If this document appears with long lines, put word wrapping on. Battle Squadron: "The Rebellion" Written by Michael Griffin (aka DJ Mike) Revision 1.0.1 Legal blurb - this story (C) Copyright DJM Productions 1999, no part of it may be copied or modified in any way without the author's prior consent. Characters remain property of their respective owners: Sonic (SEGA and Archie), Star Trek (Paramount), Star Wars (Lucasfilm), Reboot (Mainframe), The Simpsons (Fox) - characters were used without permission, this story is not intended to alter the real stories of any film or programme in any way. Document Revision History Hopefully there won't be much of this at all - just the occasional spell- checking, mistake correction, etc. 1.0 First fully-released version of the story 1.0.1 Minor spelling mistakes corrected, missing words filled in, and one tiny loose end modified. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to michael@simpsonsuk.freeserve.co.uk This is the first fanfic I've ever written - it's based around Sonic as well as many other areas - Star Wars, Star Trek, The Simpsons, Reboot (those of you who watch Toonami on CN may have seen this). It's not designed to be the first in my series - there are many other stories lined up to be written first. For this story I'll include some author's notes next to fill you in on what's going to have happened. Skip this if you like to be surprised: (or you just don't care!) AUTHOR'S NOTES - The DJM Universe 1. The Empire So what is the Empire? Same name as in Star Wars, but it's morals are quite different. It is the highest command force in the galaxy, which invites any species to join, pre-warp species or not. The Federation (Star Trek) is a part of the Empire, and though its leaders must report to the higher command, the Emperor usually leaves the Federation to its own matters. Other members of the Empire include the Toonworld System - a planetary system which defies laws of physics (and sanity), plus Mobius, and recently the Echidnas on the Floating Island - but that is taken further with this story. 2. The Emperor Ah, Emperor Michael - yes he's actually myself - I'll probably receive heavy criticism for putting myself in a fanfic AND as the highest and most powerful (politically and supernaturally) being, but hey - I'm okay with it!! The Emperor himself is strong, but will not give way to armed conflict unless the situation arises by a hostile enemy - and believe me, that happens a lot in these stories. 3. Alpha First of all, imagine a super star-destroyer from Star Wars - now multiply its size by about 20 - there you go. It's frickin' huge!! What's more - its equipped with heavy amounts of weaponry, armour, high-tech shields, regenerating hull... I think you get the picture. Despite its shear size, it's one of the fastest ships in the Imperial fleet. It's actual name is "Alpha II" - why no "Alpha I"? When I get around to writing "New Beginning", you'll find out... On-board Alpha, there's a huge central chamber, where ships pass in and out for docking, but it's used for other functions as well... Ceremonies, gatherings, concerts (life on a spaceship ain't as boring as you'd think!) By this stage, there's even a cinema complex built into Alpha - it's actually a series of holodecks, but specifically designed for film viewing, and the main content? 20th and 21st century films... Plus a few the Emperor made himself... 4. The Federation Do not assume every ship and encounter in this is related to the Federation - in fact Starfleet itself rarely appears in my stories (and to Kulock, if you read this - how disappointed I am with you!). It's part in the Empire is merely to segment the burden on the high command, which does make life a lot easier. 5. The Krypton This relates to all stories, but to explain it - the Krypton is the Emperor's personal fighter, equipped with the latest weaponry, and a few prototypes, it's designed to be the fastest ship in the fleet. However, it's only a small ship, which at best fits four or five people. Oh, and the name derives from a unit in the game Total Annihilation - the Kryptor - one heck of a powerful ground unit. 6. Reboot? Yes, Reboot characters appear in my stories - you see there's a device which allows for a life-size portal to be opened into the computer world. Unfortunately, alien devices have spread, which allow the formation of energy tears in space - that is shown in several stories. Another enemy here is the "Web Alliance", led by Megabyte, who answers up to a greater power (Daemon - though you don't ever SEE her). 7. The Toonworld System A planetary system which defies all logic, but has many characters at its heart. Toonworld Five was the most recent to be discovered - another Earth, but in cartoon form - with (guess who?) - The Simpsons as its residents, along with goodness knows how many other Simpson-related characters. 8. The Grand Admiral The Emperor was looking for someone to rank below himself, but higher than everyone else. When Toonworld Five was discovered, the Emperor quickly realised that one of its inhabitants filled the position perfectly. Using Infinity (explained later), she was given an age increase from 8 to 19, and was more than happy to become a high official. In case you haven't guessed yet, it's Lisa Simpson. 9. Infinity Think "The Force" from Star Wars - that'll make it easier. There are two sides - clarity and chaos, but there is a third possibility, to take both routes, if you can control it. There are people who are "of Infinity", but only one can "be Infinity" - that's the Emperor. The earlier stories will explain much of this. The Emperor carries a form of Lightsabre - a Blade. (Lightsabre is NEVER referred to in these stories, I'm simply using it to describe it to you) 10. Annihilator? A weapon - it's first appearance will actually be in the story "Annihilation", set before "The Rebellion", and before the echidnas join the Empire. Before this story, nobody thought it possible to have a fighter-mounted version. 11. Mobius Part of its own system of six planets - the other five being uninhabited. The ground inhabitants - the Freedom Fighters - discovered the Emperor after he crash-landed there. He then developed a great many friends there, and decided to let the Mobians join the Empire. The Floating Island wasn't discovered until much later. 12. The Freedom Fighters They all have places within the Empire - high ranking, in fact. The ones featured in this story will probably have their posts mentioned at some point. And yes, they are the Archie characters. The only one who appears so far is Sonic (in this story, that is). 13. The Floating Island Discovered a long time after Mobius itself (surprising really - with all that technology, nobody detected its presence, but that's explained later). At first, Knuckles was the only one to be found there, but the story does develop. The Echidnas return, along with the Dingos, in a simlilar, but not exactly the same way (you'll see when I get around to writing "Inheritance") 14. The Echidnas For this story, all you need know is that they are the same characters as you know from Archie, but they don't have the same background of stories. Knuckles was separated from his father in the same way, but the way they meet is quite different. This takes place in the story "Inheritance" as well, which is the one before "The Rebellion". 15. The Chaotix The Chaotix also appear in the fanfics - all of them, including Charmy. The entirety of Mobius, and the Floating Island, now have space technology from the Empire, and it is unfortunate what the outcome is. But that's all coming up in this story, so I'm not going to say any more... That's it! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it... Prologue - A New Threat Knuckles was happy to finally be reunited with his father after so many years. In fact, happy was an understatement, he had been unable to retain the great emotion that had poured forth when he eventually saw his long, lost relative. Since the few weeks that had passed since this occasion, the two of them had found the time to catch up with many lost moments of bonding that can only happen between a father and his son. But this occasion seemed very different - Locke had not called on his son for the same reason this time, but for another. Knuckles had sensed Locke's anxiety merely by talking to him across the video- phone. The fact that he was asked to go to Haven was strange in itself - this wasn't going to be a personal visit, he guessed. He landed the hovercraft in which he had been travelling on one of the available pads, where Locke was waiting for him. As Knuckles left the vehicle, he allowed himself a brief moment to look around - Haven was certainly becoming a very different place. With the arrival of the Empire to the Floating Island, and the agreement for the Echidnas' entry into the Empire, a new Imperial command base was being erected to herald the beginning of a new age for the inhabitants of the island. Knuckles began to proceed down the extended walkway from the dormant hovercraft, and at