A/N: Hello. So I know my chapters are fairly short, I aim for just over 1000 words per chapter, which isn't a lot. It makes it easier to make a constant stream of updates.

Personally, I don't think this is a big deal, but I maybe put in a few too many "dramatic cliffhangers" then are necessary. If anyone cares, tell me what you'd prefer: longer and and less occurring chapters, or more frequent shorter ones? It'll just effect how many pauses there will be in the story. Sometimes I feel like I just wanna get the next part out, but if the story would be better with less breaks in the story, than I'm all for longer chapters.

Finding his targets proved to be slightly more difficult than he anticipated. He was lucky this house appeared abandoned, as it was the perfect place for the job. He himself wasn't sure how far he would go to get the job done. He always believed there was another way... At least that's what he used to believe.

He kept the lights off, and watched from the top floor across the street. It was a house he was watching. A house where not two days ago he incapacitated an innocent girl and kidnapped her. But she was safe from harm for now, and that much kept his conscious clean. One might ask why he was still here. Surely his business was done in this area. And that would be true, if he had any leads. But he did not.

Sooner or later, someone would come looking for her. And there was a good chance it would be someone who knows her. His preference was to work during the night, where it was harder to be spotted, but he didn't believe her mistake would be repeated. His patience would be rewarded however, as someone finally approached the door. It was a relatively bulky figure, and as predicted, was recognizable.

"Vector..." he whispered under his breath. Generally not a habit of his to speak to himself, due to the value of silence, but a large mix of feeligns overwhelmed him at the sight of his old friend. He wanted to make sure he was safe. So he was glad he could find him so soon. What conflicted these feelings was the amount of guilt he felt knowing how betrayed a life long friend would feel at learning the truth of what he had become.

He decided the best way to approach this situation. Since it was not dark out, he decided his dark fabrics would provide limited use in concealing his presence. He removed the light weight gear, opting for his tried and true camouflage to give him whatever stealth which was required. After witnessing his old friend enter the home of his last victim, he made his way across the street, in a casual manner. He knew if worse came to worse, and he was spotted, he would still have the element of surprise on his side. No one would immediately realize that he was working for the enemy.

He made his way to the back of the house. He left a window open on the top floor of the 2 story building, and so he began scaling the nearby wall of the house. He peered into the window at what looked like a storage room, as the pigment on his skin shifted and changed colour to blend him in with the background. He watched through the window for a moment, making sure he didn't enter at an inopportune time. Upon entering, he slid to a nearby wall, and reached behind him for some pieces of equipment strapped to his body. Darts filled with a toxin that would incapacitate his foes, just as he'd used before. Though he realized the thick hide on his new target would make these weapons ineffective unless he could physically stab the crocodile with one.

Listening for the sounds of shuffling feet, he contemplated the possibility of a face to face confrontation. To incapacitate his foe, he would need to get in close, and there was too much light to remain hidden. A new idea entered his head: wait until Vector leaves, and follow him to the agency's new location. But what if it was impregnable? No... It didn't matter. The more he thought, the more he wanted to risk the confrontation. Maybe he could convince his friend to come peacefully? Perhaps someone would understand his motives? He was snapped out of his thought upon hearing heavy footsteps climb the stairs. He considered losing his focus an amateur mistake, but regardless, he decided what he wanted to do. If there was ever a reason to risk his mission, this was it.

The steps came closer to the entrance of the room he resided in. He took a deep breathe, let the pigment in his skin relax returning it to it's usual magenta, and removed his back from the wall. Sure enough, a familiar face appeared in the frame of the door looking directly at him. Vector paused and let his mouth hang open for a few seconds.

"Espio?" He spoke with bewilderment. "Is that really you?"

Espio crossed his arms and nodded, "Yes, Vector... and I know what happened here."

Espio anticipated a bombardment of questions, but none came. His old friend simply stood still, watching Espio wide-eyed. Too dumbfounded to ask any of the hundred questions that now plagued his mind.

Espio eased his confusion, "I am the one who is behind Amy's Disappearance...However, it was for her own good."

A suspicious look now adorned Vector's face, "Whadduya' mean, Espio?"

"She was in danger. You all are. I removed her from harm, and now she is safe." He spoke softly, now averting his gaze downwards and closing his eyes. Vector was getting closer to the truth. The closer he came, the more dangerous this was for Espio's mission.

A sense of urgency began to flood Vector's mind. "What kinda' danger? ... Why didn't we hear from ya? Why didn't she say she was leavin'?"

Espio didn't answer for a few seconds because he was busy thinking. He realized this could be his big chance. Become close to his old friends once again, earn their trust, and strike at their weakest point. He could get Sonic out of the way... or Shadow! He knew those two would be a challenge.

The mission comes first.

But not this time. He would take the chance, even if the odds were against him.

Espio opened his eyes and challenged Vector's gaze once more. "The truth is, Vector... I've earned the enemy's trust. They are coming soon. To annihilate anyone who opposes them. Everyone in this world is going to die, Vector!... I'm trying to save those who are worth saving."

He waited for a response.

"Espio... Whadaya sayin'? Ya don't think we can win?" The crocodile began to understand.

"You weren't there, Vector. I fought him two years ago. I fought him with Sonic. With Shadow. I believed we could win. He toyed with us, Vector. We were no match for him. After 2 years you have all been doing what? Preparing?... do you think he's not doing the same?"

Vector felt a rage building inside of him. Was this the really the same friend he once thought of as his greatest teammate? His most wise companion? And dare he even think it... his best friend? The thoughts began to hurt him, until he snapped at his new enemy, "Did Sonic lose hope? Did Shadow lose hope? Did Knuckles, or Blaze lose hope? I may not have been there, Espio, but everyone else seems to have the idea that we shouldn't just give up even after losing you! So why should you?"

Espio began to see his fear would come true. No one would listen to him. He was alone in this.

"They believe in a false hope, Vector. They don't understand compromise. They are foolishly waiting for death!"

Espio took a fighting stance, one foot in front, one behind, hands at the ready. "I'm going to save you, Vector. Save you from death. Whether you like it or not!"

Vector clenched his fists, "I would rather die then live half a life!" His last words before rage enveloped him. He charged at the one he once called a friend, prepared to give this new enemy everything he had.