I spent a while trying to think about how Gerald's Reports from Sonic Battle about Gizoid, and the "Truth of 50 Years Ago" report would fit together, I combined this with Gerald's dialogue at the end of Sonic Adventure 2, and this is what I came up with.
(Yes, this is Without including everything from Shadow the Hedgehog, I don't want to make things more confusing just yet)
KEY
BOLD = Gerald's Journal from Sonic Battle
ITALIC = Gerald's Diary from SA2
REGULAR = Rouge's Report on Gerald, taken from the SA2 Japanese Walkthrough
------------
During my latest criminal investigation, I found secret information about Project Shadow through a Security Hole in GUN, and informed the President. It was a letter addressed to 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.
"Mankind's ultimate eternal dream, researching for immortality."
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 "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).
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.
"I found a most interesting specimen
from the warehouse. I believe it is
some sort of puppet or robot made by
an ancient people. At first, I didn't
think anything of it, but when I was
experimenting on "Chaos Emeralds," it
began to move. This suggests the
possibility that even the ancient
civilizations could harness the power
of the "Chaos Emeralds."
When I was researching various papers
related to the "Chaos Emeralds" and
this robot, I discovered that there
was a possibility that this robot was
something incredible. I don't want
to get ahead of myself, but this robot
may be the cause of the destruction of
the Fourth Great Civilization. I'm not
sure I believe it just yet, though."
"I am no longer able ignore the
possibility that this robot did in fact
destroy the Fourth Great Civilization.
I have discovered a stone tablet that
explains as much. According to the
tablet, "When the figure falls from
the heavens, and the Stone of the Gods
is joined, all that exists will become
one again."
Though it is difficult to
believe, this robot has been watching
my movements, and mimicking all that I do.
I was amazed by my scans of this being.
Surprisingly, reams and reams of data
scrolled and caused my most powerful
computer to crash.
More intriguing was that the data was
all about melee combat and weapons of
that age.
Eventually, if this being is ever restored
to its former stage, it will put all that
data to use, and recreate all the weaponry
and combat abilities that it once had...
And that's not all. If my guesses are
correct, it will also have the ability to
absorb modern weaponry as well. What have
I done? I have uncovered a horrible weapon..."
"I now understand why this being was named
"Gizoid". In the ancient tongue, it means
"everything." According to the stone
tablet, if the Gizoid establishes a "Link"
with someone, the Gizoid will swear loyalty
to that person. Perhaps it still lacks "Chaos
Emerald" energy, but it has been saying the
work "Link" to me in broken tones. It went
on to explain: "Show me your true strength,
and I shall obey. I am all things, and all
shall belong to me."
So, as it suggested, I brought before it my
collection of model guns, and fired them all.
Then, suddenly, it said, "I shall follow your
every command, and never leave your side."
And since then, it refuses to listen to anyone
but me.
While it still is a fearsome weapon of
destruction, while it remains under my control,
at least it won't be used for evil. However, if
someone with evil intentions ever forms a "Link"
with the Gizoid... I don't even want to think
about what will hapen. I must research how one
can re-establish a "Link" with the Gizoid..."
(Note: Gerald does not speak of the Chaos Drives in the Sonic Battle diary, presumably because he hasn't created them yet)
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. The researchers were thrilled at this.
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. 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.
"As the Biolizard was not too promising, Gerald made contact with Black Doom on the Black Comet. Using Black Doom's blood, Shadow was created (the GUN Commander witnessed this). To get this help, Gerald had to promise to have Shadow collect the Chaos Emeralds upon the Comet's return 50 years later."
"The upper echelon is going crazy. Perhaps, they
aim to freeze Project "Shadow". Soon, the
ultimate life form, "Shadow" will be completed...
The application to my granddaughter is also
imminent. I cannot just let them stop my
study at this point. Because I am the only
one who can save my granddaughter's life."
"...
The higher ups are threatening to shut down
this research facility. I had no choice but
to hand them the Gizoid to buy more time for
my research. I tried to be careful and
commanded it to never absorb any dangerous
technologies. However, I have heard that other
researchers have been making the Gizoid absorb
weapons. Apparently, the way to cause the
Gizoid to form a new "Link" is to show it
power that surpasses that of its former master.
