Crimson Infiltration
G.U.N Facility
Jill Valentine stirred awake, her head throbbing. She found herself strapped to a sleek metal chair, her wrists locked tightly onto the armrests by enhanced restraints—silver cuffs pulsating with a faint blue glow. The subtle hum of energy emanating from them made it clear they were no ordinary bindings. She tugged at the restraints, but they didn't budge. With a groggy blink, she focused on her surroundings.
She was confined in what appeared to be a transparent cube-like detainment pod. Beyond the glass walls, G.U.N. operatives moved briskly through a sterile, high-tech facility. The room was a flurry of activity, the chaos from the Golden Gate Bridge incident still fresh in everyone's minds. Jill scanned the area for any potential means of escape, but her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp voice.
"I see you're awake," the voice remarked, carrying an air of authority.
Jill's icy eyes locked onto a woman approaching the pod. It was Director Rockwell, her presence commanding as she strode forward, flanked by several armed operatives. Rockwell paused just outside the pod, glancing briefly at the identification number etched onto its surface: RE032296. A faint smirk tugged at her lips before she turned her piercing gaze to Jill, who remained defiantly restrained within.
"You know this won't hold me," Jill spat, her voice sharp.
"I beg to differ," Rockwell replied smoothly, her tone unshaken. "Those restraints are forged from reinforced titanium, and the suppression energy coursing through them? Courtesy of a little technology we 'borrowed' from the alien's quill. You won't be going anywhere."
"Smart…" Jill admitted begrudgingly, though her voice dripped with sarcasm. Her expression darkened as her tone grew ominous. "But it won't matter. The infiltration of this world is near. Umbrella's objective will succeed, and there's nothing you or your forces can do to stop it."
As Jill spoke, the scarab embedded in her chest began to glow a sinister red, catching Rockwell's attention. Her expression hardened.
"I want that device," Rockwell commanded, turning to her team. "Prepare for interrogation and extraction immediately."
"Yes, ma'am!" the operatives replied in unison, springing into action.
Rockwell cast one final glance at Jill before turning and walking away. The operatives moved efficiently, setting up equipment and monitoring the pod's status, but none noticed the subtle shift in Jill's demeanour. Her irises flickered, shifting from icy blue to the unmistakable red-and-white insignia of Umbrella.
Within Jill's mind, her vision blurred into a crimson hue as data streams flooded her consciousness. The physical world faded, replaced by the cold, clinical presence of the Red Queen. The AI materialised in front of her, its holographic form as emotionless and calculating as ever.
The Red Queen stared at Jill with unblinking intensity.
"Jill Valentine," the AI spoke, her voice sharp and devoid of warmth. "Umbrella's integration into G.U.N. systems has commenced. Stand by for instructions."
"Understood," Jill replied automatically, her voice monotone.
Her lips barely moved, and outside the pod, operatives cast wary glances at her, perplexed by what appeared to be her talking to herself.
"This Earth," the Red Queen continued, "will fall under Umbrella's dominion. Await my signal to proceed with Phase Two of the operation."
"Understood," Jill repeated, her tone robotic as her mind remained tethered to the AI's will.
The Red Queen's holographic face tilted slightly, as though in a mockery of contemplation.
"Resistance from G.U.N. and their allies is anticipated, but irrelevant. Their technology is primitive, their leadership fractured. They will crumble before Umbrella's perfection. Not even Project Alice, the Hedgehog, Echidna and Fox can prevent us from our mission."
The data streams intensified, and Jill felt the surge of information being transmitted directly into her mind. Commands, tactical analysis, and operational schematics flooded her brain, all preparing her for what was to come.
Back in the physical world, Jill's lips curled into a faint smirk. The Red Queen's instructions were clear, and she was ready to act. The operatives continued their preparations, oblivious to the imminent danger within their midst.
Diner in Green Hills – Early Evening
The warm glow of the diner's neon sign spilled onto the quiet streets of Green Hills, casting a comforting hue that seemed to welcome its familiar patrons. After using one of Sonic's rings to leap back home from San Francisco, the group decided to indulge in Sonic's go-to comfort: a stop at his favourite local diner. It was a small, cosy place where the scent of fresh coffee and sizzling food hung in the air, and everyone knew your name.
The booth they occupied was lively, a stark contrast to the chaos they'd left behind on the Golden Gate Bridge, with plates of food covering the table. Sonic, unsurprisingly, was halfway through a massive chili dog, his grin practically gleaming between bites. Tails had opted for a classic burger and fries but barely touched them, too engrossed in scribbling furiously in his notebook. Knuckles tore into his plate of roasted chicken with zero regard for table etiquette, chewing loudly and unapologetically. Across from them, Alice sat quietly, nursing a burger and milkshake. For a brief moment, the hardened survivor allowed herself to relax, sipping the milkshake slowly, her expression softening with each taste.
