Chapter 3, Jackal squad.

Mystic jungle.

A few miles away from Dr Eggman's base there was a small mercenary team known as Jackal squad camping in a clearing, the squadron was made up of seven members all of them black jackals and armed with guns and different knives.

First there was Leo, their close combat expert, he wore a green bandana on his head and wielded two jagged knives, second was Dexter, their assassin, he wore a red hat and had bandages all along his arms, he wielded a curved sword.

Third was Viper, their scout, she wore a green shirt and camouflage pants, she wielded multiple small knives, forth was Data, their tech expert, he wore a red bandana around his neck and blown gloves and shoes unlike the others who all wore black gloves and shoes, Data only wielded a small knife.

Fifth was Maximus, the muscle of the group, he wore a black jacket and wielded a long straight sword, Sixth was Locks, their sniper she wore a grey shirt and goggles, she wielded a sniper rifle unlike the others who all had pistols.

And finally there was Zero, their leader, also known as the ultimate mercenary, he wielded a large red sword and stood out amongst the others because his eyes was both different colours, his right eye was blue and his left eye was yellow.

Six of the jackals was gathered around a camp fire while Viper had gone on ahead to scout the area, after a few minutes Viper jumped down from a nearby tree and joined the group, "It looks like the rumours was true, there's definitely some kind of Eggman base near here" she said.

Zero smiled "Good, tomorrow we'll raid the base and see if there's anything valuable we can sell" he said, Viper sighed "There's just one problem, I don't think this base is abandoned, I saw a couple of robots walking around" she said.

Some members of the team seemed worried, "No worries, we can handle a few robots" said Maximus sounding a little cocky, everyone looked to Zero, "It's your call boss" said Leo.

Zero thought for a second, he didn't want to risk any of his friends lives, although they really needed a good payday, "We've come too far to turn back now, Maximus is right we can handle a few robots, who knows if this base is still in use then it might house some of Eggman's new inventions that could be worth a fortune" he said.

Everyone agreed although Data and Locks was still a little unsure about this mission, "Everyone get some rest, we might need our strength for tomorrow" said Zero, all of Jackal squad settled down and soon went to sleep.

The next day Jackal squad made their way towards Eggman's base, once they got closer they saw just how many robots there was guarding the base, "It looks like security is a lot stronger than we thought" said Zero.

"So what should we do, should we continue with the mission or call it off" asked Data, Zero shook his head "No, we need the money, and I'll already got a plan of attack ready" he said, the others leaned in closer eager to hear Zero's plan.

"Locks you stay here and cover the rest of us, Leo, Viper you two are with me, we'll blow a hole in the wall and see what we can find inside, Maximus, Data and Dexter you three stay outside and keep the robots busy, any questions" said Zero.

No one had any complaints with the plan and Zero smiled, "Jackal squad move out" he said.

Inside the base, Dr Eggman was sitting at one of his computers performing another test on the Phantom ruby, "Interesting, this ruby corresponds to no known element of the planet, it's as if it's not even from this dimension" he thought.

Before he could even consider whether or not his theory was correct he was interrupted by an alarm going off, "What, what's going on" he said as he typed some commands into his computer.

The computer screen changed to show Jackal squad destroying his robots outside, "What does a pack of mangy dogs think they can do against me, I make them regret the day they crossed a genius such as myself" he thought.

Eggman climbed into his EGGwalker and was about to leave when the Phantom ruby caught his eye and he suddenly had an overwhelming urge to take the ruby with him, "No, the ruby will be safer if I leave it here" he thought shaking his head.

The Phantom ruby flashed brightly for a second and the Doctor's urge to take it with him grew, finally Eggman succumb to his urge and he placed the ruby in his EGGwallker before heading outside to deal with Jackal squad.

Outside Jackal squad had torn though most of Eggman's robots, Zero sliced a robot in half just as his communicator activated, "Zero we've got big problems, Dr Eggman just exited the base driving one of his machines" came Locks's voice.

"Damn, this might be more than we can handle" thought Zero, while trying to think of a way out of this situation Zero remembered that Eggman had a huge bounty on his head, "Locks can you get a clear shot on the Doctor" he said into his communicator.

"Sorry, but there's no way I can hit him from here" said Locks, Zero sighed in frustration, "Leo cover me, I'm going after the Doctor" he said, Leo nodded in agreement.

Zero ran straight towards Eggman slicing any robot that got in his way to pieces, Eggman saw Zero coming and fired several lasers only for Zero to dodge every single one.

Zero jumped onto the EGGwalker and noticed the Phantom ruby next to Eggman, "That looks like it's worth a few millions" thought Zero as he reached for the ruby, Eggman reacted a second too late to stop Zero from grabbing the ruby.

As soon as Zero touched the Phantom ruby he suddenly saw a vision of himself and the rest of his squad living lives of luxury, Zero didn't even get the chance to enjoy his vision before Eggman punched him in the face, knocking the ruby out of his hand and bringing him back to reality.

Zero reached out for the Phantom ruby that was now in Eggman's hand, "No, give that back, I need it" he thought, Eggman was about to taunt the jackal when a thought popped into his head seemingly out of nowhere.

"You know I could use a good team of mercenaries, how's about you and your team come and work for me" said Eggman, Zero didn't even need to consider the offer, he would do anything if it meant he could get closer to the Phantom ruby, he immediately accepted Eggman's offer.

1 hour latter.

All of Jackal squad now stood in a room inside of Eggman's base, many members of the team was wondering why Zero had suddenly agreed to work for Dr Eggman, while others simply thought that Zero must have some kind of plan up his sleeve.

Data was searching the room for any cameras of bugs that the Doctor may have placed in order to spy on they, after almost fifteen minutes of searching he was satisfied that there was nothing in the room.

"I can't find anything boss, it looks like this room is clean" said Data, Zero smiled happy that Eggman couldn't hear them, "Now then I know that some of you are wondering why I agreed to join Dr Eggman" said Zero, several members of the squad nodded.

"The reason that I did it is because I thought that if we was to work for the Doctor then we would be able to steal and sell some of his machines right from under his nose" said Zero, all of Jackal squad nodded in agreement although many of them thought that this plan seemed a little out of character for Zero.

Zero smiled "Good, then for now just do what Eggman says and keep your eyes open for anything valuable" he said, despite what he said to his teammates Zero only had one thing on his mind the Phantom ruby and he was already planning ways to steal it.