Chaos Rising Part 2B

"Huh.  Okay, starting trial test fourteen," Tails said as he typed the commands into the computer.  Before the fox and his computer the orange chaos emerald floated above a mechanical dais, a pool of still, viscous liquid glowing beneath it, forming a concave surface.  At the fox's entered commands, the liquid began to glow brightly, shining over the orange jewel as it turned.

"System is reading seventy-five percent charged… eighty-five… ninety-five… one hundred percent charged," Nicole stated.  "I am now disengaging from the city's main power grid.  Auxiliary power will be used to maintain safety protocols."  The lynx stared intently at the emerald, her eyes glowing a bit as she remotely accessed the machine.

"Is it working?" asked Tails.  Nicole nodded.

"Energy levels appear to be holding," she replied.  "If our calculations are correct, the emerald should have achieved a stable energy loop."

"That's the easy part," the fox responded, tapping more commands into the computer console.  "Eggman's been using the emeralds to power his machines since he learned about them.  The trick we're after is accessing their full power for as long as we want," there was more key tapping, "or longer."  Lynx cast fox a curious look, then shrugged, dismissing the comment.  Sometimes Mama Prower's little boy liked to be weird for weirdness sake.

"Are we ready to proceed?" she asked.

"I believe so," Tails answered, picking up a small test tube from a nearby rack.  Inside the tube a blue quill, a tuft of yellow fur, and a red spine sat.  At Nicole's mental command, nannites inside the pool of liquid below the Chaos Emerald constructed a three fingered claw in which Tails set the test tube firmly.  At once, each small bit of organic detritus began to shine, the blue quill in particular taking on a fearsome golden glow.

"Control specimens now in position," he said.  In his other hand, the cub held a small, circular device, which he positioned in the water directly beneath the emerald.  In the presence of the limitless energy, the small device began to glow.  Miles smiled.  

"I have to wonder how angry St. John would be if he knew you had that little toy," Nicole mused.

"It's his own fault," Tails said as he stepped back to his computer.  "I'm the one who helped Rotor create the star posts from Robotnik's void generator technology.  My star disk may not be as powerful, but it can still open portals, even if they are small."  He typed in a few more commands.  "Now activating star disk."  Inside the solution shimmered a little, the clarity of its surface clouding a bit as within its depths a small portal opened.  The liquid began to swirl, its gel-like properties allowing it to rise partially from the bowl.  Nicole looked at the small apparatus.

"The modified nannites held in the medium are reporting contact with the ambient energies of the Special Zone.  They have begun channeling into our world."

"Are they able to continue drawing on the emerald's power?"

"Yes."

"Alright, let's get our little net into position."  The swirling liquid moved faster, rising further out of the bowl, slowly reaching the lower half of the Chaos Emerald.  As it did so, the eerie luminescence that had clouded the liquid began to reflect the gem's brilliance as though it were as mirrored sheet of metal.  Inside the test tube, the three control specimens continued to glow.

"Emerald energy output is at sixty percent… eighty percent… one hundred percent…  We are now drawing upon the practiced full power of the Orange Chaos Emerald."

"Excellent.  Now if my calculations are correct, the combination of the specialized nannites held in our little solution should be able to focus the more energetic properties of the Special Zone around the emerald.  With just enough of the Special Zone here on Mobius surrounding the emerald, we should be able to subvert whatever factor prevents it from being the fount of limitless power it's supposed to be."

"You're monologuing again," Nicole pointed out.  "I wouldn't mind, but after fourteen times it does a touch repetitive."  Tails favored the lynx with a look that was both mildly annoyed and amused at the same time.

"That's half the fun," he stated.  "If we had a lightning storm going on it'd be perfect."

"Blast these sunny days in the Great Forest."  Tails smirked.

"See, nothing so sarcastic couldn't be alive," the fox said, then became serious. "Are the nannites still holding?"

"Yes.  And the emulsion has become semi-crystalized, as expected."  Nicole's eyes closed as she concentrated on the shell.  "The nannites have experienced a three percent crystallization from the Special zone as well, but suffered no damage.  They have also locked into position."  The orange emerald flashed violently for a minute, causing Nicole to grow worried.  "But the power output for the Chaos Emerald is now at one hundred ten percent, and rising."

"That's fine, Nic.  We expected the emerald to react better when exposed to its preferred environment."  Tails smiled.  "Buck up, so far we're doing better than we did the last thirteen times."

"It's not fine if the emerald goes too far beyond our predicted parameters, Miles.  Releasing that much uncontrolled chaos energy onto a planet like Mobius is bound to have dire consequences; particularly given that the star disk is already having a destabilizing effect on reality."

"The new nannites should be able to weather the energies, even use them to keep online."  Somewhere in the back of her electronic mind, Nicole couldn't help but remember that "should" did not always equate into "will."

