Chasing Rainbows

**Chasing Rainbows** is the tenth episode of the third season of TFAWPS. It is the sixty-second episode overall.

## Plot

After Sonic disappears unexpectedly, Mofo falls back on old skills as he suspects Sonic's disappearance may be connected with a recent spate of kidnappings. Captain Cowboy and Captain Poliwhirl see their first returns from their endeavor in the Simpson Mining Colony, however Captain Cowboy soon starts to feel the pressure as he slowly starts to realize he may be in over his head.

## Synopsis

Out in a nightlife district of a Third Quadrant planet, a group of college students exit a nightclub at it's closing. All six of them are quite drunk and begin making their way back to their campus, however they can't seem to remember the directions. Across the street, a gruff looking man stares at them. The group laugh together as they walk down the street. As they walk, the gruff man follows them in the background. One of the students, Rigby, realizes that his phone is missing and turns to head back to retrieve it from the club bathroom. Rigby tells the other students to cover for him and he runs back towards the club.

Outside the club, a bouncer begins to lock up, but Rigby stops him, asking to be let back in to retrieve his phone. The bouncer denies this, but Rigby begs. The bouncer apologizes to him and leaves as Rigby angrily scowls to himself. He finds the streets eerily quiet and lonely. He starts making his way back towards the dormitories. As he walks down the streets, he takes in his surroundings, noticing a small liquor store and another dance club, this one with kids from a rival school hanging around outside waiting for a taxi. They notice Rigby and his college t-shirt and heckle him, singing their school's fight song. Rigby yells back that in order for them to win they first have to make it to the playoffs. The other students turn and walk away from him laughing, much like he and his friends had previously. Rigby continues on alone as the streets get quieter and quieter, a ship drives up on the road. The gruff looking man and several others gag Rigby quickly and quietly and throw him in the back of the ship and drive off as if nothing happened. The quiet street now stands alone.

In an unknown dank prison cell, water drips from the stone ceiling. As the water drops, it lands on the face of Mofo bloodied and beaten up with a bandage covering a broken nose. The water droplet lands in his eye, waking him up. Upon waking up on the floor, Mofo quickly yet weakly stands up and approaches the bars. He takes a brief look around and contemplatively stare out into space. Elsewhere, Lupina sits in an interrogation room, looking very angry and very tired. In an undisclosed warehouse, Knuckles walks with his gun drawn down a hallway, following a faint voice talking in hushed tones.

At the Simpson Mining Colony, things appear to be proceeding very smoothly. Several Waster ships are parked near the entrance and several pieces of construction equipment litter hills and tunnels nearby. Several Wasters move in and out of the tunnel. Inside the office, Captain Cowboy counts a stack of money and then places a paper band labeled "10,000" and wraps it around the stack of bills. He places the bills on the desk, zooming out to reveal at least fifty stacks of 10,000 inside a briefcase. Captain Cowboy laughs to himself and smells the stack of money. He leans back in his chair and puts his feet up on the desk. Captain Poliwhirl enters the office with a large cigar in his mouth and yells at him for putting his feet on the money, but Captain Cowboy tells him to relax, as there'll be plenty of money to go around. He tosses Captain Poliwhirl one of the stacks as he laughs and thumbs through the money. He tells Captain Cowboy that he has some powerful friends, but Captain Cowboy says that this money isn't from that, this is from selling the ore they've found. Captain Poliwhirl and Captain Cowboy both relish in their new riches. Captain Poliwhirl wonders what scared the Simpsons away, but Captain Cowboy gives a friendly shrug, though he knows the truth. Captain Poliwhirl puts on a pair of sunglasses and asks Captain Cowboy if he's ready to go and Captain Cowboy closes the briefcase and stands up. On their way out, they pass Lieutenant Cake and Captain Cowboy tells her that she's in charge while they're gone.

Late at night in a foggy motel room, Mofo stares out the window, though he can't see much through the dense fog. He returns to his bed, taking a seat on the edge and begins scanning a newspaper. He finds an article detailing another disappearance of a college student late at night near a club. Mofo thinks on this and then puts the paper down and goes to sleep, hoping to get a good night's rest. Sleep doesn't find him as he tosses and turns all night. Eventually, he sits up in the bed and turns on the TV. As he watches a sitcom, he eventually becomes bored and falls asleep. The next morning, Mofo is awakened by a knock at the door. He quickly turns off the TV and grabs the door, greeting Pac-Man on the other side. Mofo invites Pac-Man inside and he takes a look around the room and concludes that he's seen nicer garbage dumps. Mofo asks Pac-Man if he has it and Pac-Man reaches into his bag and hands him a very old energy detector, saying that he didn't realize Mofo would be so grumpy. Mofo apologizes and turns on the device and believes that it's broken. Pac-Man says that it's not broken, it's just old. He says that S.E.C.R.E.T. has been pulling strange energy readings from public databases, so if he wants to find anything he has to do it the old fashioned way. Pac-Man says that he hopes Mofo paid attention in math class and Mofo says that he did, more or less. Pac-Man reaches into his bag and pulls out an old physics and mathematics textbook and gives it to Mofo to study. Pac-Man exits the room as he tells Mofo to check himself for bed bugs. Mofo sits on the bed and starts to read the book, but looks at the disgusting sheets and decides to pack up his things.

