Invasion! Separatist leader Black
Death has taken control of the
planet Knothole and subjugates its
people through a brutal badnik
occupation. In a daring surprise
attack, Shinobi Master Shadow the Hedgehog
and his apprentice, Amy Rose
defeated the space blockade
guarding the planet. Now, Shinobi
Generals Merlin the Fox and
Espio the Chameleon lead a massive
invasion to liberate the starving
people...
Espio and Merlin were in a hanger walking towards one of the gunships that were in a line with others "The first trick will be getting our troops on the ground" Espio entered the gunship where Armand and other clones were waiting. "If you take the city of Westside first, we'll have our landing zone", Espio nodded "Well, it's time to meet the natives". The three cruisers entered the atmosphere of the planet.
A Swatbot was in a small command centre talking to a hologram of Black Death "You must not allow the clones to reach the surface". The Swatbot nodded "Our new proton cannons are in the optimum position to prevent that, sir", Black Death looked sceptical "What if they focus the attack on your cannons?". The Swatbot stood up "I am utilizing the prisoners from this village as living shields. I calculate the Shinobi will not risk the prisoner's safety with a direct assault". Not far away in a small pit dozens of Knothole residents were sitting, as badniks watched them with blasters armed.
The cruisers released six gunships which headed towards the city. Espio spoke to the clones in his gunship "We need to remember why we're here. We came to aid the people of Knothole, not destroy their homes. Armand". Armand stepped forward "That means we'll be taking it back the hard way. Minimal destruction and badnik poppers only. No rockets or detonators. Check your aim and keep an eye out for the locals. Understood?". "Sir, yes, sir" they all said in unison. A weasel clone with a stubble and wearing a green vest sighed to a violet walrus clone who wore yellow gloves. "If we're here to free them, the least they can do is stay out of our way" the weasel said. They all suddenly heard cannon fire outside and a hologram of Merlin appeared "We can't risk landing the larger transports until you take out those guns", Espio nodded "Pull back. We'll take care of it".
Three of the six gunships manage to make it to the landing zone where the clones and Espio immediately got out and ran for the city wall. Two sentry guns at the top of the wall started firing and the clones all rushed for cover. Espio looked to the walrus and weasel "You men, with me!" they ran forward and took cover behind rocks near the wall. The walrus took out a badnik popper "We're not close enough to the wall, sir" "I'll give you some help" Espio said. The walrus threw the popper and Espio used the Force to carry it towards one of the sentry guns. It detonated releasing a small EMP blast which knocked out the badniks. They repeated this with the other sentry stopping the laser fire and the rest of the clones charge forward to scale the wall.
Once they were all on the other side Armand walked up to Espio "Are we moving on the guns next, sir?" "First we need to know what the badniks have in store for us. Send your best men to scout ahead". Armand nodded and turned to the walrus and weasel "Rotor, Jeff, come with me" they followed him "I guess we're the best" Jeff said as he shrugged. Armand led them deeper into the abandoned city "I want you both to check out the south sector. Be back at Command by 0620" "Yes, sir" Rotor replied. The two of them went down the street, blasters ready in case they found anything. The whole area was empty. After a while they got deeper into the village but still found nothing "I tell you, Jeff, this is creepy. Do they think they killed of them?" Rotor asked sounding concerned. Jeff casually shrugged "They're aren't any bodies. They were probably driven from their homes". Rotor saw blaster shots on one of the houses "I don't think they had a-" Rotor stopped when he thought he heard a noise "Had a what?" Jeff asked. Rotor sighed "Choice".
Armand and a mammoth clone were hiding in an alley, watching the Separatist command centre. The place was surrounded by badniks, tanks and the artillery guns. "Not gonna be easy getting to those guns, sir" the mammoth said. Armand took out his binoculars "There's always a way, Wooley" he looked around and saw the pit with prisoners in it. "Wait, civilians. They're holding the survivor's hostage. We have to report this to General Espio" they ran back.
Later Armand was showing a holographic recreation of the area to Espio and a hologram of Merlin. "We found the guns. They're in the courtyard here and here. But there's a complication. They've taken the locals hostage and they're using them shields". Espio pondered "The prisoners will make this difficult but not impossible. I still have a good plan to take out those guns". Little did they know a recon robot was secretly watching them. "Getting the villagers out of harm's way is our first priority. I have faith in you, General Espio" Merlin said. Espio turned to Armand "We'll go with everything we have. Clear those hostages".
