The Royal Army Headquarters was one of the more towering structures in Mobotropilis, housing all equipment needed for training and preparations. The building itself was made with smooth cream walls and had a balcony smothered in flourishing vegetation that stretched around the sides and front of the structure, marking out where the first floor within ended. The forefront of the headquarters held a slanted roof where the centre was decorated with a symbol of an acorn. Numerous more floors continued to climb beyond that with a slanted roof and blue tinted windows that covered the front of the building.

The dark brown eyed hedgehog that now stood in the grand lobby (complete with a golden statue of the Acorn family in the middle, benches circled around and few desks sat against the white walls) lifted his gaze from the light brown tiled floor to scan his surroundings. From how shiny and well kept this structure showed to be, it was clearly one of the newer buildings added to the city. Especially with the small number of mobians within, for the blue father could only count four or five other citizens.

Well, perhaps soldiers was a more accurate title to place on the mobians here. To disguise their identities, all had equipped dark grey helmets with black glass hiding their stoic expressions and focused eyes. The soldiers wore black jackets with a black, red and blue symbol sowed onto their left shoulder pads- complete with a large white 'G' in the centre. To bring this formal look together, black boots had been assigned to the new members of this formation.

The dark blue hedgehog pinched the rim of his brown insulated vest as his head swivelled to the rabbit standing beside him, proudly so. He was a pale cream with few mud coloured patches and deep green eyes, wearing the same uniform as the other soldiers yet lacked a helmet. He straightened his jacket prior to facing the astonished looking hedgehog and gave a grin.

"Pretty impressive, right?"

The blue father watched the surrounding lobby once more. "Very. How long...?"

"Couple of years. Though it's only been used for a few months. Operations are starting soon, we've all just been training and setting things up ready. Today's an important day for one." The rabbit began walking.

The dark brown eyed hedgehog followed, craning his head to take in as much of the fantastic structure as possible. "Why's that?"

The former looked over his shoulder. "You're here, Jules. We've heard about you and Charles. Vaguely that is, but we know you're familiar with Robotnik."

"You could say that, yeah."

"How?"

Jules briefly smirked and chuckled. "Christmas Island. He wanted to take it over. Me and Charles refused to let that happen so...we fought. Robotnik though...he had taken over most of the island and we were forced to flee. Where we ended up in Green Hills." He flicked his nose. "He's held a grudge for us ever since, 'cause we did manage to save a lot of mobians at Christmas Island. I'm surprised you know, Chocola."

The rabbit slowed to sling an arm around the hedgehog. "Didn't know that much. Just heard that there was hope out there. That we weren't alone in the fight. That maybe, just maybe, we actually stand a chance."

"I sure hope so."

"Yeah...sucks Charles can't be here though."

Jules looked aside and mindlessly fiddled with his vest. "It does."

Chocola lowered his arm to elbow the blue father. "Hey." He winked. "Dontcha worry. We'll get your brother back."

"How? Even if we do...what if we're too late? What if-?"

"Ah, Jules. You've finally arrived."

The blue hedgehog raised a brow at Chocola who had dropped to his knee with an arm crossed over his back. His other across his chest, fist resting atop his heart and head bowed. The former then turned ahead to discover the source of the voice sounded from a chipmunk with blue eyes and tan fur. He had a dark red, combed, moustache, brows and tuft of hair. With an arm over his chest, he wore a blue uniform accompanied with gold epaulets, brown boots and a small red cape.

Jules' eyes widened and although he hadn't been here for long, he was knowledgeable of the fact that the chipmunk before him was the King. King Maximilian Acorn. The hedgehog swiftly copied Chocola's bowing stance and his ear twitched at the noise of laughter.

"Come now! That's hardly necessary!" The King stretched his arms wide with a welcoming smile as he watched the pair opposite hesitantly stand.

The chipmunk then approached and slung an arm around the two, leading them towards the line of golden elevators. "Glad to see you've finally arrived, Jules! I just wish it were under...better circumstances."

"Yuh huh. M-me too. I'm sorry but...."

"No need for apologies." Maximilian faced the bewildered hedgehog beside him. "You'll be seeing me here quite a lot."