Mofo takes a shower at a nearby gym quickly and then finds himself at a small coffeehouse. He sits in the corner in a window seat carefully taking down notes and copying equations from the book to a notebook, keeping the analog device close to himself. Every once in a while, he takes a sip of coffee and scans the room to make sure he's not being followed. Sometime later, Mofo moves to a public library. He searches several police databases on a computer, searching for missing or abandoned vehicles. As he searches the expansive list, he types in the make and model of Lupina's ship and hopes to bring back something. Several of that kind of ship are missing throughout the universe, but Mofo tries to narrow his search down to the Second and Third Quadrant. He finds one missing in the Second Quadrant and three missing in the Third Quadrant. He narrows it down to color, eliminating the one in the Second Quadrant and one from the Third. Mofo contemplates what to do as both abandoned ships are quite far apart, however neither are close to the Land of Ooo. Mofo then copies down both locations into his notebook and closes down the computer. He returns upstairs to the public seating area and begins going over the book again. The TV plays in the background and once again reports on the spate of missing college students and prison breaks. Now, Mofo's attention is grabbed. As he watches the news report, he takes note of the map showing where the disappearances have been. Mofo notes that they seem to resemble a V-shape, almost as if it's a border. He scribbles down a rough sketch of the map in his notebook. He finds that the ship is located near one of the disappearances. Mofo talks on the phone with Lupina later and says that he believes he found the ship. He's not going to make any promises, but he could get her ship back at the very least.

In his office in the Galactic Federation, Knuckles stands in front of his desk combing through stacks of letters and correspondence from when he was out. One of them catches his eye as a receipt from Kiwami Bob's Sushi Gin. Knuckles realizes quickly that he didn't order that and reads the order; Nishiki set, tuna rice bowl, tamago. Knuckles curiously turns over the receipt and reads that it has an address written, as well as a time. Knuckles looks it over when a knock on his door startles him, putting the receipt in his back pocket. A secretary informs Knuckles that President Space would like to speak with him and Knuckles nods, heading out to meet his boss.

Knuckles enters President Space's office, taking a seat across from the President, asking what this meeting is about. President Space asks Knuckles if he's in a hurry and Knuckles says that he just has a lot of work to catch up on. President Space says that he's glad he hasn't been slacking off and asks if he's managed to handle the situation, which Knuckles confirms. President Space says that's good as he has plenty of other problems to worry about at the moment. Knuckles says that he'll leave him to it. President Space says that he can go as soon as he explains why he was on the Land of Ooo. Knuckles asks for further clarification. President Space explains that he has several agents that can place Knuckles on the Land of Ooo the day the "psycho bird" attacked and they're willing to testify that he interfered in a S.E.C.R.E.T. investigation. Knuckles retorts that he's willing to testify that those agents were using excessive force in violation of S.E.C.R.E.T. and Space Corps guidelines in concurrent violation of the non-communication order President Space himself put in place. President Space leans back and asks why whenever he gives somebody Knuckles' position they see it as an excuse to threaten him. Knuckles says that he's the personal private investigator and it's his job to uncover the truth. President Space says that Knuckles is good at his job and knew he was right to give it to him, despite the protests from his cabinet. He says that Knuckles is the first non-Galactic Federation native to hold that position, which has already secured him a place in the history books, but reminds Knuckles that he has the power to make sure he stays there. Knuckles says that he understands and President Space says that's good and he's excused.

In a Galactic Federation hotel, Lupina relaxes by the pool with her phone as she texts Mofo if he's found anything yet. After anxiously waiting a while, she receives a response, saying that he's boarding a plane and should arrive in an hour. Lupina pus her phone down and tries to enjoy the nice weather and beautiful poolside. A family comes down to the pool and places their things down on the chair beside Lupina as the kids jump into the pool. Lupina focuses on them but once they catch her staring, she averts her gaze back forwards. She then picks up her phone again and opens her messages to Sonic. Over the last few days since his disappearance, she's sent him several texts. She prepares to type a new message but decides against it, shutting her phone off and packing up her things. As she walks down the hallway to her room, she finds to Space Corps soldiers standing outside of her door. She approaches them and asks what's going on and they confirm her identity. The Space Corps soldier informs her that they have orders to bring her in for questioning. Lupina huffs and asks them if they're going to let her change first and they confirm that they will. Lupina enters her room and puts her bag down on the table. She growls to herself and opens her bag to grab her regular clothes. Some time later, she exits the room in a huff and tells the Space Corps soldiers that she's ready to go as they escort her down the hallway.

