A people enslaved! To locate the abducted
colonists of a peace-loving world, the Shinobi
infiltrated the slaver planet of Drakkon,
only to be captured by its ambitious queen,
who plots to rebuild her empire of
oppression. Now, even Espio the Chameleon must
come to terms with a life in chains...
Inside the processing centre Espio and Fang were working with the Kawata people inside a refinery. They were all bruised and covered in soot. They were chained together with others all shovelling piles of fuel into carts. Omen on a hover chair flew over to Espio and laughed "Espio the Chameleon, once a Shinobi Master, now a Shinobi slave. Pitiful". Espio didn't say anything and just continued to work so Omen moved on. Espio heard screaming and saw one of the guards whipping an exhausted slave "Keep eyes on your toil, worm!". Fang stepped closer to Espio "Sir, this place is locked up tighter than the Shinobi Temple. Double fail safes on every security measure. I believe it when they say no one's ever escaped". Espio shovelled another pile of coal into the cart "There's a first time for everything, Captain. Every aspect of this place is designed to shatter the will. It has already begun to affect these poor people. We must do something". A whip suddenly hit his back; he fell to his knees "Speech is forbidden!" the guard told him. Fang continued to work as Espio turned to the guard "I'm sorry. It won't happen again" "There will be punishment". The guard whipped Lobo's back causing him to scream and fall onto the pile. Espio tried to get between them, but his chains stopped him "No! Stop. It was my mistake! Leave him alone" he pleaded. One of the guards pulled him back as the other glared at him "Now your giving orders, slave?". He whipped Lobo again "Beg for my forgiveness before this one dies because of you". Espio got on his knees "Please, forgive me, Master. I know I am not to speak". He then subtly waved his hand "We can stop his punishment now". The guard stopped "We can stop his punishment now" he repeated. The other guards laughed "We'll forge a slave out of the Shinobi yet". They left and Espio went over to Lobo "Let me help you". Lobo hit his hand away "Keep away from me. Shinobi only make things worse". Espio backed away and sighed before getting back to work.
Dimitri's ship was heading towards Drakon. In the cockpit as his robot piloted the ship, he was speaking to a hologram of Mephiles "I am en route to correct the situation now, Master. The Drakon Queen has pushed my patience by taking the hedgehog as her bodyguard". Mephiles nodded "Do not concern yourself with young Shadow, it is these slaves of Kawata that are problematic. Long have Raiju empires been built upon the backs of slaves. To carry on this tradition, we will require millions. But this queen has been attracting to much attention. Both the Republic and Separatists will be forced to take action and if the queen is captured our involvement could be discovered". Dimitri nodded "I assure you, the queen's defiance will not sour your plans, Master" "If she fails to see the error of her ways, end her rule".
Shadow was walking through a street with Tatiana next to him with her arm around his "Have you considered my offer, General? If you vow loyalty to me, I will free your friends" "It's not an easy decision". Tatiana stared at him curiously "Hmm. I thought the Shinobi were selfless, placing the needs of others before their own". Shadow put his other hand to his back and made a subtle gesture. Emerl who was following the two of them went a different way. Claws then appeared and bowed "My queen, I bring word. Dimitri is on his way here". Tatiana sighed in annoyance "Sooner than anticipated. Make prearations for his arrival". Claws nodded and ran back the way he came. Shadow crossed his arms "So even you have a master" "Dimitri is not my master. Perhaps you should not attend this meeting. Can I trust you not to run away?" she held out her hand. Shadow took his lightsaber "I don't run away from anything, Your Highness" she took it and laughed before walking away. A guard raised his blaster to Shadow and gestured for him to start moving. Shadow raised his hands and smirked. Emerl suddenly appeared and shocked the guard in the leg. The guard turned to face the gizoid and Shadow quickly grabbed him and threw him over the balcony. Emerl beeped happily "Nice work, pal. You find Amy?".
Dimitri without his armour entered the throne room where Tatiana and Claws was waiting "I wasn't expecting you, Dimitri. Especially without an invitation". Dimitri politely bowed his head "But I was invited by your faithful advisor". Tatiana looked to Claws who avoided her graze as Dimitri continued "He is very concerned over how attached you've become to Shadow the Hedgehog" "The hedgehog is my property. As a symbol the Drakon Empire's power to enslave the Shinobi". Dimitri smiled but remained respectful "Your power over him is an illusion. He will escape and destroy everything we have created. You forget, Your Highness, I was once a Shinobi myself" "You have little in common with Shadow". She stood up and a slave handed her and Dimitri "Please, hear my plans for the Shinobi, then decide. Right now, at my facility in the Kedavo system, Espio the Chameleon is in despair". Dimitri took a drink "I'm listening" "Espio is coming to realise that he is helpless to aid the desperately needy that surround him. His efforts will only injure him".
