On a random planet at the side of a cliff was the entrance to an Imperial base. Two stormtroopers were standing on a walkway near the entrance to the base when one was suddenly grabbed form something on the underside of the walkway and thrown over. Before the other trooper could react, Tails appeared and punched him causing him to fall of the walkway. Tails was now taller with lighter yellow fur. Tex and Wave climbed up "Gotta hand it to you, kid. This was pretty good plan. You've been on a roll" "Just getting started, buddy". Tails got on his commlink "Okay, Gem. Jump" G-merl beeped "No rocket. Too loud. You're gonna have to jump". The three of them waited and then heard robotic squealing. Tails looked up and caught G-merl with the Force and lowered him down "Get this door open, hurry". G-merl went over to the door and opened it. The four of them ran in and sneaked through the base eventually reaching a cell bay "6609. This is it. Wave, you're up". Wave worked on the control panel as she sighed "Can't believe we're doing this for him" "Trust me, we need the information he has".
Tex smirked "You heard the boss" "Don't encourage him" Wave said. They opened the cell and saw a bee inside wearing a flight goggles "Who's the bee?" Tex said. Manic then emerged from the darkness smiling "Scaly, Wisp girl, and Two Tail. Look how you've grown". He laughed "Ah, I knew you would not let your old partner, Manic rot away in this prison". Tails smirked "It's good to see you, Manic" "Speak for yourself" Tex said. Wave glared at the hedgehog "You better have the intel you have promised" "Yes, we do" "We?" Tex said. Manic gestured to the bee "Yes, me and my business associate, Mello. You wouldn't believe the secrets he knows" "You're right, I wouldn't". Mello silently stared at them as Wave sighed "What fun. Now, we're rescuing two people". "Troopers!" Tex yelled as they were running down the hallway. Tails and Wave fired at them as the others ran the other way. Tails got on his commlink "Naka-Six to Hurst. Change of plans. We need a 44 scoop at the landing platform" "On my way, Naka-Six" Sally replied. They made it inside a lift, Wave handed Manic a pistol "Here. Make yourself useful". Manic admired the weapon "A Wispon made weapon. I can get a lot for this on the black market" "You will be giving it back".
Mellor reached for a blaster on Tex's belt who then growled at him. The lift opened and they charged out shooting any troopers in their way. Manic managed to kill one "Oh, I'm keeping this" "No, you're not". Tails saw more troopers coming down the hall. He took out his new lightsaber, now not with a blaster attachment. He ignited it, still with a yellow blade and he charged towards the troopers effortlessly cutting them down. Manic watched in surprise "Is that really Tails?" "Most of the time" Wave answered. As they ran Mello looked to Manic "You know being shot at was not part of our deal. I think I've earned a double share" "Yeah, keep telling yourself that". They headed towards a door that opened to an outside landing platform. Mello charged past them "The deals off!" "Hey, get back here. This is not good business!". Mello ran outside only to see a group of troopers at the other end of the platform as well as a walker. The walker fired right at Mello, the others stopped and when the smoke cleared Mello was gone "No!" Tails yelled, "Well, I guess the deal is off" Manic said casually. The walker fired on the other forcing them to take cover behind crates on the platform "We're cut off!" Tex said as he tried to shoot the troopers. Wave meanwhile was trying to stop the troopers coming form the hallway "We need to make a move, or we're never going to!". She threw a grenade right before G-merl closed the door.
Tails coldly stared at the walker before reaching his hand out. He suddenly saw through the eyes of the walker pilot. He took control of the walker and turned it to one of the troopers. The trooper stared up at it confused and waved his hands trying to signal it, but Tails shot the trooper dead. The other troopers backed away from the walker "What're you doing!?". Tails fired again throwing one of them off the platform. Wave, Tex and Manic watched in slight shock. The stormtroopers reached the edge of the platform with no where to go "We're not insurgents! They're over there!" one of them yelled at the walker terrified. Tails killed the remaining trooper before making the walker go towards the edge. He heard a faint voice "No. Please, don't!" Tails didn't listen and walked it right over the edge and it fell out of sight. Tails opened his eyes and stared coldly at his handy work. Wave walked up to him "When did Sonic teach you that?" "He didn't". They then saw the door getting cut through "Come on! Get ready to jump". They ran across the platform "Jump where?" Manic asked. The Hurst then appeared and flew under the platform and as it emerged through the other side Tails and the other jumped onto it.