In the Nix, a group of ninety-eight Waster captains sit in a large and beautifully dirty council meeting room. The captains all talk over each other as they laugh and drink. Two seats remain empty, that is until Captain Cowboy and Captain Poliwhirl enter the room with their sunglasses and briefcase filled with cash. The two take their seats in the empty chairs as other Waster captains greet them. The head Waster at the front of the conference table, an older Captain with several badges and trinkets hanging on his belt, a man named Broly, addresses the crowd, welcoming them to the Council of 100. Broly says that it's been too long since they've last gotten together and says that if the captains have anything to share with their brothers in freedom, then now is the time otherwise they're free to eat and drink to their hearts desire. All of the Waster captains raises their glasses and cheer as, like most of these meetings, the Wasters tend to keep to themselves, however one Waster captain, Captain Jeice, stands up and says that he has something to say. All the captains start grumbling and groaning, but Broly silences them and says to let Jeice speak. Once the crowd quiets down, Jeice explains that he wants everybody to know that he found one of the shards, claiming that it's the biggest score in Waster history. Captain Cowboy perks up upon hearing this and arrogantly, yet nervously, denies Jeice's claims. Jeice insists that it's true and Captain Cowboy asks where he found it, but Jeice refuses to divulge that information. Captain Poliwhirl takes the bait and asks Jeice to show them the shard. Several other Waster captains join the fray and start pestering Jeice to reveal the shard.

Jeice then stands up and moves to the center of the room. He opens up his satchel and reveals a piece of glass, which resembles a shard. Captain Cowboy is shocked and walks up to the center of the room and asks to see it. Jeice hands it to him and promises that if he tries to run off with he'll shoot him. Captain Cowboy examines it and starts laughing, calling Jeice a moron. Jeice is insulted, but Captain Cowboy asks how much he paid for it and Jeice says that he found it. Captain Cowboy says that it's a fake and he can sell it if he wants, but it's not worth anything. Jeice asks how he would know that. Captain Poliwhirl removes his sunglasses and listens intently. Captain Cowboy explains that he was almost killed by one of them, which isn't something he could forget. Jeice gets up in his face and says that he has some nerve tossing his weight around when he's the newest captain and doesn't even have a crew yet. Captain Poliwhirl then angrily stands up and tells Jeice that he can go to hell, as Captain Cowboy's promotion rests on Captain Poliwhirl's honor, but mellows out when he brags to Jeice that he and Captain Cowboy have made half a million dollars in about a week. Jeice is skeptical but Captain Cowboy puts this skepticism to rest when he reveals the briefcase filled with money. Broly speaks up and asks if they were working together on this one and Captain Poliwhirl proudly admits that they are. Broly wishes them luck and reminds them to remember the rules. Captain Cowboy and Captain Poliwhirl exchange a quick glance. Jeice accuses them of cheating and tries to get Broly to intervene, but Broly tells Jeice to sit down as he's embarrassed himself enough for one day. Broly says that if nobody has anything else to say then he wants them to start drinking as he doesn't want a single drop of liquor left in the room by the end of the hour. The Waster captains all get up and start eating and drinking while Captain Cowboy, Captain Poliwhirl and Captain Jeice all stare at each other with contempt and rivalry. Captain Jeice asks what made them all of their money and Captain Cowboy tells Jeice that it's none of his business.

At the location of what Mofo suspects is Lupina's ship, he realizes he's at a very seedy bar. He walks up to the vehicle and carefully looks inside, only to find it empty. He peaks inside the vehicle and finds that the seats have been stripped out and several boxes sit in the back. He takes a look around and then breaks into the ship. Inside, he carefully takes a look around and finds nothing unusual. He looks in the glove box and finds that this vehicle does not come from the Land of Ooo, nor is it registered to Lupina. Mofo leans back in his chair and huffs when someone opens the door and slams his head on the steering wheel and drags him outside of the vehicle. The assailant then kicks Mofo in the stomach, but Mofo flips around and trips the man and pins him against the wall of a nearby building. Mofo angrily asks who the man is, but the man says he knew he would eventually show and demands to know where his son is. Mofo says that he has no idea who his son is, but the man doesn't believe it, saying that his son's name is Niko and this is his ship that Mofo broke into. The man threatens Mofo, saying that if he doesn't give his son back he will kill him. Mofo says that he's looking for his friend as he has a car just like this one, but the man claims that's too big of a coincidence, but Mofo says that a coincidence is truly all this is. The man says that his son was innocent and didn't deserve to be kidnapped and begins to cry. Mofo lowers his voice and apologizes to the man, lowering his gun and says that he's with TFAWPS and can find his son for him. The man drops his gun and sits against the side of the building and starts to weep. Mofo sits next to him and comforts the man, saying that he's a good father, but the man denies, saying that he was too hard on his son and they'd argue frequently. Mofo cuts him off and explains that he's known a lot of terrible fathers and only the good ones will put themselves in danger for their children. The man says that TFAWPS have bigger things to worry about, but Mofo assures him that no case is too small. Mofo helps the man up and the man thanks Mofo, saying that he's a good man and writes down his number and introduces himself as Maurey and tells Mofo to text him as soon as he finds anything. The man leaves the area as Mofo composes himself from this latest incident.

