Sonic The Hedgehog: And The Odysseys Through Time

by SomeRandomSonicFan

When the Prower family creates a time machine to save their parents from a tragic death at the hands of Dr. Eggman, they accidentally unleash war and chaos across time and space. Worse yet, their future is not the only world line at stake... and worth making sacrifices for.

31. Chapter 0: Friends and Foes (Part 1)

Buster and Annabella's eyes twitched as their less than welcome guest spoke up.

"You know, when you have a guest over, the classy thing to do would be to offer them some of those famous mushrooms you foxes are always eating." Dr. Eggman said as he sat on an aluminum chair which buckled under his weight.

Annabella placed in front of Eggman three mushrooms only to receive a displeased look from her brother.

Annabella's subtle facial expression silently answered back, "Maybe he'll choke on them."

Eggman grinned as he took one of the mushrooms and held it between two of his fat fingers. He squeezed it until the putrid juices overflowed and dribbled onto the table the three of them were seated at. "So what have you both been up to… aside from raiding my facilities and trying to mess with the space time continuum?"

Buster scoffed, "What do you think we've been doing? We've been worried sick over our sister." As Buster answered he could do nothing to hide his hate and resentment for the human that sat in his chair, in his secret base, after taking the lives of his parents.

Eggman let the crushed mushroom he had held fall onto the table next to its kin, his curiosity spent. "You sound… agitated. I certainly hope there are no hard feelings between the three of us. I was actually hoping we could have a cooling of relations. Move ourselves closer towards a new beginning. An age of peaceful coexistence."

Now it was Annabella's turn to express shock and outrage, "You honestly think we can let bygones be bygones after all that has happened? After everything you did to ruin our lives? To destroy our family?"

"I do."

It was the way Eggman said it, spoken in a casual indifference that inflamed the Prower siblings. As if he had been asked if he thought it might rain.

Sensing their anger and disdain Eggman proceeded with his explanation and reasoning, "Understand this, I had the utmost respect for your father. He was a great fox of science. He was, at times, my equal. It's just unfortunate that he, like Sonic and so many others, were problems that opposed me. Problems that had to be… resolved. What happened to your Mother and Father was nothing personal. Now Sonic on the other hand…"

Buster stared across the table into Eggman, no, into Dr. Robotics eyes. Not trusting a word out of his mouth."If you mean what you say then give Colette back and let us be." Buster's fists had tightened into a shaking ball of bone and flesh.

"Oh I would love nothing more, but I actually need you to do me a couple favors before we can go down that route. Consider it a show of good faith on your part."

"Wait," Annabella began, "You want us to let bygones be bygones yet you blackmail us to do your dirty work with Colette held as your bargaining chip? How is this acting in good faith to resolve the tension between us?"

Eggman's previously chipper facial expression turned into a scowl, his rage barely contained, "You forget all that I have done and did not 'll find I have been more than fair and accommodating towards the son and daughters of Miles Prower." Eggman said confidently, and with an air of righteous superiority.

"Like hell you have." Buster said as he ground his teeth in a desperate attempt to keep his anger contained.

"Really now? Let's see shall we?" Eggman twirled his mustache in thought, "I have left your other bases, your time machine, and your three Chaos Emeralds untouched. If I had such ill intentions as you suspect me to have, I would be a fool not to take your emeralds and destroy your time machine thus removing your means of challenging me. In fact, I have had the ability to destroy you Prowers for some time now. Yet here we are having a civil conversation. Your time machine is still functioning and in your possession. It should be said that I have taken excellent care of your sister. She was extremely malnourished once I brought her back to my Empire, yet I nursed her back to health by providing her food and drink with a much more diverse set of nutrients than these… earthy… mushrooms of yours. Finally, you Prowers accuse me of wrongdoing yet you are both are blind to your own hypocritical acts. You have invaded my Empire, trashed my city, sabotaged my facilities, and risked altering the world line we are in. For all we know you could have created a paradox or fundamentally altered our very history. I have overlooked all of this and all I ask is that you complete two very simple tasks. Then all will be forgiven and you shall have your sister back unharmed and in the best health of her life. As a sign of my good faith upon completion of these tasks I will also give you a Chaos Emerald, of which I currently have the other four out of the total seven. This will be a sign of my peace and goodwill towards you Prowers' done out of the kindness of my heart. You can then, of course, come and go as you please so long as you never interfere with my reign again. However, should you go against me…"

Eggman slammed his hand down onto the table, crushing the remaining two mushrooms that sat cold and dejected in front of him, their contents splattered and their juices sent flying across the family table.

Annabella brushed bits of mushroom out of her hair and pushed up her glasses. "Put in fewer words, we must complete these tasks for you if we want Colette back? It seems clear to me that we don't actually have a choice as you would kill her should we refuse. Is that right?" Annabella said.

Eggman smiled, "I would see it less as I am holding your sister as a bargaining chip-"

"-A hostage." Buster said.

"-and more as an opportunity of a lifetime to open a new path of peace between us." Eggman said as he ignored Buster.

Buster furrowed his brow and tapped the table with his fingers as he thought. He looked to his sister who nodded. Buster turned back to face Eggman. "You already told my sister what you would have us do but today you speak of a second assignment. What is it?"

Eggman reached into his pocket and pulled out two small plastic bags of which each continued a small slip of paper. One of the two bags contained a small reflective metal object no larger or longer than a finger.

"I have two tasks for you to complete. First, and pay attention here as these must be done in order, first you must go to the spacetime coordinates I provide and insert this USB Drive into a device that is connected to the internet. It can be at a library, a gaming cafe, anywhere."

"Library. Did… did you say the destination has an actual library?"

A glimmer of light flickered across Eggman's glasses as he turned and grinned at the excited bookworm. "They may even serve coffee now that I think about it."

"Let's not get off topic." Buster said, "We plug the USB drive into a computer that is connected to the internet. That's it? That's all we do?" Buster said with a raised eyebrow. This job was too easy. A fact that sent alarms ringing in his mind.

"That's it." Eggman said with a smile. "I will know when it is done so don't think you can simply throw the USB drive in a river. Of course, I have the utmost confidence in your abilities. I'm sure your dear sister would agree. Also, it might not be a bad idea to do a little exploring. This is the place I'm going to ask you to move to once your sister is returned to you. It might be best for us to give each other some space. Literally and figuratively."

Annabella exhaled heavily. She did not realize she had been holding her breath. The whole situation made her stomach churn. The more she thought about how they were being used the more distrustful and nervous she felt. She looked at Dr. Eggman and squinted her eyes, "What's the trick here? What are you really planning? Why couldn't you do any of this yourself. Why not just kill us and get back to building your Empire of ruin?"

The smile on Eggman's face disappeared, only to be replaced by a smile that seemed borderline psychotic. "What am I planning? Young lady, if I had any alleged plans it would start with robotizing your sister and sending her to exterminate you two. Obviously that has not happened for the simple fact that I have no plans. Nor any master plans. Now, if I were you I would be careful with how you speak to me going forward. I am here to offer the Prower family an olive branch. A fresh start. The kind of questions you are asking, those are the kind of questions your parents used to ask… the questions of terrorists looking to attack and destroy my Empire. The questions of those who would defy my rule and seek to have me overthrown. Make no mistake, if you want to see your sister again, never mind one of my Chaos Emeralds, I would think twice before questioning my kind hearted motives going forward, or I may just change my mind about letting bygones be bygones and I can assure you your sister would be the first of you three to pay the price, and pay dearly she would."

Annabella furrowed her brows, clenched her shaking hands, and lowered her head. "I'm… I'm sorry for speaking so rudely. It… it won't happen again."

Eggman's psychotic smile turned sadistic for the briefest of moments before turning to a sneer, then lastly a warm grandfatherly smile. Its hollow warmth was lost on those present.

"That is quite all right Anna. Can I call you Anna? No matter. This is the beginning of something great for all of us. Now, for the final task…"

Eggman slid over the final small bag and the paper that was contained therein.

"It's very simple. I need you to go to a place called the Sol Empire using the coordinates I provide, and capture or eliminate the Princess known as Blaze the Cat and her disgusting boy toy called Silver the Hedgehog. I don't care how you do it. I don't care how long it takes you. I want them either captured and brought before me or I want them dead."

Buster and Annabella looked at each other in shock then Annabella stuttered. "S-supposing we killed them… I'm guessing you'd just know-"

Eggman laughed loud and heartilly, "Oh no! I will not take any chances. I would require their heads. If you wish to kill them I would recommend you bring an empty backpack to put them in. Though, I prefer they be brought alive if possible. Either option is fine by me." Eggman then asked abruptly. "Any other questions?"

"Is there a time limit to complete these errands?"

"Of course not. You'll be in a different dimension. Just be sure it's done before you die of old age. You wouldn't want to disappoint little Colette by leaving her all alone in the world now would you?"

Buster's response was barely heard over the gentle humming of the air filtration system. "No. No we don't." Buster put his hands together, interlocking his fingers, and clenched his knuckles tightly.

The three sat in awkward silence with nothing left to say or discuss.

"I'll take that as my que to leave." Eggman said as he rose from his seat. "I look forward to seeing you two very soon. When completing my errands don't treat it as a business trip. Feel free to roam around and see the sights. It's a whole other world of possibilities after all. See the sights, try some food, read some books. Enjoy life. Plug in the USB someplace, then come back to my Empire with the two terrorists dead or alive and your sister will be returned to you unharmed."

"Along with a chaos Emerald?" Buster asked.

"Of course, as previously promised I will even throw in one of my own Chaos Emeralds for a job well done." Eggman said,

Buster and Annabella then walked Eggman to the now not-so-secret entrance of their underground safe house.

Eggman stopped just before entering the tunnel that would take him back to the surface and turned to face the Brother and Sister. "Oh, one more thing. Catch." Dr. Eggman tossed Buster a small rectangular device. "I have the utmost confidence in your abilities. After the USB job is done, I have no doubt you will find a creative solution to complete my final task. For your sister's sake, I hope you don't disappoint me."

Then as quick as Eggman had arrived he was gone. Steel jaws closed behind him so that once more the Prower hideout was secluded from the outside world.

Buster looked at the device Eggman had tossed him. It fit in the palm of his hand and had a small screen the length of his wrist. He flipped it over and noted the lack of batteries. "Huh, solar powered. Never would have expected that." He flipped the on switch.

His jaw dropped as he quickly realized what the device was.

"Eggman just gave us a device that detects the location of Chaos Emeralds."

"Ha ha, very funny. Do you think I was born yesterday?" Annabella said.

Buster walked over to his sister and showed her the screen.

"It's real… it's even picking up our three chaos emeralds in this base." Buster said.

"Wow. We lost the means to build this kind of tech since moving down here. The fact he would just give it to us…"

"Hmph. Of course it won't show the location of Eggman's Emeralds. Paranoid asshole. I bet he has countermeasures in place." Buster said, lamenting.

Annabella returned to the table and sat in her chair and let out an exhausted sigh. "As amazing as this boon is. It does not change the fact that Eggman is going to stab us in the back the first chance he gets."

"Definitely. We need to be prepared for when that happens."

"Buster." Anabella said with a tonation that made it clear they were about to have a serious conversation.

"Yeah?" Buster's body stiffened. His tail twitched. His throat suddenly became dry. The way his sister spoke was… foreboding.

"I'm scared."

Buster let out a sigh. "I am too."

"I mean… I'm absolutely terrified. If I was Eggman this would just be another part of some master plan. I can't help but feel that despite whatever we do, we'll simply be pigs walking to our own slaughter."

"I know. That's why we have to act boldly and be prepared for anything. No more goodie two shoes hero business. No more mercy. No more trusting anyone. Everyone else is from now on a tool to be used. If we can't do that much then Colette is as good as dead with us soon to follow after her. We cannot allow ourselves to accumulate a single disadvantage. We both know what the price is."

Annabella began to quietly cry. "I thought about it a lot. What you said the last few days. What we talked about."

"And?" Buster said as he held his breath.

Annabella looked towards her brother as she wiped her cheeks and eyes with her hands as she began to sob. "I really didn't want us to have to do this but it looks like we're going to have to get our hands dirty after all. I shamefully and reluctantly agree. "

Buster suppressed a melancholic smile. His sister had come around to his consequentialist perspective… more or less. So why did he feel so… sad?

"You made the right choice. We'll have more options and be better able to protect Colette. We only need the three of us. Then we can save Mom, Dad and the others. But until then, we don't have a choice. Eggman has Colette and our days are surely numbered." Buster's tone was bitter and filled with hate as he continued elaborating. "He's just using us Anna. I don't know if it's to do his dirty work for him or if it's just for his twisted amusement. Either way for us, it doesn't make a difference. We need to gather our strength… then strike decisively. No matter the cost. No matter the consequences. Victory or death."

"I agree… but on one condition." Annabella wiped the tears from her face as her complexion cleared.

Buster's tail stiffened. He did not like the sound of that. Why add conditions that will interfere with obtaining results?

"What condition would that be?" Buster asked hesitantly.

"We draw the line short of killing. Lying, blackmail, even none-fatal torture… I will overlook all of it. So long as we do not kill. Forgive my lack of a scientific term, but at the end of this we still must have a soul. We are after all still our parents' children. Do you agree with this condition?"

"..."

Buster sat in his chair, frozen in thought. Stirring in his emotions. He looked at his hands and heard the death cries of the two lives he had already taken.

"Buster!" Annabella cried out, both out of anger and at the pain of her quickly breaking heart.

"...I can't make any promises."

The vixen frowned as she stared at her older brother, her eyes losing a glint of happiness and love from them. Her mouth curled in disgust as her words were laced with vitriol as she surgically delivered her rebuttal, leaving no confusion as to what she now thought of her brother.

"I'm… I'm so disappointed in you Benjamin. I abandoned nearly every moral I possess. I stooped so low for you and for our family. The least you could do is rise above the dirt."

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Buster said curtly. Not bothering to look at his sister. Though, maybe it was because he did not have the heart to look her in the eyes.

"Don't you dare patronize me." Annabella shouted.

"Patronize you? On the contrary little sister, maybe it's about time you start looking at the world for what it is not what Mom and Dad said it was. The world is full of darkness and evil. All I'm asking is that you stop being so… so… morally idealistic. It's going to get us all killed just like all the other loved ones we lost who didn't make the tough choices to protect this family and the world."

Annabella blinked twice and stared at her Brother as she processed what he just said. Her response was like an approaching hurricane. First was the calm… then came the storm. "How dare you. How dare you. What the hell is wrong with you Benjamin? How can you say that? What… what… what the hell are you even saying?"

Buster now stopped avoiding his sister's gaze and looked her right in the eyes. "I'm saying you need to throw out your morals. In times of peace they are a standard to live by. In times of war, they are going to get us killed. The fact all of our loved ones are dead is proof that altruism, the ethical philosophy Mom, Dad, Sonic, and everyone fought and died for… is as dead as they are."

"I can't believe what I am hearing. How can you say that? After everything they did. Everything they sacrificed. How can you stand there on your figurative soapbox and say they died for nothing?"

"Because they did. They failed. They failed us. Pick any of the dozen times Eggman was defeated. If Sonic, Knuckles, or our Parents had the willpower to kill Eggman…"

Buster flinched as he was overcome with emotion. He held back tears as his voice grew weaker and weaker until it matched the strength of his broken heart.

"... If Eggman had been executed none of this would have happened. We would be eating pancakes. Playing games. We'd be a family. We'd all be here together… but their morals… their morals Annabella. Their damn morals. They couldn't do it." Buster tightened his hands into fists. "I won't make the mistake they made. Not again."

"What happened to you? You're not the brother who would tuck me and Colette into bed and read to us. Where did he go? What have you done with him? Did you kill him too?"

"Maybe I did."

"If only Mother and Father could see you now."

"Mother and Father are dead because they refused to kill Eggman each chance they had-"

"-That doesn't mean they were wrong not to do so." Annabella said.

"How many times did they have the opportunity to stop Eggman once and for all? Don't you get it? There will be no peace with Eggman until either he or our family all lay dead. I cannot ask you or Colette to bear that weight. So I will. One of us has to have the strength to do what needs to be done. I alone will carry that burden."

Annabella's mouth curled in a wicked grin. "Carry that burden?. What burden is that? Are you going to shoot my other leg? Or maybe you'll actually find it in your blackened heart the will to murder an innocent child. Mom and Dad would be so proud of you-"

Buster leapt from his chair over the table and grabbed Annabella roughly by her shoulders and began screaming.

"-Everything I have done and everything I do, I do it for us. I do it for our family. Because I love you. I love Uncle Sonic and Aunt Amy. I love our Mom and Dad. I would die for them. I hope I have it in me to kill for them again if necessary. So no, I don't need you to tell me what they would think of me… of what I've become."

Buster's grip weakened and he let go of his sister as he held back his tears. Buster's voice was a whisper… quivering in a moment of self realization, shame, and perhaps, even horror. "What options did I have? What choices could I make?"

Annabella stood up and with her hands hugging herself she slowly stepped away from the table and her brother. She shook her head slowly, rejecting his words as well as his deeds.

"You always have a choice. There is always a choice. At the end of the day you are who you choose to be."

The words struck Buster like a bullet to the head.

Buster grabbed the slip of paper and the USB stick and walked to the time machine. He entered the coordinates then put the piece of paper back into the plastic bag, sealed it, then tossed it to his sister. The bag floated to the ground not even making it half way to Annabella.

"I know I've changed and I am not who I used to be… but I do love you and Colette. I just want us to be a happy family again. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. So… so I'm leaving. Meet up with me when… whenever you're able or willing to work with me."

"Buster… Ben…" Annabella's eyes watered as she called out to her brother who continued to move onward and away from her as he prepared to literally leave her world behind.

Annabella threw herself onto her brother and held onto him for dear life. Her self-made walking cane had been tossed aside. "Benjamin, please wait. Don't leave me!"

With the coordinates entered and activated the portal opened. Buster checked to make sure his inter-dimensional-portal-watch was functioning. The Chaos Emerald that was inside its clunky and pragmatically designed chamber could spin endlessly in place unless removed. Buster wondered how much longer it would spin for them.

"We might be better off if we go our separate ways for a little while." Buster said with deep sadness.

"Benjamin please. Our family has been broken enough. Let's go together okay? I'm sorry for what I said. Please… please don't leave me all alone. We need to stay together. We're still family. Please."

Annabella hugged her brother tightly. She may hate what he had done and what he was becoming, but a part of her could never stop loving him.

Buster turned and wrapped his arms around his sister and helped her to her feet. "Alright. You win. Let's go. Together"

…

The first thing Buster and Annabella noticed as they exited the portal was how clean the air was followed by the warmth of the sun beaming down upon their fur. It was an almost cloudless day and the blue sky looked to the Prowers like that of a shimmering sapphire. It had been years since they had seen a clear blue sky not obscured by industrial smog and the sight reminded them of better days when their lives were filled with the love of their parents and family friends.

They turned their gaze ahead to the horizon and from the base of a hill they stood upon, the siblings saw a vast green plain before them. A sudden gust of wind sent the grassland swaying to and fro like an ocean of greenery. Between the horizon and the great plain sat a glimmering city, far in the distance.

Planes rose into the sky and made their descent into the megalopolis. The two foxes continued their long walk to the city and the feelings of hope and awe turned to trepidation as they remembered why they were here, and what was at stake.

After much time spent walking the brother and sister reached the outskirts of the city and found the first living being they would meet in this strange new land. An old, ragged, and tired looking man with a gray beard sat slumped on the ground holding a cardboard sign who upon noticing the two children sat up and called out to them.

"Spare any change? Good children, could you spare change for an old veteran?"

Annabella turned to the man, "I'm sorry, I don't have any money. What is your name?"

Buster stopped walking away from the homeless man and went back to whisper in Annabella's ear. "Anna, we need to keep moving."

"It's fine, Buster." Annabella whispered to her brother. Turning back to the homeless man she said, "What is your name sir?"

"My name is Mark."

"Mark, I'm sorry but I don't have any money at the moment but is there anything else I can do for you or help you with instead?"

"Oh no, your kindness has been payment enough little lady. It's a small gesture but being treated as human when so many ignore or harass me, its… I needed this. Thank you. You have a blessed day."

"Thank you. You too Mark." Annabella turned back to her irritated brother and the two continued on their way.

It was not long until they noticed they were being followed by a group of four wolves. The wolfpack walked behind them with grins on their faces and hands in their pockets. They stayed at a distance but kept pace with the brother and sister.

Buster grabbed his sister's hand and began to walk faster.

The wolves followed.

Buster and Anna turned a street corner and saw two more wolves a;; of which wore matching colors. Their ears twitched and they flashed their razor sharp teeth in a knowing smile as they rose from their minor distractions that had occupied their time and moved to block off their prey's escape routes.

Buster yanked Annabella and began to cross the street. They ducked into an alleyway and tried to make an escape but they found themselves at a dead end. One by one the wolves entered the alleyway with lecherous grins on their faces.

"Poor kids. You seem lost. We only wanted to help you find your way through this dangerous neighborhood. Why don't you come with us?"

"Yeah, we'll take real good care of you two." Said one of the wolves from behind the pack leader.

The leader of the pack, a good foot taller than the rest grinned as he looked at Annabella. "Say, pup. Why not introduce your cute sister to us? We might not look it, but we're upstanding gentle wolves. Right boys?"

The wolves laughed and chuckled.

"Yeah, we'll treat her well. Have her singin' our praises all night long." A wolf in the back said, inciting whistles and laughter from the group as they slowly blocked the entirety of the alleyways exit.

Buster glared daggers at them as he pulled out his gun. "Like hell you will."

The leader of the pack frowned. He spoke with a stern tone like how a parent might speak to an ignorant child who was on the verge of crossing a line. "Now let's not do something that is going to get you hurt, foxboy. There are six of us here and only two of you. That's a revolver so you have at most six shots and let me tell ya something else kid, we're mother fucking wolves. We eat lead and piss iron. It will take more than a few measly-"

A bullet exploded out of the revolver and pierced the chest of the leader of the pack and caused him to stagger back, his shock quickly turning to rage.

-Son of a bitch!" He shouted. "Rip him apart!"

Buster fired again… but the leader juked at the last millisecond with uncanny reflexes. He and his gang swarmed forward onto Buster.

Buster fired several more times… to little effect. Despite several of the wolves being struck by the bullets it seemed to do little but enrage them. A wall of muscle and bone slammed into Buster sending him flying into the dead end wall behind him. Dazed, Buster was then grabbed by the neck and thrown against the wall with unprecedented strength. Buster struggled to speak. "Ah- ug- A- Anna!" The leader laughed at hearing this.

"Beg some more boy and maybe we'll be gentle with your sister."

"Please, please don't hurt her. I'll do anything-" Buster said as his face was pulled from the wall by the muscular leader then slammed head first back into the wall causing Buster to see stars.

The leader got close to Buster's ear as blood trickled down his head. "You know, we were going to be gentlemen and show you around town… but now? I think we're going to give your sister the time of her life. Grab her!"

Annabella's back was to the wall. "Please… no…" Three of the wolves approached her. "Please."

The three wolves grinned and chuckled.

Annabella furrowed her brow and glared at them and raised her walking cane then pushed a button. A dart shot out of her cane hitting the chest of one of the three approaching wolves. "You little-" The wolf fell to the ground unconscious.

The other two wolves charged her. They reached out to grab her but her mechanical glove sent volts of electricity surging through the attackers body stunning him temporarily. The last of the three slugged Annabella in the face, sending her falling to the ground. Annabella tried to get up but her legs were stomped on and she was kicked in the head for good measure.

"Little bitch." The previously electrocuted wolf said as he kicked her two more times in the stomach.

"Hey hey hey! Ease up. We got her. No sense in damaging the goods, right? We'll have plenty of time for that later. Eh? Ehh?" The wolf said as he gently pal.

The recently shocked wolf growled, "I'm second after the boss or I'm busting someone's face in."

Buster mumbled something but the wolves could not hear him. The leader pulled him by the fur of his head. "Huh? What was that bitch boy? Did you want to beg and plead some more?"

Buster was on the verge of crying. "I'm sorry. Please, do whatever you want to me just please don't hurt my sister."

"Ya don't want us to hurt her? Boy, you shot several of us. You know how much of a pain it is to dig bullets out of your body? We don't have healthcare here kid. All that pain? We're going to give your sister tenfold what you caused us and we're going to make you watch every second of it."

"Please. I'm sorry. Please." Buster begged. "Whatever you want. Name it. It will be yours. Just please don't hurt her. I'll do anything." Buster was punched hard in the stomach causing him to vomit old mushrooms.

