A few days before the invasion
Within minimalistic shabby room is established office for detective agency formed by Team Chaotix consisting of three members.
Behind the desk in the middle sits with his feet on the table, team's leader: Vector the Crocodile. Today's leisure in no different from before with Vector listening over his favorite headphones agency's theme to brighten his waiting for a new case.
In the corner with the lockers stands Espio the Chameleon geared with ninja equipment. Espio as usual meditates with his eyes closed. Until a ruckus from outside gets his attention, likely caused by team's 3rd member.
Espio's suspicions were confirmed, as Charmy Bee flies into the office speaking in the voice of hyperactive child - "GUYS! GUYS!" Flyer accidentally knocks Vector down on the back.
As usual the Chaotix leader has to come back to his senses asking the kid - "What now?"
The fourth character enters the scene observing its surroundings - "So... this is the lifestyle of pure integrity?!" - She alone knows whether it was impression or condescension behind her voice.
Looking closer, Espio is the first to recognise the guest - "You're that bat from Grand Metropolis." - Chameleon tries to remain neutral until further notice.
The albino mobian smirks at ninja - "Yesterday's enemy - tomorrow's ally. But you may call me Rouge."
Charmy excitedly jumps -"It's her! She said she has a job for us!" - slightly widening his hopeful eyes Vector gazed at Rouge who placed some files on the detective's desk - "Are you familiar with those?"
Vector examined the files containing of over 50 years old newspaper about Ultimate Fifeform's Prototype. And the diary of the late Professor Gerald Robotnik. The recent pages were written about his latest ultimate weapon.
Vector looks into Rouge's eyes - "So whadda we gonna do?" - As any agent's habit Rouge looks around to make sure this conversation stays between the four - "GUN's higher ups always knew, Sonic didn't commit any of crimes during the last ARK incident. And these aren't all skeletons in their closets."
Espio glanced into these files, deducing a very unpleasant clue - "You want us to infiltrate the establishments heavily guarded by the most influencial government organisation."
Still smirking Rouge puts the briefcase on the table - "Bingo. And of course, not as charity." - With the briefcase opened, the detectives see its content full of golden rings.
Charmy woos with excitement and shakes the croc - "Vector, we gotta take this case. It's a lot more than enough for covering our bills!"
The chameleon didn't share bee's delight, as he remembers the saying "Free cheese is in mousetrap only" - "Even with stealth on our side, trio going past the military undedected is very slim chance. And assuming we escape, the government will declare us outlawed for the seizure at best... kill on sight at worst."
It's on leader to call the final shot. They may take the money for year's expenses and unpaid debts, for that they have to bet their freedom. Or they may proceed leading their habitual lifestyle, clinging for their small hope of getting another chargeable case, and risking the eviction from their home-office. - "Before I make my vote, I'd like to know. Where do we go and what should we look for?"
Stage 6: Prison Island
Player: Vector; Espio; Charmy
Goal: Find the Computer Room without being detected by GUN.
Beginning of Alien Invasion.
The trio grind on the rail toward their destination.
- Vector: This is gotta be Prison Island.
- Espio: Security is tight around here, just like Rouge said. We must do it as we rehearsed.
- Charmy: Mission, here we go!
The group constantly had to stabilise the pace. Neither too slow wasting their precious time nor too fast risking to alert the guards.
Vector and Charmy were dressed in suits colored in junk metal style, while Espio could turn invisible.
Chaotix trio reach a lime stream putting Espio on alert - "That stream is a poison. We can't touch it."
Vector knocks the black alien down to the lime goo disintegrating its victim. Crocodile gets on the late aliens' flying saucer - "Hey, we could use this plate to get past this toxic waste." - Charmy barely contains his enthusiasm - "Whoosh, this thing is way too fun."
The group lined up vertically. Vector stands on the circuit shaped vehicle; Espio stands on Vector's head; Charmy flyes and to prepare carrying the group.
The saucer drives onto stucking out rectangle, launching trio up to another land of Prison Island.
- Espio: These black creatures are everywhere.
- Charmy: Yow!
- Vector: Let's get em, boys!
Team Chaotix had dealt with a few Black Warriors and Small Larvaes. They find another saucer for another ride through toxic waste.
