Chapter Two: Gotta Go Slow (Part 1)
"Mr. Prower, please tell the Board Members what you told me the other day."
An amber and white furred twin tailed Fox coughed and cleared his throat. He gulped down water from a glass that had been in front of him. He stood on his chair, his heart rate increased as twelve piercing eyes turned their gaze upon him.
"W-well, one thing I have always been passionate about is using my inventions to help people so-"
"No, no, no, Mr. Prower. Please, tell the others what you said to me yesterday. It was perfect. Your explanation started with just three simple words."
"Uh, well... oh! Bettering the World. That through technology we can make the world a better place." Tails smiled politely as he relaxed a little more in his chair.
The Board of Directors stared at the kid Fox and waited… as if he was about to say the punchline to a funny joke. The human CEO rose from his chair, standing at the front of a large rectangular table, drawing the attention of the entire room as he then towered over all present, especially the Amber Fox that was shorter than three feet in height. Across the room was an entire catering team waiting for the signal to begin serving the congregation their meal, as well as both wine and whiskey which stood on ice ready to be poured by the waitering staff at a moment's notice.
"No, no, no, Mr. Prower, that's not quite what you told me. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, Allow me to summarize Mr. Prower's brilliant invention and insights, how that relates to our company, and our present cause for celebration."
Miles 'Tails' Prower sat down, his face red with embarrassment over not being able to adequately convey his thoughts and insights to the Board, especially since he spoke so passionately to the CEO just the other day.
"Bettering the World, I propose that those three words become our new Company Motto. Mr. Prower explained to me that with his revolutionary reinvention of Magnetic Levitation Technology we will be able to have all land based freight take to the sky. No longer will eighteen wheelers clog up roads and highways causing delays and at worst horrid accidents. No more will people need to wait for trains to pass while goods and soon people move across the continent at up to several hundred miles an hour. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to say that not only did our company receive from Mr. Prower the design and blueprints for replicating his invention free of charge thanks to Mr. Prower's generosity, but our company also received a not insignificant percentage of the United Federations Infrastructure budget to achieve our goal in making Central City the first city in the United Federation to go one hundred percent 'Anti-gravrail'. Our company's patented 'Anti-Gravrail' technology will have the first mover advantage over our competitors. This sudden change in fortune for our Company has made our common stock price increase two hundred percent since last year."
The CEO smiled and paused, both giving time for the Board to erupt in applause at the astounding news they were already aware of based on the hefty bonus they all had received, but also so he could signal for the crystal cups to be filled by the catering staff. The CEO then continued, "I don't want all this talk of the company's success to overshadow the contribution Mr. Prower made. Not just to this company, nor even the Federation, but his gift to the World. Lives will be saved and in time the savings on infrastructure will compound and allow a better standard of living for all people of all walks of life. That is the spirit, mission, and motto of this company going forward. Bettering The World."
The Board cheered with great enthusiasm and after the cheering and literal hooting (thanks to a very enthusiastic Owl Board Member) the CEO raised a glass to toast. Just then the waiter came to the boy Fox. Both exchanged awkward glances with the latter beaming with a nervous smile as he raised an empty glass.
"A toast to Mr. Prower-"
"-Wait sir," Said the Owl Board Member interjecting, "The boy does not even have a drink! We can hardly toast the good lad without ensuring he can make merry with us."
"You are absolutely correct, good sir." The CEO snapped his fingers to the catering staff. "Sirs and Madams, please go to the company break room outside a few hallways over and procure some soda or pop for young Mr. Prower, so that we might honor him today." Turning to the young Fox he asked, "What kind of soda do you like?"
"Uh, I like-"
"-No matter!" He said, waving his hand to the catering staff, "Just bring variety and we'll let the young Man have his pick. Hurry along now!"
Two of the Catering Staff rushed to the break room then shortly returned carrying over a dozen different carbonated beverages and let the amber Fox pick one. He grabbed the orange soda and then struggled to open the drink. After a good five seconds of intense focus and effort he popped the top of the soda can and poured his drink hastily, causing it to accidentally overflow. He then raised his glass smiling... his face red with embarrassment.
