"Hmmm..."

Eggman leans in to examine the crystal shards closely.

"Are you proposing a means of energy transference? A crystal's molecular structure is a highly ordered, repeating pattern. Introducing chaos energy could shatter them. Or it could mutate them into something wholly new...perhaps something more amenable to the influx of power."

It could also make them unstable. But it was intriguing and Sonic can probably hear the grin on Eggman's face.

"We also need to determine if the chaos batteries will withhold a charge even in the midst of one of those pesky energy storms. I can run tests on the emerald and these shards if you're willing to part with a few."

If they can build up a stockpile of batteries and control them, there's no telling what he'd be able to do or arrange with some of the more enterprising castaways. Having power means having a bargaining chip as well as a means of furthering his goals.

But...that brings him back to a point he needed clarification on.

"...Tell me, Donatello. What exactly has Sonic told you of the nature of our...history."