We Built This City by Starship.
~~~

This really wasn't how he thought it would go. This was bad. They were on to him- no- they knew what he was up to. They knew the lengths he'd go to. They'd seen one of his darkest secrets and now it was only a matter of time until Mobius discovered it too.

"Now, I can see how this makes us look bad." Rouge the Bat cut through his spiralling thoughts, holding up her hands.

"Two of G.U.N's top agents breaking into the security they swore to protect." Breezie teased. "Makes a delightful story."

"Right!" Rouge's fingers snapped. "Run along and blab that to the world, hey hun?"

The teal hedgehog's eye twitched, but it was swept away with a smirk and she moved to the tumbled boxes. She chuckled and lifted one of the Body-cams, presenting it like a child showing off their new toy.

"Why waste my time when I can have something much more juicier."

Rouge really hated being pushed into a corner, especially by entitled snobs who knew no better. But Mobius couldn't have a war- not again. The last one took too much and this time, Eggman wouldn't even have to move a finger. Luckily, one of Rouge's best assets was being able to dance out of a tight squeeze.

"Then it'd be a shame for Mobius to learn just who their news source works for."

Breezie stiffened. "I work for no one."

"Your equipment says otherwise."

"In all my reports, no one's batted an eye."

"You've hid it well, and, Eggman's been at the forefront for years- controlling all media like holding a dagger to their throats without even having to show his face." Rouge's left, large white ear flickered at the sounds of distant chaos.

"And you." She pointed a sharp finger at Towers. "I'm disappointed to see you fall so far, Commander."

But Towers threw on a brave face, feeling the eyes of his staff, and straightened his uniform. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep Mobius safe. I have no favourites- every opposition will be dealt with the same."

"And working with Eggman's the way to go, huh?"

Abraham stalled, hearing guns lower and confused and fearful murmurs. "Well, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Breezie's calculating eyes rolled when the man turned to ease his staff. "Come now, Rouge. Sometimes the end justifies the means." She stepped closer to the pair, stalling when Omega shielded the bat with his arm.

Even so, she examined the camera as if without consequence. "After all, that's why you're destroying all this, isn't it? Sonic and his pesky group don't need to face punishment for their actions, because they're heroes and are doing their best." She grew a nasty smile.

"You and I aren't so different, you know."

Some agents threw their guns down in rage and tore off their badges, either demanding answers or storming away.

"Rags to riches, hmm? However, you still hold onto some parts of your past. But, both of us will do what it takes to get what we want."

Rouge's eyes narrowed. "I'm not setting us up for war."

"I don't want a war, Sweetie! I'm a businesswoman and I won't lose what I've fought so hard for to achieve."

"Working for Eggman is how you'll do it, hmm?"

Breezie only grinned. "There was a time in your life where you considered the same deal too."

"And yet I didn't take it." Rouge moved Omega's arm to near the hedgehog.

"But I'm guessing that's how you rose up so quickly. When all the other radios were silenced, channels were abruptly cancelled and TV stations demolished- you kept showing up. You expanded your network and grew an audience and now have your own little empire."

"Why, thank you."

Rouge snarled. "And yet you still work for a man who ran away the second things got difficult. You work for a selfish coward who begs the Commander of the military force against him to work together." She practically towered over the glaring hedgehog.

"You work for a man who's absolutely terrified of one snarky hedgehog."

She whipped around and snapped her fingers. "Omega, I want to stretch my wings."

"Finally." Tremendous claws twisted into gaping holes and a deep buzz filled the room.

Red optics brightened and with dozens of golden flashes, the box of cameras was blasted into smithereens. Towers whirled and pointed, demanding the two's arrest- but many agents faltered. Some raised their weapons and aimed, as expected, but the majority either vacated entirely, stepped aside, or continued to stand frozen (reeling over the recent betrayal of their leader).

"No!" Breezie stomped.

"Have fun with this as your next story." Rouge saluted, spread her wings and fled the room with Omega in tow (predictably being chased).

"Have we succeeded?" The robot asked.