"Ug, gross. What a fucking loser. You two hold him down and make sure his eyes are open and kept on his sister. You other two. Rip her clothes off and hold her down. I'll get her nice and wet for you all one way or another."

Annabella's clothes were ripped off. She screamed and protested but was punched in the face by the leader. "Shut up. Shut the hell up and try to enjoy yourself or we'll start breaking your brother's bones."

As the leader lined up their bodies a sound like nails on a chalkboard permeated the air. The wolves turned their heads to see a bright green Tenrec with teal eyes dressed in a pure white summer dress and dragging a solid titanium baseball bat along the ground behind her.

"Sup." The female Tenrec said. She grinned and razor sharp teeth that would make a shark envious greeted the wolves.

"It's the damn street rat. Go away kid, we're busy here."

The Tenrec looked in the alleyway, saw the scene and put together what had transpired.

"Look, fellas, I really do not want to get my dress dirty again. I just got the blood out, say, thirty minutes ago. So, let them two go and we can all be on our merry way. Or me and Ti here will need to teach you boys a lesson in manners." The Tenrec patted the end of her bat into her open palm to illustrate her point.

Unable to perform with the interruption of the new audience member, the wolfpack leader scoffed, stood up, and turned to the unwelcome guest. "We're busy. Fuck off before we make you."

The Tenrec grinned as she nonchalantly walked forward deeper into the alleyway as she swung her behind her then held it horizontally behind her neck. "My mama taught me how to be a proper lady, but my papa taught me how to take out the trash." The Tenrec shouted the last word as she swung her bat around with one arm, hitting the chest of one of the six wolves. The wolf recoiled in pain then was knocked out cold by a swift blow to the head. An audible crunch was heard in the alleyway followed by the -ching- sound of titanium bouncing off of bone as the wolf's skull was fractured. His body fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes and began violently twitching before going limp.

"Heh, you all are a bunch of little bitches. Can't even take a bat to the head."

The Leader was livid and seething in rage. "Boys, fuck her shit up."

Two of the wolves changed the 'lady'. She swung her bat-

-which was caught causing the Tenrec and the wolf to wrestle for control of the bat. The second wolf came around and started punching the girl in the side of her ribs and head. She struggled for the bat and maneuvered her body to lessen the impact of the blows. Eventually she was pushed against the wall and the bat was brought up against her neck as she was lifted off the ground. She tried to kick with her knee but her dress limited her power and speed.

The Tenrec growled, then screamed like a rabid animal as she punched the wolf in the eyes several times, then followed up with strong blows to the throat and chin. The fury of blows allowed her to fall to the ground whereupon she slammed the bat into the wolf's liver causing him to keel over in pain. She turned-

-A push kick sent her flying backward into a brick wall and sent her titanium bat rolling away from her. She got to her feet as the leader grabbed the Tenrec by her chest and began punching her in the face. The Tenrec's nose was broken and her face was quickly bruised.

The Tenrec's blood boiled as she grew ever more enraged as blood slowly ran down her face.

"Let go of my dress." The Tenrec managed to say in between clenched fists pounding her face in.

Another punch impacted her face.

"Let go of my damn dress. It was a gift from my mother, you dumba-."

-Another crushing blow interrupted her speech causing the Tenrec to accidentally bite her tongue.

"Y-you're going to damage it. I won't forgive you." The Tenrec said.

The leader pulled on the Tenrec's chest, stretching the dress she wore as both Tenrec and dress were pulled forward closer to the wolf. This gave the wolf leverage as he hook punched The Tenrec in the face causing even more blood to trail down her face. The now freely flowing blood accumulated on her chin.

The self proclaimed 'lady' watched in slow motion as a droplet of blood fell from her chin and landed on her now dirty and stretched out dress.

"Oh, you're fucking dead."

The Tenrec went berserk as she launched a flurry of blows. The leader grabbed her by the bust of the dress once more. The Terec, enraged, grabbed the wolf's hand and bit down on his fingers with her heavily serrated triangular teeth.

The wolf howled in pain as the Tenrec spat a finger onto the ground.

"My Mother's dress. Ruined. I'm gonna kill ya. I'm gonna kill all of you!"

"Fuck this i'm out of here." One of the wolves said. Soon the others followed, dragging their dead and unconscious members with them as they fled.

The leader found his missing finger and scurried away whimpering. Leaving just the Tenrec and the two foxes in the alleyway.

The bruised and bloodied Tenrec reset her nose, a feat that caused her to whimper in pain for a brief moment. She then walked over to Annabella and forcibly raised her to her feet despite Annabella reflexively trying to push her away, still shaking and nearly paralyzed in fear.

"Get up. If I heard those gunshots the cops did too. I don't want to be here when they start asking questions."

Annabella was still stunned.

"Thank you." Buster said as he was still processing what happened as he staggered to his feet and while still trembling, hobbled over toward his sister. "Anna…? Anna are you…"

Annabella fell back down to the ground and started sobbing.

The Tenrec panicked. "Oh shit. Please. Please don't cry. Fuck me. Shit. Look. You're fine. There there." The Tenrec said not sure how to handle the emotional minefield she had unknowingly entered. She always preferred fighting over talking.

Buster walked over and hugged his sister. "I'm sorry Anna. I wasn't strong enough. I should have protected you. I'll get stronger. I won't ever let anything like this happen to you again. I swear on Mom and Dad's grave. I won't ever let that happen again. Anna… I'm… I'm so sorry." Now it was Buster who sobbed albeit much more quietly.

"Dammit. Please stop crying. You both are fine. Dammit. Look, I need to get going-" The Tenrec said as she checked behind her briefly.

Annabella without warning hugged the Tenrec, causing the bloodied bat owner to blush as she was not used to affection or positive attention.

"Oh no, you've got snot everywhere. Please let go of me. My dress is bad enough as is."

Annabella pulled herself away from the Tenrec thanking her profusely. She was still shaken but her mental faculties were returning.

Buster grabbed the hand of the girl as he stepped closer. "I owe you my life. I was too weak. I need to get stronger so I can protect my sister as you did today. If you ever need anything in life you need only ask me and I will do everything in my power and intellect to make it happen. If you weren't here… if you weren't here…" Buster let go and began choking back tears as he used his arm to brush the tears and snot from his face."

"Ewwww. Uh, there, there. No worries. I was happy to help. Now please let go of my hand." The Tenrec figited uncomfortably.

Now Annabella hugged Buster as they cried together. After a few seconds more of crying together with her brother, Annabella turned to the Tenrec.

"Y-your beautiful dress. It's ruined." Annabella said.

"Oh, this old thing? Yeah, I need to wash it in the river again and get the blood off of it but as long as my tits don't show from the stretched out parts it'll be fine. I always hated dresses anyway. It was from my Mom. It's… it's nothing but a painful memory. I should prolly just get rid of it. It's not really my style." Betraying her words the bright green Tenrec gently touched and examined her dress with a deep sadness in her eyes.

"We cannot thank you enough." Buster said, having collected himself emotionally.

Annabella grabbed the Tenrec's hands again and held them in her own. "We're sisters now. You're family. Anything you need we will provide. What is your name?"

The bright green Tenrec blushed then furrowed her brow as she gently pulled her hand free.

"Look. I appreciate the words and all that, but I don't need a new family. I don't need anybody. I can't give you my name either. I can tell you're both new to the streets but out here we don't go around giving our name to complete strangers. Not with the police and the gangs up in our business. It's nothing personal but you two look to be passing through. I don't need any more painful goodbyes. I've been fine on my own and I'll be fine when you leave."

Sirens were heard in the distance.

"Look. I gotta run… well try to run in this cursed thing anyway." The Tenrec looked down at her now filthy stretched out dress.

The Prowers thanked the Tenrec one final time each. "Thank you." "We'll never forget you."

The Tenrec blushed one final time. "Yeah yeah, just… try not to be bitches alright? Glad you're both okay. Laters." The Tenrec grabbed her bloodied bat and ran off.

The sound of sirens drew closer…

"Anna-" Buster's voice was filled with pain and self torment.

"Let's… let's just go and find the library." Annabella said.

"Anna. I'm so sorry. I swear I'll get stronger. I won't ever-"

"-Buster, I can't right now. I just can't. Let's just go."

"Okay…"

…

"Annabella…"

"I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine. He did not… defile me. I'm just… processing."

"Why don't you go into the library first. Go to the restroom and clean yourself up. I'll plug in the USB and after that we'll… we'll come up with a plan to defeat and capture Eggman's targets. Then we'll reunite with Colette. How does that sound?"

"... okay." Annabella said meekly as she held herself. She stood shaking then after a minute she slowly entered the library.

Left alone outside, Buster examined his surroundings once more. It was a much nicer part of town he and Annabella had found themselves in and he did not look or feel like they belonged. Buster had blood stains on his fur and his head and face was covered with cuts, swollen bumps, and bruises. Regardless, Buster thought to himself, he simply had to go into the library and plug in the USB into one of the computers then leave with Annabella and no one the wiser.

"Easy Peasy." He said to himself.

Buster entered the library and walked to the front desk. The Librarian, a female Mink, was speaking to a Human police officer. They stopped and turned to Buster once he reached the reception desk.

"That's a code eight dispatch. Over." The officer whispered into his radio.

"Can I help you?" The Librarian asked, her voice carried her words with an air of judgment and irritation. Her subtle glare made Buster feel that he had done something wrong despite having just walked in.

"Yes, I would like to use your computer."

"Do you have a library card?"

"No, I… seem to have forgotten it. I just need to send a quick email then I'll be on my way. Could you make an exception? It would mean the world to me."

"No. You need to have a library card. We cannot make exceptions. We have rules for a reason." The librarian blew a bubble out of gum then popped it then went back to obnoxiously chewing it.

"Please. I am begging you. I just need to use the computer for one minute then I'll be on my way."

The librarian looked at the officer who returned her judgmental expression. They both nodded in a silent agreement. The officer walked around. He was a tall and well built man. At least six foot four and towered over Buster. The officer looked down at the fox and when he spoke his words cut deep into Buster's heart.

"You know, your sister, I'm assuming she is your sister, just came in here and broke down crying when we asked her what was wrong. She looked like death, no better off than you. Maybe, you should worry a little less about that email you so badly need to send and give a little more concern to your sister. What the hell do you think you are doing coming here? If it was my sister I would have taken her to a hospital and filed a report with the police immediately. Not gone to the library to… to what? Send an email? Are you joking with me? I know the signs of a sexual assault victim when I see is so goddamn important you have to send an email over caring for your sister? Why has she not gotten help or been taken to a hospital? Well, I'm listening. Let's hear it."

"I know it looks bad but it's complicated. We were attacked by a gang that you police have clearly been unable to get under control. Because of that, my sister and I were assaulted. I love my sister and would never want anything bad to happen to her. I was one person against six. I wasn't strong enough to defeat them but fortunately someone came along and helped us out of that jam and now we're okay. We're-"

"-What was the name of the one who helped you escape from the gang and where were you attacked?"

"I didn't get her name but we were in an alleyway on the outskirts of town. I don't remember the street name."

"Uh huh. So someone came along at that exact moment of life threatening danger and just so happened to kick the asses of six deadly gang members we police can't even get under control. Did I get that right?"

"Yes. Well, she beat up five of them. My sister neutralized one of the sixth."

"Your sister did?"

"... Yeah."

"How'd she do that?"

"I'm… not at liberty to say."

The officer scoffed.

Buster took a deep breath then exhaled, as he attempted to keep his cool. "Look, my sister is just shocked. We're going to be okay. We just need to use your computer and we will be on our way. We're not looking for any trouble."

The officer looked to the librarian with a look of anger and disbelief that she shared.

The officer turned once more to look at the fox. "What is your name kid?"

"Buster."

"Buster… what?"

"Buster… the Fox."

"Heh, sure it is. Well Buster the Fox. Do you have any Identification on you?"

"No. I don't."

"Well Buster. Have you done any drugs recently?"

"What? No."

"He smells like mushrooms. Doesn't he?" The officer said, not turning to look at the librarian as his eyes caught the outline of a gun in the fox's leather jacket. The officer's hand moved toward then rested on his handgun as his body suddenly became much more tense.

"He really does smell strange." The Librarian Mink said as she wrinkled her nose." A lot of troubled youths come here on occasion so I have a good nose for these things."

The random questions continued. Just as Buster was getting fed up with this de facto interrogation another officer arrived. This one was a massive Bear that had a scar across his face. The officers nodded to each other with the arriving officer sensing the tension and noting how the off duty officer had his hand on his gun and his eyes trained on a civilian. The Bear walked and placed himself so he was flanking the position of the fox and avoiding possible cross fire.

Seeing this, the officer asked a very important question. "You don't happen to have a gun on you, do you Buster?"

"No. I don't."

"Don't lie to me kid. I see it printing in your leather coat pocket. I'm not blind or stupid. I've been patrolling these streets for longer than you've been potty trained. Now, slowly put your hands up. We're placing you under arrest. Your words have provided probable cause that you were complicit in and or involved in an act of gang violence. You and your sister will be arrested and taken to our police station pending questioning."

Buster blinked then turned and ran for one of the computers. He pulled out his USB drive and was just about to put it into the USB port when he was tackled to the ground by the bear.

Buster screamed, cursed, and shouted. "Let me go. Let me go. I just need to plug it in. Let me go."

"Stop struggling." The Bear yelled as even his muscular build could not contain the fox that seemed to have gone mad in mere seconds.

The second officer ran over to assist and Buster was quickly handcuffed and pinned to the floor and his revolver and USB stick taken.

"Please. I just need to put it in. Please…" The fox begged desperately.

At that moment Annabella came out of the restroom having finished crying and having cleaned herself up as best as she could. She looked around and noticed her brother on the ground.

"Make no attempt to escape." One of the officers shouted to Annabella.

Then both officers shouted conflicting orders.

"Get on the ground-"

"-Don't move!"

The officers continued shouting orders at the young fox.

Annabella panicked and hobbled to the exit as fast as her legs would allow her.

"She's making a break for it, shoot her… non-lethal! Non-lethal!"

Annabella was almost out the door when she felt something akin to a needle piece her skin. Next thing she knew she was on the ground shaking in excruciating pain and volts of electricity surged through her body.

The last thing Annabella remembered seeing was the ominous red light of a security camera watching them. She hated cameras. It's why they lived underground and rarely went outside.

The cameras were always watching you.

One of the officers followed her gaze and looked at the camera.

"Crap. Did the cameras record all that?"

…

Buster had a multitude of emotions running through him. Rage. Sorrow. Regret. Bloodlust. Helplessness.

He was sick of being weak and powerless. Most of all, Buster was sick of being a pawn in other's games.

He had failed his parents.

He had failed Annabella.

Worst of all he had failed sweet, little, innocent Colette.

Buster screamed and cursed both Eggman, Himself, and the heavens. His hands were handcuffed together in front of him and he sat in an empty room alone with only a single camera to watch and be watched by.

Buster desperately wanted to speak with his sister but Annabella had been taken to a different interrogation room.

Rage flowed through him.

Buster cursed himself, the gang, Eggman, and the officers who arrested them. He hated all of them. Buster tried to stand but his legs were handcuffed to the legs of the chair he sat on.

In his anger he tried throwing the table he sat at but it was heavy and wouldn't budge. So Buster just sat there in his hatred and misery. After a moment of brooding Buster felt a warm glow behind him and suddenly an unseen force pulled and then tipped him and his chair backwards until Buster and his chair fell through a portal, both landing on their back unceremoniously.

Buster groaned as the back of his head hit cement and his vision blurred. He saw a swirling green mass of a portal dissipate. As his vision cleared he saw a surprisingly well dressed platypus in a satin purple shirt with golden cufflinks, a red-violet vest, and orange pince-nez glasses. Around his arm was what really caught his eye. A glove that bore in its center a round orange gemstone with a red spiral pattern that glowed with energy.

The Platypus smiled at Buster, "So nice of you to drop in."

Buster was then pricked by a spur from the heel of the Platypus' boots.

A second later and Buster's vision had faded and his world turned to black.

…

Buster's mind flew in and out of consciousness several times. Eventually he fell into a deep sleep. Yet… something nagged at the back of his mind. An ever present fear that caused his heart to race and the clouds of his mind to darken. Subconsciously Buster knew he was sleeping and as if on cue, every horror he could imagine flooded back into his mind at once upon regaining a small measure of consciousness.

His parents' deaths.

Colette's kidnapping.

Annabella's destroyed leg… by his own damned hands no less.

The trauma of her recent sexual assault where he was too weak to do little more than plead and beg her attempted rapists to be merciful.

His mind's eye examined his hands and to his horror he found them drenched in blood.

Buster could not breathe.

His heart rate skyrocketed.

He opened his eyes to rip himself away from the hellish nightmare he endured and upon doing so saw Eggman in front of him holding a gun aimed at his head. He opened his mouth to scream but before he could release a sound Eggman pulled the trigger-

…

Buster awoke with a jolt, as he panted in an effort to catch his breath from the nightmare he had endured. He tried to sit up but then discovered his head, arms, and legs had been strapped onto a crude operating table. Buster tried to free himself but the metal restrains kept his whole body immobile. His head was locked looking up at the ceiling. Right as Buster was about to panic as his heart filled with dread he heard a voice speak out from somewhere behind him.

"Well, aren't you the curiosity of the hour."

To Buster, the voice did not necessarily sound threatening. This observation of the man's vocal tone did nothing to alleviate his fears as the figure slowly paced behind him out of his field of vision.

Buster wished he was cool like Uncle Sonic had been, to laugh in the face of danger, or like Aunt Amy, to pretend to be weak and defenseless only prove her foes complete fools for having underestimated her… but the truth was Buster was not brave and skilled like Sonic nor strong, determined, and fierce like Amy had been. He wasn't even as smart as his Father.

Rather, Buster was quickly learning the tragic truth of his place in the pecking order of life. That no matter where he went. No matter how noble his goals… his efforts alone as they were would not be enough.

He was weak. It was so clear to Buster now as he lay immobilized on the operating table, unable to do so much as move his head.

He couldn't save his parents.

He could not protect Colette or Annabella in their most desperate moment of need.

He was an abject failure of a man and as a brother and son.

He hated himself and how weak he was and for the fact that he was so emotionally distraught in his present situation he wanted to do nothing more than cry and beg for his life.

Despite his projection of confidence to his late parents and his sisters, despite the vow he made to save and protect his family, the fundamental truth was that Buster for all his pomp and circumstance was proving himself to be, like a child, absolutely helpless and out of his league when faced with the dangers outside of his home.

So he would do the only things he could do.

He would plead and beg and use his mind to survive.

"W-what do you want from me? Why did you kidnap me? I'm just a kid. Please let me go. I have no idea who you are or where we are. I promise I won't tell anyone what happened. I have a little sister who is blind and counting on me to be there for her. You don't have to do this. W-we can make a deal."

"I've been watching you more or less since you arrived. You're anything but innocent if you are using Eggtech. Now who are you?" The voice said.

"I'm just a fox-"

Buster heard movement then the voice whispered menacingly in his ear, "Do not insult my intelligence again with your abysmal lies. I will ask you one final time. Who are you and where did you come from? Why do you have a Chaos Emerald in that ghoulish device around your arm? Why did you have a Chaos Emerald detecting device that is blatantly Eggtech in your deceptively plain looking utility belt? Explain yourself."

"Please have mercy. I'm begging you. I have a family I need to protect. I don't know you or what you want or what your goals are so I can't risk saying anything that will get me killed. I am just a fox that is in way over my head. Please. I just want to be with my family." Buster cried out in desperation.

The voice exhaled in frustration. "Very well then. We'll do this the hard way."

The operating table Buster was immobilized on, swiveled around so that Buster faced a large computer screen the length and width of the wall.

"Forgive the lack of décor, I had to move recently and I have had little time to beautify the place. Normally my interrogation rooms are much more accommodating."

A Platypus walked around and swabbed Buster's arm with disinfectant.

"Wait… wait wait wait. What are you doing to me?"

"I'm going to extract blood from you for analysis."

"Wait. You don't need to do that."

"Oh, don't be a baby. Of course I do. It will only take a moment."

Buster grunted as a needle pierced his skin and a small vial of blood was filled.

"Forgive the boorish and trite monologue but you should know that I am no ordinary scientist. I am one of the three great geniuses of this world and as a genius there are few things I hate more than people wasting my time. Now, since you are restrained and have no choice in the matter, allow me to explain why I find your arrival so intriguing. You see, in this world there are seven Chaos Emeralds exactly like the one you have in that device around your arm…"

The platypus walked beside Buster and gently tapped the device in question that was still wrapped around Buster's arm.

"It looks to be such an interesting piece of technology."

"T-thanks. I made it."

The platypus narrowed his eyes upon hearing the foxes declaration. "Really now. That is very interesting. Interesting indeed. You become more and more of a rare find."

Blood pooled on the outside of the puncture site as the Platypus walked around examining Buster. He adjusted his glasses and grinned.

"Listen closely, I don't want to repeat myself. Eggman has three Chaos Emeralds while the Guardian Units of Nations has the fourth and fifth though the fifth is about to be delivered to another Genius of this world as per the ruling of a secret military court. The Federation Research institute was in possession of the sixth but to my everlasting confusion and disdain it is being paraded around by a mere child that has a killer robot and a murder machine as glorified babysitters. The Seventh and final Chaos Emerald is hidden in the major Federation National Bank though unconfirmed speculation states that something important was stolen according to my sources. I cannot stress enough that there have always been and only ever been seven Chaos Emeralds in the world. So unless you want to fess up to a bank robbery that leaves only one other logical possibility."

The Platypus walked up slowly to the fox and gently brushed his hair in a failed attempt to sooth Buster as the Platypus grinned predatorily.

"Now… I know what you are thinking. Why would I tell you this? Not to alarm you or cause you any further stress but the answer is that I will very likely kill you and take your Emerald. Worry not. I am not a fan of death and blood, I'll be sure your death is as painless as possible."

Buster began to panic and beg once more but as soon as the fox started to plead for his life the Platypus put a hand over his mouth to silence him.

"Hush. Hush. It will be okay. I will ask you one final time. Who are you? If I like your answer I may yet let you live." The self proclaimed genius removed his hand from covering Buster's mouth.

"I… I'm Benjamin Prower." Buster said meekly.

The Platypus's glasses glimmered in the light as he smiled upon hearing the name.

"Now that is truly interesting." The Platapus walked over to a large machine and placed the vile of Buster's blood inside of it. He then entered several commands whereupon the computer roared to life. After the machine finished running its calculations Buster's entire genome and DNA sequences appeared on screen.

"You know what I find so interesting about you young man? There is a chance you are not lying. You do look like the spitting image of him I'll admit but let's find out if you speak the truth. We have more or less your entire genome mapped out. Or rather, at least as many of the billions of base pairs of DNA my quantum computer can sequence without exploding. Suffice to say with modern tech we can still get very accurate when it comes to doing a simple paternity test. So… I wonder what the machine will say? Worry not. It's only your life on the line. Let's start with an easy one. Are you who you say you are? Do you even exist in this world? Let's find out shall we?"

The Platypus pushed a button. The quantum computer began scanning to find a match. Then it stopped.

"Oh, what is this?" The Platypus said with faux surprise. "No match found? How strange? Why? It's almost as if you don't exist at all. There is zero record of your DNA in any of the world's major Government and International databases. Nor is there any registered individual by the name of Benjamin Prower in any birth registry the computer has scanned across the world. How peculiar. Why don't we check one last thing… I'm quite curious. Perhaps there is someone you are related to after all. As illogical and impossible it might seem, the laws of science do not lie."

The Platypus entered a command into the machine and it hummed for a second then stopped having found a match.

"It is as I thought and with a ninety-nine percent accuracy match no less. According to your DNA you are the genetic offspring of one Miles Prower. Do tell me though… how did a prepubescent fox boy come to sire a child several years his senior?"

Buster's heart skipped a beat due to the shock of the realization he just had.

"Please…" Buster said weakly. His words were barely a whisper. "I just want to be with my family. That's all I want."

The Platypus grinned joyfully as he clasped his gloved hands together. "I knew it the moment I saw you and your repulsive armband. You are from the future! I have so many questions for you." The Platypus went to remove the neck restraint but as soon as it was released and moved aside Buster found himself being choked as the Platypus grunted with great exertion as he forcefully compressed Buster's trachea.

"I almost forgot. You are working with Dr. Eggman. That is such a shame. Do not get me wrong. He is my idol, my inspiration, my muse. It is thanks to the path he blazed that I became the scientist and genius I am today, but if you are working with him then I am sorry, time traveler or not you must die. You are too much of a wild card to quantify. My sincere apologies. I would love nothing more than to work with you and question you further but I cannot let anyone, let alone a mere child come between me and my plans as so often happens with Dr. Eggman. I am to be everything Dr. Eggman has become but more and that means I cannot leave loose ends running about."

