Chapter 6

"Its Agent Vancouver, there was a explosion at her post….she's' been declared MIA…"

The sentence kept repeating itself in Shadow's head over and over again, each time becoming colder and harder to believe ,'She cant' be gone…..she can't!"

"Shadow! Agent Shadow!'

Shadow ignored Nurse Ashley as he stormed through the hallways, the agents who saw him coming instantly getting out of the way, knowing better then to get in the path of a angry Shadow. He continued his march till he reached the Meeting War Room. The nurse grabbed his arm, trying to tell him he wasn't aloud in there at the moment, but he just pulled his arm away , kicking the door down with a single jerk. The Generals and Commanders instantly stood up (the rat-nerd hiding behind his precious projector). Making eye contact with Commander Tower; he was on him in a instant, knocking him out of his chair with a punch to his face, sending him flying into the wall. Shadow followed the assault sending another shattering punch against the commanders face and grabbing his front , as security tried to pull him off, "What's the meaning of this!" he shoved Claire's MIA form , personally signed by Commander," A solider has 48 hours before they are declared by MIA, and even then they are allowed a search party-"

"Its different-"

"HOW!" he screamed in the commanders face, "How the is it different!"

Commander tower grabbed Shadow's wrist, looking up and returning the glare, "She's a orphan, when filling out her will she filled out that if she were ever KIA to not come looking for her body-"

"That's no the same as MIA-"

"Let me finish! And Once Diagnosed with Genetic Disruption and come forth with that information, especially a sniper, forfeit's the rights to MIA. It was set up by General Spruce- "

" The 80 year old Scrooge? SO you're gong to leave her to die and you'll hide behind a Old man for it? A life is a life you cold bastage!" he threw him aside before turning to look on the crowd, now cowering in his presence, he pointed to two guard," YOU go get a chopper ready NOW! This is a order!"

The two, too afraid to fight against him, turned and ran down the hallway. Shadow, glared at the bleeding Commander for a moment before walking down the hallway, and into he locker room, pulling on his battle gear, no clothes this time, they would just get in the way, but he pulled on his weapons, including a heat-tracking lenses for his eye, a medical kit, and several rounds of ammunition.

Someone came in behind, turning Shadow saw the bloodied appearance of Commander behind him face enraged (rat-nerd dabbing at his face to try and get the blood),"I order you to STAND DOWN."

"Order Denied." Shadow shoved right by him, swinging his ak47 around his neck so it hung on his back, normally having so many weapons would make a normal soldiers knees buckles, but he was the exception, so was Claire…he would find her.

Entering the hangar he heard Tower running after ,"Dam it Shadow think about this, this is a suicide mission-"

Turning Shadow yelled right back," So it made it ok to send Claire? Just because she doesn't' live up to your genetic expectations? I used to RESPECT you but you lost it."

"What the HELL do you understand my daughter was-" he paused, Shadow paused, was Tower going to admit to having a daughter with Genetic Disorder? Or that maybe he knew all along that Claire was his daughter? But Commander gave out, "What the hell do you understand-"

"PLENTY!" turning he walked right up to his face, "I think you're jealous of Claire, jealous because she has a evolutionary advantage above so you could never be HALF the soldier she is!' there was a pause and Shadow noticed everyone in the hangar was starring at hem, seeing what would happen, securing his lenses he said, "Call Espio the Chameleon and ask him to come to GUN ,he can watch over Sari. And when I get back there are going to be MAJOR changes to the way you PEOPLE treat Disruptions." Shadow climbed into the helicopter and it closed after him, lifting up into the air.

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Sari woke up, the feeling of someone's hand her brow mad her flinch in pain, "Daddy?" opening her eyes she was shocked to see Espio sitting there, Mighty right by him

"Mr. Espio? Where's my Daddy?"

"He's' out on a mission, with Claire" he couldn't' tell her the truth…

"Oh…" she bowed her head, but then saw Mighty sit by her

"Don't worry Sari, your' dad's the toughest guy around! He'll be fine!"