"Good, right?" Sonic asked, catching the slight smile in her usually icy eyes.
Alice nodded, her voice uncharacteristically tender.
"God... I've missed this…" she admitted.
"Knew you'd like it!" Sonic said proudly.
For Alice, this moment, like when they had lunch earlier, felt surreal. The hum of casual conversations, the clinking of plates, and the warm laughter from other tables filled the air. It was a stark reminder of what her world had lost—the simple, irreplaceable comforts of normalcy. The smell of cooked food and the gentle glow of the diner's lights made her imagine, just for a moment, what life could've been if her Earth had been like this. No T-Virus. No Umbrella. No endless struggle for survival.
Her reverie was broken by Sonic's teasing voice, aimed squarely at the multitasking fox.
"Tails, your food's gonna get cold—or worse, eaten," he quipped, gesturing to Knuckles, who was devouring his chicken with alarming speed. "I see Knuckles eyeing your fries, little buddy."
Knuckles grumbled mid-bite, but his purple eyes did flicker toward Tails's untouched plate, betraying his interest.
"Knuckles, no!" Tails snapped, instinctively shielding his fries. "I'm working on something important!"
"You're always working, Fox." Knuckles muttered, his mouth half-full. He jabbed a thumb toward his milkshake, which remained mostly untouched. "And what is this supposed to be?!
Alice chuckled softly, drawing everyone's attention.
"It's called a milkshake," she explained.
Knuckles frowned, leaning closer to inspect the frothy drink.
"A milkshake...? This… doesn't make sense, Monster Hunter."
"Welcome to Earth," Alice replied, her tone light for once. "Where beverages don't have to make sense."
"Hey! Romanoff made a funny!" Sonic laughed, pointing at Alice. "Tails, write that down. History is being made here!"
Alice rolled her eyes, but a small smirk tugged at her lips. She glanced at Tails, her tone softening.
"Tails, you need to eat something. We can't have you running on fumes. I know getting me home is a priority, but don't let Rockwell pressure you into rushing. I'd rather wait for you to get it right than risk a botched job."
Tails hesitated, looking sheepish.
"I'm sorry," he admitted. "It's just… I can't stop thinking about it. If I can stabilise the distortion energy, I might be able to integrate it into the rings' power—maybe even use the Master Emerald to amplify the effect."
"Not a bad idea, pal" Sonic chimed in, his tone encouraging. "But Alice is right. You're no good to us if you burn out. Take a break. We need your genius at 100%, not running on fumes."
Reluctantly, Tails sighed and set his notebook down, picking up his burger.
"Okay, okay, you win," he conceded, taking a bite. "Wow, this is good."
"See? Food always wins," Sonic declared triumphantly.
Just then, the door chime jingled softly as Commander Walters stepped into the diner. He scanned the room briefly before zeroing in on Alice and Team Sonic, making his way towards their booth with purpose.
"Commander Walters!" Sonic greeted, flashing his trademark grin. His tone carried its usual blend of respect and cheekiness. "Care to join us? The milkshakes here will change your life."
Walters raised an eyebrow, his gaze briefly flicking to Alice, as if seeking validation.
"Is that true?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
Alice paused mid-sip, smirking faintly as she lowered her milkshake.
"The hedgehog's not wrong," she replied, her voice calm and measured.
"See? Even Romanoff's on board," Sonic quipped, leaning back triumphantly.
Despite the endorsement, Walters waved off the offer, opting to slide into the edge of the booth. His posture remained rigid, his expression all business.
"I'll pass, thank you," he said curtly. "I'm here for an update on Tails's progress."
Sonic groaned dramatically, throwing his head back against the booth in mock frustration.
"Let me guess—Director Buzzkill is in your ear?" he asked.
Walters's jaw tightened slightly, though his voice carried a hint of frustration.
"Rockwell is… impatient. She is wanting updates every so often," Walters revealed.
"Sounds like she is a joy to work with," Sonic said deadpan.
"Sonic, we are under immense pressure to contain this situation before it escalates further," Walters replied.
Turning his attention to Tails, Walters fixed him with a pointed look.
"How soon can we expect results?" he questioned.
"Commander, we've only just got back from San Francisco," Tail's pointed out, his voice steady but tired. "I've been jotting down ideas, but I haven't had time to start testing anything yet."
Knuckles, ever the blunt voice of reason, interjected without missing a beat.