the same time his father began to walk towards him. "You took your time," said Locke, who sounded impatient - something was definitely bothering him. "Was there any reason to hurry?" Knuckles asked, not wanting to sound rude to his own father, but somehow it still slipped out. "You do know about the new addition to the Empire, don't you?" Knuckles immediately knew why his father had called him here - Locke was concerned about the new alliance. "Of course! How couldn't I? I was the one at the ceremony." Knuckles refused to believe that his own father would forget such an event. "No! Not us - the latest addition." Now Locke had his son confused. "Who?" Knuckles was eager to know why Locke would be so concerned with the membership of another species in the Empire. "The Dingos" "What? Is that it?" Knuckles wondered why Locke had even bothered to bring him here. "There's more to it than that, son. If the Dingos have a seat on the High Council, then the Emperor may be willing to give them their own territory." "But what's so bad about that?" "Because it means that the Floating Island will be divided! I don't need to remind you about the war we once had with them. If they get their own way, they may try to take more and more away from us." "But that was ancient history, Dad - what makes you so sure it'll happen again?" "Because I know them - I know what the Dingos are really like - war-driven people who thrive on conflict. If the Empire helps them, this island is finished." "We could just talk to the Emperor." Knuckles didn't know what his father was planning, and he didn't want to. "It's too late for that!" Locke wanted to set his plan into motion, it was clear, "The Dingos are already talking to the Emperor, he's probably already planning our demise. Knuckles, the council and I have been talking, and we all agree - there are going to be a few changes." "What kind of changes?" Now Knuckles had been drawn into something that he really didn't want to be a part of. "For a start, we are going to form our own leadership - have species joining OUR cause, not the Empire's. We can bring a new era of peace to the galaxy - one where civilisations are free to govern themselves, not be ruled by a single council." "But who's going to lead this idea?" His father looked at him with a gaze that seemed to expect something of him, "N-no... Not me?!" "Yes, Knuckles! You're the perfect leader! A great many echidnas on this island respect you, and will gladly put themselves out for you." "But that won't be enough!" Knuckles thought of the shear size of the Empire, not to mention Alpha, compared with the population of the island, minus the Dingos. "No - but others will join our cause. I am sure that the rest of Mobius will support us, but not before we can secure our own fleet of command ships." "And how do you plan to do that? Waltz up to the Emperor and say 'Excuse me, we're going to start a rebellion against you, mind if we borrow a few ships?'" Locke's plan clearly had some heavy gaps in it. "Don't concern yourself with that, son. Just concentrate on our main goal - freedom. With you as our leader we cannot fail!" Locke was placing a great burden on his son, "Who knows - maybe you will be our next Emperor?!" I - In The Shadows "Let me get this straight," Emperor Michael was sitting in his quarters, talking to someone on the communications system, "You want the Empire to give you half of the Floating Island? Don't you think that's a bit much too soon - I mean, you only just joined us." "Listen Emperor, we agreed to serve the Empire," The voice on the other end was that of a Dingo - General Stryker, who sounded somewhat angry, "So we want a fair deal in return. Would you rather we ended the alliance?" "I'll talk to the Echidna council," Michael said, reluctantly, "But I can't promise you anything." "Pah!" The Dingo seemed unimpressed, "You have a higher authority than they do - you can just order them to give us the land. I expect to hear from you soon." He wanted to end the conversation. "But wait, I can't just..." Too late - Stryker had already closed the comm line. Michael let out a sigh, and was about to turn to some paperwork, but a comm light began flashing again - 'Incoming Transmission'. He pressed the receive button, and saw that it was coming from the Floating Island, again. "Now what do you... Oh!" The Emperor noticed that it wasn't a Dingo he was talking to, "It's you." Knuckles looked at him across the video link as if to say 'What was that all about?', "Sorry. What can I do for you?" "Oh, it's nothing. I was just calling to say I'm on my way back to Alpha." Knuckles was careful not to let the disturbing thoughts slip out that his conversation with Locke had given him. "I see you're bringing a guest with you." Michael had noticed the pink figure sitting next to Knuckles. "What?" Knuckles attention span was very low, he was finding it difficult to stop thinking about what his father had said, "Oh yeah! Julie-Su's coming as well." "Hello Julie." The Emperor hadn't noticed Knuckles' stray thoughts surfacing, "Will you two be wanting two quarters, or one?" He deliberately said that, because he knew they would hate their relationship being highlighted in such a fashion. "Hey!" Knuckles wasn't paying full attention, but he noticed that, and he didn't like it, just as the Emperor had guessed. Knuckles and Julie-Su frowned at one-another, and then he went to close the line, "We'll be there within the hour." The transmission closed, with Knuckles' own signature - 'Very clever' the Emperor thought to himself, as the red insignia flashed up on the screen, before returning to normal again. Michael couldn't be bothered with the paperwork - he strolled up to the bridge instead. * * * Knuckles' ship sat on a landing pad in the heart of Echidnaopolis, quite near to the EST headquarters. Quite a crowd had gathered to wish him well on his journey to Alpha, but Knuckles was unsure of their motives. There was an absence of any Dingos from the crowd - something was definitely going on. He noticed Locke coming towards the ship, but presently his mother, Lare-Le, was saying her farewells. "Just be careful, Knuckles. I don't want to lose you." Lara cared for her son very much, and feared that his leadership in the Rebellion may have severe consequences. She knew very little else about Locke's idea, other than that he wanted Knuckles to act as normal, and try to convince Sonic and the other Freedom Fighters to join their cause. "Stop worrying, Mom. I'll be okay." Knuckles hated it when his own parents made such a fuss about him. "Okay." Lare began to back away from the craft, and just as she turned, Julie-Su spoke up. "Don't worry, Lara, I'll watch his back for you." She meant that as a joke, and Lara smiled accordingly. Knuckles, on the other hand, simply frowned. Lara made her way down the ramp, passing Locke on the way, and not giving him a glance at all. Locke approached Knuckles, "Knuckles, Julie - I trust you understand what you are supposed to do." Locke had explained this several times, but still wanted to make sure of it. "Dad - if you explain the plan one more time, this Rebellion's gonna be over before it started," Knuckles made himself clear, "Besides, all I have to do is convince Sonic, and the rest of Mobius will follow. And believe me - THAT won't be difficult." "Okay." Locke assured himself that the plan was going to work, "Good luck!" Locke shouted, as the engines whirred into life. He turned and made his way down the ramp, just as the hatch to the ship began to close. The engine steadily increased in power, until the two echidnas were able to leave the ground. The ship moved up into the atmosphere more and more quickly, while the crowd, including Locke and Lare-Le, looked on, as their future took off into space. The small craft extended a hyperwave booster, and the ship sped away in the blink of an eye. The plan was in motion. II - The Rebellion Begins Sonic had just left one of the holoprojection rooms - a cinema room to be exact. Ever since Michael had decided to build a cinema into the new Alpha II, a lot of people had visited to see a vast array of 20th and 21st century films - some screening on the spot, and some by their own choice. On this occasion, Sonic had been there for more than two hours, and was now on his way to the bridge. He was approaching the turbolift, when he noticed that it was about to close, Michael being inside. The Emperor noticed him, and halted the lift, allowing Sonic to dash in. "Bridge?" Michael enquired. "Yeah. Guess I'd better check that everything's tactically sound." Sonic was loyal to his duties - at least the Emperor thought so anyway. "Oh yeah (!)" Michael began to joke, "So much has been happening - a couple of food transports, some Federation ships passing through to Deep Space Seven - we'll be in the heat of battle in no time (!)" "All right, there's no need to insult me." Sonic sounded somewhat annoyed. "Oh, come on. Can't you take a joke?" Michael knew that Sonic had been with the Empire for a long time. However, his position as Admiral was