Everyone in the control room of the massive Egg Carrier has all since left, save for Zero, and Eggman who still has the emerald clutched tightly in his hand. The unreadable Jackal next to his throne hasn't said a word since he arrived. He only looks ahead at the sky that, from his perspective, appears as if it's speeding by, even though he knows it's vice versa.
Eggman had decided to wait until the mercenary went ahead and said whatever he was going to already, but it's become quite clear that Zero is waiting on a signal to speak. How annoying. The doctor thinks.
"Should I expect good news or bad news?" Eggman finally asks, breaking the silence.
Zero turns away from the front window of the Egg Carrier and looks up at Eggman who appears to be towering over him. The sight doesn't sit right with him in the slightest. He remembers a time when he had a throne. He remembers a time when he had command. He remembers a time when he was Eggman. The Jackal closes his eyes and braces his ears for the worst.
"Sonic was there."
"WHAAAAAAT!" Eggman screams.
Zero opens his eyes. The emeralds must really be worth the trouble if the one before him can endure the doctor's tightening palm. Eggman's eased posture and laid-back expression have been quickly replaced with intensity and fury. Fury that Zero well knows is a desperate substitute for fear or concern.
"Why didn't you tell me this when you first boarded?!" Eggman asks through clenched teeth.
"I didn't think it would make much of a difference on when I told you, so long as it was before we arrived at our next location," Zero answers.
Eggman doesn't say anything. He just stares at Zero for a moment. Then a small, almost barely noticeable grin stretches along the edge of his lip.
"That's not it," Eggman says flatly. "That blue menace must have humiliated you... isn't that right, Zero?"
"I don't get humiliated," Zero responds hotly.
"Okay, then tell me... is the hedgehog alive?"
Zero hesitates. What feels like a million responses and excuses flash through his mind, but ultimately, he isn't able to give an answer.
"Thought so," Eggman says as he eases back into his chair. "This changes things. I knew GUN would be at the Plant, but that was supposed to be the last of my annoyances. That agency can't keep up with the speed of my precious Egg Carrier. But Sonic is different. He can keep up with us. Knowing his dull-minded persistence, he will never let up. I doubt he can find a way to home in on this aircraft, but if GUN gave him a map of the emeralds' locations, then..."
"Do I sense concern, Doctor?" Zero asks out of pure spite.
Eggman turns to him and Zero backs up. That look... It's not one of rage or evil intent. It's joy. The madman has a grin that stretches from ear to ear. He holds up the chaos emerald in his hand.
"Trust me when I tell you there is no need for concern, you naive peasant," Eggman boasts. "Ever since I learned of the emeralds' existence from the ancient stone texts in the Mystic Ruins, I have made the preparations to seek out and harness this ancient power! With all seven, I will be invincible. And the age of Eggman will begin. An infinite tyranny my future grandchildren will continue in my name. Mobius is mine."
His grin grows wider.
"Let that hedgehog try and stop me. He'll simply face his long overdue atonement."
...