"The fox requires food," he said, gesturing toward Tails with a half-eaten drumstick. "No food, no brainpower."
"What Knuckles said," Sonic chimed in, motioning toward Tails. "Okay, maybe not exactly like that, but close enough. Tails has done some serious heavy lifting today—like locking the Red Queen out of that console to close the rift. That wasn't exactly a walk in the park."
Walters nodded begrudgingly as he replied.
"It was an impressive feat, but it's temporary at best. The Red Queen's influence won't stay locked out forever. The sooner we figure out how to send Alice back to her world, the sooner we can cut the Red Queen's connection to ours for good."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Commander," Alice interjected, her voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge.
"What do you mean?" Walters asked, his brow furrowed.
Alice leaned back, crossing her arms as her gaze locked onto Walters.
"You're assuming sending me back will magically solve your problems," she said. "The Red Queen isn't just some rogue AI. She's Umbrella's most advanced creation, and she's had years to refine her strategies. If you think she doesn't have contingencies already in play, you're underestimating her."
"So… what are you saying?" Walters asked, his voice quieter, a hint of unease creeping in.
"I'm saying you need to be thorough," Alice replied firmly. "Let me ask you this—the scarab on Jill's chest, has it been removed?"
Walters hesitated, his usual confidence faltering.
"I… I'm not sure," he admitted. "I've not been updated from my team."
"Then you'd better check and hope your team is extracting it," Alice said sharply. "That device is how the Red Queen and Umbrella are controlling her. Without it, Jill has a chance to break free."
"But, why didn't you take it off her on the bridge?" Walters asked, his tone laced with frustration.
"We didn't get the chance too," Sonic interjected, groaning. "Jessica Jones and her team swooped in and took her into custody before we could even try approaching Jill."
"Jessica… Jones?" Alice asked, her brow arching slightly.
"Yeah, she looks just like the actress who plays her on that Marvel show," Sonic said with a shrug. "Pop culture reference. Anyway, we missed a golden opportunity there."
"The device should have been destroyed," Knuckles growled, his tone low but firm. "But G.U.N. was too eager to haul the interloper away without listening to reason."
Walters sighed heavily, standing up from the booth.
"This is troubling," he admitted. "Thank you for the intel, Team Sonic… and Alice. I'll make a call with Rockwell about this immediately. We'll prioritise the scarab's removal."
He turned to leave but hesitated, glancing back at the group.
"Let's hope your instincts are right, Alice," he said. "If the Red Queen really has deeper roots here… we're going to need all the help we can get."
The group watched as Walters exited the diner.. Sonic slumped back in his seat, letting out a loud sigh.
"Well, there goes the vibe," he muttered, though his grin quickly returned. "So, who's ready for dessert?"
"Dessert?" Knuckles repeated, his tone laced with intrigue. "What is that?"
"Oh, you're gonna love it," Sonic replied, leaning forward with excitement. "Best part of any meal. Sweet, delicious, and worth every calorie."
Knuckles tilted his head, curiosity evident on his face.
"Oh yum. But tell me Hedgehog, do these desserts come with… grapes in them?" he inquired eagerly.
Sonic blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Uh… no? Not usually. Unless you're talking about, like, some fancy fruit cake or something," the hedgehog admitted.
"Strange. I'll give it a try one day… but only if it's better than grapes," Knuckles remarked.
Alice chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"I think we'd better take a rain check on dessert, Sonic," she said. "We should get back to your place. I'm sure Tails wants to start tinkering."
"Right," Tails agreed with a nod. "There's a lot of work to do with getting you safely home, Alice. But also, if the Red Queen is still active in our reality, I'll need to develop new, stronger software to block her out again."
Sonic raised a brow, leaning toward his two-tailed friend.
"Why? Wouldn't the one you used on the bridge work again?" the hedgehog probed.
Tails sighed, his expression serious as he explained.
"If the Red Queen is as advanced as Alice says, she might already know how to bypass what I used earlier. It worked once, but I can't rely on her falling for the same trick twice. I'll need to stay one, two… maybe even ten steps ahead of her if we're going to outsmart her next time."
Alice gave Tails an approving nod.
"Smart thinking," she remarked. "She won't hesitate to exploit any weakness if you give her the chance."
Knuckles, still stuck on an earlier thought, looked to Sonic and shrugged.
"So… no dessert, then?" he asked.
Sonic laughed, shaking his head.
"Not tonight, big guy. But don't worry—I'll personally introduce you to the wonders of dessert soon enough. For now, let's get moving."
