Diabolical defeat! Though Republic victories
outnumber their losses, the Shinobi have been
unable to stop Separatist advances in the
Outer Zones. The ever-elusive General
Dark Oak stays one step ahead of his
opponents. With thousands of badnik armies
at his command, the Shinobi can never predict
where Dark Oak will strike next until now…
Locke, and old echidna Shinobi was on the bridge of his cruiser with a group of clones as it was being attacked by an Egg Carrier. The entrance to the bridge was sealed and all the clones pointed their blasters at it "Standby. Dark Oak is boarding" Locke said. The ship shook and Locke activated his commlink "Status report?". He could hear blaster fire "There's too many of them". Locke sighed regretfully "Get yourselves to the escape pods. I will deal with Dark Oak" "But, sir, they're Metals" "That doesn't matter, Captain. Now go!" he ordered. The door began to spark, and Locke activated his lightsaber. A large circle was cut into the door and was then blasted open. Dark Oak calmly walked in and stared directly at Locke "Shinobi" "Oak". Dark Oak laughed before four Metal hedgehogs charged in and used their speed to dispatch all of the clones without getting hit. They charged at Locke who was able to cut down to of them before another manged to hit his arm making him drop his lightsaber. Another grabbed him from behind and the other was ready to shoot him but a surviving clone stood up and shot the Metal in the back.
Locked jumped out of the grip of the final Metal, pulled his lightsaber towards him and then cut the Metal in half. Locke looked to the surviving clone who suddenly screamed in pain before falling to the ground dead. Behind him four Metorex guards then entered and surrounded the Shinobi. Dark Oak then jumped onto the holo-unit "Locke, isn't it? I've been looking forward to meeting you" he chuckled. "Your reputation proceeds you, General. Your reputation of a coward and a murder" Locke said calmly. Dark Oak stared at him and Locke could feel anger emanating from the general "Don't talk to me about murder, Shinobi" Dark Oak said with contained rage as he activated his lightsabers. They fought and Dark Oak pushed Locke back as the Metorex followed on either side but did not attack. Locke was doing his best to try and strike Dark Oak but was getting overwhelmed by the constant attacks and his lightsaber was suddenly hit out of his hands. Dark Oak grabbed Locke by the throat and laughed before throwing him to the ground and turned to one of his Metorex and nodded. The Metorex walked over to the downed echidna and shocked him with his electric staff making him scream in pain.
Amy and Clove entered the Shinobi war room where the Council as well as others were all staring at the holo-unit showing Dark Oak standing over Locke with his hand on the back of the echidna's neck. "Greetings, Shinobi. It would seem once again one of your order has lost their way" Dark Oak tighten his grip causing Locke to grunt from the pain. Dark Oak laughed and lifted Locke up so they could all see his face "Even better, it's a leading member of your Council". Blaze and Merlin stared at each other as the message continued "Listen to me, Shinobi. I don't care about your politics. I don't care about your Republic. I only live to see you die!" he threw Locked forward. A Metorex shocked Locke again causing two younglings in the room to look away in fear, Amy comforted them. Dark Oak chuckled "Death will not come easily to Master Locke. We will make him suffer endlessly because I know that is more painful for you all. Hahaha". The message cut off all the Shinobi began mutter to one another except for Blaze who heard the two younglings crying "Amy, could you please remove the younglings? We have much to discuss", Amy left with them and Clove followed.
Shadow leaned against the unit in frustration "It's time someone put an end to that monster" "On that we are agreed. But the question remains, how do we find him?" Blaze said. The hologram of Rob was listening when Karl who now had a scar on his left eye appeared next to him and told him something. Espio sighed "After engaging Dark Oak we lost contact with Master Locke. He could be anywhere". Rob turned to them "Commander Karl has found a message in the holo-transmission. Play back the message" they did so, and they saw Locke signing with his left hand. Espio watched "I admit my skill are a bit rust but. 'Romanus Zone. Sector J-19-080529'". A female Ermine Shinobi, Erma pondered "Romanus? Clone intelligence told us Dark Oak has no ships in that sector" "Yes, but our intelligence is so often inaccurate" Blaze said. Espio and Shadow stepped forward "We'll go" the latter said, "And I" Erma said.
