A/N: Time for chapter 10. By the way, you know how sometimes the beuracracy can be a real pain? You'll see why in a minute. Also I would like to thank those who have viewed this story. Up to almost 300 views over the 9 chapters.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Sega except my OC.

Once the two groups made it back to the city, they went about their business to get some well-deserved rest. In the mean time, Sonic, Sally, Kor, and Knuckles were appealing to the Council of Acorn about the situation concerning the Suppression Squad. The Council of Acorn was made after Tails father Amadeus led a massive crowd to the castle to voice their opinion of the Acorn family's leadership. For many years it was known that the Acorn family weren't exactly the best of leaders, but Amadeus knew that Elias never wanted to be king in the first place. Main reason was that he stepped in due to his father's deteriorating health. After some debate between Amadeus, Elias, and Sally, the council was formed as a way to give more power to the people, although this had some downsides. Originally, the Freedom Fighters would have been free to carry out their own strategies, but under the law of the new Council they had to answer to them first. Even Rotor was a member of the council along with Sonic's Uncle, Chuck. However, things weren't working in their favor.

"While we understand your concerns about Freedom HQ Princess Sally, Eggman is still a present threat to everyone." Said Penelope, one of the council members.

"Plus, your assaults on his base of operations have prevented him from trying to attack us for a good while." Agreed Hamlim, another member.

"Eggman is only not much of a threat due to the fact most of his forces had been destroyed after a...certain incident...but the Suppression Squad pose a bigger threat right now." Sonic countered.

"Plus, they had forced us to retreat lest we ended up destroying the place. And I gotta say, they sure pack a mean punch. Still need ice for my head..." Kor said in agreement.

"Also, Eggman is scrapping he bottom of the barrel with what forces he has left. I've seen it myself. He doesn't have the capability to launch a counter attack right now." Knuckles chimed in.

"That may be true but do you remember the times Eggman has surprised us all? He could be developing a new weapon to take us all out at this very moment. You can stop him now while he's at his weakest." Hamlin said.

"While that may be true Hamlin, we'd still have another issue to deal with even if we stopped Eggman for good. And who knows how far the Surpression Squad may spread their influence by the time we do stop him." Rotor said.

"Well, we'll just cross that bridge when we come to it. That as it may be, you've all handled them easily before." Rosemary, Tails' mother, pointed out.

Elias was growing alittle tired of this debate and wanted to have it settled before things got out of control. "Why don't we put a vote out. All in favor of leaving Freedom HQ alone for now?"

In a 4 to 2 vote, the decision was made. Rotor and Uncle Chuck were the only 2 who opposed this. The heroes gave exasperated sighs before leaving. "Fucking government..." Kor muttered to himself.

Once outside, they settle in the shade to talk amongst themselves.

"We really should take back the HQ, regardless of what they say..." Sonic said, arms crossed and tapping his foot.

"We could, but I think they may have a point. We might be able to stop Eggman in a few days if we keep the pressure on as they suggest." Knuckles points out.

However, Sonic knows he doesn't really mean it. "I know that, but I'm gonna do what I know is right."

"I had the same thing in mind when I became Enerjak, AND HOW YOU THINK THAT WENT?! I LOST MY FATHER BECAUSE OF MY OWN SELFISH DECISIONS!" Knuckles yells in rage, tears beginning to stream from his eyes. "IF I HADN'T GONE ALONE HE WOULD..." He sighs in sadness. "Go do whatever you want Sonic...I need to be alone for awhile..." After that, he walks away.

The others look on in sadness. "That whole Enerjak thing's really eaten 'im...I may not feel what Knuckles is going through but I understand his situation." Kor says to the other two.

"Agreed...Sonic I don't like the council's decision as much as you do, but we need a solid plan before we can do anything about the HQ." Sally says to him.

"True...however I could go scout the place to make sure they aren't up to anything. Might even find out what they plan on doing next." Sonic suggested.

Sally thinks on this for a moment. "...Alright, but don't get yourself hurt Blue."

Sonic chuckles at this. "You know me Sal, I can handle just about anything." The Blue Blur says before speeding out of the city.

Kor gives Sally a smirk. "You know he's gonna be in a lot of trouble when he comes back right?"

"Yep, but by then we'll have something figured out." Sally said. After that the two go off to find Tails, Rotor, and Uncle Chuck.

