Project R : The soldiers of chaos

Chapter 9 : The wind riders

Translated by: Chili

It had already been a couple of hours since Eclipse, Nosferatu and the Chao colony involuntarily departed from Leaf Forest. The big invisible ship still hadn't reached its destination and in the Eggspartans' living room there were only a few janitor robots left cleaning said place. These were yellow and square-headed, just like the ones that worked in Eggman's robot factory.

Computer (from a speaker): To all Argonaut Two janitorial staff. Report to the main deck. There is seagull filth everywhere.

At the sound of the computer's sultry voice, all the robot janitors picked up their cleaning tools and filed out of the room in an orderly fashion. Eclipse then peeked through the vent grille, where he and the others were hiding.

Nosferatu (sitting with the Chao): *whistling* I don't know whose voice that is, but it sounds really sexy.

Eclipse (looking through the grid): Hmm... They're all gone. We should try to escape.

Nosferatu (sitting with the Chao): I like your enthusiasm, but I don't think it's a good idea to jump out of this thing while it's in the air.

Eclipse: Surely there must be battleships around here. We could try and steal one.

Nosferatu (sitting with the Chao): And who is going to pilot it? You?

Eclipse (sitting down): *grumbling* We're getting too far away from Leaf Forest, how are we going to get back with all these Chao on top of us?

Nosferatu (relaxed): Relax buddy, we'll find a solution. Now try to get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us.

Having no more ideas, Eclipse decided to go along with the Great Nosferatu's plan and lay down next to the Chao to protect them.

Eclipse (crossing his arms): *sigh* For a martial arts fighter, you avoid fighting a lot.

Nosferatu (closing his eyes): The essence of a fighter is not looking for a fight, but to always being ready for one.

Eclipse (not knowing how to answer): Hmm...

Because it was already very late, the Chao curled up in the lap of both echidnas and quickly fell asleep.

Time passed and the only one who refused to sleep was the boy with the red eyes, who with his tired look kept watching the ventilation grid, as he had the hope that the ship would stop at any moment. However, the weight of his eyelids eventually got the better of him and the echidna fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, at the command center of Emerald Fort. Agent Rouge, Commander Knuckles and a frightened Tails were gathered at a circular table with General Dobermann and Dr. Akari.

Both the military leader and the female scientist looked very angry about what had happened at Swan Lake.

Dobermann (standing up and shouting): Insubordination, abandonment of their assigned posts and unauthorized use of military resources. For these offenses you should be dismissed from the unit immediately.

Tails (nervous): ...

Rouge (crossing her arms): ...

Dobermann (lowering the tone of his voice): However... your little adventure might prove beneficial to us after all.

Tails (confused): Huh?!

Knux (confused): What do you mean?

Dobermann (sitting down): Hmm... While I was on my way here I received a call from the president. Apparently the government wants to take advantage of Zeta's growing popularity in the media to boost the image of our institution. As you know, there has been a lot of uncertainty since the attack on Angel Island and people need to feel that their government is protecting them.