A fleet was leaving Mobotropolis with Espio on the bridge of a lead frigate. He was looking at a hologram of Shadow, Erma, and Fang who were listening from a shuttle next to the frigate "Are your ready?" "As ready as I'll ever be". Espio nodded "I'll engage Dark Oak's fleet and I'll send you're shuttle the coordinates of the command ship" "Just make sure you get it right" Shadow joked, "I always do". Erma looked concerned "How do you plan on getting Dark Oak aboard your ship?" "Not to worry. The General and I have a history. I'm sure he'll want to finish it face to face". Shadow nodded "Meanwhile, we'll be doing the hard part" he smirked, "If Master Locke is still alive we will find him" Erma added. Espio looked hopeful "After this mission is over we may not have only rescued Master Locke but also captured Dark Oak". All the ships jumped into hyperspace.
Locke was suspended in mid-air on the bridge of Dark Oak's ship. A Swatbot walked up to the Metorex general "Sir, we have entered the Romanus Zone" "Begin preparations for our landing" "Yes, my lord". An Egg Pawn turned around in his chair "Uh, sir, there are several ships coming out of hyperspace. Three Republic cruisers and four escort frigates". They then saw them appear and Dark Oak turns to Locke "It seems your friends have come to rescue you" he said mockingly. "One of the Republic ships is hailing us" the Swatbot said. Dark Oak stepped forward "Put him through". Espio then appeared on the screen "General, I knew one day I'd catch up to you" "Espio. What a surprise. I assume you've come to bring me to justice". Espio smirked "You know me to well" Indeed I do" he turned the screen off. He then looked to the bridge crew "Prepare to fire all cannons. Be alert. When there's Espio you can be sure Shadow isn't far behind" "We are outgunned. I suggest caution" the Swatbot said. Dark Oak however was staring out at the Republic ships "Draw in the frigates, we shall board, and I will kill Espio myself".
Espio watched as his ships and Dark Oak's started firing on each other while the frigates got close to the Egg Carriers. He glanced at Arman "Well we certainly have his attention". He then got on his commlink "Admiral Gerald, keep Dark Oak occupied so Shadow's ship remains undetected" "Yes, General" "Armand, send the coordinates".
Far away in the shuttled Fang was looking at the scanner "We've received coordinates of the control ship". Shadow smirked "Alright, hold on. This is gonna be close" the shuttle jumped into hyperspace. "Define pretty close?" a concerned Erma asked, "Close enough to get the job done". It jumped out right next to the control ship and docks at a hatch on the underside "Powering down. Was that close enough for you?". Erma was smiling "Any closer and we would be flying down hallways" "Maybe next time".
Espio's frigate shook, Armand checked the console "They've got us in a tractor beam, sir. Shall we fire on the source?" "No, Armand. Let them think they have us. We need a diversion for Shadow".
Shadow cut through a door and the three of them entered a corridor. "Fang, stay here with the others. Guard the entrance and wait for us. This may be our only way out" Shadow said, "Copy that, sir". Erma's commlink started beeping "Shadow, Master Locke is on the bridge. This way" they ran through the corridor.
Espio's cruiser was being boarded as he was leading Armand and the clones to the door "We need to keep him occupied for as long as possible". The door was cut open and Metals broke through. The clones managed to kill a few of them but were quickly pushed back. As Espio gave the remaining clones cover Dark Oak and two Metorex entered. Espio gestured for Armand and the others to run down one hallway while he led the Metorex down another. He backed up into the bridge and Dark Oak activated his lightsabers as he entered "So Espio, is everything going as planned" "That depends on your point of view, General" he smirked. Espio managed to take out one of the Metorex but Dark Oak chuckled "You wouldn't come here without a plan and you wouldn't come alone. Tell me, do you think the hedgehog has rescued Master Locke yet?". Espio fought the other Metorex and was pushed back while Dark Oak watched "Your plans have come to ruination, Shinobi" "I'm hearing a lot of talking, General. But in the end what has it gotten you? A futile quest for power? A mutilated body? Your place as Dimitri's errand boy?" Espio said mockingly. "I'm no errand boy, and I'm not in this war for Dimitri's politics. I am the leader of the most powerful badnik army the galaxy has ever seen". Dark Oak advanced as Espio destroyed the Metorex and took his staff "An army with no loyalty, no spirit, just programming. What have you to show for all your power? What have you to gain?". Dark Oak stopped and was silent as Espio could feel the rage emanating from him.
