A walker was traveling through the city streets with troop with troopers in front of it. Wave and Tex were on the roof of a building with Tails and G-merl on the opposite end of the street. Tex and Tails both jumped onto the walker without being seen. Tex opened the hatch and threw one of the drivers out. Tails jumped in and shot the other with a stun blast. Tails did his best to drive the walker while Tex and Wave shot the troopers. G-merl flew over to the walker and entered "Plug in, Gem. We need prisoner logs of all Imperial detention facilities" Tails told him as he was trying to move the drivers body. G-merl plugged into a wall slot. Tails put the drivers hand out of the hatch "Hey, little help", Tex smirked and threw the driver out of the walker and from the screaming Tails heard he assumed Tex threw him to a group of troopers. The walker started running as Wave entered the walker, G-merl beeped "No connection? That's impossible. The entire system would have to be down". Tex stuck his head in "Well, they did blow up their own comm tower". Wave groaned "They must have taken down their entire data network" "How are we gonna find Sonic now?" Tails asked. The commlink activated "Walker 693, stand down, stand down". Tex saw two walkers behind them and fired on them. Wave got on his commlink "Naka-two, we need a pickup" "I read you, Naka-five. Rendezvous at the town's western border". The walker shook "I hate to be the pessimist, Tails, but how do we even know-" "He's alive, Wave. I know it".
Sonic was in a cell strapped to a table that was making him stand straight. Finitevus and Infinite entered the cell "Now we will discover if you are indeed the Shinobi you claim to be" "Well, Governor, somebody's gotta keep you entertained" Sonic said replied hiding his fear.
Wave was doing her best to use the walker's gun "Tails! I can't get a shot if you keep running from them" "Use the rear cannon" "There is no rear cannon!". The walker got shot causing Tex to fall into the walker. Wave checked her wrist device "Just keep it walking in a straight line. Sally's incoming. Everyone up top!". Tex sighed "Great" he said sounding frustrated. They all climbed out except for G-merl. The saw the Sneak appear and shoot down one of the walkers. She then flew near them and they all jumped inside "Wait, Gem!" Tails said, "He must still be looking for Sonic" Wave answered. Tex jumped back onto the walker and reached inside "Move you stubborn junk pile! You're gonna get me fried!". He pulled him out and jumped back onto the Sneak right before the walker blew up. Sally quickly flew away "How'd it go?" she asked Tails, "It didn't" he answered with his head leaning against his hand.
Sally was in her cabin listening to a hologram of a cloaked figure "Sonic knew the risks, accepted them. I'm sorry, but you must focus on your next objective". Sally didn't like this answer "But, Ortiz, Sonic is our best objective. We can still find him" "At what cost? You? Your unit? The overall mission? Huh, there's something else, Sally. The transmission Tails was able to beam out has attracted attention, not just from civilians, but from the highest levels of the Empire". Sally looked proud by this "It was Sonic's plan. I guess it worked" "Your mission was to be unseen, unnoticed and now-" "Sonic wanted to inspire people. He wanted to give them hope" Sally said defensively. "Well, he was successful. But if you are caught, or the rest of your unit then that hope will die. To protect your unit, you must stop your search for Sonic and go into hiding". The hologram cut off, Sally at down on her bed looking conflicted. The others were in the common room examining a hologram of Emerald Hill, Wave sighed "Odds are they've still got him at the Imperial Complex" "If they do, we all know he's as good as gone" Tex said. Tails however wasn't saying anything, he felt as if something were talking to him, he could have sworn he heard Sonic trying to talk through the Force "He's not gone. And he's not in the Imperial Complex". Tex stared at him "How do you know that?" "I just know". Wave sighed "We can't make a plan based on a feeling" "It's not a feeling. I can hear Sonic speaking to someone. But the voice feels faint, further away that the Imperial complex. We can-". Sally entered "No. We can't", Tails turned to her "What're you talking about" "We can't go after Sonic. The Empire will be waiting with a trap". Tails shook his head "When has that ever stopped us?". Sally sighed clearly not happy with her own words and turned her back to Tails "We can't risk it. There's a bigger mission you're not seeing. It can't be jeopardized for… one soldier" "Soldier? He's our friend, Sally. We can't just forget about him. He'd do whatever it took to protect us". Sally turned to him "He already did when he sacrificed himself. Tails, he'd want us to honour the choice he made". Tails angrily left the room and went to his cabin. When he did, he saw G-merl down the corridor leaning his head against the wall. Tails walked up to him sympathetically and patted his head "I miss him to. But I have a plan to find him. Wanna help?". G-merl turned to him and nodded excitedly.