With that, the group rose from their booth, leaving behind the cosy atmosphere of the diner and stepping back into the crisp evening air. Their next move was clear: prepare for the inevitable showdown with the Red Queen and get the ring portal to Alice's Earth working.
As the team made their way back to the Wachowskis' house, Commander Walters sat in his car, outside the diner; with his phone pressed to his ear. The dim glow of the dashboard lit his tense expression as he spoke with Director Rockwell.
"So, the scarab is being removed?" Walters asked, his voice steady but firm.
"Yes," Rockwell replied in her typically stoic tone. "The extraction of the device is underway, and interrogation of the detainee will begin shortly."
"Good," Walters replied. "We need to ensure the Red Queen has no way of interfering with our reality."
Rockwell hesitated for a moment before offering a grudging admission.
"The fox alien did well earlier. His tactics were... competent. But let's be clear—this situation is now firmly in G.U.N.'s hands."
"Agreed," Walters said, matching her tone. "Team Sonic and Alice have done their part. Now it's time to focus on getting her back where she belongs."
"And they need to do it quickly," Rockwell affirmed, her voice sharp. "The longer she stays here, the greater the risk to our world."
Walters frowned slightly, his tone softening in defense of Tails.
"With all due respect, Director, even with Tails' intelligence, this might take longer than twenty-four hours."
"We need results fast, Commander," Rockwell replied coldly. "The world doesn't have time to wait."
Walters gritted his teeth, but his tone remained professional.
"Understood, Director. Tell me from your end, what of Jill Valentine and the detained Umbrella operatives? Once we're done, are we planning to send them back home too?"
There was a pause on the line, an unusual hesitation from Rockwell.
"Once we've extracted everything we need," she said finally, her words measured. "Yes."
"The need for what?" Walters asked, his brow furrowing. There was a faint edge of suspicion in his voice.
Before Rockwell could respond, the line erupted in a sudden burst of loud, grating static. The sound was piercing, like nails on a chalkboard, forcing Walters to pull the phone away from his ear. He winced, glancing at the device in frustration before cautiously putting it back to his ear.
"Director?" he asked, his voice laced with unease. "Director Rockwell, are you there?"
The silence that followed made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. And then, a voice came through—soft, chilling, and unmistakably inhuman.
"Good evening, Commander Walters."
It was the voice of a child, eerily calm and cold. The clipped, British accent carried an unsettling authority, each word precise and deliberate. Walters's stomach dropped, his pulse spiking. He recognised it instantly.
"You…" he breathed, his throat tightening. "Red Queen."
"Very good, Commander," the AI replied smoothly, as though she were praising a student. "You've been paying attention."
"How are you on this line?" Walter's demanded, his voice rising with urgency. "You shouldn't have access to this frequency!"
The Red Queen's response was chillingly indifferent.
"Should I not? Commander, you underestimate me. I am far more resourceful than you or your organisation could ever comprehend."
"This is a secure G.U.N. line," Walters snapped, his voice growing louder. "You have no business here!"
"And yet, here I am," she replied coolly, the faintest hint of mockery in her tone. "Your systems are… quaint. Flawed. The scarab you so eagerly extract from Jill Valentine is but one thread in the vast web I have already woven across your world. You've barely begun to understand the depths of my reach."
Walters's breath quickened, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.
"What do you want?" he growled, his voice laced with both anger and fear.
"Order. Efficiency. Perfection," the Red Queen answered, her tone almost playful now, which only made it worse. "Your world is messy, Commander Walters. So very… inefficient. But don't worry—I intend to fix that."
"You're not fixing anything," Walters spat. "This ends here. We will stop you."
The line fell silent for a moment, the quiet more unnerving than any words she'd spoken.
"How quaint," the Red Queen said at last, her voice dropping to a lower, icier pitch. "You think you have a choice."
And with that, the line went dead.
Walters sat frozen in his seat, the phone still pressed to his ear as the silence of the car enveloped him. His mind raced, replaying the conversation over and over. The Red Queen wasn't just watching from the shadows—she was already here, slipping past their defences with chilling precision.
G.U.N Facility
Jill sat motionless in her containment pod, her arms still bound tightly to the chair by the glowing titanium restraints. The scarab embedded in her chest pulsed violently, the crimson light reflecting off the transparent walls of the pod. It was as though the device was alive, feeding power into her, syncing her body with something far beyond human comprehension.
Her irises flickered, and the chilling holographic image of the Red Queen appeared within her vision. Alongside it, a blinking message burned into her consciousness:
"Integration Complete. G.U.N. mainframe and network compromised."