The CEO raised his glass and all the rest of the directors followed suit. "A Toast, to Miles Prower. We owe you a great debt. Both for your genius and your altruism. Here Here!"
"Here here!" Everyone shouted before taking a drink. The catering staff then served Mr. Prower first then the rest of the attendees. The twin tailed Fox took a bite. It was the best steak-potato-celery dish he had ever eaten. His mouth watered after every bite.
One Board Director, a Walrus, with two massive tusks said to the young inventor, "I do say, you are most impressive young boy. We will watch your career with great interest. You'll surely be remembered among the great scientists of History!"
The Fox simply smiled and put his hand behind his head awkwardly and laughed, "Ha ha, thank you. I don't know what to say about all that except that I love Science. If the world can benefit from my inventions then that is all I as a Scientist can hope for."
The CEO chimed in, "Ignoring your modesty, we do indeed owe you a great debt. I know you objected to getting paid for your work with our Company but consider this the first and final of our stipends to you. This is not counting the one percent revenue the board generously agreed to pay to you annually for the duration of our Patent period. I have already arranged the money to be deposited into your account with the cooperation of your lawyer and broker." The CEO slid across the table a piece of paper. The Fox looked at the numbers that were written and felt dizzy.
The double doors opened to the Board Room. A secretary walked over and knelt down beside Tails and whispered in his ear that there was someone who wanted to speak with him in private and that it was an urgent matter of great personal interest to him. Tails agreed.
"Mr. Prower, please follow me." The receptionist said, leading him to a separate room in another part of the large building. She opened the door and motioned for the Fox to enter and Tails did so, confused. Then footsteps echoed down the hallway and a well dressed man in casual business attire walked up to the receptionist and handed her a large wad of cash.
"We never spoke."
"Of course. Excuse me."
Now alone the man delivered entered the room, closed the door, then spoke, "Mr. Prower..."
"Please call me Tails, I'm really sick of being called Mr. Prower today." the socially drained Fox pleaded.
"Very well Tails, I work for our friends at the Guardian Units of Nations. As I'm sure you know, we serve the Federation as well as the World, protecting all from deadly threats. I was ordered to find you and deliver to you this message… Our radar systems have detected a Chaos Emerald being carried to a nearby Robotnik Base via an unidentified flying object. Likely a drone of some kind. Our hands are tied and Congress will not tolerate any loss of life as elections are approaching and a failed military sortie or campaign would be disastrous. In other words, politics as usual."
Tails furrowed his brow in confusion, "Don't you all have an army of robots you could use?"
"Officially, I cannot confirm or deny that inquiry as that is classified. Off the record, all but one of our Robots are on the fritz, and that agent has had to temporarily be deactivated from operations. Herein lies our dilemma. Dr. Robotnik is too dangerous to let him yet again gain the Chaos Emeralds. G.U.N. would like to… share with you these coordinates in case you or your friends happen to be in the area and are able to come across any lost or misplaced Emeralds. Now understand, G.U.N. would never request civilians to involve themselves in such militant and pertinent matters but-"
"We'll do it."
"-now consider… wait, you'll do it? Just like that?"
The adorable Fox made his hands into tiny fists as his expression became resolute, "We'll do it. I'll go find Sonic right away!"
"You're sure? It will be dangerous. Robotnic is sure to have preparations in case of attack."
"If it will get me out of this unbearable meeting I'll drop everything and leave at once."
The man stared at the Fox with both curiosity and intrigue. "We of G.U.N. informally thank you in advance for your continued aid to all sentient races of our planet and the United Federation. I will inform G.U.N. at once and you will receive the coordinates in the next ten minutes." The G.U.N. Agent opened the door, and motioned that their meeting was over.
Tails nodded his head and pumped his tiny fists and literally flew down the stairs at a great speed using his twin tails as a propeller. Now alone in the hall the man sighed to himself, a feeling of guilt, helplessness, and fear swelling inside him at having to rely on a child and teenager to once again help save the day, no matter how capable they have proven themselves to be. "I certainly hope no harm comes to them."
With that thought softly spoken out loud to himself, the agent made his way to exit the building. Later that day the company would come under a cyber attack that targeted and destroyed all camera footage...