In a Galactic Federation Space Corps station, Lupina sits in the interrogation room, clearly having been there for a long time. She tiredly and impatiently waits, though she starts to fall asleep. From the two-way glass, Eggman Robotnik watches her while smoking a pipe. As he watches, Lupina becomes more and more tired. She rests her head on the table and starts to drift. Suddenly, Eggman bursts through the door and Lupina snaps awake as Eggman greets her joyfully, thanking her for coming in. Lupina says with a tired voice that she didn't have a choice. Eggman takes a seat across from her, but Eggman reiterates and says that he knows she's busy but glad she's here regardless. Lupina says that she's very tired and wants to skip the niceties and get to the point. Eggman shuffles some paperwork and tells her that a ship registered to her was found crashed into a post office on Bellic, a Third Quadrant planet, along with bottles of tequila in the cockpit. Lupina perks up a bit, but retains her composure. Eggman continues saying that since she's here uninjured, he's assuming that her ship was stolen. Lupina sarcastically says that he's very astute. Eggman, reading the room, plays this up and thanks her for noticing. He asks if she has any idea how that happened. Lupina explains that it was stolen while she was on an outreach mission in the Second Quadrant, saying that Knuckles will attest to that. Eggman asks if she has any idea of who the thief could be, and Lupina asks what he's implying, but Eggman denies implying anything, saying that he was just informing her that her ship was stolen. Lupina says that's not usually something you're told in an interrogation room. Eggman feigns naivety and asks her if it's true she's done some work with TFAWPS in the past and she says that he knows that's true. He then asks if she knew about what her former employers did to his agents on the Land of Ooo. Eggman's demeanor changes and becomes stern, matching his usual personality. Lupina says that she heard, but that's as far as her knowledge on the subject goes, but attests to their character, saying they're selfless and have a documented history of operating within the confines of the law. She yawns again and Eggman sits back and returns to his false naïve personality. He thanks her tells her that she's free to go but suggests she stick around the Galactic Federation as her skills may be of some use to the Space Corps. Lupina stands up and leaves the interrogation room. Once the door is closed, Eggman slams his fist on the desk.

In his hotel room, Mofo turns on the analog energy detector and puts in various formulas, which all equate to the astronomical makeup of various cosmic energies, hoping to find one that matches that put out by the shards. As he puts in the formulas and cross-checks them with those found in the book and on the Internet, his cell phone rings and he immediately answers it. In her hotel room, Lupina sits on her bed with the lights off watching a Galactic Federation talk show. She asks him what's going on and Mofo says that he went to one of the abandoned ships and it wasn't hers, but there's another one he could try if he charters another flight. Lupina tells him not to bother as she knows where her ship went. Mofo asks how and Lupina explains that Ivo Robotnik has a cousin and he works for S.E.C.R.E.T., which shocks Mofo. She explains that he brought her in for questioning because her ship turned up in the side of a post office on Bellic. Mofo asks her if she's sure and Lupina says that they traced it back to her and even without that, they found bottles of tequila in the cockpit. Mofo asks if Sonic is okay. Lupina shudders a bit and says that she doesn't know as she checked nearly every hospital record and news report over the last three days and found nothing. Mofo says that he's on it and is leaving immediately. Lupina chokes down tears and thanks him, saying that she'd meet him, but believes Eggman has his eye on her. Lupina tells him to let her know when he finds something and he promises to do so and they bid each other goodbyes.