While this poses immense danger, I cannot risk
losing Maria."
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"
What they told the public, was that "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 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.
The plan was carried out, on the premiss 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.
But, there was miscalculation in their plan. It seemed Professor Gerald was already finishing off the Ultimate Lifeform "Shadow", but using another desirable form, when the plan was being executed.
However, the Professor did not want to help Black Doom, so, after Doom left, Prof. Gerald created the only weapon capable of destroying the Black Comet- the Eclipse Cannon. Also, Gerald- and Maria- made a recording to Shadow telling him how to stop Black Doom.
(Does this mean that Black Doom was present during the time Gerald has possesion of the Gyzoid?)
"When I created the Ultimate Life Form, I thought it would Benefit mankind, But then the Military Guards landed on the Colony that day, they were sent to destroy the Research project that I had been working on."
"...
My worst fears have come true. The Gizoid has
absorbed enough weaponry and technology that
it started to go out of control. The resulting
rampage resulted in the destruction of most
of the "Ark."
...
I have deciphered the rest of the stone tablet.
It says, "When the Gizoid had learned all that
it could, it became a god of wrath, and all
was destroyed." The researchers somehow managed
to subdue the Gizoid and sealed it away.
Luckily, it only had one "Chaos Emerald" installed.
If it were to have all 7 Emeralds installed,
it might destroy the whole planet. The Gizoid is
too much of a liability. I tried destroying its
core, but nothing I did worked. I understand too
little of the technology that built him. My
best hope is to try and reprogram its AI into
a free-willed, emotions-based AI..."
(Remember, Shadow was already around when the Gizoid went crazy, so it had to have happened during the 7 days, and probably quite early on, seeing that there are a few researchers still alive)
Apparently while the GUN soldiers were there to halt Project Shadow, Gerald's creations, the Artificial Chaos, went on a rampage as well. Shadow destroyed them (more were later built, apparently, as some appeared in SA2), saving the GUN soldiers present (if the Hero story is to be taken as canon). The GUN soldiers turned on them, injuring many of the researchers. Shadow saved as many as he could, before being chased to that all-too-familiar room with Maria in tow.
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. (In addition, the whereabouts of the capsule at that time were not known, either.)
"...
I have heard there was an accident at the
research facility."
"The Colony was completely shut down, probably to keep the Prototype from falling into the wrong hands.
The ARK was shut down under the premise that there had been an accident."
"My colleages at the Research facility, my Grandaughter Maria, I hope you are all safe."
"I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down.
She meant everything to me, and I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research."
"... ... ...
Everything...
Everything is gone. My own Maria's name was
among the list of casualties. My beloved
granddaughter... They tell her parting words
were, "Bring hope to humanity."
I have decided that the keyword to activate
the Gizoid's free-willed emotions-based AI
program will be those very words. "Bring hope
to humanity." My poor, poor Maria..."
"...
A heritage of the past I dug out, "Gizoid"...
And the ultimate life form I created by my own
hands, Shadow... I equipped both weapons
with "heart."
If all powers are not what is to be obtained
for oneself, but what is to be born from
hearts that yearn for someone, I believe
all conflicts should cease to exist.
Please... If there is anyone listening to my
prayers... Bring hope to humanity."
"I lost everything, I had nothing more to live for, I went insane, all I could think about was to avenge her, somehow, someway.
I got scared as I was no longer was able to control my thoughts, all I could think about was that I wanted it all to end.
Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project, Shadow.
I designed it's mind to be perfect, pure.
I will leave everything to Shadow.
If you wish, release and awaken it, to the world!
If you wish to fill the world with destruction..."
-----------------
So, does this look accurate, I can imagine it needs a bit more work, so any debates or theories on when things took place would be helpful, also, if anyone wants to include the backstory from Shadow can do so!
(It seems like there are a lot less sonic boards recently that have been having any sonic storyline discussions, so I though this might help get us thinking about the plot again!)
