A royal welcome! Sent to investigate
allegations that Planet Wisp was joining
Dimitri's Separatists, Espio the
Chameleon was reunited with an old
friend, the Duchess Liza.
While Liza claimed Planet Wisp's
intentions were to remain neutral
during the war, an attack on the capital
city led Espio to the discovery of a
terrorist organization known as the
Diamond Cutters.
Now the Duchess travels to the Senate,
so she can plead her case against her
involvement in the war, as the Shinobi prepare
a defence against her opponents….
In the dark cargo hold of the cruiser Shadow and Espio were speaking to a group of clones including Armand and Fang. "You know your orders. The safety of the Duchess Liza is of the utmost importance. The Diamond Cutters will stop at nothing to assassinate her before she pleads her case to the Senate" Espio told them. Shadow stepped forward "The Diamond Cutters may be backed by the Separatist so stay sharp". He turned to a familiar gizoid "Emerl, you stay here and scan for any suspicious activity" Emerl beeped. Fang and Armand nodded "Anything else, sir?" the latter asked Espio, "No, that'll be all" the other clones then move out to positions. Espio's commlink activated "Yes?" "The Duchess has requested your presence" "Very well". The four of them entered a lift and it took them up. Shadow glanced at Espio "I sense some anxiety from you about the Duchess. She couldn't be in safer hands" "Yes, I know". Shadow looked curiously at him "Then why-" "Nevermind. It's all in the past". Shadow was surprised by this "Oh, so you're close to her?" "I knew her… a long time ago" he said sounding annoyed before walking out of the lift. Shadow gave a slight smirk.
Liza was in a large room with a group of senators "War is intolerable. We have been deceived into thinking we must be a part of it. I say the moment we committed to fighting we already lost". Sleet took a drink "Excuse me, Your Grace, are you suggesting that you'll oppose the war on humanitarian grounds" "I oppose it as a front to life itself. As the designated regnant of 1500 systems, I speak for thousands of worlds who wish to remain neutral in this war". Espio and Shadow entered "And yet some might argue that the strongest defence is a swift and decisive offence" the former said. The two chameleons glared at each other "You are quite the general now aren't you, Master Espio?" "Forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness. I mean no disrespect" he responded. Liza had a sceptical smile "Really? Senators I presume you're acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Espio the Chameleon".
Espio happily nodded "Your Highness is too kind" "Yes, I am". Shadow was trying to hide how much he was enjoying this when Espio gestured to him "Allow me to introduce my fellow Shinobi, Shadow the Hedgehog". Shadow bowed "At your service, Milady" Liza looked at the both of them "I remember a time when Shinobi were not generals, but peacekeepers". "We are protectors, Your Highness. Yours at the moment. We fight for peace" Shadow responded, Liza scoffed "What an amusing contradiction". Espio stepped forward "What he means is that we are here at the behest of the Senate to protect you from those who don't share your neutral point of view". Liza raised her eyebrows "I never asked for protection" "That maybe true but the majority of your court did". She glared at him "I don't remember you as one to hide behind excuses" "I don't remember you as one to shrink form responsibilities". Alexander Acorn got between the two of them "I think you've both made your points very well, but we do have Senate work to get to", Liza nodded and began speaking with her Council. Espio turned to Shadow "There may be two sides to every dilemma, but the Duchess only favours hers".
A monkey clone was searching through the cargo hold when he heard a mechanical clanging. He looked around but it turned out to be Emerl "Urgh, stop messing around. That's not funny". Emerl beeped as if he was laughing and then walk round a corner out of sight. The clone sighed in relief but when he turned around, he saw a mechanical spider with glowing red eyes and multiple small holes on his head. Two of its hooked legs grabbed the clone around the neck stopping him from screaming.
Liza had finished her discussion with the other senators resulting in her and Espio going back to their argument. "A Republic military presence is the only sure defence against the Separatists" "Did you ever wonder why they're separatists to begin with". The two were angrily walking towards each other "It's hard to hear them over the clanking of their badniks". She scoffed "The sarcasm of a soldier" "The delusion of a dreamer". Sleet walked up to the two of them "Duchess, Master Shinobi, it's been a long trip. I think we can all use some rest and refreshment. Perhaps we could continue this debate after dinner" "Fine" they both answered. Liza walked out; Shadow was trying very hard to hide his smirk. The other senators followed Liza and the two Shinobi then followed them. "You and Liza have history" Shadow said. Espio sighed "It was an extended mission when I was younger. Master Maria and I spent a year on Planet Wisp, protecting the Duchess from insurgents who threatened her world".