The bat's ears craned to the upcoming main entrance where shouts and chants crashed against from beyond. "Unfortunately, no."

"What do you mean?"

Rouge sighed, dropping graciously to pull the doors wide. "Breezie still has a camera."

But she couldn't mourn her loss for long- icy blue eyes met angry crowds and waving signs. Humans stood atop a shiny, slick red car and kicked at mobians trying to pull them down. Others, of both, hammered on the windows- demanding to be heard and protested in the streets.

Rouge paled, noting how the agents seized their chase. "We're gonna need a ride."

And in the back of her mind, she wondered, did they not work quick enough?

—————

The Chaotix hadn't ventured far. Vector recommended they stop by one of the missing person cases crime scenes for further examination. Perhaps they missed something? They knew more than they once did, so he hoped the added knowledge would be some sort of aid.

"This is Dappy Hedgehog's place, right?" Charmy wondered.

The sky blue mobian was the first to go missing, that they knew of. The first to be reported and the first to be investigated. They owned a corner shop stuffed with random knickknacks with an apartment upstairs. They'd been closing when they disappeared and witnesses reported hearing the sounds of a fight (as was mobian nature).

"These are the same." Espio noted, lifting the corner of a tattered curtain in Dappy's home.

"I hope Shadow calls soon with some answers." Vector grumbled.

"He was suspicious of Doctor Harris, right? She works with them or something. Could this be why?" Charmy observed empty pillows and artificial feathers.

"You suggestin' she's kidnappin' folks?"

"Just trying to figure out why Shadow's concerned."

"She's a human." Espio dismissed. "If a Mobian can't make these marks, there's no chance a human could."

"We should look into Harris when we're home either way." Vector recommended.

"What about...Eggman?." Charmy anxiously wrung his hands together. "I mean, it's not unheard of for him to kidnap people."

"Shadow did mention he showed up with very convenient timing." Espio added.

"I dunno. I get what you're sayin', but Sonic and- ahem- it was made sure that he couldn't use his Robotisizer's again. His world wide version was destroyed."

"So? He'll just build new ones."

"With what? Everythin' he had was taken from him."

"Didn't Rouge mention he found refuge on Christmas Island?" Espio reminded and Vector frowned.

"Well, yeah-."

"So it would be foolish to assume he's not involved."

"I...yeah. Guess I'm just hopin' he ain't. I don't like the idea of Vanilla, or Cream, bein' anywhere near him."

"None of us do." Charmy sympathised. "But at least the guy we're after is someone familiar- and we've stopped him before!"

Vector cracked a grin, led his team downstairs and headed for the door. "Speakin' of, maybe we should give Sonic or Tails a call? They or Shadow have to know somethin' useful by now."

"On it!" The bee buzzed and opened his Comlink.

"Do you hear that?" Espio inquired just as his great green friend opened the door.

"What in the...."

Mobians and humans alike pushed rubbish bins over, stood atop benches, waved painted signs and knocked on doors as they protested down the streets. Vector's Comlink hummed, but Espio shook his arm and pointed to a pair of fast manoeuvring mobians within the swimming crowd.

"Hold on, is that...?" The crocodile led the way and slipped and shoved by yelling citizens.

Team trailing after him, he waved and called but received no answer. With a concentrated frown, he weaved under flailing arms and scanned the swinging posters and signs. They more or less read the lines of distrustful sayings, paranoia, understandable confusion and fear and most commonly- a desire for the truth.

"I hope Breezie's pleased with herself." Charmy grumbled before smacking against Vector's back.

"Hey! It is them!" The crocodile smiled and called a few more times- quietly cheering when the pair looked their way.

It took a second, but the two quickly broke out into excited smiles and pushed their way through the opposing crowd (the yellow squirrel muttering apologies along the way). Eventually, they met the detectives with tense forms and ecstatic expressions. The armadillo joined Vector's side and together, they made a way for their group beyond the ocean of citizens.

The crocodile laughed and smacked the older one's shoulder. "Mighty! Ray! Long time no see, huh?"