Chapter Seven
Redd saw the clock on the wall read 2:55 when she finally arrived at boss Nero's Rail Canyon terminal. She, along with Alastair were called to meet with the Badlands' acting president, quite late into the night. The crimson hedgehog was offered a flask of alcohol but declined and sat by herself at the side door while the terminal filled up with gunslingers.
"Redd!"
She turned to her left. "Father? What're you doing here? I was going to catch the morning train home."
The old man was flanked by his entourage while he made his way through the crowd. He sighed dismissively. "I'm afraid we have no home across the border, now."
"No, don't say that! We're not staying here!"
"The time has come. All of my business had either been liquidated or repossessed by Agent Warwick."
Redd snarled angrily. "This can't be the end! I'll kill all those suits and find us a new home-"
Slayton put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, my daughter. It's come down to life and death."
"Indeed it has, old man."
The entire terminal went silent as the teenager entered. His silver tailored suit glistened as he walked by the overhead lights. The young man was clearly born into wealth and brought up to lead. Although, Redd wasn't a fan.
"What did you say, you little shit?"
"No, she didn't mean that!" Slayton said while holding her back.
Alastair stood in between the crimson hedgehog and Nero, but was told to stand down.
"I've always loathed you and your company. Look all the times you've failed! How many extraordinary talents you used to have: HAZARD, Stone, Simian, G.U.N. All dead because you can't do your job!… don't you ever disrespect me again, cockroach."
Redd tried to lunge but her father pulled her back. She turned to him, utterly ashamed at what they were being subjected to.
"…as for you, Slayton. You are no longer above all. Your influence and your army are mine. That's the price of safe harbour in my Zone."
The old man lowered his head. "As we agreed."
Disgusted and heartbroken by the sight of her father bowing down, Redd stormed out of the terminal, very distraught. Nero waited for Slayton to look up so he could sneer in his face before turning his back to the old man. Alastair gave an up-and-down look before joining his superior.
"…we've faced many failures these past few days. The Orderix is coming down on every zone leader to sign their treaty. Former-Agent Gaspar's interference provided me leverage in our negotiations, but time is running out."
More and more of Slayton's once loyal entourage started distancing themselves from the old man, and soon he was standing at the back alone.
"I've spoken to all other outfits operating on my land. We have many goals but the most important one is bringing this Espio to justice - my justice."
Multiple armies flew in to cover The Badlands per Nero's orders. Agent Warwick received many worried calls but he was powerless to intervene due to Nero declaring independence from The Orderix. They would need to declare war in order to take action, but as it stood, these armies were doing nothing wrong amongst themselves.
Nero:…I'm sending you hounds to hunt Gaspar. Him and anyone who helps him survive.
Among the first places to be overtaken was Hang Castle. Hordes of gunmen raided the castle and engaged Angel's Flock. Explosions shook the ground miles away and terror filled the streets.
…burn every village, bring ruin to every non compliant and scorch this land where needed. I will not tolerate failure.
Ignancio and his workers were ambushed at the warehouse. Nero's murderers easily took the property over and confirmed to the leaders' office.
The zone leader faced everyone inside the terminal. "No one rests until you find that, fuckin' chameleon. You ensure he doesn't leave my zone and play ball with Warwick. Or you may find yourselves on the receiving end of this wrath."
The group reaffirmed their loyalty to Nero and he dismissed them. Alastair exited the building first and was shoved by Redd.
"I will find a way out of this and kill you. Then I'll kill him."
The giant laughed. "You'll do as your told and keep your mouth shut. Daddy's money can't buy your way outta this mess."
"Yeah and at least mine doesn't keep me on a short leash. How many other trackers do you think Nero has waiting to replace you? Gotta be a couple dozen."
"If they really wanted my spot, they'd take it and I'd have been dead - ten times over. But nobody wants any part of this. Now fuck off before you get burned."
Redd spit in Alastair's helmet visor and teleported away, leaving him to laugh while exchanging helmets once again. Maggie Bloodmoon joined him at the side door for a word.
"…Slayton isn't her real father, I'm told."
"Like I care."
"Hah, yeah. Here's another piece of trivia: Nero recruited you after seeing your work in Oil Ocean."
Alastair put the helmet down and looked into the blonde hedgehog's eyes. "What do you know about that?"
Bloodmoon crossed her arms. "The old guard, Harris, was disrespected by what was thought to be an internet troll but revealed to be a hacker. He sent you across the world to intercept them. One bloody massacre over a few comments online."
"And you've been told this, by who?"
"Harris was my first husband."
"Doesn't ring any bells."
"He made the mistake of killing Sleuth Dogg's wife and the retaliation was a scene reminiscent of what you left in the desert. Video and all."
Big Al nodded. "That guy. I heard that's what pushed Dogg over the limit. Funeral service must've been fancy."
"It was. And I imagine you've heard about Dogg and Scourge's fates today."
"Security footage showed Manic kill Scourge and Gaspar abduct Dogg. The Flock took him and that's where the trail ends."