The two entered a lift "They sent bounty hunters after us. We were always on the run. Moving from place to place, never sure what the next day would bring" "Sounds romantic" Shadow joked, Espio glared at him. The lift stopped and they walked out "So what happened?" "A civil war killed most of Liza's people, hence her aversion to violence. When she returned, she had the difficult task of rebuilding her world alone". "You didn't stay to help her?" Shadow asked, "That would have been problematic. My duty demanded I was needed elsewhere". They entered their quarters and Shadow leaned against a wall "Demanded? Did you… think of staying?" "I live by the Shinobi code" Espio bluntly said. His commlink activated "Yes, Captain?" "Sir, somethings going on. We've lost contact with some of our men and General Shadow's gizoid scanners are going crazy". Espio stood up "I'm on my way down" "I'll go, Master. If there's something dangerous down there the clones and i can handle it" Shadow said before leaving the room.
Espio entered the dining room where the Senators were sitting down in front of plates of food "I beg your pardon, Senators. Our men are investigating a situation bellow decks. I respectfully ask you to wait here until it's settled".
Shadow entered the cargo hold where the clones were waiting "Alright men, what's the problem, I'm missing dinner?" "Were not sure yet, sir. We still don't have contact with the others" Fang answered. Emerl ran up to Shadow "What's the matter buddy". Emerl beeped "I know. I know. Use your scanners, see if anything's out of place". Emerl's eyes flashed for a moment before he started leading them deeper into the cargo hold. He led them to a large crate that was lying open, Shadow examined it "Alright, fan out. I'll contact Espio". He activated his commlink "Shadow, what've you found?" "There's a large container with the contents missing and we still have men unaccounted for" "Alright, keep things quiet. I'll stay with the Senators". Emerl suddenly beeped and walked away "You found something?" Shadow asked as he followed. They walked through past a line of crates and then saw the monkey clone walk out of the darkness with his mouth hanging open "There you are. Redeye, were have you been? You had us… worried". Redeye was waking strangely and Shadow noticed his eyes were bloodshot "Redeye?" Shadow saw metallic legs holding Redeye's shoulders. He ignited his lightsaber, the spider threw Redeye's body, but he got out of the way. The spider crawled down and charged at Shadow, but he cut off two of its legs. Rex, Armand, and the other clones appeared and fired at the spider destroying it. Another spider appeared and ran up the lift shaft "Espio, there's assassin bots down here. One of them made it up the lift. We'll keep the others here". Suddenly small metallic spiders crawled out and advanced on the clones.
Espio ignited his lightsaber just as the spider bashed through the dining room door, the Senators backed away in fear as Espio stabbed it in the eye. It stopped moving when small metallic spiders starting climbing out of it as well. Liza pulled out a small deactivator pistol which fired an electric waved which shut multiple spiders down. Espio covered her "Do you always carry around a deactivator?" "Just because I'm a pacifist doesn't mean I won't defend myself". Espio smirked "Now you sound like a Shinobi" they managed to stop them all.
Little spiders started climbing out of the one in the cargo hold Shadow and the clones backed away as they fired on them "They're everywhere!". One of the clones got swarmed by the spiders and fell to the ground dead. Emerl was running through the swarm and fired an electric ark from his hands destroying some of them "Good work, buddy" Shadow said as he was cutting any that got near him in half. They managed to destroy the rest of them "Good work men. You too buddy" Shadow said to Emerl who beeped hammily. "Assassin bots. How did they get in the hold?" Fang asked, "Someone must have smuggled them onboard".
Espio picked up one of the spider bots "Just like that swarm of Chaos P-100s. Remember?" Espio asked, Liza smiled "How could I forget? I still have the scar". Espio looked confused "Begging your pardon, Duchess. I distinctly remember carrying you to safety", she smirked "I meant the scar from when you fell and dropped me" "Oh, yes". Shadow suddenly entered looking troubled, Espio walked up to him "What did you find?". Shadow handed him a data pad "We checked the manifest. The crate those things came in has a Senate stamp instead of a name. One of our distinguished Senators appears to be a traitor". Espio examined the manifest "I sense it to. I have an idea to find them. Go back down the hold and destroy the remaining bots".
Later the Senators were back to eating when Espio re-entered the room holding a plate with a cloth over it. Senator alexander looked happy "Ah, dessert" "This morsel might prove too much for even your legendary appetite, Senator". He removed the cloth revealing a reactivated spider under a glass container. Everyone gasped but Espio smirked "Enjoy" "On second thought I don't think it would agree with me". Espio looked to the others "My theory is our little friend will attack the Duchess and anyone who defends her. Anyone that is except the traitor who programmed them". The spider jumped at the glass trying to get to Alexander Acorn who was clearly terrified. Liza stood up "Espio, this line of questioning boars on torture" she said angrily. Espio started walking around the table with the spider trying to get to the nearest Senator "I assure you, Duchess that all is under control. I'm trying to expose a bigger threat". He walked past her making the spider go crazier. But he then went close to Sleet and the spider stopped "It seems to like you, Senator Sleet. Well". Sleet nervously looked away "Really, General Espio, you're quite clever!" he quickly stood up and hit the plate out of Espio's hands. The spider was released and immediately jumped on Alexander. Espio rushed forward and cut it off but in the confusion, Sleet grabbed Liza who struggled but he then pointed a blaster at her head "You're coming with me". Espio watched him back out of the room with her.