-Nearly 2 hours later-

Sonic calmly walks back into New Mobotropolis, slightly sore from the battle he had but otherwise ok. Apparently, when he arrived at Freedom HQ he found Scourge fighting Metal Sonic. He attempted to intervene and breifly the 2 ganged up on him until Metal's backup, Metal Scourge, arrived. The 2 hedgehogs had a hard time beating them until Sonic thought back to when he was matched blow for blow by the Eggman's battle suit. He then suggested bringing in someone the robots weren't designed for, and after some hesitation, Scourge ordered the Suppression Squad to attack. The 2 robots were then cut to pieces by the Moebians. Sonic then decided to head back after that scuffle. Unsurprisingly, he knew would be in trouble for his actions, which was justified as 2 soldiers were waiting for him by the main entrance.

"The king requests your presence Sonic. He says you're in big trouble." One of them says.

Sonic just chuckles. "I knew he'd give me a lecture when I got back."

After a short walk to the castle, Elias lectured him about ignoring the council's decision. Sally was there after hearing his return.

"You do realize what could have happened if you had been captured right? You defied a direct order, and as such you must serve a punishment for it." Elias said.

"I know that your highness, but no one is going to stop me from doing anything if I have the right mind to do so." Sonic stated.

Elias shakes his head. "I'm amazed you 2 have kept your relationship going for this long..." Elias says to his sister.

"You'd be surprised...why don't you go about your usual business Elias. I'll handle Sonic's punishment." Sally said.

"Very well. I'm starting to develop a headache already." Elias said before walking off.

After the king leaves, Sally takes Sonic to the Science Center.

"So exactly is my "punishment?" The hedgehog asked.

"Oh you'll see." Sally says with a smirk before opening one of the labs.

Inside, Tails, Rotor, Kor, and Uncle Chuck were working on a new pair of star posts. Amy was nearby taking practice swings with her hammer. "I'm going to take a wild shot in the dark on this: we're gonna invade Moebius?" Sonic asked.

"Yep. Scourge decided it would be a good idea to invade us, might as well take a leave out of his book and do the same." Sally explains to him.

Sonic gives his traditional smirk. "You know we all risk being tried for treason on this right?"

"It'll be worth it though, cause sometimes the government ain't the best at makin' plans." Kor says while soldering another piece of metal.

"I still don't understand why the council won't realize we'd still have another big issue at hand." Rotor sighs.

Even though he and Chuck were council members, the resulting decision had them at odds with the rest of the group.

"Ah, they just want Eggman finally behind bars is all. We'll get him soon enough, but they need to realize things take time." Chuck explained. "Ok, these posts are nearly finished." He said to Sonic and Sally.

"So what's the plan Sal?" Sonic asks.

"You and Amy will head into Moebius and find a way to reverse Scourge's invasion, and try to cause him as many problems as possible." Said the princess.

"I thought this was a solo mission." Sonic pouted, folding his arms.

"You'll need back-up on a hostile world we know little about. Besides, Amy's been dying for more time with you." Sally teased.

"She's got a point Sonic. Never go into uncharted enemy territory alone unless you have a map." Kor chimed in.

"You guys are cruel..." Sonic whined. The others chuckled at that.

Amy then latched onto Sonic's waste. "Oh Sonic won't this be great?! It'll almost be like a first date!" Amy said while clinging to him. The blue hedgehog just groaned in annoyance.

After a couple more minutes the 4 tech wizards finished the star posts and activate them. "Ok guys it's ready. However, we don't know which part of Moebius it'll drop you guys into so...watch your step!" Tails said with a smile.

"If anything we should be able to handle whatever we get into. Ready Amy?" Sonic asks the pink hedgehog. She nods and the 2 jump through the portal.

"What do we do now Sally?" Chuck asks.

"Now, we play the waiting game, and hope they're ok..." Sally says before sitting on a desk.

"Welp, if we're gonna be waiting for awhile, might as well touch up on some of the defenses." Kor says to them before letting himself out the lab.

-Minutes Later-

Kor stood outside the east section of the wall. He pressed a button on his PDA and a large section had opened up, revealing 3 large sentries mounted into the wall. The sentries stared at their creator for a moment before doing a casual scan of the area. Each sentry fired a different weapon: one had a rotary and flak cannon, one had rockets, and the last one fired missiles. After the whole issue with Enerjak, and some begging to the council, he finally had permission and time to install 8 batteries concealed into the wall. Main reason for this was so the city would appear to only have a shield for defense, to hide the battery locations so they don't destroyed for sticking out, and as to not scare anyone. Kor asked Nicole if she wanted to help handle them but the Holo-lynx was a bit nervous to handle such weaponry. It didn't matter if she did help or not to Kor, but he thought it might be a fun experience for her.