beginning to go to his head somewhat, "Besides - your 'best friend' will be arriving here soon." He used the term loosely, he knew how much Sonic and Knuckles didn't trust one another, or so it seemed. "Dreadhead's coming? Oh, great." Sonic's humour disappeared. "Heh! I'm glad to see you still have some sense of humour left in you!" "Hey, I have a sense of humour!" "Well you sure don't show it much any more." The turbolift stopped, they had reached the bridge, Ensign Helena was monitoring operations. "Ensign, what's the status on Knuckles' ship?" "He's on his way, ETA six minutes." The ensign replied. Ensign Helena had been selected to join the Empire from Starfleet. Such a promotion was very selective, and to receive it would be highly commending. She was a young woman, who was in her mid-twenties. Sonic moved over to the tactical console, where Lieutenant Peterson was working. "Hey Jack!" Sonic knew his own officers well, "Anything happening?" "Not much, sir." Peterson was polite, but still laid back. Michael looked round - Sonic still had to get a second opinion, no matter what he was told. "Do you want to take over now?" "Yeah, thanks. You go and enjoy a few hours off duty." Sonic treated his officers well - they were especially loyal to him. However, Peterson didn't actually answer to Sonic, but to the Emperor. "Is it okay with you sir?" He asked Michael. "Yeah, that's fine. Go enjoy yourself." There was nothing happening, so why not? Life on a battle ship could be so boring sometimes. "Thank-you sir." The Lieutenant left the bridge. "Sir!" The Ensign called from her console, "Knuckles' ship has arrived, requesting permission to dock." "Well then open the front door then." The Emperor was in a more charitable mood today, considering his discussion with Stryker earlier in the morning. "He's docking in bay fourteen." The Ensign was monitoring the ship's activity. "Very well then - are you coming Sonic?" "Yeah, I suppose so." Sonic said with some reluctance. However, despite his previous encounters with the echidna, he did have some admiration for Knuckles. He joined Michael in the turbolift. "Docking bay fourteen," said the Emperor, as the lift whirred into action. * * * Knuckles and Julie-Su were waiting outside their ship by the time Sonic and Michael had arrived. Knuckles was somewhat nervous, he still found it difficult to come to terms with the mission he was about to carry out. "You made it in one piece then." The Emperor chuckled a little, "I hope you two don't mind being in separate quarters." Knuckles and Julie-Su frowned in the same way again - Michael was a nice person, but they weren't too sure about the way he chose to describe the two. Whenever he saw the two of them together, the Emperor would never refrain from making a short joke about them. "We're fine, thank-you." Knuckles had an element of impatience in his voice, "I have a matter to attend to, though. Sonic, I need to speak with you, in private." "Whoa!" Michael sensed the echidna's serious tone, "Why's that? Something wrong?" "No!" Knuckles needed an excuse - fast, "I simply.. wanted to talk to him regarding.. matters from back home." "Oh, well, fine." Michael dismissed the echidna's hesistation without a second thought, "I'll leave you to it, then. I have some other things to sort out." The Emperor turned to Julie, "Nice to see you're in good health, Julie." He turned to Sonic, "I'll catch up with you later. You know where Knuckles' and Julie-Su's quarters are - you can show them there." He turned and walked towards the turbolift, entered, and headed for the recreation deck. III - Subversion The door to Knuckles' room slid across, and in came Sonic, Knuckles, and Julie- Su. As they came in, Julie-Su locked the door. "Wh..what are you doing?" Sonic had seen Julie locking the door. "We want to make sure that there are no intrusions." Julie-Su answered. "Why? What's going on?" Sonic seemed worried. "Like I said before - I want to talk to you." Knuckles tried to sound as relaxed as possible. "What about?" "Oh, let's just say - your future as Admiral." Knuckles didn't want to sound like the enemy here. "What about it?" "Let's just say - I want to make sure you still hold a good position years from now." "Why wouldn't I?" Sonic sensed that the echidna was planning something that was going against everything the Empire stood for. "There are going to be a few changes around here." Julie-Su filled in. "Yes - for a start - we're going to overthrow the Emperor." Knuckles had started the ball rolling - there was no going back now. "Overthrow the Emperor? I don't want any part in it!" Sonic tried to leave, but Julie-Su held up a laser to him. "Why?" Sonic sat back down again. "He's allowed the Dingos into the Empire." Was Knuckles' response. "Why should that bother me?" "Because they may try to claim back the Floating Island for themselves - and they might just go for Mobius itself next." The echidna was telling lies now, but he knew that the hedgehog wouldn't question it. "What? They wouldn't..." Sonic had some disbelief, since he didn't trust Knuckles entirely. "It's true Sonic - and who knows - they may even try to convince the Emperor to bring Robotnik's forces to the Empire." Sonic gasped, "Over my dead body." There was some anger here, "Would the Emperor really do that? I mean, I've known him a long time, and I don't think he'd ever do something so terrible." "The Emperor is becoming power-crazed, Sonic." Knuckles knew that the hedgehog's pride would be the key to subverting him, "Why, I've even heard him say that your nothing but a spineless fool." "He what?!" Hatred began to fill the hedgehog from top to bottom, "Oh, I'll show him who's spineless! What do you want from me?" "Your help." Knuckles had succeeded. Now all he needed to do was secure a fleet of armed ships, "Bring Mobius to the Rebellion, and then we'll stand a chance of success." "That's fine by me. I'll bring my fleet - that'll even up the odds a little." Sonic had been convinced to join. "That will be excellent." The echidna allowed himself a brief smile, he had just forged a new ally - one which would surely give the Rebellion a chance for success. "I won't be able to just leave, though - Michael's a smart guy." Sonic was thinking of a plan. "I'll call my fleet of to a training mission - that'll be good enough. Then we'll make a detour to Mobius - by the time the Emperor knows, it'll be too late." "Excellent. I can see your position as admiral has brought some wisdom to you as well." Knuckles decided it was time to befriend Sonic, if they were going to become allies. "'bout time someone noticed. But how are you going to get away from here?" "Leave that to Julie-Su and me - we've got everything planned down to the finest detail. There'll be a ship arriving here, on which Locke and Sabre will be. They'll pose as a transport shuttle, then we'll be beamed aboard. It won't matter if the Emperor knows - by the time he does, everything will have fallen into place." "Right - and then we can overthrow the Emperor?" "All in due time. You should go now, and find some way to send your fleet into a training mission." Sonic nodded, stood up, and headed for the door, while Julie-Su unlocked it. As the doors began to open, he turned around. "Good luck." "To us both." Knuckles replied, and Sonic left. "We have to make sure that he's not going to report this to the Emperor." Julie-Su had some concern as to the easiness of the previous conversation. "Don't worry, Julie - We've got him on our side. Everything is going according to plan." Knuckles was sure of himself. "Then we'd better keep the Emperor from discovering where his fleet is really headed." "A wise precaution." He and Julie-Su remained in his quarters. Knuckles knew that the plan would succeed, simply because of the hedgehog's pride clouding his own judgement - the Rebellion was underway. IV - Haunted "Computer," Michael was in one of the cinema projection rooms, "Display present film list." He was standing at a console. The computer began working, displaying a listing of each film room, and what was scheduled to show. He was about to make a change to one of the films, when he noticed the holodeck doors opening - it was Sonic. "Hey, Sonic." Michael didn't turn around, he was selecting to one of the films, "What can I do for you?" "Actually, I wanted to ask about something." Sonic had to take a moment to think over his excuse for having his entire fleet go out on a training mission, "What are you doing?" "Changing the films," The Emperor said, as he tapped more of the controls for the holodeck, "Which film did you see yesterday then?" "Um..." Sonic puzzled for a moment, "I don't remember the title... It was showing in screen ten." The Emperor looked around, somewhat bewildered. "Independence Day?! I didn't think anyone still went to see that - not after our alien encounter anyway." The Emperor still found it difficult to come to terms with the destruction of the Alpha Prime base on Earth - so many people had died needlessly. "It's a good movie, though." Sonic seemed to like it. "That's