Shadow was cautiously walking through the cargo hold when his commlink activated "Shadow, Senator Sleet is the traitor and he's taken Liza hostage" "I've kind of got my own problems right now". He then heard blaster fire and ran to its source. He saw Armand and Fang on the ground with spiders on them. Shadow ran forward and sliced the ones on Armand when Emerl appeared and got the one on Fang "Thanks, little guy". Shadow helped them both up "Well we found the little ones. What about the mother?" "Haven't seen it" Fang said. It suddenly jumped out from a pile of boxes and lunges and Fang throwing him back. Shadow threw his lightsabers at its legs knocking it over. Fang climbed on top and shot it right in the head.
Sleet entered the bridge of the ship and shot the crew. The Captain watched in fear "No, please. I beg you", Sleet shot him dead. Liza looked in shock "Monster. You're a horrid monster" "Get used to it" he said mockingly.
Espio ran down a hallway and met with Shadow "I've stationed troops at every escape pod" "Sleet will attempt to contact his allies. We have to find him". The both entered the lift and Shadow glanced at him "This may not be the time to ask but were you and Liza ever-" "I don't see how that has any bearing on the situation at hand" he snapped at him.
Sleet took the ship out of hyperdrive before activating the holo-unit. A hologram of Smithy wearing his mask appeared "Sleet, have you completed your mission?" "Yes, sir. I have the Duchess, but I'll need help getting off the ship". Smithy nodded "Very good. Reinforcements are on their way".
Three boarding ships crashed into the cruiser and released Omegas. Not far away clones were running towards crash, Shadow turned to Espio "I'll take care of this, Espio. You go find your girlfriend". He followed the clones "Right. Wait, no, Shadow, she's not my-" Espio said before sighing and turning the other way. He ran into the bridge and Sleet smirked at him "Come in, General Espio. You're expected" "Sleet the Wolf, you are under arrest. Release the Duchess". Sleet chuckled and held out a remote "I urge caution. I press this button and the ship's engines go up". Liza looked shocked "Espio, if you have any respect for me you will not take that risk with so many people's live at stake". "Liza, I- Don't!" he ordered Sleet who started to move. He slowly walked around Espio and backed out of the room with Espio cautiously following him. Sleet activated his commlink "This is Sleet. Standby to disengage. Say farewell, Duchess" he back up next to one of the boarding ships. Liza looked scared "Espio, it looks like I may never see you again. I don't know quite how to say this, but I've loved you form the moment you came to my aid all those years ago". Sleet rolled his eyes in annoyance "I don't believe this". Espio looked at her "Liza, this is hardly the time for…" she stared at him pleadingly. He sighed "Alright. Had you said the word I would have left the Shinobi order". Sleet mockingly nodded "That is touching. Truly it is but it's making me sick. We really must be going".
Liza suddenly elbowed him in the stomach and grabbed his blaster. She backed away and pointed it at him but Sleet surprisingly chuckled "Well done, but I don't need to bring you in alive. The second I'm away I'll detonate the engines". She held the blaster tighter "I will not allow that". Sleet noticed she was shaking "What will you do? If you shoot me then you'll prove yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist ideal you hold dear. And you, Espio. You're no stranger to violence. You'll be hailed as a hero by everyone on the ship. Well, almost everyone" he glanced at Liza, Espio didn't move. Sleet looked between the two of them with a grin on his face "Come on then. Who will strike and brand themselves a cold-blooded killer?". Suddenly a lightsaber went through his chest and he gasped. He dropped the remote but it was caught by a hand. Sleet's body fell to the ground dead revealing a smug looking Shadow. Liza threw away the blaster in shock, "Shadow" Espio said disapprovingly. Shadow raised his hands innocently "What? He was gonna blow up the ship". "Espio, I-" Liza was about to say something when Armand arrived "General Shadow, the last of the badniks have been defeated, sir" "good work, Armand". Liza sighed and turned around "I must get back to the business at hand" she walked away, "As you wish, Duchess. Some other time" Espio said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
The ship docked at a platform on Mobotropolis where Chancellor Solaris was waiting with guards. Espio and Shadow exited first and met with him "A job well done, Master Shinobi" "Thank you, Chancellor" "Your Excellency". They stepped aside and Solaris met with the other Senators. Liza walked up to Shadow and Espio with the former leaving to let them talk. Liza smiled "How ironic to meet again only to find were on opposing sides". Espio seemed to be trying to avoid looking her in the eyes "The needs of your people are all that matters. They couldn't be in better hands with you to guide their future". She stepped forward "Kind words indeed from a mindful and committed Shinobi. Although-" "What?", Liza paused before shaking her head "Nevermind". The two looked at each other's eyes before she nodded to him and walked away. Shadow came back and sniggered "She's a very remarkable woman" "She is indeed" they both watched her enter a transport with the Senators.