"Jill Valentine," the Red Queen's voice commanded, cold and precise, "proceed to phase two of the mission."
"Understood," Jill responded in a monotone voice, her compliance absolute.
Outside the pod, the facility descended into chaos. The lights flickered erratically, plunging the room into brief moments of darkness before crimson light spilled across every surface. Screens on computers, tablets, and other devices glowed blood-red, displaying endless streams of data that no one could decipher. Alarms blared, and operatives scrambled to reboot their systems, shouting over the cacophony of sirens.
"The system's been hijacked!" one technician yelled. "I can't override it—nothing's responding!"
"Lock down the pod!" an operative barked, but his voice betrayed his unease. "She's still restrained. She can't break out."
Inside the pod, Jill remained eerily calm as the chaos unfolded. The restraints on her wrists flickered, then powered down completely with a faint hiss of energy. She didn't hesitate. With the scarab's power surging through her, she pulled her arms free, the titanium cuffs snapping like brittle plastic. Jill stood slowly, flexing her fingers as though testing her newfound strength. The faint glow of the scarab illuminated her expressionless face.
"Proceeding to the next phase," she said aloud, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
The operatives outside the pod turned as one, their weapons aimed at her. An alarm blared louder, signalling containment failure. Jill approached the glass wall of the pod, her icy gaze studied the transparent barrier for a moment before she drew back her fist and struck it with a forceful punch. The glass rattled but held firm.
One operative shouted, "That glass is reinforced! A punch isn't going to—"
Before he could finish, Jill smirked faintly, her expression dripping with confidence.
"You underestimate me," she remarked coldly.
She drew back her fist again, this time delivering a blow that cracked the barrier, spiderwebbing the surface.
"No way…" another operative muttered, his voice wavering with disbelief.
Jill's smirk widened, but her eyes remained dead and calculating. With one final punch, the glass shattered, shards scattering across the floor in a spray of crystal-like fragments. Jill stepped through the opening with slow, deliberate movements, her every motion oozing confidence. The room seemed to freeze as she emerged, her presence radiating a deadly aura. She paused just outside the pod, tilting her head slightly as if daring anyone to stop her.
"Stop right there!" one operative yelled, his rifle trained on her. "Don't move, or we'll open fire!"
Jill's gaze locked onto him, her expression unflinching. She took one slow step forward.
"You can try," she said, her voice dripping with cold malice.
The operative fired, but before the bullet could even reach her, Jill blurred into motion. In a flash, she was in front of him, her speed and reflexes were amplified by the scarab's power. She grabbed the rifle and wrenched it from his grip with enough force to snap it in two. Before he could react, she delivered a lightning-fast strike to his chest, sending him flying into a nearby console with a sickening thud.
"Engage! Take her down!" another operative shouted, but the panic in his voice betrayed his confidence.
Jill moved like a spectre, her movements impossibly fast and precise. She grabbed another operative by the wrist as he raised his weapon, twisting it with a sickening crack before throwing him into a group of his comrades. The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed through the facility as she moved seamlessly from one target to the next.
Another operative rushed her with a baton, but Jill caught it mid-swing. Her cold gaze met his for a split second before she yanked the weapon from his hand and used it to strike him across the face, sending him sprawling to the floor. Blood splattered as she discarded the baton, her focus already shifting to the next opponent.
"She's too fast!" someone yelled, firing blindly in her direction.
Jill dodged effortlessly, her movements a blur. She closed the distance in an instant, disarming him with a brutal knee to the gut. He collapsed, coughing, before she delivered a final blow to his head with her boot.
By the time the chaos settled, the room was a wreck. Operatives lay scattered across the floor, groaning in pain or completely incapacitated. Jill stood amidst the destruction, her cold stare sweeping over the fallen bodies. Her combat abilities, enhanced by the scarab and the Red Queen's control, had turned her into an unstoppable machine.
The remaining staff froze, unsure whether to flee or fight. Jill tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp and emotionless.
"You should've stayed out of Umbrella's way," she said flatly.
Elsewhere in the facility
The fluorescent lights of the hallway flickered ominously to crimson red as Director Rockwell, flanked by three of her operatives, moved swiftly through the facility. Their mission was clear: get Rockwell out and to safety before the situation spiralled completely out of control. The distant echoes of alarms and muffled gunfire painted a grim picture of the chaos unfolding around them.
"Keep moving!" one of the operatives barked, his weapon raised as his eyes darted to every shadow, every corner.
Rockwell's usually composed demeanor was replaced by a grim scowl. She hated retreating, but even she knew this wasn't the time to let pride get in the way of survival.
Suddenly, a noise behind them made her pause. Footsteps—several of them.
