G.U.N. Point

                                                          Chapter 4
                                                         G.U.N. Point

     Two unlikely allies working together all these years.  Now, as Espio climbs aboard the Egg Walker with Eggman, they prepare for their final mission together.  It’s taken ten years of preparation and planning, but now the time has come to undo what has been done and set right what once went wrong.  With a glow and flash, they disappeared from the face of the planet and reappeared in the transporter room of the Space Colony ARK…and its dark, eerie corridors…
     “I’m not surprised that the ARK is the last stronghold against the Empire,” Eggman gloats.  “It was designed and created by MY grandfather after all.”
     “Was his ego just as big as yours is?” Espio smarted off as he jumps off the Egg Walker.  “He didn’t do it alone by any means.  His intentions were much nobler than yours have always been as well.  It wasn’t until his granddaughter Maria was killed and he was locked away that he lost his mind and decided to destroy the world…it’s a shame that such a great mind went to waste…”  Espio pauses as an expression of sadness fills his face while behind him a red light begins to glow.  “Between his brilliance and G.U.N. resources, they could have accomplished anything if they had only trusted one another…”
     Laser fire comes from the direction of the red light and straight towards Espio’s head.  Suddenly, something blocks the blast saving Espio’s life.  It’s the Egg Walker’s leg!  “I thought you weren’t supposed to be able to sneak up on a ninja, Espio,” Eggman says smugly.  “Now my great Egg Walker has a laser scar on it.  I can only take so many hits for you, Espio, so don’t make this a habit.”
     More red lights appear in the shadows surrounding the pair.  “Don’t worry, Doctor, your precious Egg Walker won’t take any more hits at my expense.”  Espio throws a shuriken behind him without so much as looking.  The shuriken deflects another laser blast that was aimed at Eggman’s head.  “But you might want to watch yourself more than me.”
     Suddenly, the red lights grow brighter and the sound of mechanical limbs moving can be heard in a flurry.  They are charging in for an attack!  Eggman begins firing his machine gun into the shadows hoping to hit the targets that he can’t even see.  Espio closes his eyes and focuses and quickly but meticulously uses a kunai to slice the oncoming robots.
     “Is it possible that you could shed some light on things, Doctor,” Espio calmly asks as he slices one of the robots heads.  “It would help us find a way out of here.”
     “I do believe I have a way to clear the room and shed a little light on the matter as well,” Eggman replies with an evil grin.  He locks onto as many shadow targets as his sensors can detect.  “Espio, it might be a good idea for you to get aboard the Egg Walker now.”
     Espio jumps onto the Egg Walker and assumes a crunched position behind Eggman.  “All clear!  Let’s see your ‘bright’ idea,” Espio says sarcastically.  Suddenly, the room lights up like a firework show.  Missile trails blaze around the room as they seek their targets.  Explosions go off all around the room making it look brighter than daylight.  Slowly the room fades dark again and the room falls deathly silent.
     “Well, that cleared the room, but now I can see less than before, Doctor,” Espio complains.  “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to see again after that reckless tactic.”
     “Bwahaha!” Eggman bellows.  “I suppose I should have warned you to close your eyes first.  But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll readjust to the light soon enough.  Until then, I suggest you ride with me.”  Eggman turns on his headlight to see the rubble left from his attack…beaten and battered G.U.N. robots.  “Just like old times on Prison Island!”
     The Egg Walker proceeds out the door and down one of the many dark corridors.  Finally, they get to one of the outer corridors and can see since it has windows that are open to space.
     “It’s hard to believe that the world has been conquered when you look at it from up here,” Espio remarks.  “It still looks so peaceful and happy.”
     “Yes, no matter how much of a panic they may be in down there,” Eggman pauses as he remembers the Space Colony ARK incident, “it always looks just as peaceful as ever…sickening isn’t it.”
     “Speak for yourself, Doctor,” Espio replied.  “I for one am glad that not even the Eggman Empire can ruin this view.”
     In another room of the ARK, a console displays a floor plan of the ARK.  It is overlaid with a life-sign detection system.  It shows two sets of life-signs moving down one of the outer corridors…and one set in the same chamber as the console.  Fingers move across the console and the image changes to a live feed from a security camera in the corridor.
     “He’s attempting to infiltrate the ARK again!?  I thought he’d learned his lesson the last time.  He may have been able to take control of Earth, but I’ll never allow him to defile the Space Colony ARK!  Activate ‘Project Demi-god!’  Intruders are on level three, corridor B-12!  Use any force necessary to stop them…and destroy them!”