Chapter 22: Night at the Museum
Location: National Museum, Capitol City
That evening…
The Mobians along with the Prime Minister and his family stepped out of the limousine into a large crowd of photographers and journalists that had been waiting for them on the steps of the Central City Museum.
"Ulgh! Paparazzi," Amy complained when she was blinded by the flashing cameras as she stood in her shimmering red gown.
"Can't really blame them," Carmichael said, "This is a big deal for a lot of people."
"The reopening of the museum or us?" Sally questioned, walking towards the entrance of the museum in her purple cocktail dress.
"Can't it be both?"
"Are you alright, Sonic," Tails asked, noticing the Hedgehog's mood.
The Hedgehog made a noncommittal grunt, as fancy parties weren't really his thing. On top of that, most of his afternoon had been wasted assisting Bunnie and Amy in educating Sticks on proper behaviour.
"It's just for two hours," Sally stated, knowing what Sonic was thinking.
"Sticks..., are you doing alright?" Amy inquired.
The Badger was dressed in a black gown with a single sleeve and a white sash wrapped around her waist, her blue eyes regarding everyone with paranoid suspicion.
"Peachy," she replied.
Patrolling the outside the museum were soldiers dressed in modified suits of CMC Powered Combat Suits, which had been painted white. Plastered onto the plexithene visor was a tiger head decal, while the solders carried around C-14 Impalers gauss rifles.
"Is it normal for the military to be contracted for private functions?" Chuck questioned.
"They're not military," Miranda corrected, "They're Security Consultants hired from Tiger's Claw."
"There are some very important guests present," the Prime Minister added.
Entering the building, they found numerous Terrans and Overlanders lingering within the cavernous entranceway, making cheap talk and sipping cocktails before dinner.
"Doesn't look big outside," Muttski stated, standing next to Leon.
"Yeah, the exterior of the building is really deceptive," Tails remarked.
The group was greeted by a middle-aged man of Asian ancestry with greying black hair and dressed in a suit just like all the other male guests.
"Greetings. My name is Doctor Charles Atsumi and I am the curator of the museum. I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your schedule to be here tonight," the man said.
"Hello, Dr. Atsumi," Miranda said, "It's good to see that the funds that were raised were put to good use."
"I have you, Constantino Terra, and young Mengsk to thank," he replied, "the rebuilding would've never gotten off the ground without you."
"Doctor," Prime Minister Carmichael said, "Allow me to introduce you to Ambassador Sally Acorn and her companions."
"It's a pleasure to be here tonight," Sally said, shaking the man's hand.
"The pleasure is mine," Dr. Atsumi said with a smile, "Drinks are available and dinner will be served in the Pantheon within the hour. Please excuse me, I have other guest that I must greet."
"Let's go to the Pantheon now," Carmichael suggested once Dr. Atsumi was out of ear shot, "My knee is beginning to bother me."
The group soon reached the Pantheon which was little more then a wide-open area where numerous tables had been set up for the guests.
"Man, I'm bored," Sonic complained to Sally as they followed the Prime Minister through the crowd of people.
"We haven't been here five minutes," Sally said.
"You should just enjoy the evening," Amy stated.
"Yeah," Sonic muttered.
There was a large group of people in one area of the Pantheon and Sonic briefly caught a glimpse of a large man with short, but thinning gray hair who was dressed in military attire who radiated authority. He had an impressive physique, but he gave Sonic the impression that he was nothing more then a shaved gorilla that was posing as a man.
"Who's the shaved Gorilla?" Sonic asked Molly.
"Colonel Edmund Duke, member of the Old Families and Commander of Alpha Squadron," she replied, "Never thought he be the type to enjoy museums."
"It's General now," Carmichael corrected, as the Prime Minister took a seat at one of the tables.
"Awe, he finally got that long sought after promotion," the teenager mocked, "Betcha it was pressure from his family?"
"He looks kinda intimidating," Rotor said, ignoring Molly's disrespect.
"He's always had that problem," Miranda explained, "People have always respected him out of fear."