Later Tex, Wave and Sally were in the cockpit "Huh, why prepare to fight if we're not even going after Sonic?" he said. Wave turned to him as G-merl entered "You think he'll talk, tell them what he knows about us?" "He doesn't know anything" Sally said regretfully. Wave's commlink activated "Wave, uh, where are the power cells? I need some for my lightsaber". Wave sighed in annoyance "Did you check the overheads?" "First place I looked" "Hold on. I know where to find some. G-merl, take over for me. Tex, you can help look to". Tex scoffed "Really? Why do I need to-?", Wave punched his arm and learned her throat, the two left the room. Sally didn't notice G-merl plugging into the console. Tails was waiting in the Sneak when Wave and Tex entered "Is G-merl in position?" "Yep. Let me in there" Wave answered as she sat down. Tex stared at them both "Wait, you're going to find Sonic. You're disobeying Sally's orders" "Were the orders, or more like her opinion?" Wave asked casually. Tails turned to Tex "You in?", Tex smirked "Yeah, I'm with you" "Good, because the plans in motion already. Just waiting for the signal". G-merl turned on an alarm causing Sally to cover her ears "G-merl, I said the targeting computer. You're overloading the internal comm!". It suddenly got louder "No, don't turn it up!" she ran to him making her miss a light flashing on her console. Wave got the signal "Okay. So, where are we going anyway?" "Our last resort" Tails answered as they flew away. "Will you just unplug!?" Sally yelled at G-merl who saw that the light stopped flashing. He unplugged and beeped angrily "How is it my fault? You plugged into the wrong system! Why don't you just help Tails find his power cells?". G-merl didn't move and Sally stared at him suspiciously "What are you up to?".
Sonic was still in his cell being watched by Finitevus and Infinite with a mind probe hovering over him. Infinite crossed his arms "It's only a matter of time before he breaks" "You have wasted enough of my time". Zik then entered and glared at Sonic "You are no doubt unaware that Shinobi are trained to resist mind probes". Finitevus looked sceptical "If he is the Shinobi he claims to be, I take it you have a solution?" "Pain. A Shinobi still feels pain. And pain can break anyone". Zik held out his hand and Sonic started to groan in pain "You will tell me where to find your rebel friends" "No. Tails. Not him! Not him!". Zik grinned sadistically "What do you see?" "I…see you. Growing more and more frustrated". Zik was amused "Perceptive. Perhaps you can alleviate my frustration". Two machines came out of the ceiling on either side of Sonic and began shocking him, Sonic screamed.
The Sneak landed at a rock formation where Shellbreaker was watching his robots load crates onto his ship. He saw them exit the shuttle "Well, this unexpected. Looking for work? Or something else?" "My guess is you already know why we're here" Tails answered. Shellbreaker shrugged "I don't know where your friend is. I'm sorry" he said not sounding very concerned, "You must have something". Shellbreaker raised his eyebrows "Even if I did know something, it would be of no use to you. The Empire is locking everything down. That's bad for you and bad for business". Wave stepped forward "Well, if you want to change that, you need to help us" "I doubt that. In fact, I think your activities got the Empire's attention and have made things more difficult for me. Get out of here. You're bad luck". He walked away as Tails watched "Ever wonder why the Empire was so interested in Sonic, why they'd send an Inquisitor to Emerald Hill?". Shellbreaker stopped and heard Wave "Tails, don't" "No, please do" Shellbreaker said turning back to him. Tails stared at him "Because Sonic is a Shinobi". There was silence for a few moments before Shellbreaker burst out laughing "Sonic? A Shinobi? You're funny, kid. That scoundrel couldn't be a Shinobi any more than you could".