After that heavy discussion, Lupina puts her cellphone down and plugs it in. She goes back on her laptop and searches more hospital and news databases for any information on Sonic. Her phone rings once again and she quickly answers and Mofo says that he found something. Mofo confirms that the ship was found on Bellic and that location lines up with a spate of disappearances and kidnappings over the last few days. He informs her that he met with the father of a missing person and tells her that the victims are just kids. He also explains that he's been using an analog energy detector to trace energy and the energy in that area match what was put out by the shards. He cross-referenced the data he found with that on the official databases, but it's not there. He reveals his theory that something big is going on and Sonic got too close to it and says that he's going to get to the bottom of it. Lupina says that she's proud of him and breathes a sigh of relief. Mofo asks if she's okay and Lupina replies that she is and is happy to get some sleep. Mofo begins packing up his supplies and says that he's leaving now and will call or text her as soon as he lands, telling her to get some sleep. She hangs up the phone and breathes another sigh of relief. On his end, Mofo quickly packs his things and hastily exits his hotel room.

At the address on the back of the receipt, Knuckles checks his watch to conform the time. He waits seven more seconds when the time matches exactly. He carefully opens the door and slides into the hallway, closing the door behind him. The old building has been abandoned for some time. Knuckles walks down the hallway and calls out. He hears nothing at first but then hears voices talking down the hallway. As the feeling he's being set up crawls to the surface of his skin, Knuckles carefully and quietly pulls out a gun and slowly makes his way down the hallway. He rounds a corner, gun drawn and finds nothing. He remains silent for a bit longer before the voices resume again. He heightens his guard and follows the sounds.

Coming across a large empty warehouse, Knuckles carefully takes cover behind the door. He peaks inside and notices Wario on the phone, oblivious to the presence of anyone else in the building. Knuckles scans the area to confirm they're alone and contemplates what to do. He lowers his gun and considers leaving, but then turns around and aims his gun at Wario and loudly shouts for him to put his hands in the air. Wario quickly hangs up the phone and spins around, holding his gun at Knuckles, As the two hold each other at gunpoint, Wario realizes that it's Knuckles, though Knuckles remains on guard as Wario quickly lowers his gun, asking Knuckles if he got his message. Knuckles is confused and Wario asks who else would have sent it and says he needs help. Knuckles is not buying this, but asks what he needs help with. Wario continues, saying that he's been thinking about what happened and Wario claims that he doesn't like what his organization is doing to them, claiming that it's all politics and compartmentalization. Knuckles fires back and says that he doesn't trust Wario as he's caught him colluding with confirmed members of the Dark Order in the past and it didn't look like an official investigation. Wario says that's because it wasn't an official investigation as he doesn't trust either of the Robotniks, but he was able to gain their trust. Knuckles is still skeptical but starts to come around. Wario says that he's close but as close as he can get while Knuckles has practically free reign of the universe as President Space's private detective. Wario says that Knuckles should get to the bottom of what's happening or at the very least, quietly look into things. All he has to do is follow the evidence, as well as limit communication between the two of them. Knuckles backs up and after a brief stare down, leaves the warehouse as Wario breaths an exasperated sigh of relief.

In the Nix, Captain Cowboy and Captain Poliwhirl make their way back towards the *Tegan*, preparing to return to the Colony. Captain Poliwhirl is very drunk and nearly falls over after tripping on a curb, but Captain Cowboy catches him. Captain Cowboy jokingly asks him if he can't hold his liquor anymore and Captain Poliwhirl tells him to shut up and get him back to his ship, but he almost throws up, prompting Captain Cowboy to let go of him and push him away. Captain Poliwhirl stumbles and falls over as other Wasters laugh at him. Captain Cowboy helps him up and says that he's making a fool of himself, but Captain Poliwhirl is preoccupied with remembering an old song. Captain Cowboy brings Captain Poliwhirl aboard the *Tegan* and lays him down in the crew's quarters. Before he sits in the pilot's seat, he hears his phone go off and checks his messages revealing one that tells him to meet him at the abandoned hospital in the north end of the city. Captain Cowboy looks at Captain Poliwhirl, who has since fallen asleep and makes his way to the hospital.