"I hope so….."

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Shadow landed in blackened clearing cold rain pouring from above (which made him wish he had worn clothes), evidence of the detonation that presumably took Claire's life. Kneeling down he looked carefully, there was no sign of a bomb, no metal shrapnel. He stood up, besides that there was no sign of a body. Shadow quickly walked around the area, looking for something…

Then he saw a bend shriveled piece of metal on the ground by the out jutting cliff, picking it up he looked over it carefully, wiping it off till he saw the tell tale sign of the GUN logo. "So she was here." he looked towards the middle again, "If the bomb was there…then." he looked over the cliffs edge, own below there were several trees, branches broken off and disappearing into black. If the detonation had happened, then the blast would have sent her flying off the cliff, and not caught in the explosion as it was presumed. Shadow felt no relief in this, if anything it lowered Claire's rate of survival. Leaping down, he followed the broken branches down to the bottom, where a indent in the ground indicated where she would of landed but there was no sign of a body. Looking around he looked carefully at the bushes , had she been drug off by one of Eggman's robots? They were certainly common, looking down carefully he saw she hadn't been drug…looking at the bushes he quickly ran over, pulling the leaves back, "Claire?" he asked quietly.

The leaves shook then fell, revealing a worse-for-worn past-out Claire, her body was covered in burns, none life-threatening as far as he could see, her sunglasses hanging loosely, and broken, off her face. She was covered in camouflage she had woven from the leaves that had fallen. Probably to hide from the robots until she could get her strength back. Relieved he ran over to her and knelt down, without touching her (to keep from Scaring her) he simply said, "Claire."

The girl sat up instantly, gun in position to fire, but when she saw who it was, her eyes filled with relief ,"Shadow…"then fell forward

Shadow quickly caught her, hand on her back and tried to shake her, "Claire, you need to stay awake ok? " if she fell asleep with too much blood-loss there was a chance she wouldn't wake up. Best he could do was try to treat her wounds, reaching into his bag he pulled out a med-kit and opened it, "Tell me what happened ok?"

Claire nodded weakly, closing her eyes to try to remember. Shadow understood, most bomb victims couldn't even remember the initial detonation. He lifted her arm and started to gauze off the burns

"I remember…being late…because my back was bothering me….I got there and saw the target…then…..then someone….snuck up behind me….I….thought…it was you….but…it wasn't.'….."

"who?" he wrapped her hands carefully someone who looked like him? That could be anyone (he got mistaken for other people quite often), luckily there were nothing broken so far , he pulled off her ruined sunglasses, moved her head and started shining a small light into her glazed eyes, "Your dilation is normal…and there's' no blood in the mouth…, lean forward so I can check your organs."

Claire, closed her tired eyes laughing weakly and did as she was old, feeling a cold stethoscope against her back, "Didn't know you could play Doctor…."

Shadow didn't' think this so amusing, being so focused on checking for injuries, "I'm not, but when I was on the ARK we would get soldiers regularly and Maria and I would help with treating them." he listened carefully, "I don't sense any internal bleeding." to be sure he pulled up the back of her shirt to make sure there was no discoloration. Satisfied he circled to her front, feeling her pulse in her neck, "what happened next?"

"He said that….there could be no witnesses of Eggmans' new Home Base….and …..and he dropped this ball of energy …it detonated and I went flying off the cliff…." she shivered slightly as she remembered the initial incident, "I-I-woke up and it was raining…I was in so much pain…but I needed to get cover, so I drug myself here ad made myself some cameo….I thought that if I could rest for a little bit I could get the strength to walk …but I must of fallen asleep…." her voice became droopy and tired.

Shadow looked at her again, hand on her face as he tapped her face, then felt her forehead, it was warm and wet from rain, no sign of shock, "Come on Soldier stay with me, where does it hurt?"

