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:''(This is backstory listed in the [[Sonic Adventure 2]] Japanese strategy guide - taking the form of a report submitted by [[Rouge the Bat]] to her superiors. Translation by [[KojiChao]]).''
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:''(This is backstory listed in the [[Sonic Adventure 2]] Japanese strategy guide - taking the form of a report submitted by [[Rouge the Bat]] to her superiors. Translation by Windii).''
  
During my latest criminal investigation, I found secret information about [[Project Shadow]] through a Security Hole in [[G.U.N.|GUN]], and informed the President. It was a letter addressed to [[Gerald Robotnik|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.
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During my latest undercover investigation, I have obtained highly classified data notes of the then federal government president through GUN's security hole that seem to be related to Project Shadow. It is a top secret research request addressed and sent to Gerald from the president of its time, 13 presidents ago. The content of the letter is concisely stated as follows:
  
"Mankind's ultimate eternal dream, researching for immortality."
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"Begin research on immortality, humanity's ultimate, eternal dream."
  
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 "[[Neuro Immunodeficiency Syndrome|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).
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Gerald seemed to have stubbornly rejected this request at first, for it exceeded man's limits. However, the one who gave him an excuse to realize this plan that was supposed to end as it was, an influential person's nonsense, was his beloved granddaughter Maria Robotnik. Maria had contracted a difficult-to-cure illness; "NIDS: Neuro Immunodeficiency Syndrome," and while treatment continued at the ARK's medical research facility, she was not expected to recover. The irritated Gerald seemed to think that he would overcome this incurable disease by studying immortal life. The research has been documented as being named "Project Shadow" from the irony of creating a shadow (which cannot exist in this world,) and was advancing internally at the ARK behind the scenes in absolute secrecy.
  
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<sup>1</sup>. The researchers were thrilled at this.
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At first, everyone thought that this far-fetched and reckless plan was undoubtedly a fabrication that couldn't have been thought up by Prof. Gerald's ingenious intellect. The Chaos Drives were based on research results of the Chaos Emeralds, and the experimental attempt to apply that infinite energy to life functions was successful. Shortly thereafter, the project lead to completion of a single prototype. Focusing on its restorative ability, the Ultimate Lifeform's prototype, which was modeled after a lizard, showed signs of phenomenal growth, as well as self-recovery and self-replication. The researchers were overjoyed.
  
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<sup>2</sup>. 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.
+
However, that joy was brief, as the prototype's abilities eventually far exceeded the researchers' expectations, to the point where it was difficult to control. Voices of doubt begin to rise internally from the researchers, questioning the duration, significance and safety of the research. It is likely that the staff who witnessed the prototype going out of control leaked information of the project to GUN first, but the truth is uncertain. However, the upper branches of GUN that were looking upon the research institution's unique qualities as hostile arrived at the decision to close the ARK itself, taking advantage of this opportunity; an informal operation, "ARK Sealing & Destruction."
  
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<sup>3</sup>"
+
A biological hazard suddenly occurred at the ARK research facility, and all colony residents were to be rescued and the colony sealed from the disaster. This was the ostensible purpose of this operation. Of course, the real goal was none other than to shut down the ARK, erase Project Shadow, and detain Prof. Gerald as the person responsible for the disaster. The operation was carried out on an unprecedented scale, the likes of which had not been seen since the founding of GUN. In only seven days since the start of the operation, all inhabitants of the ARK were transferred to the surface. Its facilities were frozen by GUN and all of Project Shadow's staff, with the exception of Gerald, were declared victims of this disaster. The operation was completed by sealing the Ultimate Lifeform's prototype at the deepest part of the colony.
  
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<sup>4</sup> 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.
+
However, there was just one miscalculation in this operation. At the time action was taken, Prof. Gerald seemed to have already nearly completed the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow, using a different model. When GUN special forces entered the laboratory, the fleeing Gerald entrusted Shadow to his granddaughter Maria, and made sure that one escape capsule was ejected towards the surface. (The whereabouts of said capsule remain unknown.)
  
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 Lifeform" was found, and then sealed away in the deepest part of the Colony.
+
In the end, Gerald was apparently captured by special forces afterwards and imprisoned at Prison Island. Now, without Shadow the Hedgehog, there is no longer a way to confirm anywhere if the Shadow that was sealed at Prison Island was a replica created by Gerald, or the original Shadow that was ejected towards the surface and recovered...
  