As the Biolizard was not too promising, Gerald made contact with Black Doom on the Black Comet. Using Black Doom's blood, Shadow was created (the GUN Commander witnessed this). To get this help, Gerald had to promise to have Shadow collect the Chaos Emeralds upon the Comet's return 50 years later.
However, the Professor did not want to help him, so, after Doom left, Prof. Gerald created the only weapon capable of destroying the Black Comet- the Eclipse Cannon. Also, Gerald- and Maria- made a recording to Shadow telling him how to stop Black Doom.
Apparently while the GUN soldiers were there to halt Project Shadow, Gerald's creations, the Artificial Chaos, went on a rampage as well. Shadow destroyed them (more were later built, apparently, as some appeared in SA2), saving the GUN soldiers present (if the Hero story is to be taken as canon). The GUN soldiers turned on them, injuring many of the researchers. Shadow saved as many as he could, before being chased to that all-too-familiar room with Maria in tow. One of the soldiers shot Maria. With the last of her strength, Maria trapped Shadow in the escape pod, and, before launching it, with her dying breath, made Shadow promise to save the people of Earth.
I hope that helps!
Thanks for that, I've added that info in (It's underlined for now until I can think of something better)
I don't know for sure if that's the right place in the story, I wish I knew exactly when Black Doom arrived on the Ark and left, I going on the assumption that Black Doom was there for Shadow's initial Creation, then Black Doom left, and Gerald finished creating shadow without him.
(I'm sure Black Doom wouldn't have waited around for the WHOLE procedure...or would he!?)
You can't make sense of Shadow's past. That's the POINT: Shadow's past will always be shrouded in mystery. Every game he appears in answers some questions but only complicates things and makes it more ineffable.
Sega is just making stuff up as they go.
No, I'm pretty sure they cleared all of it up, and the holes the left were just laziness and can be solved if you just think.
i did a project on this on the HQ...
Although, it looks like with the new game I may have to amend it slightly.
Damn Sega and their rewrites. 
I do agree that most of it fits in, the inconsistencies are minor and due to laziness rather than actual proper plot holes.
Even if Sega did clear up the plotholes (they didn't) and you could come up with a coherent account of Shadow's creation and early life 50 years ago (you can't), each new game is going to introduce new information that's going to complicate things further. We will never have a definitive history for Shadow. That would defy the point.
Why do I get the feeling that Sonic Next will end up filling the rest of the holes (whatever and if any left).
Why do I get the feeling that Sonic Next will end up creating new plotholes?
Why do I have a feeling that you're being pessimistic again and are probably correct in being so?
Shadow The Hedgehog!: The immortal ultimate being from the past, sent to the future!
Shadow The Hedgehog!: The amnesiac immortal ultimate being with robot replicas, from the past, sent to the future.
Shadow The Hedgehog!: The amnesiac immortal alien clone ultimate being with robot repliacs from the past, sent to the future.
Shadow The Hedgehog! The demonically possessed amnesiac immortal alien clone ultimate being with robot replicas from the past, sent to the future.
Shadow The Hedgehog: SON OF SONIC! BORN AND NOBLE!
Shadow the Hedgehog!: Is making fun of his past really necessary?
Shadow the Hedgehog!: At least it didn't happen to Sonic
Shadow the Hedgehog!: I can make cynical, one-lined subtitles too.
Craig's were funnier >.>
Shadow the Hedgehog!: I am aware. o.o
The little movie shows Black Doom there when Shadow awoke for the first time.
Quote:
Even if Sega did clear up the plotholes (they didn't) and you could come up with a coherent account of Shadow's creation and early life 50 years ago (you can't), each new game is going to introduce new information that's going to complicate things further. We will never have a definitive history for Shadow. That would defy the point.
Honestly people, it's not as bad as it looks.
The problem is Sega keeps picking it up, tinkering with it and putting it back down having changed barely anything at all.
It's got repetitive, boring and convoluted.
But it DOES make sense, just remember that only 1 plot line of Shadow actually happened. The others were what iffs, as in; what if Shadow WAS evil. What if Shadow was after Eggman's empire? What if Shadow was a robot? What if he wasnt?
