Victory on Waspnosia! After a massive

planetary siege, the Separatist forces

on Waspnosia have finally fallen. Key

weapons factories have been destroyed,

but at a heavy cost to Republic troops.

Now, as Shinobi Master Elizabeth Quack

and Espio the Chameleon begin a clean-up

of the planet, they launch an intense

campaign to find Separatist leader

Vesper the Wasp and bring him to justice….

Fang was taking Amy and Clove to a gunship, the former looked guilty "Sorry, to leave you here, Fang. There's still a lot to do". Fang smiled "You two have done enough. Go get some rest. We'll let General Espio take it from here". Clove nodded "We'll be back before you know it, Captain". They both entered the gunship, and it took off as Fang watched. Not faraway on a cliff edge Elizabeth was waiting when another two gunships landed behind her which released Espio and a group of clones. "A hard-won victory" "Indeed and a costly one. We suffer a great many losses in these battles. Too many" Elizabeth replied solemnly. Espio regretfully nodded "The battles do appear to be coming with growing frequency" "Is there any sign of Vesper?" Elizabeth asked. Espio sook his head "Nothing. We have clone squadrons spread out over the area but no hits yet" "I'll go up to find some clue to where he went". She walked over to an Extreme Gear board as Espio watched "I'm sure the clones can-" "He has too much information about the Separatists to let him get away" "Very well, Master Elizabeth". She stepped in the board and then turned to Espio "Just make sure to leave a bit of strategic planning for me when I come back, Master Espio. I'd hate to feel left out" she joked before racing away at top speed.

Somewhere in the desert, Vesper was on top of a beetle tank with four Egg Pawns and two wasps were flying ahead as escort. The tank was carrying multiple crates with unknown contents. One of the Pawns saw a crate fall of the tank "We lost one, sir" "Leave it. We must keep moving".

Later, on the bridge of a cruiser Espio entered and saw Nate looking at a map of the planet "What's this? I didn't expect you up and about". Nate smiled "I've spent so much time in a bacta tank that map reading has become interesting" he joked. "Well, it seems to have done you good. Your wounds have almost healed", Nate sighed "I wish I could say the same for most of my men". Espio regretfully nodded "Well, let's hope we don't have to take Waspnosia a third time". He then pointed to part of the map Vesper's forces seem to have come in form the northern hemisphere" "Where was Master Elizabeth's last contact made from". Espio pointed to another part of the map "This region further to the west but there's nothing out there according to our recent intel".

A hologram of Elizabeth appeared "Master Elizabeth, have you found something?" Nate asked. Elizabeth nodded "We've found a munitions crate of some kind" "Couldn't it be debris?". She shook her head "I don't think so. There wasn't a battle in this area. Based off the path it looks like someone was heading to a Waspnosian temple". Nate looked curious "That makes no sense. Nothing in the temple would have survived the munitions we used in the first wave of our attack. Why would Vesper risk exposing himself to go there?" "I'm non yet sure Perhaps he doesn't know the extent of the damage". Shadow then entered the bridge "Master Elizabeth, we're detecting a sandstorm in your area" "No matter. Vesper is out in the open and I intend to catch him before he can get off world". Nate shook his head "I advise against it. You might get lost in the storm" "Then we'd have to find both you and Vesper" Espio added. "I feel it's a risk worth taking" "As you wish" Nate said before Elizabeth cut off communications.

Vesper's tank was now inside the sandstorm with his Pawns now walking on the ground with great struggle. One of the pawns could barley see the one next to him "OM-5, Are you still there?" "Yes, I think I'm right next to you". The First Pawn looked up at the tank "Where is Lord Vesper taking us?... OM-5? OM-5". There was no answer but he then heard Vesper "Keep moving!" Yes, sir. Right away, sir". The Pawn kept going but he could have sworn he heard a voice behind him say "Don't leave me" weakly.

Some time later Elizabeth and a vulture clone were on Extreme Gear travelling through the sand storm. They were both wearing goggle "I can't track Vesper in this storm" "We'll reach the temple soon. We can get out of the storm there". The went past a broken down Pawn which was almost completely covered in sand.

A while later the sandstorm was hitting the cruiser, Shadow was watching impatiently "What could be taking her so long. Something must have happened" he said while Nate was still examining the map. "Patience, Shadow. It's a delicate operation. I'm sure we'll have more operation soon" he said, "I must admit, I am troubled that we haven't heard from her" Espio said. "Let's not start worrying yet. Elizabeth is not one to take unnecessary risks" Nate responded. A hologram of her then appeared "Master Espio, we've tracked Vesper to the temple but there's no sign of him". Espio nodded "Go no further until we can send support. This storm is making things difficult. We can barley read your transmission as it is" "Are you sure he went into the temple?" Nate asked. Elizabeth nodded "Yes, we found a trail of Egg pawns that led us here and there's a tank outside. I think he might have gone into the catacombs below". "Those catacombs go on for miles. I fear we may have lost him. Get yourself out of there" Espio said. They suddenly heard a scream. Elizabeth turned around and ignited her lightsaber when the hologram cut off "Master Elizabeth! Master Elizabeth!?" "We've lost communications" Nate said. Shadow walked away "Where are you going/" Espio asked, "Take a guess" "We'll never get to her in this storm. The gunships can't handle it". Shadow turned to him "We can't wait". Nate lowered his head slightly "I'm sorry, Shadow. We have no choice. We must be patient and trust in Master Elizabeth". Espio nodded in agreement "We'll leave as soon as the storm lifts", Shadow reluctantly stayed.