But, there was miscalculation in their plan. It seemed Professor Gerald was already finishing off the Ultimate Lifeform "Shadow"<sup>5</sup>, 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<sup>6</sup>. (In addition, the whereabouts of the capsule at that time were not known, either.)
+
~From Rouge's final research report on Project Shadow - Partial Excerpt~
  
Now, it is not known if the hedgehog "[[Shadow the Hedgehog]]", being the "Shadow" that was sealed away in [[Prison Island]], was a copy created by someone else<sup>7</sup>, or was the original "Shadow" that was ejected toward the planet. (There is no real way to confirm this anywhere...)
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===Original Japanese Text===
 
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今回の潜入捜査中、私はGUNのセキュリティーホールから、プロジェクト・シャドウに関すると思わしき当時の連邦政府大統領の機密書簡データを入手した。13代前の大統領からPr.ジェラルドに宛てて送られた極秘の研究依頼要請の書状。その文面は簡潔に以下の様に述べていた。
~ A partial excerpt from the last investigative report by [[Rouge]], about Project Shadow ~
+
 
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「人類のにして究極永遠の夢、不老不死の研究に着手せよ。」と。
==Footnotes==
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*1: The Biolizard was able to take damage, and heal itself, regenerate any lost limbs, like a lizard, and it could reproduce asexually (The pink Eggs Shadow 'Homing Attack's on). Unfortunatelly, it required it's Life Support System, fuel by Chaos Drives, to continue.
+
当初人間の分を超えるとして、ジェラルドはこの要請を頑なに拒否していたようである。ところが、権力者のうわ言で終わるはずだったこの計画に現実化のキッカケを与えたのは(皮肉なことだが)、ジェラルドの最愛の孫娘「マリア・ロボトニック」だった。現在でも治療が困難とされる病「NIDS:先天性免疫不全症候群」に罹患していたマリアは、アークの医療研究施設で治療を続けていたのだが回復が見込めず、これに業を煮やしたジェラルドは、不老不死の生命を研究する事でその難病を克服しようと考えたようである。研究はアークの内部でも極秘裏に進められ、シャドウ(この世に存在栄し得ないもの)を作り出すという皮肉から『プロジェクト・シャドウ』と命名されたと記録されている。
 
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*2: The Biolizard reacted violently when it had the power of the Chaos Emeralds.
+
最初、誰もが遠大無謀と考えていたこの計画も、Pr.ジェラルドの天才的頭脳にとっては決して絵空事とはならなかった。カオスエメラルド、カオスドライブの研究成果を踏まえ、その無限エネルギーを生命活動に応用しようとした試みは結果成功し、プロジェクトは程なくして一体のプロトタイプを完成させるに至る。その自己修復能力に着目し、トカゲを素体として作りだされた「究極生命体プロトタイプ」は、驚異的な成長と自己修復、自己増殖の兆候を示して研究者達を歓喜させた。
 
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*3: Ehh, not too sure on the ACTUAL name on this. ^_^; So, it might be off...
+
だが、その喜びもつかの間、やがてプロトタイプの能力が、研究者達の予想をはるかに上回り、コントロールに支障をきたすほどになると、研究者内部からもその研究の存続と意義、安全性に疑問を抱く声があがり始めるようになる。おそらくプロトタイプの暴走を目の当たりにした内部関係者が、最初にGUNへプロジェクトの情報をリークしたものと思われるが、真相は定かではない。だが研究機関の独自性を内敵視していたGUN上層部は、これを機会にARKそのものを閉鎖する計画を立てるに至る。非公式作戦「ARK封滅作戦」である。
 
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*4: Ostensible: The 'Good guy Image' GUN was trying to convey, making the public think they were doing the right thing, when they had ulterior motives.
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ARK研究所施設で突如発生したバイオハザード、その災厄からコロニー居住者全員を救出し、コロニーを封鎖する。これがこの作戦の表向きの目的だった。もちろん真の目的は、ARK研究施設を閉鎖してプロジェクトシャドウを抹消し、そしてPr.ジェラルドを災害の責任者として拘束することに他ならない。作戦はGUN創設以来かつてない規模で実施され、作戦開始後わずか7日間のうちに、ARKの居住者は全員地上へと移された。ARKの全施設はGUNによって凍結され、そしてPr.ジェラルドを除くプロジェクト・シャドウの関係者は全てこの災厄の犠牲者として発表されたのである。作戦はコロニーの最深部で発見された「究極生命体プロトタイプ」を封印して完了した。
 
+
*5: "Shadow" was created during the week GUN's plan was executed, so he never knew about the Prototype, or the destructive powers it possesed.
+
だが、この作戦にもたった一つ誤算があった。この作戦が実施されたとき既にPr.ジェラルドは別の素体を使って究極生命体「シャドウ」をほぼ完成させていたらしいのである。GUN特殊部隊が研究所に突入した際、逃げるジェラルドが孫娘のマリアにそれを託し、そしてその時一つの脱出カプセルが、地上へ向けて発射されたのが確認されている。(その時のカプセルの行方は現在もなお分かっていない。)
 