Currently, the former merc was checking the sensors of the sentries when Nicole had partially materialized next to him. "Oh hey Nicole. What's up?" Kor said.

"Nothing much, just wanted to see what you were up to." The A.I. said with a smile.

"Well, right now I'm adjusting the sensors so they could recognize the Moebians as a threat. Only had them programmed to attack Eggman."

"I see...um...when you asked to put them in, did you have to make them this big though?" Nicole said as she stared at them. Given their size, it wouldn't take much to intimidate any foe.

"Well, I could've made them smaller but then I thought if Eggman sends a robot horde or something, size might come in handy." Kor explained as he finished adjusting one of the sentries.

"I see." Nicole said, standing rather uncomfortably. "Something wrong?" The fox asked.

"No no. Well...about your offer earlier, I don't know if I can handle controlling a weapon of this caliber. I've never been in any military hard drive where I had to use it." The A.I. explained.

"What about the times Sally took you on various missions?" Kor asked.

"Those times I just needed to hack the system to open a door or change protocols. I even disabled weapons before." Nicole stated.

"So basically you're saying you don't know how to shoot?" Kor said, paraphrasing her words.

"For lack of better words, I guess..." Nicole said, looking at the ground.

Kor chuckled a bit. "Well Nikki, I can help you do that. Now that doesn't mean we'll start on something big, just somethin' small. Trust me when we're done you'll be able to better defend yourself and everyone else. Plus, like you told Dimitri, you said you 'wouldn't use the nanites as a weapon' right?" She nods. "Well that's why I constructed these beauties myself. That way, you provide the shields and I provide the countermeasures. This is technically our city since we built it." The engineer finished.

Nicole smiled at that. "Very true. Well, if you're going to teach me, what will we use?"

"My old sentries I built back in my world. They're small, simple to use. Heck you could just hack them by touching them." He joked. Nicole couldn't help but giggle given that would be true.

"By the way, mind me askin' out of curiousity?" Kor began.

"Hmm?" The A.I. looked at him questioningly.

"Since you're an advanced A.I. capable of expressing emotions, did you ever wonder what it would be like to have a real body?" He said as he opened up the second sentry.

Nicole thought about the time she had temporarily switched places with Sally to experience what that feeling was like. "Yes I have. Some time ago, long before your enemy became involved, I had temporarily switched places with Sally to experience what it was like to actually live. It was a thrilling experience that I wished to go through once more. I am incredibly greatful Sally gave me that opportunity, but the closest thing I have to experiencing a real body is projecting this hologram..." She looked over herself in sadness.

Kor stopped his work and put a hand on her shoulder. "Look Nicole, you may be an A.I., but you're about as Mobian as the rest of us. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise because you know you're more than that. A computer can only go so far, but you? You're smarter than any two-bit computer. You can think for yourself, you can help others in more ways than one, and you...well to sum it up your pretty much have a soul. People would have to be stupid not to see past that."

Nicole smiled warmly at Kor. Aside from the other Freedom Fighters, few people saw her more than just some advanced computer, and being that Kor worked with computers most of the time in his life he knew what he was talking about. "For someone with a past of being a crazed mercenary, you know what to say at the best of times Kor."

"Well, myself, Sniper, and Spah were the most sane members of the team." Kor chuckled.

He was then caught off guard as the holo-lynx hugged him. "Thanks for cheering me up...I've felt that way for quite awhile and despite being told by my friends it didn't help much." Nicole said.

"Well, maybe you just needed a change of voice." He said as he returned the hug. During that time Kor thought back to his merc days and remembered something, but he wasn't sure if it was possible. "Hey Nicole? I think I know of a way to make your dream a reality."

She pulled alittle to look at his face. "What do you mean?"

"In my days as a merc we had a system called respawn, and-" Kor was cut off as the flak-welding sentry had beeped and pointed toward the forest. It usually does this when alerted to an enemy presence.

"Sorry to intrude but I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Both Mobians looked to the source of the voice, and to their surprise, was Miles of the Surppression Squad.

A/N: That's enough of part 10. At first I was thinking of it being shorter but decided to add more to it. So does Miles want and where is the rest of his group? And secondly, how come the sentry didn't chew him up on sight? You'll have to find out next time!