Eggman Empire HQ - Robotnik Rendezvous

[Dr. Mechano]

Eggman Empire Headquarters: A golden skyscraper-sized statue in Eggman's likeness, built in the center - and overlooking all of - the doctor's domain. The massive monument was patrolled by an aerial fleet of Buzzbombers, Flappers, and elite Egg Robo sentries; while the base itself was equipped with all manner of laser blasters, shielding, and other anti-military (and anti-hedgehog) defensive measures. It stood as a glaring, taunting challenge to the world - that Dr. Eggman was here to stay, and that he was practically daring anyone to take him down.



In the very top floor of the base - the "head" of the statue, as it were - Eggman waited in his lavish personal chambers for the arrival of his most trusted robot, Metal Sonic - who had just told him that he had something urgent that the two of them needed to discuss. Along with him was his daughter Ada, and her new laser-blaster instructor, a coyote named Milo - who tagged along with them.

Eggman glanced out a nearby window, getting a nice view of his city below, as he waited for Metal Sonic's arrival.

[Jammerlee]

True to his name it wasn't a long wait. A streak of blue appeared in the sky approaching at rapid speed. Beginning to slow as it drew closer, Metal Sonic shifted his posture, gently setting his feet down on the landing platform before the window Eggman stood in.

Ada, who'd been sitting in a chair kicking her legs the entire time, looked up. Her expression brightened considerably as she hopped off her seat and went running over to the much shorter metallix as he entered into the room.

"Hi Metal!" she chirped, opening her arms up for a hug.

Metal awkwardly accepted it. "Hi Ada," he said quickly. Releasing the hug, he turned his focus toward Eggman, tipping his torso forward into a bow.

"Father."

[mistressdizzy]

Whatever asinine fool that invented the phrase "fake it 'til you make it" needed to be slapped. Dizzy had been working within the Eggman Empire for almost an entire month, and she felt like she wasn't going to "Make It" most days. It wasn't the worst job she'd ever had. In fact, most days it was quite tame. Show up pressed and polished, sort data and gather information from various cameras and incident reports around Eggmanland. She found herself adept at the work, heck, half of what she'd done in life was waiting on the fringes of life, watching other people have fun. She was good at being unnoticed, and sometimes she did a little extra following up in person. Lunch at noon in a rather impressive cafeteria. Oddly generous insurance benefits, free tickets to the park - all of this was going to make excellent information for her book.

Then, this morning, a summons had been waiting in her email. She was to report to Headquarters for a "special assignment". A rather large part of her felt like running. Had they realized she was probably going to violate several nondisclosure agreements in the future? Maybe her uniform was askew, or they'd caught her browsing the fancy cheese forum on work hours? She didn't run, though - curiousity won out. Now she stood close to the building, staring up and up at the epic golden spectacle that was Dr. Eggman.

Well. Today's word was "ostentatious".

She checked her reflection in the shining gold of the statue's ankle, making sure she looked perfect. Her uniform was the soft blue of the administrative staff. Her boots were shiny, and the uniform-optional black cap was fixed firmly. After 5 minutes of trying to find things wrong with her appearance, she knew she was stalling. Being late would possibly be worse than not showing up.

Exhaling and trying to look less terrified than she felt, she walked up to the first door and scanned her ID.

"PLEASE WAIT. PROCESSING IDENTITY CHIP."

The doors opened, and she stepped in. The elevator didn't have any buttons, just another place for an ID. Weird. She scanned hers again, and with a foreboding -click-, the doors slid shut and the elevator whooshed up.

[Val]

From the highest room of the golden monument Milo had been pressed against the window, staring out across Eggmanland with an open mouthed smile and a childlike giddiness. This was incredible! He felt so privileged to even be here! The literal head of the Empire, where so few ever got to see.

His attention was drawn from the view as his Metal arrived and suddenly an ice cold ball hit his stomach. Metal Sonic. THE Metal Sonic. Second in command of the entire Empire and easily one of the greatest creations of the Doctor. Milo felt almost as petrified by the metallix as he was by his maker and just like that he found himself wondering why he was even there, what could he possibly contribute to this conversation compared to these two?

He swallowed hard, causing some discomfort as he realised just how dry his throat was. Stepping away from the window but still keeping his distance so as not to seem too arrogant that he deserved to stand beside the Robotniks, Milo saluted the cobalt robot. “M-Metal Sonic…I-It’s such an honor, s-sir.” He felt his blood run cold. Maybe he was better off just…not drawing attention to himself. What if Metal thought he was sucking up? What if he thought he was lying?