Far outside the City, Sonic blinked. For the blue hedgehog it was the beginning of the end. A sign of the troubled times and his own wavering conviction. Sonic had agreed to go on a picnic with Amy. Not a date, Sonic reminded himself, just out for a casual picnic with his pink haired friend who also was a hedgehog… and a girl. A cute girl, if Sonic was being honest with himself, though he would never tell her that. Amy was known by many to have a massive crush on himself. Fortunately, this was a casual outing as friends. Nothing more.
Sonic decided to remind her. Just in case, "Hey Amy, you know I'm here for the sweet sweet promise of free chili dogs and that this is certainly not a date. No offense."
"Of course I know that Sonic, and none taken." The Pink haired hedgehog replied with a gentle smile as she opened the very large picnic basket that was laid on the wide, red, and white checkered picnic cloth. "Besides, they say the best way to a Man's heart is through his stomach. It's not my fault you have a weakness for chili dogs."
Sonic grumbled, and stared across the lush rolling plains the pair found themselves in that morning. The sun was gently warming the grass the two sat on as the gentle morning breeze blew across the plains keeping the two hedgehogs cool despite the sun's warm rays. Countless blades of grass moved with the breeze to become a sea of green that swayed back and forth with each gust of wind, giving the area a mystic feeling. Even the hill they sat on was the perfect spot to have a picnic. It overlooked the surrounding plain that stretched for miles. Only the sound of the wind could be heard. It really was a perfect day for a picnic. No doubt this day had been picked out by Amy weeks in advance, sonic thought.
Sonic looked back at Amy who had brought out four containers of varying sizes from the picnic case, a small bottle of ketchup, mustard, and tongs. Amy lifted the lids to reveal hotdogs, relish, toasted buns, and chilli.
"How many would you like to start?" Amy asked.
Taken aback by their quality in both looks and smell Sonic humbly replied, "Two please."
Silence filled the air as Amy grabbed a small glass plate from the bottom of the picnic basket.
"This looks and smells amazing Amy. Did you make all this?"
"I sure did." Amy beamed before continuing, "I made everything from scratch. I'm sure after taking one bite you'll want to marry me on the spot." Amy finished preparing the two chili dogs for Sonic then passed him the plate. "Careful, it's hot."
Sonic took the plate and grabbed hold of the chili dog. Then something occurred to the blue hedgehog. The bun was not only toasted but still warm, as if it had just come out of the oven. The chilli too was so hot steam could be seen still emanating from it, only to be lost to the wind. Lastly was the relish. It was unlike any packet or store bought relish he ever saw. It was clearly homemade. All of it was homemade Sonic realized. Sonic felt a tinge of guilt swell in him. Amy had gone to extraordinary lengths to not just get Sonic to agree to a "not date" get-together. She also had scouted out the perfect location, narrowed down the perfect day, prepared the food with the utmost attention and care, and carried all the food in what is for her a massive picnic basket. All so she would be able to stare into the eyes of her crush, smiling, as he took a bite of a chili dog she had poured her heart and soul into.
Taking a bite was the least he could do, Sonic thought, as his mouth began to salivate at the look and the smell of the chili dogs. Sonic took a small bite. It was the greatest chili dog he had ever had in his life. He wanted to cry as It was in his opinion, a masterpiece of chili dog cuisine. Sonic took another bite, with great exaggeration he pondered aloud and took a third bite then spoke, "It's pretty good I'll admit but not enough to get me to marry you."
Amy was silent as she stoically stared out across the field. The wind caused her long red dress to flap loudly in the wind, breaking the silence.
"That's fine. I can wait till you're ready to settle down and try my luck then."
Sonic having already begun eating his second chili dog, nearly choked. He knew she had a crush on him -as did most of the world it seemed- however, he was not expecting her to be so… melancholy.
"Amy, you know me. I can't be tied down. I've got places to go, robots to smash, worlds to save. You and I both do. You're an invaluable friend to me but I'm just not ready to commit. We're still young. Let's not rush things."