Lack of explanation doesn't help.
But it's there, in little pieces.
The plot holes are small and minor, the trouble is it's the main story which is ridiculously large.
Amen to that!
Quote:
You can't make sense of Shadow's past. That's the POINT: Shadow's past will always be shrouded in mystery. Every game he appears in answers some questions but only complicates things and makes it more ineffable.
True, but then again, I'm not trying to make Sense of it as such, I'm just trying to piece together all the info that Sega has been given us, and try to make it a bit easier to understand.
This isn't gonna a be the place for Theories or anything, I just want to clarify the facts.
Quote:
The little movie shows Black Doom there when Shadow awoke for the first time.
Yeah, I was thinking about that, and then I saw the line from Sonic Battle
"Soon, the ultimate life form, "Shadow" will be completed..."
Which gives the impression that it took a lot of time for Gerald to make Shadow (In Shadow the Hedgehog it looks like it took like 2 Seconds...)
Topped with the fact that this was taking place just as GUN had arrived on the ARK and started doing their business.
During this time, Gerald began working on the Eclipse Cannon, does that mean it only took him Seven days to make the Cannon!?
HI guys... been a while.
I'm rrrreal late hop'n onto the DS bandwagon, but i finally got one and Rush a week or two ago.
Was I mistaken or did Blaze recognize Sonic as looking like some on else who's name starts with "S-"?
sorry if that detail has been discussed to death already... i havent bee to this board in months
I assume you mean Silver, as Blaze looks nothing like Shadow.
You can check the CGI Art for Sonic NEXT, as Blaze will be appearing in that game too.
I'm sure it's just the creative team liking upward spikey, rather than any huge conspiracy, though.
well i was getting at the fact that it seemed to me that Blaze was insinuating that SHadow was the Sonic from her dimension.
I could have sworn she said something along those lines but i looked through a transcript of the game and couldnt find the quote....
oh god what if i was imagining it...
Maybe you're remembering that fake ending I made up for the Shadow the Hedgehog game? I posted it in that game's respective official thread (no idea what page). It involved Shadow being high atop a tower, with Sonic and co, GUN, Eggman and Black Doom's troops surrounding him, each stating why he part of their team/their creation. Before he can react, there is a flash of light and Blaze appears, stating Shadow is the Sonic from her dimension. Or perhaps you never even read that post. Who knows? You might be going crazy
good lord I think I might be going nuts. I never read that post and I can see Blaze plain as day in my memory and she said something along the lines of "He looks like S-"
But then I hear that Silver and Blaze are from the same realm... so that could have been who she was about to say...never mind the potential thread-derail.
(Alright, time to re-alighn this thread)
Naw, Shadow definately Isn't from Blaze's world, and Silver is from the future but still in Sonic's world.
ANYWAY, here's what we've gathered so far...in BULLET POINT FORM!
-------------------------------------
- The President gives Gerald letter adressing Research for Immortality
- Gerald Refuses, Maria becomes ill, Gerald begins research into Immortality for Maria
- Research begins aboard the ARK, project is dubbed "Project Shadow"
- Gerald discovers the Gizoid and is surprised to see it reacts to the Chaos Emeralds
- Gerald finds out more about the Gizoid and the Chaos Emeralds
- Chaos Drives are created through Chaos Emerald research
- Gerald discovers that the Gizoid was responsible for the destruction of the Fourth Great Civilisation
- Gerald tries to analyze the Gizoid and finds out about it's skill to Absorb and recreate weaponry
- Gerald establishes a LINK with the Gizoid by showing it his "Power"
- Prototype Shadow (Biolizard) is completed, fuelled by Chaos Drives
- Other Researchers begin making the Gizoid absorb other greater weapons, this carries on up until the Gizoid goes out of control.
- Biolizard starts to go out of Control, Researchers become worried
- A worried Researcher leaks the information to the Military (GUN)
- Higher Ups (aboard the ARK?) threaten to shut down the Research Facility, Gerald hands them the Gizoid to buy more time
- The Gizoid goes out of control after absorbing too much Weaponry and Technology
- Researchers manage to seal the Gizoid away, Gerald tries to destory the core of the Gizoid but fails
- Gerald tries to come up with a new idea for Project Shadow
- GUN forms a plan to shut down the ARK, by saying there had been an Accident aboard the ARK, and put the blame on Gerald.