They entered the cockpit where Sally turned to them "Was that Imperial walker helping you?". Tex nodded and sat down "Yeah. Tails used his Shinobi mind trick on the pilot". Tails just shrugged "Best way to get past them". Manic bowed his head "Captain Acorn. I appreciate the rescue. And of course, I expect full payment even though Mello betrayed us". Sally stared at him "Wait. Who's Mello?". Wave sighed "Manic's former cellmate who almost botched the mission. He didn't make it". Sally turned to Tails "Did you know about this?" "Not exactly. But Manic and I had a deal" "Tails, when it's your mission you are responsible for all of the details". Tails stood up angrily "It's not my fault he didn't tell me!". There was silence for a moment before he sighed "I'm sorry. It's just… I need to think" he left the room. Manic sat down in front of Sally "Ah, the fiery spirit of youth, eh?". Tails entered his cabin and removed one of his helmets form the shelf revealing the Raiju chaos drive. Tails held it in front of him "I failed. I wasn't able to save our informant" "Your anger gives you strength, gives you focus. You must allow it to grow. Now, what is it you desire". Anger entered Tails' eyes "I can't let my friends get hurt. I need to know more".
Finitevus was sitting at a large round table when a female vulture wearing a white and black uniform and a yellow mask "Governor Nephthys. How are tings proceeding on Emerald Hill?" "Emerald Hill is secure, Moff Finitevus. But I am here about the recent Freedom Fighter attack at the prison Naraka which I believe is only the beginning of a larger threat". Finitevus nodded "I am inclined to agree. Although Lord Eclipse has dealt with the insurgency's Shinobi leadership these Freedom Fighters have proven particularly stubborn. How do you intend to solve this problem?". Nephthys remained stoic "I want the seventh fleet" "Midesta? I see. And what of Admiral Naugus and his fleet?" "Admiral Naugus is more politician than soldier. I need someone who sees the bigger picture". Finitevus nodded "Very well. You shall have Midesta" "Thank you, sir".
Manic was at gizoid base standing in front of the group "So, so, so. How much do you insist on paying me for this intel?" "Being rescued wasn't payment enough? What do you want?" Sally said. Manic smirked "Ah, what good is a pirate without a ship? The Hurst is very nice. I could probably-" "Forget it" everyone said in unison. Manic laughed "I'm kidding, of course. But I do need a ship. Nothing too fancy. Just something with a roomy cargo hold, hyperdrive, shields, weapons. I am… ley's say popular after all". Bristles crossed his arms "If your information is as good as you claim then we have a deal" "Well in that case. I give to you the planet Arid. And hidden in its cloudy heavens, Metal Harbour Station". He used a holo-unit to show a spherical base "A secret savage yard where thousands of Republic starfighters are being dismantled for scrap. My former friend, Mello, worked on the line there before he was arrested". He changed the hologram to show a Y-wings surprising Sally "Kind of old. Can those still fly?". Fang smirked "Those bombers may be old, but they were solid in combat operations". Sally nodded "If we could steal a squadron's worth" "They would be key to building a strike fleet one capable of our next objective. The destruction of the Empire's factory on Emerald Hill". Tails looked determined "Then what're we waiting for. let's go get them". Sally put her hand on his shoulder "Not so fast. We need to scout it first. Confirm Manic's intel and recon its defences". Manic acted offended "You still don't trust me given our history together? You wound me, Madam". Bristles pondered "Tails, I trusted you with the last mission and your success has not gone unnoticed. You will lead this mission as Lieutenant Commander". Tails was surprised "Lieutenant? A promotion", Fang chucked "You earned it, kid". Wave patted his back "Way to go" "Good job, kid" Tex said. Sally smiled "Congratulations, Tails. Sonic will be proud of you". Tails' face dropped "Yeah? Well, I wouldn't know".
Sonic far from the base meditating next to the Hurst. He was now wearing black shoes with orange patterns, black gloves and a hood covering his forehead and spikes. With a cloth mask covering his whole face. He focused when "I see you". The spider creatures were watching from behind the spikes "I see you. Come to me". Before Sonic could do anything, Sally arrived "Sonic, I was hoping to see you at the briefing". Sonic raised his head slightly "I hear Tails' doing well" "He has been stepping up, but, uh… You know, he blames himself for what happened to you and Amy". Sonic turned his head "I don't" "I wish you would tell him that" Sally said regretfully before walking away.