Buster could not breathe. He tried to plead but the Platypus merely choked him harder.

"I am sorry but if I let you talk you will just make me feel even more guilty than I do now. This is nothing personal. I only do this out of absolute necessity. I can't have some time traveling offspring from the future throwing wrenches in my plans, especially if you are working with my esteemed rival. I hope you had a good life. Goodbye."

Immobilized and in his dying moments Buster's life flashed before his eyes. A realization which Buster deep down knew to be true dawned on him in all of its horror. Its implications hit Buster like a skyscraper collapsing upon his mind.

Chief among them was the realization that his sister Colette might already be dead and she might never be seen again.

That his sister Annabella would be trapped here, alone,and vulnerable, at the mercy of others who would surely use her desperation for their benefit.

Worse than all that was the realization that he would fail in his promise to save his family and allow dear Collete to hug her parents once more someday.

At that moment something in Buster snapped. Some small slivers of his mind, or, as some might call it, his soul, broke into pieces and were promptly destroyed, never to be fully healed or restored.

Desperation and hate filled the void as Buster lay tied on the table as he was slowly choked to death.

A prisoner.

Unable to move.

Powerless.

Utterly alone and at others mercy.

With every fiber of his being Buster hoped to live and gain the means and power of achieving the barest quantities of happiness for himself and his family.

A sudden subconscious chain of thought shot through his mind like lightning as Buster, against his moral conscience, completed his analysis of where his moral values had gotten him. The world seemed to freeze as a realization dawned on Buster. All it took was a nanosecond and he justified to himself every act of evil imaginable as well as his current place in the pecking order of the world and what it would take to rise above all others.

Buster swore to himself he would save his family. No matter how many had to die to make it happen. Even if it would mean setting a hundred worlds ablaze.

Buster had promised his sister, Colette, that she would one day hug her parents again, and by chaos, he was going to keep that promise.

Should he live he would stop at nothing to earn a happy ending for his family… all together under the same sun… at the same table… in the same time and place… together.

For now though, Buster could do nothing but choke pathetically and spill forth his genuine emotions as he struggled to receive a mercy he would henceforth not provide to others ever again.

Buster began to have muscle spasms as his body writhed. He moved his head and neck back and forth and side to side and managed with his final breath to say two simple words… a longshot for sure but if nothing else it would perhaps haunt his murderer.

"You… died…"

The Platypus released his death grip on Buster and allowed the fox to gasp for air.

"I die? When? How? Is this an elaborate trick?"

"No! Y-you die. Fighting Eggman."

"By chaos it worked." Buster thought to himself.

The Platypus put his hands on Buster's shoulders and began shaking him. "How do I die? How does Eggman defeat me? You're lying? Surely, you must be lying!" Terror filled the Platypus's voice. "I can't fail. I'm better than him. I am the next evolution of Genius the likes the world has never seen. Speak boy speak!"

Buster grinned internally while outwardly the fox put on a face of faux sympathy at the panicked Platypus. Buster now saw he had quite the superiority-inferiority complex.

It would make him easy to manipulate.

"I never saw it, I just heard stories from my father, about how you died in the aftermath of a giant robot battle. You were crushed to death. It was an unglorified and embarrassing defeat. So much so I never really got around to memorizing your name."

"No… this can't be. This can't be true. Surely you are lying." The Platypus fell to the ground and held himself tightly, then pulled on his hair maddenlingy as abject horror filled his mind as he tried to come to terms with what he had just heard. "This can't be true. This just can't be. My plots and plans haven't even begun!

"You asked me where I came from and why I had Eggtech. The truth is my sister and I are here from some other point in spacetime to prevent the death of our parents at the hands of Eggman.

"You mean to say Doctor Eggman. He may be my rival and enemy but his name is to be spoken with the utmost respect."

"Oh, right. Of course. My sincere apologies. As I was saying It's complicated but my siblings and I have arranged a truce of sorts with Dr. Eggman so he ended up giving my sister and I that Emerald tracker as a gift."

The Platypus stared intently at the young fox child. "He gave it to you… as a gift?"

"Yes. That's not a problem is it?" Buster smiled nervously.

"Dr. Eggman could have given you a toothpick and I would have been on edge. Instead, he gave you a device to track down the Chaos Emeralds… imagine my concern. You're lucky I don't have any of them… yet."

"You can inspect it if you wish. It appeared to me to be a normal Emerald tracking radar just like my Father used to have."

"I may well do that. So, how did you manage a truce with Eggman if you are the offspring of one his most dangerous rivals? Why would he not simply eradicate you?"

"We… I don't know. We suspect he is plotting and scheming. He has my sister hostage so-

"-He has your sister hostage?"

"Yes, he-"

"-Stop talking. This is important. You mean to tell me that in the future Dr. Eggman has not only killed your parents but has your flesh and blood sister as a hostage?"

Yes, thus to earn a promised peace and have our sister returned to us, we had to make a deal with Dr. Eggman and agree to do an errand for him."

The Platypus' demeanor switched back to being hostile. Buster swallowed nervously as he approached with harmful intent. His words were laced with restrained violence and the promise of death.

"What deal did you make with Dr. Eggman? I would think very carefully about the answer you are about to give me. If I feel you are lying I have ways of making you speak the truth. Trust me when I say, none of them are pleasant."

"I-I just need to kill or bring him a silver psychokinetic hedgehog and a pyrokinetic Princess-"

"-A pyrokinetic? I keep an eye on a great many powerful beings in this world and I have never once heard of any Princess who is a pyrokinetic nor of a silver hedgehog that can manipulate matter with his mind. Do you think I'm a fool? Do you want to die a liar? Well, do you? Tell me the truth!" As the Platypus shouted he once more wrapped a hand around Buster's throat but not yet tight enough to prevent him from breathing.

"Wait! Wait! I-Its the truth! I swear on my parents graves it's the truth. You have to believe me. Please. I… I… I think they are in a different world or dimension. I'm not too sure on the exact details. Look me in my eyes. Just look me in my eyes closely and for the love of all that is good, please believe me when I say, I just want my sister returned safely. If my sister Annabella and I do this errand for Eggman, if we find and deal with these two so-called terrorists, then he's promised to return my sister and let us live in peace."

The Platypus did not remove his hand from Buster's throat.

Buster was on the verge of sobbing and pissing himself as the two stared into each other's eyes.

One pair of eyes was that of a desperate child. Afraid and alone. At the complete mercy of far too many in the world.

The other pair of eyes were thoughtful as their owner pondered his options.

The Platypus removed his hand from the child's throat then spoke.

"Do you really trust him to keep his word?"

"I fear he won't. Regardless, we don't have any choice. We are at the whims of his mercy."

"Is all of what you say true?" The Platypus asked.

"Yes. I swear on my life."

"Alright then. I believe you."

"So you… you won't kill me after all?"

"If you swear loyalty to me and the Starline Empire and work to help me supplant Dr. Eggman as the inevitable ruler of the world. Then no. I won't kill you. In fact, I think you will be a rather beneficial ally."

"Yes. Absolutely yes. One hundred percent. I will do anything and serve you unconditionally if it helps save my family."

"Good." The Platypus said with a grin.

"Now, if what you speak is the truth then this new information changes everything. We must move quickly. If I noticed your arrival then so did he."

"Who?" Buster said.

"Who do you think? Dr. Eggman of course." The Platypus froze in place and stared at Buster as a relevant detail crossed his mind. "Wait a minute… did you not say something earlier about other worlds or dimensions?"

"I did."

"What did you say? Repeat exactly what you said earlier."

"I said that the two targets Dr. Eggman is having me hunt down are most likely in another world or dimension."

"Okay. That is good to know. Now that we established there might be other worlds and or dimensions of spacetime, when and where are you from exactly? Are you from this world line or another?"

"To be honest I have no idea. I just make stuff. My sister Anna is the physicist of the family. She might know."

"No. Stop. Surely you have some idea. Think, this is of critical importance. Are you from this specific world?"

"You know, I wondered about that but as I said I simply have no clue. I'm not too sure of that myself. I think I am from another world or universe entirely. Or maybe this is the past? Or an alternate past? It could technically be what my sister called a bubble world? Or a mirror world in another dimension?" Buster wished he could scratch his head. "My sister understands the physics of spacetime infinitely better than I do. I just build mechanical masterpieces like my Father." Buster said the last sentence with a sudden swelling of pride.

"This can't be happening." The Platypus said as he massaged the sides of his head to ward off the building headache. "This must be a joke. Are you saying you and your sisters used time travel without fully understanding the laws of physics and the effect on causality your time travel would have on the past or future?"

"I'm not the one you should talk to, I'm a brilliant mechanic and inventor like my father. The one you need to talk to is my sister, Annabella… but yes, we don't know all the so-called laws or rules of time travel. When our parents died we more or less said fuck it, lets build a time machine. Consequences be damned. Then we did and as far as I know we have not screwed anything up or caused a paradox at all. I'm certainly not an expert in this field but I would say that traveling through space-time is a lot like driving a car. You can still do it if the car is built properly and has an engine and a fuel source. You might not understand how you got where you are or ultimately all the intricacies of an internal combustion engine or the consequences if you take a wrong turn but you understand enough to make it work or die bravely trying."

"Foolish, is more like it." The Platypus said.

"In summary, we have no idea how the causality of time travel works… yet."

"That was a lie." Buster silently said to himself. He knew exactly what he did and did not do to alter the past and change the future. He could have killed Eggman as an infant. He could have crushed his skull like a walnut. He still could… assuming Eggman was not one step ahead of him. Did Eggman suspect foul play? Has the thought crossed his mind that one of his mortal enemies is responsible for killing his parents, damning him to the life of an orphan?. Buster's mind swirled with thoughts and emotions as he thought to himself, "Why didn't I simply kill him when I had the chance? What was stopping me? It would have been so much easier than-"

"-Did you remember something?" The Platypus asked.

"Huh?"

"Did you remember something? You spaced out for a moment."

"No, I'm just… very tired."

"You really don't remember anything? No insight into how time travel functions regarding causality?

"No. I don't."

Another lie.

Buster and Annabella did not understand it yet but… their parents originally never died at a table while their Father was playing chess against Dr. Eggman. They died in an explosion after their Father went to rescue their captured Mother at one of Eggman's fortresses. They never once had received a body to bury. Assuming there was one to bury.

Buster grew ever more frustrated as he thought deeper and deeper, his mind racing as he asked himself, "Did Eggman alter the past as well? If so, have our memories changed or did they remain the same? How did Eggman know we were coming to that exact point in space and time? How did he know when we would leave our home base to travel to the past so he could abduct Colette?

Buster found his lack of answers absolutely terrifying.

The entire inner monologue and train of thought Buster went through lasted mere seconds.

"You don't remember… anything? Nothing that might shed light on the nature of time travel? Nothing at all?" The Platypus asked with disappointment.

"I'm sorry. I don't."

"This… this can't be happening. This can't be real. Everything just got immeasurably more complicated. How can you use time travel without knowing what the consequences of your actions will be? Are you insane? What if you caused a paradox?"

"Relax." Buster began, "I worried about it for a while too. It's like eating moldy bread. Eventually you just say fuck it, I'm hungry, as you bite in and hope for the best."

"I… I… this is… you…" The Platypus could barely form words; he was so flabbergasted. "Are you truly the son of Miles Prower?"

"You already know the answer to that question."

"Then how could you do something so reckless and irresponsible? What if you prevented your own conception and were then by your own foolish design stuck in a loop? What if you made everything worse? You mean to tell me you have conducted zero experiments or controls to understand how time flows… and this is also assuming the concept of time even exists! Chaos. For all we know time is just a… a… illusion where there is no past present or future."

"Do you mind if I give you some helpful advice?"

"Advice? Advice?" The Platypus sounded insulted as his second response was louder and sharper. "From you?"

"Yes. Spare me and I'll introduce you to my sister. She will be able to explain the risks we took and what we do know about time travel so far. She is also the one who instructed me in the creation of the time machine. Spare us and all that knowledge can be yours and yours alone."

The Platypus thought silently for several seconds then spoke, "I find your recklessness appalling but will, in my benevolence, give you a pass as you are young and evidently never had a good mentor. You ultimately have two choices. You can continue to work in the service of Dr. Eggman and I will kill you here or now. Or, -and I highly recommend this second option- or, you can align yourself with my rising empire and I will make you a scientist yet as well as a force to be reckoned with so long as you swear loyalty to myself and no other."

"Done deal."

"Excellent. Naturally you will continue with your… errands as if nothing has changed but make no mistake. You will aid me in my coup d'état of the Eggman Empire."

"That sounds wonderful. Really, I mean it. I don't suppose we could shake on it?" Buster said with a genuine smile.

"Of course. Forgive me. It would seem we got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we start over?" The Platypus released Buster from his restraints and helped him to his feet then extended his hand in an official introduction. Buster rubbed his wrists then shook hands with the Platypus sealing their alliance.

"My name is Dr. Starline. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Benjamin 'Buster' Prower. The pleasure is all mine."

As they shook hands, Buster appeared to be the picture of calm. On the inside though, Buster was leaping for joy. He had talked his way out of certain death. If he kept up his manipulation he might well gain a powerful ally. One that he can use and discard at the most opportune moment for the benefit of his family. After all, blood is thicker than water, Buster reminded himself, and everyone is simply a tool to be cast aside in his pursuit of his goals.

"Please, follow me to the dining room." Dr. Starline began, "Let me get you some refreshments. You must be hungry too. Please, make yourself at home."

"Thank you very much."

"Tell me Mr. Prower, do you like Coffee?"

"I don't know. I've never had it but I'd love to try some."

…

Dr. Starline gave Buster a porcelain cup filled with coffee to wash down the cookies as well as a large bag of jerky, the food was devoured in an instant. Both fox and platypus then proceeded to sit opposite one another each on their own leather couch.

Buster's butt felt as if it had gently melted into the leather furniture. After the hard wooden beds and concrete floors of his underground home the leather couch by comparison felt heavenly. He leaned back on the luxurious couch and physically felt his body sink into it as years of tension was washed away for but a moment. Then Buster felt incredibly exhausted. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in what felt like ages. He fell asleep for a second and was then startled awake when he heard Dr. Starline speak.

"As I am sure you can tell, it is real leather. Custom made and included white glove service, naturally."

"Wow." Buster said not knowing what white glove service is or what the big deal with leather was, though, it was very comfortable he admitted. Buster figured the intelligent move was to be as impressed with anything and everything Dr. Starline said and did in order to endear himself to the platypus.

As Buster smelled the coffee he had been given he nearly wanted to cry tears of joy. He finally had something that did not smell of mushrooms.

Dr. Starline noticed Buster appraising his black beverage. "The Coffee? Gourmet. Illegally imported from some backwater dictatorship on the other side of the World. It was no doubt grown by either slaves or traditional family farmers and their children. Really a difference in name only if you ask me. By extension, it was technically made with child labor. Knowing the amount of backbreaking work that goes into a good cup of joe and how little the farmers are compensated really makes the exquisite taste all that much more delectable. It really reminds one of the inferiority of others. Please, please, try some."

"Do you think they are happy?" Buster blurted out without thinking. "Idiot." Buster silently screamed at himself.

"Happy? In abject poverty living under a brutal dictator?" Starline scoffed. "Surely you jest."

Buster stared at the cup of coffee and the dark liquid held within. "I wonder. If their basic and physiological needs are met, and they live in a rural area away from the dangers of the state power structure, and they are fulfilled by their work making a product people enjoy that provides for their dear family and loved ones… is it that crazy to think out of the three of us they are the most satisfied in life?"

"Of course not. They're powerless, little more than a serf on a plot of land, no real chance at education or ability to rise above their station in life. Even if they have some measure of happiness it is a statistical fact that very few if any of those farmers or their children, or their children's children will ever amount to anything more than cogs in a machine. Some people are simply inferior. They are not like us."

"What kind of people are we?" Buster asked, genuinely curious as to the answer Dr. Starline would provide."

"Gods among beasts."

"Hmmm." Buster mused, not wanting to agree or disagree. He then took a sip of his beverage then quickly downed the entire cup. His eyes felt as if they were open for the first time as caffeine surged through his body. Buster had never tasted anything so good. It had a bitter earthy texture that was not of disgusting mushrooms. He wished his sisters were with him to try it. He missed them dearly.

"Let's talk business shall we?" Dr. Starline said.

"Sure." Buster said, placing the cup down onto a small table beside him.

"As I alluded to earlier, I propose an alliance. I am putting together a team for a plan I have to usurp Dr. Eggman as the Master of this world-"

"-Let me stop you right there. Any alliance between us is predicated on the agreement that you will help me get my sister and our belongings out of the jail you abducted me from first."

"Of course. Unfortunately, we would need to wait until we assembled the team-"

"-That is not good enough." Buster said sternly.

"I understand your eagerness to be reunited with your sisters and family but think logically about this. They have a station full of armed police and S.W.A.T teams on speed dial. Now this may come as a surprise to you, but I am more of a plotter than a fighter. Judging from the cuts and bruises you have and your lack of defined muscle, I can only assume you too are not prepared to storm the facility and defeat a dozen or more armed guards while your sister is, shall we say, in their care?"

"You are not wrong, but what's stopping you from opening another portal? That is how you brought me here, right?"

"I could if I had sight of her. Alas, by now she'll have been placed inside a cell that is without cameras. The safest course of action is for you to help me gather my team after which we can retrieve your sister with the help of a combat professional."

"Fine. Who is on your team?"

"Oh, quite an interesting bunch of characters. We'll both meet them soon enough."

"We'll meet them? Are you implying you haven't met them yet?"

"I know of them. Our alliance is inevitable. Failing that, I will give them an offer they simply cannot refuse. I am a master manipulator after all." Starline struck a self pleasing pose then realized he had blundered.

Buster cocked an eyebrow and stared at Dr. Starline.

"Oh! But I would never dream of manipulating you. You are far too smart for that. Being the son of a Prower." Dr. Starline said as he chuckled nervously.

"Uh huh."

"Ahem, as I was saying. We're going to assemble a team."

"Then you'll help me rescue my family?"

"Oh… of course… but first I need you to help me. Trust me, this will be the most splendid outing."

"Okay, fine. So where do we go and what do we do first?"

"Before we get to that, would you mind explaining what that device around your arm is? I had half a mind to detach it from you but you never know failsafes and traps are in play when Chaos Emeralds are involved."

"You help me get my sisters back then I'll answer any and all questions you have."

"That… that is fair. To answer your question we are going to first hire some errand boys to assist us. They are disposable so don't get too attached."

Buster stared suspiciously at Starline. "Disposable huh? I hope that is not how you see all your allies."

Starline caught himself and defended his wording with an awkward but earnest chuckle, "They are mercenaries. Hired hands. Of course they are disposable. They only care about money after all. It would be foolish to waste our energy and lives preserving them, should they prove themselves to be a liability."

"I suppose that makes sense." Buster couldn't wait to throw this pompous asshole under a bus the first chance he got.

Dr. Starline poured Buster another cup of coffee.

"Thank you. I have another question for you if you don't mind." Buster said.

"Go ahead. Our fates are entwined now. Ask and I shall answer."

"You mentioned a child was in possession of a Chaos Emerald? If you have no plans to take it I could go and-"

"-Don't. You'll die." Dr. Starline said bluntly as he mixed some sugar and cream into his own cup of coffee.

Buster scoffed. "She's just a child. Your device opens portals right? It would only take a minute. It would be like taking candy from a baby."

"Firstly, my device is called the Warp Topaz young boy. Secondly, did you perchance get selective hearing? I said you would die for a reason. The child is protected by the physical reincarnation of an ancient robot, who according to Gerald Robotnik's detailed journal, was a martial super weapon that led to the collapse of an entire civilization some four thousand years ago. Now? It is all that and more. I believe it is the only robot in the world that might stand a chance against Metal Sonic and possibly survive. Then there is Shadow…"

"Shadow? What kind of a try-hard angsty name is that?"

Dr. Starline froze mid stir, "You really are from a different place and time… aren't you? Yes. Shadow the Hedgehog. Also known as the ultimate lifeform. His file is a most entertaining and illuminating read. He started life as a top secret military project known simply as Project Shadow. The goal was to discover the secret of immortality and produce an obedient living weapon. The details are strewn in mystery. Perhaps only he and the Commander of G.U.N. have any idea what really happened all those years ago. Suffice to say Operation Shadow was unceremoniously canceled and Gerald Robotnics daughter died amongst the ensuing… let's call it… military intervention. To keep a long story short, Shadow became a terrorist and almost destroyed the world. He then saved the world from the Black Arms, an alien race that-"

"-Aliens? You mean actual space aliens."

"Yes."

"What the hell?"

"Yes, there are space aliens living somewhere else in our universe. It's not that strange in the scheme of things. Now please refrain from interrupting me any further. Now where was I? Ah, yes. After defeating the aliens and saving the world, Shadow was pardoned by the president. Alas, I could go with his story but you get the idea. None of that which I said is the important part. What you need to understand is that Shadow is literally immortal. He does not age or get sick and any wounds he suffers regenerates. Unlike some of his more noble and heroic peers, Shadow has no qualms about killing his foes outright. He is also extremely intelligent, not as smart as myself of course-"

"-Of course not."

"Heh, naturally. Now Buster, listen closely, what I've been trying to get at is this…"

Dr. Starline stood up and walked forward slowly until he stood in front of Buster. He leaned forward and put his arms gently on the young fox's shoulders and stared intently into his eyes.

Their faces, mere inches apart.

"If there is but a single moment in your life to believe wholly what I say… believe me when I say this. Never mind taking the Chaos Emerald. If you harm that child… if you hurt that child that Shadow -for whatever reason- so clearly cherishes... regardless of your motivation, your desperation, your righteous reasoning... no matter how noble your intentions are. If you harm that child Shadow the Hedgehog will find you… and he will kill you. If you decide after what I have now said that you will still try to take the Chaos Emerald from that child then I will have nothing to do with you. I will not follow you into the grave nor subject myself to judgment by the Grimm Reaper."

Buster swallowed nervously. "Okay. You make some good points. I'll forget all about it."

Dr. Starline patted Buster's shoulders roughly. "Now here's a smart lad. Excellent, let us depart post haste. Time is of the essence. I must now accelerate my plans. We have so much to do and so little time. Ha ha! A time traveler having little time. Ha! Oh, my Genius knows no limit."

"Heh," Buster chuckled disingenuously. "I'm ready whenever you are. Lead the way and I shall follow."

"One more thing…" Dr. Starline slowly began to say, "I don't suppose you currently have a means of time traveling… do you?"

Buster's heart felt as if it had skipped a beat. "No. It is Eggman who has the means. I cannot currently. Not when my sister is held hostage and Dr. Eggman is proving to have unnatural foresight as to our future actions and maneuvers."

"I see… if you don't mind me asking, that device around your hand? It's your time machine, isn't it?"

Buster swallowed nervously, "It… it only allows me to return to my world. It's how I will return with the two… bounties… for Dr. Eggman."

"I see, I see. Hmmm. Strange. Did you not theorize that they were in a different world? If that is true then… why would Dr. Eggman send you here if there was no objective to be fulfilled?"

"He wanted us to look around and get a feel for where we are to be exiled to, though, he likely has an ulterior motive." Buster's heart was beating furiously. He was thankful he had so much fur that his sweat could not be seen.

Dr. Starline stepped closer and stared suspiciously into Buster's eyes.

Then as if a switch had been flipped Dr. Starline's demeanor and his next words were positively chipper.

"Well, that certainly sounds like Dr. Eggman to me. Ready to go?"

Buster slowly and silently exhaled. "Yes. Yes I am."

"Then follow me Mr. Prower. Oh, and I don't need to tell you to keep your identity a secret from others, do I?"

"No. I understand. Call me…" Buster pondered for a moment, "Call me Buster the Fox."

"Excellent." Dr. Starline said as he clenched his fist causing the warp topaz to glow a brilliant green. A half second later a portal of the same color materialized.

"Oh, and Buster the Fox…"

"Yes?"

"Let me do the talking."

…

Buster exited the portal Behind Dr. Starline to see a duck, a polar bear, and… either a mix of a jerboa and a wolf, or… a weasel? Buster was not sure. Regardless of what animal the third stetson wearing creature was, the unknown detail did not change the fact that the three stared at Buster with a look of hostile suspicion before their gaze shifted to Dr. Starline.