- The Black Comet comes past the ARK
- Gerald makes contact with Black Doom aboard the Black Comet
- GUN arrive on the Ark, the residents aboard the ARK are moved to Earth.
- Black Doom creates Shadow using his own Blood, and makes a Pact with Gerald
- Gerald finishes the Ultimate Lifeform Shadow (The Hedgehog)
- Gerald, realising his mistake of making a Pact with Black Doom, constructs the Eclipse Cannon, and makes a Recording, telling Shadow how to stop Black Doom
- Shadow spends time with Maria, talking about going to Earth one day.
- All the Researchers are killed by GUN, announced Victims of Gerald's disaster
- The Biolizard is sealed deep in the centre of the ARK
- the Artificial Chaos go on a rampage against the Researchers and the GUN soldiers, Shadow destroys most of the Chaos.
- GUN eventually reach the research institute, Gerald escapes and checks to make sure that Maria escapes to Earth.
- Maria is killed and Shadow is launched towards Earth in a capsule
- Gerald is kidnapped and held captive on Prison Island, during this time, he begins writing his Diary (from SA2)
- He discovers the truth that Maria had been killed by GUN, and goes Insane
- Gerald reprograms the Gizoid to have a free-willed emotions-based AI, using Maria's last words as the key to unlock the program
- Gerald "Completes" Project Shadow, and comes up with the idea to have ARK crash into Earth (How did he program this when he was on Prison Island?)
- Shadow is sealed away on Prison Island.
---------------------------------------------------
NOTE: All the events involving the Gizoid up until Gerald hands it over to the Higher Ups occurs during the Biolizard's creation, it's unknown exactly WHEN the Biolizard was created in relation to what was going on the Gizoid, but the two events have no effect on eachother, I wrote here that Gerald established a Link with the Gizoid BEFORE the Biolizard was created, especially since there's no mention of the Biolizard in Gerald's Sonic Battle Journal.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
When Gerald mentions in his Diary about how he was able to complete Project Shadow, this seems like it was AFTER he was captured on Prison Island, does that mean he was allowed to continue his research even after he was captured by GUN?
WHOM did Gerald give the Gizoid to to buy more time? Assuming he gave it to GUN or the Military, why did it stay aboard the ARK? And it wouldn't have made any sense for him to give it to anyone else, since it was only GUN who wanted to stop Project Shadow.
(The only other possibility is that there are higher authorities/GUN were actually aboard the ARK at the time that they wanted to shut down the Research Institute)
If the Chaos Emeralds were aboard the ARK, why didn't Black Doom just take them then?
Well, Gerald had only ONE Emerald, if I remember correctly.
Aha, yes, that makes sense, I rember Gerald mentioned that the Gizoid absorbed only one Chaos Emerald, I guess the reason why he didn't absorb the rest is because they weren't there...
(for some reason, I was always under the impression that the researchers had all seven...
)
ANd besides, if they'd had ALL SEVEN, and Black Doom took 'em, it'd cause a HUGE time paradox eith the rest of the series' established storyline.
Ho ho, well, I guess that's that question answered...but the other two still stand as Unanswered for me.
Wikipedia had this to say
"When the professor found out that Maria was killed by GUN, he lost his grip on sanity. At some time, he created a program that would smash the ARK into the Earth, destroying it. In order for the program to work, it needed to be powered by the seven chaos emeralds. Whether or not he completed the trap at said time is somewhat debatable, due to the fact that his final recording in Sonic Adventure 2 was done while he was in custody (and moments from execution). Some speculate that he took the time during the military's invasion to 'program' the Biolizard for the destruction of humanity, while others suspect it was done in secret during Professor Gerald's time in prison."
I'm going with the latter, but that's just me.
It would also seem that he didn't go insane immediately, as he had time to instill both Emerl and Shadow with a soul identical to Maria's,fiddle around with Shadow's memories, and to program in the final password to free Emerl, all after that last raid on the ARK.
