Winds of Freedom

Chapter 54: A Hedgehog and a Dragon, Strolling Around the Lagoon

Chapter 54: A Hedgehog and a Dragon, Strolling Around the Lagoon

Shuigang Island – Unknown Location, Noon Hours

Deep within the unknown facility, in a room lined with towering servers and humming machinery, filled with the glow of countless computer screens. The walls were adorned with blueprints and schematics, displaying detailed layouts of Brevon's war machines.

The video feeds flickered with surveillance footage from multiple locations, showing patrol routes, production lines, and restricted zones throughout the facility.

At that moment, the door to the command center slid open with a sharp mechanical hiss, and in stepped two figures.

"Hehehe, how generous to give us full access to the facility, don't you think?" Robotnik mused, stepping forward with a smug grin plastered across his face as he strolled confidently toward the towering main computer.

Metal Sonic followed silently, his optics glowing faintly in the dimly lit room. He gave a single affirmative beep in response, though his posture remained rigid.

"Let's make this quick and efficient before they figure out our true intentions!" Robotnik muttered, his expression twisting into a delighted sneer. Reaching into his pockets, he retrieved a small device—a USB drive emblazoned with his own signature emblem. Without hesitation, he inserted it into the main console. "Arktivus knows, I know, they all know, and they know that we know..." he trailed off with an amused chuckle.

As soon as the device connected, the main screen flickered violently, static distorting the images of schematics and security feeds. The digital interface warped and glitched, and within seconds, the display was overtaken Robotnik's logo, his grinning visage twisting into an animated loop. A small loading bar appeared at the bottom, steadily filling as the virus took root.

"So we might as well act now," Robotnik said, stepping back slightly. "I present to you, Metal, the Roborobotnik Virus! Quite the great name, if I do say so myself!" His voice brimmed with self-satisfaction, while Metal Sonic simply observed the process, his expression unreadable.

"With this virus, I will be able to hinder the production of the Shade Cores that control Arktivus' robots and bring them under my command!" Robotnik declared, his hands gesturing theatrically. "Yes, they will still act as normal, but once Sonic and his meddling friends are out of the picture, and we've secured the remaining emeralds, I will simply activate the override command—and in an instant, every last one of them will be mine to control! Hahahaha!"

Metal Sonic's optics flickered as he processed the information. The plan was sound, even if predictable. From the very moment he had interacted with Brevon, he had known his creator was never interested in forming a lasting alliance. Robotnik did not share power. He used it. Manipulated it. Bent it to his will until it was no longer useful, then discarded it.

The only question that remained was—where was Robotnik going now?

As if reading his silent inquiry, Robotnik smirked and gave a knowing glance. "Hmm? Me?" He chuckled. "Oh, don't look so suspicious, my dear Metal! I have another task to attend to. As you so kindly reported earlier, it seems that Metal Lilac's memory has been corrupted, yes? Tsk, tsk—what a shame. Can't have that, now can we?"

He turned, adjusting his glasses. "I'll try to fix her memory. There's no use in having a powerful robot if she doesn't even know whose side she's supposed to be on." He gave a dismissive wave as he stepped toward the exit. "So, be a good robot and guard this room. If someone enters... crush them. Make an excuse if you must. Good luck."

With that, Robotnik disappeared through the doorway, leaving Metal Sonic alone in the pulsating glow of the corrupted mainframe.

The door sealed with a mechanical hiss, locking him inside.