On Kedavo the slaves were all sitting on the floor eating the few scraps they were given "For the first time in his life his need to help the oppressed only makes him feared by them". Espio was staring blankly at the floor eating "As plans for escape and hopes of rescue fade the gnawing fear that he will never be able to take action will grow in Espio's heart". A guard walked forward and kicked his plate away. Espio barley reacted and just continued to stare at the floor making the guard laugh "To ease the burden of his fellow slaves, defiance will become compliance".
Espio was now laying on a metal slab that was supposed to be his bed with the other slaves doing the same "When Espio realises he cannot help those around him, his spirit will break, and he will be mine".
Tatiana took a drink "The Shinobi already serve a corrupt Republic. I will merely shift their allegiance to me. Once the will of Shadow and Espio fall how many other Shinobi will follow". She laughed "Imagine an army of Shinobi in our service. The Drakon Empire will be invincible". Dimitri smiled and handed his glass back to the slave "A most ambitious plan, Your Highness. Only my goal is not the enslavement of the Shinobi Order, but its extermination. I gave come here to supervise their execution, perform it if necessary. Now, summon Shadow".
Amy was lying in her cage when she heard a noise above her. She looked u and saw Shadow jump over the balcony and onto the top of the cage "Well, hello, Master. Took you long enough" she said smiling. Shadow chuckled "I didn't what to take the nice view away from you". He used the Force to lift the cage off the latches and back up onto the balcony. Shadow jumped off and opens the door "Are you okay" "I've been better". She broke her collar off "I sense a disturbance in the Force" "It's Dimitri. I need you to get our ship. Here, take this commlink". He ran in the other direction confusing Amy "Where are you going?" "The queen knows where Espio is. Hold onto that commlink and wait for my signal".
Tatiana had her back to Dimitri "I have no desire to end Shadow's life. He has become a valuable asset to me and my throne". Dimitri's polite facade began to fade "Your compliance is not optional. I command you to kill the Hedgehog". Tatiana almost snarled from anger before turning to Dimitri "I will not be ordered about in my own palace!". Claws stepped forward "Please reconsider, Your Highness" "I will not!". Dimitri took out his lightsaber "Then I'm afraid I must relieve you of your throne". Tatiana stepped back "You dare threaten me. Guards, arrest him!". Before the two guards even moved their throats were crushed by an invisible hand. Dimitri then stepped closer to her "if you won't do my bidding perhaps another will". Claws crossed his arms "Your brought this on yourself, Your Highness" "Claws!? Ah, you will both pay for this treachery". Dimitri began to strangle her with the Force "Punishment for a slave who disobeys her master". Shadow then ran in "That's enough!". Dimitri dropped the queen "I see the queen has given you a long leash. One more step and I will end her life" "Why would you think I care about this slaver scum?" "Indeed". Shadow pulled the whip on Claws' belt towards him and tried to hit Dimitri who used his lightsaber to stop it. Dimitri hit the whip out of his hands and fired a beam of light at him. Shadow was thrown to the ground and began to groan in pain, but more guards suddenly entered. Dimitri stopped as the guard saw Tatiana's body "The Queen!" "She was murdered by the Shinobi". Shadow quickly activated his commlink, "Take your vengeance!". The guards opened fired. Shadow dashed forward, scooped up Tatiana's body, jumped over Dimitri and broke through the window. He landed on a waiting ship and ran into the cargo hold right before the ship flew away. Shadow placed the dying Tatiana on the floor "Your Highness". She spoke weakly "No escape… for any of us" she held out Shadow and Amy's lightsaber. Shadow took them "Where is Espio? Tell me" "Kadavo system. You were right, Shadow. I am a slave. Just as you are". She then died.