[Dr. Mechano]

"Ah, Metal!" Eggman said, gesturing for Metal to get up; there was no need for him to be so formal, after all. "Welcome home! Now... You said you needed to discuss something with me, yes? What is it?"

[Jammerlee]

Metal Sonic glanced over at Milo and paused, giving him a sideways glance as though he was recalling something. Great, another organic who was terrified of him. Terrific. He waved the coyote off and mumbled an "At ease," in his direction before returning his full focus back to Eggman.

"Where do I even begin," Metal glanced upward in frustration. "I just returned from one of our abandoned bases. Not only were Sonic and Shadow both there for some reason, I was locked out of the local network by--" he made a mechanical sounding groan, "--Nega, of all people. He was using a robot armed with a Sol Emerald that he had programmed to behave as though it was one of ours. I tried to procure the emerald but Shadow managed to get away with it," he paused once more to allow that to sink in. "It may also be worth noting that Shadow also had a Chaos Emerald with him."

He allowed his posture to relax a bit at that point. "... I have had a long day."

[mistressdizzy]

The elevator glided up with seamless precision, offering a grand view of the entire park out the window. She could see everything from up here, and for a moment she forgot her fear in the beauty of it. The elevator was going remarkably fast, but she barely felt the speed. If she turned away from the window, the only indication that she was rising up several dozen floors was the delicate ping interrupting the vaguely familiar music piping through the speakers.

The ride was too long, and over too soon. The same mechanical voice spoke again: "Top Floor: Executive Conference Room. Now scanning for unauthorized materials." There were several flashes of light, and more than one scanner passed over her body. Was it her imagination, or was someone watching? She felt her fur crawling, and unconsciously fiddled with her tail, waiting for the sudden feeling of danger to pass.

"Scan Complete. Thank you." Dizzy exhaled and relaxed, adjusting her hat.

Then the door opened, and went from relaxed to nearly a full panic attack.

Before her was the Eggman himself. The Dr. Eggman - in the flesh, there before her in all his glory. She couldn't say she really agreed with the dictator, but celebrity was celebrity and she was nobody and oh my god she had done something wrong, she was busted, she was going to pass out.

With all of this going on behind her eyes, she stepped forward and saluted. Her fingers were trembling but she was otherwise rather perfect. "D-Doctor Eggman, sir, it's... it's an honor! One I'm not... not sure I deserve!"

She had to force herself to stop staring, and look around. There was another worker there, a coyote. She didn't recognize him, but she was probably way outranked. Then there was a little human girl. That was a definite surprise - but a longer look found some familiar features. Then she turned her head a moment more and -

"And Metal Sonic!" Her arm was starting to hurt from saluting. "M-my my... what have I done to be in the presence of so many... imposing figures?"

Yep, she was going to die. At least she'd returned her library books yesterday.

[Val]

Well…being brushed off wasn’t the worst reaction he could’ve imagined Metal to have. Moving from his own salute, Milo scratched at the back of his head nervously as he listened intently to the metallix’s story. A Sol Emerald? He’d heard about those, they were from that other dimension right? What were they doing he-And a Chaos Emerald? If he hadn’t felt out of his depth already, all this talk of supremely powerful gemstones certainly did the trick, not to mention bringing up Shadow whom Milo assumed referred to –that- Shadow.

As Milo was going over in his head wondering why he was even there for the twelfth time the elevator dinged musically, drawing the coyote’s attention to the mouse girl who just stepped into the room. She looked about as awestruck as he was by being here. He didn’t recognise her but coming here…she must have some high rank, right? Then again he was there and he definitely did not.

[Dr. Mechano]

"You don't say..." Eggman leaned forward, rubbing his chin contemplatively, "Not only were those two irritating hedgehogs squatting in one of my old bases, but my derivative doppelganger Eggman Nega is rearing his admittedly handsome head as well! Iiinteresting..."

Eggman began to think. How would he outwit Nega, as well as track down Sonic, Shadow, and the Emeralds? The gears in his head had already started turning, as potential strategies flashed through his mind.

"Ahem!" Eggman cleared his throat, "Good work, Metal! Nega may know we're onto him now, and that mopey miscreant Shadow may have one from each set of Emeralds... but if we play our cards right, we can stack the deck in our favor and royally flush our enemies down the drain! Mwa ha ha!"