Still looking off in the distance Amy replied, "We are quite young, but we won't be forever. Sooner or later we'll have important choices to make. Where to go. What to do. Who if anyone you'll spend your life with." Amy turned her gaze to Sonic, "We may be young but long ago I recognized how great a hedgehog you are, Sonic. Everyone lights up when you enter the room. You make friends wherever you go and help anyone in need without asking for anything in return. Never mind you've saved the world practically a dozen times by now. You have a good heart Sonic. You're the one I want to spend my life with. To grow old with."
Now Sonic was the one who had to avert his gaze as he finally swallowed the bite of chilidog that had been stuck in his throat, "I'm sorry Amy, I hate leading you on like this. I really do. I'm just- I'm not ready. You're an amazing girl, I just- I need to take things slow."
Amy laughed, "Well, that's six words I never thought I'd hear you say."
Amy continued to giggle, her mood greatly improved, "So you're saying I have a chance after all?"
Sonic's watch started playing a catchy toon. "Look at that, a phone call from Tails. Sorry Amy, I need to take this." Sonic pressed the button on the watch, "Hey Buddy, what's up?"
"Sonic! Sorry to interrupt your date with Amy but this is really important.
"It's not a date!" Sonic stammered.
"Sonic, please listen. G.U.N. just gave me a lead that Eggman is transporting a Chaos Emerald to one of his bases in the region. G.U.N. said their hands are tied but since we're technically outside the Federations jurisdiction they'd be very appreciative if we could take the Emerald off his hands. We can't let Eggman get that Emerald. Who knows what insanity he'll cause with it this time.I'm arriving in the Super Tornado to pick you up. Tails over and out."
As the call ended, silence returned to the hilltop. Sonic found himself staring at a dejected pink hedgehog.
"Did you hear-"
"Yes Sonic, I heard Tails."
"Would you like to come along?"
Amy glanced at Sonic then back down at the picnic before them, letting slip a smile that betrayed her true disappointment.
"No, I better stay behind and get everything cleaned up.."
Amy started to slowly clean up the plates, silverware, and containers of food and put them in the basket, "Tail's new jet only fits two after all."
"Correction." Sonic sassily replied, "It can fit three if I hold on for dear life."
"Thanks but to be honest Sonic, I'm not really up for it today. I think I'll just head back to my apartment. Water my plants. Watch some Television."
"I promise I'll make it up to you Amy."
Amy looked at Sonic with a sad look in her eyes, "It's okay Sonic, It wouldn't be right to be angry with you. This isn't your fault or doing. It's that mean Dr. Eggman, ruining everything again." Amy let out a defeated sigh as she finished cleaning up the picnic area, just as a Jet flew past them overhead.
"Amy, I promise I'll make it up to you." Sonic said sincerely.
"It's fine Sonic, just promise me that when you're done running around you wont have forgotten about me. Life moves faster than you think Sonic, I won't be able to chase after you forever, as much as i'd like two."
"After Eggman is defeated I promise I'll take you on a Picnic."
"Really?" Amy replied. "You mean it? You'll prepare food? For me!"
Sonic nodded, "That's right. I guarantee you won't be able to walk straight for a week after eating the food I cook you.
Amy smiled and laughed, "I doubt it will be that bad, Sonic."
Sonic grinned, "Do you remember Mighty the Armadillo?"
"Who?" Amy asked in confusion.
"Exactly. I fed him once. Only once, and he was never seen again."
"I'll just have to have Tails test the food to make sure it's not lethal."
A jet appeared from the horizon. Its speed became progressively slower as it approached the hill. IT maneuvered in such a manner as to nearly stall out in the air when suddenly the Jet engine rotated 90 degrees at the same time countless parts moved and transformed their angle and shape so that the Jet was now floating and slowly descending to the ground. The cockpit opened up and out jumped a small twin tailed Amber Fox. He floated down using his two tails like a helicopter rotor landing next to Sonic and Amy.
"Hey buddy, what's new?" Sonic asked as he gave his best friend Tails a fist bump.
Tails turned to Amy and waved before answering, "Well, I'm a millionaire now."
"That's cool. Now I can have you buy the next million chilli dogs we eat."
Tails laughed heartily, "I don't think that's physiologically possible Sonic. I think we'd both be dead long before you even ate forty thousand chili dogs."
