Legend of Mobius Chapter 2

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
The Legend of Mobius
BY JACK REYNOLDS

Chapter 2 - Technical Difficulties</u>

The Village of Knothole was very quiet today.  The only sound to be  heard was the singing of the birds in the giant trees above.  All seemed to be very peaceful in the village, but it was not to continue this way.

"LOOK OUT!"  The cry, followed by a loud crash, destroyed the quiet in the village.  The startled residents of Knothole came out of their houses to find Sally, Rotor, Bunny, Tails, and Sonic all on the ground around a heap of scraps that was supposed to be a catapult.  Most of them had been knocked down, but a few of them managed to stand.

"Well, Mr. Fix-it," Sonic said cynically to Rotor, "What's wrong with it now?  Because I don't think that's how a catapult normally works."

"It's not Rotor's fault, Sonic," Tails gave his opinion.

"Why is that, Tails?" Sally asked.

"Because," Tails answered, "The cotter pin wasn't the problem this time.  Look - it's still in one piece on the catapult."  Since Sonic found the fox kit in Robotropolis and brought him back to Knothole Village, Tails was proving to be a valuable asset to the Freedom Fighters with his mechanical knowledge - knowledge far beyond the level of any normal ten-year-old.

"Well," Sonic said, getting to his feet, "I'm off to Robo-town.  Let me know how it turns out."

Sonic was about to leave when Princess Sally stopped him.  "Wait!  Why are you going to the city, Sonic?"

"'Cause it's Monday, Sal," Sonic reminded the princess, "I always scout at this time.  That's how we know what's goin' on."

"Okay, Sonic," Sally replied softly, "Just be careful."

"Hey, has the Hedgehog ever let you down before?" Sonic said before speeding off.

*  *  *  *  *

The back alleys of Robotropolis were dark, wet, and very filthy, but they were an excellent way of looking around the city unseen.  Sonic used them to make his way toward the center of the city.  The activities of the robots were important, but not as important as those of their leader.

Sonic had reached Robotnik's headquarters, but instead of relaxing, he became even more alert.  He had reached his destination, but inside headquarters he would have many more enemies, and not nearly as many places in which to take cover.  Sonic had been inside Robotnik's headquarters many times - indeed, most of the Freedom Fighters' knowledge of Robotnik's plans came from Sonic's reconnaissance - but he never relaxed his stance.  Sonic would make it through this conflict as an organic life form, or not at all.

The door was locked, of course.  It was always locked.  As impatient as Sonic was, he knew he'd have to wait.  Robotnik may have been evil and tyrannical, but he was no fool.  Too many Freedom Fighters had made the mistake of underestimating Dr. Robotnik.  Most of them were now part of his mechanized slave labor.  A few of them were sent to work in the mines, where they usually died quickly.  The rest weren't as lucky. Yes... Sonic thought to himself, I'll definitely wait.

Sure enough, his patience paid off.  A squad of SWAT-bots came to the door.  The squad leader pushed a few buttons on a nearby keypad, and the door opened.  Unseen, Sonic quickly and stealthily followed the bots inside before the door closed.  As soon as he was inside, Sonic immediately dashed to the side of the hallway.  Then, as quietly as possible, he climbed into a vent on the wall, replacing the cover once he was inside.  Sonic knew the building's ventilation system better than he knew the hallways.  Just as the back alleys of Robotropolis were a way for him to scout the city unseen, Robotnik's ventilation system allowed Sonic to move about freely through headquarters.

A few minutes later, Sonic had reached his destination - the duct leading to the war room.  He sat down in the duct, making sure to be far enough away from the vent to where he couldn't be seen.  Once he had settled into his position, he watched and listened to what was going on in the war room.

Robotnik was berating Snively, as usual.  "You imbecile!" he said, "You've had this machine for a week now and still can't even open it?!"

"Well I... You see I..." Snively stammered, until Robotnik squashed the unfortunate lackey's head with his fist.

"Shut up, Snively, and give me that computer!" Robotnik roared, snatching the small device from Snively's hand.

"Password required for recognition," the computer said.  Sonic was surprised - the computer sounded very much like Princess Sally.  He hadn't expected that.  Robotnik ignored the computer and tried to rip it open himself.  Suddenly the computer issued a powerful electrical shock, knocking Robotnik off his feet.  Sonic had to put a hand over his mouth to keep his laughter from being heard.

"Snively..." Robotnik's voice was quiet, but much more menacing than it had been before.  "If that computer came from the king's chamber, it could be very important for finding those Freedom Fighters.  If you can't open it soon, I might forget to be nice..."  Snively swallowed hard.  It was all too familiar to him what Robotnik was like when he forgot to be nice.  "I'm going out now.  Don't disappoint me, Snively."

Robotnik stormed out of the war room, leaving Snively completely alone. This was Sonic's chance.  Faster than Snively could react, Sonic ran up to the table and grabbed the device.  "Yo, Snivlers!" the hedgehog said, "I think you're workin' too hard.  So let me take this off your hands. I'm sure the Big Round Guy won't mind."  Sonic darted back into the duct as quickly as he had come in.

Snively shouted at the duct in an odd state of half-rage and half-panic, "I hate you, Sonic Hedgehog!"  Then, muttering to himself, he continued, "How come the Big Round Guy always has to take it out on me?"

*  *  *  *  *

"Oh, don't worry, Sally Girl.  Sawnic knows how to take care of 'imself," Bunny reassured Sally, who was pacing back and forth nervously across the floor of her house.

"He's been gone an awfully long time..." Sally thought aloud.  Bunny looked at the clock.  He had only left a few hours ago.

