Chapter Sixteen

As he watched her depart the holding cells, Omega recalled the game he passed while on his way here. In the second Amy and Birdie went through the door, the robot took note of the security monitors on the walls, and realized that Robotnik had seen the entire interaction. Initially, an alarm went off in Omega's mind.

Then, he calculated the doctor would provide a challenge to Amy as she was leaving. And the challenge would be the "Wack-a-Hedgehog" game. When he scanned her, he noted that she was proficient with a Piko-Piko Hammer.

Plus, chances were that she would manage to beat the game, and continue with the escape until she bumped into Doctor Robotnik.

For now, Omega would be spared the wrath of his creator.

He didn't hear a P.A system buzz. He didn't hear a furious voice shout at him for letting Amy out. He didn't see any robots come to detain and start scrapping him. Omega walked towards the door, just as his sensors picked up the sounds of Robotnik laughing on a P.A system, and a monitor showed Amy hitting fake hedgehogs with her hammer.

Robotnik was very preoccupied with two things; The bird, and an escaping Amy.

Just then, a series of explosions shook the ship. Make that three things. Omega connected with a viewer, and saw what was going on: Sonic and Tails were back in a new plane, and launching another attack on the Egg Carrier. And the explosions were caused by the weapons on the fox's new plane.

Omega's attention quickly shifted, just as Amy got a high-score on the game, and Robotnik howled his disbelief that it was happening. A green light flashed, and Amy placed a feather upon her head, just as an orange ball of light surrounded her. Then, the pink hedgehog departed the room, undoubtedly continuing with her efforts to escape the Egg Carrier.

The battle robot marched out of the holding cells, passed through the "Wack-a-Hedgehog" room, and entered the main hall of the Egg Carrier where he would be briefed by Doctor Robotnik. And no one was there, except for the cleaning robots that were mopping the floor.

He then heard a whining sound on the P.A. system, and Robotnik's voice filled the room.

"OMEGA!" The doctor declared, "MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE DECK NOW!"

No question. He was still loyal to the mad scientist. Omega marched towards the lift, and stepped onto it. The lift rose towards a hole in the ceiling, and carried Omega onto the upper deck of the Egg Carrier, where he found Eggman waiting with a Chaos Emerald in hand. Undoubtedly, he'd taken it from the Birdie, who rested in Amy's hand.

And then, the battle robot spotted Sonic and Tails nearby. The hedgehog and the fox had landed on the ship, obviously ready to confront Robotnik, and Omega could guess that they'd come to save Amy as well.

"YOU SUMMONED ME, DOCTOR?!" Omega asked.

"Omega!" Robotnik commanded, "Get rid of these pests, show them what you got!"

"I WILL COMPLY, DOCTOR ROBOTNIK! THE HEDGEHOG SHALL BE OBLITERATED IN FIRE!"

Robotnik then flew off, leaving Omega with Sonic and Tails, while Amy stood back. Omega was more than ready for a rematch, and activated his weapon systems. He raised his arm cannon, and fired on Sonic. The blue speedster, however, was still swift as ever. Sonic leaped out of the way, avoiding Omega's shots, and ran towards the battle robot.

He felt the hedgehog strike him, causing Omega to stumble. The advanced Badnik regained his footing, and began firing a barrage of missiles until Tails hit him with the swipe of a tail. Omega turned, and fired a laser at the fox, only for Sonic's sidekick to move out of the way.

Omega turned his attention towards the blue hedgehog, just as Sonic was racing his way. Sonic leaped into the air, and landed a kick on the battle robot's head. His sensors went haywire, and Omega spluttered. The robot flailed his limbs, trying to get a shot at either the hedgehog or the fox. Both Sonic and Tails attacked, landing blows to Omega in every direction.

"WARNING!" Omega buzzed, "SYSTEM MALFUNCTION!"

"STOP!"

Amy stepped in front of Omega, just before Sonic and Tails could make another move against him. Omega struggled to stand, wondering what the pink hedgehog was doing. Birdie fluttered next to her, chirping anxiously.

"Get out of the way, Amy!" Sonic yelled, "That's one of Eggman's robots!"

"He's dangerous too!" Tails added.

"No." Amy said, "This robot is special. He let me out of my cell, he's not really bad. Would you really hurt someone who actually helped me?"

Sonic shrugged and stood down. "Okay. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, I guess." The hedgehog remarked, "You must have your reasons. If you say that he saved you, and we can trust him, then I guess there's no need to keep fighting."

Amy turned to Omega. "And you don't need to fight for that Eggman anymore..." She said.

"WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME?!" Omega buzzed.

"It's the right thing to do." Tails told him, "And, as Amy said, you're different. You don't have to let that nasty Doctor Eggman order you around, you can be your own person, chart your own path. It isn't uncommon for machines to learn human emotion, and grow beyond their original programming. Perhaps you can use your abilities to help others."

"REGISTERING LOGIC!" Omega intoned, "SONIC... FRIEND?! HEDGEHOGS AND FOX ACKNOWLEDGED AS ALLIES! DOCTOR ROBOTNIK'S ORDERS REGISTERED, MEANINGLESS! ALL WHO CAUSE PAIN TO ORGANIC LIFE WILL BE EXTERMINATED!"

Just then, the Egg Carrier began vibrating.

"The ship's losing altitude!" Tails exclaimed.

Sonic looked at Tails. "I'll find Eggman and put him outta commission!" He said, "You take Amy and get outta here!"

With those words, the blue hedgehog dashed off across the deck to find the doctor and confront him as he usually did. Tails nodded and spun his namesakes, he took flight and picked up Amy. Just as they were about to leave, Amy looked down at the watching Omega, and waved goodbye.

"YOU LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, WHILE THIS UNIT REPROGRAMS ITSELF WITH NEW DIRECTIVES!" Omega buzzed.

He fired up his thrusters, and took off from the Egg Carrier, while Tails and Amy flew away with Birdie following behind the hedgehog and the fox. Omega didn't look back, he kept flying, until he soon heard the sound of Doctor Robotnik's ship exploding. And, by then, he was far away...