Claire nodded to her left leg weakly. Shadow slid down, pulling off he camouflage he drew his head back, face flinched, her thigh covered in painful tree pieces probably from trees exploding, and pulled out a knife cutting the legging off and getting a clearer picture, the pieces wasn't deep but they were numerous, blood flowing off the pieces gently, this needed to be treated now, he looked back on Claire ,"Kid, I'm going to treat your leg, but this going to hurt so don't kick me ok?"

The girl nodded weakly, resting against the tree to her side.

After what seemed to be hours of work, Shadow tore apart the legging he had cut from her pants and began to wrap her leg, "I'm sorry I don't have decent bandages , how are you feeling?"

"Better…"

"good, we need to get moving I did my best but you need a real doctor, can you stand/"

Claire, paused then grabbed the tree by her, and started pulling herself up with Shadow's help. Testing her leg , it gave out for moment but stayed, "I can handle it."

Shadow nodded, then looked around, the ground, "Where's your gear?"

Claire nodded weakly to her left and he went there, pulling out the covered sniper rifle probably put up for its protection against the elements(snipers instinct) and tossed it over to her before swinging her bag onto his back, before looking at her again , his eyes sad, "I'm sorry I can't carry you back, but if I did then I couldn't protect you.'

Claire must of seen his worry because she said, "OH please I'm a agent of GUN, I could protect myself AND you without breaking a sweat.'

Shadow looked up and down saw her confident face, trying to give HIM strength, which, oddly enough, it did. He smiled back, ak47 to the front, "Very well then Soldier, lets move out."

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"Commander Tower, there are Mobians here to see you."

The Commander, eyes black from Shadow pummeling his face, turned to the Private, having been staring at paper work for quite some time since Shadow left on his 'hero' mission. So right now the thought of talking to MORE Mobians wasn't so pleasant, "Who are they?"

"He says his name is Sonic the Hedgehog, and company."

"Sonic/" great , the only thing in this universe as annoying as Shadow, "Bring him in."

The private nodded and ran out and Commander stood up, ready to deal with him. After a few minutes Sonic walked in, followed by several other Mobians who, the Commander dint recognize, which included a chameleon, a red echidna with a crescent on his chest, a small armadillo holding the hand of a small hedgehog with blue and black hair ,'Shadows adopted daughter.' he reminded himself, and a chipmunk girl with blue vest and brown hair and mentally cursed himself, 'Spit…..'

Sonic crossed his arms, "Hello Commander, long time no see."

"Sonic, its always a pleasure to have you here." he saluted, mostly on ground with no feeling behind it, " you may be allowed to visit as you please, but its not a museum,"

"Oh we know Commander, we're here on business."

"What kind of business?" but he already knew

"We're here to talk about the policies your General set up concerning the Genetic Disruption soldiers," he waved his hand behind him ,"and we're here to represent clans and nations who do not like this principal, for example, Knuckles is her representing the Guardians , yes all of them. Espio is here representing the Shinobi clan, and all of the Dragon Kingdom in place , with blessings of Monkey Khan, and Sally," taking the hand of the chipmunk girl ," Represents the Acorn kingdom as its Princess, and my incredibly hot girlfriend. And me, well, I'm here as the Hero of Mobius and all that jazz."

"And the kids?" how did they even hear about it so quickly?

"Oh well, they're here because they're just so adorable.' Sonic put his hands on the kids shoulders, '"Aren't they?"

Commander growled slightly, but Sari walked forward, her eyes full of sadness, " You really didn't' tell Daddy to not help Claire? We all like Claire, and I know you do to."

At this sweet and innocent voice he was forced to turn his head, unable to keep it up," its not under my control, I care fore all my soldiers, no matter the background or genetics, but I have to carry out The Generals commands."

"HA knew it! I knew you weren't' a bad guy! Shadow can exaggerate a little bit, especially when he's furious. I'm lucky he didn't destroy the phone when he called me." Sonic grinned, "So Commander, do you want to let your soldiers to die unnecessary deaths, or do you want to do something about it?"

