June 13th 3235
Outside Robotropolis central spire
Chris reloaded his BR55. Jimmy and Johnny died like heroes back there. There was no going back now. The rest of his team seemed depressed, fatigued and stretched out. And after what happened over the past couple of days he didn't blame them. But then, Chris thought about Jimmy and Johnny, about how they never had a chance to give them a proper burial. That only made him depressed. That he had let down his fellow men, his comrades. He would remember the two brothers always. Most of the team was upset. Truth be told, some of them were actually in tears. Before, some of them made sacrifices,
Some had seen some of their men die before them, but never had any die so willing to save another, and at the same time relinquish themselves from pain. Nevertheless, they had a job to do, and Chris wasn't going to let depression to become a problem in saving the galaxy. Over the COM, he could hear Tails sniffling, apparently he had watched the entire episode up high. Chris opened a private channel. "Are you OK, buddy?" Tails sniveled once then cleared up. "Yea, I'm fine." But still, it was a bad cover-up. "Don't worry Tails. Soon this'll all be over and we can live in peace for good. We will take care of Eggman and believe me, we couldn't have made it without you." Tails's voice was steady. "Yea, I guess so. Well you had better get to it. I'll be watching." The comm. snapped off.
Sally was now crying. That was two teammates gone, and one had willingly given up his mortal life for them to live. She wasn't ready for war, she never liked it. As a matter of fact, nothing was stopping her from staying back in that throne room, tending to the kingdom's needs, supporting the people in the time of crisis, but no. She had decided to go because the ones she cared about were going to risk their lives for them too in the fight to stop Eggman: Sonic, Chris, Knuckles, Ryan, Johnson and the others. She cared for all of them. They were doing this for her parents. For her. And that was why she stayed.
Sonic's morale had hit rock bottom. "That's it, this is totally bogus. I can't believe that I'm even here. I could've been back in the city where I could've been safe. But I had to come along waiting for fatso to blow us to ribbons." He then took a canteen from out of nowhere and took a long drink.
Ryan said. "Well, we have no doubts, do we Sarge?" Johnson smiled at the merc. "You know, boy? You're alright by me. I have no doubts, I've been dedicated to kicking some Covenant hindquarters before I came here. And now with Doctor Frankenstein here waiting to unleash a giant robotic steamroller on humanity, I say I have no regrets doing this." Those were words to be envious of.
The Central spire was at the very center of the city, which made it easier to spot. They met outside a 20-foot wide door, which was an elevator. It was wide open beckoning them to come in. Sonic looked triumphant. "OK, here's the elevator, all we have to do is go up, fire a few shots, and old fat face will be crying like a baby. Easy bucks, guys."
Sally interjected. "I don't think it'll be as easy as that. Eggman wasn't known for weakness. He'll probably have a giant robotic watchdog waiting to dismember us.
Knuckles agreed. "She has a point you know." Johnson cut in, "Cut the garbage talk, marines. Now do we have a job to do or not?" They all moved into the elevator when Tails cut in. "Guys, guys! Emergency red alert in you area!" Chris answered. "What is it Tails?" "Two words, robot army! There is a giant army of Eggman's drones inbound on you position, estimate over 10,000 troops present not counting vehicles." Chris swore aloud. That was bad news. Catastrophic. 10,000 troops? They'd be dead inside of one minute. "We can go up and capture Eggman." Sonic suggested. Tails chewed that one out. "Negative. That would give ample time for the troops to break into the spire." Knuckles said, alarmed. "Then what can we do?" Chris thought. Then found an idea. It was suicidal though. "I'll stay." "What!" They all asked surprised. "I'll stay." Chris said firmly. "I'll give you guys some time to get to Eggman. And finish him." Sonic looked at Chris, his green eyes wide with grief. "You're joking. Tell me you're joking!" Chris still looked poker-faced. "But, think, man! 10,000 robots! You can't do it alone!" "He won't do it alone." Ran said, heaving a shotgun. "I'll go with him." "And we will too." Said Carl, speaking for all of Chris's squad. Johnson stepped up and said. "Boy, I am with you all the way!" he gripped Chris's shoulder. "The Chief would be proud of you." Knuckles said. "Why?" Chris said, "I'll tell you why, because it's our job, to protect and serve. We're protecting you and serving our corps. That should be enough. Sonic looked utmost worried, hatred for Chris forgotten. "Are you sure?" Chris smiled. "I'm sure." Sally said, "We'll be thanking you when you come back." Chris smiled remorsefully. " That's the thing: I don't think I'll be coming back from this mission." Those were the words. Just then, Sally flung her arms around him. Chris could see that she started to cry again. Sonic shuffled angrily but it passed. And then, she kissed him on his cheek for what seemed like hours. "That was for luck. I wish there was another way." She said. Chris sighed. "I wish there was too." She walked away sadly. Sonic looked at Chris piercing his gaze. 'What was that about?' Sonic motioned. Chris shrugged his shoulders. 'stuff happens, I guess' he mimed. The marines watched the freedom fighters walk into the elevators and lift up out of site. Johnson looked at Chris. "No girlfriend, huh?" he smiled heartily. "Shut up." Said Chris returning the smile. "OK, people, we don't have much time, we need to dig in." This took several minutes since the ground was already creviced in blast craters and cracks, which made finding cover easy."Army approaching at 12 o' clock." Tails chimed. "I heard about everything. I'm gonna miss you guys." He then broke down. This is the way it's gotta be, my friend. "Yeah I guess so, Its just that I'll never see you again." Chris sighed. "I know Tails, I know
The dig in was complete. Their guns rose. Ryan had a seemingly infinite supply of bullets
The army was less than a kilometer away. Just then. Chris remembered everything, about all of the sadness this war had caused. Jimmy, Johnny, Thyris II, Eridanus III, Earth. He was not going to let Earth become one of the planets decimated into Oblivion, nor would he let Eggman harm Earth any more than he had done already. He looked foreword, knowing that his life could end in a matter of moments. "Ready, guys?" their guns sighted. "OPEN FIRE!" and they all did at once.