Chapter 8: Team Meeting

Fiona could tell her boyfriend was still in pain just by the way he moved. She'd ask if he needed anything and he kept declining, but the injuries he'd sustained will eventually catch up with him. Tails, however, wanted to continue and worry about his well being after the work was done. It was this stubbornness that worried not just his girlfriend, but the team. He had the same tenacity as Sonic and Knuckles, but he just wasn't built like them.

While the couple rested, Drago left the tanker and tried contacting his friend who'd helped find Tails, Fiona and Starr in the first place. It was around 9 PM so right now, G.U.N's focus would be guarding the main communications tower downtown. The wolf stayed in the shadows as he moved, cutting through alleyways and underpasses while waiting for a reply from his associate. he knew there had to be a reason why there weren't many guards out tonight.

He stopped abruptly on this one way street and drew his sharp claws. "I can smell perfume on one of you ladies. Come out, you can't sneak up on me."

"Wow, he's pretty good," Starr said as she walked into view. "...what's the matter, get tired of sitting on the ship?"

"I needed some space, but guess that went straight to hell..." Drago responded.

"Hey, we're on the same side-"

"I don't think we are."

"What is your problem? This whole time, you've been acting like WE did something wrong!"

"I'm used to doing this alone because I've been stung before. By friends. Forgive me if I'm not skipping down the yellow brick road with you."

Falke Joined the group next. "You remind me of my old drill instructor. He was intense and would burst like a time bomb."

"Oh, you were a shrink, eh."

"I was brought up by military men and women who were betrayed by G.U.N. My uncle Willard lost his mind because of people like Millay. Believe me, I know the score."

Drago raised his fist in a genuine show of respect, then turned to the elemental. "And you? Care to share your story?"

Starr paused before answering. "...I woke up one day and levitated half of my house before realizing I had telekinesis. So, I ran away from home and thought I could learn how to live with it by listening to Sonic's brother Manic. Turns out, he wasn't a good teacher or a friend. I freaked out, he stuck me with a cure but it didn't kill the power completely, and now I've got these suppressed powers. You know the rest."

Drago's phone vibrated in his pocket so he pulled it out and read the text, while Starr and Falke looked on.

"Finally!" He exclaimed. "Buddy took forever to get back to me, but I've got a lead to work with, now."

"And who exactly is 'buddy'?" Falke asked.

"He goes by Nero. He owns the drone Tails smashed."

"So, that means he's the one who put him in the hospital, right." Starr said. "Doesn't that make him a bad guy?"

"I guess, but he's useful. Now I don't have to wait on Prower, I've got an inside guy on the phone."

As the tall wolf walked past Starr, she grasped his arm and turned him around to face her.

"This doesn't sound like a good idea at all, Drago. Think about it-"

He pulled away and continued down the road. "You two can play with your thumbs all night, I'm going out for some action. Shadow me if you want or stay here, I couldn't care less."

She exhaled and looked at Falke. "I hate him."

They followed Drago down the street and disappeared just before a G.U.N vehicle spotted them. Greenhill City would be kept up all night by the sirens and shouting all around town. Drago led the destruction of Central while Starr and Falke cleared a path through soldiers and vehicles. Her magenta energy and his military expertise proved to be too much for the patrolmen to handle.

Stunts like this made Millay nervous while she overlooked the Tiltyard. If these teenagers were more than capable of this, was there a line they wouldn't cross?

The trio returned to the tanker a few hours after their assault, bringing stolen items into the large beige room Tails slept in. Starr curled up next to Falke on a twin bed, while Drago laid back on a white leather couch. Fiona was making breakfast in a small kitchenette at 7 when Drago smelled the bacon, then walked over to wake her boyfriend.

"Wake up. Clocks' ticking." He said.

"Hey!" Fiona called out from behind a counter. "He needs to rest!"

"He's rested long enough. This is important."

Tails yawned and sat up. "What's up?"

"I know a way we can your SAGE program back, but I need your help getting inside the Tiltyard."

"What for? I highly doubt they'd keep it on school grounds."

"The guy who knows where it'd be is there. So, if we can get in and make him squeal, we're home free." Drago said as he rummaged through a crate.

As Starr started to stir, Tails got out of bed and shook his head. "There's just the matter of the military government patrolling the streets."

"I guess you missed the news. There's been incidents in several different Zones and G.U.N's had to send reinforcements out there. For the first time in forever, Millay's douchebags aren't at full strength in Greenhill, we saw that first hand last night. So, I say we send Stargirl and Soldier boy out to rip shit up outside of town while we capitalize. Of all the times to strike, NOW is the time!"

The fox looked over at the couple, unsure about this idea.

"Sounds too risky-"

The wolf growled in response. "Well, then what's your plan? Get thrown into another pit and have us wait on you, again?"

Fiona walked over angrily. "Listen, dickhead-"

Tails stopped her from striking him. "It's fine. He's right. We can't just sit here...but, if anything happens to the team, then I'll throw you into the deep, myself."

Drago blew kisses to both foxes and made his way up to the deck. "I wanna be out there before 8. Let's move it."

