Project Justice – PART 1: Prologue – The Truth About 50 Years Ago
By ‘Johnny’

During my latest criminal investigation, I found secret information about Project Shadow through a Security Hole in GUN, and informed the President. It was a letter addressed to Professor Gerald from the President of its time, 13 Presidents ago, confidentially requesting him some new research. The subject of the letter is as follows.

"Mankind's ultimate eternal dream, researching for immortality."

Gerald had refused this request stubbornly, for it crossed over Man's limits. However (although ironically), in the end, Gerald's dearest granddaughter "Maria Robotnik" gave him a reason to look over the plans. Maria suffered from an illness "NIDS: Neuro immunodeficiency syndrome", by which medical treatment was difficult to provide. Although she seemingly could not expect recovery from this, medical treatment research was continued aboard the ARK, before they finally thought the incurable disease could be conquered because of Gerald's declaration of his new immortality studies. Advanced research was strictly confidential, inside the ARK. Records state, "Project Shadow" was named this because of the sarcasm involved in not actually being able to create a Shadow (Which didn't exist in the world).

At first, everyone thought that this plan was far too reckless and far-fetched to have ever been fabricated by Professor Gerald's gifted mind. Chaos Emeralds were researched and resulted in the creation of Chaos Drives, which were a test to apply their infinite energy to a life, while the main project would only be started once the prototype was complete. The "Prototype of the Ultimate Life-form", made after the image of a lizard, showed many signs of wonderful growth. Regeneration, restoration, and self-reproduction. The researchers were thrilled at this. 

But, while their joy of how well the Prototype was doing quickly went to their heads, it became unruly and hard to control causing many problems. A voice of doubt soon arose, as they questioned their continuation on this project, as well as the safety of others aboard. The truth is uncertain, about who had leaked private information about the Project to GUN, however it was considered to have been one of the few who were concerned with the Prototype, as it became reckless. 

Those who were among the top ranking of GUN, had a strong disliking of the research organization, and formulated a plan to shut down the ARK itself, taking advantage of its current situation. Their secret plan was code named, "ARK's Indestructible Seal"
All of the colony's residents were to be evacuated from a bio hazardous calamity generated from within the ARK research institution, and it would be sealed away. This was their ostensible purpose of the strategy. Of course, the true purpose was to close the ARK research facility, erase Project Shadow, and put the blame to Professor Gerald as the person who had caused the accident.

The plan was carried out, on the premise that GUN knew nothing, and within only seven days of the Plan's commencing, all the residents of the ARK were moved to the planet. All the research facilities aboard the ARK were frozen by GUN, and all persons involved in Project Shadow, except for Professor Gerald, were announced as victims of the disaster. The plan was finally completed, when the "Prototype of the Ultimate Life form" was found, and then sealed away in the deepest part of the Colony.

But, there was miscalculation in their plan. It seemed Professor Gerald was already finishing off the Ultimate Life form "Shadow", but using another desirable form, when the plan was being executed. When GUN's Special Forces rushed into the research institute, Gerald escaped, and entrusted it to Maria, his granddaughter, checking to make sure that the one escape capsule was ejected toward the planet. (In addition, the whereabouts of the capsule at that time were not known, either.)

~ A partial excerpt from the last investigative report by Rouge, about Project Shadow ~

Part 1: Fast forward 39 years from the incident…

A research facility located on Prison Island is humming and buzzing with the sounds of optimistic development.

“Sir, the experiment is ready!”  A subordinate says to the leader of the recent project.

An experiment titled Project: JUSTICE was about to take place on the island. A scientist who was known to be a descendant of the great Gerald Robotnik, Dr. Ovi Kintobar Robotnik was the leader of the project which was about to commence. A pod was sitting in the middle of the room with a containment chamber located to the side of it. Terminals and machines were blinking, scanning, buzzing and flashing everywhere with men in white coats manning them.

“Life support systems are online; all of them are at 100% operational capability. Oxygen flow inside the pod is occurring normally. DNA samples taken from the Project: Shadow are in the containment chamber and have gone through the necessary preparations for replication.” Another subordinate says.

“Excellent.” Says Dr. Kintobar. “Begin the replication process on my signal. We only have one chance at this, and failure will not be tolerated by me or our funding parties.” The Dr. began thinking to himself.

“All of these years studying my father’s research is about to pay off. This time, we’ll create a creature that can truly be called the Ultimate life form.”

With that thought on his mind, he gave the go ahead signal.

“Begin Replication!” the Dr. exclaimed.

The machines came alive at that very moment. As the contents of the containment chamber began to replicate into the pod beside it.

“Output at 89.83% and rising rapidly! The replication process is proceeding as expected! Life Support systems are remaining at 100% efficacy!” shouts another white coated subordinate.

“It’s working… IT’S WORKING!” cries the Dr. “The hopes and dreams of the Robotnik lineage will soon be fulfilled!”

Little did any of these men know that what they were creating would be the catalyst to the greatest evil to be known on the planet, and would create its only salvation.

“Sir, we have a big problem!” shouts a mechanic. “Our entry plugs to the life support pod can’t handle all of the power being channeled from the generators! If this continues, they could explode!”

“We just need it for 30 more seconds and the procedure will be complete! Just keep it running until then!” the Dr. Replies.

*SZZZZIT! CLANK!*

The power cable connected to the pod from the generator had  been severed.

“No! We can’t let it end like this!” the Dr. shouts. “If we don’t get that connected again… I just can’t let that happen!” the Dr. screams as he leaps from his seat.

Subordinate: Sir, what are you doing!?

Dr. Ovi: I’m going to reconnect the cable!

Mechanic: You can’t! With the amount of power being generated through that cable, you’ll get electrocuted indefinitely!

The Brave Dr. Ovi  ignored their cries as he began to pick up the massive power cable.

Dr. Ovi: Damn the consequences! This if for my family! My Father! My Son, Ivo! But most importantly, this is for Science!

With a loud clang, the cable was reinserted. The screams of agony from the Dr. could be heard echoing down the corridors of the entire research facility. 

By the time his body had given in to the amount of burning electricity pulsing through his body, the experiment had been concluded. He was then immediately rushed to the hospital ward where treatment began right away.

While he was being taken to the hospital ward, the experiment was labeled as a success. The samples of Project: Shadow had created a fully developed, and almost cosmetically identical life form. The life form showed signs of life in the form of steady brain activity and an average heart beat, even though it had yet to fully awaken from a hibernated state after being born. However, the mere creation of an artificial life form was all what was hoped to be accomplished from this experiment. The aftermath was left in the hands of fate and the remaining interest from the funding parties.

Days after the success of Project: JUSTICE, Dr. Ovi Kintobar died in the hospital ward due to the irreversible damage done to his organs. He is mourned by his colleagues and was given a proper burial. His wife and child, Ivo, were informed and devastated by the loss of their father/husband.

The artificial life form never met its creator.