The stream ends with pipe useful for grinding up. On the other side of land the team step on too speed dash, lauching them to another section of base.
- Charmy: Look at all those jail cells! It sort of looks like a Zoo!
- Vector: We'd rather not become a Zoo ourselves. Right?
- Espio: GUN machines seem to be occupied with these vermins.
While GUN machines looked away dealing with aliens, Team Chaotix quietly as they could walked past the warzone, using their disguise suits
The following doorstep had no switch around this area. Until Charmy points down at the door - "Espio, look! You could slide through the door's gap below!" - Purple chameleon examined the gap - "Looks like, I'm the only one capable going through." - Crocodile gives him a map - "Use this to find another teleporter" - Ninja nods and coats himself in a wind, turning him invisible.
With Espio
Ninja Chameleon lands into the hive of GUN machines guarding an enormous lifting platform. He didn't want to obstruce the defense forces' work but that was the only way going up - "Time to put my training to the test." - Espio threw shurikens sideways to get robots' attention towards ruckus. GUN beetles flied closer to investigate. Espio made sure to take them out from behind so his weapons weren't recorded for the security camera.
GUN Troopers fired at their potential threat, who weaved away from crossfire and delivered the same finish for them. Had any of these bullets successfully landed, Espio's invisibility'd be thwarted, and mission would've gone SNAFU.
The platform was rising up slowly, giving Espio enough time to collect all of the evidence to his presence and get aboard. On the other side of chamber, ninja finds a switch for the door in front.
Another warzone took place between Gun Troopers and Black Warriors. Espio hijacked a saucers from aliens and flew across the toxic river - "I won't be able to brake without Charmy."
The ride was long and bumpy, but Espio managed to arrive. Once he stepped onto Checkpoint-Teleporter, he turned on his wrist communicator.
Meanwhile, with Vector and Charmy.
A giant plant with closed orange flowerbud had risen up in front of the remaining detectives. Vector is sure he never saw flower of this size - "Charmy, did you ever had to encounter this?" - The easygoing bee rolled backwards in the air - "Uh-uh. Only pink ones, sized for flying formation."
The flower bended backwards, and then suddenly blew a fireball with the roar. The duo barely jumped sideways in time. Adult croc kept his composure, while kiddy bee was panicky flying - "FIIIIRE! HOT...HOT... HOT!"
Vector rushes towards Charmy and takes him away from another fireball. While running around the monster, Chaotix ringleader estimated the time flower needed to close it's petals.
An idea surged inside of crocodile's mind - "Listen to me, Charmy! When that flower'll be closing, I'll launch inside it for your bee work." - The insect knew Vector would never send his companions for a suicide task - "So I have to rip out it's stamens and semen!" - Vector nods - "Bingo! And while you're at it, I'll distract the plant to fire at me. Soon as the bud'll be opening, breakout of it away from fire!" - As response Charmy rolled into Vectors palm, spinning vertically.
Detectives went under the plan. Inside the bud, Charmy started ripping out stamen one at a time, as flower charged another fireball. When the bud started oppening, Charmy flew up into the sky, while monster tried shooting at Vector, who was weaving away with success.
With all stamens out of action, Charmy stung the semen, causing the fire-flower going limp.
The process in total took 5 repetitions.
Detectives clashed their single fists into each other.
- Vector: Perfect! The work of professionals!
- Charmy: Totally awesome!
Having reached the teleporter, the duo receive a signal from their wrist communicator -"Checkpoint from my side has been activated. You?" Over. - Vector presses the button - "Likewise, Espio. We're moving onto your location. Over." - communicator hassled - "Roger. Over and out."
Charmy already stood there - "Alright then. Let's do this." - Vector joins in and together they vanished
Together
Vector and Charmy appear slightly dazed from the flash on teleportation device.
When they came to their senses, Espio guides the down the road - "The door to our Mission's Phase 2 is in front." - Vector brings a fist to his chest and enters the room "C'mon boys, let's go" - Charmy follows "Yes sir!" - Espio silently joins the group.
A/N: So far, this is my favourite chapter to be written. What do you think of my take on Team Chaotix dynamic?
