An Echidnaopolis ship was traveling through hyperspace. On board the bridge Commander Bristles was in the captain's chair with Tails sitting at a console on his left. One of the officers turned to Bristles "We'll be arriving in the Weeet system any moment". Tails turned around "I've checked the charts, sir. There's nothing out here". Bristles said nothing and raised his eyebrows. "But obviously there's something since the patrol went missing" Tails couldn't help feeling a little awkward working with a completely different crew, but he also knew it would be necessary once the Freedom Fighters grew. Bristles stared at him "When Captain Acorn said you volunteered for this mission, she insisted you would be helpful. Let's hope that's true". Tails went back to his console but suddenly felt something, something was about to happen "HOLD ON!". The ship suddenly got pulled out of hyperspace throwing everyone off their chairs. Bristles quickly got back up "Secure all stations and get me a status report" "Instruments have frozen!". A strange looking Scarship flew overhead "Send a distress signal. Now!". Bristles saw the Scarship lower on them "Setting Dawn to Hurst. We've been pulled out of hyperspace. The Empire…" the power suddenly went off.
The Hurst crew were in the common room and have just watched Bristles' message. Sally looked sceptical "You can't pull a ship out of a hyperspace because you never know exactly where it is. A tractor beam can't get a lock". Wave pondered "Maybe it isn't a tractor beam. It's a gravity well. When I was at the academy, they were developing a new cruiser with gravity well projectors powerful enough to pull a ship out of hyperspace" "Well, it looks like they finished it" Sonic said. Wave shook her head "No, not yet. Chances are they're still testing the system. If they follow Imperial procedure, the testing zone for this type of ship wouldn't be that large. You'll probably find it not far from where we lost contact with Commander Bristles". Sonic stood up "Alright, everybody. Gear up. We're going out there". Sally stopped him "Not everybody. You and Fang will go to that system. Find that ship, and I bet you find Tails and the others". Sonic clearly didn't like this "Not Fang! I'll take Tex and Wave" "Fang's military experience will be invaluable, and he can also impersonate a stormtrooper" "That's because he is a stormtrooper" Sonic said angrily. Sally put her hand on Sonic's shoulder "No, he was a clone trooper" "Same thing" "I know a mongoose who would say differently". Sonic didn't say anything, Sally sighed "Sonic, I sent Tails. This is the only way". Sonic slowly nodded "Alright. We'll get them back. All of them".
Tails and Bristles were being led through the Scarship by stormtroopers "Don't worry, Commander. I'll get us out of this. I've been captured a few times" "You're not putting my mind at ease" "Well I've escaped a lot too". They entered the bridge where the captain, a human man, Stone was waiting "Freedom Fighters. Out here searching for you missing patrol, I assume". Bristles stayed calm "We are members of the Corporate Alliance. You have taken possession of my ships illegally and I demand you release us" "You are in a position to demand nothing, Commander Bristles". This caught Bristles by surprise which made Stone smirk "Ah, yes. I am familiar with your activities in this sector. I suspected if we captured even one Freedom Fighter ship, others would race to the rescue, but I dared not hope we'd capture someone as significant as you and what would your name be, young man?" he asked Tails. Tails shrugged "Jun Kun, the Iron King" "Indeed. You are a tad small for an Ox, but I know someone else that goes by the name Jun. Miles Prower. I imagine Agent Infinite will be quite pleased to hear you have joined us. Secure them".
Fang was in the cargo hold examining his pistol when Sonic entered with his arms crossed "Look, for the record, this wasn't my idea" "Just try to act like a professional". Sonic angrily stepped forward "What if you get in there and forget whose side, you're on?" "I would never be on their side or wear their junk armour". Tex then entered carrying two unconscious troopers "Need disguises?" he threw them to the ground.
The two then exited the ship wearing the armour, Fang was clearly uncomfortable "This is garbage. I never needed armour in a fight". Sally came up to them with two pilots "Sonic, Fang, once you're in, signal me, and I'll come in with Dawn Squadron to blast you all out" "How are we getting in anyway?" Sonic asked. An Imperial shuttle being piloted by Wave landed behind them "How is it the Empire lets us keep stealing these things?" "Oh. I thought it was the same one we used before" Fang said.
The two were now on the shuttle traveling through hyperspace with G-merl. They were sating at the cockpit door which had a cartoonish painting of Fang and Sonic fighting together. Sonic sighed "I don't know why she does that" "I believe it's called artistic expression" "Yeah? Well, my expression is wrong. I'm not happy about being on this mission". Fang mockingly nodded "Really? That wasn't clear". G-merl laughed which angered Sonic "Once we board this thing, G-merl will plug in, find out where they have our people and we get them out of there" "We've got to disable this weapon, whatever it is. If the Empire is able to intercept ships in hyperspace, this Freedom Fighter movement won't last long". Sonic nodded "I hear what you're saying but remember, this is a rescue mission, first and foremost. We're coming up on Tails' last know position" "Let's just hope we can find that ship fast". They jumped out of hyperspace and immediately saw the Scarship "Shuttle S257, this is a restricted area". Fang leaned forward "Copy that, sir. Boy, are we glad to see you? We have a 157. Repeat, a 157" "You are not cleared. This is a 675-test zone and off-limits to you, S257". Fang smirked "Well, if we don't get some help soon, we're gonna have a 3376 on our hands. I don't think you want that off your starboard side, now, would you, sir?". There was a pause then "Shuttle S257, requesting your emergency access code" "Copy that, sir. Priority protocol 7…". Sonic groaned and leaned towards G-merl "This is the stuff I can't stand, protocol nonsense". Fang smirked and turned to him "Armand and I practically invented these emergency protocols back in the Clone War. Trust me, the codes are good". Sonic rolled his eyes but then "Copy, Shuttle S257. You are clear to proceed on heading 1599 to hanger 11" "Thank you, sir. You see? They don't get suspect a thing" Fang sat back in the chair as Sonic docked the shuttle with the Scarship.
Stone entered the bridge and spoke to a hologram of Infinite who wasn't wearing his mask "Agent. Our new gravity weapon reeled in a catch of Freedom Fighters who I believe you're familiar with, Commander Bristles and a young one who calls himself Jun". The jackal's eyes opened wide "You have Miles Prower? Excellent work, Admiral. Lock him in a secure cell under triple guard". This surprised Stone "Triple guard? He is but a child" "I warn you. Do not underestimate that boy" "I'm certain that the Imperial Navy is more than a match for one boy, whatever he calls himself". Infinite glared at him "We shall see. I'm on my way".
Sonic and Fang exited the shuttle wearing helmets "This must be like old times" "Yeah. Just follow my lead and you'll be okay" "No, you follow my lead" Sonic said. G-merl however walked ahead of them. Two troopers stopped them "You are instructed to make repairs and depart". Sonic waved his hand "We need to get to maintenance. We can go on your way" "You need to get maintenance. You can go on your way". The troopers let them pass and they exited the hanger. Fang shrugged "Not bad. I've seen better" "Eh, maybe I'll practice on you some time. G-merl, plug in and find Tails and the crew". G-merl plugged into a wall port and beeped "They've transferred him to a secure cell. That means they know who he is. Let's go!". They entered a lift "Press the button" Sonic said. Fang examined the multiple buttons "Which one. I don't-" a shark officer entered right before the doors closed. The two of them remained silent as the officer glanced at Fang "Your armour appears to be a little tight, trooper" "Haha. I'll tighten your face a little tighter" Fang muttered annoyed. The officer glanced at him again "What was that?". Sonic quickly thought of something "Possible hyper-sickness. Uh, I'm taking 565 here on, um, the 257". The officer scoffed "The commissary? That's the last place I'd take him" he left as Fang kept angrily muttering.