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Shadow looked back on Claire, they had made slow, painful time through the jungle but he dare not to ask her to walk faster then she could. He knew she was in a lot of pain, and her face was becoming pale, had he missed something with his treatment? He set his gun down ,"We're taking a break."

Claire nodded, stumbling over to a branch and sitting down, elbows on her knees as she panted heavily, hand to her head, "D-Dang….guess I'm more winded then I thought. She laughed weakly smiling. Shadow walked over feeling her forehead, her skin was becoming pale and clammy, "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine Shadow, worry about yourself ok?"

Shadow growled slightly, this mission wasn't going very well, he wanted so badly just to carry her back to base but then he couldn't' protect her from Eggmans' machines that were sure to attack, he kept telling himself that slow and steady was the way, that this way they could hide when seeing a robot, or rest when they need it…but seeing Claire in pain made his heart ache. He put a hand on her back gently, "WE will make it back."

She looked at him, smiling, "Well duh Shadow, did you ever doubt it?"

Shadow paused then smiled back but he heard something break and he turned round, hand to his gun. "where-"

Claire stood up to, her hand pistols in her hands, their instincts on high alert. Shadow focused all his sense on his ears, seeing as his eyes could be deceived…where….

There was a crash behind them and Shadow barely had time to grab Claire and jump before the trees exploded into flames where they had been. A huge robot climbed out the debris, covering their exit. And as it rose up, nearly the size of the first 4 stories of the GUN building, Shadow felt his heart stop as he remembered the name of this certain robot, one that he had seen Eggman spent many nights working on

The Chaos Killer.

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"So now you know our terms, and we have been discussing this for about 3 hours now, will you take our terms or will you let our Humane lawyers come in and 'de throne you'?"

'Dang that's' hot.' Sonic thought to himself, he loved seeing Sally talking politics and verbally stripping a politically corrupted man till he had no choice but to surrender. Yup He loved having a girlfriend who was as hot as they were smart. Looking over he saw Tower standing with him, he knew Tower had a heart, but it was just hard for him to show. Then looked at the man behind the desk, now while Sonic normally had respect for officers, this man looked as unpleasant as could be, his skin wrinkly, his hair dotted with liver spots and sparse in a attempt to grow hair back, his beady eyes glaring at all of them. Sonic couldn't blame the old man (almost ) he was from a decrepit time. It was hard to change your ways. He glanced over at Tower again, eh looked like he wanted to say something…

"Absolutely not!" came the raspy voice of the General, "this has been a long standing rule for many years, before any of your FATEHRS were born, I'm not going to change tradition for you ANIMALS-"

Sonic got ready to step forward, but he felt hand on his shoulder, looking up he saw Commander Tower nod to him before stepping forward, saluting General Spruce, " General, if I may have a word.'

The General stood up, hand saluting back, "Proceed Commander."

"General, I've seen these soldiers at work everyday, soldiers with Genetic Disorder I mean, they are some of the finest soldiers I have ever seen. Brave, willing, and with a profound love for their country. I know you hate them because of what you've seen in the past, I did to….."

The General, truly listening for the first time (Half way tuning out Princess sally before)

"But 17 years ago I had affair with a nurse, and it gave birth to a baby girl, a baby girl with Genetic Disorder, the nurse died and I gave her up for adoption. Not because I couldn't' handle a affair on my record, but I couldn't' handle the thought of my own child having that disease. For a long time afterwards I forgot all about her, but now every time I see a person with genetic disorder I would wonder if they were my child. And after my son became traitor, I regretted not having my daughter with me, if I could change the past I could, but the fact is these are GOOD soldiers. The best of the best, and they deserve the right to decide their fates…."

