Republic victory is at hand! Clone
troopers under the command of the
Shinobi have successfully invaded the
Separatist-occupied world of Knothole.
Shadow the Hedgehog battles the enemy
in the skies, while Espio the Chameleon
frees villages from the grip of vile
Separatist leader, Black Death. Now,
Shinobi General Merlin the Fox leads the
attack on the enemy lines in the final
offensive to liberate the capital city
of Wood Zone….
A line of Republic tanks was walking across a road on the side of a cliff while being fired at by beetle tanks on another cliff opposite them. The lead tank was shot in the leg causing it to fall over. Merlin got out of the tank with a group of clones "Take cover!" he told them before going to the front and freeing the unconscious duck driver. Merlin carried him back to the others and met up with a wolf clone "Commander Diablo, bring out the cyclone squadron!". The commander got on his commlink "I want cyclones here, now!" "Get the wounded back. I'm gonna clear the road" Merlin said. He ran back to the downed tank and used the Force to push it off the cliff allowing the others to advance. A group of clones in small blue bipedal walkers then came up to him. The lead clone exited his walker to allow Merlin to board. Merlin and the others charged through the road which led them to the other cliff where they headed straight for the enemy tanks. They used the cannons on the walkers to destroy the tanks' legs disabling them allowing their tanks to move forward. Merlin got out of his walker and went to the commander "How many men did we lose?" "32, I think, including command crews of three walkers. The good news is General Espio's broken their lines. We can clear a path straight to the capital now".
Unbeknownst to Merlin his conversation was being watched buy a recon unit. Black Death and a Swatbot were in the capital watching a hologram of them. "This battle was costly. We're going to need help to take the city", Black Death looked concerned "The Republic is advancing faster than I expected". The Swatbot nodded "I calculate they will reach the main gates by morning. I recommend we prepare our retreat". Black Death banged his fist against the table "I will not retreat. That Shinobi doesn't have the troops to take this city. Bring our units inside the walls and secure the bridge".
Merlin was in a walker talking to holograms of Solaris, Shadow, Gerald, Blaze and Alexander. "What's your progress, Shadow?" Solaris asked, "My fighters have secured control of the space around Knothole. We have the Separatist cruisers on the run" "Very good, General". Shadow's hologram then cut out and Merlin stepped forward "Master Espio has taken the Jixuan desert, so the southern hemisphere is ours". Alexander looked pleased at this "Then it's almost over" "Not yet. The key position is the Capital of Wood Zone. Our spies are certain the Separatist leader Black Death has his command centre there". Blaze nodded "Once we've taken the city, we must capture Black Death" "It' not going to be easy, Master. He's chosen his stronghold well. It surrounded by a large rock moat with a plasma bridge being the only way in".
Solaris pondered "I'm afraid a siege could drag on indefinitely", Alexander didn't like this "My people have suffered so much already". Blaze turned to Merlin "Do you have a plan to take the bridge, Master Merlin?" "With our forces stretched so thin, I'm going to enlist the help of the Freedom Fighters, led by Nigel Acorn. His fight against the badniks has made him a symbol of freedom for the people". Solaris looked troubled "Nigel Acorn was a radical before the war. He is very unpredictable", Alexander seemed to agree "He can't be trusted. I know Nigel seeks to gain power. We were political rivals". "I'll leave the politics to you, Senator. I'm going to do whatever I can to help these people", Solaris had a different idea "Perhaps we could send you Republic reinforcements instead". Gerald shook his head "There are no reinforcements available, Chancellor" "We can't win without Nigel Acorn's help" Merlin said.
Merlin and the cyclones stopped at the edge of a cliff where there were gravestones. Merlin saw tracks in the sand and knelt down to examine them "What is it, General?" one of the clones asked. "The Freedom Fighters ride creatures native to this region. And these tracks are fresh". They then heard a creature groan not far away, they got back on the cyclones and jumped off the cliff edge.
Black Death and the Swatbot were speaking to a hologram of Dimitri "Your Swatbot has informed me of the pitiful job you have done protecting our investment on Knothole". Black Death glared at the Swatbot "He exaggerates. I have not lost yet" "You're no match for Master Merlin. Do not become greedy, Death. Take what valuables you can and destroy everything else. We can put this defeat to political use. The charred ruins of Knothole will demonstrate to the galaxy the cost of Republic victory" he said coldly.
Merlin and the clones were hiding from a patrol of badniks "Are we gonna take them out, sir?" one of them asked. "I have a feeling the Freedom Fighters will do it for us" Merlin said before they suddenly heard blaster fire. They charged up only to find the entire patrol destroyed, and they were suddenly surrounded. Nigel came out from the wreckage of a destroyed tank "I was wondering when you'd find me, Master Shinobi" "General Nigel, I've come for your help". Nigel raised his eyebrows "What makes you think you'll get it?".
The Swatbot was speaking to Black Death "Our bombers are nearly ready for launch and now I will ready your ship for evacuation". Black Death shook his head "No. I am not yet ready to leave" "In any case, we have a schedule to keep. The ship will be ready".
Nigel took them to the wreckage of a Separatist invasion ship where the Freedom Fighters were hiding. "We saw the graves of many of your people in that battlefield as well. We can prevent that from happening again" Merlin said. Nigel turned to him "Do you know why we were massacred, Master Shinobi? When the badniks swept over Knothole the Republic was unable to help. We were forced to surrender, and we came here unarmed. But they brought tanks to wipe us out". There was a cave in the ship which led underground into a large meeting area with dozens of Knothole inhabitants. A young female chipmunk with red hair ran up to Nigel, he picked her up and hugged her, he then turned to Merlin "We have little food or drink, but it is our tradition to share what we have with guests".