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*6: Gerald had told Maria to escape with Shadow, and ran in the opposite direction to draw unwanted attention away from the two. He looked at a monitor/out a window, to see the capsule leaving the colony.
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結果ジェラルドはその後の特殊部隊に捕らわれ、プリズンアイランドへと収監させられたようである。かのハリネズミ「シャドウ・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」なき今、プリズンアイランドに封印されていた「シャドウ」がジェラルドの手によるレプリカなのか、それとも地上へ向けて射出され、回収された「シャドウ」本体であるのか、もはや確かめる術はどこにもない・・・
 
+
*7: The text mentions an 'Original piece' of Shadow.
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~プロジェクト・シャドウに関するルージュの最終調査報告より-一部抜粋~
 
 
==Translator's Notes==
 
I'm afraid that the 'clones' idea may be a far bit off. It may have been an error in my translations, but there was one word in the original document that troubled me. It was the word, 'pieces'. It was contained in the last paragraph I was translating, which was at about 5am in the morning. I didn't quite understand what the document meant when it talked about 'Shadow', 'copy' and 'pieces'.
 
 
 
The more I think of this, the more I read what other people thought of this, as they are taking the 'clones' idea a bit too far. I'm sure some person who can read/write and speak Japanese fluently, as well as English, is laughing at my feeble efforts. ^_^; But, perhaps that last part actually explained that GUN captured the Hedgehog from the pieces(wreckage) of his capsule that hit the planet.
 
 
 
EVERYONE seems to be off on a tangent, believing Shadow is a clone, now...when I was actually referring to Sonic as the one who may have been Shadow's clone.
 
 
 
Think about it. Seems Professor Gerald might have been one of the only people to work on the Immortality Research project, he may have also been one of the only people in the world who could 'clone' something. And while GUN had Shadow, they tried many experiments, and perhaps finally managed in trying to create a clone of him. Or, someone else made a clone of him at one point, if they managed to find something of Shadow's from the crash, and used it to create a clone. -- Point I'm getting at, is I don't think Shadow was a clone. Rouge is just a very big skeptic.
 
  
 
[[Category:Stories]]
 
[[Category:Stories]]

Revision as of 13:41, 24 February 2018

(This is backstory listed in the Sonic Adventure 2 Japanese strategy guide - taking the form of a report submitted by Rouge the Bat to her superiors. Translation by Windii).

During my latest undercover investigation, I have obtained highly classified data notes of the then federal government president through GUN's security hole that seem to be related to Project Shadow. It is a top secret research request addressed and sent to Gerald from the president of its time, 13 presidents ago. The content of the letter is concisely stated as follows:

"Begin research on immortality, humanity's ultimate, eternal dream."

Gerald seemed to have stubbornly rejected this request at first, for it exceeded man's limits. However, the one who gave him an excuse to realize this plan that was supposed to end as it was, an influential person's nonsense, was his beloved granddaughter Maria Robotnik. Maria had contracted a difficult-to-cure illness; "NIDS: Neuro Immunodeficiency Syndrome," and while treatment continued at the ARK's medical research facility, she was not expected to recover. The irritated Gerald seemed to think that he would overcome this incurable disease by studying immortal life. The research has been documented as being named "Project Shadow" from the irony of creating a shadow (which cannot exist in this world,) and was advancing internally at the ARK behind the scenes in absolute secrecy.

At first, everyone thought that this far-fetched and reckless plan was undoubtedly a fabrication that couldn't have been thought up by Prof. Gerald's ingenious intellect. The Chaos Drives were based on research results of the Chaos Emeralds, and the experimental attempt to apply that infinite energy to life functions was successful. Shortly thereafter, the project lead to completion of a single prototype. Focusing on its restorative ability, the Ultimate Lifeform's prototype, which was modeled after a lizard, showed signs of phenomenal growth, as well as self-recovery and self-replication. The researchers were overjoyed.

However, that joy was brief, as the prototype's abilities eventually far exceeded the researchers' expectations, to the point where it was difficult to control. Voices of doubt begin to rise internally from the researchers, questioning the duration, significance and safety of the research. It is likely that the staff who witnessed the prototype going out of control leaked information of the project to GUN first, but the truth is uncertain. However, the upper branches of GUN that were looking upon the research institution's unique qualities as hostile arrived at the decision to close the ARK itself, taking advantage of this opportunity; an informal operation, "ARK Sealing & Destruction."

A biological hazard suddenly occurred at the ARK research facility, and all colony residents were to be rescued and the colony sealed from the disaster. This was the ostensible purpose of this operation. Of course, the real goal was none other than to shut down the ARK, erase Project Shadow, and detain Prof. Gerald as the person responsible for the disaster. The operation was carried out on an unprecedented scale, the likes of which had not been seen since the founding of GUN. In only seven days since the start of the operation, all inhabitants of the ARK were transferred to the surface. Its facilities were frozen by GUN and all of Project Shadow's staff, with the exception of Gerald, were declared victims of this disaster. The operation was completed by sealing the Ultimate Lifeform's prototype at the deepest part of the colony.