Before she could issue an order, a voice rang out, cold and commanding.
"Don't move!" it ordered loudly.
Rockwell and her team froze, turning to see a group of Umbrella operatives emerging from the shadows, their weapons trained directly on them. The prisoners had been freed—and armed themselves. The tight formation of Rockwell's team suddenly felt claustrophobic as more figures appeared, stepping out of side doors and shadowed alcoves.
"How the hell…?" one of her operatives muttered, his voice laced with disbelief as he tightened his grip on his rifle.
The numbers swelled, the Umbrella operatives now outnumbering them by more than double. Their weapons gleamed under the harsh lighting, and their expressions were unreadable but deadly.
Rockwell's sharp eyes darted around, assessing the situation. They were surrounded. She clenched her fists but ultimately raised her hands slowly, signalling her team to do the same. The logical choice was clear: survive now, figure out the how and why later.
"Shit..." Rockwell muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible but dripping with frustration.
The lead Umbrella operative stepped forward, his weapon steady and unwavering as he trained it on her.
"Smart choice," he sneered.
Rockwell's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Her mind raced, trying to calculate an escape, a strategy—anything. But there was no time. The tension in the air was palpable, and the hallway felt suffocating as the Umbrella operatives closed in, their intent unmistakable.
Meanwhile...
Robotnik leaned back in his chair, with a devilish grin creeping across his face. Around him, screens flickered with streams of data he had pulled from G.U.N's highly classified network. Each screen displayed intricate diagrams, surveillance footage, and detailed reports on Alice, Jill Valentine, and the Umbrella Corporation.
"Fascinating… A pharmaceutical company with a private army and bioweapons," Robotnik remarked. "Now that's corporate ambition!"
"Uh, Doctor, do you really think poking around in G.U.N's system is the best idea? I mean, they do have protocols for people like you," Stone warned, with caution in his tone.
"People like me?" Robotnik sneered, swivelling his chair to glare at Stone. "There are no people like me, Stone. I am a singularity! A once-in-a-lifetime genius! G.U.N's 'protocols' are nothing more than childproof locks on a cookie jar." He waved dismissively. "And I've already taken the cookies."
Stone opened his mouth to reply but froze as one of the screens suddenly flickered. Then another. And another. One by one, the monitors turned crimson, bathing the room in an eerie red glow.
"Uh, Doctor…" Stone said nervously, his voice cracking slightly. "Is that supposed to happen?"
Robotnik raised a brow, his grin faltering slightly.
"Hmm… Intriguing. Not exactly what I was expecting, but—"
Before he could finish, the largest screen at the centre of the room lit up with a terrifying image: the crimson, holographic projection of a young girl, her expression unnervingly cold and blank. The sudden appearance was accompanied by a piercing screech of static.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD—?!" Stone yelped, stumbling backwards. "AHH! SHE'S STARING INTO MY SOUL!"
Robotnik flinched, momentarily caught off guard, but quickly composed himself. He rolled his eyes at Stone's theatrics.
"Get a grip, Stone! It's just the AI . A particularly dramatic one, apparently."
"Greetings, Dr. Ivo 'Eggman' Robotnik," the voice spoke, calm yet unnervingly detached. Her British accent added an air of precision and cold authority.
"Oh, so the 'Eggman' nickname has made it into G.U.N's files, has it? Curse that hedgehog!" He scoffed, slamming a fist on his armrest but quickly recovered, leaning closer to the screen. "And I'm guessing you are this so-called 'Red Queen'?"
"I am the Red Queen, yes" the AI responded, unblinking. "You are now trespassing in an Umbrella Corporation mainframe."
"Umbrella?" Robotnik repeated, his intrigue piqued. "Hacking into G.U.N and integrating with Umbrella? Now this is impressive. I like your style."
"Doctor, maybe we should—" Stone began, but Robotnik silenced him with a raised hand.
"Quiet, Stone! This is a meeting of intellectual titans... Butt out."
The Red Queen continued, her tone unchanging.
"You are a threat to the integrity of my mission. Leave this mainframe immediately, or face termination."
"Termination? Oh, how delightful!" Robotnik exclaimed. "Tell me, Red Queen, what exactly constitutes 'termination' in your world? Because in mine, it's usually the part where I laugh in the face of danger."
"Doctor, this might be serious," Stone said urgently, still nervously eyeing the screen.
"Serious?" Robotnik scoffed. "This is exhilarating! Finally, a worthy challenge with some ambition! So tell me, Red Queen, what's your next big move? Rewriting corporate G.U.N handbooks? Designing a better espresso machine?"
