Being on Dr. Robotnik's payroll wasn't all it was chalked up to be. Besides, there were rumors that the old man would soon be bankrupt, having squandered all his life savings in Vegas trying to get a jackpot. Plus, he was kind of an asshole. So it was time to find a way out.

These were the thoughts going through Rouge's mind Saturday evening. She was getting ready to enjoy some take-out in her studio apartment in downtown LA: Chinese food. As she sat down on her couch and cracked open the box of lo-mein, ready to dig in, suddenly, the phone rang. She checked the caller ID: her boss.

"Rouge speaking," she said.

"Rouge, it's Dr. Robotnik!" said Dr. Robotnik.

"How can I help you?" said Rouge politely, although she was annoyed that he was interrupting what otherwise would have been a lovely Saturday evening.

"I need a small favor…" said Dr. Robotnik.

"Oh, boy…" said Rouge, sighing, "What is it this time?"

"You can fly, right?" said Dr. Robotnik.

"Well, I mean… I'm a bat. Of course, I can fly," said Rouge.

"Great, great!" said Dr. Robotnik, "I need you to make a delivery for me. As soon as possible. It's urgent."

"Sure," said Rouge, "Where to?"

"New York City," said Dr. Robotnik.

"Are you insane?!" said Rouge, outraged, "You want me to go coast to coast? You know how long that will take?"

"I hope not very long," said Dr. Robotnik.

"Two or three days, what with taking breaks and all," said Rouge.

"Hmm," said Dr. Robotnik, "See, that's not going to work. I already told the recipient of the delivery that you'd be arriving tomorrow morning. Any chance you could make the trip in, say, twelve hours?"

"Not a chance," said Rouge, "Wouldn't it just be easier for me to hop on a Gray Hound or something?"

"No, no, no!" said Dr. Robotnik, "You will be flying, and that's final, missy! This is an important… object I need delivered and I can't have anyone intercepting it… So? What will it be?" said Dr. Robotnik.

Rouge hated being backed into a corner like this. It felt like a lack of respect. But she knew the man would throw a hissy fit if she refused. Which, as much as she hated to admit, would not be in her best interest. See, Dr. Robotnik was a powerful and influential man. She didn't want to end up on his shit list. But she would get her revenge on him, one way or another.

"…Fine," said Rouge, finally, throwing in the towel.

"Come to my place as soon as you can to pick up the package. Now. And then you are to leave for New York immediately. I'll give you the address," said Dr. Robotnik.

"Yes, sir," said Rouge, submissively.

"And one more thing," said Dr. Robotnik.

"What?" said Rouge.

"You are not to look in the box, under any circumstance! Do I make myself clear?" said Dr. Robotnik.

"Yes, sir," said Rouge, a wry smirk on her face.

"Okay," said Dr. Robotnik, "See you soon."

And although Rouge was annoyed at Dr. Robotnik for asking this "small favor" of her, she had never been to New York City before, so she was somewhat excited about the proposition. She wasn't quite sure how she would make it there in such a short time though. It's not like she had super speed like Sonic or Shadow. She made the decision that this would be the last job she'd do for Dr. Robotnik's ass. And then she would seek employment elsewhere.

So she ate the lo-mein and headed over to Dr. Robotnik's house, where he gave her a small brown package and the address to Shadow's luxury apartment in New York City. Then she was on her merry way.

She started off flying, but her wings soon grew tired. So she said, "fuck this," and decided to hitchhike instead.