Jeff and Rotor heard a noise coming from an ally, the two cautiously moved in, blasters raised. They looked around and saw a small yellow mongoose girl wearing a violet shirt and hair, she looked scared and was hiding behind a crate. "Ah, it's just a little girl" Jeff said sounding irritated. "Well, what're we gonna do with her?" Rotor asked concerned but Jeff shook his head "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Why do we have to do anything? We've got a mission to finish". Rotor looked back to her "We should do something. I say we take her with us" "You can't be serious. She'll slow us down". The mongoose suddenly backed away "I think she's afraid of us" Rotor said but Jeff heard a noise and turned to see another recon robot was close "Not us. Quick, hide!" they got out of sight and the robot went further down the street. "We should go before it gets back" Jeff said, "We can't just leave her here", Jeff sighed "Fine, we'll take her with us".
He leaned down to grab her "Be careful" Rotor said, Jeff rolled his eyes "I pretty sure she's not armed". Mina suddenly bit his hand before backing away in fear, "Ow! Little Mongoose bit me" Jeff said annoyed. Rotor pulled him back "Stop, you're scaring her". He kneeled down "It's alright. We won't hurt you". Jeff sighed "She looks half starved. Here" he handed Rotor a ration bar. Rotor held it out to her, she immediately grabbed it and started eating. Once she finished, she looked to the two of them and pointed to herself "Mina" she then pointed to them "Nerra. Nerra". Rotor shook his head "No, I'm Rotor. This is Jeff" "Nerra. Nerra" she repeated. Jeff rolled his eyes "Oh, good, you made a friend. Mission accomplished. Can we go now?". Rotor stood up "Come on, kid" she didn't move "Look, she doesn't even want to go. Little monster was fine before we came along, so let's move". Jeff started walking away and Rotor reluctantly followed, Mina paused for a moment before going after them.
The Swatbot walked past the pit of prisoners and walked down in a large kennel where a few Egg Pawns were watching something in a cage "Sergeant, are the creatures ready?" "We starved them like you ordered, sir". He looked into the cage and saw multiple small green creatures that resembled a tyrannosaurus rex, they were emitting purple smoke. It growled and one of the pawns backed away "Uh, are you sure they will not attack us?" "I need a test to verify my theory". The Swatbot pressed a button which opened the cages "Uh, sir, what are you doing?" the creatures charged out and swarmed one of the Pawns before scattering leaving him undamaged. "As I suspected. The creatures require organic meat".
Rotor and Jeff were walking through the streets when the former looked behind him and he saw Mina run out of sighed "I wonder what happened to her family" "They're probably dead. Hopefully, she'll survive this mess" Jeff replied. "So, what happens to her? I mean, after we leave" Rotor asked, "I don't know. Don't get any ideas. We're not taking her with us". They both turned around but couldn't see her "She's gone" "I'm sure the little biter will turn up" they turned around and saw that Mina was now in front of them smiling. Rotor chuckled and kneeled down "There you are" "How did she get in front of us?" Jeff asked confused. she grabbed his hands and pointed further down the street "Nerra!" she ran in that direction. "No, don't go that way! That's where the recon bot went" "Rotor, just let her go", Rotor shook his head "I'm not just gonna let the badniks get her". The two chased after her, she eventually stopped in the middle of a street, Rotor stood beside her and patted her head "You pretty fast, kid". Jeff caught up "Good, you caught her. You know, I have binders, if we need them", Rotor silently glared at him "What?" Jeff said defensively. Mina began to look really sad as she took Rotor's hand and led him into what was left of one of the houses. The inside the room looked mostly destroyed, Jeff sat down, and he saw Mina looking around the room with a devastated face. "I guess this was her home" Jeff said. Rotor saw a small toy doll on the floor, he picked it up and walked over to Mina. She took it from him and hugged it as she started crying, Rotor kneeled down in front of her "It's okay now. We're here to help" she hugged him. Jeff sighed and went next to her "Don't cry kid. We'll keep you safe. I… I promise" he said reassuringly. She then hugged him which he awkwardly returned.
Espio walked up to Armand "The men set, Armand?" "All except Rotor and Jeff, sir. They never returned from scouting and they won't respond". Espio looked concerned "That isn't like them. They might be in trouble", Armand turned to one of the men "Sergeant, use the high-powered transmitter to see if you can reach Rotor and Jeff" "Yes, sir". Espio looked at the others "Let's get the rest of the men moving. The others will catch up".