That night the Republic tanks were heading towards a village. In the lead tank was Diablo "Have our scouts reported from the village up ahead" "Yes, sir. The enemy has already pulled out. Friendlies are all that's left, mostly woman and children" a fox clone replied. Diablo nodded "See if we can spare some rations. They'll be hungry" an alarm suddenly went off "Sir, enemy ships are entering the sector!". He saw them on the screen and they then felt the ground underneath the tank shake "Damage report!" "There's no tactical damage, sir. It didn't hit us. They bombed the village". Diablo climbed out of the tank and to hi shock saw that the village was on fire, he sighed "Contact General Merlin".
Merlin and Nigel were sitting together "You have done much for your people. So why won't you help free them from this occupation?" "I don't trust Senator Alexander, his plans for our world after the war". Merlin nodded in understanding "The Republic will help you rebuild. We won't abandon you", Merlin turned to him "Your troops will stay for security?" "For a while to maintain peace". Nigel scoffed "Another armed occupation is not a free Knothole. How long before I end up fighting you, Master Shinobi?". Merlin's commlink activated "Yes, Commander?" "The badniks have begun a firebombing campaign. Several villages in our sector have been destroyed, sir". The cave went silent and everyone turned to Nigel who looked deep in thought "Make the arrangements. I will speak with Senator Alexander".
Black Death was in the courtyard of the city watching his shuttle be loaded when a Pawn walked up to him "We are still awaiting two transports from our southern base, sir. Should we depart without them?". "No. I will have every valuable on this rock before I leave" he answered. The Swatbot then walked up to him holding a disc that was projecting a hologram of Dimitri. "Black Death, why haven't you evacuated?" the echidna asked angrily, "Our exit strategy is taking more time to implement" he answered. "I want you out of the city before the Republic arrives. Once Master Merlin has invaded the capital, you will bomb it from afar. Am I understood?" Dimitri asked the Swatbot "Yes, my lord". He turned the hologram off "You will not do anything until I give the order" Black Death said angrily, "We have our orders".
Merlin and Nigel entered a tent, and the former activated the holo-unit which then showed a hologram of Alexander. "Senator Alexander, so glad you could join us from the comfort of Mobotropolis. Our people have survived with only me" Nigel said with contempt in his voice. "I knew you would turn this into a campaign to take power. Need I remind you that it is I who leads our people in the Senate?", Nigel scoffed "And it is I who leads our people here and now". Merlin put his hand on Nigel's shoulder "There will be nothing left to lead if you two refuse to work together". His commlink activated and he heard Shadow's voice "General Merlin, my fighters are taking out the bombers as fast as they can, but there are just too many. I doubt we can stop them all. I suggest you get the people away from the cities".
Merlin sighed "Destroy as many as you can then meet me at the capital" "Yes, Master". Alexander turned to Nigel "What can the Separatists hope to gain from burning our homes?" "Nothing. Black Death spoils for others what he cannot possess". Alexander turned to Merlin "Then we must act quickly" "Senator, your people are hesitant to join us because they're worried there will be another military occupation". Alexander nodded "The people have my promise that the clone army will leave once Knothole is free of those badniks". Merlin turned to Nigel "General, what assurance can you give Senator Alexander that you will not try to assume power" "I only want to see my people free, Master Shinobi. I give my word. I believe in democracy". Alexander nodded before the transmission cut off. Merlin and Nigel exited the tent, and everyone was watching them "Men of Knothole, the time has come to free ourselves!".
Later Republic tanks and Knothole soldiers were marching across a desert. Merlin and Nigel were ahead of them scouting the city with binoculars, the latter saw a camp of Knothole residents outside the city walls. "How are we going to attack with my people so close?" "Your people won't be in danger if our walkers can get across the bridge. The key is getting control of it". Nigel then saw two armoured Separatist transports coming from the mountains next to them "Perhaps there is your way. My spies tell me those transports carry treasure. It's not enough for the Separatists to enslave and murder us. They must rob us too".
Merlin was now with two clones standing on the edge of a cliff above the transports. He activated his commlink "When I get control of the bridge, you must start your attack". The three of them then jumped down onto the back transport and Merlin cut through it with his lightsaber and the three of them went inside. "Commander, I'll need you to create a diversion to prevent them from scanning the transport. Get the rest of the Cyclone Squadron ready" "Yes, sir". The bridge to the city activated allowing the transports to cross but they were stopped in the middle. Two badniks walked forward with scanners "Now, Commander" Merlin said. Diablo ordered the tanks to fire "Get the transports inside!" one of the badniks said allowing the transports to cross the bridge before it was deactivated. Once in the city the transport was opened and the badniks saw the stowaways. Merlin activated his lightsaber and cut them down "I'll hold them off. Get that bridge up!" he told the clones who ran into the control centre. They quickly shot the badniks and reactivated the bridge. The clones and Freedom Fighters then charged across the bridge and quickly aided Merlin against the badniks.
Two metals entered the command centre and attacked the clones, but they managed to fight them off. In the courtyard the Swatbot was walking to a shuttle "That Black Death is a fool" he entered and took off. Black Death saw this "My ship!" he said. The Swatbot spoke to a hologram of Dimitri "I'm afraid Black Death refused to retreat in time" "That is… unfortunate. Order our bombers to destroy the capital immediately". Merlin was charging through the courtyard and stopped in front of Black Death "Surrender" "A surrender is unnecessary. We will all perish for the glory of the Separatists Alliance". Merlin looked up and saw the bomber incoming, but they were quickly shot down by Shadow and Amy's fighter squadron. Nigel and the other Freedom Fighters surrounded Black Death "What're your terms for surrender?" he asked. "They're unconditional" Nigel answered, "Very well" Black Death reluctantly said. Nigel smiled and turned to Merlin "I thank you, Master Shinobi. Today all of Knothole thanks you".