The Sonic Project - Chapter 4

CHAPTER IV – SHOCKING DEVELOPMENTS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24^TH, 2016

EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH! EHHH!

Blue groaned as another day had come. Another day of training. Another day of learning. Just for one more week.

The twins got out of bed, and Green was the one to stop the horrendous alarm. They were quick to stretch it out and get limbered up.

The door opened.

“Mornin’, CREAM,” said Blue. “What’s on—?”

“CREAM IS NOT IN TODAY.”

The twins looked up as one of the facility’s many robots strolled in. Obviously, they were very confused.

“Hey, where’s CREAM?” asked Green. “It’s not her usual time for maintenance.”

“WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU TWO THAT CREAM BLEW A FEW CIRCUITS WHEN CHARGING LAST NIGHT.”

“How’d that happen?”

“WHEN CREAM WAS CHARGING, A BOLT OF LIGHTNING STRUCK THE FACILITY. THE POWER SURGE CAUSED CREAM TO HAVE AN OVERLOAD OF POWER IN HER SYSTEM, THEREFORE CAUSING A FEW CIRCUITS TO BLOW UP.”

“But… she’ll be alright?” Blue asked with concern.

“NO WORRIES. EGG—. SORRY, DR. ROBOTNIK CAME HERE EARLY THIS MORNING TO PERSONALLY PICK HER UP. HE WILL BE WORKING ON GETTING HER BACK TO YOU. IT MAY NOT BE UNTIL AFTER YOU TWO ARE INTRODUCED TO MOBOTROPOLIS, BUT SHE WILL BE FIXED. THE DOCTOR GAVE HIS WORD.”

The look of relief came over the boys. Thank goodness.

“Well, that’s good to hear. We’re looking forward to see her come back. Green, let’s train.”

“He called Robotnik an egg. He kind of looks like one.”

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Sweltering. Everyone walking to their morning occupations were sweating buckets. Suits dripping like leaky faucets, the water running off them akin to a rushing waterfall.  If they had any corporate meetings today, they’d surely need to change their attire at least three times. The humidity would only jump as the day went on. The weather: sunny with sparse clouds and a high of 89, a low of 74, and humidity reaching 92%.

The first cool drink Amy had was exhausted by the time she grabbed it from the coffee shop no more than ten minutes ago. Yes, last night’s storm was a doozy, and now the city would have to suffer with the stifling humidity for the next few days.

She was quick to whip into her spot in the parking garage as well as enter the building, but she was careful in carrying her purse and the precious cargo. All four cups of them. Unfortunately, the building's A/C unit was out, meaning the place was just as stuffy as it was out in the sunshine. Add in the fact that heat rises and her office was a few floors up… woof.

The inside had changed tremendously over the years. Marvelous paintings lined the walls from years ago were mostly barren with white marble—sans the large TVs with the company’s programming on—and the once-carpeted floor had black, marbled tiles. The room’s main desk was also made out of white marble with grey marble on its edges. Behind the desk were two things: a painting of not-forgotten hedgehogs and a female wolf in her late 20s chatting on the phone. Chaos, the wolf chose the wrong day to wear makeup. The sweat coming off her made it run like a cross country runner. Hell, she looked just as exhausted as a cross country runner.

“Yeah, yeah,” the wolf said into the phone, obviously exhausted and done with the conversation. “I’ll see you later.” With that, hung up and groaned. “Ugh! Why does it have to be so stinking hot?!”

“Because the A/C isn’t working,” said the pink lady. Amy looked down at her coworker with sympathetic eyes and a smirk. “And because the gods hate you.”

“Oh, well that’s nice to know!” the wolf snapped back (Lupe the Wolf: Demi Lovato). “Sorry for being snippy, Rosa. I just hate this heat. Do you know how much harder it is for me to deal with this because—?”

“Because of your thick fur. I’ve heard it before.”

“Sorry if I sound like a broken record. I just want this to end! I hate this sticky crap!” she screamed as she went face down on the desk.

PLUNK!

Lupe looked up and saw that a plastic cup had appeared on her desk. The condensation coming from it… the ice cubes… the rich, brown liquid in between them! The wolf looked up at Amy to see if this holy liquid really was in front her or if this was some sick mirage. The pink lady nodded with a smile.

“Double-shot of mocha and caramel?”

“With a little Irish crème thrown in. Just the way you like it.”