Tails was being taken through the cell block and the trooper in front of him carrying his saber "Just a heads up I'll try not to remove your leg" "Thanks" the trooper said confused. Tails concentrated and ignited his lightsaber with the Force. The troopers started to panic, Tails jumped forward and took the saber from the belt and removed his cuffs. He knocked out the trooper who Tails was happy to see still had both his legs. The other two troopers fired at him, but he managed to deflect the blasts. He ran forward and disarmed them both, he then smirked "Get in the cell". They both slowly walked forward, picked up their friend and they all went into the cell. Tails took their commlinks and then closed the door. Tails then saw two troopers running towards him and quickly shot them but then saw that G-merl was behind them "Oh no". He ran up and took the helmet of one trooper and saw Sonic groaning in pain. He then took Fang's off and helped them sit up "What just happened?" Sonic asked. Tails' mind raced "Oh. Uh… did you see them? We were outnumbered. There was a firefight. You guys fought great" he said with a fake grin. G-merl crossed his arms and projected a hologram of Tails shooting the two of them. Sonic turned to Tails "You shot us! I can't believe you shot us!" "Well, you were dressed like stormtroopers" Tails said. Fang surprisingly laughed "You shot us" "I did set it to stun" Tails said trying to soften the blow. Fang shrugged "Yeah, well, you should've used kill" "What?" Sonic said angrily. Fang turned to him "Well just in case it wasn't us. I mean" "This armour is useless" "That's why we didn't wear it". Tails sighed "Now's not the time. We gotta find Bristles and sabotage the ship. They have this gravity weapon thing that… You know all this don't you". Sonic nodded "Yeah. You've been on the ship longer. You got a plan?" "Uh… yes… half of one. I'll take G-merl, and he can get me to the reactor that powers this thing. You two bust out Bristles" "No way. We are not splitting up. Let's get Bristles and get out of here". Fang shook his head "The kid's right. We have to destroy this ship" Do you know how many troopers are heading this way!? We can afford to separate!" "We have to protect the flee". Tails pushed past them "And you wonder why I keep leaving the Hurst. Come on G-merl?". Sonic and Fang watched him leave "He takes after Sally sometime" Sonic said as he put his helmet back on.
Stone was waiting on the bridge when "Sir, we've had a breach in the detention level. The prisoner known as Jun has escaped" "Lock all levels down. Sweep the vessel and secure the hanger bays. And, Commander, when you find the boy, eliminate him. I would hate it if we proved Agent Infinite right".
Fang and Sonic were walking to a small group of troopers "I got this one" "We don't have time for another one of your long-winded bluffs" "Oh, you got a better plan?" Fang said. "Yeah" Sonic said before quickly shooting all the troopers "So much for stealth" "It's not like they don't know we're here".
Tails and G-merl climbed out of the vents juts outside of the reactor room which was full of officers "This is gonna be difficult". G-merl beeped "Really? Let's hear it" G-merl beeped again "Why am I not surprised. Fine, I'll draw them away". Tails thought of the best way to do this but then smirked mischievously. He ignited his lightsaber, screamed like a mad man and stared and charged forward waving his lightsaber aimlessly. The officers all panicked not wanting to get cut in half and ran to the other side of the room before trying to shoot him, but Tails suddenly stopped and calmly deflected the blasts. G-merl walked up to the unguarded console and plugged in. After a few moments he was finished, and Tails saw troopers running in. He and G-merl ran out the other side and sealed the doors. Tails took a breath, he and G-merl then shared a laugh "That was fun".
Sonic and Fang were taking cover from blaster fire "Never expected to make it this far with you for a partner" "You know, you're not the first Shinobi I've fought beside" "But probably the last". Fang fired but missed making Sonic scoff "Wow. You really do shoot like a stormtrooper. Guess I don't have too much to worry about" "It's this helmet. I can't see". Fang threw the helmet off and easily shot two of the troopers. Sonic ran up to a cell and opened it revealing Bristles and the rest of the Dawn crew. Sonic let them out and they started picking up blasters from dead troopers. Sonic then used the Force to pull two troopers out of cover letting Fang shoot them "Ha! Just like old times". They all ran through the corridors.
