The Space Colony Arc drifts peacefully through space, orbiting Earth. It`s purpose is to provide a place where the scientists on board can conduct their experiments without interruption or being criticized. On the inside, the scientists know that their work is to be of benefit to all of mankind on Earth. On the outside, people just don`t seem to see it that way. So Professor Gerald Robotnik took his family and his lot of helpers into the Arc and launched everyone into space.

For quite a while, the plan seems to have worked. All the scientists were much happier working on the Arc. They could do their work without the press pestering them or the government threatening them. Earth just isn`t ready to catch up to their technology and the discoveries they were making. Perhaps soon in the future, their work would be better appreciated and understood. They are sure that one day, everyone will see the light and would come to an understanding. The work that is being done on the Arc is for them, afterall.

However, a tragedy has struck Gerald in his heart. He discovers that his 13 year old granddaughter who was born on the Arc, Maria, has developed an illness known as NIDS. It will bring her death one day and at this time, no cure has been developed for it.

With no cure available, at first Gerald feels helpless. He loves his sweet granddaughter that has been left in his custody and does not want to loose her. But then he realizes that he, Gerald Robotnik, is of the greatest scientific minds in the world. Surely he could be the one to find a cure! He has all of his equipment with him aboard the Arc with several staff to assist him. There is nothing he is lacking to find the cure.

Or is he?

He attempts over and over in his many labs to find something that would free his little Maria from the grasp of this deadly disease. But it seems like a dead end at each turn. In the meantime, Maria is growing, and so is the illness. It is slowly chipping away at her health. Each day that passes by, Gerald becomes more desperate. He must find a cure before it becomes too late, he must!

One day, as Gerald comes to the discovery that another attempt has yet again failed, his hand draws over his face. His body is weary by this point of constantly working and his mind rages that he must continue on for Maria`s sake. He turns his head to the door of his current location and catches the sight of Maria skipping by the door. A small smile comes to Gerald`s face, thinking about how Maria still finds strength to play as a normal child should. She may seem to act a little young for her age but she usually will say things that are quite wise beyond her years. But the smile on Gerald`s face fades, feeling bad that he has not spent time with her as he should and feels guilty that no other child exists on the Arc for her to interact with. This whole Arc is filled with adults who are all too busy with their work to give Maria the attention she needs. Gerald is the only adult who has found any time for Maria and he has taken that away. He sees Maria growing more sad each time he tells her that he is too busy to play with her. Gerald doesn`t like that sadness on her face. She is a happy girl and should remain that way.

Gerald turns off his computers and decides that he could put off his work for the rest of the day and spend time with Maria. She so badly wants to be with her grandfather and with her time cut short, her wish should be granted to make her happy. It is unknown as to how long she has left. The time she has should be enjoyed while it lasts.

He is about to walk out of the room when a deep, raspy voice speaks his name. Gerald turns around and sees a mysterious, never before seen creature emerging from the shadows. Where did this thing come from? How did it get on the Arc without being detected? And ugh, three eyes?

This being introduces himself as Black Doom, head of the alien army Black Arms. Black Doom explains to Gerald on how he has been watching him and believes in Gerald`s work. Gerald feels uneasy about Black Doom, what could he want by appearing here? Black Doom goes on to explain that his attempts to find a cure have failed because he lacks the right ingredients. He could provide the ingredients and guide Gerald through how to use them to create what is needed.

Gerald hesitates. This has bad news written all over it. Something appears on the Arc undetected, has apparently been spying on him for quite some time, and then out of the blue proposes that it is going to help him? Seems rather suspicious. He turns to the door and sees Maria skipping by once more, unaware of what monster lurks just a few feet away from her. Black Doom asks Gerald,"Don`t you wish to cure her of her predicament, professor? She has very little time..."

Gerald`s eyes widen. Yes, soon, the disease will kill Maria. It is only a matter of time. He turns back to Black Doom. Desperation to save Maria pushes Gerald to say yes to Black Doom`s proposal. Maria must be saved, no matter what the consequences may be. In the back of Gerald`s mind, however, keeps in mind of the danger of the situation. Alien army...Gerald has a feeling that grave danger is afoot. He will add a few extra things to this project that he hadn`t previously thought of doing. It`s better to safe than sorry.

For today, however, Gerald will give Maria his time. Beginning tomorrow, he will continue to work on his project with the help of Black Doom. What Gerald hopes more than anything is that this time the project will be successful. It will serve many purposes. With a new reason added, there are four purposes for the project. Hopefully, it can handle them all.

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