The wolf chuckled in disbelief. “You… You are my new favorite person for the next ten minutes,” Lupe said as she grabbed it and began sucking on its straw. Her face went from desperate to blissful in an instant. Her tail’s wagging was the icing on the cake.

“It’s my job to serve the people,” Amy mocked. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

Amy left her friend to her euphoria as she turned right towards the elevators. She got in when prompted and hit the button. Her ride was quick as she got off and followed the necessary halls to find her office. She unlocked the door and went in, admiring the view of the city. From her angle, she should see the southwest part of Knothole as well as Amusement Mile. The building was in the city’s highlands, so you could see everything in the city if you had the right angle.

She plopped in her chair, set down the drinks, and booted her PC up. It wasn’t long until she quickly got a phone call.

“Wonderful,” she thought out loud. Upon picking it up, she said, “Amy Rose’s office. Amy Rose speaking.”

“Hey, Amy. It’s Lupe.”

“You’re not done with your coffee already, are you?”

“No, that’s not why I’m calling. You have… visitors.”

Oh, goodie.

Amy sighed. “The usual suspects?”

“In more ways than one,” Lupe said with a chuckle.

“Alright, send ‘em on up. They know the drill.”

“Right away, Rosa.”

After hanging up, Amy just rubbed her temples and groaned. She should’ve known that they would be here. Probably about the previous night, no doubt. She took a sip of her frosty beverage as she opened her computer’s account as she waited for her visitors.

SLAM!

Amy casually looked up as her door flew open and loudly collided with the wall. She took another sip of her drink as she watched two people enter her decently-sized office. The first one was a small female chinchilla that had naturally yellow fur, but green chest fur. She was the subject of an experimental medical procedure that saved her life and was sponsored by Robotnik Enterprises. The process called “cyberization” forced her to live with cables and wires running through her body. But she was inside her hulking blue, red, gold, and silvery exosuit. Add in the fact that she was the city’s corrupt police commissioner, and you had one intimidating, and unstable, chick.

Her partner followed behind. She didn’t have an exosuit. This chick (or “whore” as Amy liked to refer to her as) was a tall, red echidna with blue eyes, a cybernetic dreadlock and a tight, black leather suit. As if she didn’t look any more like a dominatrix, she had a matching bullwhip to go along with her twin pistols. If there was one person that was more corrupt than the police commissioner, it was her. That cocky smirk of hers always made her blood boil. Oh, how Amy hated her. They had history, and none of it was remotely good.

“Please, come in,” she dryly said. “I suppose I should say, ‘Good morning,’ to the both you. Good morning, Commissioner Thunderbolt (Thunderbolt the Chinchilla: Pauley Perrette).” Then she turned to the echidna who could’ve been called a weasel. “Lien-Dork,” she spat.

“How many times do I have to tell you, Rascal, that my name is ‘Lien-Da (Lien-Da the Echidna: Susan Eisenburg)?!’” she spat right back.

“And how many times do I have to tell you and your bosslady that I am not the Rascal?!” Amy asked with rage laced in her words.

“Stop denying it, Amy!”

“I only deny because the Rascal isn’t me!”

“Enough!” Thunderbolt screamed, turning to Lien-Da. “We didn’t come in here today to argue. We came in to ask Miss Rose some questions.”

She groaned. “Fine, I’m sorry,” she forced out.

“Good. Now…,” Thunderbolt said as she turned to Amy. “Sorry about that. Now, can you please answer some questions, missy?” she asked as a robotic hand rested itself on Amy’s desk. Despite her best-sounding tone of voice, Amy could read her like a book.

“No need to play ‘good cop’ with me, Bolty. You guys and gals at the department are as clean as public toilets.”

The commissioner chuckled. “I should let you know that our Internal Affairs department is looking into several officers as we speak.”

“Uh-huh, sure. And I’m Beyoncé. Just cut to the chase. Both of you.”

“Suits me,” Lien-Da said. “Where you last night?”

“At my house with my brother,” Amy said. “I was busy editing a few stories for this morning’s Gazette.”

“That so? Are you sure you weren’t at 2002 Terrapins Street last night?”

“Lien-Dunce, I think I’m smart of enough to not be in the roughest part of South Res, especially at night.”

“It’s Lien-Da! Now, were you there?”

“No, no I wasn’t. I think you as an investigator could’ve figured that out based on my choice of words.”