"I really wish you wouldn't just drop in like that unannounced. You might accidentally get shot one of these days."

"Now Fang, you wouldn't want to shoot the messenger now would you? Especially when I come bearing such profitable tidings that you, Bean, and Bark all will have a vested interest in."

The presumed leader silently snickered then tilted his stetson up to show more of his face and his snarky grin. "Starline, Starline, Starline, you forget. In our world, money talks. So quit with the honey laced words. Just tell us how much you are willing to pay?"

"A great sum."

"A great sum huh? So tell me this. Who's the kid and why do I feel like I'm going to regret taking this job?" The stetson wearing mammal popped open a can of root beer then began chugging it, not bothering to offer any food or drink to either of his newly arrived 'guests'.

Dr. Starline smiled and put his hand to his heart as he lowered his head in a humble bow. "I admit, this is a more challenging mission than your last but I can assure you the rewards are likewise increased to match. This is a job only professionals like yourselves can do."

Fang lifted his stetson as he pulled out his pop gun and began spinning it in his hand as he pondered his options.

"Well you came to the right mercenary team to get the job done. Though, if you want to hire us then you'll need to agree to our terms upfront before we even entertain your offer of employment."

"Of course. What are your terms?" Dr. Starline said, hiding irritation.

"We want something liquid. We're done with fiat currency for a while. The Federation is printing too much of the stuff and the national debt is getting insane. We'll only work for gold or jewels. Hard assets, and don't even think of trying to sell us an NFT or I will shoot you and your friend in the head on the spot. In addition to those demands, we got a lot of heat thanks to your last job, so we expect to receive a bonus for the trouble of coming out of hiding and a method of payment that can't be tracked. Those are our terms. Take 'em or leave 'em."

"That can certainly be arranged." Dr. Starline said as he failed to hide a self pleasing grin.

Fang returned the grin with one of his own. "Let's go in the back and hash out the means and manner of payment. Bark. Bean. Treat our new fox friend here to some delicious tap water."

"Okey dokey lemon chokey." Bean said as he leapt out of his chair and raised his right hand and performed a sharp salute.

Buster watched as Fang the Sniper and Dr. Starline walked to the back room leaving Buster alone with Bark and Bean.

After watching the door close behind Dr. Starline and Fang, Buster looked back at the table to see Bark the Polar Bear still seated but Bean the Dynamite had disappeared.

Buster nearly had a heart attack as he looked to his right and saw Bean standing right beside him and staring at his watch, as if he had teleported beside him when he was not looking.

"Ohhhhhhh! Shiney! How much for the ugly-as-sin watch? Also, here is your water." Said the green bird as he handed Buster his tap water with a smile that radiated peace and happiness… yet was somehow also quite unnerving.

"Thanks, and it's not for sale." Buster said as he took the glass of water and immediately downed its contents, realizing only then how thirsty he had been.

"You're welcome. Nice to know I can easily poison you." Bean stared at the watch more closely when he noticed a glimmer of light reflecting from an object inside the device.

"Is… is that a Chaos Emerald in your oversized watch? If so, why do you have a Chaos Emerald in it? Is it a time machine? Why are you here? This seems like a pretty boring place for a time traveler to be. Really, you could go anywhere in time and space and you choose to come here? Seems kind of sus. I can't even give you one of Fang's root beers… not that I would even if I could. They're so good!"

Buster would have choked on his water had there been any left to drink.

Buster recovered his mental composure then moved to play it cool. "Unfortunately the watch is broken and doesn't even tell the time anymore and no, the watch is nothing like that. The emerald in question is nothing special, just a low quality gem polished to a sheen that my family had passed down and I ended up putting it in my watch for sentimental reasons. That way anywhere I go it will be with me and remind me of my parents." Buster lied as he slowly pulled his arm away from Bean's coveting grasp and made a mental note while chastising himself to make the Chaos Emerald inside less visible upon close inspection.

"Hmmmmm." Bean stared suspiciously at Buster then decided against pressing him further on the matter.

"Okay then… so… whatcha doin with Sir. Schemesalot?"

"Huh-what? What was that?" Buster said with a restrained chuckle as he raised an eyebrow incredulously.

"You know. A big secret laboratory, obsessed with overthrowing Eggman, making secret plots and deals behind the backs of allies, using us as a means to an end only to be cast aside. Whatcha doin with him huh? What are you doing here? What are you fighting for?" Suddenly a maddening scowl came over Bean as he glared daggers at Buster. The bird looked as if he was one second away from tearing him apart with willpower alone. "It better not be for my shinies. You mess with my shinies, you won't be around these parts for much longer."

Buster was flabbergasted and rendered speechless by the exceptionally eccentric and candid duck.

"I want nothing to do with your shinies. As for Dr. Starline, I'm his partner. Nothing more." Buster began, "Our goals just happened to align. It's an alliance of convenience if I'm honest."

"Oh, that's good. That's good to hear." Bean said calmly. It's so nice to be on a team with people you can trust, ya know? Otherwise you'll never know who will stab you in the back. You're blood brothers one day then the next thing you know, they rip out your still beating heart and leave you a lifeless husk and shell of your former self. All the joy sucked out of your life as you ponder if there was any love or loyalty to even be found-"

Then without missing a beat Bean continued speaking but his voice quickly rose to a single fever pitched maddening accusation as he looked straight at Bark, spittle flying from his beak as he shouted. "-or they eat the last chocolate bar that was in the freezer that you were saving for days! Days Bark! Days! I was going to share it with you and you stabbed me in the back! You ripped out my heart and you betrayed my trust!" Bean looked possessed as the veins on his head and neck seemed ready to pop. His eyes seemed unnatural in their ability to grow in size, nearly popping out of his head, as if the laws of physics did not apply to him giving his rage and anger a psychopathic, if not demonic, expression.

As quickly as Bean had become angered, his emotional outburst evaporated and was replaced with a deep guilt.

"Fiddlesticks. I might have overdone it. Bark? Buddy? I… I didn't mean to get so angry. I was just really looking forward to eating it and took my anger out on-"

For his part, Bark was the picture definition of guilt and remorse. The gentle giant said no words but his expression said more than an epic tale of old.

"-Wait… Bark… don't go… I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I let my anger get the best of me. You know how I can be… Bark… I- I didn't mean any of it. I realize now you didn't think it was mine… Bark, don't walk away. Bark please. I'm sorry. Bark-"

Buster thought the behemoth was going to slam the door and by extension, destroy a large section of wall with his brute strength. Instead, he simply walked, sad and dejected to what Buster presumed was the Polar Bear's room and watched in awe as the mass of muscle calmly, quietly, and slowly closed his door.

"Oh, no. I really screwed up. Oh frowny town." Bean said as he hung his head in sadness as he began to pace about the room.

"Why not go and talk to him?" Buster suggested.

"I- I can't. Did you hear how heartbroken he was? I really blew it this time."

"But he… he didn't say anything?"

Bean's head shot up as he turned to glare at Buster, "You idiot. Some people don't talk with words. Please tell me you're not stupid. We're trusting you with our lives on this mission."

"What? No, I'm actually a genius. You have nothing to worry about."

"You're a genius? Right, and I'm crazy. Since we're likely to be temporary partners. Try to keep up with the subtle nonverbal social cues, all right?" Bean then patted Buster on the head condescendingly.

If the bird planned to get a rise out of Buster he accomplished that goal handily. Never had Buster wanted to eat roast duck more in his life than this moment he found himself in.

"Listen up duck boy, I'm not an idiot or a fool." Buster said curtly.

"Ha, first off I'm a woodpecker so maybe you are an idiot. Secondly, I don't know why people think I'm a duck. And thirdly, you think yourself wiser than me? Ha! I bet I'm also older than you too."

"One's intelligence is not determined by age." Buster said passive aggressively.

"Yeah, but wisdom often is pea brain."

"You little duck."

"I'm not a duck."

"Do you quack?"

"What?"

"Do. You. Quack?"

"Yeah? So?"

"Then you are a duck, not a woodpecker." Buster said with a smug grin.

"No, you talking carpet. I have a beak. Ducks don't have beaks, they have bills. Shows what you know."

Buster's eye twitched in frustration. "Then I can only assume you are the bizarre love child of a Duck and Woodpecker mating. So it looks like we both have pea brains then."

Bean fumed and his face turned bright red. Then… he exhaled as he slowly released his anger before he calmly replied. "That… actually makes a lot of sense and explains my old childhood insecurities around the other kids. Anyway, enough of that, the day is still young and there are shinies to collect… speaking of, I don't suppose you would be up for a wager, would you?"

Bean the Dynamite smiled knowingly, as if he was a carnaval attendant trying to entice kids to part with their parents' money by playing a rigged game.

"Heh, you want to make a bet?"

"Sure. I could use some money." Buster said.

"Great! First, let's agree that whoever loses gives the other something shiny and valuable, like a coin or a gem… or a really cool rock."

Buster thought for a moment. "That sounds reasonable. What is the wager?"

"That you will do something incredibly stupid in the next twenty four hours."

Buster pondered his chances of not doing something stupid in that amount of time. "Interesting wager. Seems a little one sided and not in your favor. What are we considering a really stupid act to be?"

Bean smiled genuinely as he replied, "I'll leave it to your discretion."

"Confident aren't you?" Buster said.

"Oh, I don't need confidence. I can sense the future. Looking at you, I can tell it will be an easy win for me."

"Really now? So you can sense the future? Is that right?"

"I don't like to brag. But yes." Bean said with a cheeky grin. "Some amateurs need tarot cards to sense the future. But me? I can sense it like writing on a page!"

"So what are you saying? That you're clairvoyant? That's not possible.

"Uhhhhh. I might have oversold it a teeny tiny bit. Also, It doesn't work like that. Sensing things is not the same as knowing exactly what will happen."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like this. I don't know WHAT is going to happen, I just have an idea of what COULD happen. But only sometimes and with certain things."

"That makes no sense. That is still a form of clairvoyance."

"No it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's like… it's like… it's like me knowing you'll get wet in the future." Bean said after a couple moments of thinking.

"How is that a prediction?"

Exactly, my ability is… it's like needing to poop when on a mission. You don't know when you'll get to go or whether it will be clean or messy, or if you'll soil your feathers because you couldn't find a bathroom, you just can sense that the poop is enevitable… unevitable… anevitable? It's going to happen one way or another! I could tell you more but you wouldn't believe me." Bean said with a smug look on his face.

"Try me."

"Prediction number one." Bean waved his hands around and concentrated, clearly putting on a show. "Fang is going to have a terrible day today."

"Is… is that rare for him?"

"Okay. Bad example. How about this? I feel… that you have a hot sister."

""W-what did you say?

"So you do have a sister? Can I meet her?" Bean smiled and beamed with excitement.

"What? No. Besides, a lot of people have sisters. None of these predictions are very convincing."

"Okay. I've got a good one for you." Bean said innocently as he silently stood staring at Buster with a mischievous grin.

Buster waited.

"Come closer." Bean motioned Buster to close the distance.

Buster moved closer to Bean. "Closer… and close your eyes." Bean whispered. "Listen to the sound of my voice as I predict the future stupidity you will do." Bean flicked his fingers slowly through the air for dramatic effect.

Buster moved ever closer until he was within whispering range and closed his eyes just as Bean casually licked and slobbered all over his gloved index finger.

"Are you ready to hear the truth? The real truth?" Bean said.

"I guess?"

"This will forever alter your relationship with time, space, and the world. Prepare your mind… are you prepared?"

"Yes. Get on with it."

"Okay… here it is."

Bean moved his head to Buster's ear as Buster held his breath to better listen to Bean's prediction.

"WET WILLIE!" As Bean shouted he shoved his gloved finger, which had been drenched in saliva into Buster's ear and twisted his finger several times.

"That's disgusting!" Buster shouted as he pushed Bean backwards and wiped the saliva out of his ear.

"Ha! If you were wise you'd know not to trust anything I say. That will be one shiny please." Bean held out his hand expectantly. See? Future predicted."

Buster hated the smug look on Bean's face.

"What? No. This is clearly a con job. I'm not giving you anything. You didn't even predict the future, you just took self gratifying actions to amuse yourself and con me out of a shiny."

"So? I merely created the future I wished to see. That was still predicting the future." Bean stuck out his tongue.

"No it's not. Justify it however you want. I'm not giving you anything. Besides, you said it would be under my discretion what is considered a stupid act. I don't consider giving you the benefit of a doubt and trusting you to have been a stupid act. Though, I get the feeling I'll soon change my mind about that."

Bean grumbled. "Fine then, our bet still stands."

"So, you can't actually tell the future?" Buster said with a hint of disappointment. "Because, if you could, that would actually be very helpful."

"Most of the time I can't. Most of the time it's just gut feelings that hit or miss. But other times… I see things. I feel things as if I was there. As if I had been there... I must sound crazy."

"Does Fang know about these episodes?"

"Yeah, I told Fang about it and he called me crazy. Which is fair. He acted like he was just angry because we couldn't make money out of it but I think he was worried about me being targeted should the power be genuine. Then one day, after I woke up crying, Fang out of the blue took me to the black market. Just him and me. There we found some scientist people who sold shinies on the black market. They were particularly interested in me as something called a chaos drive reacted to my presence. I wanted us to get one but they were crazy expensive. They offered to give us one if Fang let them study me further but he threatened to kill them if they so much as looked at me funny. They said I might be able to access some sort of energy field and asked if I had any unique powers or abilities… Fang said no. That I had no powers or abilities. That they were lunatics and pedophiles looking to prey on small children by making them feel empowered and special. He grabbed my hand and we left immediately. I don't know what this energy field they talked about was, but I like to think it's how I make bombs appear out of thin air. As I said, I cannot control what vision I see or when I get them. It's just bits and pieces. Like shards of my mind from the future or a long forgotten past. Never a coherent whole. I mainly get gut feelings. I never know what is real, fake, or figments of my own imagination or desire most of the time. So I don't normally give my gut feelings or visions too much thought… except for one.

Bean was silent and deep in thought as if he was trying to recall something he had forgotten while Buster's mind was partly elsewhere.

"How do you think I'll die?" Buster asked meekly. "Do I die happily surrounded by family?"

Buster held his breath.

Bean turned and looked right at Buster. "I don't know. But if I had to guess," Bean exhaled and grimaced. "I'd guess that you will die from a bullet to the head. But that is just a feeling I have. I wouldn't pay it too much thought. It's not like I had a vision about it."

Buster swallowed nervously. "Could you elaborate? Any idea when or where?"

"No." Bean stared at Buster closely. "To elaborate, I get the feeling you'll be shot, blown up, then shot again… in the head. Like I said, it's a feeling not a vision. I could be wrong. I likely am. You could live to one hundred years old for all I know. I get dozens of feelings a day and most never come to pass or are obvious delusions. I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, there is only one vision I truly believe in. I don't really pay any of the other gut feelings much attention if I am honest. Lifes more fun that way."

"You're a complete lunatic, you know that? What a load of garbage You're clinically insane. You actually think you can, what? Predict the future?"

"Sense the future."

"Oh, sure. Big difference."

"It is."

To Bean, Buster looked incredibly fragile just then.

"Have you ever wanted to kill yourself?" Bean asked innocently.

"What kind of question is that? You think I'm suicidal?"

"It's a possibility. You stooped down to our level. We're not exactly Team Sonic. If you really are a genius like you say then you know that Dr. Starline is using you as a pawn. So I'm left wondering…"

"Fuck off with your braindead birdbrained theories." Buster said with barely contained anger.

"I'm sorry. I thought it was a simple question. I didn't mean to offend you. I was trying to make you feel better in my own crazy way. Just forget I asked."

Buster sniffled and covered his mouth with his hand as he coughed. His mind wandered back to long repressed memories of his early childhood of struggling day after day just to survive. "I… there have been times in the past where I wished I was dead. When I was younger and weak in mind and body. A brief time where I thought about ending it all. Ending the pain, hunger, and heartache. When most of the people you love die it gets harder and harder to live without them, you know? I was just a child who was terrified. Terrified and selfish. I was not thinking clearly. I was overwhelmed with despair. Without my sisters I don't know what I would have done. But I do know this. I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that I am not that person anymore. I would never… I could never leave my sisters behind. I… I just…"

Bean stepped forward and gave Buster a hug. "I got a hunch you needed this."

"Shut the hell up. I'm not going to k-kill myself. I won't. I love my family too much. I would never…"

"It's okay. Remember the wet willie? You probably were thinking about a bath or a bucket of water being dumped on your head. So maybe my bird brain gut feeling is just that. An off colored prediction from my own demented mind. Nothing more and certainly nothing to worry about."

"Yeah… maybe." Buster wiped the tears from his eyes. "So… what other visions have you had?"

Bean stepped back then looked at the ground, frowned, and furrowed his brows. As if a memory of what could have been had flooded toward the surface of his conscious mind.

"The only vision I cherish. The only vision or prediction I give any weight to…"

"Yeah?"

"I once had a lucid dream where Fang, Bark, and I adopted an adorable little angel. She was so precious. I wanted to adopt her because she was so darn cute but Fang told me to not be an idiot. I adored her. I even offered to share my shinies with her. She was a real tough cookie too. We were all so happy together even though we were always one meal away from starvation. I can almost see her face at times when I drift to sleep, but then…"

Bean stared ahead as if lost in thought. A sad frown on his face.

"And then?"

Bean looked up at Buster with a somber and deadly serious look.

"Then I'd wake up."

"Are you sure you didn't dream that whole-"

"No." Bean shouted. "It was real. I know for a fact this one was real. It has to be. I still feel her absence. It's like a hole in my heart. You know that feeling right? When someone dear to you is missing?"

"Yeah, I do. It eats you alive. Doesn't it?" Buster said.

"Like a piranha." Bean nodded.

"I really hope your predictions about me are wrong. Especially the part about me dying."

"Dummy. Everyone dies someday." Bean said.

"Not from gunshots to the head, they don't."

"True. Hey, could you do me a favor?"

"Maybe. What is it?"

"You're a time traveler right? Prower's kid? You look just like him… except more malnourished, depressed, and angry. Don't worry. I'm smarter than I let anyone think and I can keep a secret too. Besides, the less I know the better right?"

"Heh, you're really hoping I am a time traveler aren't you? Let me guess, those are all gut feelings of yours?"

"Yeah."

"And I'm guessing you want me to travel to the future to try to meet this girl you love so much."

"It's platonic love, but yeah."

"Well sorry to destroy your hope but I'm not a time traveler or related to Prowler or whoever you said. If I was, why on earth would I be here?"

"Yeah… that makes sense. Silly me."

"Besides, would you really want me to bring her here? Take her from you in the future?" Buster said.

"No. I was just… I was hoping you could take a picture of her."

"How would I even know what she would look like?"

"Yeah. I… didn't think this through."

"Yeah, you really didn't. If I could travel through time don't you think I would have saved my parents by now? Do you really think I would come here of all places?"

"Yeah, you're right. Chaos I'm stupid… and pathetic. Here I am getting worked up over someone I've never even met."

Buster felt he might have overreacted, "Listen, Bean. You're not stupid or pathetic. Don't beat yourself up."

"Thanks fluffy. You too."

Buster rolled his eyes. "Let's not bring any of this up with the others. Does that sound good to you?"

"Yeah. Sounds good."

Meanwhile, Bean's head sharply turned to the side of the room upon hearing a door open.

"Bark?"

"Like… a dog? Oh. Your friend." Buster said as he looked at the door that was just opened.

Bark exited his room and was then noticed by Bean. Upon calling for him, Bark walked over to Bean and lowered his enormous body onto one knee to be at eye level with the small but zany bird. He held out his hand and waited for Bean to put his hand underneath it.

"Bark? What is this?"

Bark dropped into Bean's hand a single shiny coin.

"Bark. You mean…?"

Bark nodded.

"You're letting me hold onto your lucky coin until you get another chocolate bar for me?"

Bark nodded once more.

"I will blow up anyone who tries to take it. Thank you Bark."

Bark rolled his eyes then blushed when Bean hugged the massive polar bear. Bark returned the gesture with a pat on his friend's head.

While giving the polar bear a bear hug, Bean asked, "Can you forgive me and my manic stupidity. I don't really care about the chocolate. I just want us to stay friends."

Bark gently ended the hug and stared at Bean. He then moved his giant hand and put it and his fingers behind Bean's ear then seemingly produced a shiny rock from out of nowhere.

"Shiney!"

Bark smiled as he put into Bean's hand what Buster realized was a smooth Hematite rock.

"You're the best Bark. Bean gave the Polar Bear another hug that the polar bear returned.

"Remember, if you ever need anyone or anything blown up for any reason or no reason at all, let me know. I'm your bird. Always."

Upon hearing this Bark the Polar Bear rolled his eyes once more.

A door slammed shut.

"Okay you nitwits. Gather around. We got a job to do." Fang said as he and Dr. Starline re-entered the living room.

"Bean."

"Yes?"

"Root Beer."

"Aye Aye Captain."

Once Bark, Bean, Buster, Fang, and Dr. Starline all had a seat at the living room table Fang chugged down the rootbeer then tossed it into a nearby trash can then gave Dr. Starline the floor.

"Alright Hooligans, it's time Starline here briefed you on our mission. Go ahead… Doctor-"

"-Bean, stop playing with the rock and coin… and don't name them again." Fang shouted.

Bean frowned and a single tear rolled down his cheek."

"Go ahead Doctor." Fang said as he turned to Dr. Starline.

"Thank you Fang. Our mission will see us infiltrating an underwater maximum security prison-"

"-Do they have shinies we can steal?" Bean said as his mood did an abrupt reversal.

"No. As I was saying we will need to steal a submarine and travel below the ocean to access the facility. Once inside-"

"-So… there are no shinies… none at all?" Bean said, a look of shock and disgust on his face.

Dr. Starline glared at the red bandana wearing bird. "No Bean, though I suppose they might have aluminum trays and silverware you could amuse yourself with."

"Yay!"

Bark the Polar Bear gently tapped Bean on the shoulder.

Starline continues. "As I was saying-"

"-wait!" Bean shouted. "Bark wants to ask how we plan to bypass the strict security measures to gain entry into the prison?"

"Yes. There are state of the art security measures in place. Including an automated locking mechanism for the docking station-"

"-Can I blow it up?" Bean asked enthusiastically.

"No! Absolutely not. We are infiltrating an underwater maximum security prison. Do not, I repeat, do not use any bombs inside the facility! As I was about to say, I will pilot the submarine and I will hack into their routine operations system to allow us entry. Are there any other questions so far?"

Everyone was silent.

"Good. Now then. Once inside-"

"-How much are we each getting paid?" Bean asked. "Bark wants to know too."

"It is an agreeable sum." Fang began, "You two don't need to worry about the details. Just focus on the mission."

"But I wanna know how much we're getting!" Bean began pouting and pounding on the table as Fang just sighed in resolved defeat. Fang the Sniper stood up and walked over to the moody bird and whispered in his ear.

Bean's eyes turned into money signs. "Bark, we're good." Bean turned to Dr. Starline, "Continue with your speech, widdle-waddle duck-billed plotter."

Starline began to tug on his hair. "Great. Wonderful. Any other questions?"

"I have one," Buster said with slight trepidation as he raised his hand, "Will I get paid since I'm helping too?"

"Yes!" Starline said bluntly. "Everyone is getting paid. Are there any more questions? No? Good. As I was saying, for the hundredth time, once inside we will need to find either the Warden or the main computer system and locate three individuals, retrieve them, and escape before a counter insurgency force arrives from the mainland."

"All right ya mucks, did ya hear that?" Fang the Sniper began, "We're pulling an old fashioned jailbreak. We might even start a prison riot while we're at it. Remember, we're stealing people instead of gold or gems. We find the Doctor's three stooges and get them topside." Fang said grinning, "Now Doctor, tell us who the lucky prisoners are."

"I have their files here with me." Dr. Starline pressed several buttons on his high tech glove and from it appeared a small, low resolution, holographic mugshot of two criminals that took shape in the center of the table for all to see.

"Their names are Rough and Tumble. They're a lot like your quiet pal over there except… less quiet and less mentally gifted. They love violence and want payback for being put in jail. I need their assistance for a master plan of mine. That's all you need to know. Any other questions before we prepare to depart?"

"Wait," Fang began, "You mentioned three people. Who's the third?"

"You don't need to worry about that minor detail-" Dr. Starline said with a nervous smile.

"-Like hell I do. I'm putting my boys' lives and freedom on the line for you."

"Awwwww we love you too Nack-" Bean said cheerfully as "Nack" Blushed furiously.

"-Shut the hell up Bean. Like I said, we have the right to know who and what we're getting involved in."

