Conspiracy! After repeated setbacks
on the planet Azuria, an elite clone
squad is deployed to investigate the
Separatist tactical advantage. This
special unit, called the Babylon Rogues,
infiltrates Admiral Kragok's Cyber
Centre to steal a strategic algorithm
capable of predicting the Republic's
every move.
What our heroes found was a live signal
from the ARC trooper known as Ray the Squirrel, a
clone long believed to be dead….
At the Republic base, Rutan, Fang and Shadow were walking through the hanger "Word is the general staff isn't completely behind this mission". Fang sighed "I admit the idea that Ray is still alive is a long shot" "I'm sure the Council will approve the mission. Just remember the primary goal is to learn how the Separatists are predicting our strategy, whether it's Ray behind it or not" Shadow said. Rutan crossed his arms "Well, if you want my opinion, sounds like a trap. But me and the boys will tag along anyway, if only to say, I told you so. Shadow nodded "Just be ready, if we get the go-ahead from General Espio" "If you're certain he'll approve the mission, why wait? Let's get going" Fang asked. Shadow hit his shoulder "First, we have that thing to do" "Uh, what thing?". Shadow tilted his head "You know", Fang glanced away "We don't have time for that, sir". Shadow awkwardly nodded "Yes, we do". Rutan stared at both of them "Well, I'll just let you two sort this out. I'll be waiting on the ship with the rest of the team". He walked away and Shadow hit Fang's shoulder "Come on, Fang. I'm late as it is". They walked towards the barracks, Shadow entered while Fang waited outside keeping watch. Shadow went to the middle of the room and placed a holo-disc on the floor. It then projected a smiling Tikal in front of Shadow "You're late again".
Shadow sighed guiltily "Tikal, I'm so sorry. We didn't anticipate the Outer Zone Sieges would last this long" "That would be why they call it a siege, Shadow" "I know, I just thought that I-". Tikal rolled her eyes "You thought you could bring a swift end to the conflict single-handedly". Shadow smirked and shrugged "Well, it wouldn't be the first time" he joked. Tikal chuckled "Shadow, what you're doing is important. The Republic needs you on the front lines just as they need my voice in the Senate". Shadow reluctantly nodded and smiled at her "I know". Outside, Fang was awkwardly standing at the door nodding and saluting at the clones that walked past. He then noticed Espio walking towards him "Oh, great" he discreetly knocked on the door to warn Shadow. He heard it from inside "What is it?", Shadow sighed "Espio is coming". Tikal stared at him "No, that's not it. There's something else". Shadow reluctantly answered "It's Fang. I'm worried he's letting his personal feelings drive him too much on this mission". Tikal raised her eyebrows "I wonder where he learned that". Espio walked up to the barracks "Fang, where's Shadow? I need to speak to him about this mission" "Well, General, he's, um…" "Well, he's inside your barracks, isn't he?".
Fang stood against the door stopping Espio "Yes, sir". Espio crossed his arms "What's going on here?" "Nothing, sir. I was just waiting for the General… uh, General". Espio glared at him "You'll have to do better than that, Captain". Back inside the barracks, "You've known Fang a long time. When you throw caution to the wind and take chances, something you do a lot I might add, where is he?" "Right beside me". Tikal nodded "Then maybe that's where you should be for him, Shadow. Trust his instincts like he trusts yours". Shadow sighed "I'm just trying to look out for him" "I know you are". Tikal had one of her hands on her stomach but Shadow didn't notice "I love you, Shadow" she held out her other hand. Shadow put his hand where hers was "I love you too". Espio was looking suspiciously at Fang "Then what is Shadow doing in there?" "Uh, he's spot checking my gear, sir". Espio looked sceptical "Really? Without you?" "Well-". The door opened and Shadow threw Fang his pistol "Here you go, Fang. Oh, and try not to break it again". "Shadow. About the mission, the Council thinks-", Shadow and Fang just walked past him "That it's a good idea? I agree. Let's get moving, Fang". Espio stayed where he was "No, wait. That's not-" "No time". Espio paused and rolled his eyes "I hope you at least told Tikal I said hello". Shadow and Fang both stopped, the former turned back and glanced at Espio before continuing with the Fang.
