LOCKED AND LOADED
Ch3: Secret Plan
"Soldiers" Signo said as she entered the first dormitory. She knew Shadow and Sonic were doing similar things in the other dorms. "I have come to inform you of tomorrow's plan. You will be with General Sonic, therefore; it is essential you follow his instructions and follow them well. You need to think quickly and act quickly. There is the slightest possibility some of you might die or get injured but…"
"Slight possibility? You don't know what you're talking about!" Lilly the rabbit said, purposely loudly. Signo turned to look at her. "You really are dumber than I thought 'Captain Signo'" she cackled in a silly voice. The soldiers looked at her. They all respected Signo, for they knew what would happen if they didn't.
Signo was about to speak when Sonic walked in through the door, having heard everything that had just been said. "GET UP SOLDIER!" he shouted at Lilly. She stood up, trembling from head to foot. "Are these my lot Captain?" he turned to ask Signo. She nodded. "What's this one called then?" he said to Signo, but was facing Lilly.
"This one's Carmel, General Sonic sir" Signo answered. "It says on her application form that she has no special abilities whatsoever. And I think it is apparent by her clothing that she does not understand the concept of this war." Sonic looked at Lilly with a look of pure disgust. She stuck out like a sore thumb. The rest of the troops were dressed in camouflage combat pants and t-shirts, and a study green and brown helmet covered their heads. Lilly, however, had decided to wear a short white dress; and high heels and there was no sign of a helmet anywhere.
"I'll take this one with me thank you Captain. Carry on. And when you've finished I'd like to go back to base, with you're troop and sort out the debugging program." Sonic said to her.
"As I was saying, there is only a small chance. You will be well armed, as you are not the main front line fleet, but the unit that will only start fighting when safely inside the base. You will be travelling in through the vents, and I shall leave any more details to General Sonic. MOVE OUT!" she yelled and swiftly left the room.
A few minutes later, Signo, Zak, Hibacher and Squaller entered the HQ of The LAL Disposal Squad. Signo sat down in the chair next to the computer and ordered the soldiers to sit around her. She typed in some passwords and the screen flashed, reading – SEARCHING FOR CONNECTION. She did some more typing then Rouge appeared on screen.
"Proceeding interception check" Signo said. Then again the message read CHECK COMPLETE SIGNAL WAVES CLEAR. "In depth bugging scan" She continued, typing in yet more passwords and another message came on screen. NO NEW DIGITAL CONNECTORS FOUND. "Captain Rouge, do you read me?"
"Affirmative. Go ahead Captain Signo." She answered.
"Can we please be connected to Sergeant Espio" Signo requested. Rouge moved sideways and Espio appeared on screen.
"Yes, Captain Signo?" he said, his face was pale. He looked at Signo in a sort of sympathetic way. She was staring at him longingly.
"I believe that you will be accompanying us on our mission tomorrow?" Signo assumed. She looked up at him. "This is our troop."
"Yes, I believe I will be joining you. If I can find a way to travel to the next base which is, if my knowledge is correct, the Mushroom Hill base? It will be difficult though. This is the longest Egg-Blitz seen for years. I will be expected to meet you and the troop in the base at precisely 21:05 tonight. Over and Out." Espio said. The screen was about to shut off but Signo stopped him. Espio turned round in amazement.
"Wait Espio" she whispered "I need you. You make me strong; I need you here with me. Without you I am nothing." Signo carried on, she was extremely quiet. Espio stared at her.
"I will speak with you at 21:05 Captain. That comment was irrelevant at such a time. I'm sorry." Espio said, turning paler than ever. He shut off the screen quickly.
"Fine." Signo said; she hung her head. Tears spilled from her eyes, she desperately tried to hide them. This had gone on for too long.
She had to stop it.
General Sonic entered the room. "Carmel has been seen to Captain. Is this you're troop? When will you be departing? Are you meeting Sergeant Espio?" he looked at Signo carefully and spotted her tears. "I will take that as a yes. When are you departing?" he asked again. Signo didn't give an answer. She simply sat there as still as a statue, pale as a ghost. "May I have a private word Captain?"
Signo got up and followed Sonic into a neighbouring room. He looked at her. Signo felt his piercing glare and was too afraid to look up. She had learnt by now not to challenge Sonic. Her tears fell to the floor as the both stood in silence.
"I believe you have just been in contact with the spy department." Sonic said.
"Yes sir." Signo wept. "Sergeant Espio will be joining us and we are to report to the Mushroom Hill base by 21:05. Sergeant Espio will be in command."
"I thought you were." Sonic said with confusion. "What did you say?"
"I said something I shouldn't have, Sergeant Espio is right, it was irrelevant at such a time." Signo said as she wiped away her tears. "Do I have permission to communicate with General Chuck?"
"Permission granted." Sonic said "You're a strong woman Signo. I've learnt a lot from you. I know you will make it through"
"Thank you sir" Signo said and then she turned and left. She went over to the computer as usual and did the interception check and in depth bug scan and then connected up with the base in Scrap Brain. "General Chuck" Signo said.
"Captain Signo. I believe it would be a lot safer for you to come here and talk than send digital images. You are expected here anytime now." General Chuck said
"I'll be there right away sir" Signo said, nodding. "Over and out."
Signo disconnected the signal then withdrew her chaos emerald. She looked at it and sighed. She hadn't done this in a long time. Not since she was 15 in fact, a year before the war had started. And that was 11 years ago. She was 26 now and wouldn't be surprised if she were a little rusty.
"Chaos Control now!" she said then disappeared from view. She found herself in the Mechanical construction department base. She looked round and Chris Thorndyke's grandpa was there, otherwise known as Chuck (no it's not Uncle Chuck- sorry!). He turned to face her.
"Good." Chuck said. "You came fast. I suppose you want to now what weapons and machinery you will be taking with you?"
"Yes" Said Signo "And make it quick General, I have places to be. Missions to go on, so fourth."