"C'mon, Honey, he hasn't been gone any longer than usual.  He's fine."

Sally continued to pace, unconvinced of what Bunny had told her.  Just then, the front door opened wide, and Sonic jumped in.  "The Hedgehog has landed," he said, just like he always said when making a big entrance.

"Report, Sonic," Sally said gruffly, hiding her relief to see Sonic alive and well.

"Well, hello to you, too!" Sonic replied indignantly.

"Sorry," Sally said, "I was just getting a bit worried.  You were gone an awfully long time."

"Moi?" Sonic asked, checking his watch, "I've only been gone four hours."

"Well, anyway - Is Robotnik planning anything new?"

"I don't know, Sal.  I didn't stick around long enough to find out," Sonic said.  Bunny just rolled her eyes, but Sally was clearly furious.

"Do you mean to tell me you've been gone all this time and you haven't found out anything?" Sally shrieked.  Sonic looked at her innocently.

"Did I say that?" he asked sweetly.  "I came back," he explained, "because I've found something really wild.  I thought you should see it."  Sonic produced the small computer he had stolen from Robotnik and
handed it to Sally, who's anger was now replaced by intrigue.

"This is made of titanium," she said, examining the device, "Sonic, where did you get this?"

"Snively was kind enough to let me borrow it," Sonic replied, winking. Sally tried to open it, but was met with her own voice.

"Password required for recognition."  Sally just looked at the computer, completely unsure of what to do next.

"Ummm.... Open sesame?" Sonic tried.

"Incorrect password.  User not recognized.  Password required for recognition."  Sonic's attempt was met with an angry glare from Sally.

"Or maybe it was open poppy seed," Sonic muttered to himself.

"I take it Robotnik didn't know the password either," Sally asked Sonic.

"You take it right," Sonic answered, "Apparently they've been trying to open it since they found it in the king's chambers a week ago."

"The king's chambers?" Sally said, surprised.  She thought to herself for a moment, then spoke up, "I need everyone to leave the room."

Sonic and Bunny were perplexed by Sally, but they obeyed their leader's order.  Sally walked over to her bed and sat down on it, still holding the device in her hands.

Now Sally looked over her shoulders, making sure she was completely  alone.  She whispered, "Imperito per veneratio" - To rule with honor.  The computer opened, and a holographic image of the king appeared before her.  Her family's secret credo was the correct password.

"My dearest Sally," the king's recording said, "If you are seeing this, then tragedy has befallen the royal family of Mobius, and I am no longer with you.  This computer is the Neuroprocessor of Information from the Knothole On-Line Exchange, abbreviated NIKOLE.  It was created by myself and Sir Charles.  It will help you in your quest to bring the royal family back to its rightful place and restore peace to Mobius.  Nikole is a very powerful computer, and you will find she is also a good companion.  When you need to speak to Nikole, just call her by name, and
she will answer.  I hope to see you again, dearest Sally, but if that is not possible, then I implore you to rule this land with dignity, justice, and above all, honor.  Farewell."  The recording disappeared, leaving Sally alone in stunned silence.  The first hints of tears were forming in her eyes from seeing her father again, even if it was only a recording.

When Sally was finally able to speak again, she shakily opened the computer and called to it.  "Nikole?"

"Hello, Sally," Nikole replied mechanically, "How can I help you?"

Sally just continued to sit on the bed, staring at Nikole.  "You were made by my father..." she said to herself.

"I was not," Nikole answered.  It seemed to Sally that Nikole's voice was much less computerized, and much more comforting this time.  "I was created by Sir Charles Hedgehog.  Your father oversaw my creation."

"He said you were very powerful," Sally mused.

"He was referring to my 124-terabyte storage banks.  I am capable of processing vast amounts of information," Nikole explained.

"He also said you were good companionship," she questioned, smiling a little.

"Yes, Sally," Nikole said, "Because of my high amount of memory, I will become more familiar with you as we spend time together.  And in time, you will hopefully come to trust me more, as well."

Sally looked away.  Nikole seemed friendly enough, but she was a robot.  For that reason, Sally felt doubtful that she would ever come to fully trust Nikole.  This doubt showed on her face.

"It is certainly logical to be suspicious of me, taking circumstances into consideration," Nikole said to Sally, who hadn't realized how obvious her emotions were.  "But the robots of Mobius were created by Dr. Robotnik and his operatives.  They function under entirely different protocols."

Sally smiled again.  "I hope you're right," she said to Nikole.  "As with any organic companion I have - if you're right, you'll earn my trust."

"Your solution is certainly acceptable," Nikole responded.  Sally nodded and closed Nikole.  Turning over the computer in her hands, she noticed a clip on the back.  Sally clipped Nikole to her belt and left the
house.

*  *  *  *  *

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S GONE!!!" the Big Round Guy bellowed. Snively could only stare up at Robotnik nervously.  Robotnik grabbed Snively by his tiny neck and held the unfortunate lackey up to his face. "Listen very closely, Snively.  If you've lost that computer, so help me, I will throw you under the dungeon!"

"...It...was...the...Hedgehog...sirrr!" Snively squeaked, choking in his boss's grip.

"The Hedgehog?" Robotnik said quickly, dropping Snively.

"Yes, sir," Snively answered, rubbing his throat.  "He grabbed it and ran."

Robotnik rubbed his chin in thought.  "The Hedgehog...  He's fast, but he'll never figure out how to access that computer.  Snively!"

Snively bolted to attention.

"We've got work to do!"

Snively bowed and followed his boss out of the room.