Shinobi trapped on Botanic! Clones are
surrounded by badnik forces. Their
only hope is to escape on Republic
gunships waiting to land on the
embattled surface. Shinobi cruisers have
managed to blow a hole in the badnik
defences, and have sent gunships to
the rescue.
Rob O Hedge was leading a squad of gunships down to the planet with a fighter escort. They entered the atmosphere and flew over a battle between a circle of Republic tanks and an army of badniks. Espio and Shadow were in the middle of it. Eggrobos started pursuing the squadron "I can't shake these two!" Rob heard on of his men say over the commlink "Come around and I'll try to get them off your tail" he turned his ship around and managed to shoot the two badniks down. One of them was heading straight for Espio and Shadow "Look out!" the former yelled, they ran out of the way, but it crashed into one of the tanks destroying it. Espio turned to Fang "Captain, if the fighters got through then the gunships aren't far behind. Prepare for evacuation", Fang nodded "Yes, sir".
The gunships landed behind them and they backed away towards them while still shooting at the badniks "Come on, grunts. We are leaving!" Fang yelled at them. Shadow and Espio gave the clones cover as they boarded "Amy should be back from her jungle patrol by now" Shadow said, "I'll try to contact her again". Espio activated his commlink "Amy, where are you?" "About six klicks east, Master. We've engaged the enemy and we've got them on the run" she said proudly. "Prepare for extraction. We're leaving" "What? We can't retreat now, Master. I've broken through" Amy replied defensively. Once all the clones got on the gunships Espio and Shadow did the same "We're outnumbered. You must evacuate. That is an order!".
The ship took off "Master Shadow taught me to never let up when the bots are on the run". Espio gave Shadow a quick glare "They are running back here to regroup with the main force. You are putting your troops' lives in danger, young one. You will get on the gunship when we arrive". He cut the transmission and Shadow stared at him curiously "Where's Amy?" "Following your teachings" Espio replied, "Is she winning?" "For now". The gunship took them over the second battle, Amy was on top of a large, armoured vehicle that had tanks walking on either side. They were all advancing forward against a retreating badnik army.
"She's not stopping" Espio said, "Land in front of them" Shadow said staring down at his apprentice. The gunships did so which stopped the tanks, Shadow marched out and Amy stared down at him "What're you doing!?" she asked angrily. "Get in the ship, now!" Shadow ordered, "Can't you see they're retreating?". Shadow glared up at her "They're about to overrun you, Amy. You just can't see it. Now follow orders and get in the ship!". Amy reluctantly did so along with the remainder of her clone troopers. The gunships took off right before a huge badnik army began marching out of the forest and started firing on the tanks left behind, destroying them. Amy was surprised by this and turned to Shadow who looked very disappointed.
At the Shinobi Temple Amy and Shadow were standing before the Council. Merlin leaned forward in his chair "Amy, do you feel Master Espio's description of the incident is accurate?". Amy looked very guilty "Yes, Masters" "Do you have more to add?" Blaze asked her. "I know I was wrong. I just got so caught up in my own success. I didn't look at the battle as a whole. I wasn't being disobedient. I just… forgot". Shadow stepped forward "Masters, this incident is my responsibility. Because of Amy's advanced abilities, I forgot how young she is. I gave her more freedom than I should have" these words hurt Amy more than the reprimand. Merlin looked between them "That may be, but is doesn't excuse what happened on Botanic. I think she need some time away from the battlefield". Blaze nodded in agreement "On archive security, you can reflect on your actions there, young one". "Guard duty? For how long?" Amy said trying to hide her frustration, "Longer now" Merlin answered.
Shadow and Amy were walking into the Shinobi archives "I'm sorry I let you down" Amy said with guilt in her voice. "I know. I was an apprentice not that long ago" Shadow answered as they went to a desk where a rabbit was waiting "Madame Vanilla, this is Amy Rose. She is to be your new security officer" Shadow said. Vanilla smiled at Amy "So good to meet you. Let's show you around". Shadow gave Amy a reassuring nod before leaving. Vanilla took Amy through the main archive room "There is more knowledge here than anywhere else in the galaxy" "Master Espio says there are even texts here that are forbidden to be read". Vanilla chuckled "Oh, the archives hold a great many secrets". She showed her a door at the end of the room which Master Saline was about to enter "Beyond this door lies the chaos drive vault. The drives contain the most closely guarded secrets of the Shinobi order". Amy watched Saline enter "Can we go inside?" "Oh, I'm afraid not, my dear. I haven't been inside myself for years. Only members of the Shinobi Council are allowed access. Guarding the chaos drives is one of the most important duties a Shinobi can be given, Amy. Do you think you're up to the task?". Amy looked confident "Definitely".