Dr. Starline interlocked his fingers then looked at the others one after the other before turning his stoic gaze to look at Fang.

"If I tell you that… you may well wish to cancel the mission."

"Then maybe I should." Fang said threateningly.

"I can assure you, the third target will be most thankful for our efforts made to free him. He will prove an excellent aid in our escape and wont in any way cause your team harm or issues."

"I'll be the judge of that. Who is he?"

"Two times."

"What?" Fang said as he raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I'll pay you two times what we agreed if you don't ask anymore questions and, as you were so apt to say during the planning of our previous operation, just roll with it."

Fang pondered his options once more.

"Dr. Starline… you have yourself a deal."

The two shook hands.

"What are our rules of engagement?" Fang asked.

"Non-lethal. Kill only if absolutely necessary. We cannot risk incurring the wrath of G.U.N."

"What's gun?" Buster said.

"Who is this kid again?" Fang said, "What rock have you kept him buried under."

"Please ignore Buster's ignorance. He's new to this corner of the world."

"He is, is he?"

"Yes, now to answer your question, Buster the Fox," Dr. Starline pushed up his glasses then spoke quickly. "G.U.N. stands for The Guardian Units of Nations. A multinational military organization tasked with protecting the world from foreign, domestic, and supernatural threats. Most of the funding and equipment naturally comes from the United Federation, the country we are currently in. The thing to remember is that G.U.N. is the military equivalent of a 5 headed giant with stubby legs. They're slow to get moving but once in a violent rage and focused on a single target they will stop at nothing and eradicate anything that opposes them, all in the name of peace and prosperity of course. The last thing we want happening is for G.U.N. to not only target us but to order military assets meant for Dr. Eggman to be redirected toward us. Our lives would get very ugly very fast."

"We get it. Try to keep the felonies to a minimum. What about the layout of the prison?" Fang said.

"Unknown." Starline said calmly.

Fang bore a shocked expression that quickly turned to anger. "What do you mean it's unknown? How can you not know? I thought you had everything planned to the letter?"

Irritated Starline spat back, "It's a Military Prison. Emphasis on Military. It has an isolated network and the floor plan is kept off the grid. We're going in blind, but once inside we can access the floor plan via the computer system. It might even be posted on the wall as far as we know. Trust me I have everything planned and under my control. It won't be a problem."

"If you say so." Fang said with a scoff.

"I do say so." Starline retorted.

Fang and Starline locked eyes, glaring at one another.

"If there are no further questions or… emotional… outbursts, I believe everything has been sufficiently explained. Are there any other questions?" Starline said.

Fang glared daggers at Dr. Starline.

The room was silent.

"Excellent. Once we leave via portal we will arrive immediately at the Federation naval base and our mission will begin. If there are no other questions you may prepare yourselves for combat then report back here to prepare for our departure. Our meeting is now adjourned. You all are dismissed."

Silence permeated the room. No one moved. What felt to Buster as an awkward silence had fallen over the room but he quickly realized it was not an awkward silence but rather a message from Fang.

"Bean. Grab me another rootbeer."

"Can I have one?" Bean said with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"No. Sugar is bad for you."

"Awwwww." Bean pouted as he stood up and walked to the fridge. The green bird grabbed a can of rootbeer, walked back and handed it to Fang who put the ice bold beverage on the table in front of him.

Fang stared at Dr. Starline intensely as he began to tap the top of his aluminum can.

Buster glanced around the room. Bean and Bark just sat silently with neutral expressions while Starline stared in bewilderment and growing irritation. The Platypus soon altered his expression to that of a scowl when he realized what was happening.

Fang opened the can of carbonated root beer and casually took several gulps from the beverage, sighing with satisfaction as he put the can down on the table in front of him.

It was at that precise moment Fang the Sniper broke the silence once more with an order of his own.

"Bean. Bark. Grab my gear."

Bean and Bark immediately stood up and went into a back room. Each returned carrying a container of varying size.

Bark the Polar Bear placed on the table in front of Fang, a giant weapon case.

Fang unlocked and opened the case and pulled from it a lever action Buster it looked heavily modified and seemed to have received heavy use judging by the wear and tear of the weapon.

Bean the Dynamite then placed a large box in front of Fang, the latter of which opened it and started putting ammunition from the box into individual ammunition pockets on his bandolier which he wore around his waist. When his bandolier was loaded with ammo he pushed the ammo box to Buster.

"Hey kid, I noticed the revolver stashed on your belt. If you need to top her off, be my guest."

"T-thanks." Buster said awkwardly as he loaded his revolver.

"No worries… now Starline… Let's get one thing straight between us Doc, you may be smart but when it comes to combat experience you're just a newborn lamb. When in the field you will follow my orders. I can't have you doing something foolish and getting yourself killed. Not when we're expecting a paycheck from you. Now if you want to pay us up front then that would be a different story, but I'm guessing you're not too keen on that idea."

Dr. Starline ground his teeth and clenched the table tightly with his fingers."You presume a great deal about me despite knowing nothing of our foes or what we are up against. Being a good shot with a gun, or being able to throw bombs, or punch hard means nothing if your ignorance and actions drives you to your own destruction. I am capable of defending myself should the need arrive. You speak of preventing me from dying when it is yourself and your own ignorance that poses the greatest danger to us on this mission. You need my guidance and intelligence to see this mission through to the end. I'd suggest you keep that in mind."

Buster's irritation grew as he realized these two would need to cooperate for their mission to be successful. Arguing amongst themselves would solve nothing.

"Why not compromise?" Buster began as he tried to defuse the hostility that was brewing, "Fang will be in charge of tactics while Dr. Starline will be in charge of the overall strategy. That way each of you has your area of expertise that can be applied to the mission thus ensuring we get the best of both leaderships and likewise, vastly increase our odds of success and survival. If you too can't get along and put your egos aside then we are already doomed to fail before even starting..."

Fang the Sniper turned his glare to the foxboy. "That… is the smartest thing I've heard all day." Fang the Sniper said as he softened his glare. "I'll give your compromise a shot if Dr. Starline agrees."

Starline cleared his throat. "That is acceptable. It will allow me to better focus on the big picture."

Fang slid the can of rootbeer to Bean who cheerfully chugged the remaining contents before belching loudly.

"Now that this all has been settled, we're ready to depart." Fang said.

Starline stood up and adjusted his wrist cuffs and his collar then spoke to those present.

"Gentlemen. I would like to thank you for undertaking this mission. I have no doubt everything will go off without a hitch. I have planned this for months and can assure you every detail has been accounted for, the facility we will be assaulting will not be prepared to deal with professionals of our skill and intellect. Any counterinsurgency or S.W.A.T. team will be a sea away. Remember, our mission is to free three particular inmates and return them along with us to the surface. We do this by hijacking a submarine, infiltrating the underwater Prison, finding the three inmates, then escaping via any means available."

"Wait, surely you could just portal us out of the prison as soon as we achieve our objective?" Buster said.

Starline chuckled awkwardly and smiled, "In theory I could… but we'll be underwater so if I miscalculate or do not envision my destination properly but instead think of, say, the ocean around us, then we would be swallowed by the titanic force of the ocean squeezing into a narrow underwater prison hallway leaving me incapacitated and unable to close the portal. Suffice to say that would be the worst case scenario."

"Fair point." Buster said. "So we'll use the submarine we come in on to escape?"

"Yes, or if it is taken or damaged we'll wait for another mode of transport to arrive and forcibly commandeer and utilize that in its place."

Fang had just finished loading his revolver and was spinning the cylinder to amuse himself when he asked, "So how are we going to gain access to the sub? I doubt they'll be keen on letting us in."

"We will not be hijacking a Military Vessel. That would be suicide." Dr. Starline began, "Instead we are hijacking a small logistical submarine whose sole purpose is the transferring of supplies to the underwater facility.I predict the crew will surrender the submarine to us once they realize their lives and safety are at risk."

"So we're going to walk up, point a gun at them, and demand they surrender the craft?" Fang said with disappointment. "I thought we would do something a little more… unique."

"It's foolish to reinvent the wheel."

"Okay smart guy, so what happens when they get to their armory and refuse to surrender their vessel?" Fang asked.

"Then we will pacify them. That is the job of you fine gentlemen. Again, I would prefer to not have to kill anyone but if your hands are tied then the complete eradication of all who resist us is permitted."

Fang chewed on his lip for a moment as he processed Dr. Starlines words.

"I don't think that will be necessary. My boys and I will give 'em' the old shock and awe treatment. We'll have them pissin in their boots and begging for their lives."

"Excellent. That is precisely why I hired your team." Dr. Starline said with a smile.

"Then let's get this mission started, the sooner we start the sooner all this will be over and the sooner we'll be paid." Fang said.

"Of course, as you wish." Starline said.

Starline pressed a sequence of buttons on his high-tech glove and above the glove a holographic satellite image materialized showing the image of a Federation Naval base. Starline focused on the image and then clenched his fist causing a portal to materialize.

"Remember… act as if we belong there and follow my lead."

Everyone peered through the portal.

"It's quite the drop." Buster said, as his body filled with a sense of vertigo at the sight of how far up the portal was from the ground..

"One moment." Dr. Starline said as he focused his mind then clenched his right hand, the Warp Topaz swirled with glowing energies as the portal closed and opened once more, this time much closer to the ground. "There. Let Operation Infiltration begin."

Bean scoffed, "Ugh, that's a terrible name. I thought you were smart."

Dr. Starline pinched his nose, "Just… go through the portal Bean."

One by one in quick succession Dr. Starline and the Hooligans jumped through the portal landing safely on the ground. Buster was the last. As he readied himself to jump and land on his feet he could not help but have a sinking feeling in his stomach. Every action he had taken up to this point had in one way or another failed miserably or at the least taken a dramatic turn for the worst. As he jumped through the portal Buster worried that Dr. Starline was on the verge of joining Buster in being humbled. He hoped his fears would be proven unfounded.

…

Upon landing on the concrete ground, Buster looked around and took in his surroundings as the portal he had jumped through vanished.

Dozens of buildings were scattered about the Naval base. The base was much larger than he imagined. Several massive naval vessels were docked, each had their own crew of mechanics, technicians, and sailors walking about, loading and unloading cargo, and going through routine checklists. Despite the importance of the military facility Buster saw no troops and even the people he did see looked to be completely unarmed going about their various jobs. The inner mechanic and engineer in Buster wanted nothing more than to examine the warships and see how they were engineered and put together. Maybe Starline could digitally steal a blueprint sometime…

Starline spoke and shattered Buster's train of thought, "This Naval base is like an independent city in most respects. Over 25,000 people work here if you include military personnel and their families. Just keep walking calmly behind me. The submarine is scheduled to undergo routine maintenance and safety inspections so we are going to pay them a visit. I cannot overstate how important it is that we remain calm and act like we belong here. If all goes according to plan we won't need to lift a finger to be granted access to the interior of the submarine."

Bean, Bark, Buster, and Fang all followed behind Dr. Starline as they walked down the pier to the submarine. The pier was massive. The military personel looked like ants in the distance. As the group got closer it felt as if a few eyes were on them and heads and limbs were able to be identified as they stared and pointed at the colorful cast that approached them then turned back to their work of loading boxes down the submarine hatch one at a time.

"Remember, let me do the talking. Stay calm." Starline whispered to everyone behind him.

They soon arrived at the flooded dry dock and Dr, Starline stopped short of walking onto the metal bridge that connected the drydock to the submarine. He smiled and waved at one of the workers who was on the submarine that had been watching their approach with nervous suspicion. The worker finished checking off items on his clipboard as another box was loaded down into the submarine. He spoke a few words to his crewmates then cautiously walked over across the metal bridge to speak to the strange new arrivals.

"Hello, sirs, can I help you?"

"Are you in charge of the loading efforts?"

"I am."

"Then yes, you may help me and might I add it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Dr. Starline offered his hand and the worker who took the offered hand and shook it. The drydock worker was confused as the Platypus continued to stubbornly hold onto his hand only for him to be pulled closer.

"When I let go of your hand you are going to smile, turn around, and escort us silently to the submarine keeping your hands by your are to order your men to stand back and allow us to descend into the submarine. You all will then leave immediately. If you do not follow my directions to the letter you and every other worker present will be shot, killed, and thrown into the bay. This is not a joke. This is not a prank. See my friend in the stetson cowboy hat behind me? He is an elite sniper and has no problem exterminating every last one of you if you do not follow our instructions. If you and your peers comply you will be released to return to your friends and families after we have closed the submarine hatch behind us. Do you understand all of what I have said? Answer yes or no.

"Y-yes."

"Good." Dr. Starline smiled as he let go of the man's hand.

The worker then turned around and escorted Dr. Starline and his team across the metal bridge and onto the surface of the submarine. Sailers, dock workers, and cargo loaders all gave the group nervous and curious looks.

"Sir, w-who the hell are they?"

"Stand away from the hatch. Let them through." The man said.

Dr. Starline turned to Bark the Polar Bear and told him to go down the ladder and make sure they could enter the submarine.

Bark the Polar Bear descended into the submarine…moments later several knocks were heard.

"Thank you for your hard work gentlemen. It would seem you all deserve to take the rest of the day off unless, of course, you would like to stay with us and dine with the fishes tonight." As Dr. Starline spoke Buster and Fang the Sniper held their guns in an at-the-ready position and stared at the remaining personnel. Not needing any more convincing to leave, they all left the topdeck for dry land.

Buster was the next down the ladder and into the submarine. He saw there were two humans and a penguin which were growing increasingly frustrated at the silent treatment the giant polar bear had been giving them.

The Penguin spat as he spoke, "What's your problem man? We're trying to load our supplies. If you're not going to help get the hell out of the-"

The crew members noticed Buster and his gun. Once Buster aimed it at the penguin's head the three of them raised their hands and instantly matched Bark's silence.

"How many crew members are there?" Buster said as he slowly moved the gun, pointing its barrel at the heads of each of the three men in turn.

Fang the Sniper slid down the ladder and landed near Buster and aimed his rifle at one of the three prisoners, keeping in mind the angle the bullet would ricochet should he need to open fire.

My name, rank, and serial number is-"

"Don't give us that garbage. How many of you scallywags are there?" Fang shouted, causing the sailor to reflexively recoil, his legs shaking.

"Ten in total."

"Now we're getting somewhere." Fang said.

Bean meanwhile had skipped the ladder and jumped down the open hatch.

Dr. Starline was the last to enter and closed the hatch behind them.

"Keep your hands up and take us to the Captain." Fang demanded.

…

"So what will it be, Captain? Will you be a reasonable man and take us to the Underwater prison complex or will you and all your men have to be executed? Leaving us to do it ourselves?"

The Captain was sweating profusely when he gave his answer. "Of course, you will have our full cooperation on the condition that my men's lives are spared."

"Excellent. Now I would like to speak to your navigator."

The captain asked the crew where their navigator was when suddenly a nervous wreck of a man stepped forward.

"S-sir, the Second Mate was getting some fresh air topside. I would be the one to perform his duties as navigator in his place."

"Really?" Dr. Starline tilted his head in curiosity. "How long have you been a navigator since graduating from the naval academy?"

"T-this is my first year… sir."

"Well don't you worry. I'm sure you will perform most admirably. Think of this ordeal as a surprise evaluation. Hmmm?"

"Y-yes sir." The young man returned to his station.

Starline turned to the Captain and smiled as he spoke, "Captain, take us to the Federation Maximum Security Prison. I'm sure you don't need to be told which one I am referring to as your vessel routinely ships supplies there… or am I mistaken?"

"No sir you are not mistaken." The captain said not bothering to hide his displeasure and worry.

A series of commands were given and soon the words, dive, dive, dive, were echoing throughout the helm. Dr. Starline was pleased with how smooth everything had gone, though he was not at all surprised. While Bean, Fang, and Bark kept close watch on the crew, Buster found himself nervously tapping his foot as he worried for his sisters and was eager to return to both of them as soon as possible. Dr. Starline, sensing the fox's unease, stepped closer and said, "Is something troubling you?"

Buster sighed, "I'm worried for my sisters and I feel kind of powerless here. Everyone has all these great abilities and all I can do to contribute is wave around a gun."

Dr. Starline stared at the young fox, as he thought about how best to respond. After a moment he spoke, "Rest assured, once finished here you'll be able to reunite with your sisters in due time. As for feeling like you're not contributing, remember that we are men of science. Our strength comes not from our physical abilities but our mind. A proper plan, properly executed can bring down the strongest of foes. Given your… exceptional pedigree, I would not worry about today, we will have time yet to see you prove your worth to friend and foe alike."

"Right… I appreciate that." Buster replied.

"Excellent, now, help me keep an eye on these pesky penguins. I don't trust their slippery kind."

"Uh…"

"I jest. Seriously though, help me keep an eye on them."

"I'm on it."

"Relax Buster, we'll be there before you know it."

…

A shipmate turned towards the Captain, "We are in range to contact the Prison, Awaiting your command Sir."

The Captain turned to Dr. Starline, his face strained with stress and drenched in sweat. "We're at the point of no return. What are your orders?"

"Proceed as normal." Dr. Starline began, "Request to submerge in the facility as per standard protocol. Make no mention of us. Once inside we will offer an exchange of prisoners."

The Captain and his men that were within earshot had their mood considerably boosted as they realized that their time as a hostage may come to an end with their life unended.

"Communication." The Captain said.

"Sir?"

"Request permission to dock and follow standard docking protocol."

"Aye aye captain."

"..."

"We're clear to enter." The sailor shouted to the Captain.

The Captain sat up straight and folded his hands behind his back. "Attention all stations. Make all preparations for surfacing."

"Ready to surface in all respects." The Captain's second mate said.

"Surface."

An alarm blared as more orders were issued by the second in command and other officers.

"Standby for securing…"

"Standing by depressurizing and drainage."

"Standing by…"

"..."

"Captain, the vessel has been secured. Awaiting your command."

"All hands brace!"

The crew echoed all hands brace as they secured their footing and held onto the sub.

"Rise!"

The alarm sounded once more as again the ship rose steadily. Moments later the submarine broke the surface of the water.

The captain turned to Dr. Starline, "We have docked safely inside the facility."

"Thank you captain. Now my subordinate, the polar bear here, will tie you and all of your men up until the prisoner exchange can be completed. Then the remainder of you will take us back to the coastline at yet to be disclosed coordinates. Once we are back on solid ground the remainder of your team will be free to continue your lives."

"I understand, you will have our full cooperation."

"Excellent, so long as your men follow our commands I promise no harm will come to any of you. Now, open a line to the Warden. I would like to start negotiations immediately."

After a few brief moments the Warden's office was contacted.

"The line is open. Speak when you are ready." The Captain said as he handed Dr. Starline a phone.

"Hello, is this the Warden of this fine facility?" Starline said.

"Yes, this is the Warden, who is this? Where is the Captain?"

"The Captain has surrendered his ship and authority to me now. If you are wise you will do the same. My name is Dr. Starline. Greatest mind in all of the world. I have ten Federation Sailors held hostage at gunpoint. If our demands are not met-"

"-Go fuck yourself."

A click was heard as the line went dead.

"Did… did he just hang up on me? The absolute buffoon. Ring him again." Dr. Starline roared.

"The connection has been reestablished." The Communications officer said.

"Hello, Warden? We seem to have lost connection moments ago, as I was saying we have this Federation vessel in our command and its sailors as our hostages. We will exchange hostages and guarantee the safe return of all personnel home if you deliver three particular prisons to us."

"No thanks." The Warden said curtly.

"I'm glad you- wait? What? My sincerest apologies. I believe the pressure from traveling under the sea has caused my hearing to malfunction. What was your answer again?"

"You heard me. I said no thanks. I'm not interested. You can take your hostages and fuck off. You're not getting so much as a hair from one of my prisoners."

Dr. Starlines jaw dropped, then he managed to collect himself to press the Warden further. "So you mean to tell me you are going to forfeit the lives of ten federation sailors? Do you not care for your fellow man? For their family? Friends? Their children?"

"They're not my responsibility. My only concern is keeping the prisoners confined to this facility. As I said before, you can take your hostages and go and fuck yourself. For a self described genius you seem to be having a surprisingly difficult time grasping the concept."

Dr. Starline was in total dismay and disbelief. He glanced at the Captain, Buster, and Bark before turning his focus to the phone call.

"So you have no desire or will to even attempt to spare the lives of these people? You do understand you will force our hand if you go down that route. We will need to make an example of them… and of you."

"You can come and try. W-Who do you think you are? Dr. Eggman? No, your not? Then who the fuck am I talkign to and why should I care? I've never even heard of you before. You know what? You're welcome to come right on in. We have a spare cell for low life piece of shit nutjobs like you."

Dr. Starline was seething in anger when he spoke quietly and menacingly. "Warden, if our demands are not met we will need to take a more direct means of persuasion. I'll ask again. Let us do a prisoner exchange or we will have no choice but to resort to violence."

"Dr. Starline, was it? I'll tell you what. You have to be mentally ill if you think you can come to my prison and make demands of me. I don't care if exchanging these prisoners prevents Ragnarok, you are not getting so much as a stick of gum you absolute piece of…"

The Warden halted his words. All Dr. Starline heard was heavy breathing.

"..."

"I'm terribly sorry Dr. Starline. I… I got a little heated a moment ago. My temper got the best of me. I hope we can start over and come to a peaceful resolution for all parties involved." The Warden said.

Dr. Starline blinked, pleasantly surprised but nonetheless curious as to what caused the sudden change in disposition.

"Of course. I want nothing more than for all parties to remain unharmed and for this to be a peaceful exchange of prisoners and hostages. You have my team's complete guarantee we will honor our agreement should you cooperate and deliver to us the inmates we request. So Warden, do we have a deal?"

Static bled through the receiver as the Warden paced about in thought before answering.

"Yeah… yeah! We can work something out. Why don't you come to my office and we'll discuss the details over some whiskey?"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Warden. I need you to bring the Prisoners to the submarine. This is non-negotiable."

"You are wrong. If you want the prisoners you need to meet me halfway. Just come to my office. I promise there won't be any trouble at all. I'll sound the lockdown alarm and have all staff retreat to safety. You'll just walk into the facility unopposed as if you own the place."

"Warden, you are in no position to negotiate."

"Actually I think I am. To be blunt, I don't know those sailors, if you kill them G.U.N. will send a hit squad after you and I'll still sleep like a baby tonight. Nothing personal, I simply don't know them. Now if you want to keep your life and get your three prisoners you'll need my help. This prison is a maze at the best of times. Even I still get a little lost so you'll need my directions to find each of your prisoners. So no Doctor, I will not deliver you your prisoners. If you want them you need to speak with me then pick them up yourself."

Dr. Starline was not pleased but considered the logistics.

"So Doctor… do we have a deal? The whiskey's on me."

"I am well aware this is just a delaying tactic to get us off the sub and inside the prison. I'm no fool. You should know we have a gun to the head of one of the sailors next to me-"

"-Do it."

Dr. Starline motioned to Fang to shoot one of the crew members.

Fang looked at Dr. Starline with a look of disgust, motioned for everyone to get behind cover, swapped out an armor piercing round for a hollow point then fired it down the empty hallway making sure to prevent a ricochet. After the echo dissipated and Dr. Starline finished glaring at Fang the Sniper, the Doctor returned to his phone call.

"It's done."

"Great, send me a picture."

"Warden, I understand you are under a great deal of stress right now, but I must ask that you think rationally about this before more lives are lost from your failure as a leader to negotiate during a crisis."

"Don't you fucking patronize me. Don't you dare do that. I have full control of my faculties and I am telling you-"

"-Warden-"

The warden was screaming into the phone to where all present in the small submarine room heard what was said, "-Don't interrupt me you shithead, I will not, I repeat, I will not risk any of my men retrieving these, frankly, psychopathic freaks. These people are depraved low lifes, good for nothing, wastes of oxygen. They are Terrorists, rapists, mass murders, and criminals of the lowest order. Just because you throw a hissy fit and refuse to leave your little submarine and maybe kill a hostage or two -which I'm not convinced you even did- that does not mean I am going to send my people to do your dirty work. You want those prisoners? Come see me, get directions, and get them yourself. You don't like that? Then blow all the hostages heads off for all I care. A special G.U.N. task force is no doubt being assembled as we speak and will be dispatched shortly and when they get here you and your men will be slaughtered like the filthy, inbred, STD ridden swine you are… assuming they don't capture and torture you first."

