Love Struck

Chapter 1 - Retirement

Shadow's POV

One more mission. One more and I'm done my tour. Working for G.U.N is a pain in the ass, but they pay well when you get what they need done. I don't know what they have in store for my last mission, but I'm sure it will be something big. Just like the Air force whenever you're on your last flight they always give you something big to bomb. No different with me and my gift at being a sniper. Being a sniper for G.U.N has its perks don't get me wrong, but when you're out there for days on end it gets pretty boring waiting for that one target. The only thing I like about being out in the field is the fact that my brother is my spotter. Now most of you our probably wondering how that's possible. Family is not allowed by G.U.N's rules, but I convinced Dark when we enlisted to register himself separately from me. In short, I signed up a day before he did; the only difference is that Dark didn't mention the fact that we were related. Not even our squad knows were brothers they think we could be by how much alike we our after-hours but as far as they know we're just complete strangers who happen to work together. All that I'm worried about is my last mission. I'm concerned what's in store for us. After this though me and Dark are returning to our friends in North End. I can't wait to see them again. I miss Silver the most. He was always a nice guy, I knew him since I first came to earth in high school.

"Shadow!" I heard someone shout to me.

I opened my eyes to find my squads medic staring down on me.

"What's up James?" I said while sitting up on my bed.

James was another Hedgehog just like me and Dark. James was a pure brown furred hedge with one big white spot on the side of his left eye. We nicknamed him the captain for that sole fact of the spot on his eye.

"Time to move sergeant, command wants you and Dark at the debriefing room right now." Replied James.

I began to stand up thanks to James.

"Is this it?" I asked.

"Might be. I hope it is. You deserve some rest." Stated James.

"I just do my job James remember that." I replied.

"My job was to keep you and Dark alive in the field. Your job was to do the heavy lifting. Most of the time you didn't even get hit due to the stealth." Stated James.

I quickly put my hand on his cheek.

"Someone needs to clean out my fuckups." I stated.

I then smacked his cheek gently.

James smiled and smacked my hand away.

"Just go boss. I'll see you when you get back ok?" Replied James.

I smiled back and began to head for the door leading out of the barracks

"Don't worry James. I'll see you soon." I stated.

I turned out of the door and quickly made my way to the debriefing.

As I made my way through the crowded hallways of the base. I accidentally bumped into someone going just as fast as me.

"My bad." I said while looking up at the hedgehog.

The hedgehog looked into my eyes and I began to smile.

"Watch where you're going boss." Stated Cole.

Cole was a black hedgehog with one goal in mind. Getting bigger. Cole was the most diesel guy on base. Always working out. He was our squad's personal bomb when we needed something destroyed, after all that was his job. Demolitions.

"Where you going Cole?' I asked.

"Trying to find Dark, I owe him fifty bucks." Replied Cole.

"For what?" I asked.

"The football game last night. I bet the Cowboys would win and he bet me the Patriots would win. Turns out the cowboys lost in the last ten seconds of the game due to a bad penalty for off sides. The next thing I know the Cowboys were back ten yards and all the Pats had to do was run five forward." Replied Cole.

"You'll have to wait on giving him the money. HQ wants both of us now." I stated.

Cole's eyes lighted up like rockets.

"Shit! Your last mission!" Shouted Cole.

I smiled and nodded in approval.

Cole immediately came in and hugged me tightly.

"I'm proud of you boss, but do me one favor." Said Cole.

"What?" I asked while he released me.

Cole went into his pocket and pulled out the money he owed Dark.

"Give it to him." Replied Cole.

I slowly took the cash and put it in my pocket.

I nodded my head and said.

"I'll give it to him don't you worry." I assured.

Cole smiled and began to walk away.

"I'll see you when you get back boss." Stated Cole.

I waved goodbye with a small smile and continued till I found the room.

I quickly swung open the door and inside was Dark and my commander waiting for me.

I took my seat next to Dark and waited for him to proceed.

The commander was human of course, but this guy was a real asshole when it came to screw ups.

"Nice of you to join us Shadow." Said the commander.

"I'm sorry sir. I ran into some snags on the way here." I replied.

The commander nodded his head and approached the presentation broad.

"You two have worked your asses off to get here and I'm sure you're aware of how dangerous this will be. Your mission is simple." Started the commander.

He quickly turned on the board and up popped a map of Afghanistan's capital city.

"You are aware of the threat here and I'm sure it will be hard, but we need you to sneak into the city and proceed to this building across from the capital building. You two need to get to the roof and wait for the target. The target will be mostly like wearing a long dress and just so were clear the target is going to have protection with her." The commander stopped.

Dark immediately raised his hand.

"What?" Asked the commander.

"The targets a girl?" Asked Dark.

"Yes." Replied the commander.

"Who is she?" I asked next.

"We got information this morning from a informant that this "girl" is a HVT for the rebellion going on in Afghanistan. He say's if she is to be killed the afghans will stop this war they rage on our men and women. She is to be killed on sight." Replied the commander.

"Do you have any type of info on what she looks like?" Asked Dark.

"No photos, but she is a pink hedgehog. She should be easy to spot and when you see her kill her." Ordered the commander.

I looked at Dark and we both nodded in approval.

"Good. We will insert you by airdrop. Get ready now. Your flight leaves in a half an hour." Ordered the commander.

Me and Dark stood up and began to exit the room. Once we left we made our way to the armory to get our gear.

"You ok?" Asked Dark.

"I'm not use to killing females." I replied.

"Me ether, but G.U.N wants her gone it our job to make that happen." Stated Dark.

"I know, its just after Maria…!" Dark stopped me.

"I know it's hard, but we can't let that get in our way. Just line up the shot and close your eyes if you have to."

I smiled and we finally reached the armory.

Our gear was waiting for us.

We quickly got into our armor and picked up our weapon. I carried a Barrette 50. Caliber with an M9 and a MP5 as back up as Dark carried a M110 with an MP7 submachine gun as back up with an M9 on his side just in case. Once we were set we proceeded to the airfield to board our AC130 gunship. We took our seat and placed our duffels next to our feet. I looked at Dark and he nodded quickly. I nodded back and gave the ok for the pilot to take off. He signaled us to strap in and once we were set he started to take off.

I love planes, always have been a fan since I was a little hog. One day I want to fly one, any one.

We were airborne in no time and we proceeded to our final mission. An assassination in Afghanistan.