Chocola slipped out of the King's hold to press the highest floor on the elevators numbered panel prior to swiftly smacking his fist atop his heart, standing straight and proud.

The Royal Army Headquarters were told to consist of multiple floors suitable for soldiers to eat, sleep and train here. As the three progressed and ascended such floors, it became aware that the top storey's were reserved only for the Secret Operations branch that was headed by (according to King Maximilian Acorn) Commander Abraham Tower.

A ding signalled that the three had arrived to their destination and as the golden doors of the elevator slipped open, Jules' mouth became slightly agape. Smooth, glistening white tiles and shiny grey walls led the way to large double brown doors at the end of the vast corridor. Singular doors lined the walls that presumably held the elite members' quarters and offices. Soldiers stood with pride on either side of the four elevators and held spears firmly in their right hands, staring (Jules could only assume from their helmets) ahead.

Only when King Maximilian began his movements forward did Chocola and Jules share a glance (one a grin and the other astonishment) before stepping behind the chipmunk to follow.

"The Commander is up ahead, though he's not alone." The King looked over his shoulder at the pair. "He's with a specialised, elite group of soldiers. You'll know them as Agents and soon, Chocola and Jules, you'll become one of them too."

The blue hedgehog double took. "Wait what?"

"The letter that was sent to you and Charles, we're asking for your hand in this fight against Robotnik, Jules. Chocola here has been training for the past few months and has proven to be an outstanding soldier."

The rabbit was quick to bow in gratitude. "Thank you, my King."

King Maximilian Acorn smiled and turned forwards, slipping his arms behind his back. "I've heard about you and Charles, Jules. How you stood up against Robotnik and fought against him. You'll have to tell me about it more sometime."

"O-of course, your highness."

"Now, I know this must be a little confusing. So I hope when Chocola met you at the front doors, he gave you some information on what's taking place here?"

Jules nodded. "A bit. I know you and the Commander have made a deal to take down Robotnik together. How these headquarters were made for GUN. That's about it...your highness."

The royal chipmunk came to a stop and gripped the handles attached to the brown double doors. "You'll be told a lot more soon my friend. But for now...." He glanced at the pair and smirked. "Why don't you say hello to your fellow Agents?"

The doors slowly swung open and the king held his arms wide at his sides as he stepped in. The room revealed appeared to be the main meeting chamber, with a large glass table that stretched in the centre. It was surrounded by chairs with few occupied and the two seating at the ends were far grander than the others. The members of this elite group turned their heads to discover the newcomers.

The middle of the table held a small circular black device with a control panel on it's front and a blue blinking button atop. A human sat on the opposite end of the table with his elbows resting on the glass surface (papers lay between them) and his hands locked together as he watched the three before him. Behind him, a vast screen with the same symbol all the soldiers wore showed and the room was complete with a glorious chandelier hanging above the table.

The first mobian Jules laid eyes on was a tiger with white and grey fur with blue eyes. He wore a similar uniform to the soldiers, the only difference being no helmet and that his jacket was blue. The other members had equipped the same outfit. Another Agent was a woodpecker who also wore an aviator cap and scarf. Beside him perched a giraffe and opposite a purple, pink and grey king cobra watched the three newcomers at the door with narrowed eyes. Finally, neighbouring the cobra, sat a bulldog that sent a welcoming salute.

King Maximilian Acorn gestured to the group as he squeezed Jules' shoulder. "Here, Jules, we have the elite members of GUN. The leader Tig Stripe, Sir Peckers, Spot Long, Trey Scales and MP Bull Bones."

The Agents gave greeting nods as Chocola gave the king a bow prior to perching beside the bulldog. Jules watched the King sit on his grand chair nearest to the doors (that had been closed courtesy of the rabbit) in advance to taking his place neighbouring the giraffe.

"So, shall we proceed?" The human questioned, lowering his hands.

"I believe so, Commander." The royal chipmunk nodded in agreement.

Jules raised a hand. "I'm sorry but...proceed? With what?"

"A new direction. A new plan." The Commander answered.

"What plan?"

"The plan to save the innocent lives of Mobius, including your brother."