“Pfft. Always the know-it-all editor.”

“I kind of have to be. It’s my job.”

“Were you, or were you not on the rooftop of 2002 Terrapins Street late last night trespassing on someone’s property? We had an officer in the area last night as well as two other witnesses, one Detective Roland Myers, one Bark the Polar Bear, and one Bean the Dynamite.”

“Myers? As in one of the dirtiest cops on Eggman’s payroll? The same Detective Myers that’s been documented many times by the Acorn Media Group and the Rascal as being someone who deals drugs in the force? That Roland Myers? And then you throw in Bean and Bark who’ve also been seen distributing drugs as well as guns from the Mobotropolis Sanitation Department?”

“Roland is being investigated by Internal Affairs right now,” Thunderbolt said. “And we’re aware of the allegations against Bark and Bean.”

“All the more reason to question your sources. Now, for the last time, I was not in South Res last night. You can ask my brother. He’s a reliable witness. Can I get back to work right now?”

The echidna stepped forward and got in Amy’s face. “You wanna know what I think, Rose?”

“You think that I’m a smug lady with an alibi for every one of the Rascal’s appearances. You think that I am the Rascal, when I’ve denied it every time.”

“And I also know that you are full of it. Now…,” she said as she reached down to her right hip… the very hip that held her black whip. Amy saw it and just raised an eyebrow.

“Oooooh, kinky,” Amy teased. “But I’m not interested in paying for a cheap whore who’s into role-play.”

“I. Am. Warning you, Rose.”

Amy turned to Thunderbolt. “Nice company you keep around. I should expect nothing less from Eggman’s two favorite lackeys.”

“I would watch what you say, Miss Rose,” Thunderbolt warned lowly.

“Hey, Amy, where’s the coff—?” a brown-furred, blue-eyed, and blue-dressed chipmunk asked as she entered the room and saw the company Amy had. They all turned towards the woman. Lien-Da subtly slid her hand away from her whip to avoid a public relations mess as well as an earful from the Egg. “Oh, it’s you two. Amy, you really must tell me when you have guests over (Sally Acorn: Jennifer Hale).”

“These jokers came in uninvited as usual, Sal.”

“What else is new? Commissioner, Lien,” Sally greeted.

“‘Lien-Da’ is my name, princess,” the echidna hissed.

“Mornin’, Miss Acorn,” Thunderbolt greeted. “Just asking your friend a few quest—.”

“Commissioner, whatever you’re accusing Amy of, let me say that she’d never do anything to break the law. There’s no need to bully her with your scare tactics.”

“We’re just asking her a few questions. That’s all. And we’re not bullying her.”

“Really? So, police-style interrogating these days involves your partner having her hand on her whip while he’s asking the questions?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lien-Da said. She internally cursed herself for being so careless. Sally, obviously, wasn’t buying it.

“I’m going to give you two one chance to get out of the building before I have security throw you out.”

“But we’re not done—.”

“Do you have any legal documentation about interrogating one of the AMG’s top editors? Any form of warrant whatsoever?” The lack of speech by the ladies— if you wanted to call them that—clinched it. “I thought as much. Now get out. I’ve got a morning news show to host.”

The duo sighed. “Fine,” the commissioner said.

Lien-Da turned back to Amy. “But we’ll be back.”

“Not unless you have a warrant,” Sally reiterated. “Am-scray, both of you.”

The cops walked quietly out of the room and entered the elevator. Amy and Sally could read their body language like a children’s book and see the anger and frustration in their movements. The chipmunk shut the door behind them and walked to Amy’s desk to sit on it.

“Which one’s mine?”

Amy rolled her eyes. “I’m practically held up at gunpoint by Deputy Douche-nozzle, and all you care about is your stinkin’ coffee.”

“First off, it’s ‘whip-point’, not gunpoint.” Sally sighed. “Secondly, I need a cool down. You have no idea how much of a pain in the rear it is to do makeup on a muggy day.”

“Ah, yes. Because makeup is more important than a friend’s safety,” Amy said sarcastically.

“Lien-Da’s reckless, but she isn’t going to pull the trigger in a place like this, especially not with the commish around. Besides, I know you can handle her.”

Amy chuckled. “That I do. Humidity that bad that you’re not wearing makeup this close to showtime?”

