic admitted with a smile. "Zeta, can you pull up a map of the Northern Territories?" The computer acknowledged him as she began gathering the information. "The name is pretty obvious but my geography is still a bit weak."
"Oh, that's the file she gave you," Eric said with a laugh before cringing as his wounds burned. "I thought it was a different one. Well have fun with that. I think my meeting's about to start." He hung up as Zeta brought the map up along with current and expected weather conditions.
"Son of a..." Sonic growled as he stared at it. "No wonder he didn't want to take this on. It's gonna be a freaking blizzard for..." He browsed through the weather reports before asking, "Zeta, when is this storm supposed to end?" The map shrunk as Zeta formed on the desk. She had chosen a female lynx with long braided black hair and matching fur on her feet, hands and ears. Two decorative braids hung over her form-fitting violet dress.
"The blizzard started several weeks ago and has yet to let up," the computer said. "According to most meteorologists the storm appears to be sitting directly over the Northern Territories, ignoring all other weather conditions."
"Yeah, that's normal," Sonic said, his eyes narrowing. "It's putting out record amounts of snowfall. If I didn't know better I'd say something doesn't want anyone heading up there."
"And they'd be crazy to," Zeta added. "Most commercial shuttles would be thrown around if they entered the clouds or would have zero visibility flying through the storm itself."
"Good thing for military shuttles," Sonic said with a smirk. He closed the map and looked Zeta over. "Another form? That has to be...what, the fourth one this week?"
"Fifth," Zeta corrected him, spinning a little to allow the edge of the dress to flutter. "Based on your physical reactions to this particular format I think I'll be keeping it. Fiona and Mina seem to enjoy it as well."
"Mina was probably admiring your style. Fiona, well..." Sonic started to say but decided against it. "Anyway you're looking good today."
"I've already arranged for a shuttle and the necessary fuel," Zeta continued. "The file also mentions several other towns and city-states that we've received reports from. I've begun uploading an estimated flight path that is, according to our information, the most efficient route."
"Nice job," Sonic thanked her before she curtsied and disappeared. He pulled out his phone and called Mina first. Usually she was up early but their training regimen the last few days had taken quite a bit out of her so, unsurprisingly, she didn't answer. He did know of one other person who might be interested. He punched in the number and was happy to hear her voice on the line. "Hey, Fi. You're up earlier than I expected. Oh, that's why. You up for something that's legal for a change? Well, there's a small vacation involved. I'm dead serious. The Northern Territories and no I'm not kidding. If it helps the Vanguard is willing to compensate you for your time. Really? Alright see you in a couple hours at the base." He hung up, almost unwilling to believe that it had been that easy.
It didn't take him long to gather the necessary gear they would need while up north. Sonic was a bit amazed at the amount of clothing they were sending with him but considering what they were flying into maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Fiona was already down in the shuttle bay with only two bags, much to his surprise.
"I was expecting you to bring half your wardrobe," he joked and she rolled her eyes.
"Please, that half is still at your place since mine doesn't have enough room," she shot back. "Anyway, I called in a favor that will make this trip much more comfortable." Sonic walked into the shuttle to see a brand new mattress on the cot and the uncomfortable metal seats replaced with leather ones. He plopped down into the pilot's chair and instantly relaxed.
"Tell your friend I love him," Sonic said with a loud sigh before remembering he needed to sign some last-minute paperwork and tell Director Ikari he was taking the mission on. When he came back he shut the hatch behind him. "You ready?"
"A bit late to say no, isn't it?" Fiona asked sitting in the co-pilot seat and running the pre-flight checks. "We've got extra of everything and we're still not overweight. Oh yes, I'm that good." With everything running the shuttle lifted off and took off into the late winter morning sky. Their shuttle glided through the air as they neared the border of Xenodome's territory. The closer they got the border towns the worse the weather became. It wasn't until they were a few miles from the border when they could make out a massive wall of wind and snow.
"I have a very bad feeling about this," Fiona said as she checked their instruments. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"I stopped listening to those instincts a long time ago," Sonic told her as he adjusted the shields. "Brace yourself. This is gonna get rough." The moment they hit the storm they shuttle was nearly thrown upside-down. Sonic did his best to balance everything out, barely managing to hold the shuttle level. "Okay, I may have lied about it being a rough ride," Sonic said through gritted teeth.
"Just a little, ya' think?" Fiona asked, holding onto her seat so tightly her knuckles were white. "This has been going on for weeks? How is this entire region not frozen over?"
"A very good question to ask when we're not spinning in circles." As if on command the shuttle came to a stop upside-down. Sonic looked up at the ground for a moment before righting the ship to show a clear blue sky. "Okay, didn't see that one comin'."
"It's like there's not even a storm in here," Fiona commented as she checked the rear monitors where a wall of wind and snow blew. "It's more like a barrier keeping things out."
"Didn't do much good keeping us out," Sonic pointed out as a blip showed on their flight plan. "We're coming up on the first city now." He tapped his earpiece quickly before saying, "Independence Air Control, this is Vanguard Shuttle Victory. Do you copy?"
"State your intent, Xenodonian." The voice was rough and to-the-point.
"We're looking into a number of incidents that involve our people up here," Sonic answered quickly. "They're former military and since we couldn't raise anyone on the comms we had to come in person." There was a moment of silence.
"Your identity has been confirmed. Touch down at Landing Field #4." Sonic checked his local map.
"I'm showing three in the city," he replied. "The only other one is about half a mile outside the city limits."
"Exactly." The man on the other end cut the connection abruptly, ending their conversation. After a few choice curses Sonic set the shuttle down in the marked pad. They got out the appropriate attire for the weather and stepped out into the gleaming snow.