not the reason you came to see me, is it?" The Emperor saw through the hedgehog easily. "Actually, I was planning on sending my fleet out on some training exercises. You know, since there ain't much going on at the moment." Sonic was trying his best to sound sincere. It was certainly working on Michael. "Which squadrons?" The Emperor didn't usually think it necessary to send out an entire battle fleet just for training. "Well... All of them." Sonic replied. Michael raised an eyebrow. "All of them?" Michael hesistated, the hedgehog began to worry that he may have seen through his intentions, "Well, I don't normally send out so many ships like that - but it has been a while. Besides, it's your fleet - you train them how you want." "Thanks, Mike." The hedgehog was grateful, even though he had other intentions. "Oh, if you are going on a training mission, do me a favour - take the Intrepid with you - she's your ship now." Sonic couldn't believe what he had just heard - the Intrepid was one of the Empire's most powerful battleships, not including Alpha. "Thank-you very much." The hedgehog was grateful in more ways than one. * * * Knuckles awoke in his quarters, startled, and let out a mild cry of shock. He and Julie-Su had fallen asleep next to one-another, after talking all through the night. Julie-Su awoke on hearing him. "What is it, Knux?" Julie-Su was concerned, what was troubling Knuckles? "I... don't know," The echidna seemed somewhat shaken by his dream, "I was having a nightmare - our Rebellion... was a success, but we became so obsessed by power, that we... we became... like the Empire - intent on recruiting every species to govern them..." Knuckles was finding it hard to fight his emotion, "Julie - do you think we're doing the right thing? I mean - what if this rebellion is more trouble than it's worth?" "But it is worth it," Julie-Su could tell that Knuckles still considered Michael to be a good person, yet he knew what the Empire was planning, "If we don't stop the Emperor, the Dingos are going to take the Floating Island - maybe the rest of Mobius. It could be that what we told Sonic wasn't so unbelievable - the Emperor could sympathise with Robotnik - imagine what would happen then." "You're right, Julie." Knuckles' mood began to change, "Besides, I saw that transmission we intercepted, despite our only being able to see Stryker - he was telling the Emperor to give the Dingos half the island - and you know, I think Michael was going to agree to it." Anger began to return to Knuckles' face, "I am NOT going to let that happen - that island belongs to us, not them. I will fight every being, be it Imperial or Dingo, that stands in our way, until Mobius is free from the grip of the Empire." "We'd better check on Sonic." Julie-Su knew that the only way to succeed was to keep the plan moving, "Computer - find Sonic The Hedgehog" "Sonic Hedgehog is no longer present onboard Alpha." came the automated voice of the computer. Knuckles and Julie-Su looked at each other. "Looks like Sonic's doing his bit." Knuckles observed, "We'd better get to the docking area - Locke and Sabre will be here in the cargo ship soon." The two of them picked up their belongings, packed them, and headed to the docking chamber. V - Betrayal "Sonic's fleet has gone into hyperwave, sir." The Ensign alerted the Emperor as he sat in his office, just across from the bridge. "Which training area are they going to?" The Emperor wanted to know, just incase an emergency did arrive, though it seemed extremely unlikely to him. "Training Area Delta Three." Was the reply from Helena. Curious - Delta Three was much further away than he had expected Sonic to be wanting to travel. Nevertheless, he accepted the hedgehog's decision, "Return to monitoring local shipping activity." "Aye, sir." The Ensign responded, and the comm signal halted. The comm line then came back again, "Sir, there's a cargo ship requesting permission to dock sir." "From where?" The Emperor wasn't expected any ships to be arriving on Alpha for the next few hours, when he would be meeting with the Dingos to tell them his real opinion about their species. "Mobius, sir." Michael become intrigued by this, "Shall I allow them to dock?" "Yes. Which bay are they cleared for?" "Fifteen." The Emperor left his office, and proceeded to the turbolift at the back of the bridge. Just as he was on his way, he paused, and turned around. "Give them clearance to enter, but don't let them dock. I'm going to see what that ship is doing here." With that, the Emperor entered the lift, "Docking area, level three please." The doors closed, and the lift began to move. * * * "They're here," Julie-Su was also monitoring the ship that was about to dock, "But there's a problem." "What?" Knuckles walked over to the console. "They've been cleared for entrance, but not for docking." She began to bring up the details of the docking of the cargo ship, "Says here that the Emperor is personally overseeing the docking." "Lucky for us that they won't need to dock to get us out of here." They picked up their belongings, "What docking bay are they headed for?" "Number fifteen - that's on the third docking level - we'd better hurry before the Emperor gets there." The two of them rushed to the nearest turbolift, but not before Knuckles had tapped a few extra settings into the console. "Docking level three." Knuckles stated to the turbolift computer, and the two were taken there. * * * Michael arrived at Bay Fifteen, and noticed the two echidnas there. "What are you two doing here?" Knuckles and Julie-Su looked at one another, not knowing what to say. However, Michael's attention was drawn to the ship, and he went to the docking console, "Let's see who and what is over there." He pressed the controls, but the computer let out a negative bleep, "This is Emperor Michael to the cargo vessel, drop your shields and prepare to be scanned." There was no response, "I repeat, this the Emperor to the cargo vessel, drop your shields now". A few seconds later, a brief reply was given. "Stand-by." It was Locke, though the Emperor didn't recognise the voice. In the brief moment that passed, Michael suddenly noticed that the two echidnas were carrying their belongings. "Why have you got your stuff - where are you going?" The two just stood there, "Well?!" Now the Emperor's suspicion had been brought out, "ANSWER ME!!" Before he could say anything more, the shields on the cargo ship dropped, and the two disappeared in the flash of a transporter beam. "WHAT?!" Michael tried to open a comm line to the bridge, as the ship turned and sped away, "This is the Emperor to the bridge - there's an unauthorised ship leaving Alpha, I want you to tractor it!" There was no response. "Computer, what's the status of the communications system?" The response he received came from the docking console. "Internal communications are offline," said the computer voice. Michael realised that it had been sabotaged when he saw that the system had simply been shut down, with Knuckles' authorisation code. Michael was shocked beyond belief, "That bastard!" He said under his breath, as he noticed the pulse light given off by the ship going into hyperwave. The Emperor headed for the bridge. * * * "It looks like everything is going exactly according to plan!" Knuckles said with great happiness on-board his father's ship. "Sonic's fleet has arrived at Mobius," Locke filled his son in on the latest stage of the Rebellion, "He's brought quite a powerful force." "Open a channel to Alpha," Knuckles wanted to taunt the Emperor further, "I might as well say farewell." He said this with glee. Locke, who was now very much proud of what his son had already accomplished, set up the communications line. After a few seconds, the Emperor appeared on Knuckles' screen. "Would you mind telling me what the HELL is going on?" The Emperor didn't know fully what was happening, but he had a pretty good idea. "Why, it's our uninitiation." Knuckles replied, mockingly, "As of now, the Echidna race is no longer part of your petty Empire." "Do you honestly think that you can say that and expect to enforce it?" The Emperor had no idea what else the echidna had planned. "Oh, I can, because we already have a rebellion capable of overthrowing you for your crimes against our people." Michael didn't want to believe it, but what came next made more sense to recent events, "And by that, I mean that we have the entirety of Mobius on our side, along with a fleet more than capable of destroying Alpha." Sonic - another traitor - but why? Knuckles was devious, Echidnas on the whole were devious in the Emperor's mind, he had probably found a way to convince the hedgehog to join his cause. "Ensign Helena - what is the reading from on our long-range sensors of Sonic's fleet - I want the logs." Knuckles watched his enemy with great pleasure. "According to our logs, they were headed for Delta Three, but they made a course alteration, to Mobius." Knuckles could hear the Ensign, despite that he couldn't see her. Of course - Delta Three was the nearest training camp to Mobius - no wonder the hedgehog had chosen it. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together. * * * "You know I'm not going to let you get away with this, Knuckles." Michael glared at the traitor. "Oh, I'm afraid I already have." The echidna glared in return, and there was an angry tone in his voice, "You will pay for betraying us." The communication closed. What was the echidna talking about? Michael sat down in the commanding chair at the centre of the bridge. "Sir, do you want us to lay in a pursuit course?" Lieutenant Peterson called from the tactical console - despite Sonic's defection, Peterson was still willing to stand by the Emperor. "No," The Emperor knew that would be a futile idea, "They'll be expecting us to do that." He considered the available options for a moment, "The best thing we can do is prepare ourselves for the worst. Initiate battle preparation procedures - if this does escalate into a war, I want it to be as swift as possible." Michael closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the chair in deep concern - what could possibly have gotten Knuckles' so worked up that he would commit to betrayal? VI - The Next Mission "You want US to sneak aboard Alpha?" Vector couldn't believe what he was hearing - he and Knuckles had been friends for a long time, and the echidna's recent betrayal to the Empire was nothing new to him, but he couldn't believe that Knuckles would ask the Chaotix to go on such a dangerous mission. "You'll be fine - besides, the Emperor barely knows you - just follow the plan and everything will work," Knuckles had to know what the Emperor was planning, "Trust me." "Come on, guys," Charmy had greater enthusiasm than Vector apparently did, "We've been in tougher scrapes before." Mighty and Espio seemed to agree, Vector reluctantly acknowledged this. "All I'm sayin' is I don't wanna end up in some interrogation chamber because we made a mistake." Vector wanted to make his point. "You won't - I know you'll be okay." Knuckles had great faith in his friends - his Mobian friends anyway. He began to step away from the fighter- craft. "Now don't forget, you cloak this ship and leave it a few million kilometres away from Alpha, and take the pod and break in through the hull." "We heard you the first time - we know the objectives." Mighty just wanted to get the mission over with as quickly as possible. "Good luck." Knuckles watched as the ship hatch closed, and the Chaotix's ship sped away into hyperwave, and towards Alpha. * * * The Emperor sat at the desk in his office. Across the other side of the table stood a tall, green-skinned figure - it was Matrix. "I trust you didn't have any problems getting here, Enzo?" "Please," Matrix resented that name, "Do NOT call me that." "Fine." The Emperor was too involved with the present situation to debate over name callings. He sat there flicking through a data pad containing the latest tactical reports, "I take it Peterson brought you up to date." "He did - I always knew those Mobians would be trouble - right from the very beginning." Matrix was unfamiliar with Knuckles, but he knew Sonic very well - enough to know that he despised the hedgehog's attitude. The Emperor smiled - Matrix was a loyal recruit, but he had another reason for calling him up to Alpha from Mainframe, "I brought you here because you are more familiar with the design of the Krypton than anyone else." That much was true - Matrix was one of the chief engineers involved in the construction of the fighter, alongside Rotor, who would no longer be any help, due to his loyalty to Sonic, and now the Rebellion. "What do you want to do to the old girl?" The Krypton had been upgraded many times, but the ship itself was getting on in years. "I want to add the two prototype weapons we've been working on to the ship," New, and better weapons were always being developed to keep the Empire at the forefront of technology, "Are they at a stage to be mounted on a starfigher?" "Yeah, sure." Matrix had spent a lot of time bringing the new weapons up to working capacity, "We can fit them within a couple of hours. "Good," The Emperor liked the sound of that, he paused, "Very good indeed. I'll expect to hear from you by then." "That's fine, sir, I'll get to work right away." "Very well," The Emperor stood up, "Dismissed." Matrix nodded, turned, and walked away. * * * "We're in position!" shouted Vector, who had been piloting the ship to the given co-ordinates, "Guess we'd better get to the pod." The four of them clambered into the small launch pod at the back of the ship. Despite it's small size, there was still a fair amount of room for all four. "I hope you can hack into their sensors, Espio," Mighty highlighted that their mission still had some remaining obstacles to pass through, "Otherwise this is going to be a very short recon mission." "Don't worry," Espio sat at a computer console, tapping a few keys, "I'm already getting in." "Right, time to launch this junk," Vector pushed a button on the navigational controls. There was a brief whirring sound - suddenly, a hatch opened at the base of the ship, and the pod shot out towards Alpha. * * * Knuckles couldn't help but pace around the room - he and Julie-Su were back in Haven, awaiting word from either the Chaotix, or Locke, who had left with Sabre on another important mission for the Rebellion - 'to talk with a new ally' as Sabre had told the two before they left. "Knux, I wish you'd stop doing that." Julie-Su felt uneasy with him being so nervous. "Sorry." Knuckles stood still, "I'm just a little worried." "A little?" Julie could see that Knuckles was deeply concerned that something could go wrong - he wasn't very adept at hiding his feelings from her, "From the looks of you I'd say you were about to suffer an emotional crisis." "Hey! I may be concerned - but I have faith in the guys' mission being a success - I don't need you to criticise!" Knuckles snapped at her, Julie felt that she shouldn't provoke him any further. "I'm sure that they will succeed, and then we can finally make a plan against the Empire." VII - Infiltration "I've tapped into their sensor feed," said Espio, punching a few controls on- board the transport pod, "To them we'll be nothing more than space dust." "Cool," said Vector, piloting the craft, "I wouldn't want to BE space dust if they spot us." The pod moved ever closer to the hull of the huge mothership, until it was able to latch onto the surface. The four of them beamed in through the hull, just as they had planned, into a service corridor. "Sure is cramped in here," said Espio, unsure whether or not he really wanted to be there. Espio hated enclosed spaces - past experience had given him a subconscious fear of this. "Look!" Charmy had noticed something, "An access terminal." Mighty edged his way over to the console, but before he could do anything, the sound of footsteps was heard outside of the tunnel. The other three came over, and they all remained silent. Through the grating, they could partially see the feet of two officers, but they didn't know who. Then one of them spoke, and they realised who it was. * * * "Are the modifications to the Krypton complete?" Michael stood there, talking to Matrix, who had been working on the fighter. "Yeah - we've fitted the two prototype weapons. The rapid pulse cannon is in working order, but we've been unable to test the other weapon." Matrix explained. "Why not?" Michael wanted to know why the best weapon designed yet wasn't working. "If we had tested it, we wouldn't be standing here having this conversation." Matrix said jokingly. Michael remembered that testing the weapon in a confined area would prove fatal to the surroundings. "Oh! I forgot about that part - has the computer interfaced with it?" "Sure - there's no reason why the weapon shouldn't work." "Excellent - you've done a good job, Matrix. Now it's time for me to take her for a test drive." Michael was eager to test the new weaponry on the field. "Thanks sir." "Oh, please - you're a good friend, Matrix," Michael placed his hand on Matrix's shoulder briefly, despite the fact that he was several inches taller, "Just call me Mike. I don't like the word boss!" "Uh... Okay, si... I mean, Mike." "Sir!" A voice came over the comm system. "What is it?" Michael responded. "We've detected intruders on-board." It was Ensign Helena. * * * The Chaotix knew it was time for them to leave, "We'd better get out of here." Espio whispered to the others. Vector, Mighty and Espio began to make their way back, but Charmy hovered in the air, wanting to know more. "You deal with the intruders, Matrix, I'm taking the Krypton to Mobius - it's time to teach the traitors a lesson." The voice of the Emperor was heard through the grates. "Okay. Good luck, Mike." Charmy could see Matrix walk away, and then the Emperor turned and walked in the opposite direction - to the launch bay, he guessed. Charmy then made his way back to the pod, where he found the other three not in the most charitable moods. "What is it, guys?" Charmy asked, not noticing the damage. Espio pointed