Tails ignored him and approached Starr's bed. "Are you guys okay with this? I don't trust him."

"Neither do I, but he knows what he's talking about, Tails. Me and Falke can handle this. You be careful with him, I have a feeling he has his own agenda."

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Stay in touch with Sonia, okay? We'll meet up at her place."

He got up and walked over to Fiona in the kitchenette for a word in private. Outside, Drago hopped around the various crates littered on the ship's deck while waiting to move out. His backflips and corkscrew dives didn't impress neither Starr or Falke as they crossed the deck, though he hardly needed praise from the team. To him, this was an extended vacation in which he got to hurt people, and that was his only goal. Whatever emotions he felt, he did a good job at hiding them.

After 5 more minutes of waiting, he spotted Tails and Fiona but he looked confused. "Where's the rest of the team? Surely the three of us aren't enough!"

"We're going to meet them out there," Tails answered. "I don't wanna put anyone else at risk."

Fiona crossed her arms and glanced over the railing at the ocean. "So, whose the guy we're looking for?"

"His name is Ginger, but everybody calls him Gin. My friend Nero told me this ass kisser cried to Millay 'til she let him into the Tiltyard, guy should be in college but wanted to stick around, I guess."

"Gin? The football jock?" Tails asked

"Ah, so you know the target."

"Who is he, Miles?"

"Some bully I met in my sophomore year. This meathead was offered a football scholarship but took the easy route instead. He's an even bigger asshole than Drago...I can't wait to finally give him what he deserves."

Drago chuckled. "I knew I could motivate you, Prower. Now, lead the way."

The prospect of returning the favour to Gin sure motivated Tails, and as he snuck his group into the Tiltyard, his heart raced the entire time. He wasn't scared, he was excited for this confrontation. When Gin couldn't bully him, he moved on to other kids he knew he could and never stopped. Tails felt guilty for not standing up to the jock years ago, so now was his chance to do just that.

It was pure coincidence that Gin happened to be one of Millay's figureheads who knew the secrets of the office.

Tails once again used large groups of students as cover for the trio, and nobody said a word as they trekked through the school. They found Gin in the math department, but they'd have to wait until he was alone before they could strike. It took another 10 minutes but it was worth the wait. Drago and Tails ran up behind the 20 year old football star and Fiona held the boys washroom door open as they bum rushed him inside. Tails kept his mouth covered and quickly threw him head first into a stall before his girlfriend slammed the door shut and locked it.

"WHAT THE F-"

A left hook from Drago silenced Gin, then he performed a pressure point attack that kept the giant writhing in pain as he sat against the wall.

"Listen close, meathead." The wolf ordered. "We're looking for the SAGE program and I know Millay would've told you something about where they keep it. Now talk!"

Gin made eye contact with Tails and looked shocked. "Th-they threw you inside the - Innercity! How- AUGH!"

Drago slapped him. "Don't you be worrying about Prower, just answer my question."

"DUDE! I don't know where she keeps it! I just - OW! I'm just supposed to report things inside these walls! I swear!"

Tails got face to face with him. "You spent three years bullying my friends when I wasn't here - Marcus tried to KILL himself because of the shit you put him through! And now, you're a rat for queen bitch. You're pathetic, Ginger."

"I didn't have a choice!"

"Yes you did. You chose to be a coward."

"Alright, let's speed this up."

Drago reached into his left coat pocket and revealed a long pairing knife that immediately got Gin's attention. Tails' eyes widened but he didn't object to this. Fiona, however, thought this was going too far.

"Put that away, NOW!" She ordered as she stepped forward.

Tails got in the way. "We just need him to talk. Besides, this asshole needs to know how it feels to be scared."

Gin tried to jump back but Drago kept him seated. "Fox team leader thinks I won't do it, but unlike these two, I'm CRAZY. So-"

"Hey, hey - WAIT WAIT WAIT! Please!"

"TALK!"

"Bro, I don't know where she keeps it BUT I know she communicates with the superiors through encrypted messages on a super computer! That's all I know, please don't cut me, man!"

"Where's this computer?!"

"Her office!"

The wolf released the pressure point and uppercutted Gin which instantly knocked him out. The jock slumped against the wall and Drago put his knife away as he stood.

"Don't need him running to the nearest guard, now."

Fiona struck him in the chest twice before Tails pulled her back. "You are a psychopath!"

"Yeah, you got that right. Hey, you guys notice how there's been a lack of guards around? Maybe we'll get to rough up some goons outside!"

"We're taking the computer and leaving, that's it." Tails said.

"Let's get that computer and be done with it, then. You guys are no fun and I'm sick of being here."

She turned to her boyfriend. "Don't tell me you're okay with this?!"

Tails shook his head. "He does things I couldn't ever do, alright? Gin deserves every shitty thing coming his way, Fiona. Trust me."

Drago unlocked the washroom door and held it open for the couple. "Paradise awaits, lovers."

"You're not using that knife on anybody in here, Drago." Fiona said. "I don't care if it's a bully or a guard, nobody is dying!"