Tails and G-merl were running through another part of the ship when his commlink activated "Sonic. We're on our way back. Where are you?" "We're headed for Bristles' ship" "Roger that".
"There's too many of them!" Sonic yelled as he was helping the others. Fang stopped and fired behind them "I'm too old for all this running" "What're you doing?" Sonic asked him. Fang glanced at him get those men to the ship. I can slow them down. Now go!" "Stop trying to impress me" "I'm not. I'll see you back at the ship". Fang pushed Sonic through a door before closing it. Fang charged into one trooper and beat him to the floor but was then stunned by another.
Stone was listening to reports when Fang was brought in by two troopers, he was made to kneel and the glove on his right hand was removed. Stone stared at the faded Republic symbol "A clone. CT-1994, Captain Fang if I'm not mistaken. I read about your heroics in the Clone War. You and your kind brought peace to the galaxy. Why would you lower yourself to fight with traitors? Where is your loyalty?". Fang glared at him defiantly "My loyalty was to the Republic, not your Empire" "I serve the order you put into place, Captain. I believe you want to do the right thing. Surrender all your compatriots and I will offer you not only immunity, but reinstatement at an Imperial training academy. You could wear that armour and be proud of your service again". Fang smirked "Oh, I'm proud of my service. But I really hate this armour" "That's unfortunate" a mind probe robot lowered towards Fang who was suddenly looking very scared.
Tails made it back to the others, but Sonic could suddenly hear screams of pain coming through the Force "Tails, get Bristles and his crew to the blockade runner". Tails was confused "Where are you going?", Sonic groaned "I've gotta get my friend" he ran the other way to the others. Tails got in front of Bristles and the others and gave them cover with his lightsaber allowing them to advance.
Sonic charged into the bridge and shot the mind probe. He quickly took out two other troopers and Fang headbutted another. Stone quickly ran to the outer bridge and sealed the door. Fang turned to Sonic and smiled "Wow. Nice to know you care" Don't ruin this". They ran out of the bridge "The whole ship's between us and that hanger". Sonic got on his commlink "Tails, tell Bristles to take off" "What? No way. We're not leaving" "We've got another way out. Trust me". The two of them entered the escape pod bay and entered one. The quickly launched out. Fang looked out the window and saw the Setting Dawn leaving the Scarship. He then saw the Scarship powering up, he guessed they were about to fire the gravity well. Sonic docked the escape pod with the Setting Dawn and the two of them ran into the bridge. Sonic looked to Tails "You sabotaged the well, right?" "Of course, we did. Right, Gem?". G-merl happily nodded. The ship jumped to hyperspace but was suddenly pulled right back. Everyone fell "G-merl! You said you sabotaged it" G-merl beeped "What do you mean wait for it?". Tails saw the cruisers around the Scarship suddenly being pulled towards it. They crashed destroying most of the ship "Sir, we're free!". They jumped to hyperspace as the Scarship imploded. Everyone cheered including G-merl who Tails stared at "Oh, now you're the big hero? It was a team effort".
Infinite, who was now wearing his mask was in his shuttle as it arrived at what was left of the Scarship and they found and escape pod. A hologram of a nervous Stone appeared "Agent Infinite". Infinite smirked under his mask "Had some problems with the boy, I see".
Bristles smiled at the group "Gentlemen, my crew and I owe you our gratitude. All three of you". Tails nodded "Thanks, Commander". He then turned to Fang and Sonic "You know, when you two aren't fighting each other, you fight really well together, Shinobi and clones. Now I get it" he walked away. Sonic shrugged "Kids, you know. Crazy ideas" "Yeah. By the way… well, uh… thanks" "Yeah. Yeah. I know". Fang nodded "Well, I guess there's nothing more to say about it". He walked away but "Hey, Fang" he turned and saw Sonic saluting him. Fang smiled and saluted back at his new Shinobi general.