On Kadavo Espio, Fang and the others were pushing a large wheel which worked the filtration turbine. It could be done automatically but Omen thought it was another way to break their wills. Espio hear Lobo in front of them speaking to one of his men "I can't take anymore, Lobo" "No, Tuk. You still have your life" "I wouldn't call this pitiful existence life. We've lost our homes, our families, and our freedom. We have nothing else left". Fang looked to Espio "Always figured I'd catch a baster bold in some combat zone. Not live out my years pushing a wheel" "We'll get out of this eventually, Captain. My concern is what will be left of these people when we finally do". Fang looked back at Lobo and Tuk "I guess it does change you forever. These poor people have lost everything" "And every time we try to help or protect them, they're punished for it. The truth is all we can do now is give them hope". Espio raised his voice "My friends! You may have lost your freedom, but I know of one thing you cherish that has been returned to you" "Quiet Shinobi. False hope is worse than the pain of the whips" one of the slaves in front of Lobo yelled. "Let him talk!" Lobo told him. They all continued to push the wheel, but all listened to Espio "This clone and I were among the Republic forces that fought the badnik army on Kawata after you were gone. We were victories. Kawata has been liberated". The slaves all began to mutter "I dared not dream of it" "Is it possible?" "We mut fight. If we rebelled". Espio shook his head "Thousands would die. First and foremost, you must survive. A chance will come to free yourselves, but it will only have value if you re alive to use it. So, live the life of a slave. Toil in the foundry of the master. But share your hope with others so that it may grow in you all. No matter what you are forced to face remember that across the stars your home awaits you. Live and you will be reunited with your loved ones and walk on Kawata again. Free". Omen watched them form a platform.
Omen was in his command centre when Espio and Fang were brought in. Fang saw that one of the controllers was wearing his hat. Omen's chair hovered over to the two of them as they were forced to bow "Someone wishes to speak with you". A hologram of Dimitri appeared "Espio the Chameleon. In chains once again, I see" "Dimitri, still afraid to get your hands dirty" "I would gladly make an exception in your case, my friend. I wanted to say a proper farewell before Governor Omen puts you to death". One of the controllers stood up "Governor, a ship is making an unscheduled landing platform two-four" "The Hedgehog. Omen, delete any record of this transmission". Omen Nervously nodded "Yes, my lord".
Outside Shadow, Amy and Emerl were using the main doors as cover from cannons. One of which fired on their landed ship destroying it "So much for our ride home" "What now" "We get through the old-fashioned way" he ignited his lightsaber and started to cut through the door. He almost finished cutting an opening a screen on the control panel showed Espio "Shadow! I'm glad to see you, but I'm afraid our host feels otherwise". Shadow shrugged "You can't make everyone happy, Master" "They're threatening to kill the slaves unless you surrender" "It's good to see you're always willing to negotiate. But I've had enough bargaining with slave drivers". Espio sighed "Shadow if anyone knows that slavery can be temporary, and death permanent it's you. This is a fight you cannot win alone" "Who said I was alone?". Amy's commlink activated and she heard Rob's voice "Amy, we've jumped out of hyperspace and are on our way". Fighters entered the atmosphere and fired on the gun turrets, but they were ray-shielded. Amy watched them "I hope you told them not to destroy the facility until we're off it with the slaves" "I figured that would go without saying" "We'll need a bigger ship". Shadow finished cutting the door open and they climbed through.
Omen was watching the screens of the attack. Espio used the Force to break he and Fang's collars "Fang, now!" "Gladly, sir". Espio jumped back and knocked out one of the guards, another tried to shoot at him, but Espio made him shoot his arm restraints freeing him. Fang fought another and threw him into a control panel. Espio saw Omen doing something on a console and quickly grabbed a blaster "No". Omen pressed a final button. In the large holding cell, the Kawata people were being held, the floor began to move into the wall revealing a large drop into the lava below. The wall then electrified giving them no where to escape. Omen smashed the console before jumping back on his hover chair. Espio went to the controls but couldn't stop it. Omen laughed as Espio activated his commlink "The controls are destroyed, Master Rob. There's nothing we can do from here!" "I cannot move the cruiser in for the rescue operation until those enemy cannons are destroyed". Espio then heard Shadow "We'll take care of them. Just be ready. We're running out of time!".
Amy ran down a corridor and opened the cell door. She jumped over onto the platform with the rest of her people. Meanwhile Shadow ran back outside and jumped up onto one of the cannons. He cut through and killed the gunner. He took control of the cannon and used it to destroy the other "We're all clear, Master Rob. Bring the cruiser down to the landing pad" "Cancel that order, Master! There's no way to get the people out of the holding cell and up to the landing platform. But I have an idea. We need to have the cruiser move in underneath the facility. We can escape onto the ship".
Espio took his lightsaber from Omen and pointed it at his neck. Omen didn't look worried "Come now, Master Espio. I know a Shinobi won't kill an unarmed man" "Yeah". Omen looked and saw Fang standing at the control console with his hat back on. He smirked holding an electric spear which he threw at Omen. It went right through his stomach "I'm no Shinobi" he tipped his hat to the dying slave driver. Omen's hover chair crashed into one of the screens.