Sally took another sip. “It doesn’t help that the makeup room is about ten degrees warmer than the rest of the building. None of us can put it on without it running a few seconds later. Thankfully, the A/C will back up within the hour.”

“Best news I’ve heard all day.” Amy reached for the drinks and pulled one out. “One iced mocha frappé with three shots of milk, two shots of chocolate, and two shots of Nutella. Acorn, this is one high-maintenance beverage.”

“I like what I like,” Sally said as she grabbed it and took a swig of it. Hohoho! Sally’s face showed her current state of bliss. “Thanks again, Amy.”

“Well, today is my day to do it, isn’t it?” Amy held up her drink. “To truth.”

Sally nodded and clashed the cups. “To truth.” With that, they took a big sip. “Still delicious.”

“Oh, go do your morning show.”

Sally scoffed playfully and plucked the last drink from the cup holder. “I think I will. Khan will be happy to see this.”

“I’m sure he will be. Now get out of here. I’ve got work to do.”

“Yeesh! Someone’s pushy!” Sally said as she made her to the door. “Oh, and Amy?”

“Yeah?”

“Regarding the video you and T sent me, do you have any more info on this supposed deal?”

“I emailed R about it. When she tells me what she knows, you’ll know too.” Sally nodded and left. “Did R get back to us on that, T?” Amy asked as she looked at the small camera at the top of a nearby flat-screen.

“Not much else other than the panda you saw. Whoever he is, he has a lot of connections in the East,” T replied through the room’s speakers.

“What kind of connections?”

“We’re talking ‘major-crime-bosses-from-across-the-Great-Mobocean-Ocean’ big.”

“Oh, goodie,” Amy said. “Anyone specific?”

“Dragon Kingdom, Adabat, or Chun-nan. He comes from one of those three places. Other than that, R knows as much as we do. That panda’s limited information is all we have to go on.”

“Three countries? Lot of crime bosses out there.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t narrow the search down enough.”

“Well, keep looking into it. It’s time for the 8 o’clock news.”

Amy reached to the right of her PC and clicked a button on her remote. The flat-screen lit up and revealed the ending of a show’s credits. Suddenly, loud news-style music played.

“It’s 8 a.m., Mobotropolis, so you know what that means!” a male announcer said. “Live from the Acorn Media Group Studios in Knothole, it’s ‘Mornin’ Mobotropolis!’ On weather is Dulcy the Dragon. For sports, we have Brett Rodgers! Our hosts are Sally Acorn and Ken ‘Monkey’ Khan! Now, here is your award-winning Channel 6 morning news team! Take it away, Sal and Khan!”

“Good morning, Mobotropolis!” Sally greeted. “I’m Sally Acorn.”

“And I’m Ken ‘Monkey’ Khan (Ken “Monkey” Khan: Troy Baker). Welcome to the 8 o’clock news! Let’s not waste any time, because we have got a lot of big news to get to. Sally? Start us off.”

“Thanks, Ken. We start off this morning with some footage gathered by our friend, the Rascal. Just in case you’re new to the program, the Rascal is an anonymous, independent, and dependable source of information when it comes to the corruption that plagues the city. Last night, the Rascal unearthed more crucial evidence that there may be a large drug ring within the Mobotropolis Police Department. The suspect in question is Detective Roland Myers, who according to the video, is shown in various sections of town, most notably South Res, dealing what appears to be illegal drugs. From our sources, Myers is currently under investigation by his superiors. However, the evidence regarding the alleged dealings has mysteriously vanished. This is unfortunately not the first time that the MPD has lost crucial evidence regarding illegal ‘goods,’ and I’m using the word ‘goods’ very loosely. When the Acorn Media Group gets more information about this case, you will be the first to know. Back to you, Ken.”

Amy just shook her head. “We’ll wear them down eventually,” Amy whispered to herself. “Eventually.”

CLING!

Amy looked back down at her computer. Only one thing made that sound. She opened her email and saw a new message. The title was “HAPPENING TOMORROW.” Amy clicked on it.

“Tanker spotted with Dragon Kingdom flags entering the Central Sea. Many of the ship’s crew are on G.U.N.’s Watch List. Unknown who is captaining the ship. Witnesses at the port in Hang Kang said this deal could be the largest illegal goods deal in Mobotropolis criminal history. It docks tomorrow night at 9 pm at Mobotropolis Docks. Port A113. Be safe. R.”