towards the console he had been using the disable Alpha's sensors - the circuits had been completely fried. "If we ever needed the proof that they know we're here, we just got it," said Espio, "I think we'd best get away from here." Vector took the navigational controls again. "Hang on guys, I have a feeling this is gonna be a bumpy ride." He tapped a few controls, and the pod shot away from Alpha's hull. A few minutes later, they were back on board their cloaked ship. "Let's get the heck outta here!" shouted Mighty, who didn't want to stay a minute longer. Moments later, the craft de-cloaked and shot into hyperwave. "'fraid I'm gonna have to make a detour guys!" Vector called, noticing the vessel tailing them, but the others had yet to discover this. "Why?" Charmy asked. His question was answered when an explosion shook the ship all over. "That's why!" Vector didn't have to say any more, "Hang on! We'll lose that patrol ship, no prob!" VIII - The Road Ahead "All systems are powered up," Michael spoke clearly into the comm system from inside the Krypton fighter. Ensign Helena sat next to him, at the tactical controls. The Emperor turned to her, "Are all weapons systems in full operation?" "Affirmative, sir." The Ensign briefly checked the status of the systems. "We're ready to launch, Matrix." Michael said into the comm. "Okay, Mike - moving the Krypton into the launch tube." Came the sprite's voice back over the comm. Beneath the Krypton, a hatch began to slide across slowly, revealing a slanted launch way. The ship was lowered on to the launch rail, where it was pulled back to the top of the passage. "Here goes nothing," The Emperor said to Helena, "I forgot how nauseating this fast launch is." "Good luck," came over the comm from Matrix. "I just hope the new beam weapon we installed works - or this ain't gonna be much of a demonstration!" A mechanical noise began to build behind the ship. "Spiraldrive - don't fail me now!" All of a sudden, the power launch kicked in, and the ship was thrust along the launch tube. Both occupants aboard the Krypton was pushed against their seats by the pressure. The ship sped out of the bay, and went straight into spiralwave speed - a large, yellow, spiral-like flash appeared as the ship flew away. * * * "Knux! There's an enemy ship headed this way!" Julie-Su was quick to pick up on the new threat coming in faster than anything she'd ever seen in space travel before, "That ship's fast!" Knuckles knew who to expect. "A small fighter?" He wanted to make sure. "Yes - according to this it's the Krypton." Julie was familiar with the Emperor's personal fighter, though she had no idea of the kind of power it held. "Sonic," Knuckles called his ally over the intercom, "I think it's time we put your fleet into action." "You mean against that fighter? Sure," was the response, "How many ships do you want?" "All of them." Knuckles' order caused Julie to give him a very surprised look - why would they need every ship. Sonic sounded equally startled. "You want every ship?" "Yes - I'm going to teach the suicidal Emperor a lesson." Knuckles was planning something devious again. "Fine - we'll beam you two aboard the Intrepid then," Sonic hadn't told Knuckles about the ships he'd been able to secure until now. "You got the Intrepid? Well done!" Knuckles' confidence in the Rebellion was more than secured again, but he had to ask, "How?" "The Emperor gave it to me - before he knew what was going on." The hedgehog seemed very proud of this, "Bet he's really kicking himself now." "I'm sure he is," Knuckles was still concerned about the approaching ship, however, "So what are you waiting for? Get us up there!" "Okay, hold on a sec." A few seconds passed, and then Knuckles and Julie- Su disappeared from Haven through a transporter beam. * * * Another explosion rocked the four Chaotix members on-board their ship. "Mighty - I really hope you've sussed those weapons!" Vector was finding it difficult to avoid all of the torpedoes being fired at them by the patrol ship, "A couple more hits and we won't be reporting anything at all!" "I think I've got it now." Charmy's previous attempt to fire the weapons had cut the power to the engines, almost leaving them stranded and at the mercy of the trailing fighter. "You'd better!" Shouted Espio, he was becoming more and more annoyed by the lengthy detour they were making to keep the patrol ship from heading for Mobius. "I'm firing a round of torpedoes!" Shouted Mighty, about to push the launch button. "Don't say it - just get on with it!" Charmy was even giving in to the fear and annoyance this mission had already brought. Mighty tapped the firing button. There was a delay of several seconds. "Something's gone wrong!" Espio feared the worst. Just when they thought it was all going to end, a spread of lights were seen to fire from the back of the ship - most of which hit the fighter straight on the engine. "You did it!" Vector shouted with a much-wanted happiness. The fighter ejected its hyperwave core - they had clearly damaged it. The enemy ship began to move away as fast as it possibly could without a primary engine. The dumped hyperwave core began to flash a bright white - it was going to explode. "I think we'd better get outta here!" Mighty knew there was still danger present. Vector agreed, and changed the ship's heading for Mobius, and put it into full speed, and not a moment too soon - the core let off minor fires, before exploding into a big mass of plasma and debris. * * * The Rebel fleet was holding position half way between Mobius and Alpha - a long stretch, which made it the ideal position to stage a confrontation. "We've got the Krypton on long-range, Knux!" Julie-Su had taken the tactical console, while Knuckles had taken over command, with Sonic in second. "Can we see it?" Knuckles wanted to see his foe before having to face it for real. "No - I can't get these sensors to penetrate the spacial wave it's travelling on." She'd never seen any kind of space travel like it before - barely anyone had - the Krypton was the first ever craft to use a Spiralwave drive - not even Alpha had been fitted with one - but Spiralwave energy was the immense powersource driving the huge ship. "Wait - we've got the Krypton on short range - it's right in front of us... But.. How is that possible?" Julie-Su couldn't understand how a ship could be both right in front of the fleet, and be on long-range sensors at the same time. "I know." It was Rotor, the ship's new engineer, who was on the bridge, "That's an echo - that ship is travelling faster than sub-space." "Faster than sub-space?" Sonic didn't know the exact speed, just that sub- space wasn't normally possible for space travel, "Whoa, that is fast!" "Are the weapons platforms armed, Julie?" Knuckles wanted to make sure that everything was ready for the face-off. "They are - they've targetted the Krypton." Julie replied. The weapons platforms were unmanned, and controlled from the Intrepid, where they were stored when not in use. They were constructed of from thick hull plating - with additional armour. It would take the firepower of several heavily-armed ships to destroy a single one. "Open a channel to the Krypton - let's give Michael a fair chance." IX - Hidden Objective 'Incoming transmission' read the Emperor on the display in front of him. He read more closely: 'Mobian Transmission Code', he knew immediately who to expect on the other end. "Computer - main viewer" Michael said with some authority, a vague sound of bleeping was heard, and an image flashed up on the main screen of the Krypton, "I see you've decided to come along as well. Any last requests, traitor?" The red figure on the screen chuckled, "Hardly! I am simply here to see your sad demise," he said with a definite mocking tone to his voice, "If you surrender now, I may consider sparing the rest of the Empire - as for you..." "Cut the threats Knuckles. Surely you know that I would never surrender to a traitor?" Michael cut in before the echidna could make any further taunts. "Too bad." he said, with some hint of sorrow for the enemy he was about to destroy. He waved his hand at the crew of the rebel ship. Another figure came into view on the Emperor's screen, it was Sonic. At that moment, the Intrepid's shields went up, and their weapons charged. "Don't be a fool, Mike - you know that your small fighter won't stand up to an entire fleet." Sonic may have defected to Knuckles' cause, but he was still willing to save a good friend. "Whoever said anything about standing up to an entire fleet?" Michael turned to his ensign, and tapped a mute button on the control panel, "Target one of their largest weapons platforms - I don't want to kill anybody, just make my point." "Aye, sir." the ensign responded. Michael tapped the audio mute again. The echidna had obviously noticed his tactic. "Surely you don't think destroying an automatic weapons platform will do any good?" Knuckles was smart, but the Emperor had an ace up his sleeve. "Knuckles - I'm going to give YOU the chance to surrender - I advise you take it." The