Sonic sighed dramatically, "I guess it's true then…"
"What's that Sonic?" Tails inquired.
"That money can't buy happiness."
Tails laughed again, and even Amy watching the brief reunion between Sonic and Tails couldn't help but chuckle despite her ruined day.
"It can't," Tails said, "But it can upgrade my Lab and let me buy more material for my jet that will then help us defeat Eggman, which never fails to brighten our day."
"That's true. Speaking of which, what's happening little bro? You said we got a tip about a Chaos Emerald being found?"
"It's Eggman. He's gathering the Chaos Emeralds... again. He'll likely power some doomsday device or summon some supernatural entity. Regardless, we need to stop him and fast." Tails said.
Sonic put his hands behind his head as he laid down on the picnic cloth, "What's the rush? Eggman always takes a while to put his plan in motion. The way I see it we still have a good fifteen minutes with some chili dogs before we need to get moving.
"Ahem!" Amy huffed.
"And Amy. Of course! It goes without saying!"
Amy smiled.
Tails rubbed his hands together nervously then said, "I have a previous engagement coming up a couple days from now so if we could finish this Eggman business before the day ends that would be really appreciated."
"No worries pal, if we speed run this we can be done in an hour or two."
Tails pumped his fists with fire in his eyes. "All right Sonic, I'm counting on you!"
Suddenly an idea popped into Sonic's mind. "Say Amy."
"Yes, Sonic?"
"Has Tails mentioned to you what his prior engagement is?"
Amy put a finger to her chin in thought, "Now that you mention it, he has not mentioned anything about any upcoming event."
Sonic stared down suspiciously at his best friend. "It's a little unusual for him, he usually posts everything on the group calendar. Exactly what are you hiding buddy?" Sonic said as he grinned.
"Oh my gosh! Tails. Is it a girl?" Amy gushed.
Tail's face turned bright red, "No, it's not. It's… a piano concerto that I was invited to attend. It's very important to me. I mean fancy. It's very fancy."
"Oh really Tails? Name one of Mozart's Symphonies."
"Too easy, Symphony Number One."
Amy and Sonic stared suspiciously at their amber twin tailed friend who chuckled nervously.
"All Right Tails," Sonic said, "Be sure to enjoy your fancy piano concert."
Tails, feeling very hot all of a sudden, wiped off some sweat from his brow then brought his watch to his mouth and issued the command, "Lawrence, initiate landing."
The Super Tornado then hovered for a moment before lowering itself to the ground and landing rapidly with a lound impact of the suspension and wheels hitting the ground.
"Whoa. When did you get it to do that?" Amy asked.
"I finished programming my first artificial intelligence. I named it Lawrence. It's one step below sentient but it's been programmed to do some pretty cool stuff if I do say so myself. It can even act autonomously without commands based on preset conditional checks." Tails stood proudly with his chest puffed out and wagging his two tails with a giant smile on his face.
Amy smiled at Tails, "That's really impressive -and a little terrifying- here, take this. I was going to give it to Sonic as we gazed into each other's eyes longingly, but nevermind that. It's yours now."
Amy opened the basket she had packed everything into and found what she was looking for. "Here you go Tails," She then tossed a small object to Tails who then caught it. "It's a peppermint."
Tails' eyes enlarged as he gasped, "Thank you Amy." He tore off the paper wrapper then tossed the mint in his mouth as he chewed it happily as he checked the time on his watch.
"Sonic, we better take to the sky. We'll likely not be able to intercept the UFO at this rate but we still can infiltrate Eggman's base to retrieve the Emerald." Tails said.
"Then let's go!" Sonic jumped to his feet then ran to the jet and jumped in the rear co-pilot seat before Amy and Tails could even blink. After they had blinked Sonic had ran back and stopped in front of Amy staring at the ground with a look of guilt on his face, "Amy, again-"
"-It's okay Sonic, don't even worry about it. You two be safe." With those words Sonic ran to and jumped in the jet.
Sonic cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "No promises."