Yeah, that's right, and I'm guessing that this all took place AFTER Gerald was captured by GUN (he didn't find out the Maria had died until he had been captured).
Which means that he MUST have been allowed to work on Shadow, Emerl, and the ARK crashing into Earth plan whilst he was in Prison.
(Hmmm ...come to think of it, Sonic X did sorta confirm this in the SA2 adaptation)
Actually, that gives me a good idea for a comic or something...
*SETTING: PRISON ISLAND JAIL CELL, Gerald is sitting in his cell, with a guard walking around outside keeping an eye on him*
Guard: Sorry to hear about your loss!
Gerald: She died because of my research! NOOOOO!
Guard: Yeah well, don't let it get to ya!
...
Gerald: I have a request
Guard: What's that?
Gerald: Can I have my two Projects I was working on?
Guard: What? WHY!?
Gerald: No reason...
*Cell door opens, guard chucks Shadow and Emerl into the cell with Gerald*
Gerald: Ho ho ho
Guard: What are you doing!?
Gerald: NOTHING!
Guard: I can see you're doing something with them!
Gerald: No I'm not.
*A FEW WEEKS PASS*
Guard: What are you doing now!?
Gerald: What?
Guard: You're clearly writing on the walls!
Gerald: NO I'M NOT MWA HA HA HA HA!
Gerald: Can bring Shadow in here?
Guard: AGAIN!? You keep asking us to bring him here, and all you do is mess with his brain!
Gerald: Well...yes...I mean NO!
Guard; Whatever...
*Shadow enters the cell again*
Gerald: Righty ho, now to tell you my EVIL PLAN Shadow...(whisper whisper)
Guard: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?
Gerald: Ah Nothing!
Guard: That's it, We're taking Shadow away from you, we'll put him somewhere you won't be able to get to him, you're creeping me out, you've Graffiti'd my wall, I'm getting you done! (read: KILLED)
THE END.
The point is...did Gerald do all his work inside that tiny Cell? Or did GUN give him acess to a Lab on Prison Island?
That's actually a good point. And I'd say that Gerald also had a hand in setting the password for Shadow's cryogenic tank- why would GUN make the password MARIA?
Well, he was one of the world's leading scientists and they probably let him work on projects for weaponry and other stuff that interested GUN until he visibly started to lose his sanity and could no longer work.
Besides, GUN themselves could have had an interest in Shadow, otherwise, why'd they keep the capsule?
And while Gerald worked under GUN's supervision he somehow managed to continue working on his own projects on Emerl and Shadow and, later, on programming the ARK to crash on Earth (maybe he had access to data in the ARK for the research he did for GUN, but could also modify things up there).
I guess that for GUN not having been able to notice this, they must have left a lousy guard.
My bets on Homer Simpson.
Exactly! Which leads me to think that Gerald wasn't completely without his research when on Prison Island.
Here's my take on the situation.
Gerald is captured and taken to Prison Island
GUN also manage to find the Ecsape Pod that was launched from the ARK, and manage to capture Shadow, and take him to Prison Island.
On Prison Island, GUN allow/force Gerald to continue Project Shadow for their own purposes (I can imagine GUN might have wanted to take advantage of Gerald's brilliant mind and use him to their advantage).
Also, remember, when Gerald handed the Gizoid over to the Higher ups, it went Berserk as a result of absorbing too many weapons.
So, GUN would have wanted Gerald to re-program the Gizoid so that they could have control over it.
Gerald reprograms the Gizoid to have a free-willed emotions-based AI, using Maria's last words as the key to unlock the program
Gerald also "completes" Shadow, making his mind "Perfect and Pure"
During this time, as Gerald was gradually becoming more and more insane, he came up with the idea of having ARK collide with the Earth when it has all seven Chaos Emeralds.
GUN finally realise that Gerald is getting out of control, they cannot control Shadow, and therefore have him sealed away in the depths of Prison Island.
Perhaps one of the members of GUN, out of respect for Gerald, coded the Password to be "MARIA".