Somewhere in Mobotropolis inside a rundown apartment building a yellow male feline was looking out a window. He was wearing a long brown coat; a black cowboy hat and he had a robotic left arm. A hologram of Mephiles appeared behind him "Excuse the interruption. As I was saying, bounty hunter, I have need of your services". The bounty hunter calmly turned around "I'm listening" "I need a Shinobi chaos drive". The bounty hunter crossed his arms "To get a chaos drive, I'd have to break into the Shinobi Temple. It's impossible, not mention deadly". Mephiles gave a half-hearted sigh "Perhaps your reputation has been exaggerated". He smirked "I want a Rogue class starfighter with elite weapons, cloaking devices, the works. Oh, and tripe my usual rate". "Your price is of no concern. I will also provide you with a means to get inside the Temple" "You've got a deal".
A group of Shinobi including Blaze, Espio and Shadow were in the war room. Espio was looking at a map "The setback at Botanic has affected our efforts in the whole sector. It'll take weeks before-" he and Shadow then heard a groan behind them. They turned around and saw Blaze looking troubled "Master Blaze, what is it?" Shadow asked. Blaze closed her eyes "A disturbance in the Force. There will be intruders in the temple".
The bounty hunter was opening a small hatch on the back of a small black robot's head. "You know, if you would tell me what it is, you're doing back there, I could help" the robot said. "I'm just doing some maintenance. You've been having memory crashes" he placed a small object inside. The robot looked confused "Memory crashes? I don't remember have any crashes. Wait. I don't remember any crashes". The bounty hunter closed the hatch "Exactly" "Oh, no. I'm doomed. Fleabyte, you have to help me" the robot said in a panic. The door buzzed "Calm down. I'm done. Now get the door" "I am built to aid in maintenance. I'm not a butler" the robot said sounding offended. "Can it, Bokkun. You are what I say you are", Bokkun sighed before answering the door. There was an orange female bobcat wearing purple armour in front of him "Who are you?" she asked. "I'm Bokkun. Who're you?" "None of your business" she answered as she entered the apartment. She walked over to Fleabyte who was looking at a screen showing a male purple echidna "Who's that?" "Thunderhawk, a Shinobi, out in the Mid Zones. He's not important right now. First, we're stealing a chaos drive" he showed a hologram of a cylindrical device.
"That's impossible. The only place you can get a chaos drive is-" "I know. Inside the main vaults of the Shinobi Temple. Fortunately, our Raiju client has set us up with some help. For one, the map of the temple. For another, a security chip that I've placed in my robot". Bokkun stepped forward "I've got all the details on security at the Temple". Fleabyte showed them a schematic of the temple "Both the vents shafts and the vault itself are equipped with all kinds of traps and security measures. Bokkun can take them out, but we'll need help from someone inside the Shinobi library. And that's where your talents come in". She looked over and saw a dead green hedgehog lying on the floor "He looks like a Shinobi" "He was. His name was Cosmic the Hedgehog. You should be able to walk into the archives and monitor us without a problem". She walked over to the dead body and placed her hand on it, she suddenly transformed into a copy of him "I can do that" she said with a male voice.
Shadow and Espio were walking down a hallway "Where do we start looking for intruders? What could they be after?" Shadow asked. "I doubt they've come to hijack starfighters" "What could they get here that they can't get anywhere else?". Espio pondered "Information. Everything on the war effort is one place in the east tower. I'll monitor the perimeter defences from the security station. You head to the tower". Shadow nodded and they ran off in different directions.
Amy was walking through the archives when she saw who she thought was Cosmic the Hedgehog enter "Good afternoon, Master Cosmic. May I be of assistance?". Cosmic had his back to Amy "No. Uh, no, thank you, my dear. I don't want to bother you". Amy however was hoping for something to do "It wouldn't be a bother at all, Master". When the bounty hunter was thinking of a response the commlink in her ear activated "Meta, are you there yet?" she heard Fleabyte on the other end. "I said I was fine, youngling. Now let me go about my business" she said sternly before walking away. Amy sighed "Can't seem to do anything right these days". Meta went over to computer console "I'm in".
Fleabyte and Bokkun who was now wearing a jet pack were outside a shield at the temple "It's about time. Just tell us where to get in". "Alright, there's a weak point in the shield that Bokkun should be able to break through. I'm beaming him the coordinates now". Bokkun's eyes flashed "Okay, I've got it. Make sure to jam the scanners" he went up to a part of the shield and poked it with his finger. A circular opening appeared "You're welcome" he said as the two of them entered.
Espio was in the security station when the screens flashed "What was that" he asked a robot next to him "The system is just recycling, sir". A hologram of Shadow then appeared "Master, I'm in the tower. No intruders but something just happened. All the scanners were behaving strangely for a moment". Espio nodded "Yes, something happened down here too. It can't be a coincidence". Blaze then entered "The intruders have arrived", Espio pondered "But what could they be after?" "Perhaps the communications centre". Espio started searching something on the console "If so then they would be going through the ventilation system. There was a disturbance near the top of the south tower". Shadow nodded "I'll meet you there". Blaze looked to Espio "Place the temple on high alert".