Once there, he enters and immediately finds Zack sitting behind the former reception desk, reading a magazine. Captain Cowboy becomes angry upon seeing him and says that he's surprised Zack made it out here in person. Zack asks Captain Cowboy if he's aware that the hospital was once called "Good Samaritan", which strikes him as ironic for a place like the Nix. Captain Cowboy asks Zack what he wants and Zack says he wants a report on the mines. Captain Cowboy pouts and says that he did as Zack asked and procured "free labor." Zack says that there's no need for the scowl as it's only temporary. Captain Cowboy doesn't say anything, only stares Zack down. Zack asks if there's a problem and Captain Cowboy explains that he doesn't like the idea of enslaving people, saying that Captain Poliwhirl has plenty of people on his crew that could get the job done, but Zack says that a crew of Captain Poliwhirl's size would get the job done between six months and a year from now, which is simply unacceptable for him. Zack points out that the people working the mines are hardly innocent. Captain Cowboy is insistent that they could have gone about this in a different way, but Zack claims that there was. He says that he was more than willing to hire more Wasters, but Captain Cowboy denied that idea saying that the other Wasters are untrustworthy. Captain Cowboy asks Zack if he's pinning the whole thing on him and Zack says that he's hardly an innocent bystander. Captain Cowboy angrily throws his arms in the air and asks if Zack wants anything, sarcastically suggesting they start shooting innocent people and breaking the legs of escaping slaves. Zack tells Captain Cowboy to watch his tone as his need for him is dwindling by the minute and says that if he refuses to do the work, he could just as easily hire another Waster. He suggests condensing the mining operation to just Wario and Captain Poliwhirl, as he's the one with the crew and Captain Cowboy has become a middle man. He says that Captain Cowboy needs Zack more than the opposite so he suggests he start following orders. He then mentions the money they've already made and at that rate, he'll have enough to be out in no time. Captain Cowboy says that Captain Poliwhirl will never work with the Dark Order, but Zack claims that, thanks to Captain Cowboy, he already is. Zack accuses Captain Cowboy of going behind his mentor's back and selling him out to a "cult" and tells him to correct him if he's wrong, but Captain Cowboy says nothing. Captain Cowboy sighs and says he's going back to the mines and he'll let him know when he finds the shard. Captain Cowboy leaves the hospital, slamming the door shut on the way out.

The next day, Mofo arrives on Bellic and sits outside of the post office where Lupina's ship was found. He observes a construction crew already present and beginning repairs. He doesn't stay for long as he then moves on to a new location. At a college campus, several students move between buildings going into class. Mofo walks down the paths as several students whisper to each other as he passes, recognizing him. He stops for a moment to read a sign that states that the campus is enacting a new curfew rule. He notices a group of students sitting under a tree rolling joints and he approaches them. As the students talk amongst themselves, Mofo asks if he can ask them some questions. One student nonchalantly agrees, but another recognizes Mofo and lightens the group up. The first student offers Mofo a hit, but Mofo declines. A third student asks if they need his help and he confirms by asking about the curfews. The first student says that it's a lame rule as their campus is notoriously strict on parties, but lately they've been letting the students have as many as they want. One of the students says that she had a class with one of the people who disappeared and before that, someone from a rival school disappeared from the same club. Mofo thanks the students for the tip. One of the students asks for a picture and Mofo agrees to a quick one. The students pose for a photo as the students thank him and he thanks them again and tells them to do their homework. He leaves the students as they resume smoking the ganja.

Later that evening, Mofo sits in a hotel room and confirms the readings on the analog detector with those on his map. Once he double checks and triple checks his findings, he turns the device off. He packs up his findings and places a call to Lupina. Though she doesn't answer, he leaves a message saying that he's going to infiltrate the kidnapping ring and will send her his findings through the mail. He says that if she doesn't hear from him in a few days then bring the findings to S.E.C.R.E.T., the Space Corps, or the other TFAWPS members if she can manage to get a hold of them. Mofo hangs up. He then travels to the post office, the very some one that Sonic had crashed into. Mofo speaks to the clerk and hands him the package containing the detector and his notebook. The clerk takes it and begins processing it and Mofo points to the wall and apologizes for it. The clerk explains that a drunk moron drove into and that the culprit is lucky that nobody was here as he would have killed some of the runners who work by that wall. Mofo looks angry and disgusted to hear that and asks if anybody caught the guy, but the clerk says that nobody did and the cops have no idea as the driver knocked out the security camera when he slammed into the wall. Mofo lets out an angry huff. The clerk hands Mofo the receipt and bids him a good evening. Mofo starts to exit the post office, but pauses for a bit to look at the damaged wall, which he angrily rolls his eyes.

Later that night, Mofo enters a club frequented by college students. He pays the cover charge and enters, making his way towards the bar. He orders a couple of drinks and sits at the bar for a while, observing the students partying, however the night is still young. After some time drinking, a group of students near the door begin arguing. One says that he doesn't want to leave while another says that he's not sticking around any longer. A third says that he's just being paranoid, but a fourth says that they're not being paranoid, the other two are being stupid. The first student says that it's very unlikely they'll get kidnapped. The fourth says that they always think it won't happen to them until it does. The group then splits in two as half stay behind and the other have leave the club. Mofo observes the club some more, but finds that there aren't many non-college students there and the ones that aren't don't seem like kidnappers. This is later confirmed hours later when many of those people have filtered out and Mofo remains in the same spot. The bartender approaches him and asks if everything is all right. Mofo turns around and says that he's fine, but the bartender says that he's been sitting in the same spot for over two hours. Mofo says that he's keeping an eye on things and the bartender says that it's her job to keep an eye on people like him. Mofo says that it's not like that and says he's with TFAWPS and trying to stay quiet and he's looking into the disappearances. The bartender understands and says that the criminals tend to go after the super drunk customers and they don't only go after college students. Mofo says that it sounds like she's just trying to sell him more drinks. The bartender admits the ruse and laughs as Mofo rolls his eyes and orders another round. The bartender pours another drink. Several hours later, Mofo begins partying and drinking and dancing.