It was then that Eggman noticed the mouse who had just entered the room - and had begun nervous stammering in his presence.

"Ah..." Eggman glanced at her, and then at an electronic handheld device for a moment, "...Dizzy, was it? You've really been rising through the ranks in the Empire lately. Hoho! Just know that data personnel like you are an important part of keeping this empire running. I had actually called you here to discuss a promotion to the field, but in light of this most recent report..."

Eggman glanced at Metal, grinning as a thought formed in his head, "...I think I've come up with just the assignment for the Eggman Empire's newest - and most unassuming - scout!"

He pointed at Dizzy for emphasis, "Pack your bags, Diz, because you're about to take a trip to heart of Eggman Nega's empire!"

[Jammerlee]

Watching as the mouse girl received her impromptu promotion, Metal made a sound that simulated the loud clearing of one's throat. "There is one other detail I neglected," there was a long pause before the metallix continued. "I believe we now know what has become of Silver Sonic. Another Sonic modeled metallix appeared and aided Shadow."

[mistressdizzy]

Several things happened at the same time. Dizzy's keen hearing picked up several key words, among them "Promotion" and "scout" and "pack". Everything tumbled together in her mind along with unfamiliar terms, and her starstruck stammering tumbled away almost instananously. The first thing out of her mouth was -

"Field? Me? Have you seen me?" She pinched her stomach, which wasn't quite bulging through her uniform but definitely visible. "Your own girth may do nothing but aid your magnificent presence, but I'm just sort of a sad person. There's no way I can do this! I- I am no scout, sir, no one would ever think to send me to spy..."

The off the wall, unplanned genius of the idea hit her then. She grinned, the light hitting her contact lenses in a odd way. Wasn't her entire ability to be in this room based on the fact that she didn't look useful for more than crossword puzzles and eating the last slice of cheese?

"Doctor Eggman, you're as brilliant as they say. No one with sense would think I'm anything but a useless minion. It's perfect!" Somewhere in there she'd stopped bluffing and hamming it up, and was genuinely surprised. It was just crazy enough to work.

"What would I do? Who is this Eggman Nega?"

[Val]

Well this was an…interesting turn of events. Admittedly Milo knew very little about Eggman Nega himself, mostly just gossip and rumors among the grunts of the Empire. With this Dizzy suddenly thrust into the role of a spy he couldn’t help but panic internally. What if he was here for a similar assignment? He couldn’t handle the pressure of infiltrating enemy bases. His role was as a marksman, a sniper. He stayed faaaar away from the enemy and took them down from there.
He glanced between Eggman and Metal, dreading the moment one of them turned to address him.

[Dr. Mechano]

"Silver Sonic?" Eggman frowned, "I've been looking for him for all this time, and you mean to tell me that tin turncoat's working with Shadow? Bah! After all I've done him - creating him, assigning him to my Death Egg and my Scrambled Egg base, not to mention searching for him after losing Final Egg - this is how that robo-reprobate repays me?!"

Eggman sighed, seething, "Bah, a small inconvenience. We'll deal with your perfidious prototype in due time... We still have to consider what to do about Eggman Nega, not to mention acquiring the Emeralds for ourselves. Which is why, Metal, I want you to accompany Dizzy on her assignment."

Eggman pointed at the metallix, nodding, "In addition to your shape-shifting nanotechnology, which will be excellent for a stealth mission, you're also equipped to fight, as well as get Dizzy to safety, in the event that you're discovered. But let's not let it come to that! If the two of you keep a low profile, you can leak Nega's secrets directly to me and he'll be none the wiser, giving me just the tactical advantage I need to beat him at his own game!"

Eggman turned to Dizzy, "Eggman Nega is... well, it's complicated. Right now, all you need to know is that he fancies himself my rival, and wants to seize power using his own inventions."

Eggman pressed a few buttons, and displayed Nega's picture on a large wall-mounted screen, "Don't let his attractive appearance fool you! Eggman Nega may look like me, but he's cruel and psychotic. He dreams of plunging the world into chaos, and won't hesitate to destroy whoever stands in his way. Don't let your guard down around him for a second, no matter how charismatic he may be seem."

"Anyway..." Eggman looked back at Metal, "I know you just got back, so if you... need some time before you two deploy, I understand." He turned to Ada, smiling cheerfully despite a faint sign of concern weighing on his face, "Hoho! Sorry our trip to the amusement park got cut short by business, Omelette. I'll make it up to you soon... Of course, until then, your new tutor Milo will be at your beck and call!"