Tails was lying on his bed when Sonic suddenly entered, Tails glanced nervously at the chaos drive which was sitting on a crate. He stood up "Sonic, Uh, hey, what're you doing here?" he tried to reach for the drive, but Sonic got in his way and removed his face cover revealing his cloudy eyes with a scar across them "I think it's time for us to talk". Tails gulped "I don't think now's the time. I've been assigned an important mission". He tried to reach for the drive, but Sonic leaned against the crate stopping him "Yeah, I've heard. I'm proud of-". His hand went over the drive and he picked it up "The Raiju chaos drive? You opened it?" he said in surprise. Tails dismissively shrugged "Yeah" "Tails, you know only someone who uses the dark side can open this thing" "But it's helped me". Sonic eyes opened wide "You're using it?" "You should too" "Tails, do you have any idea how dangerous this path is?". Tails sighed in frustration "Everything I've learned has helped me win one battle after another. I'm using it for good" "Acting out of anger offers quick results, but it's a trap!" "Not for me!". Sonic sighed "I can't let you keep this". Sonic headed for the door but "Fine! I don't need it. I don't you". Sonic stopped and sadness waved his face before he left as Tails glared at him.
Tails was now in the Sneak with Tex, Wave, Fang and Manic. "We can't jump directly to Arid from here. We'll have to drop out of hyperspace at the Ecco Waypoint and plot a new jump" Wave said. Manic nodded "Do not take too long. That is Mining Guild territory. If they spot us, they'll alert the Empire and jeopardize my payment-Haha I mean our mission" "We'll be there and gone before they know it. Right, Gem". G-merl beeped form the top of the ship before they jumped out hyperspace.
Sonic was back to meditating "I can help you", Sonic stood up "Where are you? Who are you?" "Come to me". Sonic walked forward, picked up one of the sensors and walks out as the spiders back away.
The Sneak arrived at Ecco "Okay, G-merl, you're up. Program those coordinates as fast before" "Attention, shuttle craft. You're trespassing in a Mining Guild claim zone. Identify and state your business". G-merl looked behind the Sneak and saw two yellow TIEs and a transport. Tails got on the commlink "Please excuse the intrusion, Captain. We'll be on our way as soon as we calculate our hyperspace jump" "We won't authorize a jump until you've registered with the Empire and paid the hyperspace toll. Prepare to transfer rings. If you do not slow your speed, we will open fire". The fighters got on either side of them "Wave, get us out of here". Wave flew the ship away from the fighters who fired at them.
Sonic walked through a small forest area with the spiders following behind him. He heard a flicky tweeting before flying off in a certain direction. Sonic followed and eventually reached a small flat piece of ground "This is the place. Hello? Are you there?... I can sense your presence". Behind him a large horned like creature pushed out of the ground and stared down at Sonic "Hello".
The Sneak got hit causing Manic to get worried "Imperial prison is bad but where the Mining Guild will send us is worse!". "Hang on!" Wave took evasive action as G-merl used the turret to shout down the TIEs. "Brace yourselves" she stopped the ship causing the final Tie to fly pats and Wave quickly shot it "G-merl, we're clear. Charge the hyperdrive". Tails shook her head "Wait, we should destroy the transport before they contact the Empire" "They probably already have" "No! We can't leave witnesses" "That's not our mission, Tails". Fang stepped forward "She's right, lieutenant. The important thing here is to proceed with our mission". Tails reluctantly nodded "Fine. Make the jump", Wave did so.