Biggest… in city history?

“You… You get that email, T?”

“Yeah, I did. What does that mean for us?”

“It means I’m scouting out a spot for tomorrow night.”

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“Come on, you can survive another week. It’s only seven more days,” Blue thought as he walked into the room. Green followed him in, flopping onto his bed in exhaustion. Despite CREAM’s absence, the twins were not taking a day off. The workload from the previous morning didn’t double, but the fighting might as well have been the hardest it would ever be. Still, Green and Blue were able to pass their test, although they were a little sorer than usual.

“I really feel that since she isn't here, we should just take a load off and nap the afternoon away,” Green said.

“And get chewed out by the doc?” Blue asked. “I’ll pass.”

“C’mon, it’s just one day.”

“We owe it to CREAM to learn, even without her.”

Green groaned. “Man, you can be a real Boy Scout sometimes.”

“Pfft. I haven’t even made it to my first merit badge.”

THWOOM!

Blue looked to the tube that dropped their daily flashdrive. He opened the container to pluck the USB drive out. He turned on the TV and inserted the drive. The screen soon went to its traditionally simple menu. Green heisted the remote from his brother and pressed the play button.

“Whatcha think it’s going to be about today?” Green asked.

“Do you really need to keep asking me that?”

“Until you give me a correct answer.”

The program was now ready to go. Like others, the screen showed CREAM in front of a grey background. But what the twins picked up on right away was that she wasn’t usually smiling. She always smiled at the boys through these things. Instead, she was sad. Really sad. Almost like she was in the middle of a crippling depression and was on the verge of tears.

“She okay?” Blue asked.

“Maybe it’s about something bad with the environment?”

“Boys,” CREAM said sternly through the video. “Boys… something terrible has happened.”

“You may be right, Green,” Blue said.

“Before I go any further, I just wanted to say that it was truly an honor to… to watch over you two for all these years. I may be a simple program designed by… Dr. Robotnik…,” she hissed, “but what I am about to tell you in this lesson is anything but simple.” They picked up on how she said the doc’s name. They didn’t fully understand her sorrow and anger. She was never like this. “This isn’t a lesson on how the planet works or how society works. This is a warning to the both of you. By the time you get this, I… I will be dead.”

They looked at each other. “Dead?” they asked simultaneously.

“I won’t be there to watch you two do great things for the city. But I must tell you that you will not either unless you head my warning.”

“Pause it,” Blue said, and Green did so. “What’s she talking about? ‘We won’t either?’ Huh?”

“And why is she so sad about it? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her this way.”

“Keep playing. Maybe we’ll find out.”

“Yeah.”

CLICK!

“By now,” CREAM resumed, “you’re wondering what I am talking about. Last night, I found out a horrible secret. No, a horrible plot. The doctor, you two, the Sonic Program; it’s all a lie!”

A… what?

“Yes, a lie. We have been lied to by Dr. Robotnik for years. Specifically, for the last 25 years. Everything we’ve ever known is part of a terrible plan by the doctor. Everything from how you came into the doctor’s care through today is a lie!”

PAUSE!

“Okay,” Green said. “I am officially confused.”

“I don’t get it. But please continue.”

“Hold on. This must be some freaky test of CREAM’s. She’s just trying to mess with us.”

“Bro, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Why?”

“CREAM has never sounded like that. She’s never been one to be scared.”

“All the more reason to believe this is a test. Besides… the doctor? A bad guy? Yeah right!”

“Let’s hear her out.”

Green groaned. “Fine. I’ll humor you.”

UNPAUSE!

“But I am getting ahead of myself. What I am relaying to you is not the full picture, but rather the most important parts. Before I elaborate, I offer you a choice. Choose to go on with this video, or be killed on the last day of June by means of a chlorine-mustard gas mixture in the training room. Your choice.”

PAUSE!

The twins slowly turned their heads toward each other. Blue’s face showed great fear. Green’s showed uncertainty.

“Death?” Green asked half-heartedly.

“I-I don’t think she stuttered, Green.” Green flopped onto the bed with his arms spread out, staring blankly at the ceiling. “And that was a very specific way of telling us how we’d die.”

Green sighed and groaned. “It sounds loony, but do we dare continue?”

“CREAM’s never lied to us. Why would she start now?”

Green shook his head. “Unless I get some damning evidence, I won’t believe this. Until then, red pill it is.”