By the end of the night, the bouncers start escorting the stragglers out of the club, including Mofo. He turns around and tries to head back inside with three other college students. The bouncer tells him to get going. Mofo and the others turn around and one of the students tells him that he's super cool and that they should do this again tomorrow and Mofo drunkenly agrees. The students start walking away and Mofo looks around, not really knowing where to go. He turns and looks at the college students walking down the street as a group of gruff looking men and women observe them from the other side. Mofo observes them and as one of the men points in the direction of an alley, the group break off as two of the five enter the alley and power on a ship. The other three approach the college students. Realizing what's about to happen, Mofo runs towards the students at full speed. The group of ruffians attempt to grab the college students as the kids start to scream. They grapple with the kids as one of them takes out a syringe. Mofo runs up and grabs the ruffian's hand just as he is about to jam it in one of the student's necks. The syringe falls out of his hand and it rolls onto the street. Mofo tosses the man over his shoulder and notices a Waster patch on his jacket. Mofo is then grabbed by two others and he begins fighting them as well. Mofo turns to the college kids and tells them to get out of there. The students all run away, leaving Mofo to grapple with the Wasters. During the struggle, Mofo manages to get a few good hits in but due to his drunkenness, he is unable to do as well as he normally would despite the boost in sobriety the attack brought on. One of the Wasters grabs him and shoves his face into a telephone pole, breaking his nose. Mofo holds his own until the other two Wasters arrive in the ship and hold him down. The first Waster grabs the syringe and jabs it into Mofo's neck as the others quickly gather themselves and toss him into the back of the ship.

Inside a prison cell deep underground, Sonic sits against a wall throwing rocks at the wall. On the other side of the room, Rigby wakes up on a small makeshift bed and rubs his head. Sonic says good morning to him and Rigby tells Sonic that he has no way of knowing. Sonic hears commotion from the outside of his cell as two Wasters carry in an unconscious prisoner and toss him into the cell across from Sonic and Rigby. Rigby joins Sonic at the bars as Sonic realizes who their new roommate is. On the ground of his cell, water drops, landing on Mofo's face, bloodied and beaten up with a bandage covering a broken nose. The water droplet lands in his eye, waking him up. Mofo quickly yet weakly stands up and approaches the bars. He takes a brief look around and contemplatively stares out into space. Sonic whistles and grabs his attention and Mofo says that it's about time. Sonic tells Mofo that he's a little tardy to the party and Mofo argues that he has no idea what it took for him to find him. Sonic asks if he's happy he did and Mofo asks where they are. Sonic explains that they're underground somewhere, but they're here to work in the mines. Mofo looks around the cells and notices a bunch of other college students in the cells, as well as some prisoners, still wearing their jumpsuits. Mofo tells Sonic that the Wasters are running things and asks if it's Captain Cowboy. Sonic says that he hasn't seen him as the cells are for the newbies, saying that they are rotated out.

On the surface of the Colony, the *Tegan* lands near the office, having returned from the Nix. Captain Cowboy exits the ship as Captain Poliwhirl follows closely behind, nursing a headache. Lieutenant Cake approaches Captain Cowboy and tells him that a riot is occurring once again. Captain Cowboy sighs and turns to Captain Poliwhirl who says not to look at him as he needs to lie down. Captain Cowboy sighs once again and he and Lieutenant Cake head underground.