The creature stared down at Sonic "Ah. You heard my call. Good. Your imbalance woke me from a deep slumber" "Imbalance?" "Your presence is like a violent storm in this quiet world". Sonic kneeled "You're a Force wielder. But you're not a Shinobi" "Wielder? Hmm. Shinobi and Raiju wield the light and the dark. I am in the middle, Ixis. What do you call yourself?". Sonic bowed his head "I am Sonic the Hedgehog, Shinobi Knight" "You carry conflict with you, Sonic, Shinobi Knight". Sonic took out the Raiju chaos drive "It's this" Ah. Interesting". Ixis pulled the drive towards him "Carful, it's dangerous" "How so?" "It's a Raiju chaos drive, a source of evil. My student's been using it, and I'm afraid it's changing him". Ixis shook his head "An object cannot make you good or evil. The temptation of power, forbidden knowledge even the desire to do good can lead some down that path. But only you can change yourself". Sonic lowered his head "Not always" "Ah. Your conflict becomes clear. The device you brought with you, why do you have it?" "It keeps the spiders from attacking me". Ixis reached forward and picked up the sensor. He started at it for a moment before crushing it in his hand. Sonic felt the ground trying to find the sensor "Hey, hey! What did you do?" "I am helping you" "It was the only thing protecting me from those creatures!". Ixis smiled "You believe that, but you must learn to see things differently now". Sonic could hear the spiders coming "Look, I can't see anything, not anymore" "No. You are unwilling". Sonic looked up hopeful "Are you saying there's a way to restore my vision?" "Your sight cannot be healed but I can teach you to see. If you're willing". Sonic removed his mask and hood "What must I do?".
Finitevus, Infinite and Naugus were on the bridge of a Scarship standing around a holo-unit "I'm certain Governor Nephthys is overestimating how organised the resistance is. While it's true there are pockets there has never been any evidence of a larger scale, galaxy-wide operation". "And I would like to keep it that way, Admiral" they all turned and saw a brown mammoth in a white suit enter with Nephthys. Finitevus nodded "Grand Admiral Mogul" "Grand Admiral?" Naugus said in surprise. Mogul nodded "The Emperor recently promoted me after my victory at Fulop" "Civilian casualties outnumbered the insurgents at the time" Infinite said disapprovingly. "Acceptable margins, Agent Infinite, for there are no longer Freedom Fighters in that sector" Nephthys said. Finitevus nodded in agreement "Well, Mogul, what do you think of Governor Nephthys' theory about the Freedom Fighters in the Emerald Hill sector". Mogul activated the unit which showed an image of Manic "This is a pirate our Freedom Fighter friends rescued from Naraka prison. Manic the Hedgehog. Within the last hour, the Setting Dawn Squadron destroyed Mining Guild ships using the Ecco Hyperspace Waypoint. Taken separately they seem unrelated but Manic's cellmate was a labourer at our starfighter reclamation plant in the Arid system. One jump point away from the Ecco attack". Nephthys nodded "Grand Admiral Mogul believes the Freedom Fighters intend to raid the plant and steal fighters for their fleet" "Every ship they add to their arsenal increases the threat to our own armada and the Emperor's plans". Finitevus raised his eyebrows "I trust you have a solution?" "I will start my operations here and pull the Freedom Fighters apart piece by piece. They will be the architects of their own destruction".
The Sneak arrived at Arid "No Imperial traffic on the scopes but no sign of the station either". Manic stood up and looked out the window "It is down there, my friends. And those ships will be ripe for the plunder". Wave turned to him "There's no telling what we're flying into". Tails shrugged "Let's find out. Take us down". Th entered the atmosphere and saw a floating metal structure "There it is. Metal Harbour" Wave said, "G-merl, get a count on those bombers" Tails said. A hologram of the station appeared "There! Y-wing light bombers. Looks like they're in decent shape, too" "Yeah, but according to this there's only 15 left". They saw the bomber in the hologram with one moving inside the station "Wait, now there's 14. Looks like they're being destroyed" "Then we need to move in now. There won't be any ships left if we wait". Tex stood up "Hold on. Our orders are to recon the station not go after ships". Fang agreed "We should advise Captain Acorn". Tails turned to them "What if the Empire detects our transmission? I was given command off this assignment. I'm changing the objective". He stepped right in front of Fang "We're going in now. That's an order". Everyone just stared at him and he turned to Wave "Yes, sir" she said blankly before going in". "Hurry! We're losing ships!" Tail said as they flew towards Metal Harbour. Wave rolled her eyes "Well, Lieutenant, what's your plan to get them out of there?" "Look out!" Fang yelled.