A daughter? Sonic looked at Tower surprised, he gave up his daughter for adoption? He never took Tower to be so cold, at any point in time, but the sorrow in his eyes let Sonic know that Tower regretted it. Looking back on the General, he knew that the decision was ultimately up to him…

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Shadow went flying back into a cliff edge, sliding to the ground his gun fell out of his bleeding hand, grabbing the wall he forced himself back up weakly, "dam-dam it…" he stood and watched Claire charge the monster next, only to be thrown to the side once, he winced, but felt helpless, there ammo couldn't' penetrate the Chaos Killers awesome defenses, and none of his spears could break through. Running forward he slid behind her hand on her cold back (a bad sign), "Claire are you ok?" he looked up at the insane monster, before looking back down on her.

Panting Claire stood back up, her ak47 back in her hands as she smiled back at Shadow, "Nah….I'm fine….." and laughed weakly, "I think we're wearing it down." then started to cough hard,

Shadow became even more worried he looked at her back and, through her white shirt, could see her skin was discolored, indicating a internal wound and swore to himself, how did he miss it? "This isn't' funny Claire, look you run and I'll fight it off.'

"No way Shadow, if anything you're' going to run."

"What? Don't be stupid-'

"Oh grow up!" Claire looked at Shadow angrily, which surprised him to say the least, 'Look you have a family back home. A daughter, and good friends and a nation that needs you. I don't have anything. My father gave me up, I killed my brother for a mission, and I'm a outcast to society, I have nothing to live for." cocking her gun she turned to run at the monster when Shadows hand shot out and grabbed her wrist and yanked back so hard that Claire fell back into the dirt coughing, turning she found herself looking into Shadows furious red eyes, (obviously not happy), "Shadow what-"

"How the hell can you say you haven nothing to live for! I didn't come all the way here, hijacking a helicopter and punching the commander in the FACE to save a suicidal fool! I came to save someone worth saving, you have Sari, for goodness sake you have ME, I wouldn't' be here if I didn't' care you stupid girl!"

His words drew her back, "Sh-Shadow…"

"And if I so much as hear you say that again I WILL kick you ASS so bad you'll WISH I had left you to die!" he glanced at the monster before looking back on Claire, "NOW I'm making sure we BOTH get out of this , you got that soldier?"

Tears in her eyes, she nodded, quickly she tired to hide them From, "Darn it you can be such a jerk."

"I know."

Claire smiled weakly then her face turned frantic and the next thing Shadow knew something shoved into his chest and sent him flying back into the dust as the robot raised a foot and slammed right where they had been

'CLAIRE!" he screamed, feeling paralyzed, not after all this hell…..she couldn't be….. The dust settled and the robot raised its foot. Running over Shadow peered down, praying for her survival but was surprised to see a body not there, "where-" looking to the sides frantically, then the dust began to settle and he saw the outline of a lying body in the distance ( a few kilos off). Running forward he slid by it his heart stopping.

Claire lay there, her discolored skin now showing through her shirt, her lips were red and his breath was weak, "Why didn't I see it sooner…"he asked himself angrily….she looked so dead… he felt a enormous weight on his chest, almost like grief…

"Sh-Shadow?" a weak voice broke through his subconscious, he quickly opened his eyes to see her peering up at him, "Claire!" he made quick glance at the robot before looking at her, "are you ok?" he glanced up to see the robot heading in there direction, but at a slow pace.

"I've been better, I'll say that…." she laughed weakly, which made the edged of Shadows mouth twitch as he knelt by her his hand on her face

,"Just don't move too much Claire….."

"Shadow…..if I die….."

The word increased the weight on his chest "You're not going to die, you'll be fine-"

"But if I do…just know I was happy I could be meet you, I was happy I could help Sari…and I was happy to be your friend….." she started to cough weakly. For the first time in many years, Shadow felt helpless, he couldn't save Maria, he couldn't save Remus….and now he couldn't even save Claire then something wet started running down his face. Confused he reached up to feel his face, what is…..'" He looked at his hand to see it was pure liquid, "tears? Why-why am I crying!" he demanded, he hadn't cried since Maria died…. He quickly wiped off his face with the back of his arm, "dam it must of broken my tear ducts…or the rain got in my eye….."

