SCENARIO
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Steven Butler
Inker: Jim Amash
Colorist: Jason Jensen
Letterer: John Workman
Editor: Mike Pellerito

In Portal (the city where Cobar's lab is located), Cobar and Rotor are going over their latest "calculations" which show that Rotor is correct and that the break down is occurring at a faster pace than before. Sonic and Knuckles interrupt by entering as Knuckles casually mentions that Cobar is "Lien-Da's favorite scientist." Sonic doesn't trust anything that is even remotely connected to Lien-Da, but Knuckles says that even if Rotor wasn't totally honest that it doesn't mean that the problem isn't real.

Back at Knuckles' home, Julie-Su can't sleep and decides to go downstairs where she finds Sally, who also couldn't sleep, on a sofa. Even though "the boys" still haven't returned, Sally admits that her real worry is Sonic's recent change in behavior.

At the lab, Rotor explains that the space/time continuum is breaking down on the "sub-quantum level." Cobar continues to say that it seems Sonic is responsible (this surprises Sonic and causes Knuckles to grandstand) since the following three incidents in the past created their current state: 1) using the Cosmic Interstate for the first time, 2) the firing of the ultimate annihilator (err...that was Robotnik, not Sonic), and 3) when Sonic caused the Xorda's quantum dial to implode. When Sonic asks how can they be sure it was those incidents of "zone-hopping" over others, Cobar explains that only those times could've created the "forces" involved in their current situation. Sonic wants to know why they're needed if Rotor and Cobar know "why and how." Rotor says that they need access to certain resources if they're to come up with a containment plan. Sonic gives the okay to whatever they need as does Knuckles who asks them to "get it right the first time." After Sonic and Knuckles leave, Lien-Da enters as she wants to know what it is that requires the "attention of the King of Acorn and the Guardian of Angel Island" that she hasn't been told.

To Be Continued in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #142