Chapter Nine
Warwick watched the Babylon Rogues fly in the from southern border town and anticipated their update. Storm carried Vector's unconscious body, but the Orderix' founder was more concerned with the lack of Espio in their custody.
"Where is Gaspar?" He demanded with clenched fists.
"Manic's street gang double crossed us," Wave answered.
"You couldn't handle a pack of petty thieves?"
Jet grunted before saying, "They had Shadow backing them with chaos emeralds in hand."
"I thought Sonic destroyed all of the remaining androids?"
"This was the real thing."
Warwick didn't speak. Storm called over a paramedic with a gurney and laid the malnourished crocodile down. The leader looked his agent over for a moment, in quiet disbelief Vector was actually alive.
"…where is Starr?"
"She was engaging Shadow near the atmosphere, last I saw." Wave explained. "Manic had superior fire power and sent us off."
As they spoke, Jet heard footsteps making their way over so he nudged Storm to get ready.
Charmy Bee led a trio to the Orderix squad. "You piece 'a shit!"
Warwick rolled his eyes. "Great…"
He snapped his fingers and The Rogues stopped him, Tails and Cream from getting any closer.
"My friends almost died because of you - AGAIN!"
"Relax, son-"
"Don't call me son, old man! Get out of my way! Let me see Vector!"
Cream held him back while Tails faced off Warwick. He realized the fox had used SAGE to listen in on their underground conversations regarding their friends.
"Spying on government officials is serious prison time, Prower."
Tails raised a cellphone. "I've got all the proof on Nero you arrogant fools couldn't get, and then some. You said The Orderix would be better than G.U.N, but the evidence to the contrary is overwhelming."
"This is politics, I don't expect either of you undergrads to understand. Good men and women die every day to keep peace, and your buds here understood that when they signed up."
"Enough of your shit, you lift that warrant off Espio! He's coming home right now!" Charmy shouted.
"If you've got what you say you do, then I'll consider it. Hand it over."
Tails slapped the phone on Storm's chest so Jet shoved him back while the albatross glared at him. He handed the phone to his superior but kept his eyes on both college students.
While Warwick swiped through the videos and files, Cream leaned over to whisper, "Now I see why you never voted for this jerk."
"The only thing that's changed about him are his suits." Tails said loud enough for The Rogues to hear.
Warwick pocketed the phone and waved the medic over. "Alright, we'll look into it. But you would do well to remember; no one is above the rules. Take Simmons and his posse to the hospital."
Vector's gurney was loaded into an ambulance and Charmy was the first one by his side. Tails shot one last glare at the leader before Cream took him by the wrist and both climbed in the back, as well. They were gone in seconds and Warwick addressed his squad.
"…this won't reflect well on your annual reviews, I'll tell you now."
"Like you haven't made mistakes in the field before." Jet blurted out before Wave shushed him.
"Noted. Report to Casey for debriefing, she'll have your next assignment ready."
"What about Espio or Manic?"
"We can't stop them from whatever they're doing, now. I'll speak to them in the morning. Dismissed."
Back at Nero's compound, Manic easily cleared the remaining gunmen from the entrance while his friends provided cover fire from the armoured Ford GT. He fired an energy blast at the massive doors and side stepped just as gunfire rang out in response. The Chambers' newly appointed leader stood back while the former leader, Slayton, and his daughter joined a large group wielding assault rifles. They sprayed the entrance and tossed a dozen grenades out the door, then waited.
The roof was torn off and the few who weren't crushed by debris looked on in horror as Shadow hovered above them. Nero jumped for cover while Redd shielded Slayton as best as she could. The black hedgehog levitated thirty machine guns and pointed them at the interior, then opened fire. Their body armour couldn't stop the wall of hatred that burned from the sky, and the guards hit the ground.
When no one stood up, Shadow dropped the weaponry and landed inside the building. Slayton checked Redd for injuries, then saw the blood staining her jacket. She assured him it was only a graze and they both got up.
"Stop! You've got us! Spare her life, she's hurt!"
"I'm fine, father, I can fight!"
"You can't beat that monster! The fight is over!"
Shadow shook his head and scanned the room for his intended target. Nero crawled out from his bullet proof desk and faced off with him, then Manic excitedly strutted inside.
"So, there it is. The last of your goons are out of the fight. Nobody left to hide behind, my tyrannical friend."
"And you two, you can sleep fine with so many deaths on your consciences? Were you not opposed to The Chambers for the same reason?"
"You shit heads have been killing for money. We iced your guys to end your scummy murder inc… now it's time to step down and find another hole to crawl into. I'm booting you outta Labyrinth Zone."
The suited hedgehog laughed sarcastically at this order. "Leave, so I can be strung up or locked in a cage? The founders never gave up to wranglers like you, Manic. Neither will I."
"You look up to goofs like Harris, Mongol and Hawk? They gave up their lives to lead a syndicate and do all kinds of evil. Look where they wound up for that. Be smarter than them."
Nero stuck his chest out and stood his ground. "I've made my choice. Make yours-"
Shadow concentrated chaos energy into a blinding beam attack that disintegrated Nero the second it touched his skin. A charred outline was the only thing left of the Chambers' final leader.
The black hedgehog spun around and pointed at Redd. "My ring. Now."
She took a step forward and flipped him off. "Blow me away if you want it."
Shadow grunted, then fired a small beam through Slayton's chest. Redd screamed out and caught him before he smacked off the floor. Manic looked away, while Shadow watched them share their final words before the old serial killer succumbed.
She jumped up to attack but Manic stopped her, ripped the second power ring off her wrist and handed it to Shadow.
"Get off me!" Redd shouted while the tears dropped.
"Don't end up like them. Get outta here."
She hissed a few curse words before reluctantly leaving the building. Manic had no words for his ally, and Shadow put the power ring on his left wrist.
"What'd you do to Starr?" Manic asked.
"I left her at a substation far from our location - alive. It'll take her awhile to get back here."
"I doubt she'll stay down for long."
"She's no longer my concern. I have what I want."
"…well, I guess we own the zone, now."
Shadow turned his back to him. "You can keep this cesspool. Farewell Manic."
He watched Shadow zoom out the front door, unsure where he was going but glad he was gone. He felt guilty while looking at the carnage around him, so he had to remind himself who these bastards were. The innocent people they tortured and killed during their reign. But he wouldn't sleep well anytime soon.
He gave a thumbs up to his friends and pulled out his phone to make a call.
Espio's phone vibrated on the round table in the common area of the underground bunker, so he sat up to answer it. Rouge pulled over the covers when he got out of bed.
"Everything alright?" He asked.
"It's all over." Manic said.
"Nero?"
"With Slayton and his men, hopefully being subjected to what they put everyone else through. Y'know, Shadow scares the absolute shit outta me, not even kidding. There's nothing behind those eyes."
"He is Robotnik's greatest achievement for a reason. So what happens now?"
"…uhh, well I take leadership of Labyrinth and area, for starters. The Chambers did a number on this place so there's lots of work to do, people to call, meetings to hold."
Espio chuckled. "You always seem to get something out of these conflicts, Manic."
"Things seem to work out in my favor, Espio. Come by the tower when you're ready."
"You got it."
He hung up and looked over to Rouge, who was signalling him to join her. He sat down and she intertwined her fingers with his while resting on his shoulder.
"Well, you've got your best friend back, survived Slayton and are on track to getting your freedom. You probably feel good."
"With Warwick, it won't be that easy clearing my name. He's a pompous asshole and I tossed a wrench in his plans, so.."
She went forehead to forehead with him. "At least you'll have company."
He smiled and they went back down for another round. They had no worries and had all the time in the world now.
THE NEXT MORNING
Warwick led a small entourage to the Rail Canyon border to meet with Labyrinth Zone's leader and his 'council.' Casey and her affiliates stepped out of the blue unmarked vehicle with Warwick, while Starr and The Rogues remained in the sky overlooking the parley.
The Ford GT pulled up on the other side of the border and Manic stepped out first. He was joined by Espio, Rouge and Bark. Nina kept the engine running and watched her friends walk to the meeting spot.
"It's almost like hell has frozen over, Manic. You're actually in charge of something." Warwick started off.
"The end times are upon us, alright. So, let's get straight to it, cop."
"That's Director to you." Casey clarified.
"Yeah, yeah, like I give a fuck."
Rouge snickered at this while Manic gave an acknowledging nod.
"You're easily agitated for someone whose supposed to lead a nation. Not sure that's appropriate behaviour-"
"You know what buttons you've pushed, pencil pusher. Everyone standing here has gotten screwed over by you at some point."
Warwick looked Espio, Rouge, Bark and Nina in the eyes, then continued.
"Let's keep this cvil, I don't want to be here any more than you do… so start with the chaos emeralds. Where are they?"
"Shadow took them and split after the battle." Rouge said.
"Yeah, after HE unleashed him!" Starr called out. "He murdered a hundred men and attempted to take my life!"
"Except he only incapacitated you. The rest, sure." Espio said. "But Nero's killers are no more, correct?"
Warwick turned back to Manic. "And allowed you to take his place as zone leader… we'll recognize you as such, but don't expect leniency, Manic. You'll have guidelines to abide by, including the show of mutual respect."
"Of course."
"As for you, I've revoked the warrant for your capture but I'm excommunicating you from Green Hill. Your friends will have to travel, Espio, but you are free."
The chameleon showed the slightest of grins for a moment, and Bark patted him on the back.
"The rest of you, tread carefully outside of your turf. The Orderix will be in touch about relations shortly."
Warwick turned around and his entourage followed him back to their vehicles. The Rogues sped off but Starr floated down to speak to the group before she left.
"What happened to that red chick? You kill her?"
"Nah, Shadow spared her. You'll probably see her pop up somewhere on your side." Manic said.
"Yeah, probably… but this doesn't change anything between us."
"I stopped saying sorry years ago, Starr. You got powers because of this medallion, so be happy you get to live the life you've got. I'm more than happy here."
"I heard. I would say congratulations, but we both know I can never be happy for you. So good luck."
"And all the same to you."
Starr flew off the ground and disappeared while Manic put his sunglasses back on and joined his friends in the car. He, Espio and the guys cleaned up what they could around the Liberation Tower, and now are waiting for a cleanup crew to arrive for the rest. Manic checked his account balance and was surprised to find a deposit from his sisters' company for expenses, now that he was zone leader.
Nina pulled into the parking garage and everyone rode the elevators back up to the conference room. B.B handed out the celebration drinks and Lita turned on the music while everyone gathered around the air hockey table.
Rouge planted a kiss on Espio's cheek and smiled. "Not a bad outcome for a batch of losers like us."
"I always preferred the term 'nobodies,' if I'm being modest." Manic said.
Cee approached him from behind and their son Graham reached out so Manic took him while he clung onto his vest.
"We're definitely not Sonic, but I'd rather it be this way. I wouldn't have met you all if I joined the boy scouts."
"There's always time to jump ship." Bark quipped.
"Have fun, my guy. I'm good running the show here."
As they laughed and drank, Espio's HUD started beeping, so he stepped away to check it. His helmet materialized around his head and he read the ominous warning:
~OTHERWORLDLY HOSTILE IDENTIFIED- DO NOT ENAGE~
NO-