Wave saw a red object floating ahead of them, she tried to avoid it, but they grazed the side "What was that?". Manic stood up "Oh, right, right. That is probably a dismantler bot. Forgot that Mello said there might be some guarding the station" he said under his breath. Tex glared at him angrily "When were you gonna share that information?" "Right now". Three dismantlers followed the shuttle, one of them latched onto the ship but G-merl quickly used the turret to shoot it off. Fang looked determined "I'll handle those bots. Hold on!". He opened the back door and took out his pistols. He leaned out and fired at one of the robots destroying it, but the ship suddenly shook knocking Fang out of the ship but Tex quickly ran forward and grabbed his leg and pulled him back in. "Engine took a hit!" Wave yelled as the shuttle started spinning "We're going down!". "G-merl, get that engine working!" Tails ordered as the ship flew right past Metal Harbour. As a final dismantler chased after them. They flew right into a storm as the dismantler charged at them but was suddenly destroyed by a bolt of lightning. G-merl finally got the engines working at Wave flew them back up "Brace yourselves! I'm gonna lock on to the station". She locked the shuttle underneath the belt carrying the Y-wings "I've blocked us form their scanners. Hopefully, they'll think we crashed". They then all climbed out and on the top of the belt as another fighter entered the furnace at the end. Tails turned determined "We gotta shut down the conveyor before they're all slagged. Come on".
They all ran towards it but then three bees appeared in front of them "What're you doing here!?" the lead one yelled. Tails stepped forward "Get out of the way. I don't want to hurt you". Manic got in front of him "Wait, wait, wait. Every situation has the potential to be profitable. He then turned to the bees "Greetings my friends. I am a friend of Mello. We have been sent to liberate you form the Empire" "If they help us with the fighters" Tails added. The three bees huddled and after a moment the lead one nodded and ran over to a control panel and pulled a switch stopping the belt. The PA suddenly activated "Labourer 429, why have you disengaged the conveyor?". The bee thought quickly "Um, yes. We had to stop it due to a malfunction" "Well, get it repaired or I'll have you thrown off the station". Tails could have sworn he recognised the voice although this one sounded very angry. He turned to Wave "Alright, let' get these fighters out of here" "Well, Lieutenant, first we have to refuel them. Their tanks will be empty. Or did you not notice they weren't exploding when they went into the furnace". She ran over to one of the fighters to get started. Fang put his hand on Tails' shoulder "Won't be the last complication. We should get to work". Tex walked behind Tails "You know, Sonic would've loved this mission".
Sonic stood before Ixis "So, tell me how do I restore my sight?" "You must be empty. There s only the Force. Now, turn and walk forward". Sonic did so "I'm not sure this is such a good idea" "And why not?" "Because those spiders are out there, waiting". Ixis smirked "How do you know this?" "I hear them" "Good. Keep walking. Sound relates them to you. What else?". Sonic sighed "I can feel them in the ground, their vibrations when they move" "Indeed, you are perceptive. Are they close?". Sonic stopped and focused on the vibrations of the ground "No" "Continue then". Sonic did so as Ixis watched "How else do you relate to the spiders?" "Before, in the caves, a foul smell. It was old, decayed" "Ah, a fascinating description. You see much for being blind". Sonic was trying to avoid getting frustrated "Well, I know what they look like. I saw then when I had my sight" "Then picture them in your mind. Are they close?". Sonic again focused "No" "Are you certain?". Sonic reached out his hand and touched a large object in front of it and it then backed away. It then hissed at Sonic "What should I do?" "What do you want to do? Hmm?".
More spiders surrounded Sonic "Run. But there's another one right behind me" "You are beginning to see. Ha! Now be empty and continue onward". Soni stayed where he was "Why aren't they attacking?" "It is not in their nature" "Well, it has been in my experience". Ixis tilted his head "Because you do not see them" "You mean, see them for what they are?" "Look closer". Sonic grunted in frustration "There's nothing. I can't sense them" "Look within". Sonic reached out his hand and heard the spider hiss "I feel… fear" "In the spiders?". Sonic paused and then "Tails" "Ah, your thoughts dwell on your apprentice" "He's in danger… NO!". Sonic stepped back and ignited his lightsaber with a look of horror on his face. He then slowly calmed down "No, it's not Tails or the spiders, it's… it's me. Fear, grief, anger, that's how they see me". He deactivated his lightsaber and sighed "That's how I see myself" "Ah, your sight returns" Ixis chuckled. Sonic lowered his head "I distance myself from everyone, from the Force too" "Your connection to the Force allows you to see in ways others cannot If you can see yourself, you will never be truly blind, Sonic the Hedgehog, Shinobi Knight". Sonic smiled "I understand" he then walked away "Where are you going?" "Tails needs me. They all do" "What of the spiders". Sonic chuckled "I can see them, so there's nothing to fear" "And what of this, hmm?". Ixis held out the chaos drive "Keep it as a gift", Ixis started to laugh.