The Rogues' shuttle jumped out of hyperspace and headed towards Marmolim. Inside Storm was lifting a large box with one hand for exercise while eating a chilli dog with the other hand. Shadow was examining Jack's Sniper. He then looked to Rutan "So, how many missions has your team been on, Sergeant?" "Honestly, sir, I've lost count. All the action sort of blurs together". Fang stared at him curiously "I know you work with Armand sometimes, but who do you guys report to?" "Hmm… good question. Can't say I've got an answer". Storm nodded "Yeah!". They then heard Coconuts over the PA "We're approaching Marmolim. It's gonna be a rough landing" the ship shook. They all got in their seats and strapped in. They eventually landed and went to the cockpit where they could see outside. They appeared to be in a sandstorm "Fang, what do we know about this place?" Shadow asked, "On this part of Marmolim, there's a race of locals, the Marmolims. All we now is they're very primitive". Coconuts turned to them "Primitive is being kind. My intel says the Marmolims worship flying reptiles". A red and black hawk shaped creature then jumped onto the windows and screeched before flying away "Oh! What the heck was that!?" Storm said, "My guess is one of those reptiles". "I want that thing of my ship!" Rutan said before the rogues all ran outside. They saw the creature and noticed a small yellow creature with a ball of hair at the top of its head was riding the creature. "Get off there!" Storm yelled just as Shadow ran out "Hey, calm down. We need to talk to them". Rutan looked at him in disbelief "Why?" "The Generals right". Two more then flew towards them "Look out, Fang!" Shadow yelled pushing him out of the way.
The one on the ship jumped down and grabbed Shadow, it flew away and Shadow dropped his lightsaber. Fang picked it up and shot at the creature but missed. Jack stepped forward with his sniper "Relax. I'll handle this" he used Coconuts' shoulder to lean the sniper against. He fired a grapple which wrapped around the creature's leg. He then handed the rope to Rutan "What're you doing?" Fang said, "Going for a ride". Rutan tied it to his belt, and he was pulled towards the creature. He took out his blaster, but it got knocked out of his hand before he could fire. He was knocked of the rope and landed of a cliff edge. He saw the creature fly Shadow to a large camp full of creatures of the same species as the rider of the creature except they were all different colours. Shadow tried to escape from under the foot of the winged creature. Rutan activated his commlink "Coconuts, lock onto my signal". The Marmolims surrounded Shadow, an older one spoke in an unknown language "Okay, I think we're gonna have a slight communication problem here". Suddenly Fang and the Rogues ran down the cliff firing stun blasts at the villagers. A sniper shot it the creatures leg allowing Shadow to free himself. They held the villagers and gunpoint "Coconuts, translate what their leader says". The older villager spoke to Coconuts who after a slight pause turned to Rutan "He says he does not want our war on his planet. That is why he took our leader" "Tell him we didn't bring the war here. It was Black Death and the Separatists" Shadow said. Coconuts did so, Fang then stopped forward "Tell him we apologise for what happened. But tell him the enemy is holding one of our men prisoner in Purkoll. As soon as we rescue him, we'll leave his planet, for good". Again, Coconuts repeated the message, the Marmolim spoke to his people then to Coconuts "The chief says he will provide us with scouts and lead us to Black Death's city. From there, we're on our own". Shadow shrugged "Any help is better than no help".
Black Death was in the command centre of his base. One of his men walked up to him "We are receiving a transmission from Admiral Kragok on Azuria" "Put him through". Kragok appeared on a screen "Pardon the intrusion, Minister Death, but I have disturbing news" "You may proceed, Admiral". Kragok nodded "An infiltration team of clones has traced the algorithm signal to Marmolim. I believe your operation there is in jeopardy" "The Republic would not dare attack us. The Black Arms has corporate neutrality" "From what I have seen, that would not matter to these Republic operatives". Black Death nodded "Then we shall be ready for them".