Gerald is finally Executed, as GUN no longer have a use for him/fear that Gerald is getting too out of control for them to handle.
-----------
Well, that's my take on everything, Hopefully, there's nothing that can disprove of what i've written, but we'll see..
Quote:
Well, he was one of the world's leading scientists and they probably let him work on projects for weaponry and other stuff that interested GUN until he visibly started to lose his sanity and could no longer work.
Besides, GUN themselves could have had an interest in Shadow, otherwise, why'd they keep the capsule?
And while Gerald worked under GUN's supervision he somehow managed to continue working on his own projects on Emerl and Shadow and, later, on programming the ARK to crash on Earth (maybe he had access to data in the ARK for the research he did for GUN, but could also modify things up there).
I guess that for GUN not having been able to notice this, they must have left a lousy guard.
My bets on Homer Simpson.
(Whoops, I didn't read this post until after I posted my own).
But yes! I think that's pretty much hit the nail on the head!
I too was thinking that Gerald had acess to ARK's program files on Prison Island, unless he entrusted the program with Shadow, whom would then apply the program 50 Years later after Eggman released him.
Of course, I don't think Shadow's programming skills are up to scratch, so the former sounds more likely.
But still, GUN wanted Shadow to be under their control, but Gerald wanted Shadow to get revenge on all Humans, I guess when GUN realised this they thought "Something's not right here, this isn't what we wanted, Gerald is freakin' nuts, let's put him down already"
Another reason GUN would have liked having him work for them: Since he was in a top- secret military prison, there's none of those pesky labor laws to keep them from pushing him to the limit and beyond. And if anyone found out, they could argue about him being a dangerous prisoner and such.
Yes, I like that, and it does sound very logical to something that GUN would do, and once again, I believe the Sonic X adaptation of SA2 also mentions a similar story.
But still, my final question still stands.
Gerald handed the Gizoid to "Higher Ups" to buy more time for Project Shadow, but it never stated who.
At first, I assumed he handed the Gizoid to GUN, but then I remembered that this was before the Gizoid went out of control, so we can assume that these "Higher Ups" were stationed aboard the ARK.
Were these higher ups part of GUN? Or were they someone else.
They are also referred to as the "Upper Echelon", but I believe that's quite an old fashioned term.
Was GUN not involved in Project Shadow? You'd think they'll have some people at the ARK acting as supervisors or something. Just to check how things are coming along with the researches (I imagine Project Shadow wasn't the sole research going on up there).
So basically the supervisors go up to Gerald and go all "Yo. Where's your project-what-it's-called again? We want some proof you've been working on something, dude. Give us something concrete."
And so Gerald gave them the Gizoid so they'd be all "Oooooh.. that's quite nifty, we'll take a look at it for the next weeks or so."
Ha ha, That's one way of looking at it, but also, that's how I imagined it to be!
I figured that there was some sort of higher authority aboard the ARK, perhaps people in the Government that ran and maintained the ARK (I mean, people actually LIVED up there, so there must have been some sort of authority to maintain that community), must have been getting worried, since GUN were threatening to shut down the ARK and all that...so they probly went to Gerald and were like "We want to see something to prove that this Project of yours is Going somewhere ya dig?"
And Gerald's like, fumbling around and picks up the Gizoid, and is like "HERE!", and they're like "OOOH, SHINY!"
Or something like that, but the point is, I get what you mean, and it works well, I see no flaws in your explanation!
I don't know much about the post-SA games, but from the story you're saying, isn't it possible that those 'higher-ups' might be Black Doom [heh, it keeps reminding me of Dark Oak from Sonic X] and his buddies?
That would be interesting, but the "Higher Ups" are definately government linked, as it was related to the fact that Scientists leaked information to the Military about Project Shadow, which caused a cufuffle in the Government, which led lots of men in suits (aka the Higher Ups), to question Gerald about the Project, so he gave them the Gizoid to shut them up...pretty much.
Even though it never stated who the Higher Ups were affiliated with, it definately had nothing to do with Black Doom, the higher ups were definately those who had authority aboard the ARK, as well as contact with the Military.