"You think they know they're in the middle of a blizzard?" Fiona asked.
"Best looking blizzard I've ever seen," Sonic answered as they set on their way. He'd been through snow before at Knothole but the Northern Territories gave it an entirely new meaning. Each step through the snow was almost a foot deep and with each one a little more snow worked its way into his boots. After almost an hour of cold feet and complaining they finally arrived at the city checkpoint. He didn't know if it was some sort of tradition but the city was surrounded by a large wall with access points every so often. They showed their credentials and the guards hailed a cab to get them to City Hall. As they got closer Sonic quickly noticed that nearly every person they saw was human. Any Mobian he had seen so far was either doing menial tasks or begging on street corners. "Starting to see why most Mobians avoid this place."
"You mean the unbearable cold or the way they're treated?" Fiona asked.
"Both."
It wasn't long until they reached City Hall and they quickly walked inside. Much of the construction reminded Sonic of Old Mobotropolis but the insides were easily more modern. Several of the government buildings in Xenodome were multi-storied whereas nearly every building up North was a single level. Sonic's uniform got them past the majority of the security on their way to see the Governor. After walking for what felt like miles they finally came to a set of heavy wooden doors and a small desk with a receptionist sitting at it. She was a slip of a woman, a middle-aged Mobian wolf with glasses on the bridge of her nose.
"I take it the two of you are here to see the Governor," she said matter-of-factly and Sonic nodded. "He should be available in just a moment. He's currently on a call with..." She checked her computer screen. "I apologize. He's waiting for you now." Sonic thanked her and they pushed the doors open. The office was exquisitely decorated with what looked like trophies and awards. Fiona let out a small sigh, knowing that trying to fence anything from here would be too easy to trace. Behind the large desk was an even larger figure with its back to them, staring out the window.
"Governor?" Sonic asked cautiously.
"Well Ah'll be a frozen bastard," came the booming voice with a thick Southern accent. "Ah'd know that voice anywhere." The figure turned around to reveal a large black-skinned walrus in a business suit. "If it ain't Sonic Hedgehog himself! Mah nephew has told me hundreds of stories 'bout you, good sir."
"Your nephew?" Sonic asked, cocking an eyebrow. "The only other walrus I know is Rotor. Are you saying-"
"Ah haven't seen young Boomer since he was a tyke but he still keeps in touch," the Governor said. "Ah'm Governor Bucyrus and Ah'd like to be the first to welcome y'all to the city-state of Independence. Now, what can Ah do for ya'?"
"We're looking into a few incidents that have made their way down to Xenodome," Sonic explained. "They came in a few months ago and we haven't had any luck with the radios. We were hoping you might be willing to help."
"Of course Ah'd be more than happy," Bucyrus said with a toothy grin. "Just let me know what y'all need and Ah'll get right on it."
"We got word that three of our boys got into a bit of a bar fight," Sonic explained, pulling the file out of his bag and handing to Bucyrus. The walrus looked it over, a confused expression on his face. "Is something wrong?"
"Ah remember these fellas," he explained. "But your file says this happened months ago. They were just arrested last night."
"They might just like getting into fights," Fiona offered. "Like he said, the report's a few months old."
The governor nodded and pulled up the local file on the three men. "Any cab in the city can get ya' to where they're being held," he said. "Local police didn't really feel like wastin' taxpayers money puttin' 'em on trial so they're just bein' held for a couple days."
"I've been meaning to ask about that," Sonic said, remembering what they had seen and heard on their way in. "Seems like a lot of the people here aren't too fond of Mobians."
"It ain't that," Bucyrus replied with a sigh. "Northerners aren't too fond of anyone that ain't born here, human OR Mobian. Now Ah'm a mighty big exception only because Ah took over for the old governor when he died. There ain't nothin' stoppin' Mobians from succeedin' here except the stubbornness of the people."
"No laws or anything getting in their way?" Sonic asked and the walrus shook his head. "Isn't there anything you can do to help them?"
"Ah've been tryin'," Bucyrus answered with a weary sigh, sitting down at his desk as he did so, "but have you ever tried changin' how an entire city thinks by yourself? It just don't work. But still, Ah do what Ah can hopin' that one day they work with me. It's somethin', just not enough."
Sonic thanked the governor for the information and they headed out of his office and out of City Hall. They hailed a cab that took them through several back roads, no doubt to run up the fare. Sonic had noticed quickly that some Mobians did very well but were cold to the others. It really was just the people doing this, a fact that that both comforted and revolted him.
"I've seen worse," Fiona said as though she was reading his mind. "Mogul took me to the eastern continent a few years back. Mobians there are used as slave labor by both humans and Mobians alike. Unless they have the money to be successful they have no rights at all. It was more than a bit disturbing."
"I can't believe I'm saying it but I think I preferred Robotnik's method," Sonic added. "He turned Mobians into machines and used them as his labor force. Still, that didn't make him any better than the people that you saw."
After nearly an hour of driving the cab dropped them off at the police station where they met with the local police chief. He took them back to the holding cell where they saw three humans sitting in the corner of the cell.
"Watch it around them," he warned. "They've been acting crazy ever since we brought them in." He left the five of them alone as one of the prisoners turned to Sonic.
"Wait a second, you two have never been here before," he said, the hint of madness in his voice. "Then maybe the pattern broke, maybe things will go back to normal!"
"What on Mobius are you talking about?" Fiona asked. "What pattern? We're just here to ask about the little fight you got into last night." The man slammed up against the bars causing Fiona to jump back.
"That wasn't last night!" he yelled. "That was three months ago we got into that fight. That's when all this started. When we found that damn artifact." Sonic and Fiona looked at each other and then back at the three of them.
"What artifact?" Sonic asked. "Tell us what happened from the beginning."