"Energy output now at one hundred thirty-seven percent.  The field has stabilized but if output increases much more…"

"We'll terminate the experiment and recalibrate the nannites.  But for now we move forward.  The control subjects are still empowered.  I am now beginning to channel the emerald's energies beyond the field into the test machines."  From over the lips of the semi-crystaline solution, orange energy began to pour out.  Tails resisted the urge to try to control the energy with his own abilities, if their little Chaos Amplifier apparatus couldn't operate independently of him, it wouldn't be much good.  Guided by conductive wires, the emerald's energies flowed into waiting machines that had been modified to make use of it.  Lights flickered on as a radar dish began to turn, slowly at first but soon coming up to full speed.

"Energy output is at one hundred forty-eight percent," Nicole warned as the vacuum motor came to life, sucking in the air at its nozzle.

"Come on, hold together," Tails said as he watched a hovercraft's engine rumble to life, converting the chaos energy into mechanical energy.  

"Scanning test devices," Nicole said, focusing her mind on the three machines.  "All three seem to be running at optimal levels.  There does not appear to be any sort of stress being exhibited due to the exotic energy."

"So far so good," the fox observed.  "I will now begin the final test.  Beginning radiant chaos field."  More orange energy flowed from the device, this time in waves as it began to penetrate the computers, scanners and other devices present in the lab.  For a brief moment, sparks arose from the machines, but they quickly subsided as the energy field engulfed them.

"Energy output is at one hundred fifty-four percent and holding," Nicole said as even she felt the change over in energy.  

"Connection to city's power grid for the entire lab has now been disengaged," Tails said.  "We're running completely on emerald juice now."

"And it's holding at manageable levels," the lynx pointed out happily.  "I dare say we can call this a success."

"Congratulation Ms. Lynx, we two geniuses have just done the impossible," Miles said with a grin, "we've tamed the untamable and brought a Chaos Emerald under control."

"Yes, Mr. Prower, it would appear we have.  Energy levels are neither increasing nor declining, even with all the energy we're draining from it.  The chaos emerald is simply recouping its losses as fast as they're made."

"Then there is only one last thing to do." Foxy fingers danced across his computer keyboard as he began saving the files and closing programs.  "Nicole, shut down the Chaos Amplifier.  Complete disconnect."  Nicole nodded and a moment later the entire lab went dark. Tails's ears twitched as he heard the sound of the nannite solution sloshing back into its bowl, the emerald falling into it. Besides that, all was silent.

Then sound returned as the machines came back on, their power returned.  Lights flicked back on, illuminating the lab, but still Tails was alone.  Soon the holographic emitters Nicole used to project her image came to life, and the beautiful lynx stood before her friend and ally.

"Any problems reestablishing the connection?" he asked, concerned over the length of time it had taken to bring the lab back to life.

"Some… slight resistance to returning to the old current.  Apparently stabilized chaos energy agrees with my nannites."  Despite the forced chuckle she managed to interpose between her sentences, there was a certain guarded quality to the A.I.'s words, something that gave the kit pause.  

"Well, with any luck you won't have to do it again.  This was just to make sure we could turn off the Amplifier if we needed to.  With any luck, and a few more tests, we'll be able to showcase this system to the Council.  Then we'll have the power to rival Eggman no matter when he strikes."

"Yes… Eggman," Nicole stated, her happy mood having dissipated.  A frown crossed Tails's muzzle.

"Nicole what's wrong?"

"It's… it's nothing.  Nothing we need to spoil this moment," the cyber-lynx said, forcing a smile.  "It has gotten late, and there is nothing more we can do this evening.  It may be best for you to head home for now.  I'm… I'm sure your parents wouldn't approve of you not being home before dark."  For a brief moment, Tails wanted to protest, but he knew that Nicole could be every bit as stubborn as Sally when it came to keeping secrets.  Collecting the orange chaos emerald and the star disk and stowing them in his usual hiding spot.  The cub headed for the lab's exit, pausing briefly before turning back to his friend.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?" he asked again, hopeful the advanced A.I. would see fit to confide in him.

"Please Tails, just leave," she answered, her holographic image fading as she took direct control of the lab nannites to begin the clean up.  Biting his lip, Tails did as instructed, making to exit the building.  Since St. John's invasion of their previous hiding spot weeks earlier, the duo had been forced to move their experiments to within the city.  Fortunately an "abandoned" nannite-made building had been available for them to quickly move into and set up shop.  Of course, anyone with a brain might have realized that no building in New Mobotropolis was ever truly dormant; Nicole repurposed everything as quickly as possible to keep the city looking active and pretty.

It was as Tails opened the front door of their new lab that he saw it.  There, on the wall across the street someone had used spray paint to make a very large, very crude caricature of Nicole, looming evilly.  The fingers of her hands had been converted to strings, or at least thick cable, descending downward and at the end danced more crude pictures of Sonic and Sally.  Neither Freedom Fighter looked particularly happy to be where they were, and yet still they hung like puppets under Evil Nicole's thrall.