Wave had inserted a fuel line into a Y-wing "Lats two and then we're out of here". None of them noticed a dismantler watching them form behind a cloud. Suddenly the magnetic locks activated o all the fighters. Wave sighed "Well, they know we're here" "Perhaps our new friends can assist?" Manic said gesturing to the bees. The bee shook his head "All systems are overridden by the control tower". Tails sighed "Tex, you and Wave finish refuelling. I'll take care of the tower. Fang, you're with me". The all went their different ways, G-merl followed Wave and Tex and beeped. Wave glanced at him while she was refuelling a fighter "Stop your complaining. This is the last one. Then we'll leave". G-merl heard a noise behind him and saw the dismantler which quickly grabbed him and crushed his chest. It threw him at Wave. She took out her wispon, but the creature then jumped on the fighter throwing her off "Tex". Tex jumped and quickly caught her and threw her back up. They both got back on the fighter and fired on the robot, but it had no effect and t started to lift the fighter. Fang and Tails saw this right before entering the tower "Go help them! I got this" Tails said before running inside. Fang ran past Manic and the bees "Yes. Yes. You go help them. We'll look for a ship- I mean help Tails". Tails ran through the halls of the building when his commlink activated "Hurst to Naka-six. You missed check-in. Where are you?". Tails turned very nervous "Hey! Still in the Arid System, Sally. So busy. No time to talk. Tails out". Tails quickly turned it off.
Bristles listened to Tails' message with Sally "It seems Commander Tails has chosen a different mission". Sally nodded "Sir, we better mobilize the fleet" "Indeed". Sally ran out of the command centre and towards the Hurst. She entered the cockpit where Sonic was waiting "Sonic?" she said in surprise. He was waring his hood and mask again "Tails is in trouble. Let's go". Sally smiled and sat in her seat "It's good to have you back".
Fang jumped on a small crane and used it to push the dismantler away form Wave and Tex "You want some more you lousy bot?". Fang used the crane to hit the robot against a metal wall. He then jumped out and sot a small box on the wall behind the robot which exploded destroying it. Tails meanwhile realised Manic, and the bees were following him right before they entered a hanger with a shuttle. Manic stopped "Partner! I will stay here and guard the shuttle in case we need a quick escape" "You do that!" Tails yelled back at him. Tails entered the command centre just as a message form Nephthys ended. The stormtroopers turned to him and the commander turned around revealing it to be Stone. The troopers fired but Sonic deflected the shot back and killed them all. Stone glared at him "You?". Tails recognised him and smirked "You? What happened. Scarship captain to junkyard commander" "Your capture and execution will mean my return to ranking status" "Yeah, get ready for another demotion".
Stone fired at him and Tails blocked it and Stone suddenly couldn't breathe and hovered upwards. Tails stared coldly at him before dropping him "Unlock the bombers, now". Stone looked absolutely terrified "Sorry, but I've sabotaged the control unit. The only way to release the bombers is to cut power to the entire station". Tails without a moment hesitation threw his lightsaber at the control unit shocking Stone "What're you doing? This whole station gonna fall out of the sky" "Yeah, but I won't be here". Stone went over to the PA system, but Tails raised his lightsaber stopping him. Stone put his hands up "They're thirty men on this station. Please, let me warn them" he begged. Tails stared at him for a moment, but he then lowered his lightsaber. Stone activated the PA system "Evacuate now!" he yelled before running out of the room. Tails was slightly surprised Stone would care about the others on the base but quickly pushed that out of his mind. His commlink then activated and her heard Wave "Naka-Five to Naka-Six. We got the bomber unlocked. What was that blast?" "I had to cut the station's power. Get in those bombers and get out of here!" "What about you?" "I'll take the Sneak. Now get going. That's an order!". He watched out the window and saw the four of them board a Y-wing with G-merl remote linking to the others. But then he saw an Imperial shuttle fly away "Manic, I thought you were guarding the shuttle for an escape" "And I am. We are making our quick escape now. I will see you again soon, partner! Another successful adventure!". Tails rolled his eyes "Better get moving" he ran out into the hanger and saw the Y-wings escaping.