The feeling of helplessness started to fade…feeding another emotion, something that had laid in the darkest corners of his heart for years…it began to crawl up, consuming all of his emotions of self doubt and self-pity. Sending a heat through his body warming his bones, the rain now evaporating before it even touched his skin, his inhibitor rings started to glow white, empowered by the heat of his flesh. His normally clear mind became clouded with thoughts and memories of his past and present. Disorienting his perspective. He gently stroked Claries hair out of her face, and asked a single phrase, "Do you trust me?"

"Would I be here if I didn't?" she gave a single laugh, her eyes too clouded to see the steam that was rising from his body.

"Good…then I will protect you…Maria….." eh stood up and turned to face the Chaos Killer, which was now stomping towards him, slowly Shadow walked towards it, to meet it away from where Claire lay in pain. Almost by instinct he took reached down his left arm, fingering his inhibitor ring, before taking it off and tossing it to the side, the red energy surged over his body, a burning pleasant feeling filled his chest. A feeling of being powerful…this was all he needed…he raised his hands above his head, summoning the energy from deep inside his chest. This is who he was.

The Chaos Killer stopped just before him raising its fists high into the air it started to bring them down, to complete its cold mission.

But Shadow just smiled and uttered two words,

"Chaos Blast."

Red energy instantly started to grow from his body, the robot immediately started to disintegrate at its touch fading to nothing. The trees breaking at his will and the storm cloud formed above his head reacting to the Chaos that now covered his body. Laughing cruelly he raised his hands above his head, the energy surging and twisting into a single mass spreading around him and expanding. This was REAL power!

Suddenly something started to nag his mind, a voice of reason that uttered a single word.

Claire.

The feeling of 'almighty' wore off and the cold realization came over him, Claire would never survive this if she was hit by his blast! Desperately Shadow tried to draw it back in," No….no!" his mind started to burn as the Chaos willed against him, THEY were in charge, not him. This was no gift, but a curse. Shadow started to scream in pain, falling to his knees and grabbing his head, "CONTROL IT!" he yelled at himself, he had to do it before it was too late! Seeing something off to the side he saw the gold inhibitor ring lay there, like a beacon of hope. Weakly he reached over to it and pulled it onto his wrist. Immediately the pain stopped and the blast faded. As did the energy and all he could was fall forward, the cool rain fell against his skin, reminding him he was back….the monster was gone….raising his head off the mud he saw Claire still laying there, unaffected by the Blast, but was she still alive? Weakly he started to crawl over, every twitched his nerves sent a pain down his body but he didn't care, he had to see her…..finally his hand fell on hers, he looked at her face sadly, "Cla-Claire?" he willed her to open her eyes and look at him….but they remained shut.

IN despair, Shadow's arms gave out as he fell on his face, the 'broken tear ducts' allowed tears to run down his face, "No…."

Suddenly there was a twitch in his hand, he could feel Claries hand respond to his. Raising his head weakly he saw it twitch again, this was no fluke and a great relief spread through him, "Thank…..goodness…" then the world went black.

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"There! Over there I see them! Agent Shadow and Agent Vancouver!"

Who are they?

He felt a hand against his throat "They're' badly hurt, but I think they're going to make it, we need the chopper here now!"

His mind faded in and out of consciousness, was this real? His hand twitched around Claire's gently, and a pained smiled flowed across his face, yes…GUN had come to help her…she was going to be ok….

He felt her hand being pulled away. His eyes shot open and he saw a medic trying o pry her hand out his. By instinct his hand shot out and grabbed the Medics front, pulling him dangerously close to Shadows face and growled, "If you separate us I will hunt you down and tear you apart, and throw your soul into the sun, got it?"

Then he passed out again

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When he next woke up, he was lying in a clean medical bed, Claire lay asleep in a bed by him, her face full of color and healthy which brought relief to Shadow, "Thank God…."