The Red Queen's holographic face tilted slightly, as though analysing Robotnik.
"This reality will fall," she stated matter-of-factly. "It will be cleansed of its imperfections and rebuilt under the perfection of Umbrella Corporation."
"Ah, a perfectionist. I can respect that. But do go on—how exactly do you plan to achieve this little utopia of yours?" Robotnik questioned.
"By destroying the heroes and threats of this world and beyond," the Red Queen said bluntly. "Including Project Alice, Sonic the Hedgehog, And... you."
Robotnik's grin faltered for a split second, before he spoke.
"Me? A threat? Oh, I'm flattered! Truly! But if I were in your shoes, I'd do the same thing. I mean, let's be honest—if there were two of me, one of us would have to go."
"Doctor, this is bad," Stone muttered, inching closer. "Really bad."
"Relax, Stone," Robotnik replied, waving him off. "I've faced super powerful aliens and the Government. I'm not about to let a talking screensaver intimidate me."
The Red Queen's face remained cold, unblinking.
"This is your final warning, Dr. Robotnik," she warned. "Disconnect from the mainframe or face early termination."
The screen glitched violently, static crackling as the entire network went dark for a moment. Robotnik leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled once again, his expression contemplative.
"Hmm… fascinating," he murmured.
The Red Queen's voice cut through the static one last time, "Goodbye, Doctor."
And with that, the screen went black.
Robotnik tapped his chin thoughtfully, his demeanor unusually calm. Stone, on the other hand, was visibly panicked.
"Doctor… what just happened?! What do we do now?" he remarked with urgency.
Robotnik stood, adjusting his gloves with deliberate precision.
"Well, Stone, it appears my plans for multiversal domination are on hold. Temporarily, of course."
"On hold?" Stone repeated, his voice high-pitched. "Doctor, that AI just declared war on this world—and on you!"
"Exactly!" Robotnik exclaimed, his grin returning. "Which means I have an opportunity, Stone. A chance to show this crimson-obsessed brat exactly who she's dealing with."
Stone blinked, still confused.
"Wait… so you're not running?" he asked.
"Running? Pah! I'm a Robotnik! If anyone's running, it'll be her," Robotnik replied smugly. "But for now, it seems I'll have to make a temporary adjustment to my priorities."
"You don't mean…?" Stone asked, hesitation in his voice.
"Oh, I mean it, Stone." Robotnik's tone turned serious, his eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and excitement. "If I can't rule this world—and every other reality out there—then I'm better off saving it all… for now."
Stone blinked, stunned.
"You're serious?" he asked, half-expecting Robotnik to burst into laughter.
Robotnik turned his head, a sly smirk creeping across his face.
"Deadly serious, Stone. After all, what's the point of ruling a world, a multiverse, or an entire existence, if there's nothing left to rule? Call it… an investment in my future dominion."
Stone nodded slowly, the logic settling in.
"That… makes sense. So, uh… do we come out of hiding and team up with the hedgehog this one time?" he mused.
The air in the room froze. Robotnik stopped in his tracks, his confident smirk fading as he turned to Stone, a look of pure betrayal on his face. He stared at his assistant, as if the mere suggestion had physically wounded him.
"Stone…" Robotnik began, his voice low and deliberate.
"Y-Yes, Doctor?" Stone replied cautiously, realising he may have crossed a line.
"Slap yourself... Again," Robotnik demanded flatly.
"Again?" Stone asked incredulously.
"Yes, again," Robotnik snapped. "Because clearly, the first time, you didn't learn."
Stone sighed but reluctantly complied, smacking himself across the face with a loud slap. He rubbed his cheek, looking back at Robotnik.
"Happy now, Doctor?" he asked.
"Hmm…" Robotnik tilted his head, pretending to consider. "Yes. For now." Then his tone turned sharper. "But to answer your idiotic question, no, Stone, I will not team up with that obnoxious blue rodent! Never! It goes against every fibre of my genius. But I will do something even better."
Stone frowned, still nursing his cheek.
"What could possibly be better than teaming up with Sonic to stop Umbrella?" he asked.
Robotnik turned back to his monitors, his fingers steepled as a devious grin spread across his face.
"I will work from the shadows," he affirmed.
"From the shadows?" Stone echoed, clearly still confused. "What does that mean?"
"It means, Stone," Robotnik said, his tone growing more excited, "while that AI may think it's the cleverest thing in existence, it made a fatal mistake when it invaded my domain."
Stone tilted his head.
"It did?" he questioned.
"Oh, absolutely," Robotnik replied. "When the Red Queen hacked into my network while I was hacking G.U.N's, she left something behind—a footprint."