The fighters reached orbit "Gem, set the coordinates in the navi-compuer" Wave said but then he beeped "What? No hyperdrives?". She heard Fang grunt "They must have removed them". A Scarship then jumped out of hyperspace and released TIEs.
Tails ran over the belt "Naka-Six, the Empire is in orbit. We are in big trouble". Before Tails could response the harbour shook violently because one of the gravity devices exploded. Tails jumped down to get to the Sneak but part of the belt broke of and hit the shuttle throwing it off and it fell through the clouds. Tails climbed back up "Naka-Five? Naka-Five, come in! Can you hear me? Wave, come in". He saw the base start to blow up. Tails suddenly felt incredibly helpless "No. This has all gone wrong".
Wave and the others took evasive action to avoid the TIEs "They're trying to drive us towards they're tractor beam. Suddenly the stolen Imperial carrier arrived with multiple transports and the Hurst "Hurst to bombers. Get your ships on the carrier. We'll cover you" "Copy, Hurst. We're glad to see you" they entered the carrier. Sally was dealing with the TIEs when "Hurst, any sign of the Sneak. Naka should be up here by now". Sally couldn't find it on the scanner "He must be on the station" "Let's go" Sonic said.
Onboard the Scarship Nephthys and Infinite watched "They fight so hard to gain so little. Contact Grand Admiral Mogul immediately". Nephthys spoke to a hologram of Mogul "Update me on your progress, Governor" "The situation is proceeding much as you anticipated. The Fighter's fleet composed of their star cruisers, have come to the rescue". Mogul's face dropped "That is not their fleet. Break off your attack and let them take their meagre reward". Nephthys nodded "Very good, Admiral" Mogul cut off. Naugus stared confused "We're letting them get away? I don't understand" "I know you don't, but rest assured, Mogul has a much larger objective in mind than the capture of a single cell".
Tails was holding onto the belt as the station was hurtling down. Fear filled him, he reached out with the Force "Sonic, help me". The air was getting thin, and Tails started to feel faint. His eyes started to close, and he lost his grip on the station. He felt himself falling but right before Tails' eyes closed, he felt himself suddenly stopping.
Tails woke up in the med bay of Gizoid base. He jumped out of bed and ran to the command centre where everyone, but Sonic was. He was happy to see everyone alive and they did to and were about to walk up to him, but Sally angrily walked past them. Tails understood immediately and guilt overtook him "I'm… I'm sorry. I-" "As a leader, you're responsible for Dawn Squadron. You almost got you and your team killed. You lost the Sneak. Disobeyed orders". Sally was expecting Tails to argue but he said nothing. Sally sighed "I have no choice but to suspend your command". Tex stepped forward "Wait, Sally, I know he was-" "Tex. It's okay" Tails said quickly before going silent. Wave tried to change the subject "At least we got the Y-wings" "They're not for us. We have orders to deliver these bombers to General Kali-Ca's unit. They're part of a wider fight we're working to build. It's growing every day". Wave smiled "Well, I guess if we're going to defeat the Empire, we'll need all the help we can get". Tails turned to Tex but kept his sight on the floor "Do you know where Sonic is?" "Yeah. He's in the Hurst". Tails ran to the ship and entered the common room where Sonic, now out of his black outfit was standing in the middle of the room staring in his direction as if he knew he was coming. Tails had so much to say, he didn't know where to start. How he was sorry about what he said, sorry about trusting Scourge, sorry for being the reason Sonic couldn't see and Amy getting killed. Sorry that he's been ignoring Sonic's teachings for months and needlessly killing. How he's been pushing the guilt to the back of his mind and that it's been eating away at him. Tails tried to get the words out "Sonic… I'm…". He sniffed and wiped his nose "I'm….. I-" tears began to form in Tails' eyes, he kept trying to speak but he started to sob. He felt like he couldn't stand but Sonic quickly stepped forward and hugged him. Tails cried into his shoulder as Sonic knelt them both down so Tails didn't have to stand "It's okay. It's okay, buddy" he said reassuringly as Tails continued to cry.