He heard the door open and looked towards it, and saw Sari standing in the door way, her gold eyes full of tears and he felt confused, "Sari, what-"

She ran over and buried her face in his lap, sobbing uncontrollably , speaking quickly, "don't do it ever again Daddy! If you do I'll never forgive you! Not ever ever ever-'

"Wait a minute wait a minute." he quickly pulled Sari into his arms (now sure that Claire wasn't dead)wiping her eyes ,"Whats wrong with you-"

"You scared me to death, Daddy! When-when you came in I thought you were dead! You didn't respond no matter how many times I said your name Daddy!" she buried her face into his shoulder sobbing, "Don't do it….ever again."

Shadow's confusion faded into relief which brought a tired smile to his face, as he held her tightly, "I swear I wont…I'm sorry I scared you so badly …"

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Few days later, after Claire and Shadow were cleared from the hospital.

Claire pulled on the last of her formal military uniform, her aching leg protesting the weight of her body, which she quickly distributed to her cane, the doctors said it would take sometime for the wounds to heal, but that they would. Which was a miracle, but in the mean time she would be stuck in her room with nothing to do. She sighed, the price for a miracle she assumed. She was about to head for the door when Shadow came in, his face serious, a stack of papers in his hands ( nerd-rat behind him)

"Shadow-"

He set a piece of paper on the table, "Sign this."

"what is-"

"Just do it."

Claire ,without having time to read it over, quickly signed it. Shadow whisked it away and handed it to Rat-nerd "Congratulations you just became the God-mother of Sari Shadow. With Rat Nerd Lawyer/Scientists as witness."

"Wait, I what-"

"Now sign this, " he put another piece of paper on the table

"can I please just read it-"

"No. Sign."

Sighing loudly she quickly signed it too

"And now, you have authorized searches for you if you were to ever become MIA again"

"Wait -what-"

"You're welcome." he grabbed the suitcase she had, and tossed it to the Nerd-Rat, "Put this with her other things."

"My other things?" had Shadow lost his mind?

"You'll be staying with me and Sari while you recover, its better then staying here."

Claire sat down, cane in her hands, unsure of what to say then just smiled," thanks Shadow."

"Don't mention it." then his smile turned slightly dark," SO you like the new uniform GUN sent you?"

Claire looked down on herself," yeah but it's a little weird they only give these to Lieutenant-" she pause, raising her gaze slowly to see the dark laughter in Shadows eyes, "Shadow-"

"Congratulations on your new Promotion."

"Promotion? Shadow what the HELL did you do?"

"Just recommended you for Lance Corporal, just a few positions below me. You'll get more missions but there's also a required.' his evil smile widen, "required meeting time'"

"Shadow you didn't-"

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A few hours later

"And in the Mobian Jungle, enemy activity has decreased by 4.3% which is also the amount Enemy activity has increased in the Marshland."

Claire and Shadow sat at the far end of the table, listening in to Nerd Rat drone on about statistics. Claire had her fingers to her forehead rubbing her head as though trying to dig the Rat Nerds voice out of her head as Shadow sat beside her, almost giddy with joy at her misery.

Clare turned to look at Shadow miserably,'" And here I thought we were friends."

"we are , and like you said, 'misery loves company.'"

"I think you just like to see people be miserable."

"It wouldn't be a lie if I said I didn't a little joy out of it." he couldn't keep the evil smirk off his face

"As soon as the meeting is over I'm SOOO going to kick your ass."

"OH please you couldn't even do it when you're leg was healed.' he gave loud laugh, which brought the other Generals looking in her direction

"IS there something wrong, Agent Shadow?" demanded the Rat Nerd

"no No of course not continue." he waved his coffee at him, feet propped on the table. Looking at Claire he held out a second cup, "This make us square?"

Claire glared at hem before taking the coffee, "For NOW.'" she took a sip

"See? Isn't' Meeting coffee better then normal lounge coffee?"

"Surprisingly yes." then held out her cup to Shadow,' A toast to our most difficult mission yet?"

Shadow gave a shallow laugh before tapping cup against hers, "Cheers."

"