Meta was still at the console "Fleabyte, apart from a few sensors the shaft you're in is safe. Just keep-" "Excuse me". Meta turned around and saw that Vanilla was behind her "I don't mean to disturbed you, but the whole temple is on high alert". "Thank you" Meta said before quickly punching Vanilla, knocking her out. She hid the body and grinned as she changed form to look like Vanilla.
Fleabyte and Bokkun were standing over a grate where they saw a wall of lasers. "Meta, come in. We're over the vault" "Give me a moment to check out the security system" Meta replied with the voice of Vanilla which confused Fleabyte. "What's wrong with your voice?" "Change of plans. I'm the librarian now". Not far away Espio and Shadow found the grate the two intruders used. Espio opened the shield with the Force and the two of them entered the vent. Fleabyte could hear them "Meta, hurry up" "I've got it. Go in" they saw the laser wall deactivate allowing them to go through. Shadow and Espio were heading to the communications centre when Espio activated his commlink "Mater Blaze, are you picking up any other life signs in this quadrant?" "The intruders are already deep into the temple's systems". Espio sighed in frustration "How are they managing to stay out of our way?" "It is possible they are receiving assistance from inside the temple". Fleabyte was cutting through the lock for a vault door "Bokkun, start cutting through that wall" he gestured to one behind him. "Um, okay" Bokkun replied confused before doing what he was told.
Amy was in the archives when her commlink activated "Amy, you must be on alert. I believe our intruder is posing as a Shinobi. Find Master Vanilla". Amy went to the main room where she heard Vanilla's voice "Fleabyte, the Shinobi have turned around and are making their way towards you" she ran up behind the chair Meta was sitting on. "Who are you, and what have you done with Madame Vanilla?". Meta rose from her chair "The same thing I'm going to do for you" she ignited Vanilla's lightsaber and tried to strike Amy who was too quick and dodged it. Amy ignited her own and managed to quickly disarm her "You may have Madame Vanilla's shape, but none of her skills", Meta put her hands up and turned back to normal.
Fleabyte was still working on the door panel "Bokkun, are you done yet?" "These things take time". Fleabyte rolled his eyes "Some butler bot you turned out to be" "I am a maintenance bot!" he replied defensively. Not far away Shadow and Espio were catching up with the two of them when the former's commlink activated "Master Shadow, I've captured the imposter disguised as a Shinobi. She says the intruder is in the chaos drive vault". Espio was confused by this "A chaos drive is no good without a Shinobi to open it. What're they up to?" "I don't know, but we better get in there" Shadow replied. Fleabyte was getting irritated "I could do this better with a diagram. Meta, come in. Meta? Something's gone wrong. Bokkun, use the hole to get to the communications centre".
"What? It'll be crawling with Shinobi" "Now!" without another word Bokkun went through the hole he cut. Once he was out of sight Fleabyte attached a bomb to the door panel. Shadow and Espio suddenly heard an explosion and started running. They entered the same room but Fleabyte wasn't there, they then saw the hole "They must be going to the communications centre. Let's go" Espio said before they both went through. Once they did Fleabyte dropped from the ceiling and walked to the vault door which he could now open with ease. He entered the vault, it's walls were covered with cylindrical slots each holding a chaos drive. He went over to a blue one and took it out.
Bokkun went through a grate and found himself in the communications centre being stared at by a confused Blaze, Merlin, Lupe and Saline "Oh, uh, hey, guys" Bokkun said nervously. Inside the vent Shadow and Espio were watching him also very confused. "I was just testing the access hatch. Works grate" suddenly something in the back of Bokkun's head started beeping. "Bomb!" Merlin said before pushing Bokkun back into vents. "Bomb!" Espio yelled as he and Shadow started running. Bokkun clutched his head "Bomb? No. No. No. No!" he kept saying before he exploded.
Vanilla woke up and Amy came up to her while restraining Meta "Madame Vanilla, are you okay?" "I think so. We must call security". Not far away Blaze and the others entered the vault "This was never about our war operations". They walked back out and saw Amy with Meta, Espio walked up them "What did you want with a chaos drive?" he asked Meta. She paused before answering "Thunderhawk" this seemed to surprise Merlin "What did you say?" "Thunderhawk. That's Fleabyte's next target, some Shinobi". Shadow didn't understand "What is it? Who's Thunderhawk?" "He is the keeper of the chaos shard, the data on which can only be read by the drives" Merlin answered. "What's on the shard?" Amy asked, "A list of every known Force-sensitive child in the galaxy. The future youngling. The future of the Shinobi Order". Espio turned to Shadow we have to warn him", Blaze sighed "He's out of contact. We'll have to seek him out" "Amy and I will set out immediately". Espio nodded "If this Fleabyte is still here on Mobotropolis, I'll find him".