Down in the mines, an argument has broken out between the Wasters and some of the prisoners. The prisoners, still in their jumpsuits, are chained around the ankles and wrists as the Wasters stand freely. The prisoners argue that they're doing the same work as the Wasters and shouldn't be in chains. The Waster says that's not going to happen. The prisoner suggests that the split the prize 50-50, but the Waster says that they know the prisoners will just take the prize and run off. The Waster then shoves the prisoner and the prisoner shoves back and a fight ensues. Captain Cowboy and Lieutenant Cake arrive down there and quickly break up the fight, but a stand-off ensues when the prisoners manage to disarm the Wasters, holding them at gunpoint as other Wasters hold the prisoners at gunpoint as Lieutenant Cake and Captain Cowboy draw their guns. The prisoner says that they're sick of this and requests to be sent back to prison. Captain Cowboy says that's not going to happen. The prisoner says that's exactly what the last guy said. Captain Cowboy says that he doesn't know what he was expecting because he's not going to get a different answer from anybody else. The Waster tells Deke to kill the guy as they've got plenty more downstairs. Now knowing his first name, the prisoner refers to Captain Cowboy as Deke and suggests the same 50-50 deal he earlier made to the Waster. Captain Cowboy says that he can't do that, which the prisoner claims is unfair. Captain Cowboy says that the prisoners would be in the Fourth Quadrant if it weren't for him and that he's giving him a second chance. Captain Cowboy and the prisoner then loudly argue over each other about trustworthiness. The other prisoners and Wasters join the argument and a fight ensues. The first Waster attempts to disarm the prisoner, but the prisoner shoots him and Captain Cowboy shoots the prisoner. He becomes furious and tells everybody to listen up and explains that nobody wants to be there so if they want to leave, they can either do it when he says and everybody goes home or they'll all be taken away in handcuffs or body bags. Captain Cowboy motions to the body of the prisoner and tells the nearby Wasters to get him out of here. Two of the Wasters move the body of their fallen comrade and another two move the body of the prisoner. Captain Cowboy holsters his gun and turns to Lieutenant Cake and she says that this can't continue. Captain Cowboy says that he knows and Lieutenant Cake says they've got a new batch downstairs, as she's unsure of what to call them.

In the cells, Mofo asks Rigby what his story is and Rigby says that they took him off the streets and says that he was supposed to take his midterm today and now there's no way he's going to graduate. Sonic and Mofo exchange a glance and Mofo asks Rigby if he's an optimist or a pessimist and Rigby says that depends if Mofo is here to get them out or not. Before Mofo can answer, the door to the prison swings open as Sonic, Mofo, and Rigby all retreat back to their beds as Captain Cowboy and Lieutenant Cake walk inside and observe their new slaves. As they walk past the new prisoners, they receive dagger filled looks. As Captain Cowboy walks down the hallway, he notices some of the college students in their school sweaters and sports jackets. He is stunned, while Lieutenant Cake averts her gaze. Captain Cowboy walks to the end of the hallway where he locks eyes with Sonic. The two stare each other down, Captain Cowboy with confusion and a hint of relief while Sonic stares at him with contempt and arrogance, at having knowledge of his enemy. Rigby whispers to Sonic asking if they know each other. Captain Cowboy turns around and is startled by Mofo, who has sternly taken up a position at the front of the bars, staring Captain Cowboy down. Captain Cowboy pretends to be unfazed and exits the prison with Lieutenant Cake.

Back at the office, Captain Poliwhirl lies on the couch with an icepack on his head. Captain Cowboy bursts into the room with Lieutenant Cake right behind him. Captain Cowboy stands above Captain Poliwhirl, kicking his leg and asking him angrily why kids are in the cells. Captain Poliwhirl, somewhat groggily, asks what else he was supposed to do as the prisoners kept acting up. Captain Cowboy says that he could have picked anybody but kids. Captain Poliwhirl says that it wouldn't matter in the end as it's only temporary and the kids will be too scared to say anything. Captain Cowboy rubs his face repeatedly and takes a seat in his chair, stealing Captain Poliwhirl's ice pack and placing it on his temples. Captain Poliwhirl leans forward and says that he doesn't like this any more than he does, but he just solved a problem that Captain Cowboy needed fixing and that he could have at least talked to him about it first. He says that they've made more than enough money to make everything worth it. Captain Cowboy turns to Lieutenant Cake and asks if she has anything to say and she says that she's following his orders and if he wants to let the kids go then all he has to do is say the word. Captain Poliwhirl stands up and says that in the end it's his call. Captain Cowboy sits in his chair and thinks on Zack's words from earlier and repeats them word for word, saying that the more people they have down there the quicker it gets done, it's a simple equation. Captain Cowboy takes a deep breath into his hands and continues, saying that he doesn't know who decided to capture two TFAWPS members, but now that they're here they have to stay or else they'll bring the rest of the squad down and if they let the kids go then they'll talk about how TFAWPS are here and then it's all over for everybody, so they'll stay until they get the job done and then he doesn't know what they'll do. Captain Poliwhirl confirms that they're still a go and Captain Cowboy replies affirmatively.

## Characters

* Sonic
* Mofo
* Lupina
* Knuckles
* Captain Cowboy
* Captain Poliwhirl
* Lieutenant Cake
* Rigby (first appearance)
* Broly (first appearance)
* Captain Jeice (first appearance)
* Zack
* President Space
* Eggman Robotnik
* Wario
* Pac-Man

## Trivia

* The title of this episode refers to a statement made my Sonic towards Mofo in Run.
* The song that plays when Captain Cowboy counts the money is *The Rubberband Man* by The Spinners.