Emperor was planning something. "Never!" said the echidna, some rage beginning to stir in him. "Fine." Michael's concern had disappeared completely, "Have it your way. Oh, and, uh... Before I do anything, I have a question for you." "What?" Knuckles was clearly becoming annoyed by this continuing conversation. "When you were still on board Alpha, did you ever take the time to sample one of the computer war games in the recreation area? I believe it was Total Annihilation..." "No. Why? What does it matter?" "Oh well... Your loss..." Michael directed his gaze to the ensign, "Prepare the annihilator," he said calmly, but clearly enough for the people on the comm to hear him. "What are you talking about?" Sonic was curious as to the Emperor's obvious plan. "Oh, it's just something we've been working on here. No need to concern yourself - if your fleet's as tough as you say." "Ready to initiate" said the ensign. "Charge the beam." the Emperor ordered. Atop the Krypton fighter, a large firing mechanism appeared from beneath an opening hatch. A long tube moved quickly to target the weapons array. Then, a surge of energy began to build at its base, until it then became a gleaming mass of bright blue light. "The annihilator is fully charged!" shouted the ensign, through the loud noise going with the generator. "Knux!" shouted Julie-Su on-board the Intrepid, who was monitoring the Krypton, "That energy is thousands of gigawatts in power!" "Wha..Wh..What's going on?" Knuckles became very worried. The Emperor clearly was about to unleash something of devastating power, "INTENSIFY THE SHIELDS ON THAT WEAPONS PLATFORM!! I don't want ANYTHING to be destroyed. Surely no weapon could penetrate the hull of a weapons platform so easily." "But Knuckles - I'm not sure..." "Just boost the shields!" In the middle of the rising chaos on the bridge of the intrepid, Knuckles looked at his viewscreen again. The Emperor raised his eyebrow, "Fire." He said in a very calm voice. The energy from the annihilator suddenly flashed a bright white, and a sudden long beam of concentrated blue energy erupted from the firing tube. Within a split second, the beam had traversed the several hundred kilometres between the Krypton and the unmanned weapons platform, and hit the target in dead centre. At that millisecond, a blinding flash of an explosion caused the people watching to shield their eyes, except for the Emperor, who just sat there grinning. A ring of fire burst forth from the centre of the explosion, mildly damaging the shields of the surrounding ships. "Get us away from here!" shouted Knuckles, "Full power to the Hyperwave drive!" the echidna's fleet moved away at full speed. The Krypton just sat there. Particles of debris began to float away from where the weapons platform had once sat, it had been completely destroyed. "I think I made my point." Michael said to the ensign. "Affirmative, sir." she closed the comm link, as the enemy fleet slipped away back to Mobius. X - Further Alliances "He tricked us!" An outraged echidna stood at a console in a chamber within Haven. On the screens above were tactical displays of every kind showing the previous event, and there, at the centre, was a replaying view of the fatal annihilator shot which caused unimaginable damage in such a short timeframe, "I should have seen this coming sooner!" Julie-Su was standing next to him, trying to calm him down. Knuckles sat in a nearby chair, face in hands. "You shouldn't worry so much, Knux." She already knew about the new alliance the Rebellion had formed, "We may have suffered today, but that doesn't mean we've lost. Quite the opposite - we've got a new ally." "A new ally?" Knuckles raised his head in curiosity, "Another defector? Oh please say it's the Federation." "If only!" Julie-Su shared his opinion that such an ally would be a great asset to their cause, "They aren't even part of the Empire. They're called the Romulans." "Who the heck are the Romulans?" Knuckles had clearly never heard this name before, and began to mock it from the very first instant. "I wouldn't say that when their ambassador arrives here." came a voice from the other side of the room, it was Locke, "They've joined our rebellion because they believe in the same thing we do - a free society where worlds are free to rule themselves, not be governed by a single council." "And how long've ya been practising that line for?" Vector approached the three echidnas from one of the doors, the rest of the Chaotix weren't far behind. "How did your mission go?" Locke inquired. "We managed to sneak onto Alpha without being noticed," Espio answered, "Heck, that ship's so huge I don't think a small pod's gonna be noticed - not before it's too late anyway." "Then why'd it take so long for you to get back here?" Knuckles was disappointed, "I take it you've heard what happened!" "Oh, we heard - that was bad." Charmy spoke up. "We tried to get to the fleet to warn you, but we had to make a long detour when we were chased by a patrol ship" Mighty added. "So you weren't as unnoticed as you thought" Julie-Su pointed out. "Hey! Nobody's perfect!" said Vector, "Just look at yourself - you don't exactly have a clean record either! Don't forget - you'll always be a Dark Legion freak." "Care to step over here and say that?" Julie-Su had been provoked. "You want a piece of me?!" "Please, please!" Another voice approaching from behind, "Why is there a need for all of this bickering?" A tall figure walked in, accompanied by Sabre, it was a Romulan, "Aren't we all friends here?" "Oh, you must be the ambassador." Knuckles stood up from where he was sitting, and walked over to greet the new arrival, "I'm Knuckles." "I am Ambassador Ketrel, of the Romulan Senate. Pleased to meet you." The two shook hands, "So you are our future emperor, then? I hope you live up to the high commendations we have received about you." "I assure you he does." said Knuckles' father, "But we have hit a major setback." "Ah yes, your confrontation with the present Emperor. Uh, what does he call himself? Oh yes, Emperor Michael. How very formal. I take it nobody was injured during the explosion?" "Minor damage to some of our ships, but no heavy casualties or losses," said Sabre, who had been explaining the recent situation to the ambassador. "I hope you are planning a retaliation." The ambassador clearly wanted to strike a fatal blow against the Empire. "We're not going to win this war with artillary," Knuckles took a more optimistic view, "The only way to succeed is to win the support of every species." "In effect, we take apart the Empire piece by piece," said Julie-Su, who understood her counterpart's strategy very well. "Right - first we convince Federation members, and then the whole lot should follow. Then it's simply a case of converting the Toonworld System, followed by those who serve the core of the Empire, which will leave just Alpha, and it's pitiful leader - an Emperor of nothing." "How true," the ambassador added, "I can see this is going to be a most rewarding alliance. I do have one request, though." "Which is?" Knuckles didn't want to have to deal with petty requests at the present time. "Do keep the Klingons and the Romulans apart - I think I speak for my civilisation when I say that we don't really want any direct partnership with them." "The who?" Knuckles had no idea what the ambassador was talking about. "I see we have a lot to talk about yet," said Sabre, "But it can wait, right now we need all of that reconaissance data the Chaotix collected." "Uh... About the reconaissance data..." Vector realised that their main objective had in fact failed. "What about it?" Sabre became concerned. "We didn't get any - all we heard was the Emperor - then we were discovered. Sorry." "Oh, wonderful (!)" Knuckles was going to have to think of something else. At that point, Sabre began to walk away, "Where are you going grandfather?" "I have some work I must attend to." Sabre said very briefly, before leaving the room. The last the others saw of him was a spacefighter taking off, with him at the controls. "I don't know where he's gone, but we have to get moving." Knuckles had a new strategy, "Father - is the fleet ready?" "They've been on alert ever since we were confronted by the Emperor." Locke told his son. "Good... I have a new plan." XI - The Final Piece "Domino - what's the status on our shielding?" Michael had returned to Alpha, and was preparing for the worst. "Shields are running at full strength. Regeneration rate is currently six per cent a minute." Domino's voice sounded very proud over the intercom. "Excellent. Lieutenant Peterson, what's our tactical status?" Peterson looked up from the console, "All weapons fully operational. Three hundred and fifty-two advanced torpedoes at our disposal. Pulse cannons are working in normal parameters. All fifteen annihilators are ready and waiting." "Ensign Helena - any ship movement to report?" "None, sir. It's quiet out there at the moment." The Ensign sounded relieved to be saying that. "Good." The Emperor was equally gratified, "Let's just