Tails flew to his aircraft and landed in the pilot's seat. The jet took off vertically before flying forward as Amy waved goodbye. Soon the jet had disappeared beyond the horizon. Amy looked around herself disappointedly, "It had been such a promising day." She said to herself. With that, she began her trek back to her car that had been parked nearby.
Sonic tapped his finger impatiently, being stuck in his seat in the rear of the jet. Sonic had little else to do but think about what Amy had said. Suddenly a voice coming from the comm system interrupted his thoughts, "This is your pilot speaking. Thank you for choosing Tails Airlines. If you look ahead, the speck in the distance is undoubtedly Eggman's not-so-secret secret base. Mere seconds ago we exited G.U.N. airspace and have now entered Eggman's no-fly-zone. As we speak Eggman is likely preparing to launch dozens of ground-to-air missiles with the aim of turning us into a new coat of paint for the Super Tornado. We are quickly descending from 40,000 feet and approaching our final destination. When we get below 20,000 feet I'll slowly depressurize and then unlock your cabin. At that point you will be free to jump about the exterior of the aircraft if you so desire."
Silence filled the Jets comm system. Sonic, still lost in his thoughts, kept tapping his finger on the seat's armrest.
"Sonic, is everything okay? You are being really quiet. It's making me nervous."
"It's Amy. She has a crush on me." Was Sonic's deadpan reply.
Tails rolled his eyes as he piloted the jet, "Everyone and their Mother knows that Sonic."
"Yeah, it kinda just became apparent how much she likes me. How genuine it is."
"Amy's a great friend but for a while there you could have requested a restraining order and no one in court would have challenged it. Amy has always been very headstrong in her goals. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I mean, you like her too, right? What's the problem?"
"I'm… I'm scared, Tails. You should have seen it. She made the greatest chilli dogs I have ever eaten in my life. Top rated Angus Beef Franks, toasted buns, made from scratch chili and relish. She didn't just want to make me food. She wanted to bring me joy through the food. To show proof of her love for me through the food. What if we date and we don't work as a couple? What if she thinks that falling for me all these years for all this time was a mistake and a waste. I feel that to date Amy would be to gamble with our friendship. At the same time I really like Amy but we're still so young. If we don't work as a couple could our friend group really go back to normal? Would our friendship ever be the same? Tails, I'm terrified of that happening. I can't imagine losing Amy as a friend, losing her from my life. I can't imagine losing any of my friends. I just- I don't know what I should do.
Silence again filled the cabin Sonic was in. "Tails? Are you there buddy?"
"I'm really sorry Sonic." Said a regretful and apologetic Tails, "I talked a big game before but I'm eight years old and have no idea how relationships work let alone dating or love. Just know I'm here for you and I have your back!"
Sonic sighed, "Thanks Tails. I can always count on you to be there for me."
"Uh oh. Hold on Sonic. Lawrence?"
"Standing by sir." The Planes Artificial Intelligence responded in a cool and calm robotic monotone.
"Engage preservation program. Assume control of the anti-missile defense systems. Active at discretion or on my command." Tails accelerated the Jet as dozens of missiles rapidly approached their position head on.
"Affirmative. Syncing with passengers' transponders. Vitals are reading stable. Standing by." Sonic's watch flashed. Just then the Super Tornado had an alarm sound with rapid beeping.
"Hang on Sonic!" Sonic felt the force of Gravity slam into him as the plane surpassed the speed of sound thrice over. Sonic and Tails struggled to breath as the jet's speed multiplied at a rapid pace. Sonic could barely move his arms due to the G-force exerted. He looked at the monitor and keyboard in front of him filled with buttons he dared not press as an alarm sounded and red flashing blimps on the screen rapidly gained on the Super Tornado. Several missiles, mere seconds from collision, tracked the plane and pursued the jet as Tails immediately altered the Jets direction roughly ninety degrees as the Jet's alarm system screamed a single note with Lawrence calmly announcing, "Evade. Evade." The Super Tornado finished its ninety degree turn with several missiles overshooting the jet by mere meters.
"Ten missiles still in pursuit." Lawrence announced.
"Deploy chaff." Tails screamed. Just then in the rear of the jet a small pyrotechnic charge detonated deploying 6 million aluminum chaff fibers, each less than one millimeter in length to disrupt enemy missile radar systems.