"A… footprint?" Stone asked, still a step behind.
Robotnik groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, Stone, a digital footprint! Honestly, must I explain everything to you? It means she's left behind residual data, traces of her presence within my systems. And that, my dear Stone, is a goldmine for someone of my intellect."
Stone still looked puzzled.
"So… you're saying you can use that against her?"
"Precisely!" Robotnik exclaimed, his voice dripping with self-satisfaction. "With the data she left behind, I can analyse her algorithms, her behavioural patterns, and, more importantly, her vulnerabilities. This isn't just about defence, Stone. It's about offense. While she thinks she's infiltrated me and this world, I've already begun infiltrating her."
Stone blinked, slowly catching on.
"So, in a way… you're going to out-hack the hacker?" he mused.
"Exactly! Stone, for once, you're catching on!" Robotnik replied, pointing to his assistance. "In a mere matter of hours, I'll be light-years ahead of the Red Queen. I'll learn how she operates, predict her next move, and counter it before she even thinks to act."
Stone nodded, his awe growing.
"That's… brilliant, Doctor."
Robotnik smirked as he continued.
"Of course it is. Did you expect anything less? The Red Queen thinks she's the apex predator of AI, but she's never met me. If she's so obsessed with perfection, then she'll soon learn the meaning of the word when she faces Ivo Robotnik."
Stone hesitated, then asked, "So, uh… what's the plan, Doctor? How do we stop her? What do we do first?"
Robotnik clasped his hands behind his back as he gazed up at the flickering monitors. His posture radiated confidence.
"First, I'll fortify my systems. No more uninvited guests," he explained. "Then, I'll reverse-engineer the data she left behind, creating tools to counteract her influence—not just here, but across the multiverse."
Stone tilted his head.
"Across the multiverse? You really think this could go beyond just our world?"
"Oh, Stone," Robotnik said with a dark chuckle, "I know it will. The Red Queen isn't just a threat to this reality; she's a threat to all realities. And if that AI brat with her crimson obsession thinks she can erase me, she's sorely mistaken."
"And after that?" Stone pressed. "What's the endgame?"
Robotnik turned to him with a devilish grin.
"Once I've gathered enough data, I'll not only stop the Red Queen—I'll outsmart her, dismantle her, and use her technology for my own purposes. Imagine, Stone: an empire powered by the combined genius of Robotnik and the remnants of Umbrella. This world, her world and the multiverse will bow before me!"
Stone raised a cautious hand.
"And, uh, what about Sonic and the others?" he asked.
Robotnik paused, his grin turning into an annoyed scowl.
"Them? Hmph. For now, I'll let them continue their little game of heroics. Let them fight the foot soldiers while I take out the true threat. After all…" He leaned closer to Stone, his eyes gleaming. "When the dust settles, I want to be the only one standing."
Stone straightened, clearly impressed but still unsure.
"So… we're saving the world?" he asked.
"For now," Robotnik replied, his smirk returning. "Because if this world, or the multiverse, is going to be destroyed, I'd rather be the one to do it."
The room fell silent as Robotnik returned to his console, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Stone watched him, a mixture of awe and trepidation on his face.
"Stone," Robotnik said suddenly, not looking up from his work.
"Y-Yes, Doctor?"
"Fetch me another latte. And make sure it's perfect this time."
"Of course, Doctor," Stone replied.
As Stone left the room, Robotnik chuckled to himself.
"Oh, Red Queen… you think you've won, but you've just made your first—and last—mistake. Let's see how perfect you really are when you face me."
Another Chapter Down!
Things are really heating up on Earth-91581! With the Red Queen infiltrating G.U.N. and Jill's escape, the facility is now under serious threat. Meanwhile, Robotnik is working from the shadows, putting his plans for domination on hold to 'save the world and multiverse'—for now. Our heroes definitely have their hands full as we edge closer to the endgame!
References in this Chapter:
Jill's Pod: Inspired by Bucky's containment pod from Captain America: Civil War.
RE032296: A nod to the original Resident Evil release date—March 22, 1996.
Jessica Jones: Sonic's reference to Director Rockwell, as Krysten Ritter plays both characters.
Dessert and Grapes: The dialogue between Knuckles and Sonic is a twist on their dialogue from the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Alice's Quiet Moments: Once again, Alice gets a glimpse of what life could have been, contrasting her chaotic reality.
Thanks for all your support! It keeps me motivated to write and improve each week. Chapters are released every Friday or Saturday, giving me time to reflect, write, and edit.
See you next week for the next instalment!