He finally spoke "What do I have to gain? Years ago, Chameleon, I was defending my people from an enemy that planned to wipe us out. Then your ships came. After years of grovelling to the Republic I thought we had finally received aid. But they fired on us. Then your Shinobi rained form the sky. You slaughter my people! You... You cripple my body beyond repair and you ask what I have to gain!? A future! A future where there are no Shinobi!". His arms split so he now had four and he lunged at Espio, the Shinobi was getting overwhelmed by the attacks and jumped behind him, but Dark Oak kicked him to the ground "For the moment it will suffice to end your future!".
Shadow and Erma entered the bridge with the remains of an Omega which Shadow through forward "Surprise". The Swatbot watched them and raised his right arm which had a button on it "Not exactly". Multiple Metals jumped out of hiding and surrounded the Shinobi "The General's analysis of your tactics has been 100% accurate today. Very impressive. Even by my standards". He pressed it causing Locke to scream in pain as electricity coursed through his body "One more step and your friend will die". Shadow and Erma smirked at each other before the latter pulled the bot towards him with the Force and cut off his right arm. "Uh, oh" it said right before Erma charged forward and cut through the Metals. Shadow helped her but using the distraction the Swatbot picked up his severed arm. He laughed but then realized he now had no way of pressing the button. Shadow smirked and quickly cut the robot in half. Lock looked down at them "I see you got my message. Have you captured Dark Oak?", Erma helped him down. Shadow shook his head "Not yet. But if we cut off his escape there's a good chance.
Espio dodged Dark Oak's attack and was forced to flee from the enraged warrior. He activated his commlink "Shadow, I hope you've rescued Master Locke because I'm leading Dark Oak back to you" "Good, Erma's on her way to help. I'm getting Locke back to the shuttle". He kept running "Armand, I'm bringing Dark Oak your way" Espio then looked behind him and saw Dark Oak chasing him. He then ran through a corridor towards the clones and once he got past, they fired on Dark Oak. He deflected the blasts and pushed Espio aside before running back to his own ship. "Fire on the frigate's engines and prepare for a landing assault on Romanus" the carrier did so, and the frigate began to shake. Espio chased him onto the connecting tube between the ships and the two continued their fight. Eventually entering the carrier where Erma appeared and helped Espio. Armand entered right before the tube broke showing the dark abyss of space. Everyone was getting pulled back into the tube and they saw the clones still on the frigate get sucked out. Dark Oak crawled back onto the carrier "Until we meet again, Espio" he said before he sprinted down the hallway. Espio lost his grip and fell past Erma but Armand was able to grab his arm saving him. Erma managed to get back to the top and took out a grappling cable which she fired at Espio and Armand which they used to climb back up. They then closed the door allowing them to breath "Come on. We can still catch him!" Espio said but Erma didn't move "Espio, Shadow is leaving. We'll be trapped on this ship". Espio stopped before reluctantly activating his commlink "Shadow, are you there. We're in a bit of a spot and were hoping you could help us" "There's a hanger near your position. Go there and I'll pick you up".
They ran towards the hanger and saw Shadow's shuttle land. They ran inside and it took off right before the frigate and the Egg Carrier exploded. Espio and Erma entered the cockpit, and they could see a damaged Separatists invasion ship along with multiple pods entering the atmosphere of Romanus "Shadow, get me Admiral Gerald". Shadow activated the holo-unit and Espio leaned forward "Admiral, prepare the tanks. We need to get down there" "Yes, sir". Shadow turned to him "They'll be multiple landing sights. It'll be hard to locate the General". Espio nodded "You'll command the space battle while Fang, Armand and I head to the surface" "You sure you can handle this on your own?" Shadow joked. "I think I can manage" Espio said with a smirk. The shuttle headed back to the cruiser; Locke looked to the other three Shinobi "You all took a great risk in rescuing me" "You're welcome, Master Locke" Espio said. Locke however looked regretful "Dark Oak has escaped again, I would have gladly given my life if it meant you could bring that monster to justice". Espio however remembered what Dark Oak had told him "I don't think monster is the right word for him".