Tails raised his hand and lifted, the crate behind Shellbreaker started to hover which he noticed. He turned around in shock, it went over Shellbreaker and dropped making him jump out of the way. He looked up to Tails "You? You are a Shinobi?" "And so is Sonic". Shellbreaker was in thought "So what does this mean for Shellbreaker?" "It means you help me, and you'll have a Shinobi owing you a favour". This got Shellbreaker's attention "Hmm. Whatever I ask?" "Within reason" Tails said. Shellbreaker shook his head "No deal" he walked away but "Okay, okay. Whatever you ask". Shellbreaker smirked "Alright, come with me, boy. Alone". Tails followed him to the cargo hold of the ship, Shellbreaker stood in front of him "First, the deal". He bowed to a confused Tails who patted his head. Shellbreaker stood back up angry "Hey, what's wrong with you. I bow, you bow, then we have a deal" "Oh, alright. Sorry". Tails bowed as low as he could with his arms out like he was about to fly away. Shellbreaker sighed "Okay, okay, whatever. You're overdoing it. Eh, look, since you blew up the Empire's comm tower" "That wasn't us" Tails said defensively. Shellbreaker shrugged "Whatever. Well, you probably know they have no long-range communications, so they've started using these". He showed them a hologram of a grey gizoid unit "Gizoid couriers. They take data from the city up to their communications ship in orbit. They have everything. Personnel, weapons, deployments, prisoners. They might have something on Sonic, but I can't guarantee that". Tails looked hopeful "Alright. Thanks. So, what do you need?" "Today, nothing. Tomorrow, who knows? I'll let you know when I want to collect". Tails stared at him before leaving and meeting back up with Wave and Tex who had their backs to him "Guys, we have a lead". They moved out of the way revealing Sally who angrily had her hands on her hips. Tails froze and said nothing "For what you just bargained; you better have something more than just a lead". She walked back to the Hurst as the others followed "Sally, I know you're mad, but-" "Mad? Try furious. You just put all our lives in jeopardy. I gave you a direct order, and you disobeyed me". She walked up the ship ramp where G-merl was waiting, Tails followed her "Well, it paid off. I know how to find out where Sonic is. Maybe". She stopped and turned to him "Maybe? All that for maybe?" "Sally, none of us want to give up on Sonic". Sally glared at him "And you think I do?" "No, I don't. That's why I took this risk.". Sally stared at him before looking at Wave and Tex. She then sighed "Okay. What did you learn?" "I have a plan, and it involves G-merl".
That night the group were watching a landing platform "The couriers board the shuttles here. Our only chance it to intercept the gizoid before it boards the shuttle". Tails nodded "The only way to be sure is to grab the gizoid and send Gem in it's place". G-merl started shaking his head "Come on, Gem. I'll give you a paint job. The Empire won't know the difference" Wave told him. G-merl beeped in a groaning fashion but then he said what they all understood as "For Sonic".
Sonic was still screaming "The Shinobi is no good to me dead" Finitevus said casually. Zik deactivated the devices "His resistance is impressive" "Yes. He does possess the will of a Shinobi". Zik pondered "Is it possible he does not know any other Freedom Fighters to speak of?" "Perhaps. I recommend we transfer him from Emerald Hill to another location. One that never fails to extract a confession".
A courier was walking down the street with four troopers as escort. Wave jumped out behind them and shot two of them. The others turned to shoot her but Tex ran up behind them and busted their heads together. The gizoid looking scared backed away and fell over. Tex picked him up as Tails ran out with G-merl who was now painted grey "I know you can do this, G-merl". G-merl walked up to the platform where to troopers led him onto the shuttle which then took off. It left the atmosphere and docked with a medium sized ship in orbit.
The rest brought the courier to the cockpit and it started to panic "Calm down, little guy. We're not gonna hurt you". Tails sat next to Sally "Do you have a lock on G-merl's beacon?". Sally nodded "Looks like he's aboard the cruiser".
G-merl entered the bridge of the ship "You're late 224. Plug in" a rat officer told him. G-merl nodded and plugged into the console. The mouse looked confused at the screen "Huh. Where's the data? I'm not seeing it on my monitor. Wait. Hold it. You're not authorized to copy communication logs". G-merl argued through his beeps as he activated his beacon. The ship suddenly shook "We're under attack". G-merl ran off the bridge. Outside the Hurst was firing at the ship, however the cannon Tex was using got hit starting a fire. Tex was about to do something but the courier gizoid walked up to him and used a fire extinguisher in his hand and put out the fire. Tex smirked "Hey, I'm starting to like you much better that our regular gizoid" he patted his head. On board the ship G-merl ran to an airlock and opened it. He was sucked out into space along with a group of troopers. Sally saw him "Guys, give me cover". G-merl activated his jets and flew towards the Hurst. Sally opened the cargo bay doors and G-merl flew in before they closed. Sally quickly dived the ship back down towards Emerald Hill. Everyone went to the cargo hold "That was amazing, G-merl!" Tails said. G-merl then noticed the other gizoid and raised his fist threateningly. Tex patted the courier's head "He was goo help while you were off spying. I say we keep him". The cargo doors suddenly opened and G-merl pushed the other gizoid out and the others watched din shock as it fell. G-merl closed the doors and mockingly waved "He has jets, right?" Tails asked. Tex shrugged "Maybe".
They were now in the cockpit, Sally smiled at Tails "I'm proud of you. You stepped up and took the lead. Sonic has taught you well" "So have you" Tails responded. Wave smiled as she was examining a screen "I think I've found something. Sonic is on Governor Finitevus' Scarship, the Technomage. It's still here above Emerald Hill, but it's scheduled to leave soon for the Flame Core system. I've never heard of that system". Fear entered Sally's eyes "I've only heard that name once. From Sonic. He said Flame Core is where Shinobi go to die".