Knuckles the Echidna #24 Corner Box: No. 24 May $1.79 (Knuckles icon) Cover: Knuckles, Julie-Su, and General Stryker are lowered into a hot liquid as Dimitri watches

Book Twenty-four: Dark Alliance
Part Three of Three

"Primary Evil"
Ken Penders: Writer
Jim Valentino: Penciler
Harvey Mercadoocasio: Inker
Frank Gagliardo: Colorist
Vickie Williams: Letterer
J.F. Gabrie: Editor
Victor Gorelick: Managing Editor
Richard Goldwater: Editor-in-Chief

(Introduction page)
(A quote by Spectre.)

As Archimedes and Locke prepare to help Knuckles, they are stopped by Spectre. Spectre says that Haven has been attacked by the Dark Legion. At first Locke refuses to help, but he decides to help Spectre.

Dimitri is pleased that Xenin has captured Julie-Su, Knuckles, and General Stryker. Knuckles states that Dimitri planned to enslave his own people. Dimitri says that those in control of the High Council at the time were afraid of technology and used Edmund as a way to suppress technology. He continues to explain that he is focused on returning society to its former glory.

Benedict meets with Constable Remington. Benedict is blunt and says that Remington's position is non-political and he can be replaced at any time. He offers Remington the opportunity to make the position last a lifetime. Remington taunts Benedict for counting on a sure victory. Benedict reveals that he can control the final outcome so that he will win. Remington then asks what will happen if he does not follow Benedict's plan. Benedict explains that everyone has secrets and asks Remington what it is worth for him to keep his secret. Remington does not respond, and Benedict begins to explain his plan.

Knuckles is strapped to a stretcher, and two Dark Legion members escort him to an examination room. Dimitri says that Knuckles has been brought up to believe one way of thought. He also says that he has had a lot of time to think when his body was reconstructed. Dimitri believes there is something special about Knuckles since Knuckles was able to overcome Dimitri's power. By studying Knuckles, Dimitri hopes to restore his power. Meanwhile, Xenin tells a joke about dingoes and punches General Stryker. Julie-Su is not pleased, and Xenin offers to test his blaster on her.

Two Dark Legionnaires walk through Haven and discuss how similar it is to their former compound. Locke and Spectre attack the legionnaires and continue walking. Spectre criticizes Locke for using his fists instead of the power of the emerald. Locke replies that he feels honest by using his fists.

Constable Remington refuses to go along with Benedict's plan. Benedict asks if Remington understands the consequences of his decision. When Remington replies that he does, Benedict throws High Councilor Pravda into Remington and runs out of the room. Remington apologizes to Pravda and beings to pursue Benedict. Outside Remington sees a taxi speed away. Remington approaches another taxi and has Harry follow the other vehicle.

A Dark Legionnaire explains to Dimitri that according to their "magnetic imaging resonator," Knuckles has no implants or enhancements. Dimitri believes that Knuckles can generate power similar to a Chaos Emerald. He then thinks to himself that if someone bioengineered an echidna, where would his abilities end? Suddenly an alarm sounds, indicating that the resonator has overloaded. The circuits are blowing as if they were drawing from a source of endless power. The Dark Legionnaire explains that he does not know if they can recover Knuckles safely and they have less than 15 minutes before the chamber is uninhabitable. He gives Dimitri a choice: evacuate or destroy the problem inside the chamber.

Harry comes to a stop as Benedict runs inside a building. He refuses to enter the Technology Now headquarters since he's heard that he should not get involved with them. Remington tells Harry not to worry and orders him to drive around to the back.

A Dark Legionnaire appears on a monitor and asks for Kommisar to report. Kommisar explains that both Moritori Rex and she agree that Haven will suit their needs. Suddenly the transmission is disconnected. Moritori tells his granddaughter to be on guard for Spectre. The two are left in darkness, and Moritori uses his lenses to look through the darkness. Moritori yells as a bright light blinds him. Spectre stands with a road flare, and Locke grabs Kommisar. Kommisar is furious and eventually falls asleep. Locke is mentions that everyone should be asleep since they connected gas canisters to the vents.

Dimitri decides that Knuckles should remain alive and gives a command to the Dark Legionnaire. Meanwhile, General Stryker and Julie-Su remain hanging upside down as the Dark Legion tries to evacuate the room. Xenin runs away and tells a Dark Legionnaire that Dimitri gave orders that he will not be disturbed.

Benedict runs into the headquarters and is shocked to find everyone running away. He senses a power surge, and suddenly, an electromagnetic pulse discharges. The face of Benedict melts away, exposing Benedict as a robot.

Remington urges Harry to follow him so they can see if they can help. Suddenly General Stryker and Julie-Su fall to the ground. Remington makes sure that Julie-Su and Stryker are alright before ordering Harry to find a phone to call for help. Remington continues to explore with a flashlight. He finds a room that still has power and finds Knuckles inside. Remington frees Knuckles, who regains consciousness. Knuckles asks about the location of Dimitri, and Remington replies that they will not know for a while.

Dimitri speeds away in a shuttle, reflecting on the events. Many Dark Legionnaires fell, but Benedict was appointed as High Councilor. Since Benedict's circuits were fried, a back-up candidate will serve instead. The power surge also affected Pravda's implants, impairing the former High Councilor's mental abilities. Dimitri finally thinks that he uncovered new angles to pursue in the future with Knuckles, thus a major victory for the Dark Legion.

Fistful of Letters highlights:
~ "Shinginta" is not a sound effect, but something Moritori Rex wrote before leaving Haven
~ Knuckles can fly because of the power of the Chaos Emerald
~ Echidnas are real animals
~ The white mark on Knuckles has been passed down from male guardian to male guardian
~ Elias was five during the Great War, and Sally was an infant. Then the Great War ended followed by the coup. That makes Elias 20 years old.

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