"Chaff deployed… no effect. IR counter-systems and ECM are effective but insufficient."
Six of the ten missiles went off course or collided with one another leaving them to either peter out having been led off target or explode harmlessly behind the Super Tornado.
"Four missiles remaining."
The Super Tornado continued to gain speed as the jet's alarm system began to bleep again, signaling approaching doom. "Deploy flares." Tails shouted. As he piloted the aircraft to perform a barrel roll. Several of the remaining missiles detonated having been fooled by the many dozen heat signatures produced by the flares. The last missile overshot barely and detonated horizontally to the jet. The energy of the blast transferred to the passengers causing the head of Tails to slam into the right side of the pilots cabin with great force.
"Tails!" Sonic screamed, concerned for his friend's wellbeing.
"Head trauma sustained.I have scheduled an appointment at Central City's Children's Hospital for next week." Lawrence announced.
Tails felt a cold chill on the right side of his head as something wet slowly dripped down.
"Based on the aircraft's speed and structural damage sustained by the plane, my projections indicate you have suffered blunt force trauma to the head that could cause bleeding due to ruptured blood vessels. My preservation program requires I preserve my passengers' lives by any ethical means deemed necessary. Now defying Sir's order and contacting the Children's Hospital to tentatively schedule an appointment for this week." Lawrence said, with a hint of sass.
"I'm fine, I merely hurt the side of my-."
The plane's autopilot engaged to angle the jet at the newly detected threat. Sonic tried to hold in his chili dog as he and Tails were at gravities mercy as the plane rapidly shifted its heading, speed, and relative angle subjecting them to massive g-forces. A bright flash of light suddenly illuminated the entire jet as if a second sun was born. One heartbeat later a deafening sound emanated from the rear of the Jet. After another heartbeat a massive aerial explosion appeared a couple miles away. The plane then leveled out as the autopilot adjusted its heading to their final destination.
Tails began trembling. "Hypersonic." Tails whispered to himself.
"What did you say buddy?" Sonic asked.
Tails, still in shock and dumbfounded, said, "Hypersonic Missile."
"Emergency System Override disengaged. Autopilot is still active." Lawrence said nonchalantly.
Tails' breathing hitched as he tried to collect himself after the many near death experiences. Tails crossed his arms and held himself as his body trembled.
"Tails? Are you okay? Tails?"
"..."
"Speak to me Tails!"
Suddenly Lawrence spoke, "Congratulations Sir, you are the first person in the world to successfully create and field test a Hypersonic Missile Counter Defense System. My combat logs indicate that the Hypersonic missile was moving at 30 times the speed of sound when it was detected and was a mere .033333 repeating seconds away from destroying this aircraft. Logging achievement under marketable technology to sell G.U.N., personal accomplishments, and things likely to impress Zooey."
The whole flight's aerial encounters had lasted only a minute.
"Tails. Are. You. Okay?" Sonic stressed each word as he waited on baited breath to hear if his best friend was alright.
"I just- I need a minute." Tails continued to shake and hold himself for the next five minutes. He did not say a word to Sonic or Lawrance and hid his face by staring at the floor of the aircraft, whenever his breathing stopped he took deep and ragged breaths soon thereafter as he struggled to collect himself. For the next five minutes Tails did his best to not cry in front of Sonic, holding back his tears as his lip trembled.
Once Tails had recovered enough to speak, he informed Sonic that their destination was approaching. They would conduct a variation of a High Altitude Low Open jump out of the plane except Tails would assist Sonic in safely landing. After landing, the two would then break through Eggman's defenses, enter the base, find the Chaos Emerald,then Escape. The Super Tornado guided by Lawrance would destroy any remaining defenses then find a safe location to land nearby. With the plan understood Tails did several strafing runs and destroyed various defensive emplacements and robotic defense forces.
"Entrance located, maneuvering to enable deployment of passengers." Lawrence said.
The Super Tornado continued to slow below one hundred and seventy miles per hour and maneuvered vertically upward at nearly ninety degrees causing the plane to momentarily stall. Tails slapped himself in the face with the palm of both of his gloved hands and whispered to himself, "I can do this. I can do this."