Bloodmoon leaned up to his ear. "They have the chaos emeralds, apart from one."
"And Redd has the seventh emerald."
"After your conversation, how likely do you think she could be turned against Nero?"
"…stick with me. Your testimony will be invaluable."
"Anything I can do to help."
Manic and Shadow were greeted by Corben when they entered the Liberation Tower. They rode the elevator up to the lounge and were met by Starr, Jet, Wave and Storm, along with Manic's gang.
"Where is Espio?" Wave demanded.
"Easy, he got away." Manic said.
"Bullshit, we saw the footage!"
Starr separated the Babylon Rogues from Manic, then she approached Shadow.
"…your android counterpart saved my life. He asked me-"
"It." The black hedgehog corrected.
"…it asked me to save your life - it did a lot to save your ass, y'know. And wasn't a dick to everyone."
"Robotnik's grandfather sacrificed many innocents to birth me in a lab. His grandson then cloned my DNA to make his Shadow army and my sacrifice is still unacknowledged decades later. Sonic took that glory for himself, and I was cast to a void so excuse me if I'm not gawking for friends."
"Okay, sorry!… Manic, where did you send Espio and Rouge?"
"They fucked off after I killed Scourge. I warned him at the castle, took this one and I gave them a head start. Hand to god."
"You're supposed to bring him back, you shit head!"
The green hedgehog ducked a sucker punch from Jet and kicked his large friend in the balls before attacking the hawk. Wave and Starr tried pulling them apart but Shadow got in between them and tossed everyone aside. Starr was ready to use her telekinesis but stopped when the black hedgehog revealed the six chaos emeralds. Both parties stood at an impasse.
Deep underground and far away from the rest of the population, Espio limped while holding a torch and Rouge followed him through the catacombs. Manic gave directions to a mining station and the couple reached it by 3:30. Espio sat on a cot while Rouge dug in to some rations. There wasn't much in the area, but enough to keep them nourished.
The bat noticed Espio's heavy breathing and his eyes wavering so she sat next to him. "Take off the suit, you're injured."
He was slow to type on his gauntlet, but lowered the nanotech suit. Rouge gasped when she saw purple and black bruises all over his body, and the large gashes starting to scab over.
"You need to disinfect these right now! Jesus, how did you survive this?"
He only motioned to a first aid kit and continued taking deep breaths, until he felt the stinging sensation from the rubbing alcohol.
He squeezed her hand and let out groans as the agony began. Rouge held him close while he writhed around. She could only comfort him at this point until he eventually blacked out.
Rouge laid him down and stayed by his side while he slept. She searched for anything else that could help heal him.
Espio woke half an hour later fully aware of his surroundings and seemingly fine. "…he didn't sell us out."
Rouge shook her head. "Nope. I'm just as surprised as you are."
He sat up and looked at her. "Thank you, for doing this."
"I couldn't watch you die so I kinda had to do something…"
"I'm sorry for pulling you into this situation."
"Why are you fighting? Is it really because Vector was murdered?"
"…somebody asked me about my honest opinion, recently. And the truth is, this is what I believe I was meant to do."
"What, fight for others and dying young?"
"I tried the normal life. You were part of it for a time. But it didn't work. So, joining The Orderix was the answer."
Rouge sat next to him once again. "You're not some machine, Espio. You have friends who give a fuck if you're alive. And I'm one of those idiots!… don't give up on life, alright?"
"I didn't give up on life, and I never wished for death… but this is really all I know."
After a brief moment, Espio continued. "…I suppose after this is over and done with, I could give normal life another shot."
Rouge smiled. "I think you'll find something worth living for when you get there."
They embraced and Espio watched over her for the remainder of the night. He looked forward to starting a new life and dedicating the future to his best friend.
Morning came, Manic and Shadow announced themselves before entering the bunker and Espio woke Rouge. They stood up and faced both enhanced hedgehogs.
"I've gotta be honest with you before we continue." Manic said.
"Okay. What?"
"I made a deal to turn you over in exchange for my family to be welcomed back home… turns out, nobody wants us around and 'would kill' me if I showed my face around them again… yeah, big bro and sis haven't exactly been on my side these past years. SO! I told Warwick's goons to go fuck themselves."
Espio looked at Shadow, who only shrugged and then he spoke. "…I appreciate your honesty."
Manic put the six chaos emeralds onto a table and took Espio's wrist. "Hey, check this out. Might sting, but it's worth it. Ya ready?"
"What are-"
The energy from the emeralds transferred into the chameleon's body. His suit was recharged and his eyes lit up multiple colours before returning to normal. Manic released him and Espio took deep breaths before speaking.
"…you healed me."
"What good are you if you're dead, right? Save the sappy bullshit for Christmas. We've got a war to fight."
Shadow stood in front of the trio. "I want this campaign to end as soon as possible, so let's go shred these Chambers assholes."
Rouge checked on Espio to make sure he was fine, then the group walked through the catacombs.