Shadow and the group were taken to the top of a peak where they could see the base which was made of large towers "Hope nobody's scared of heights". The rogues all looked to Storm who was looking down "I'm not scared of nothing. I just… When I'm up real high, I got a problem with gravity" "Speaking of problems, I'm no longer picking up Ray's signal". Fang turned to him "I… I don't understand. You said it was coming from this city" "I can only speculate, but it is possible there's a latency issue with the frequency caused by all these atmospheric disturbances". Rutan looked as if his suspicions had been confirmed "Or… maybe they sent the signal to lure us into a trap and maybe your friend's actually dead". Everyone stared at him making him shrug "What? I can't be the only one thinking of that". Fang shook his head "Look, every mission could be a trap. This one is no different. I'm telling you that signal is being sent by Ray himself! He's alive!". Jack gave a slight scoff "I think you're letting your personal feelings get in the way because you left him for dead at the Citadel" "I had no choice. You hear me!?" Fang said angrily. Jack rolled his eyes and walked away "Oh, I don't blame you. I would've left him for dead too. Besides, he's just another reg". Fang stepped forward turned Jack around and punched him in the face. Storm then grabbed Fang by the back "Hey! Why don't you pick on someone not your size?" he tossed Fang back. Fang immediately walked back to him with no fear in his face "You'll be a whole lot smaller when I'm through with you". Shadow got between them "That's enough! Sergeant, take your men and scout the area for a tower entrance. I want to talk to my Captain alone". The Rogues walked back down the peak, Shadow sighed and put his hand on Fang's shoulder who was still breathing heavily "Fang, I hate to say it, but… you have to prepare yourself for the possibility that Ray is dead and this is all a Separatist trick". Fang closed his eyes and took a breath "Sir, I have watched so many of my brothers fall during this war, and I try not to hang on to any one of them. But that changed when I heard that Separatist transmission. It was no algorithm. That was Ray's voice. I know it". Shadow sighed "I hope you're right. But if, for some reason, you're wrong?" "Then I'll deal with it".
The group were at the bottom of a tower while a sandstorm passed over them "General, I've regained Ray's signal. It's coming from this tower" "Good job, Coconuts. See if you can get the door opened". Coconuts hacked the control panel, eventually managing to open it "Sorry it took so long". Rutan nodded "Hey, Jack, check it out". Jack rolled his eyes and entered the lift not even bothering to go for his weapon. He turned back and looked back to the group "Yeah, it's a lift" "Well, we already knew that". They entered the lift and they were taken up. Storm looked nervous "Um, how far up are we going?" "Don't worry, Storm. I'll hold your hand" Rutan joked. Storm hit his shoulder "Cut it out, Sarge. Just show me they're badniks I can crush". Shadow crossed his arms "Remember, this is a stealth mission. No blasting, no blowing things up. Nobody knows we're here". The doors opened revealing brown ape like robots "Kingapes" Fang said. Storm suddenly ran out and tore the Kingapes apart with his bare hands before they could get a shot off. "So much for stealth" Fang said as doors opened and more Kingapes came in. Everyone ran out of the lift to help Storm, eventually clearing the room "Yeah! Hah! Ha-ha!" Storm yelled. They all stared at him disapprovingly "Um… sorry. I just got excited". Coconuts checked his equipment "I've still got a lock on Ray's signal" "Alright, men. Let's hunt some badniks" Rutan said. Storm laughed "Now you're talking. Yeah!". They ran trough the base "Where exactly is Ray's signal?". The others covered Coconuts from badniks as he led them towards a door "In there. I'll get the door open". They moved towards the door. Suddenly, Black Death appeared a screen "You clones are so predictable. Your algorithm predicted nearly every move you made to infiltrate Purkoll". Fang angrily stepped up to the screen "There is no algorithm. We know you're holding a prisoner of war here" "Prisoner? I don't know what you mean, Captain" "I'm leaving here with my friend". Black Death chuckled "Your friend is dead. His mind is ours" "Lair!".
Dozens of Kingapes entered the room and fired on the group, Shadow gave them cover before charging into the group and cutting through them. The clones fired on the remaining robots destroying them all. They saw more coming "Coconuts, open that door for Fang!" "Yes, sir". Coconuts ran to the door and managed to open it. Rutan looked to Fang "I hope you find what you're looking for, Captain". Coconuts and Fang then ran inside before the doors closed again while the others stayed behind. The two entered a large room with a control console in the middle with some kind of pod above it "I don't like the look of this" Coconuts said. He went over to the console "I'm definitely picking up a life-form in there. It seems to be a stasis chamber. I think I can get it open". The pod opened and the body of an octopus fell forward, it was grey instead of purple, was missing a left arm which was replaced with some sort of tool, it had robotic legs and there were wires in his back. Fang looked at the body in shock "Ray. Coconuts, let's get him out of here. Figure out how to unplug him from this mess". Fang pulled him out of the chamber and laid him against the console "What have they done to you?". Ray leaned forward "We—We have to get to the shuttle, it's our last hope. Mighty, stay here. No, I'll go first!". Fang saw a tube in the back of Ray's neck feeding Shifting inhibitors "Ray, it's Fang. I'm here" "No". Ray then smiled "Fang? You, you came back for me" "Yes. Yes, I did". Ray suddenly realised the room he was in "What happened? Where am I?" "It's okay, Ray. You're safe now. Just sit tight, trooper. You're going home".