However, there was just one miscalculation in this operation. At the time action was taken, Prof. Gerald seemed to have already nearly completed the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow, using a different model. When GUN special forces entered the laboratory, the fleeing Gerald entrusted Shadow to his granddaughter Maria, and made sure that one escape capsule was ejected towards the surface. (The whereabouts of said capsule remain unknown.)

In the end, Gerald was apparently captured by special forces afterwards and imprisoned at Prison Island. Now, without Shadow the Hedgehog, there is no longer a way to confirm anywhere if the Shadow that was sealed at Prison Island was a replica created by Gerald, or the original Shadow that was ejected towards the surface and recovered...

~From Rouge's final research report on Project Shadow - Partial Excerpt~

Original Japanese Text

今回の潜入捜査中、私はGUNのセキュリティーホールから、プロジェクト・シャドウに関すると思わしき当時の連邦政府大統領の機密書簡データを入手した。13代前の大統領からPr.ジェラルドに宛てて送られた極秘の研究依頼要請の書状。その文面は簡潔に以下の様に述べていた。

「人類のにして究極永遠の夢、不老不死の研究に着手せよ。」と。

当初人間の分を超えるとして、ジェラルドはこの要請を頑なに拒否していたようである。ところが、権力者のうわ言で終わるはずだったこの計画に現実化のキッカケを与えたのは(皮肉なことだが)、ジェラルドの最愛の孫娘「マリア・ロボトニック」だった。現在でも治療が困難とされる病「NIDS:先天性免疫不全症候群」に罹患していたマリアは、アークの医療研究施設で治療を続けていたのだが回復が見込めず、これに業を煮やしたジェラルドは、不老不死の生命を研究する事でその難病を克服しようと考えたようである。研究はアークの内部でも極秘裏に進められ、シャドウ(この世に存在栄し得ないもの)を作り出すという皮肉から『プロジェクト・シャドウ』と命名されたと記録されている。

最初、誰もが遠大無謀と考えていたこの計画も、Pr.ジェラルドの天才的頭脳にとっては決して絵空事とはならなかった。カオスエメラルド、カオスドライブの研究成果を踏まえ、その無限エネルギーを生命活動に応用しようとした試みは結果成功し、プロジェクトは程なくして一体のプロトタイプを完成させるに至る。その自己修復能力に着目し、トカゲを素体として作りだされた「究極生命体プロトタイプ」は、驚異的な成長と自己修復、自己増殖の兆候を示して研究者達を歓喜させた。

だが、その喜びもつかの間、やがてプロトタイプの能力が、研究者達の予想をはるかに上回り、コントロールに支障をきたすほどになると、研究者内部からもその研究の存続と意義、安全性に疑問を抱く声があがり始めるようになる。おそらくプロトタイプの暴走を目の当たりにした内部関係者が、最初にGUNへプロジェクトの情報をリークしたものと思われるが、真相は定かではない。だが研究機関の独自性を内敵視していたGUN上層部は、これを機会にARKそのものを閉鎖する計画を立てるに至る。非公式作戦「ARK封滅作戦」である。

ARK研究所施設で突如発生したバイオハザード、その災厄からコロニー居住者全員を救出し、コロニーを封鎖する。これがこの作戦の表向きの目的だった。もちろん真の目的は、ARK研究施設を閉鎖してプロジェクトシャドウを抹消し、そしてPr.ジェラルドを災害の責任者として拘束することに他ならない。作戦はGUN創設以来かつてない規模で実施され、作戦開始後わずか7日間のうちに、ARKの居住者は全員地上へと移された。ARKの全施設はGUNによって凍結され、そしてPr.ジェラルドを除くプロジェクト・シャドウの関係者は全てこの災厄の犠牲者として発表されたのである。作戦はコロニーの最深部で発見された「究極生命体プロトタイプ」を封印して完了した。

だが、この作戦にもたった一つ誤算があった。この作戦が実施されたとき既にPr.ジェラルドは別の素体を使って究極生命体「シャドウ」をほぼ完成させていたらしいのである。GUN特殊部隊が研究所に突入した際、逃げるジェラルドが孫娘のマリアにそれを託し、そしてその時一つの脱出カプセルが、地上へ向けて発射されたのが確認されている。(その時のカプセルの行方は現在もなお分かっていない。)

結果ジェラルドはその後の特殊部隊に捕らわれ、プリズンアイランドへと収監させられたようである。かのハリネズミ「シャドウ・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」なき今、プリズンアイランドに封印されていた「シャドウ」がジェラルドの手によるレプリカなのか、それとも地上へ向けて射出され、回収された「シャドウ」本体であるのか、もはや確かめる術はどこにもない・・・

~プロジェクト・シャドウに関するルージュの最終調査報告より-一部抜粋~