The Warden was heard inhaling and calming himself before speaking once more. "My point is this. Respectfully, if you want those prisoners you need to come and talk to me. We'll have some whiskey, I'll give you directions on where to go. It won't take more than five minutes. Then you'll go and get your three lucky psychopaths in exchange for three of the crewmates after which you will promptly leave my facility on the submarine you arrived on before the task force arrives. Bada boom bada bing. No hard feelings between us. My staff remains unharmed, you don't become a G.U.N. fuck toy. Everyone's happy. Now how does that sound?"

Dr. Starline sighed. "Very well Warden. Have it your way. Just know, if anyone is perceived to be a threat we will not hesitate to kill them. Naturally, that includes you. So be on your best behavior."

"Yeah, yeah, you all are real intimidating. Just hurry it up will you? I don't want this taking all day."

The line disconnected.

The Crew's faces were pale. "Sir, please spare my men. You don't have to do any of this. You have a choice over who you are and who you will be. If things don't go according to plan please spare my men-"

Dr. Starline put a gloved hand up to the Captain's mouth silencing him, "Hush Captain, everything will go according to plan. As I said we do not wish for any unnecessary harm to befall anyone-"

One of the crewmates quietly whispered to the crewmember standing next to him, "Well that was a fucking lie."

Starline continued not having heard the Sailor, "-I am sure after we've spoken to the Warden we will gather our three inmates and leave with your assistance. Then you all will have your life, your freedom, and will be free of us."

"Alright, we'll trust you, not that we have any choice in the matter…" The Captain said.

"Very good. Bark. Buster. Tie up the prisoners. Securly so there is no chance of them escaping. Once that is done we'll leave the submarine and enter the facility. We must hurry, we don't want to be here when the rapid response task force arrives."

After everyone had been tied up, Dr. Starline and the Hooligans made their way to leave the Submarine. Buster turned to follow but stopped as he felt something come over him. As if several eyes were upon him. His fur stood on end as a chill swept over his entire body. Buster looked around and noticed the crew were solemn and grieving. Some were silently sobbing while others tried to keep up their fellow crewmates spirits as they spoke words of encouragement and optimism. Several crewmates stared at Buster, as if he was their last chance of hope and salvation. As Buster was about to continue on his way to exit the submarine he heard a voice beseech him.

"Please young one. I've been watching you, you don't have the eyes of a heartless monster. None of you know what kind of man the Warden is. I have tried to shed light on his evil deeds but I could do nothing but torpedo my life's career if I persisted. The sad reality is the government and military cares not what horrible fate befalls the monsters imprisoned here. Even if it means they are tortured and murdered for the Warden's sadistic pleasure. You don't… you can't understand. You have not heard the stories I've heard… Seen the things we've had to ship back to the mainland. The body bags, soaked in blood and smelling of death. Trust me when I say the Warden is little better than the beasts he keeps locked up. I'd argue he is worse. If your team goes into that prison people are going to die. I fear your leader will want vengeance which is why I am begging you, as a Captain and as a Father, please have mercy on my men and I."

The Captain took a deep breath then continued. "We know what we are, not what we could be." That… is for you to decide. Right here, right now, at this precise moment in time. You don't have to go down this dark road. You can choose your own path. Please… I beg you. Make the right choice. Please, spare my men. Untie me and once you all have entered the prison we can leave this wretched place. Your leader is a fool and is no doubt walking toward his doom."

Buster clenched his fists. "You realize if you all escape the way you came, some other poor souls will come and we'll likely have to kill them to secure our escape. Are you willing to trade your lives for theirs?"

"I am. My responsibility is to the men in my charge… and to my family."

Buster furrowed his brow as he battled with both his consciousness and his rational mind. One half screamed that these were their hostages and their ticket out of here. The other half was not a voice at all, but rather the silent stare of his late parents. Always present in the back of his mind, watching, judging, and weeping. He quickly reminded himself that his parents are dead, that morality and ethics are learned behaviors of culture and that he should do the rational thing and leave these people as pawns to be played, used, and sacrificed. If he is to best Eggman and alter time, if not fate itself, he would have to do away with petty concepts such as ethics and morality. And yet… as he looked at his hands Buster heard the death cries of a Mother and Father whose life was ending as well as the ear piercing shrieks and screams of a terrified and sobbing infant.

Buster blinked and saw on his hands the blood of the two innocent lives he had murdered.

It haunted him.

Day and night.

Every time he fell asleep he relived that horrific day.

No matter how many times Buster tried to wash his hands or put on clean gloves the blood always remained… and it always would.

Buster stood in a horrified trance as he stared at his hands.

"Please." Whispered the Captain. "I beg you."

Buster looked from his hands back to the Captain and felt in his heart what he had to do.

"Chaos damn it."

…

"A lockdown is in effect. This is not a drill. All personnel move to your designated safe zones. Do not exit your safe zones until an all clear has been issued by the Warden. A lockdown is in effect. This is not a drill. Do not exit your safe zones until an all clear has been issued by the Warden. A lockdown is in effect-"

As Dr, Starline, Buster, and the Hooligans exited the submarine they heard an alarm blaring with an automated announcement over the intercom that was aired on repeat.

After the fifth time it repeated, the group promptly ignored it and continued on their way towards the entrance of the Prison.

Metal detectors rang out as they walked through the entryway into a vacant reception area.

"This… was not what I was expecting." Bean said as he glanced around after letting out a sigh of disappointment.

He jumped onto Bark's back as the gentle giant helped perch his friend onto his shoulder.

Bean put his hand to his chin as he squinted and wracked his brain,"Come to think of it, I expected this to be more of a break in than a walk in. Where's the gunfire? The explosions? The life threatening peril?!" Bean held onto Bark by hugging his shoulder with his legs as he leaned to the side and snagged a cup of steaming coffee that had been abandoned during the lockdown as the group walked past a receptionist desk.

In a faux posh accent Bean continued, "I do declare, someone needs to add a little excitement to this dull affair and I do believe I am just the Bean to do it." Bean lifted his pinky and took an elegant sip of coffee then transitioned to drinking the entire cup then threw it aside.

Dr. Starline took another hurried step ahead of the group and was nearly knocked over when Bean rushed past him, turned a corner and disappeared down the hall. "He's run off. Good grief that boy is high maintenance."

Fang let out a guttural groan. "You've got to be… Bark! Grab that dodo before he gets himself hurt!"

Bark began jogging then began running as fast as he could. Buster followed and ran beside him. The pair turned a corner and slid to a stop. Bark, unable to slow down in time, hurled his body into the air and over Bean's head barely avoiding crushing the small bird. Bark came to a stop upon crashing onto a wooden table, wrecking it into several pieces. Buster extended his hand and tried to to help Bark back to his feet but found himself succeeding no better than if he was trying to lift a mountain.

Bark got to his feet and politely nodded to Buster despite the latter being less than helpful in raising the white furred titan from the ground. Both Buster and Bark turned to look at Bean who was staring intently at a door.

"What's up Bean? What are you looking at?" Buster asked nervously. He did not like the look in Bean's eyes.

"This door… It has a shiny handle and a shiny number pad. There might be shinies inside of it…"

Buster looked at Bark nervously who returned an even more concerned stare.

Buster returned his gaze to Bean. "Oh, well I bet the Warden has all sorts of shines in his office. Why don't we head on over there? What do you say?"

Fang and Dr. Starline caught up to Bean, Bark, and Buster. Fang took one look at the smitten bird and his face soured.

"Oh Chaos. This ain't happening. We're moving on. We're going to the Warden's office and you are coming with us. We're not making any detours."

Fang tried to move Bean but the latter planted his feet on the ground and resisted being pulled.

"I want to go inside." Bean spoke with a dogmatic focus leaving no room for discussion or debate.

Dr. Starline lifted his glasses, and pinched his nose, then in a critical tone addressed the bird. "Bean, need I remind you we are in a deep water prison off the Coast of Federation Territory? You are not using a single bomb in-"

Bean turned to Dr. Starline with a vicious glare silencing the Platypus with a look of complete and total contempt. "-I don't take orders from you." Bean's eyes twitched and his tongue stuck out of his beak at an angle. His eyes dilated and glazed over with a look the Hooligans could only ever describe as an insane zen state lying somewhere between peace and total chaos.

Fang and Bark knew… there was no stopping him peacefully now.

Fang cursed then shouted to Bark, "Grab his hands."

Bark was too slow. The polar bear gritted his teeth as he reached for Bean. By then it was too late. Bean with a look of chaotic bliss raised his hand high in the air and in an instant a small bomb was summoned, its fuse lit.

Fang shouted louder, "Bean, do not detonate that bomb or I'll dock your pay."

"I'm going to blow it up!"

"Bean. You'll regret it-"

"-No one can stop me!"

Bark had grabbed Bean's hands but he still held onto the bomb high in the air. As his arms were about to be lowered, Bean flicked his hand forward and sent the bomb to the reinforced door, specifically, the steel locking mechanism.

"No!" Dr. Starline screamed."

Most everyone ran for cover while Buster fell to the ground and hugged his legs, "Mom… Dad… forgive me."

With one last maddening grin, Bean willed the bomb to detonate right as it hit the door handle.

The bomb detonated with an impressive explosion… for its size. Bean was sent flying backwards, his feathers charred black. He quickly recuperated and jumped to his feet to acknowledge his demolition work. The steel structure that locked the door had been compromised and severely warped in the blast.

"Oh," Buster said. "That was much less worse than I thought it would be."

Fang was livid. He stomped over to Bean and grabbed him by the bandanna and shook him. "What were you thinking? You could have gotten us killed. You could have gotten everyone in this whole damn place killed."

Fang let go of Bean and his bandanna. Fang wanted to wipe that delusion smirk off his face but stilled his hand. "Nevermind your insane ramblings. The point is we're a team. We're only as strong as our weakest link. Your stupidity could have cost every life in this underwater hell hole. When we get back, we are going to have a long talk about this."

Bean frowned and started to whimper, his lip trembling.

"Don't give me that. You had a choice, you made a decision, now you need to accept responsibility for your actions."

"C-can't you just shoot me with your popgun a half dozen times and we'll call it a lesson learned?"

Fang was seething mad but managed to contain his anger. "No. You're going to sit down when we get back and we are going to have a quiet, calm, and respectful discussion about your behavior and ways to improve it."

A look of horror filled Bean's eyes. "No. Please. Anything but that." Bean begged. "I hate the silence and the self reflection."

"Heh, too bad." Fang said.

Since the commotion had ended Buster took a look at the door frame, "Bark, I think you might be able to open this."

"What we need to do…" Fang began, "...is to get to the Warden's office and to stop wasting so much time with these detours."

"I disagree. There might be valuable intelligence to be gained from a brief inspection of the room's interior and machinery." Dr. Starline said."

"Fine, whatever, you are the one cashing the check after all."

Bark walked over and looked at the door as Buster stepped back. Bark gently pushed on the garbled metal frame. He then slammed his shoulder into it several times and on the fifth bodyslam into the door, its metal frame stretched and bent inward.

Bark ground his teeth together, then pushed the door with all his strength, bending the door inward, its hinges screeching in protest as they were slowly torn from the metal frame.

As Bark walked into the room a wrench hit him in the face. Bark recoiled in pain then recovered and stomped on the ground as he approached the small figure who had hurled the metal tool at him as he grabbed the daring creature from under a command console.

"No… no. Please don't hurt me. I was scared- please don't hurt me, I'm begging you." A rat said as he grabbed onto anything and everything he could but was easily pulled by his collar and lifted into the air where the terrified creature ran in place, his feet no longer touching the ground.

"Oh chaos, someone help me." The Rat said.

The others entered the room and looked at the Rat Bark held in the air passive aggressively.

"Well. Well. Well." Fang the Sniper began with a smug grin on his face as he twirled his revolver in his hand. "What have we found here, a filthy vermin? What do you think Bean, should we put him out of his misery?"

"Depends. Does he got any shinies on him?"

Fang smiled, "Let's find out. Bark. Shake him down."

Bark lifted the screaming and panicked rate upside down and held him by his legs, shaking him roughly. A phone, pens, and coins fell onto the ground.

"Shinies!" Bean shouted as he went to pick them off the ground.

"You want shiny things? I know where lots of shiny things are. Let me g-go and I'll tell you where they are." The rat pleaded.

Fang aimed his gun at the Rat's head as he was put by Bark back onto his feat but firmly held in place by the Polar Bears monstrous grip.

"We're looking for information. We need a digital registry of where the prisoners are and a map of this place. If I were you I'd make it snappy before my trigger finger gets twitchy."

"I'm just the prison dock manager. I don't know anything about the prisoners kept here and I really don't ever go into the prison anyway so I couldn't tell you anything. I'm real sorry. I can open the gate for you if you want to leave?"

"We don't. Or at least, not just yet." Fang the Sniper said as he cocked the hammer of his revolver. "Now, you're going to cooperate and give us information or your life is about to take a turn for the worse."

A ringing sound began to emanate from the computer console. The rat looked at the dozen screens, digital charts, and message logs that took up the entirety of one of the rooms walls. His body became stiff then went limp as his demeanor subtly changed.

"Y-you know. When you put it like that I think I can help you after all. If you let me access the control panel I can search the database and find a digital map for you. I-I can even print it if you'd like that."

Fang the Sniper cocked an eyebrow and lowered his gun. "What do you think doc? Can we trust him?"

"A map would be most helpful. I say give him a chance and if he cannot produce results then we simply kill him and move on with our day."

Fang the Sniper put his revolver in his holster, "You heard four eyes here, go get the map. If you can print a copy then even better."

Bark released his grip from the terrified Rat who shook in fear as he slowly walked to the command console. "O-okay. One moment please. I'll need to enter some commands in the computer but it w-will only take a moment."

Everyone watched as the Rat, with shaking hands, hunched over the keyboard and rapidly typed commands and retyped them as he made typos brought on by his nerves.

The Rat inhaled and exhaled loudly, as if summoning great courage then pressed enter, left, enter in the blink of an eye.

"I-It's done."

Buster squinted at the screen, "So where is the map?"

"Did you actually find it? I hope so, your life is on the line after all." Dr. Starline said coldly.

"I did. The software is old and unreliable so it usually takes a minute or two of loading before files will display."

Dr. Starline squinted his eyes suspiciously, "You mean to tell me it takes a whole minute or two for a single file to load? If I didn't know better I would assume that you want to die… or you're trying to buy time."

This is an old, underfunded, government facility, we're not up to date with the latest tech like solid state drives. Everything takes huge amounts of time to find, load, and process."

The systems hummed along.

"..."

"Step aside." Dr. Starline said as he pushed the Rat to his left and looked at the overly complicated computer display and user interface. It had nearly a dozen live feeds of the Prison's dock displayed in the top left corner of the computer screen. Strangely, one was blacked out, as if it was offline. "What is this camera feed here?" Dr. Starline said, pointing to the video feed in question.

"That is an extra video slot the prison does not utilize. We only have eleven cameras on the dock but the software is made for twelve. So it's empty."

Dr. Starline's expression turned hostile. "You must think we're stupid. Look at you, the clever little rodent. Why don't you fess up to what you've done before you really make me mad. You should know the one thing I hate most of all aside from traitors are liars. Tell me vermin, are you lying to me?"

The rat crossed his arms and hugged himself as he shook in fear. Dr. Starline stepped closer until he was right in his face, his hot breath bouncing off the rat's face and momentarily steaming his glasses. "What. Did. You. Do?"

An Alarm sounded and the previously disabled camera automatically turned back on to show the dockyard being flooded with water as giant robotic arms tracked the submarine's movements and aided it in its descent below into an unsealed chamber.

"The submarine is leaving." Starline shouted in shock and anger. "Stop it. Disable the process right now if you know what's good for you."

The Rat looked at Dr. Starline in the eyes, his shaking having died down, and simply said, "No."

Dr. Starline's nostrils flared with rage, he pushed the rat roughly, as he began typing onto the computer in an attempt to cancel the departure program.

"I put our computer into lockdown mode. You'd need a rather obnoxious code to disable it and come to think of it, I can't recall what the code is. Looks like you boys are stuck here for a while. That submarine and its crew are leaving this place and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Dr. Starline looked at the camera feed and watched in horror as Massive doors closed above the submarine. The Chamber was now sealed and slowly pressurized to match the ocean pressure, after which the submarine was once more guided by robotic arms deeper below. The camera feed automatically switched as the submarine's departure was tracked. The submarine stopped as massive industrial doors slid apart unsealing the bottom of the final chamber. The submarine now finished its descent and exited the bottom of the hollow chamber and emerged into the depths of the ocean. The submarine. now left to its own power and guidance went forward as it disappeared into the darkness of the ocean, its crew members gleefully leaving the prison behind them.

"The submarine and the hostages got away." Starline said quietly through ground teeth.

"Good. Now do to me what you will you terrorist scum. The Rat spit on Dr. Starline, the latter whose face turned red with anger as he rushed forward and grabbed the rat by his neck and started choking the life out of him.

"You are a very stupid creature no doubt. You have no will for self preservation. You lie, obfuscate, and deceive, people like you are the scum of the earth."

The Rat punched Dr. Starline in the gut then once again in the face for good measure, lightly damaging his glasses. "I don't give a damn what you think, I helped keep those people safe from psychopathic traitors like you. The warden will have your head for coming here. Mark my words."

Dr. Starline exhaled strongly then turned to Fang the Sniper, "Kill him."

"No, this guy is a waste of ammunition. Do you know how expensive hollow point rounds are these days?"

"Do you know how much I am paying you? Kill him. Now." Dr. Starline demanded.

"I'll give ya one shot. That's it. Agreed?"

"Fine. Just make it count."

Fang the Sniper pulled out his revolver and his popcap revolver and began twirling them in his hands.

"Nothing personal, ratatouille, looks like your last meal is gonna be cold lead. For what it's worth you have my respect from one hustler to another."

"Just shoot him already. We've wasted enough time as it is." Dr. Starline screamed, spit flying from his bill.

The rat looked at the camera feeds and saw the giant industrial doors close and the water slowly begin to be pumped out of the dock as it began to be drained at a painfully slow rate. The Rat closed his eyes and exhaled. "I'm ready. Do it."

"Any last words, chummer?" Fang said.

"No. Just do it already."

Fang raised his revolver, aimed at the rat's head and pulled the trigger.

The rat fell backwards with the blast as his body recoiled and flinched reflexively, he grabbed his head then began to cry out loudly and shed many tears as he assumed the fetal position.

Fang blue on the tip of his smokeless gun barrel.

Dr. Starlines eyes turned bloodshot out of anger. "What the hell are you doing? What the hell is wrong with you? Who do you think you are? I'm paying you people dammit." Dr. Starline screamed as his eye twitched.

Buster and Duck stood by in silence as the drama unfolded, the former watching nervously while the latter fiddled happily with a shiny coin he had taken from the Rat.

Bark meanwhile, walked over and gently helped the Rat up and guided him over to a chair to sit down on so he could collect his wits.

"You all are a bunch of amateurs. Soft skinned amateurs. That's it. Give me the gun. The real gun. Not that pop cap infants toy you carry." Dr. Starline started to wrestle with Fang and touched his very much real and fully loaded revolver when the platypus was grabbed by Bark the Polar Bear and slammed hard into the wall.

Bark's razor sharp jagged teeth were bare as he glared at the Scientist.

Fang slowly walked toward Dr. Starline as he adjusted his cowboy hat. He came to a stop in front of the scientist and aimed his revolver at the Platypus's head and in a sinister tone said, "No one but me touches my gun. Try to take it again and we will kill you."

The room was dead silent for a moment until Fang broke the silence once more as he put his steel revolver back into its holster.

"Other than that," Fang continued, "Keep up the great work Doc."

Fang the Sniper gently patted Dr. Starline on the cheek then walked off out of the room. Bark then released Dr. Starline and pushed him toward the door, when the Doctor foolishly tried to stand his ground and resist, Bark the Polar Bear just gave the Platypus a shove and the mammal was sent flying out the doorway which he had entered the room from. Bean rushed to keep up with Bark after the former had pocketed the shiniest and best coins while Buster took another look at the Rat.

He was huddled in the corner crying what Buster only could assume were tears of relief and joy. He wanted to tell him it would be alright… that he would be fine, but Buster did not have the courage to do so… and in truth, he did not really know if things would be alright in the end.

For either of them.

Buster turned and exited the room.

"Someone betrayed us." Dr. Starline was heard saying as Buster caught up to the small rag tag army.

"Get over it doc, I kill who I want to kill. You can give input and recommendations but that doesn't mean I gotta do as you say. Besides, we might need him later. You never know."

"No. I'm not talking about that. Someone failed to secure the hostages. No one could have entered the sub, the entrance and exit from the prison is a one way ticket in and out of here. We searched the entire sub. Every staff member was accounted for. That means either Bark or Buster betrayed us with either their incompetence or their… their…" Dr. Starline was breathing heavily as he tried and failed to contain his rage.

"It wasn't me." Buster said out of reflex.

"Dr. Starline gave Buster a deathglare. "Oh, it wasn't you? Well, it was one of you two."

Buster hid his panicked state as best he could as he stared at the other temporary allies he was with. Lastly, Buster looked at Bark, the Polar Bear gave him a perplexed look then one of sudden clarity. He subtly nodded his head an almost unnoticeable amount if it weren't for the direct eye contact Bark was giving Buster.

Bark put his hands in front of his and fiddled with his fingers, a guilty expression now bore upon his face.

"No… don't tell me Bark. You goofed up, you big sillyhead." Bean said with a laugh as he looked at the Polar Bear.

Dr. Starline snarled. "So it was you…? You absolute imbecile. You traitor. You-"

"-Whoa whoa whoa." Buster cut into the conversation. "Bark is a bad guy, he'd never do something like that on purpose. It was likely an honest mistake. Wasn't it Bark?"

Bark nodded solemnly.

Buster tsked several times, "Bark, how could you."

Bark for a split second glared at Buster. For his part Buster smiled awkwardly, gritted his teeth, then inhaled through his teeth.

"Well, this is the last time I ever hire you amateurs. The level of incompetence is almost too much for me tolerate. Definitely not worth the price I agreed to pay you." Dr. Starline said as he tended to his shirt and vest in an attempt to make himself look somewhat presentable after the recent scuffles.

"Yeah yeah whatever. We'll talk shop once we're out of this underwater labyrinth. Let's get moving." Fang said.

Dr. Starline scoffed. "Finally, an action and decision I can agree with. The sooner we can complete the mission and all part ways the better."

Everyone followed Dr. Starline and Fang the Sniper… everyone except Bark and Buster who lagged behind.

The fox stared at the Polar Bear nervously, as the latter stared at and appraised him.

Buster took several steps back as Bark approached. Bark roughly slapped Buster's left shoulder twice then extended his hand. Buster stared at it confused then carefully grasped the giant's hand with his own, fearful of his intent. Bark the Polar Bear then shook Buster's hand, patted him on the back once more, then motioned for Buster to go ahead of him.

"T-thanks Bark, you don't know how much you helped me."

With a pensive wave of his giant hand Bark swept aside any offer of thanks from the fox and as they made their way to find the Warden's office.

…

"I was wondering when y'all would show up." The Warden chuckled forebodingly under his breath then began pouring drinks for everyone. He gestured to several wooden chairs across from him and the table of whiskey. "Please, take a seat… or remain standing. Whatever you prefer. I am sure we can discuss everything like civilized beings without resorting to violence. I'm sure as hell not going to try to stop you boys so ya'll can put your guns away and have a quick chat. Then you'll be on your way. I trust this is agreeable for all parties?"

Fang cocked an eyebrow and looked to Dr. Starline who nodded. Everyone holstered their weapons.

"I'm afraid we are in a hurry so we don't have much time to spare for pleasant conversation." Dr. Starline began. "A shot or two of whiskey sounds most delightful after our travels. However, we must respectfully decline, there is no telling if it is poisoned and even if it is not, it could leave us inebriated at a critical moment."

Before the Warden could frown Fang the Sniper walked over and downed two of the shots that had been poured and placed on a small table.

"Speak for yourself lightweight." Fang said as he stared smugly at Dr. Starline before his head snapped back to the whisky. "This… this is…" Fang began to say as he looked at the bottle of whisky that stood next to a dozen filled shot glasses as Fang's eyes opened wide in shock. "This is a 50 year old spirit."

The Warden smiled. "Of course. I rarely have company here so I ensure that only the best is on hand for my guests. Consider it a gesture of good will toward a… fruitful conclusion to our business dealings."

Buster scoffed. "I wouldn't exactly call this a business arrangement."

The Warden turned to Buster, "And why not? It is transactional. We all have things we want out of this chance encounter. I wish to remain alive and you all wish to keep your freedom in addition to gaining the freedom of the three prisoners you wish to extract. It very much is a transactional business arrangement. That is, as long as we do not wish to turn to brutish and violent means to achieve our ends, which might I add, is unnecessary for you to obtain your freedom and prisoners while I am in no position to cause any of you harm."