Later in the day a gunship arrived at the temple dropping off Shadow, Espio, Armand and a squad of other clones "Stay alert, everyone" Espio told them. They entered the temple "Spread out and look around, men" Shadow told them. After a short time "General!" they ran over and Armand found the dead vulture clone lying on the ground with Elizabeth's lightsaber next to him "There was a struggle" Espio said.. Shadow picked it up "Vesper couldn't have done this… Maybe that did" he pointed to a statue of a strange looking Wasp that was standing over an entrance to catacombs. "I've never seen a bug like that before" he said curiously, "I don't think anyone has. It could be the rumoured Waspnosian queen" Espio responded. Shadow glanced at him "The bugs have a queen?" "Rumoured. We haven't found any proof of her existence". He stared down the tunnel "This way". They entered the catacombs and the clones turned on the torches on their blasters. The walls were covered with small slots that would need to be crawled through. Armand's chronometer beeped "Sir, this way goes to a dead end. This tunnel leads further down" he pointed one of the slots on the wall "I'll go first" Espio said as they went in one at a time. They found themselves in a different tunnel.

Somewhere else in the catacombs Elizabeth woke up to find herself being dragged by her arms by two wasps. She looked in front of her and saw even more wasps that were walking strangely, they were a much greyer colour and had blank white eyes. She pushed the two wasps dragging her and backed away. They advanced on her and she tried to kick them back but they barley reacted. She punched one in the stomach breaking it open and blood poured out but the wasp just screeched at her. She backed away from them as far as she could and quickly activated her commlink "Master Espio. If you're following me, you must leave now. Just get out. I repeat, fall back!" the wasps grabbed her and knocked her out.

Espio heard this "She must be close by. Come on!" they ran down the tunnel until being met by more wasps who screeched at them. They were walking very strangely towards them "I don't like the looks of this" Espio said. They then heard more behind them, Shadow and Espio got on either side of the clones to protect them. The clones started firing but it did nothing but push the wasps back. Armand aimed right for the head of one of them, but it immediately got back up "We can't stop them!". Espio started cutting through them but they keep moving, he heard screaming and he saw two clones getting dragged into the different tunnels "Back, everyone! Back!". They backed up "Armand, aim for the supports. It's the only way" they did so, causing the tunnel to the collapse. They all rushed through one of the tunnel slots into a different area. Shadow was breathing heavily "What were those things? We couldn't kill them". Espio pondered "I've heard rumours of a Waspnosian hive mind so powerful, so strong that it can maintain it's connection with its warriors even after they have died". Shadow looked curiously at him "So, we couldn't kill those things because-" "They were already dead. Yes". Shadow shook his head in disbelief "That's impossible" "Impossible or not, those creatures kept moving whether we cut them up or shot them do". Shadow activated his commlink to call for reinforcements but there was no signal "We must be too deep underground. Espio turned to a hawk and wolf clone "You two, go back to the surface and contact General Nate. Tell him we need reinforcements" "Yes, sir" they nodded and went through one of the tunnels.

After a short time going through the tunnels "I'll be happy getting out from under all this dirt" the wolf said, "Yeah. This place gives me the shivers". They then heard a noise behind them and they turned around but saw nothing "Wind's probably playing tricks on us. Right?" "Look around. There's nothing here". They then heard a screech "What the?" they saw more wasps walking towards them "Blast them!" the wolf said in a panic. They fired but it didn't do anything "They're not going down! We have to fall back!" the hawk turned around but saw a wasp on the ceiling and it dragged him through the slot. The wolf tried to help him, but more wasps grabbed him from behind and he screamed. The others ran in, but the wasps were gone, and the clones were lying dead on the floor. Shadow sighed "This thing's more powerful than we thought. I'll go to the surface myself". Espio put his hand on his shoulder "That's a bad idea. We can't divide our forces again. We don't have time to double back to the surface. Every second we waste puts Elizabeth in more danger".