"Optimal drop location reached." Lawrence said.
"Be ready Sonic. Lawrence, Now!" Instantly the window screen separating Tails and Sonic from the outside world retracted. Tails grabbed Sonic's hand and together the best friends jumped from the Jet. The jet continued on autopilot to provide fire-support then find a safe location to land and remain on standby for evacuation.
The duo tightly held each other's hands as they fell to the earth. Once they were at one thousand feet Tails used his twin tails to create thrust slowing their descent. Eventually the pair was slowed enough that Tails was able to slowly descend upon the entrance of Eggman's base. The entrance was covered by a cement overhang. The left and right sides had sloping ramps that led to fortified emplacements. After landing Tails fell to his knees and heaved. He struggled to breath as he coughed spittle onto the ground. After a moment a nauseated Tails spoke, "Wow, my head's spinning!"
Tails, still catching his bearings after the day's ordeals saw a blue blur in his peripheral vision. Sonic rolled into a ball and bounced upon one of the robots that had descended a nearby stairwell that led to the building's defense emplacements. The robot was crushed and torn to pieces by Sonic's spin attack. He then used his momentum to continue up the ramp and impacted another robot, Sonic's quills tearing through its chassis like a buzzsaw tearing through a balloon. A final robot aimed its gun at Sonic only for the hedgehog to side step its blast, slide behind it, and tripp its robot legs. The coup de grace quickly came with Sonic rolling onto a ball and revving a spin dash on top of the robot, eviscerating the robotic minion. Just then, three Badniks appeared: a Caterkiller, which fell out of a trap door in the ceiling above the entrance, nearly crushing tails who dived out of the way just in time. A Motobug, Which had driven over to investigate the loss of signal from his robot brethren, and lastly, a Buzz-bomber which flew toward Tails attempting to shoot him with his stinger projectile weapon. Tails dived and barely dodged the attacks. He rolled into a ball and rammed into the Catakiller causing it to partially break and roll over. Sonic rounded the corner to the entrance drifting along the ground and then rolled into a ball preserving his moment. He then bounced off the ground and slammed into the Buzz-bomber and then landed on the charging Motobug.
"Alright! Did you see that double-kill Tails? They never saw me coming." Sonic said while running in place and kicking up dust behind him. "They're too slow!"
Tails, finally able to finish catching his breath, said, "No I missed it. Do it again." Tails smiled and stuck out his tongue at Sonic then grinned."
"Sure, let's start from the top. Have the Tornado brought back around. I want to try sticking the landing a little better, ya know? Go for the Buzzbomber first and have it break my fall then try rolling into the Catakiller. Maybe try for the triple robot K.O.?"
"Ha! Lets not. The trip here was… unpleasant." Tails went silent as he thought back on the days near death experiences.
Sonic stood staring at his best friend, "Are you sure you're okay Tails? We can always hunt down the Emerald another day. We can head home..."
"I'm fine Sonic. Let's go get that Chaos Emerald."
"Well all right then," Sonic said with a jovial and upbeat attitude, "Let's do it. Once we get past this door try to keep up pal. I'll consider leaving a robot or two but I can't make any promises. I need to get Eggman back for that bumpy ride we had. You feel me?" Sonic then extended his fist and held it in the air in front of Tails. Tails smiled and gave Sonic a fist bump.
"We got this Sonic!" Tails cheered.
Sonic and Tails turned and walked to the massive metal doors that served as the entrance to the base. The two metal doors ominously slid open for the pair and they stepped inside. The pair then heard manic laughter and an ominous promise coming from the intercom system as a deep and unnerving voice spoke, "Your luck has held up till now but that will soon change… I promise you. Now, the fun can really begin. I'll be waiting for you, Sonic the Hedgehog. Try not to die too quickly. I'd like to savor the moment." The intercom went dead with static before going silent.
"Dr. Eggman." Sonic clenched his fists as he said his Nemesis's name.
Sonic and Tails looked at one another and nodded. The two friends then took off running down the hallway disappearing into the dimly lit facility. Both entirely oblivious to the dangers that lay ahead lurking and waiting in the darkness.