"I must agree. The generosity and wisdom you display Warden is admirable. It is something some of my contemporaries here could certainly learn to emulate." Dr. Starline said as he glared at Fang the Sniper.

Meanwhile, Bark the Polar quietly approached the table and took a single shot and slowly sipped a tiny bit of the alcohol to ensure he savored the flavor properly. He then put the half finished shot back on the edge of the table.

Bean looked at the drink, "Ooooooh, can I try some?"

"Sure thing Bean. Knock yourself out. Just don't throw up or blow us up, alright?" Fang said with a wink and a chuckle.

"Yay!" Bean said as he grabbed a shot and swallowed its liquid contents in one gulp just as Fang had. His smile disappeared and his face became the picture definition of regret. "Oh chaos. My inside is on fire. I… I think I'm dying." Bean proceeded to cough profusely. "Am… am I dying?"

The Warden grinned, "You'll be fine kid, alcohol is an acquired taste. It doesn't always go down easily, especially at first."

"Is… is this okay? Should we really be drinking on the job?" Buster said as he contemplated trying some before deciding against it.

"It is most unprofessional as well as the height of stupidity," Dr. Starline put his hand to his head as he slowly dragged his hand across his face in frustration and anger. "For Chaos sake Fang, never mind Bean being a teenager, he is your explosive expert… and you... you're the weapons expert handling several dangerous firearms. What the hell are you two thinking?"

"You sound like my mother." Fang said with a snort as he downed a third shot."

The Warden, a tall, well built, human male, watched with a subtle self pleased grin on his face as the drama unfolded.

"That did not answer my question. What are you thinking in that empty head of yours? Your stupidity and irresponsibility is going to jeopardize our mission as well as our lives."

Fang, his face flushed, looked at the contents of a fourth shot of whiskey as he pondered the question. He then turned to Dr. Starline once his answer had been found. "I'm thinking… that someday I'll be dead, so I might as well enjoy the moment with those I care about despite our present challenges. Not everyone hides behind technology or a robot army. Some of us have had to face our foes and look 'em straight in the eyes as we aim our shot and pull the trigger, knowing that one wrong move means death. I don't expect you to understand what that kind of life was like or the things I've had to do to survive in this unforgiving world. The fact of the matter is some people drink to make memories while others drink to forget. Take a guess at which of those two I am today and which of those two I used to be… then politely shut up you technophilic prude."

Fang the Sniper downed the contents of the shot glass then slammed it onto the table.

The room was silent.

The Warden coughed awkwardly to clear the air, "Well, I'd like to take a moment to apologize for my earlier behavior. You see, I have a hot temper that easily flares up when things do not go according to plan or schedule. When I heard you all had taken hostages and demanded the release of three of my prisoners, threatening to ruin my perfect record of zero escapees and breakouts, I acted immaturely and became enraged. I apologize for not handling the situation better and I hope we can put what was said behind us and focus on finding a peaceful resolution to our current predicament."

Fang the Sniper playfully jabbed the Warden in the leg. "Sounds good to me, Warden. Heck, with whiskey this good I'd forgive you even if you hit on my sister." Fang's face toughened and his features turned to that of a glare. "Don't actually hit on my sister."

The Warden let out a hardy laugh and smiled as he observed the alcohol starting to affect the small stetsen wearing creature. "Don't you worry now, I'd never so much as dream of it."

"I couldn't help but notice you haven't had a drink." Buster said as he squinted his eyes suspiciously at the Warden. "Is it not customary to drink with your own guests?"

"Right you are. However, it saddens me to say that I have been drunk since this morning. Now, all I have left is a headache and a nauseous feeling. I did not expect to be having guests so I hope you will not hold it against me for not making a greater fool of myself."

"That is surprising to hear. You speak rather eloquently for someone who is intoxicated."

"What can I say little fox, It's just my southern charm working its magic. Would you rather I be an incoherent mess? Maybe piss my pants a little for ya?"

"It's just very 's all."

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I reckon we all have bigger problems to worry about than your feelings. Wouldn't you agree, Doctor?"

Dr. Starline was slowly losing his patience as the seconds ticked onward. "I really couldn't care less. Let's just begin the talks already, shall we? We've wasted enough time as it is. I need you to access your prisoner registry. I need to find three specific prisoners and I recall you saying it would take no more than five minutes."

"I did say that, didn't I?"

"I certainly hope you can honor your word. It would be most regrettable if you are found to have deceived us."

"Relax, there is no need to get your knickers in a knot. What are the names?" The Warden said as he contradicted his previous statement and poured himself a shot of whiskey, raised the shotglass to Buster with a patronizing grin, then swallowed the contents.

"I have their names written right here." Dr. Starline reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. He handed it to the Warden who looked at the list of names, his face turning pale.

"Y-you want him? Are you insane? What on earth do you want with these people?"

"That is none of your concern. Now, where are they located? Our clock is ticking as is yours."

"We just admitted him too." The Warden grumbled as he stared at the list of names he had been given. He pulled out his phone and began typing on it.

"You know what? Forget I even asked. You all can have him. He is tied up in the Medical Wing of the prison."

"The Medical Wing? He's injured? How severe are his injuries?"

The Warden entered the names of Rough and Tumble then paused and processed the question. "You know, I never cared to ask. I'm sure the guards and medical personnel have taken good care of him. Never mind that detail, the other two psychos you're looking for will be in the F wing. Cell 10. It's on the way."

"Great. We'll also take a map."

"What do I look like? A park ranger? This is a top secret prison not a national park. There ain't any maps here. Just follow the names, lines, and arrows on the wall until you reach your destination. It's really not that complicated. I'll guide you from my office as you reach each of the checkpoints. Those checkpoints have cameras so I can monitor you all from here. The rest of the prison… not so much."

"Actually you will be joining us. You will take us to them." Dr. Starline said sternly.

"Yeah, no. That's not happening." The Warden said.

"Oh really? Are you sure that is a wise decision when your life is in our hands?"

"Yes. It is. First of all, if I go down there you aren't getting into anything. All the cells and connectors are controlled remotely. Since we're in lock down only I can open the way for you. To do that I cannot leave this room. Secondly, even if I could go with you I wouldn't. I am not exactly popular with the prisoners. If I went down there there is nothing you can do to keep them from killing me once you let them out. I'd be a deadman, and a dead man can't give directions back to the exit."

"Fine. So be it. Everyone. We're leaving. Now. We've wasted enough time." Dr. Starline said.

Bark finished the remainder of his first shot then nodded to the Warden while Fang the Sniper downed two more.

Everyone except the Warden began to exit the room. Last to leave were Bean and Buster.

"So… how did it taste?" Buster said.

Bean retched and heaved at the memory, the taste of the whiskey still fresh on his mind and tongue. "It tasted like pee that had been lit on fire."

"Ew, I'm glad I didn't drink any." Buster said.

As Buster and Duck exited the room and closed the door to the Warden's office behind them, neither had noticed the change in Warden's expression to that of absolute scorn.

The Warden stared at the alcohol he had reluctantly squandered, his face growing in contempt as he reached for his phone, then dialed a number.

"O ye of little faith, as promised, the situation is still under our control and has even evolved to our benefit. I want no mercy for anyone, least of all those damn intruders. The time has finally arrived for our loyalty and service toward the United Federation to be put to the test. Have the boys ready to move on my command."

The Warden ended the call.

All that was left for the Warden to do now was to watch the cameras and wait…

…

"Ignore them Bean. Their words are the only power they have left. Bark and I won't let anything happen to you." Fang said as he put his hand on Bean's back to reassure him.

"Y-yeah." Bean said.

As the impromptu team walked down Cell Block C to reach the checkpoint that led to Cell block F, the prisoners continued to chime in one after the other with each prison cell the group passed.

"That's a nice looking duck you boys got there. Wouldn't mind if I had him stuffed."

"Hello, hello, hello, who do we have here? Say, why not help me out of this joint? I'd be eternally grateful. I'd off anyone you want. Just help a guy out."

"I'm going to tear off your dicks and shove them down your throats. When I get out of here I'm going to murder everyone you know. I'm gonna-"

"Please! Let me out! I'm innocent. I was framed by the mob. I didn't kill anyone. Oh Chaos please believe me! You have to believe me!"

"Just keep walking. Ignore them." Fang said.

Eventually the group reached the transfer zone that connects C Wing to the D Wing.

The Transfer zone was extremely secure. Normally only one prisoner would be brought through at a time under armed guard. They would go through a series of gates, that is, a series of enclosed, locked, areas, then the prisoner would proceed until the prisoner reached the next Wing of the prison. This system prevented any unwanted prisoners from entering any Wing or area without explicit permission from the guards and allowed guards on both sides of the Transfer Zone to keep an eye on the prisoner and escort moving between the two connected wings.

Now, however, the gates were locked and refused to open.

Dr. Starline tapped the camera that no doubt was watching them. "Any day now Warden."

The group waited another minute and became more conscious of the attention they had drawn. Several prisoners kept watchful eyes on the group as they held onto the steel bars of their cell.

Dr. Starline's nostrils flared in anger as he shouted, sounding ever more nervous and desperate as the seconds ticked onward. "Warden. Open the way and let us through this instant."

Aside from the laughter of prisoners no other sound was heard.

Then the intercom to the prison wing they were in came to life with a fit of static that soon dissipated revealing the rustic patronizing tone of the Warden.

"There has been a change of plans. I'd say I'm sorry, but that would be a lie. In fact, I should thank you. You are doing the Federation and the world a great service."

"What the hell are you talking about? We had a deal. An agreement." Dr. Starline ground his teeth and balled his fists."

"You sound so surprised and hurt. I find that most amusing. Perhaps this is a taste of your own medicine? Regardless, I don't owe scum like you a damn thing. Least of all a reason or excuse. I mean, come on. Did you seriously think your pathetic little team had any chance at all? Do you have any Idea where you are or who you've fucked with? This Prison is a blacksite. It doesn't even exist as far as most of the government is concerned, and you know who gets sent here? Terrorists, psychopathic murderers, serial rapists. As far as I and others are concerned. The only reason any of these… wild beasts are still breathing, and have not been put down for the greater good of humanity is the simple matter of economics. The death penalty is so damn expensive. Not the lethal injection mind you, but due process. The fifth and fourteenth amendments are real bitches. Fortunately we had a work around but we still cant execute them without a whole heap of legal proceedings. So… this brings me back to my initial point. You vermin are doing me and the Federation a great service today. So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you."

The radio went silent.

"This, demented egomaniac. He's forced my hand. Time for plan B." Dr. Starline flexed his glove and created a portal that appeared next to him and on the other side of the transfer zone in the D wing. "Let's move quickly."

As the group ran through the portal then continued down the hallway toward the E Wing the intercom blared to life. This time it was louder and it echoed and rang out from each hallway in the facility as the Warden spoke once more."

"That was a very interesting trick. I'm not sure what crazy technology you have on you… but rest assured, I'm going to find out real soon. Attention all prisoners. This is your Warden speaking. Pay close attention to what I'm about to say. I understand you have been cooped up in your cells for the better part of the day and are feeling restless. The reason this has happened is because we have had some unwelcome guests break into the prison.. These intruders are a Fox, a Duck, a Polar Bear, and a Platypus. Now, I'm going to let you all out of your cells to hunt them down. When you find these intruders, I want you to kill them. Each severed limb you bring myself or a guard will be one week's worth of good eatin. We're talking steak and greens, shrimp and lobster, and homemade meatloaf with cheesy mashed potatoes just like mama used to make. Hell, I'll even take requests if there is a particular meal you have missed after so many years stuck in this hellhole you all call home. All you have to do is kill one of the intruders and present the remains… or pieces of remains… to myself or guard as physical proof. That's all there is to it. Happy hunting."

The radio fell silent only to be replaced by the growing shouts of the prisoners.

The group swallowed nervously as they heard the shouting get louder and more uniform. It rose from an unintelligible dumble of sound into a singular deafening chant that was heard echoing throughout the prison.

Three words.

"Let us out! Let us out! Let us out! Let us out! Let us out!"

Then a deafening buzz was heard and each cell door and inter-wing connecting doors opened all at once.

One of the prisoners looked down then shouted and pointed at the intruders and soon a mass of legs and limbs flooded toward the Hooligans, Dr. Starline, and Buster.

Then all hell broke loose.

"Run." Fang said as he pulled the arms of Bean who was momentarily stunned. In seconds they all were running down the hall with Dr. Starline and Bark catching up from the rear.

A large lion exited his cell and began charging at them as he roared a blood curdling cry, intent on tearing them to shreds.

Fang pulled out his popcap revolver and shot the lion in the face several times until the lion was struck in the eye. Fang used his tail as a spring to launch himself into the air and threw his weight into his legs and slammed his whole body's weight, feet first, into the face of the disorientated lion. Knocking him to the ground and breaking his nose in the process.

The group ran for their life but stopped soon after realizing they were surrounded.

The prisoners drew closer with each passing second and soon a prisoner tried to grab Dr. Starline but Bark intercepted him and slammed the prisoner into the bars of a nearby cell.

Buster and Fang the Sniper had pulled out their revolvers and nervously aimed it at the mass of arms and demented smiles that got ever closer to them. The pair yelled for everyone to stay back. Those in the front stopped out of fear of being shot and tried to back up but the growing horde pushed them forward either out of ignorance, malice, or apathy.

The group was trapped.

Some prisoners showed no fear or sanity and charged forward ahead of the pack.

Bark stepped forward to meet them.

Approaching Bark the Polar Bear and the group were a handful of prisoners who were grinning ear to ear at the fun they were about to have. In the front was an enormous Hippo. Easily outweighing Bark and a foot taller to boot.

Dr. Starline tried to make a portal but he could not see the other side of the mob of prisoners. He tried jumping but had no luck.

A bold prisoner swiped at Dr. Starline, attempting to grab his neck or hit him in the process but the Doctor ducked and threatened retaliation if he continued.

"Bean, make a bomb." Fang shouted.

"What?" Bean said.

We need you to make a bomb right now." Fang said

Bean looked around himself, saw the mob of grinning prisoners closing in… and froze.

He watched in one second as Bark was stabbed by a makeshift shiv in his gut by the massive hippopotamus. The Gentle Giant had held his arms together in front of his face, elbows straight, his legs kept separate. The hippo ripped out the shiv sending blood flying out after it but Bark the Polar Bear merely ground his teeth harder. Bark threw his fist forward right as he twisted his back foot launching his right hand all the way across his body to collide with the hippos face with concussion inducing speed that left the Hippo dazed by the perfectly executed cross punch.

The hippopotamus staggered back. One step. Then another.

Blood still oozing from the incision on his chest, Bark rushed forward and grabbed the Hippo by his orange prison shirt with his outstretched right hand and before Bean could blink, Bark had thrown a left hook pulverizing the hippos Jaw.

The blow contained so much force it looked like the hippos head and eyes rattled around in his head.

The hippo fell to the ground and Bark leapt onto him as if possessed and delivered blow after blow to the Hippos face only for Bark to be swarmed by the other prisoners who punched, stabbed, and delivered blows of their own to his whole body. Bark let out a blood thirsty warcry and stood to his feet as he began punching and throwing the swarm of prisoners around the room. His white fur turned to a polka dot of crimson red before Bean's eyes.

It had only been six seconds when Fang once more screamed for Bean to create a bomb.

At that moment Dr. Starline jumped on Fang's back to the annoyance and confusion of the latter.

"I can almost see it." With the added elevation gained Dr. Starline peered over the crowd and was finally able to summon a portal so they could perform a tactical retreat.

"Portal's up. Run." Dr. Starline screamed as he fell off of Fang and landed on his feet.

Dr. Starline, Buster, and a bloodied Bark ran through the portal and emerged on the other side.

Upon entering the portal Bark fell to his knees as he came down from his high of adrenaline and took account of his wounds. Fang was positioned to be the next to enter the portal as he grabbed Bean by the hand and jumped through the portal with Bean right behind him-

Only Fang emerged from it.

"-Bean? Bean!" Fang screamed as he looked around the group in horror until his vision turned back to the portal and what remained on the other side.

Fang's eyes dilated as he saw Bean pulled in every direction by a grotesque mass of arms.

Chants, war cries, and laughter filled the E-Wing as Bean was seemingly swallowed whole by the crowd as the small green bird fell to the ground.

To his everlasting horror, Fang saw a terrified Bean be picked up by the lovecraftian mass of limbs. They immediately began pulling the small bird in every direction which caused Bean to let out a death cry as the fatality of his situation registered in his mind.

Buster mentally processed the meaning of the cry as a raw… ultimately futile… fear and rejection of a death that was simply… inevitable… unavoidable… and imminent.

As the scream of abject terror and desperation traveled through the air and into Fang the Sniper's ear's something changed in him.

Something that had long been left dormant awoke in him.

Fang grabbed Buster's revolver and lept back through the portal.

He put the barrel to the head of the first grinning prisoner he came to that was pulling on Bean's arm.

Fang the Sniper pulled the trigger.

Before the body had hit the ground, Fang the Sniper turned to his left.

Another trigger pull.

Another body hit the ground.

Several prisoners turned to the gunman and swarmed him.

One of them was shot through the neck.

One prisoner that got too close for comfort was shot in the groin, the prisoner screamed and recoiled in pain, as it did so its jaw hung open allowing the perfect followup shot through the mouth. The body was dead before it hit the ground, its brain decoration for the previously pristine prison floor.

The next prisoner, a large rhino, took a bullet to the chest but the round bounced off his bullet resistant hide.

He was shot through the eyes in quick succession.

Bean's cries and screams grew louder and stronger as Fang first heard then saw him stretched, nearly ripped apart like wet paper mache. A bone in his leg twisted in an unnatural direction and was left poking out of him.

Fang carefully but efficiently unloaded his revolvers at the horde that was stretching and tearing into Bean. When the revolvers ran empty he holstered them in the blink of an eye and swung around his lever action rifle and pulled the trigger.

A custom loaded 45-70 Government round tore through several of the prisoners as they fell to the ground dead or gravely injured.

One side of the mob dropped Bean the Dynamite as panic ensued. Whereas seconds ago the mob had been gleefully tearing apart a teenage child, now a large swath of them were dead or dying on the ground as Fang simply… ended them… with lethal efficiency.

The other side of the mob met a similar fate. They too were not given the chance to fight or run and were unceremoniously executed in quick succession as Fang the Sniper fired eight rounds with what to Buster seemed to be supernatural speed and precision.

Fang the Sniper stepped over a mound of corpses as the gunpowder cleared from the air.

"You're okay. You're okay. We're going to get you home. You're going to be okay."

Bean Tried to stand up He sobbed as he weakly fell into Fang's chest as the latter delicately picked him up off the ground and carried him back through the portal.

Tears streamed down both Fang's and Bean's face as the portal was closed behind them.

"I-I'm sorry. I froze. I just froze." Bean said weakly.

"It's okay. You're okay now. We're going to get you out of here."

Bean choked back his tears as hither to unfathomable pain scorched through his body.

"I love you." Bean said as he passed out.

Tears streamed down Fang's… or rather, Nack's eyes.

"I know." He whispered.

…

"I'm going to kill him." Fang muttered.

Dr. Starline turned to Fang the Sniper, "Remember the plan-"

A single glare from the Fang the Sniper immediately shut Dr. Starline up.

Buster was reloading his revolver that Fang had returned to him while Fang carefully carried a passed out Bean the Dynamite.

"Fang, Bean is going to be okay." Buster said.

"I know he is, now let's get this shitty job over with, kill the Warden, then leave."

"I just thought I'd remind you." Buster said.

"I know. Don't waste my time." After a moment of silent reflection Fang added, "Hey kid. Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Strange how there are no prisoners here…" Dr. Starline said as he looked at the empty cells they walked past.

"Not all cells likely have prisoners." Buster began. "There would be advantages to keeping prisoners separated and sequestered. The arrangement likely helps to instill in the prisoners a feeling of powerlessness, it also prevents organization and communication with possible rebellious elements as well as making them all easier to control through fear and intimidation."

"Oh yeah? You speaking from experience, kid?" Fang said.

"Huh? Of course not… why do you ask?" Buster said.

"Because I have been a prisoner before and all it did was make me desire revenge and my freedom all the more. No one, no matter how deserving, enjoys being treated like an expendable, feral beast. It breaks you down from the inside and leads to a lot of dark thoughts and darker paths. Believe me kid. I almost went mad and lost myself. A better part of me is still there, trapped behind those thick steel bars…"

Fang's speech trailed off as he stared ahead of him.

"You were in Prison? I know I'm the last person to be saying this but you don't strike me as the type to be in Prison." Buster said.

"I wasn't. I said I was a prisoner. I never said I was in a Federation Prison. There is a difference. A minor one, but a difference never-the-less."

"What do you mean?" Buster said.

Fang looked at Buster. As he did so his jaw tightened as he subconsciously gnashed his teeth. "There are many people in the world who would throw someone into a pit of darkness to save their own hide. Especially if it saves their own hide. I had a job once. The job turned sour and a so-called ally shot me in the thigh and left me as a living distraction so he could make his escape. Turns out the people I was stealing from were in a generous mood so I was kept as a slave instead of receiving a necktie."

"Why would you…" Buster began to ask when Fang ran a finger down along his neck in a single sharp motion.

"Today, I'm lucky to be both alive and free."

"That really happened?"

"It did."

"How did you get out? Who did you steal from? Who betrayed you?" Buster asked, to Fang's irritation.

"Eh, that's all in the past now." Fang the Sniper said with a slight wave of his hand. "Besides, that's not my point. What I'm getting at is that for six months I was treated worse than a beast. In their eyes I wasn't even worth the scraps of food they gave me to keep me from starving. Then there were the bone breaking beatings…"

"Oh Chaos. Fang. I'm… I'm sorry." Buster started to say.

"Don't be. You didn't do anything, and it was my own choices and failings that got me in that cell in the first place."

"Still though…"

"Look kid, you're getting distracted by the details. The point I'm trying to make is that you can break someone's body. You can imprison someone in a freezing cell of despair. You can rip everyone they love out of their life and isolate them so they have nothing and no one… but unless you truly break their mind, their spirit, dare I say, their soul, unless you destroy every shred of their being, it won't matter how strong you are or how feeble their own strength is. They will endure. It may be a hellish existence but they will endure. They will look at you with tears in their eyes as they curse your name and little by little they will bide their time until..."

"... Until? Until what? Until they get revenge?" Buster asked anxiously.

Instead of immediately answering, Fang the Sniper's face grimaced with disappointment as he stared at the young fox. After a second, Fang the Sniper gave Buster the answer he sought.

"Until they are free. So, this little rant of mine brings us back to these prisoners we were talking about, real and metaphorical. It's not the muscular ones with a chip on their shoulder acting tough you need to worry about. It's the quiet ones. The ones who watch every move you make and wait silently… patiently… for a moment to enact calculated violence. Those are the ones you need to keep an eye on Buster. Because if freedom is worth dying for… it's also worth killing for too. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"I… I think I do." Buster said.

"Good. Now let's catch up with the others."

The two stragglers caught up and the group continued on their journey to the F-wing.

They rounded a corner to see the prisoners of the E-wing in each prison cell in groups of two or three.

Blood covered the floor of the hallway in trails and puddles painting a story of exceptional violence.

The prisoners were cowed and dejected. Not even bothering to stare at the newcomers to the F-wing.

There they all sat, at least, those that still could, bloodied and bruised while those less fortunate softly sobbed on the ground with equally broken bodies and spirits all the while cellmates feebly tended to their wounds.

"What on earth happened here?" Fang said.

"I haven't seen anyone so… objectively defeated. Who could have done this to all of them?" Buster said as he nervously looked at each of the cells and its occupants.

"No… it was not the work of one person. It has to be them." Dr. Starline said.

The group heard the brothers before they saw them run out from open and parallel prison cells past one another, then strike a pose while moving in unison as they began shouting.

"We searched high."

"We searched low."

"We kicked the tail of every foe."

"Steak and greens are up for grabs."

"Be in awe as we kick your ass."

"Bow before the King's of F-Wing."

"Rough-"

"And Tumble-"

"-Are in the ring!"

"-Are in the ring!"

A beat passed as the group stared at the two skunks who had frozen in what the group could only assume had been a pre-planned and choreographed introduction and pose.

After a second or two passed Buster grinned, still suffering from an adrenaline rush and impaired judgment. He simply could not help himself as his genius intellect went to work creating the most epic burn in history… or so he thought to himself.