The cruiser flew underneath the holding cell, on the rood of the ship was Karl with his Chaos Squad all wearing jet packs. They all flew up and fired cables at the roof of the holding cell. Amy turned to the others "Okay, everyone. Get ready. We'll have to go in groups". The colonist began jumping one by one onto the cables and slid down onto the roof of the cruiser. Karl and the clones flew into the cell and began carrying other back down as well to speed it up. In the courtyard gunships landed, Shadow, Fang and Espio all ran onboard, and it took off. The colonists were so busy thanking the clones and Amy that they had some trouble leading them inside as the ship flew away. On the gunship Fang took out a detonator. Espio nodded "Fang, set off the self-destruct". The gunship pilot turned to them "Sir, Chancellor Solaris' office just sent word ordering the facility to be left intact for Republic use… At a later date". Fang was surprised by this "I don't understand. A place like this only has one use". Shadow nodded "I'm with Fang on this one. What do you think, Master?" "I could not agree more. If you will proceed, Captain". Fang grinned "With pleasure, sir" he pressed the detonator and the ship went up in flames.
A few days later after the clean up and the colonists had a good rest and food, a Shinobi Cruiser headed towards Kawata with them. Onboard the cruiser the Shinobi were finally able to talk to Lobo and the others after days of dealing with the aftermath of the centre's destruction. Lobo was speaking to Amy. He smiled at her "Amy, you have done a great deed for your people. I think your parents will be very proud of you". Amy's eyes opened wide for a moment before she composed herself "They were in the cell" she asked calmly. Lobo nodded "Yes, although I don't think they realised it was you. I would be delighted to introduce you-" "No. Um, I mean. I'm sorry, Governor. But I am part of the Shinobi now and I mustn't form those kind of attachments" she said this as if reading it from a rule book. Lobo was surprised by this but respectfully nodded "My apologies". Amy didn't want to think about it further "What will our people do now" "I'm not sure. I will have to discuss it with Master Blaze when we return to Kawata" they walked together. As they watched the two of them Espio sighed, "You okay, Master". Espio looked guilty of something "Shadow, if… I have ever been dismissive about slavery in the past, I apologize. I was subjected to it for a brief time, and I cannot imagine living with it every day… Especially as a child". He put his hand on Shadow's shoulder "I understand now… that letting go of it isn't something that happens easily. But if anyone can do it, I believe you can". Espio didn't realise just how much those words hit Shadow "Thank you, Master". Rob then walked up to them "We've had reports from Drakon" "What's happened?" Espio asked. "After the Separatists heard of our attack on the station Dimitri didn't have any choice but to allow them to attack Drakon. They sent a small fleet and arrested many of the buyers from the auctions. They also managed to free most of the captured slaves. However most of the Drakons scattered so their Empire is still intact despite the crippling blow". Shadow was curious "Did any of them admit to Dimitri's involvement" "No. Dimitri has a talent in scaring people to silence. All they admitted to was him killing Queen Tatiana after she threatened to execute the Kawata colonists during their negotiations". Shadow crossed his arms "So he's a hero?" "I'm afraid so".
Blaze and Lobo were in his tower staring through the broken window down at the damaged city. Lobo seemed a lot less cheery than he was with Amy "My people will be forever indebted to the Shinobi Order, Master Blaze" "We did our duty. The suffering your people endured is most unfortunate". Lobo sighed "It is my responsibility to make sure this never happens to my people again" "The Drakon Empire doesn't give up their prey easily. We will station a garrison of clones. You will be safe". Lobo nodded "I appreciate the offer, Master Blaze. But your security is not enough. My people need to be trained to defend themselves. Our vision has failed miserably. In this galaxy we must walk the path of warriors weather we like it or not".
Shadow and Amy were walking through the city streets, around them clones were loading the broken badniks onto carts to bring a sense of normalcy back. Amy looked troubled "Master, I've been thinking" "Uh-oh" "I'm serious. It's something the Drakon Queen said. That the Shinobi have become slaves of the Republic for serving a corrupt Senate. That we betrayed our own beliefs. Do you think there is any truth to what she said?". Shadow though for a moment "Well, I think Espio said it best when he said it's from a certain point of view. We have given up our freedom to help others. However the difference is that any freedoms we sacrificed we chose to. And that choice allowed us to save these colonists from being slaves forever". Amy smiled "I'd say that's worth it. What'd you say once the war is over we end slavery in the galaxy" she said this casually. Shadow chuckled "That's an awful big job. Maybe even for the tow of us" "If there's one thing you've taught me, Master, it's that one person can make all the difference in the galaxy". Shadow humourlessly shrugged "Fine. You got yourself a deal, Snips. Me and you, we'll wipe out slavery once and for all".