E-101 Beta
|
|
In fictional universe of the Sonic the Hedgehog video games, E-101 Beta was literally the beta version of Doctor Eggman’s E-100 gunner robot series. Introduced in Sonic Adventure, as an opponent within the quest of the playable E-102 Gamma, Beta sported a black hull and large missile silo-arms, as opposed to the more dexterous appendages of his advanced, “younger brother”.
History
Beta was first encountered as an enemy challenge – pitted in a duel against Gamma, the victor would be granted a position aboard Dr. Eggman’s aerial fortress, The Egg Carrier. Beta was defeated in combat, but not in spirit. Interjecting in a fast, binary language, the outdated model pleaded for a second chance. Amused, his creator agreed, reasoning cryptically that he could always use some “spare parts” …
Gamma next encountered the older E-100 model by accident – entering a construction chamber to find unit E-101 stripped down to the chassis and currently under a torturous remodeling operation. This horrifying sight would later come to play a key role in Gamma’s opinions of his master Eggman and his eventual leave of duty.
Beta was reconstructed into a “Mk II” E-100 model – an airborne fighter with improved weapon capabilities, including advanced homing missiles, laser cannon arms, and large spiked gauntlets used for bludgeoning “charge” attacks. Beta Mk II navigated with a tail “rudder” and employed an advanced tracking system in his single green “eye”.
Gamma and the ‘new’ Beta faced off once again aboard the downed Egg Carrier as part of the formers crusade to “rescue” his brothers from Eggman’s control. Beta, despite improvements, was defeated. But he would not go down alone – with what power remained, Beta blasted Gamma at point-blank range, destroying his brother and ironically completing E-102’s mission by freeing the animal trapped within him.
Character info
Beta’s power source was a grey-feathered Flicky bird, a mate or relation to Gamma’s pink variation and parent or relation to a blue Flicky rescued by Amy Rose.
Remaining mute throughout Sonic Adventure, Beta’s motivations remain a mystery. One theory – judging by his rebuttal to the first defeat against Gamma, and his later, upgraded attack without direct order from Dr. Eggman – is that E-101 Beta also developed a sort of sentience and independent consciousness similar to Gamma, only Beta’s mind was driven by hatred and revenge for the younger robot who upstaged him.