LOCKED AND LOADED

Ch2: The new unit

"Are we gonna die Zak?" Hibacher the bat asked. She was worried about herself and worried about her friends. One of which was Signo.

"Nah" Zak answered unconvincingly. "Think, how many Generals, Sergeants and Captains do we have?"

"Well, there's General Sonic, Sergeant Shadow, Captain Signo, General Mighty, Sergeant Espio, Captain Rouge, General Prower, Sergeant Omega, Captain Gamma, General Acorn, Sergeant Vector, Captain Charmy, General Knuckles, Sergeant Tikal, Captain Julie Su, General Chuck, Sergeant Emerl, Captain Metal Sonic, General Chaos, Sergeant Rose and Captain Cream" Hibacher listed.

"Really?" Zak said, he had woken up because he had fallen asleep with Hibacher taking so long to answer. He looked at her and sighed "Signo can look after herself" he said to her, although inside he was worrying about her too.

"SOLDIERS! IT HAS COME, THE TIME HAS COME! It is time for you to join General Sonic, Sergeant Shadow and Captain Signo in their fight on the front line" their commander told them. He stared at them with an expressionless face. "MOVE OUT!"

The soldiers piled out of the bunker, and trudged through the muddy tunnels. They knew where they were going. They were going to the FLTAF bunker. Those who went there – never came back. They were either killed in battle, taken as prisoners of war or died from their untreatable injuries. The soldiers did not fear anymore, they had been in this war long enough to know that they were going to be sent to the FLTAF sooner or later. They were not as patriotic as some; they simply marched on in silence: Careful not to waste their last words. They knew that being involved with the FLTAF was dangerous and that they were sure to die, someway or the other but they could not help being the slightest bit happy to get away from the shelters and cure their claustrophobia from being underground for so long. Journeying through deep tunnels and only seeing daylight at the time of an Egg-Blitz, when there were bombs falling from the dark and clouded sky. They got to the bunker and sat, still like statues in a town square. They were awaiting their instructions, or rather; their death sentences. Some were crying. Some were pale as ghosts and others were hiding their inner happiness. These creatures all had the same thoughts. To be dead would to be in a better place than this.

The dripping walls of the tunnels. The constant sound of gunfire above you. The death of your colleagues that haunted you forever more. The fear of it all being worse than it already was. The rub of the helmets against your head. The unfairness of the war altogether. The sound of the evil cackling at the sight of death that ran through your head, day after day.

All because of one greedy man.

Sonic, Shadow and Signo entered the room. Shadow was the first to address the soldiers. "Now. As you all know. This is FLTAF bunker. And you are the new FLTAF unit. We have a special job for you. A task that requires bravery and quiet, strength and silence, skill and stealth"

"You are the unit accompanying us on our latest mission." General Sonic said sternly, looking at the soldiers carefully "This is a vital operation that needs determined people, and people who can think on the spot."

Sonic and Shadow were about to turn and walk away, but Signo spoke up quickly. "Any Questions?"

Zak's hand shot up. "Do you do personal appointments?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at Signo. She giggled and some of the other soldiers sniggered but Sonic stood up.

"INAPPROPRIATE, SOLDIER! DEPRIVED OF SUPPER EXTRA!" Sonic boomed.

"WHAT?" Zak yelled standing up.

"Excuse yourself Zak" Signo sighed. "That reminds me, no first name terms used in business. Any other questions?"

"Can we get promoted and demoted? Where do we sleep? What's the plan?" a random soldier shouted.

"Yes. In the bunker dorms and the plan will be explained in the dorms" Signo said "MOVE OUT!"