Blue eyes narrowed as the fox took in the site.  Whoever was orchestrating this campaign of harassment and slander was getting bolder, of that Tails was sure, and no doubt had Nicole not been occupied with their project she would have caught the miscreants behind this little picture show in the act.  Anger welled in the cub's heart.

'Nicole doesn't deserve this,' he thought to himself.  'She doesn't deserve to be attacked like this.'  If his fellow Mobians knew how close their supposed "demon" was of freeing them from dependence on the planet's limited energy sources…

But they didn't, because Tails and Nicole couldn't let their project become public knowledge, not until they were done.  And thus no one realized how important Nicole was to Mobius's future.

'But who says we aren't done?' he thought to himself.  'My calculations are correct, I know it, and tonight not only proves our Chaos Amplifier works, but that Nicole can control it.'  As he glared at the hateful graffiti, Tails's resolve began to harden.  

"Sonic's always willing to throw caution to the wind to get results, why shouldn't I?  If this city wants a reason to accept Nicole, then by golly I'll give them a whopper."  So saying Tails ran off towards his home.

& & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &

From his hiding spot, Silver watched as Tails raced away, his twin namesakes starting to spin as he went into what Silver privately referred to as cruise mode.  The psionic hedgehog could practically taste a chaos emerald on the boy, its power emanating like a beacon to him.  Briefly Silver considered simply ambushing the fox and grabbing the emerald.  Surely if he held one of the hateful gems, their combined might couldn't be used to bring about the horrible future he lived in.  

But that was only half the problem.  Powerful though he might be, Silver knew there were creatures upon this world he couldn't protect the chaos emerald from, amongst them his own master's youthful self.  No, he had to stop the problem at its source, and that meant preventing whatever was going to occur to unleash the chaos emeralds' powers.

He'd been following the boy around for the past few days, ever since he'd identified Tails as the one the A.I. Nicole spent the most time with.  Tails had proven quite evasive for some reason, something had no doubt spooked the fox.  But now Silver knew where the two were hiding… whatever it was they were hiding.

Silver still wasn't entirely sure.

The old building looked nothing like the dark spires that had risen above New Mobotropolis in Mogul's memories.  In fact it looked like nothing more than a normal building.

'Is it possible I got it wrong?  That Nicole has nothing to do with the calamity about to befall the city, the world?'  A hard feeling formed in his gut.  If he'd made a mistake here, what were the odds the time stones would have the power needed to send him back for another go?  The artifacts were not limitless in their power, and it took a lot to reach back in time so far, particularly after a planetary apocalypse.  'If I've gotten it wrong this time, I can't be too sure the time stones will be able let me make the trip again.  And if I'm right…'  Steeling his gaze, Silver pulled back the hood of his appropriated sweater and walked purposefully towards the building he'd seen Tails leave.  'I have to find out.'

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

In the evening Rosemary Prower sat at the desk in her home office, half-heartedly going over the week's proposals, petitions, law drafts, and, of course, letters.  Usually the vixen could marshal more focus for such work.  It was, after all, her job, a position she had not only been chosen for, but volunteered and campaigned to have.  But tonight, Mrs. Prower could not shake the feeling of ill-ease that pervaded her house.

As seemed to happen with far too much frequency lately, the problem seemed to be centered on her son.  Even at dinner the boy seemed darkly preoccupied, more so than he'd been after their heated argument.  But whatever was on his mind, Miles had deigned to not share.  Rosemary couldn't pretend that didn't hurt.

The young vixen had been quite pleased to find out about her pregnancy, joyfully awaiting her entrance into motherhood with her first child.  Rosemary had always had a close relationship with her parents, and she'd envisioned the same with her own son.  But then Robotnik had interrupted those plans, separated her family, and robbed her of her baby forever.  

Even now, reunited, Miles was reluctant to open up to his parents, feeling far more comfortable with his adopted brother Sonic, or, and at this Rosemary shuddered, his "Aunt" Sally.  It hurt, but in a very real way, she felt as though she'd given birth to a baby one moment, and gotten a teenager in the next, a veritable stranger.  Unfair as it was, the vixen had rather hoped that Sally's incapacitation and Sonic's preoccupation with Naugus would force Tails to begin bonding with them.  But if his silence at dinner was any indication, her kit was now keeping his own council… or that of the machine he fancied so much.

The sound of footsteps, too soft to belong to Amadeus, drew the vixen's attention away from her paperwork and to the door.  Tails stood in the doorway, hands behind his back as he stared intently at his mother.  

"Um… Mom?" he asked quietly after taking a deep breath.

"Yes Miles?" she answered as the cub entered the room, his tails twitching nervously, an universal sign amongst their kind that something was up.  Deftly the Freedom Fighter's hand slipped into the thick fur of his left tail.  Before Rosemary's startled eyes, her son pulled forth a gigantic orange jewel she could only assume was one of the powerful chaos emeralds.  Her attention returned to Tails as the cub began talking again.

"I think I need your help…"

To be continued…