Long ago...

"We need to get him off of this team!" Spike told Jack loudly. The two had spent the last five minutes arguing on the transport from their latest mission. The typical rescue of a less skilled Resistance squadron had turned deadly when Edge had rushed in before they knew enough to proceed. Some of the squad they were rescuing were either dead or wounded, and two of Wolf 6's number were lost. Edge just sat there, silently looking at the floor as the two shouted it out.

"Look, I know today didn't go as planned-" Jack started, before Spike interrupted him. "TODAY didn't go well? Jack, I don't know if you've noticed, but we lose people on EVERY mission because of his recklessness!"

"And that recklessness also SAVES people, Spike! If he hadn't rushed in, we ALL would've been in the range of that E-3000. Wolf 6 wouldn't EXIST right now if not for him!" Jack countered. Spike rolled her eyes. "Ah yes, this ONE time it worked out for anyone is a PERFECTLY good reason to keep him on! Say, how's Raccoon healing up from that last mission? Think he'll ever forget what happened to Quickshot?"

That last part seemed to hit Jack like a bullet. "And I'm sure Wrecker's parents can't WAIT for the news about their son to hit them. I'm sure you'll have a LOVELY time explaining how THAT happened! Bet you're glad nobody cared that much about Slings, eh?"

"Spike..."

"All WORTHY sacrifices to keep that last fragment of the original Wolf 6 around, eh?"

"THAT'S ENOUGH, SPIKE!" Jack yelled. "You are getting EXTREMELY out of line, and as your team leader, I would HIGHLY advise you to BACK. OFF." Spike took a step back. Even the rest of Wolf 6 seemed surprised at his tone. Jack rarely used his authority in this way. Sure, he tended to sound pretty bitter and cold at all times, but rarely did he sound actually angry. Spike just crossed her arms and looked down. "Alright. Fine." She said before walking over to her seat. "This isn't over." She whispered to Edge as she passed.

Later, in the barracks, Jack stopped by Edge's bunk. The yellow wolf was alone, mindlessly cleaning his blade while his thoughts clearly lied somewhere else. "Something on your mind?" Jack asked. Edge barely even looked up. "What if she's right, Jack?"

"About what?"

"About...Everything." Edge responded. "Am I really the reason we lose so many people in this war? Did Quickshot die because of me?" Jack took a moment before responding. He knew that Edge had developed feelings for Quickshot during their time together...And he knew what it was like to lose someone like that. "...Look, You didn't kill Quickshot. An E-1000 did. We ALL risk our lives by going out in the field every day. She knew that just as much as any of us." Jack walked over and put a hand on Edge's shoulder. "If it's anyone's fault, it's Eggman's, and I'm going to need your help to make him pay." Edge smiled. "Thanks Jack."

In the hallway next to the barracks, a certain purple hedgehog heard every word that had been said in that room. She knew that, left unchecked, Jack's constant excuses for Edge would lead to the downfall of Wolf 6...To the death of her teammates. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to do what she felt was the right thing...

Even if it broke a few rules.