He drew close to Milo and spoke in a hushed voice, "Things are about to get... busy around here. Your mission is to look after her and keep her happy. Don't fail me."

Eggman clapped his hands, addressing the group once more, "So then! With that settled, why don't we all..."



"Oh, Doctooor~" a voice rang out from... somewhere in the room, suddenly. "You really assigned a stealth mission without consulting me? I'm hurt!"



"What the-" Eggman scratched his head, then jumped back in surprise as one of the Eggman statues in the room morphed into Heavy Magician, "Gah! Don't do that!"



"Heehee! Didn't see me coming, did you?" Heavy Magician bowed theatrically, "That's the kind of camouflage that you need for a job like this, wouldn't you say so, Doc?"



"Mm, that's true..." Eggman rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then nodded decisively. "Metal! Dizzy! Heavy Magician will be accompanying you to infiltrate Eggman Nega's forces. I believe her talent for trickery is perfectly suited for this mission. Otherwise, your assignment remains the same. Any questions?"

[Jammerlee]

Metal flinched as Heavy Magician appeared. He paused, considering everything Eggman had just said. "I am surprised you do not want me involved in retrieving the emeralds. But your logic is sound. I can be ready for deployment later today. As for Silver Sonic... I question if it were a matter of choice for him. Remember that GUN took him. They may have reprogrammed him." his digital eyes trailed down to the floor and dulled slightly for a moment at that thought.

Rather than allow himself to dwell on it, Metal instead turned his focus toward Milo. Approaching him, the metallix clamped a talon down on his shoulder. "So, you are being assigned as Omelette's current bodyguard then," rather than lean in as Eggman had, Metal gave a tug, pulling the coyote in toward him. "If you allow anything to happen to my little sister, I will break you."

[mistressdizzy]

Dizzy had several questions, and they all battled for purchase in her mind. Eventually she started with the simplest. "Doctor Eggman, sir, begging your pardon, but... shouldn't I be trained to be a spy first? I've never handled a weapon, and I'm not exactly adept in other kinds of battle. I'm sure Metal is well trained in protection, but... shouldn't I also be able to protect myself if the need should arise? At the very least, perhaps, some new equipment? My uniform is very distinctive, and no one will mistake me for anything other than one of your employees. Also - what information should I be looking for?" Her eyes went to the picture of Eggman Nega. "Is there something specific you need to know about his operation?"

It was funny, how quickly her fear went away as soon as she was presented with work.

[Val]

And there it was…

At first he’d been surprised but…felt privileged to be trusted by his Emperor with what was undoubtedly something extraordinarily precious to him. He’d given a wavering nod at Eggman’s hushed command, trying to convince the Doctor and himself that he would not fail in this, no matter what…and then Metal Sonic had his say.

Milo was reminded of a documentary he’d once seen about sharks and how their eyes somehow appear to be both blank, uncaring and animalistic and at the same time burning with a voracious desire to tear their prey apart…
A petrified chill ran over him as the metallix stared him down. For being rather small compared to most other inventions of the Doctor, there was no question as to how Metal commanded such fear and respect.

Milo then realised he’d been blanking Metal, staring at him with an open mouth for several seconds. His body felt stiff, as if his every muscle was replaced with unyielding glass, afraid to move incase it were to shatter. It was all he could do to barely muster a nod of understanding to the robot’s threat and even that caused an intense feeling of nausea in the pit of his stomach.

[Dr. Mechano]

"Yes," Eggman said, addressing Dizzy, "The three of you are to find out what Nega is planning, and relay that information directly to me. If you uncover anything - whether it's about Nega's plans, current projects, or the whereabouts of Chaos or Sol Emeralds - you are to let me know immediately."

"Metal Sonic and Heavy Magician already have built-in ways to contact me - or each other - directly at any time, but you'll need this..." Eggman said, handing Dizzy a communicator, "If you have anything to report, or if you find yourself in a tight spot and need help, you can use this to contact the other members of your team. Unfortunately, once in Nega's dimension, the signal won't be able to reach me, so it's imperative that the three of you work together."

"I will be assembling another task force altogether to apprehend Shadow and Silver Sonic to retrieve their Emeralds... as well as to ascertain whether or not Silver Sonic was reprogrammed or defected of his own volition." Eggman paused. "Of course, we can expect Sonic to involve himself one way or another, so it's important to be prepared for that inevitability. However, right now, Nega and Shadow are our top priorities."