They went further into the caverns "the air is warmer here. We must be getting close". Shadow coughed "Forget the heat. It smells down here" "Keep your voice down" "I'm just saying. This planet is rotten from the inside out". Espio then heard a noise "Armand, turn off the lights" they did so. They made a turn and saw a large room with Elizabeth restrained against a wall at the bottom of a throne. On the throne was a female wasp sitting on some sort of egg sack which was laying eggs in front of the other wasps who were moving them "I take it that's the queen" Shadow joked trying to hide his horror. They saw Vesper standing in front of the throne with more of the zombie wasps. "You guys take the soldiers; I'll deal with the queen" Shadow said but Espio rolled his eyes "Must you always rush into things?". Realization hit Shadow and he sighed "No. You don't actually want to talk to it do you?" "Actually, I do. Don't you wonder why they took Elizabeth captive. Why not just kill her". Shadow shrugged "She's leverage. A hostage" "Leverage for what? No. There's something else going on here and these creatures are connected to it". Shadow then rolled his eyes "Fine. We'll try it your way" "So glad you agree. Armand, set your men around the perimeter. These creatures live in darkness, the light from your torches should temporarily blind them. Turn them on at my signal. It should create enough confusion for us to escape". Armand nodded "But what happens when the bugs pursue. You've seen them in action, sir. We can't kill them" "We'll have to bury them. Shoot out the support pillars and the whole place will collapse" Shadow answered.

The two Shinobi then walked out; the wasps noticed but didn't bother them. "How did you know they wouldn't attack us?" Shadow asked, "Because I make observations while you think with your lightsaber". Shadow saw Vesper staring a them "Well that quick thinking is usually needed when your observations get us into trouble". "Shadow, the queen took Elizabeth hostage. she wanted a Shinobi, now she has two more. I want to no what she's after". A wasp screeched at Shadow as he walked past "Well when this doesn't go as planned, I'll be ready to bail you out" "That is so reassuring". Elizabeth saw them "I could have sworn I told you not to follow me, Master Espio". Espio smirked "Yes, well, I took a lesson form Shadow and decided not to follow orders" "Hey". The queen looked down at them "You are the creatures that attacked Waspnosia. Why have you come before me" she said in a weak screechy voice.

Espio stepped forward and bowed "Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Espio the Chameleon, and this is Shadow the Hedgehog. It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is at an end". She angrily screeched "You do not dictate to me, Shinobi. My empire is forever" "I'm afraid it does not appear that way, Your Grace. You will release your hostage and submit to Republic law". She scoffed "We have been under your corrupt law for too long, Shinobi. I will not submit to you". Shadow ignited his lightsaber but Espio stopped him "No. Patience, Shadow. Wait" two living wasps then took their lightsabers which they let them do. Espio remained respectful "Majesty, killing us will only make the Republic's judgment on you harsher". The queen laughed "No, Shinobi. I won't kill you, I will control you. Young Vesper has already brought me one Shinobi. Now I have three. Now watch as my child enters your Shinobi friend". Vesper is given an egg with a worm like creature inside "Once inside, her mind shall be mine. Her thoughts will be my thoughts".

Espio watches as Vesper advanced on Elizabeth "It's some sort of hive mind. She thinks she can possess us" "Great, have you seen enough yet?" Shadow said impatiently. Espio shook his head "No, wait, I want to see how it works" "I don't think Master Elizabeth wants to see how it works". Elizabeth watches Vesper about to put the worm on her face "No, I don't". Espio watched clearly fascinated "I'm curious. The more we know the better". Elizabeth backed her head away as far as she could "I disagree" "So do I" Shadow said. Espio ignored him "Come now, the nose or the ear, which do you think it will enter?", Shadow sighed "I think the nose". The worm was now crawling on her face "Uh, I hope this is part of the plan". Espio smirked "Isn't it always? Armand, now!" he yelled yelled, the clones came out and activated their torches blinding all the bugs.

Shadow and Espio pulled their lightsaber back along with Elizabeth's. Espio pulled the worm form Vesper before starting to cut through the zombie wasps. Shadow released Elizabeth and gave her the lightsaber. He then grabbed Vesper and restrained him "You're coming with us, Vesper". They all ran and Shadow saw the worm Espio was holding "Espio, look out!" he hit it out of his hand and squashed it. "Shadow, no! What're you doing? I was going to study that!" "Study the bottom of my shoes. Come on!". They ran out and the clones started firing on the supports causing the cave to collapse, crushing the bugs and the queen. The group ran with Armand at the back, he looked and saw the wasps climbing through the debris "They're still coming!". They eventually made it back to the cave entrance in the temple. Once everyone was out Armand looked back and saw more zombie wasps coming. He glared at them and armed a grenade and thought about all the bothers they've lost in this invasion before he threw it down and it detonated destroying the entrance. They all ran out just before the temple collapsed. Vesper watched in shock and solemnly lowered his head and fell to his knees but no one seemed to notice. "I wish we could have studied one of those worms. It would be valuable to learn how the queen control her hosts" Espio said but Shadow smirked, "Well, she won't be doing it anymore".