"You two have bars,

I'll give you that,

But your rhymes are awfully flat,

I've traveled for some time, across time and space,

Trust me when I say your act was a total disgrace.

I shouldn't have expected much from a couple of skunks,

In short your rhymes sounded like they belong in a dump.

The larger of the two, the skunk who called himself Tumble, growled and said, "Amateur! You said time twice!"

Without missing a beat the smaller of the two skunks, the one who had called himself Rough, stomped forward with eyes that thirsted for blood as he began a rhyme that his brother joined in to complete:

"Call me short, I'll take that in strive, insult our rymes, I'll fucking cook you alive!

"Forget the steak and greens, we're eating Fox tonight Tumble-"

"These pansies ain't ready for a Rough and Tumble!"

A .357 round ricocheted off the ground between the legs of Rough and Tumble.

Smoke exited the barrel of Fang's revolver. "I'm not in a good mood so if you want to continue your musical career you're going to be perfectly mannered and listen to what we have to say or else your duet is getting canceled."

Rough and Tumble Raised their hands without a hint of shame then said in a rhyme:

"Please don't shoot."

"Y-yeah. We love talking."

"Let's cut a deal."

"Then we'll get to walking."

"Good. Good." Fang said as he holstered his revolver and readjusted Bean who still clung to his body while slung on his shoulder.

"Excellent, we've been trying to find you-" Starline said.

"-Psych!"

Buster and Fang the Sniper's eyes widened and both moved out of the way as Tumble picked up Rough and hurled him towards the group's formation… straight toward Dr. Starline."

"Stink Bomber!" Rough said as he secreted a trail of abhorrent noxious musk that quickly spread out and enveloped Tumble's half of the hallway. It was so thick it acted like a smoke screen and completely hid the larger skunk.

Fang and Buster covered their nose and mouths and had spread out and thus were spared from the worst of the stench as they breathed in as little oxygen as they could.

Dr. Starline was not so fortunate.

"My eyes.' The scientist screamed.

Buster turned as he saw the smaller skunk called Rough fly past him leaving a trail of thick musk he was sure he would pass out if he smelled it directly as Dr. Starline had.

"Well well who do we have here? If it isn't dinner!"

Buster turned and pulled out his revolver and shot a single round at the Skunk. The bullet ricocheted off his leg."

"What the-"

Rough punched Buster in the gut. It took everything he had not to throw up the coffee and jerky he had consumed earlier.

"Wow. You can take a punch. I'll give you that. Let's see how your head takes it."

Buster recovered and raised his revolver once more to fire when his hand was grabbed. Out of fear of having his hand crushed he quickly let go of his revolver.

"Good choice." The skunk said with a devilish grin as he in a single hand's grasp crushed the steel weapon until it was broken beyond repair. "Now I'm going to crush your face. Don't worry. I'll try to let you live so you can regret ever daring to speak to me."

Another shot from Fang's revolver whizzed past the skunk's head.

"The next shot will kill you. Stand down-"

-An arm grasped around the neck of Fang the Sniper as he was lifted off the ground. His gun was aimed at the head of Rough but to Buster's confusion he hesitated.

He did not pull the trigger.

"On second thought, I'll think I'll have you pass out then beat the crap out of you while you're unconscious so I can listen to the sweet sound of you crying as you awaken. Then I'll-"

Bark appeared towering behind Rough as the smaller of the two skunks was grabbed and hurled into the bars of a nearby cell. With Fang, Bean, and Buster now safe Bark smashed his fists together as he walked toward Rough and picked him off the ground.

The skunk, more dazed than injured, shouted, "Help me brother!"

Tumble screamed "Here comes Tumble!" as he charged out of the smoke and tackled Bark to the ground and started pummeling his face as he straddled the polar bear.

Rough stood up and ran over to his Brother and started kicking Bark in his head and ribs.

Fang ran over and hurled the butt of his lever action rifle onto the head Tumble but was then hurled across the hallway unceremoniously as an unconscious Bean the Dynamite flew through the air as well.

Buster ran and caught the adorable duckling then handed him back to Fang who had picked himself up from the ground. Buster, seeing Bark in trouble, ran over and punched Tumble in his ribs only for his hand to feel like it nearly broke.

Tumble looked over at the fox who just tried to hurt him and scoffed. He raised his hand and lightly pushed the fox, sending him flying backwards into the wall of one of the open prison cells.

Those few seconds were all bark needed to create an opening as he wrestled Tumble on the ground unpinning himself and got to his feet.

Rough slid around Bark and jumped on his back as Tumble stepped forward only for Bark to grab Rough and throw him at Tumble then punch the former in the face as the larger skunk caught his brother.

Tumble growled as blood ran down his nose in a single line. He tossed his brother to the jail bars where Rough grabbed and pried off a steel bar then threw it back to his brother.

Tumble caught the steel bar and grinned. He stepped forward then struck.

Bark, unamused and unimpressed, grabbed the steel bar mid swing out of his hands, threw it into the face of Rough, then with both hands grabbed Tumble by his neck and arm, and began to lift him off the ground only to end up kicked in the balls.

Bark dropped his foe due to the pain.

The three found themselves standing in a triangle as they readied themselves to fight another round...

"You idiots, we're trying to free you two from the prison." Dr. Starline shouted after having regained a small part of his sight and his ability to think and breathe.

"This some kind of trick?" Tumble said.

"It is no trick. Clearly we are not prisoners here. Our only purpose is to free you two from the prison along with another. I have work for you. It's an offer you will be most pleased with but this is not the time or place for discussing such matters. Rest assured we are all allies."

"Temporary allies" Fang the Sniper said as he glared at Dr. Starline.

Bark grunted in agreement while scowling at the skunks.

"So you really means it? You all are here to break us out of this joint?" Rough said.

"Yes. So let's all stop this senseless violence and let us depart with the utmost haste. Time is of the essence."

"Well why didn't you say so from the beginning?" Tumble said as he lowered his fists and exited his fighting stance.

Rough nodded as he did the same. "Yeah, now you've just wasted alls ours time when we could have been getting out of this joint. And ya call us idiots?"

"Yeah. Idiots." Tumble said.

Buster massaged his neck and back, "So Rough and Tumble was it?"

"Yeah, I'm Rough." Rough, a blue-gray and cream fur skunk that had a tall cream mohawk that extended down to his back towards a cream colored tail, pointed to himself. Grinning daggers as he did so, his red eyes and yellow sclera perfectly matched the red and yellow gloves and boots he wore.

"And I'm Tumble." The muscular and tall skunk with cream and beige fur and a mohawk that ran down his back to the ends of a stub where his tail once was pointed to himself as his pink triangular nose and short ears bristled. His eyes were black with red sclera accented by purple bags under his eyes and he wore two black, spiked bracelets and boots with gold buckles on them.

"And now that we joined the team…"

"Your luck just doubled!"

"Let's hope so." Fang the Sniper said as he started walking down the hallway with Bean still held carefully in his arms as.

"At least our luck can't get any worse."

The group froze and stared at Bean who had awoken and spoken.

"Bean!" Fang said as his and Bark's face lit up upon seeing Bean

Bean's face contorted in pain and he was clearly struggling to hold back tears but his mischievous little grin never failed to put a smile on the Hooligans faces.

"Are you in pain?" Fang said.

"Yeah. My leg really hurts."

"We should be able to find some medical equipment in the medical wing." Dr. Starline said.

Bark nodded confidently.

"I know we will, and when we do we'll make sure your injury is tended to and with rest you'll be good as new." Fang said.

"Do… do you think our luck will hold out?" Bean said as he grimaced and choked back tears.

"There is no such thing as luck." Buster matter of factly said with Dr. Starline chiming in his agreement.

"No luck? At all?"

"I believe in luck. Even if these scientific weirdos disagree. Fang the Sniper said.

Buster sighed, "If luck does exist then you jinxed us. However, since luck is a concept that was made up to represent our lack of understanding of probability it really does not matter what you say so don't even worry about it Bean… for what it's worth I believe our odds only grow stronger as we press onward."

"No, we're definitely jinxed." Rough said.

"Maybe their misfortune is our gain and we'll get to pummel people." Tumble said.

"Yeah. That's right. One man's pain is another's gain!"

Bean ignored them and looked at Fang the Sniper as he struggled not to cry and barely contained his tears. "Fang, will… will I be able to walk again someday?"

Fang the Sniper sighed. "Bean you dumb dodo head, of course you will. But if not we'll get you a super cool robot leg with jets and rockets. The shiniest metal you've ever seen."

"That would be really cool."

"It would, but your leg should be just fine so don't get your hopes up. We both know the last thing I want to do is spend money on you goobers."

"Yeah I know."

"But for you… I would."

Everyone was quiet for a moment as they walked. Amongst the brisk footsteps Bean quietly whispered to Fang the Sniper.

"Thank you for caring about me."

"Hmph, what did you expect? I'm the leader. You're the lackey and our explosives expert. You got any idea how hard I'll have to bust my butt if anything happened to you? Do you really think Bark and I could handle explosives half as well as you can? We'd blow ourselves up."

Bean started to chuckle but stopped as pain coursed through his body bringing tears to his eyes once more.

"It's good to have you back." Fang the Sniper said.

Bean smiled, "It's good to be back."

Then once more Bean fell unconscious.

…

"Outta the way unless you wants your face smashed in." Tumble shouted at the prisoners ahead of the group.

"Yeah, smashed like a pancake." Rough added.

To the group's pleasant surprise Rough and Tumble had something of a reputation for being Ruthless, cruel, and violent so the prisoners scattered and spread out for the group as they moved forward towards their destination.

Tumble stopped dead in his tracks on a whim. "You. What were you looking at?"

"M-me?" Said a prisoner. "N-nothing?"

"Nothing? You were looking at my tail. Er, what's left of it. I oughta pound your face in." Tumble stepped closer to the terrified prisoner.

"I wasn't looking, I swear."

"You heard him Tumble. He said he was looking at nothing. We can't let that insult stand." Rough said maliciously.

"P-please…"

"How are you going to make it up to me?"

"I'll… I'll give you my dessert for a month, no, for three months."

"All right. But next time, your face will be so swollen you won't be able to see anything. That will keep you quiet about my tail. Or am I being unreasonable?"

"No. No. You're most reasonable, and, er, handsome too."

Buster walked quietly over to the three, "Uh, you do remember we're all… you know. Wink. wink."

"Wink, wink? What do you… oh. Right. I forgot." Tumble said.

"Forgots what? Rough said.

"That we're leaving." Tumble then winked twice with great exaggeration.

"Oh, mincemeat. I totally forgot too! Good thing foxy here is so smart with remembering stuff."

Buster did not like the tone of voice that Rough spoke to him with. It made him feel uneasy.

"He's so smart." Tumble added vindictively. "I'm glad we didn't cook him alive or squash his head."

"So glad." Rough said.

"Thanks, it was really nothing." Buster said awkwardly.

"Are you talking about my tail?" Tumble said with a growl. "Did you just say my tail is really nothing?"

"How disrespectful." Rough said with a sadistic grin.

"What? No, I was talking about-"

"Hey-" Fang the Sniper began to say as he stepped between Buster and the skunks but was pushed back by Tumble who wagged his finger at him. Bark stepped forward and glared at the two skunk brothers as he cracked his knuckles.

Dr. Starline stepped forward. "This behavior is barbaric and uncouth and a detriment to our mission-"

"-Relax, tough guys or we'll really hurt him and four eyes, now we did not understand a word you said so please shut up and let us finish our friendly chat. So fox boy. Let us ask you this. You know what Tumble does to people who make fun of his tail? I'll tell ya. They either get their face smashed in or they lose a body part of their own. True story. No one was laughing after we did that the first time we got here." Tumble said.

"I didn't-"

"So what's it gonna be fox boy. What part do you want ripped off? An ear? Your prick? Maybe yer tail?"

"You touch him again and you'll be losing more than just one body part when we're done with you." Fang the Sniper said.

Bark nodded.

"Why don't we all just relax. Oh look! The Medical Wing is next. We're nearly there. Wow. Isn't that great news?" Dr. Starline said as he began to sweat profusely.

The brothers ignored the threats and pleading.

"Yeah, there's an idea, Tumble. We could stuff it and you could wear it around your waist. Wouldn't that look cute on you."

"It would." Tumble Said.

Buster stepped backward.

Tumble stepped closer then slapped the back of Buster. "Ha. We got 'em good. Should have seen the look on all your faces. Bwah ha ha." Tumble said after which he mimicked Buster's and Fang's panicked and livid facial expression.

Buster was not amused but he quickly controlled his anger and pushed it deep inside him. "Yeah, you got me real good there. As the Doctor said, we're nearly at the medical wing. That's our last stop so we should get going." Buster mentally moved the two brothers higher onto his mental list of hated people he planned to see come to ruin.

"Don't need to tell us twice." The brothers said ecstatically.

Buster rolled his eyes as the group continued walking uneventfully toward their objective.

Duck's eyes fluttered open and his voice was shaky. "Are… are we there yet?"

After ensuring no harm was about to come to Buster, Bark stepped closer to Fang so he could better listen to Bean.

"We're almost there, pheasant. Just rest for now. We might need you to blow something up at some point."

"We should hope not!" Dr. Starline suddenly shouted from behind them with great distress.

"Why…" Bean began then stopped as he grimaced in pain.

"Yes? What is it Bean? Talk to us when you're ready."

"Why… why is the doctor's room so far away?"

"I don't know Bean. I do know we're going to find what we need to make a splint for your leg. Some painkillers too. We'll find the last prisoner then we'll all leave this place."

"But our submarine."

"We'll steal another one. I'm sure it is as the Warden said. A team is on their way. I bet it will be a real nice sub too! A top secret military submarine with an ice cream bar. Heh, you both may be my mooks but I know how to treat my team right after a job well done. I'm thinkin you both earned a shopping spree in the good ol' black market. Aren't I a generous Boss?"

Bark nodded then stopped short as he pondered the backhanded compliment.

"Fang?"

"Yes Bean?"

"I've tried really hard to be tough but I'm in a lot of pain."

Fang's features softened and the cocky persona he had put on melted away as he looked at Bean the Dynamite. "I know. It's okay to cry Bean. You're a valuable part of the Hooligans. No one is going to judge you. If anyone does Bark and I will beat the snot out of them. Do what you need to do. We'll be there soon."

Bean's lip trembled and he started to whimper then burst into tears. "It hurts so much."

"I know. I know. You'll be okay. I promise. Cry as much as you need to."

Fang and Bark immediately gave Rough and Tumble a look that promised them that should they say anything at all, they would regret it.

"We've got you Bean. You'll be okay."

…

After crying his heart out Bean either fell back asleep or more likely, passed out from the pain.

"We're finally here." Dr. Starline began, "You two…" He said to Rough and Tumble. "Guard the entrance. If you cooperate and do as I require you'll be rewarded with both weapons and money. Then you'll get to have some real fun."

"Now that's what I like to hear." Rough said.

Tumble became absolutely gleeful as a realization dawned on him. "Could… could I get a tail protetic that doubles as a weapon?

"Prosthetic and yes. You may."

The brothers pumped their fists and rejoiced.

"Awesome!"

"Anyone who messes with us is dead. Ha ha!"

Dr. Starline rolled his eyes. "Fabulous. Wait for us until we return with the last prisoner we're rescuing."

Dr. Starline then turned away and continued walking with Buster and the hooligans. "Now where is he being kept?"

Buster swallowed nervously. "Is this a dangerous guy?"

"Very much so."

"If I was a prison architect. I would put the most dangerous prisoners in the far recesses of the facility." Buster started walking through the Medical Wing slightly ahead of the others. As he walked he passed by great numbers of empty rooms, locked medicine cabinets, and filing cabinets.

"You all go on ahead. We're going to take care of our boy." Fang said before pointing to a medicine cabinet that ran along the wall. "This one here."

Bark pulled on the metal door and ripped it off its hinges. He then walked along the counter and eyed the many aluminum framed glass medicine cabinets and started punching his hand through the glass so they could access the medicine inside.

Dr, Starline nodded with approval. "Gather more medicine while you're at it. Hopefully our new friend we're about to meet will not need it but it helps to be prepared. Once we have retrieved the final prisoner we will all rendezvous at the dock and commandeer the next vessel that arrives."

"..."

"Did you hear me?" Dr. Starline said.

"Yes. Go and hurry up. We want to leave as soon as we can and be done with this stupidity."

"Hmph. That makes two of us."

After his spat with Fang the Sniper, Dr. Starline left the Hooligans to their task and caught up to Buster in the far reaches of the Prison's Medical Wing.

"This is it." Buster said.

Ahead of them stood a single door. As they stepped up to it they were overwhelmed by the pungent smell of blood and urine.

There were no windows. Not even a peephole with which to look through.

Dr. Starline and Buster hesitated while the former covered his face and pinched his nose before he gestured Buster to go first.

"It's probably-"

Buster put his hand on the door and turned the doorknob and the door opened effortlessly.

"-locked. Huh."

The two gazed inside and what they saw defied rational belief.

"Oh, Chaos." Dr. Starline said before he turned and lost his composure and nearly his lunch as he dry heaved.

They both doubted their senses and chalked it up to fatigue as there was no way in their minds that what they thought they saw had even the smallest statistical chances of being real.

It couldn't be, they thought… and yet it was.

After Dr. Starline collected himself; he, alongside Buster, entered the so-called intensive care room so they could make certain what was a fiction of their mind and what was reality.

What Buster saw made his hair stand on end, his blood boil, and his stomach churn.

Dr. Starline stepped closer to the target but had to excuse himself with naught but a raised finger and a palm covering his mouth as he vomited the small quantity of contents that had remained in his stomach before he had to leave the room entirely. As he did so Buster looked at the corpse and was filled with terror when one of the corpse's bloated bloodshot eyes turned to stare at him with a look that he could only describe as pure, absolute, unfathomable hatred.

As Buster looked around the room and began to slowly acknowledge the sights, smell, and sounds Buster came to a single conclusion nearly instantly. To Buster's knowledge never had a more pathetic creature been found or known.

It… the monster or beast was strapped onto an orthodontic chair. A large tube ran through the creature's esophagus which fed it a disgusting white and red sludge of some kind. Likely an unknown protein and vitamin substance.

It… he, Buster reminded himself as he stared, was spread eagle, his arms and legs bound, his palms facing down and secured. His chest had severe swelling and bleeding, and upon closer inspection, the source came from blunt force trauma which resulted in ruptured veins and capillaries.

"He must be in unimaginable pain." Buster thought to himself.

The subdued terror gargled in pain and his mouth opened wide enough for Buster to notice something glimmering in the bright lights. Its jaw was broken and had titanium plates and screws inserted to secure and splint the jaw bones in their new position. This would explain the liquid diet he was being fed… then he noticed another glimmer of light along his fingernails.

To Buster's horror needles had been shoved underneath each of his fingernails.

This prisoner had been and was being tortured.

Next buster noticed that the disturbing creature was an octopus and that several of its tentacles were missing. A puddle of blue blood pooled underneath the orthodontic chair erasing all doubt as to what had been happening in the medical room, if it could even be called such.

Buster examined the unwashed, unmopped room that smelled of feces, urine, and blood and found a previously used and uncleaned frying pan and a blender sitting on a counter…

Buster hurled on the spot as the realization of what they had been feeding him dawned on him.

That poor wretched being.

As Buster finished vomiting he heard static then the sound of a communication device being activated and picked up. As the Warden spoke it dawned on Buster that the room was likely bugged and all that entered this room were likely being watched closely.

"You finally found him. It took you long enough, but now you all are exactly where I want you. Deep in the bowels of my prison." The Warden's words came through a speaker that was built into the intensive care room's wall.

"What the hell is wrong with you? How… how could you let this happen?" Buster said.

"How could I let this happen?" The Warden laughed. "Boy, I ordered this to be done. I even got my hands dirty. Up close and personal. He has a remarkable ability to self-regenerate. It's both a blessing and a curse as I'm sure you can imagine… and no doubt see. Though, what I really want you to know is this… I enjoyed and cherished everything. Every. Single. Second of it."

"You're evil. This… this is wrong. This is inhumane." Buster cried out in horror and disgust.

"Well ain't that the pot calling the kettle black. Newsflash foxboy. This pile of shit you're trying to rescue is a mass murderer. A literal psychopath. I have family and friends at the military bases. One of them was a pilot… he had a wife and kids… and now… now they wont ever get to grow up with a father. They won't have their father in their life. Isn't that one of the worst things to happen to a child? To grow up without a father or mother? I can assure you, it's not just that family that has suffered this fate. There are others. Many others who similarly suffer and grieve. All because of this sick fuck who decided to infiltrate the base and go on a killing spree which is not counting all the other poor unknown souls he has extinguished with his blood ridden hands. How could I let this happen? How could I do this? It's karma. Justice. Revenge. Whatever you want to call it. This… beast. It is not a sentient being anymore. It is a beast without the capacity to live or love as a being God is intended to do."

"You're a Monster. You're sick. Your as bad as he is if not worse-"

"-WRONG! I'm the Monster you say? You really don't get it do you? This is not public knowledge but when a criminal comes here, to this prison, they cease existing legally. This prison houses humanity's worst of the worst. Parasites who have zero redeemable qualities. Parasites who cannot be redeemed despite our best efforts and wishes. Parasites that day after day year after year, decade after decade, suck society dry of their hard earned money, their labor, and their time. These people killed people… children, and we give them books and television sets, and music players? Are you fuckign kidding me? We can't even kill them anymore like the swine they are. All because of fucking due process and basic economic analysis. It's economically cheaper to keep this vermin alive than to go to the legal hassle of having them all put down. You can look all over the world, you won't find worse scum out there than what you'll find here. These beasts here? They didn't just break the law. They broke the social contract and attacked the people of this nation and betrayed our beloved values. Tainted the sentient races with their evil machinations and vile acts, leaving their mark on history written in the blood of countless and unknowable innocents. But I digress. As I was saying, once the military court rules it and the prisoner arrives here they cease having any rights or freedoms. They effectively cease being people. Their citizenship is void. Beings without a nationality and devoid of any rights. Well, technically they have international rights but those organizations have no real power or authority over anything. Do you understand what I am saying kid? No one is checking up on them. No one cares about them and sure as hell no one is leaving here with them. I get it, I really do. You're young. You're ignorant, you turned to a life of crime because you had a bad home life with your own unique and tragic tale of woe, but frankly kid, I don't give a shit. All of you will end up the same. You lot will never leave this prison. Or maybe you do in a body bag, but it sure as shit aint gonna be alive."

Buster stepped over toward the poor prisoner and started pulling out the needles that were stuck in his fingernails, then Buster worked to undo the binds around his legs and arms.

"Now here you go. Making my job harder by getting him out and I can only assume y'all are gonna run the gauntlet." The Warden let out an exhausted sigh. "You hear that sound echoing down the halls? You probably can't quite hear it from the medical wing yet but rest assured, that sound you don't hear is the sound of my men slaughtering filth. Filth. Like. You." The Warden got close to the mike and emphasized the last three words. "It's such a tragedy. You broke in here to free a handful of my prisoners and in the process caused a prison riot. So many had to die. So many had to be put down because of the tragic fact that beasts can't be reasoned with. Now, between the two of us, I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. You have done humanity a divine service by breaking into my humble prison today. I seldom get an excuse to terminate one of these shitbags. Thanks to you all, we have the perfect excuse. Here is where I'd normally do the cliche thing you see in movies where I promise to make your passing quick, but truth be told where would the fun in that be? Rest assured, I have plans for all of you."

"Go fuck yourself." Buster cursed as he helped the creature slowly remove the feeding tube from his stomach and out of his throat and mouth.

"Wow. Clearly your parents never taught you any manners-"

"-Keep talking and I'll kill you myself." Buster screamed with every fiber of his being.

"Oh-ho-kay! Seems I struck a nerve there. I just have one question for you little pup. Don't take this the wrong way boy. I'm just curious as -no homo- you're a real good looking fox. I have a collection of pelts I've grown over the years and I got to ask…"

Buster's breath caught in his throat as he could do nothing but listen, listen in horror and disgust.

"Tell me boy... do you have any family who should join you on the wall?"

Buster ran to the medical room's wall and slammed his fist into the intercom speaker. He turned to the creature… the person and asked, "What is your name?"

The person turned his head and coughed up vomit and trace amounts of blood then spoke hoarsely with great pain and effort.

"Mimic."

Buster stood before Mimic the Octopus as he sat upright, naught but an arms length away. Mimic reached out weakly with a bloody hand and grabbed Buster's shoulder tightly.

"If you want to live I need one thing from you." Mimic said.

Buster swallowed nervously. "Name it."

"Get me a damn knife."