He turned around and laughed. "I seem to remember a time when you were into the same - shit."

Drago, Tails and Fiona froze on the spot as they made eye contact with Mr. Kent. The skinny math teacher was sent out to patrol the halls since the guards who normally do that have been called into action. The halls were empty because everyone was in class, and Mr. Kent had just stumbled upon number 1 on Millay's list.

Mr. Kent wasn't a physical man so he'd need the guards to help subdue Tails and his friends.

"Hey there, professor," Drago greeted nervously. "We're all friends here, yeah?"

Mr. Kent's hands twitched suddenly, a small nuance Tails recognized. He was scared.

"Nothing needs to happen, buddy. Me and my friends will be outta your hair in a minute-"

"Miles Prower is to blame for Miss Millay's mental state." The math teacher said. "She's unhinged-"

"On that we can agree, sir. But, we really need to get going-"

Mr. Kent took off in a mad dash and Drago cursed as he gave chase. "He's going for the intercom! We need that computer before he calls for backup, COME ON!"

The foxes followed him up a staircase and down two hallways without saying a word. Drago was gaining but the skinny teacher was just fast enough to reach the main office and hit the panic button on the secretary's desk. The wolf tackled him but it was too late. Tails and Fiona reached the office just in time to see Drago zip-tie Mr. Kent to the secretary's chair.

"Son of a bitch hit the switch before I could get to him!...Prower, help me find this super computer in her office. Sweet cheeks, watch over the running man."

Tails glared at him. "Don't call my girlfriend sweet cheeks."

"Now's not the time, just help me!"

The guys kicked open Millay's door and were expecting to find her waiting for them, but surprisingly, no one was here. Drago took the left side of the brown office and Tails took the right. They tossed papers around and moved books from shelves in case there was a secret compartment, but they found nothing.

Tails thought for a moment, then spun his namesakes together and flew up to the high shelves and started rummaging through. Drago dodged as books rained from above, then the fox came back down with a metal case in hand.

"That it?" Drago asked.

Tails took Drago's knife from his pocket and used it to swipe through any locks, then the case opened. They looked at a 30 inch screen, a smaller keyboard and key holes inside.

"I'm gonna have fun cracking this open." Tails said with a grin. "Let's get outta here."

The trio knew reinforcements were on the way so they didn't waste any time bolting down the stairs and out a side door. Millay would see them on security footage but she would lose them at the south west exit. Tails guided Fiona and Drago through back streets and alleyways on their way to Sonia's loft across town. The wolf held the super computer tight as he ran, eager to see what G.U.N secrets were on here.

They cut through a suburban neighborhood and ran to the patio door of the loft, then Fiona knocked. The door instantly opened and they heard a robotic voice say "welcome" as they entered.

"God damn man, that was intense!" Drago exclaimed as he leaned against a wall.

"It's Tails!"

"Hey, he's not alone."

"About time..."

Tails heard the familiar voices of Cream, Charmy and Jet in the other room, then everyone entered the kitchen. The rabbit was the first to wrap her arms around him, then Charmy and the Babylon Rogues greeted him.

"Guys? How'd-"

"Tails, I'm so sorry for everything, I had no idea what was going on." Cream said, then turned to the female fox. "Fiona, hi!"

"Uh - Hello, Cream." She barely spit out.

She quickly shook her hand. "Sonia told us everything once we got here. She was the one who brought us together, actually."

Tails looked down the hall and saw the pink hedgehog enjoying some wine at her minibar. Before he could say anything, Charmy, Jet and Storm approached the fox with their questions.

"T, I heard they interrogated you for two days straight!" Charmy said. "Is that true?"

"That ain't what I heard." Jet interjected. "They said Millay set the dogs on you."

Storm slapped the back of his head. "They wouldn't do that, idiot. They just beat him up and dropped him in some hole."

"Bro, what happened to you?"

Tails looked at Fiona and Drago, then made his way into the bar room. "...She tried to break me and I walked out without a scratch."

He sat on a stool and Sonia passed him a club soda. "Hello, Tails. You look like you had a fun time out there."

"I did." Tails said before taking a big gulp. "...how'd you get everyone to come here?"

"We needed to speed things up, so I got involved. The word is, Millay is starting to lose it. That scene you caused in the Innercity got her second guessing her men. Now that there's less numbers out here, then what Drago and Starr did to them last night? Desperate doesn't even come close to describe her at this point."

"Yeah, I heard. Seems I'm public enemy number 1."

Sonia reached over to grasp his hand. "You're a hero. This is almost over, Tails, so lead them. Don't let hard feelings stop you. Your friends certainly don't."

He smiled upon hearing these words of encouragement, then Cream and Fiona sat next to him.

"There's definitely A LOT we need to clear up, Miles." Fiona said.

Cream nodded in agreement. "Yeah, for sure. I wanna hear the whole story, Tails."

He looked over at Drago. "You wanna help me out here?"

The wolf shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll get aquatinted with your school pals. Have fun, captain."

Tails watched Drago socialize with the Rogues, then he sighed. "Alright. So, the story goes like this..."