At Area 99 a door opened and the President's Third Aide entered the research and development room.
"It's very impressive, isn't it?" a scientist said.
"That's it?" P.T.A. asked.
"Project Beetle is only a prototype, of course, based on our analysis of Dr. Eggman's technology. But if all goes as planned, we'll soon have our own working robot." the scientist said showing a new robot design.
"The President considers this project to be a national priority."
"We won't let him down."
At Station Square Topaz was sitting on a bench, drinking coffee and Sonic was in a tree behind her thinking.
'I have to get those Emeralds fast. He'll be here anytime now.' she thought.
The pedestrians stopped and stared at her, causing Sonic to duck back into the tree and cautiously poke her head back out.
"Relax, he's not here." Topaz said and looked up to see a stretch limo pull up in front of the jewelry shop.
"That's Nelson Thorndyke! The computer mogul?! What a hunk!" crowd said and Sonic and Topaz blinked in surprise.
As Nelson entered the shop, the other personnel stood at either side of him to hold back the crowd. A man and a woman ran the shop.
"Good morning!" a man and woman said.
"Hello." Nelson said.
"Thank you for visiting our store, Mr. Thorndyke. Is there something we can help you find today?"
"Yes, I'm shopping for an anniversary present for my wife."
"You've come to the right place, sir! We've got a full line of matrimonial mementos guaranteed to make every anniversary golden!"
Nelson looked around the shop, then walked toward a covered object near the back of the store.
"What's under there?" he asked.
"You have exquisite taste, sir. This item was acquired recently, and it's truly one-of-a-kind!" the man said and removed the cloth, revealing the purple Chaos Emerald.
It was bright enough for Nelson to shield his eyes. Topaz and Sonic, who have been looking on, were shocked.
'Shit.' Sonic thought.
"It's a perfect gift. That's it!" Nelson said and saw Lindsey wearing the Chaos Emerald as a ring. "Lindsey is simply wild about jewelry." he said after seeing it. "How long will it take to have the ring ready?"
"But... isn't that gem a tad large for a ring?" the man asked.
"My wife definitely like flashy jewelry. It's our wedding anniversary, and I want to get her something special." he said and crossed his arms. "I can't wait to see Lindsey's face when I slip it on her finger. Her birthday's coming up. I'll tell ya what. Give me a couple of diamonds too."
"Um, sure!"
Soon the purchase was made, and Nelson left the store.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Thorndyke. Please feel free to stop by our store any time!" a man and woman said.
As Nelson heads back to the limo, Topaz and Sonic glance at each other.
At Thorndyke Mansion Foyer Tanaka was on the phone.
"Hello. This is the Thorndyke residence." he said.
"Hi there, Tanaka. How's everything going at home?" Nelson said on the phone.

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There's three of them?
FanfictionWhat if Shadow wasn't alone when he lost everyone? And what if he was the hero from Mobius while one was a spy and the other was asleep?