hope it stays that way." * * * "Those are the mission objectives." Knuckles was standing in front of a view screen, giving orders to his fleet. Locke was standing not that far behind. "Remember - whatever happens, evade the annihilators!" Locke didn't want any more ships to be destroyed, and neither did his son, "And also..." The rest of Locke's sentenced was cut short. He and Knuckles disappeared in a stream of energy - somebody was transporting them. "Wh...Wher'd they go?" Vector looked as puzzled as everybody else. * * * Knuckles and Locke stood in the middle of a long, narrow footbridge, connected to two rooms. Beneath them was a long drop - they looked around - there were nothing but robotic components everywhere. Strange-looking beings were walking around - but they were more machine than human. "State your identities," A strange voice, unlike any they'd ever heard before, but with an automated tone began to speak. "What's going on?" Locke wanted to know why he and his son had been brought here against their will. "It's okay!" A voice called out from one side of the bridge, as Sabre began to walk towards the two of them, "They're with me." "State their identities." The voice bellowed again. "Locke, my son, and Knuckles, my grandson, and the future Emperor." Sabre explained to the voice. "Leadership is irrelevant - these two will accompany us to our destination." The voice seemed to be unconcerned with who was leading the Rebellion. "Knuckles - this species is known as the Borg. I have managed to forge an alliance with them, they want to destroy the Empire as much as we do. I think we can trust them." An alarm suddenly sounded through the ship. "Incoming transmission," said the Borg voice, "Romulan transmission." "Put it through," Sabre wanted to speak to the rebel ally. An image flashed up on a nearby panel, and the three of them walked over to it. "An interesting ally you've found." It was the Ambassador, onboard a Romulan vessel, "May I ask how you came to trust the Borg?" "We can trust them - they have the same goal as we do - to eliminate the Empire." Knuckles had confidence in that Sabre was doing the right thing, and so he supported the new alliance. "Very well." The Ambassador sounded unsure of himself, but still seemed willing to go along, "This is YOUR rebellion, not ours. Can we assist you?" "Yes." Sabre had hoped for this opportunity, "We need you to send some cloaked ships to surround Alpha, we'll join you there." "Very well." The transmission ended. "How many Borg ships do we have?" Locke asked, hoping that there would be enough to not need to bring Mobians along as well. "Twenty-three vessels." said the collective voice. Locke admired the single voice of the species, though he felt uneasy about it. "That should be enough." Knuckles was eager to go, "Let's go for it!" The collective acknowledged, and a course was set for Alpha - twenty-three Borg cubes, and seventeen Romulan ships began to move away. XII - Incoming "Sir!" shouted the Ensign, "We've got transwarp signatures on long-range sensors." "What?" Michael said in disbelief, "But nobody on Mobius has that kind of technology!" "Well - the Romulans have joined the Rebellion." Helena pointed out. "I know - but even they don't have transwarp drives." He was speaking quickly, "In fact the only transwarp capable species is..." He slowed down, suddenly realising what was causing sensor reading, "The Borg... SHIELDS UP!" There was no more time to prepare, Alpha was about to be engaged. "I've got a lock - six Borg cubes..." The Ensign couldn't believe her eyes, "Wait! There's more." "How many?" The Emperor was becoming just as worried. "Twenty-three cubes, sir." "Dear god!" Michael realised that Alpha was going to be facing a brutal conflict. "Sir!" A voice came in on the comm system - it was Domino. "Yes - what's wrong?" Michael could tell that Domino was calling due to a problem. "Our shields - they're weakening - some kind of dampening field being given out, but I can't tell where it's coming from! Shields at twenty-three per cent, and dropping!" * * * "The vessels shields are almost down." said the voice of the collective. "Excellent." Knuckles was pleased to hear that, "Surround the ship, I don't want them going anywhere!" "It looks like the Romulans played their part very well." Locke was monitoring the cloaked Romulan vessels that had surrounded Alpha. "The shields are down." That was all Knuckles needed to hear. "Locke, Sabre - it's time we payed the Emperor a visit." Things were finally started to go in Knuckles' favour, "Secure the ship for our transport - we should take three drones with us for protection." "Affirmative." said the collective voice. Three Borg drones appeared from a chamber. "I've advised the Romulans that we're going over." said Locke. * * * "They've locked onto us with tractor beams!" shouted the Lieutenant from his tactical console. "Surely this ship can pull free of a tractor beam?!" The Emperor knew that Alpha's immense size was more than enough to withstand a tractor beam. "No, sir, I said 'beams' - all twenty-three of those cubes have locked onto us at different points - we're not going anywhere!" "Damn it! Increase security around critical areas - if I know the Borg, they'll send drones over here to assimilate us. Issue the pulse rifles, that should hold them off for a while." "But sir, they'll adapt!" "Not with the new modifications, they won't! Each gun only has a few shots, but it'll be enough! Get on with it!" "Right, sir." The Lieutenant headed for the lift, and down to the security office. "Domino - I could really use that extra power right about now!" The Emperor was talking into the communications system. "Sorry sir, but they've got a dampening field on us - I can't disable it." said the voice over the comm. "Mike - they're boarding us!" shouted Matrix, who had taken the tactical console. The Emperor began to pace around silently, scratching his forehead, and beginning to sweat at the forehead, "What do you want to do, sir?" "What does the boarding party consist of?" Michael's anxiety lightened. "Scanning." Ensign Helena began tapping the operations console, "Strange." "What is it?" "They consist of three Borg drones, and three humanoid lifesigns. They're heading towards the bridge!" The ensign shouted. "Stop them - we can't let them take this ship!" Michael's fear increased. "Sir! Seventeen vessels are de-cloaking all around us." shouted Matrix. He didn't have to ask - he knew, "The Romulans" said the Emperor, under his breath. "They're boarding us, sir - they're taking all critical areas!" came from the Ensign. "Raising force fields around the bridge!" shouted Matrix, "Shall I increase security?" The sound of banging came from the central doors - Michael looked around. "Sir! They've taken engineering!" Matrix was urging a response from the Emperor. A figure suddenly beamed onto the bridge, but then the force fields were taken out on the doors as well, most likely by the Borg, as Michael guessed. "Michael!" it was Lisa Simpson, who had mysteriously been absent throughout the entire masquerade, "I have to tell you!" Suddenly the doors were broken down, and at that same moment, several Romulan officers teleported onto the bridge. In came the boarding party through the debris of the doorway. The Ensign grabbed her phaser and fired by instinct, hitting a Borg drone, but was then stunned by a Romulan disruptor. Michael grabbed a rifle, but was cut short, but a beam knocking it straight out of his hand, "Crap!", he tried to grab another, but a voice spoke out. "I wouldn't, if I were you," it was Knuckles. He stepped onto the bridge, accompanied by Locke, Sabre, and the two remaining Borg drones. The Romulan troops joined them. "You might find yourself like that Ensign there, if you're not careful!" "NOOOOO!!" shouted Matrix, as he grabbed a gun and ran towards the drones, but was then stunned by another disruptor blast, and he fell to the floor. Lisa ran to the Emperor's side. Michael had an urge to grab his blade and take them all on, but a conflict within himself prevented it. The two stood there, motionless. "What do you want?" Michael said, with a great bitterness in his voice. "Why - your co-operation" said Locke, "Knuckles has something he would like to say. Knuckles?" "Thank-you, father. As of now, you will turn this ship over to the Rebellion. You will order all officers to stand down, and you will surrender to me. Co-operate, and I will spare the lives of your crew. Disobey, and I will have you all executed." Lisa gasped, "Michael?" The Emperor simply stood there, a great conflict arising within him. Then, after much hesitation, "This is the Emperor to all crew members," he began, thinking to order the crew to defend themselves, but he couldn't do it - he couldn't bring himself to sacrifice more loyal officers, "Lay down your arms - we are surrendering. I repeat - we are surrendering." A smile appeared on Knuckles' face - he was going to enjoy this. ...TO BE CONTINUED... "The Empire is true power, but true power should be used to bring peace, not war."