DARK ALLIANCE, Part 3: PRIMARY EVIL
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Jim Valentino
Inker: Harvey "Harvo" Mercadoocasio
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

In the Chaos Chamber, Spectre finds Locke, who's being told what's happened with Knuckles by Archimedes. Spectre tells Locke that he has to help him get back Haven since the DL took it over. Locke doesn't care and plans on helping Knuckles, but Spectre reminds Locke that if the DL finds out what they've kept secret for a long time, that no one will survive. Archimedes teleports the two into the lower levels of Haven. Locke tells Spectre that he better be right, because if something happens to Knuckles he's going to hold Spectre responsible.

Dimitri informs us that the echidna cyborg's name is "Xenin" and Xenin tells Knuckles and company that the person in charge in Dimitri. Dimitri tells Knuckles that the DL is only trying to restore echidna society to the way it used to be. Knuckles is less than impressed.

Meanwhile, Benedict tells Remington that Remington's an "appointed officer in a non-political position" and that he can be replaced. Benedict says that he'll make it a lifetime appointment if Remington swears loyalty to him. Benedict says that he knows he will win because of being able to tap into the election process. Remington says that he's not going along with the plan, but Benedict tells him that everyone has secrets and asks him how much is it worth to Remington to keep his past a secret.

Back at the DL base, Dimitri tells Knuckles that his problem is that he's been trained to think in a certain way and has a problem seeing the other side. Dimitri also wants to know how Knuckles could've survived against "his limitless power" when Dimitri was Enerjak. To find out, Knuckles is about to be examined so that Dimitri can find out. At the same time, Xenin is having fun using Stryker as a punching bag and threatening to blast Julie-Su.

In Haven, Locke and Spectre start the plan to regain Haven by knocking out the guards, two at a time. Locke uses his fists, while Spectre uses the power of the chaos emerald.

Back with Benedict and Remington, Remington says that it doesn't matter what Benedict has because he's not a "sell out." Benedict is shocked and asks Remington if he knows what he's doing. Remington tells him, "Yes! I do! And that's 'Constable' Remington to you!" Benedict decides it's time to leave and throws Pravda into Remington so that he can escape. Remington gives chase and sees Benedict getting away in a car. However, he also sees Harry's cab and asks Harry to "follow that car!"

At the DL base, Dimitri notices that based on the readings that Knuckles can generate power similar to a chaos emerald. However, there aren't any artificial enhancements at all inside Knuckles. Dimitri thinks that Knuckles could be the result of someone trying "to bioengineer the ultimate echidna." However, the alarm goes off as the system is overloaded by Knuckles' power. The technician says that they have two choices and that's either abandon base or destroy Knuckles.

Remington tells Harry to keep go into the alley near the Technology Now Headquarters (a.k.a. the DL base) where Benedict just went inside. Remington tells Harry that he can't call for backup because he doesn't know who he can trust.

Kommisar is talking with command at the DL base, when suddenly the power goes out. Moritori Rex suspects that it's Spectre and Locke and tells her not to worry since he knows the whole place. However, soon he's blinded by Spectre, while Locke grabs Kommisar. The sleeping gas the two Guardians put in the ventilation system has knocked everybody out in Haven, with the exception of them.

Dimitri decides that Knuckles is more valuable alive and orders the DL to evacuate the building. Xenin and the DL leave Styker and Julie-Su to the exploding complex. Benedict runs inside to see everyone running around, when suddenly an electromagnetic pulse discharge causes Benedict to freeze. Benedict turns out to be a robot as Remington and Harry enter the scene. They check on Julie-Su and Styker first, who had just fallen since the equipment holding them up in the air lost power along with the rest of the complex. The DLs that couldn't get out of the building in time are all in shock. Remington decides to go find the source of the problem. He finds a room where the power isn't out and after a little searching he finds Knuckles in another chamber. Remington gets Knuckles out and Knuckles asks Remington if he knows where Dimitri is, to which Remington says "no."

Meanwhile, in a private shuttle in the subway, Dimitri declares that this time, he was victorious. While, he lost all the DL who tried to take over Haven, Benedict won the election and Dimitri has a backup for him. However, he considered the true victory being that in Knuckles he has found new possibilities to undertake in the future.

Next Story is in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #25