Chapter 13: The A.R.C Incident
The G.U.N. base loomed before her, a bastion of steel and secrets. Rouge approached with the confidence of a seasoned operative, her wings folding neatly behind her as she strutted through the shadows. The guards' eyes swept over her, unseeing, as she slipped past their patrols with the grace of a ghost. The mainframe room lay ahead, a digital fortress holding the answers she sought.
Her boots clacked against the cold floor as she stepped into the room, the screens flickering like a beacon in the night. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and secrets, and she could almost feel the power that hummed through the cables beneath her feet. Rouge's eyes narrowed as she approached the nearest console, her hands moving with the precision of a maestro as she connected her hacking device to the mainframe.
The screens flickered to life, a symphony of data and codes that danced before her eyes. Her mind raced as she navigated through the labyrinthine network, searching for the truth about Project Shadow. The information was encrypted, but she had faced challenges like this before. With a smug smile, she began to unravel the digital threads that held the secrets captive.
The minutes stretched into an eternity as she worked, the tension in the room palpable. The screens flashed with images and text that spoke of power and tragedy, They Space Arc Colony and the experiments conducted there. The creation of Shadow—his purpose, his power, and his connection to the Chaos Emeralds—was laid bare before her. Rouge's heart raced, the gravity of her discovery sinking in. The implications were staggering.
Her eyes narrowed as she scrolled through the information, her mind racing with the possibilities. If Eggman were to obtain Shadow, the consequences would be catastrophic. The power of the Chaos Emeralds combined with Shadow's strength could spell the end for them all. But why was G.U.N. holding him in stasis? Was there a plan to use him as a weapon? Or were they protecting the world from a potential threat?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden beep from the computer. The screen changed to a red alert, the words 'INTRUDER DETECTED' flashing in bold letters. Rouge's pulse quickened, her eyes darting around the room. She had been discovered.
The doors to the mainframe room slammed shut, the locks engaging with a finality that sent a cold shiver down her spine. Guards rushed in, their weapons drawn and eyes locked on the intruder.
Rouge's instincts took over. She yanked her device from the mainframe, the screens flickering in protest. The room's lights dimmed as the alarm blared, the red emergency lighting casting an ominous glow over the gleaming surfaces. She knew she had seconds to act.
With a flick of her wrist, she sent a barrage of explosive rings hurtling at the oncoming soldiers, their metallic forms scattering as they detonated in a symphony of sparks and smoke. The guards stumbled, momentarily disoriented, and she took the opportunity to dart away, her boots barely touching the ground as she sprinted towards the exit.
The corridor stretched before her, a maze of twists and turns she had committed to memory. Rouge's heart hammered in her chest as she dodged and weaved through the base, her wings snapping open to grant her extra speed and maneuverability. The alarm grew louder, the sirens a constant reminder that she was on borrowed time.
Her eyes darted to the left and right, searching for a way out, and she spotted a ventilation shaft. Without a second thought, she leaped up, her slender form slipping through the narrow opening with the ease of a serpent. The air was thick with dust and the scent of burning metal, but she didn't falter.
The guards were closing in, their booted footsteps echoing through the ductwork. Rouge's muscles burned with the effort of pulling herself forward, her breath coming in ragged gasps. But she knew she had to keep moving, had to get the information to Striker and Gamma.
The vent opened up into a wider shaft, and she could see the night sky beckoning. The city lights twinkled like distant stars, a promise of freedom and the thrill of the chase. With a final burst of speed, she launched herself out of the vent, her wings catching the cool breeze as she soared over the rooftops.
The guards' shouts grew distant, swallowed by the night. Rouge felt a thrill of exhilaration as she disappeared into the darkness, the wind in her face the sweetest victory she had ever tasted. She had the information, and now she had to make it count.
The unknown and Gamma would be waiting for her, and she had no intention of letting them down. With Shadow's location burned into her memory, she headed towards the agreed-upon meeting point, her heart pounding in her chest. The fate of the world rested in their hands, and she was going to make sure they had the upper hand.
The city lights grew dimmer as Rouge climbed higher, her wings beating a furious rhythm against the night sky. She knew she didn't have much time before the G.U.N. forces mobilized a full-scale search for her. The wind whispered secrets of the city below, a silent witness to her daring escape.
Her eyes darted to the horizon, searching for the familiar silhouette of the G.U.N. base, now a distant memory of cold steel and blaring alarms. She had to get to Striker and Gamma before it was too late. The fate of Mobius hung in the balance, and she had the key to unlocking the mystery of Project Shadow.
The hybrid and the robotic hedgehog were waiting for her at the designated rendezvous point—an abandoned rooftop overlooking the city. They had set up a makeshift command center, with maps and gadgets strewn across a rickety table. Gamma's eyes lit up as he spotted her, his metallic body poised for action. Striker looked up, his expression a mix of relief and anxiety.
"Did you find it?" he called out, his voice carrying on the wind.
Rouge landed gracefully, her boots thudding against the gravel. She pulled out the data chip from her utility belt, her chest heaving from the exertion. "I found the location of Product Shadow's stasis pod," she said, her eyes gleaming with a newfound resolve. "But we've got to move fast. Eggman's bound to catch wind of this soon."
Gamma's robotic hand took the chip, inserting it into a port in his wrist. The information uploaded instantly, his eyes glowing as he processed the data. "The coordinates are secure," he confirmed, his voice a comforting rumble. "We must act swiftly to prevent further chaos."
"What about my information?"
"After we get to the location, you're a spy, you could be lieing after all . . ." Striker smirked
"That's unfair, do you know what I just had to go through?!"
"Yep, that's life."