Jeff and Rotor's commlinks activated "It's the commander. We're way overdue, Rotor. We're gonna end up polishing gizoid units". The two along with Mina left the house when they suddenly heard a growl, Mina hid behind Rotor "Gaia Rex. Gaia Rex" she said sounding terrified. The creatures from before appeared form the street and advanced towards them. Jeff fired "See what happens when we don't follow orders?" the blasts had no effect, and they ran back into the house and closed the door. The two of them tried to keep it shut as the creatures banged against it. Mina ran towards a mat on the floor and moved it revealing a trap door. She tried to open it and Rotor ran over to help her. Another creature jumped through a hole in the wall, but Jeff fired at it manging to keep it back. The three of them quickly jumped down the trap door to safety just before the creatures made it in.
Espio and the clones were walking down another street when a pack of the Rex creatures charged at them. The clones all opened fire on the creatures but it did nothing to them. The clones fell back but some were caught by the creatures and are eaten by them. Espio instead of igniting his lightsaber closes his eyes and raises both his hands. All the creatures suddenly stop what they're doing and begin slowly advancing on him. Espio begins backing away into a large trench in the city's cliff wall which had a rock bridge above it. One of the clones was about to shoot but Armand stopped him "Wait". Eventually all the Rex creatures entered the trench "Shoot the bridge!" Espio ordered. The clones did so, causing the bridge to collapse into the trench cutting the creatures off from them. Espio quickly leaped over them and over the rocks to safety. They were about to move on when a sewer grate opened up, they prepared for more of the creatures when Rotor stuck his head out. Armand waked up them as they climbed out "Rotor, Jeff, where have you two slackers been?" "We got side-tracked" Rotor said nervously as Mina climbed out from the grate and hid behind them. Espio smiled "I see. Did she lead you through the tunnels?" "Yes, sir. I don't think she understands galactic basic though" Jeff said. Espio kneeled down "She probably speaks ancient Knothole. It's taught to them at a young age". Espio started speaking a different language to Mina which she happily responded to "She says she can lead us through the tunnel to the prisoners. Armand, we're going to need a diversion".
Later after traveling through the tunnels Jeff, Rotor and Espio who was carrying Mina found themselves in the holding area for the creatures, there was a loan Egg pawn cleaning one of the cells "Yep, this is about the worst job in the badnik army". He turned around and saw Espio standing at the door to the cell which he quickly closed, the badnik, now trapped sighed disappointedly. Espio put Mina down "I'll take care of this. You stay here", Mina nodded, he ran up the steps and saw the prisoners in the pit. He went out followed by Jeff and Rotor and the three of them hid. He looked out and saw Armand with the rest of the clones at the entrance to the courtyard. Espio nodded to them and they charged out and started firing on the badniks. Espio got out and cut through the guards before running to the prisoners while Jeff and Rotor gave him cover fire. He cut the restraints off the prisoners "Follow me". Meanwhile Armand and the clones were getting overwhelmed by tank fire and were forced to fall back.
The prisoners started running down the stairs past Mina who watched them. Suddenly a male mongoose stopped in front of her and smiled "Mina!" he picked her up and hugged her. "Rotor, Jeff, come with me" Espio said and the three of them ran towards one of the cannons. The clones loaded it while Espio got on the controls and fired on the other two cannons destroying them. A tank being piloted by the Swatbot suddenly fired on the cannon throwing the three of them back. The prisoners saw this from the holding area and Mina ran out to help them. She grabbed Rotor's arm while he was lying on the floor "Nerra" she then saw the tank advancing on Espio and ran over to him. The cannon pointed at them both and Espio quickly pushed Mina behind him. The Swatbot laughed manically "Ha ha ha. You lose, General Espio" he then heard shouting and he saw the prisoners charging towards the tank "Does not compute. Does not compute" he kept repeating. They all climbed on the tank and began tearing the Swatbot apart. Espio smirked and tried to cover Mina's eyes but she peaked anyway. They then all saw Republic cruiser fly overhead causing the residents to cheer.
Later Espio was standing by the cruiser as Republic troops and tanks were being released. Merlin walked out and went over to him "Great job getting rid of those cannons. Now we have a more difficult objective. We must take the capital and free this world". Not far away Rotor kneeled down in front of Mina "See you later, little one" he patted her head making her laugh. He walked away leaving Jeff who looked down at her, he smirked "Stay out of trouble, kid". She hugged his leg "Don't be afraid. We'll be back" he caught up with Rotor and they followed the rest of the army. Mina went back to her uncle and waved at the clones "Nerra! Nerra!". Rotor heard her and turned to Espio "Sir, what is that she keeps calling us?", Espio smiled "Nerra. It means brother". The two clones looked to each other in surprise before turning back to Mina and waving, they then continued to follow the rest of the clones.