[mistressdizzy]

Dizzy took the communicator with a nod of thanks, looking it over slowly. It was egg-shaped (naturally) and smaller than most cell phones. It was light as well, and fit easily in her pocket. "Thank you, Doctor. I understand what I have to do." The plan was still a little vague, but certainly something could come from all of this.

"If there is something to be found, I'll root it out." Someone would have to explain the rest of this to her, though. Nega looked so similar to the doctor - maybe they were brothers? Could the Doctor have an evil twin? What if the Doctor was the evil twin?

What if they were both evil twins?

Her book was going to be amazing.

"So... I guess I'll pack?"

[Jammerlee]

Ada looked in confusion between Milo, Metal Sonic and her father. "Wait, I thought he was just my sharpshooting instructor? Since when is he my bodyguard now too??"

Metal blinked, looking amid the trio as well. "Am I mistaking something here?"

[Val]

It wasn’t exactly confidence boosting but then this was a huge step up from what he was already doing and he wasn’t exactly sure he was qualified for this role himself. Shooting and helping Ada to shoot more accurately, he could do…defend her against Nega’s forces or an angry hedgehog…not so much.

“Yeah, s-sir?” Milo spoke up, raising his hand slightly. “I uh..I’ll do my v-very best to protect Ada but…” He began to fidget, prodding his index fingers together. “I’ve never gone up against someone like Shadow or S-Sonic before. What if they attack the city?”

He did worry if this admission would cost him this new prestigious rank but he wasn’t about to put his own ego over the safety of someone else, especially not someone so important to Eggman…In the back of his mind though, he did wonder whether becoming her official bodyguard would mean a pay increase.

[Dr. Mechano]

"Ada..." Eggman smiled, "I'm sorry. But I'm going to busy with, well... work for a little while. Milo will be around to keep an eye on you while I take care of some business errands, that's all. ...Of course, if he doesn't do a good job, you can always call me and let me handle the problem."

He glared at Milo as he listened to his own spiel, taking particular notice of his mention of Sonic and Shadow. "You've never gone up against them, and - if know what's good for you - you won't," Eggman said sternly, "Those hedgehogs are well out of your league. Yours too, young lady."

He glanced over at Ada, then back to Milo.

"Your only responsibility - in the event of an attack like that - is to get Ada to safety and hold down the fort until the threat is neutralized. Avoid direct engagement, and only fight if you have absolutely no other choice. Ada's safety is your top priority. Her happiness is your immediate second priority. So keep her safe and entertained until I take care of this matter."

"You are all dismissed," Eggman said, "Go make me proud! Oh ho ho ho!"



"Don't worry, Doc~! It'll be like magic," Heavy Magician turned to her comrades and giggled, "Heehee! So then, the famous Metal Sonic... I don't believe we've ever formally met. It's quite the honor to be working alongside the Doc's favorite robot."

Her tone was somewhat ambiguous. Was she simply being irreverent, or was that a hint of jealousy?

"Mm, and you..." Heavy Magician squinted at the little mouse, "I have no idea who you are. But hey, that's a good thing, because Nega won't either, right?"

"Anyway, no sense lollygagging," she sighed, idly shuffling a deck of Eggman-themed playing cards as she floated there, waiting, "Let's head for Nega's and get this proverbial show on the road, shall we?"

[mistressdizzy]

Dizzy simply smiled, leaning back very slightly as Heavy Magician focused on her. "Well, yeah. No one knows who I am. I guess I'll have to make that work for me. Let me just change out of my uniform, if that's okay with you. I don't think showing up in enemy colors will be a good move for my first day."

She saluted to everyone who outranked her (which was everyone) and stepped into the elevator. As soon as she pressed the button for the bottom floor, the doors slid shut. Sheer relief flooded her body, so much that she almost sat on the floor. The elevator started its trip downward.

"This is going to be interesting." One minute she was sure she'd be fired, the next she was a spy. Certainly there was some kind of pay raise to be had as well. Not to mention, new things. She pulled the small, egg shaped communicator from her pocket and started to toy with it. Definitely better than her cell phone, that was for sure.

Then her fingers tripped a button on the side of the communicator, and the voice of Metal Sonic suddenly burst from it.

"If you allow anything to happen to my little sister, I will break you."

So, this device had a recording feature?

This was going to be very, very interesting.

Dizzy smiled.