Wave was sitting in a cell with Slinger. G-merl stood outside the cell projecting a holographic cube with blue and red blades pieced into different part. Slinger scoffed "Blade to cube face four? That's a showy move. You play with too much bravado" "Strategy is an art, Slinger. Maybe I'm lulling you into a false sense of security". Slinger chuckled "There's nothing false about it. Blade to cube face two" the blade moved "I win. I'll bet your game has slipped since you left Planet Wisp. Why do you keep coming back here? You and you Freedom Fighters have imprisoned me. Fox Hound have orders to give you safe passage through out space. What more do you want?". Wave glanced at G-merl "Reset the board, G-merl". The blades all moved out of the cube "I want the same thing we've always wanted. For you and Fox Hound to join us, to fight the Empire" "I made a deal with the Empire to survive. I made a deal with your Fighters to survive. But joining you? My only true loyalty is to Planet Wisp" "Well, I'll keep trying". Slinger sighed "I admire your persistence, Wave. You could have been part of Fox Hound, if not for your traitorous past". Wave rolled her eyes "Oh, not this again" "We could still work together now if I were free. Not for the Freedom Fighters, not for the Empire. For Planet Wisp". Tex entered "Sorry to interrupt playtime, but Sally wants you in the war room for a briefing. Both of you".
They were now all in the war room a Sally was showing them a hologram of Terminal Velocity "We've lost communications with the Planet Wisp base on Terminal Velocity". Bristles looked to Slinger "Our cruisers are concerned your Fox Hounds are setting a trap for us" "Impossible. My men are loyal to my word. Your safe passage through our system is secure. If you've lost communication, something's happened". Wave nodded "I'll go check it out" "I should go with you. They're my men. I can talk to them". Tex raised his eyebrows "Did you forget you're our prisoner?". Sonic shrugged "More like a cranky guest". Sally sighed "He can go, but he stays in binders. Take Tails and G-merl. Do a recon sweep of their base, then come right back. You are not to land or engage. And try not to wreck Sneak II. We just got that thing". Wave nodded "Understood".
They were now in the Sneak heading to Terminal Velocity. Wave was piloting while Tails was sitting opposite Slinger who was blankly staring at him. Tails was awkwardly sitting trying to avoid his gaze when he saw Terminal Velocity broken apart "Whoa. What happened?" "The Wispons have endured wars since before the formation of the Republic. Just as we'll endure the Empire and your Freedom Fighters". Wave stared at the planet "Too bad our people can't stop fighting each other" "I don't really get the whole Wispon thing" Tails said but as he was looking at Wave but Slinger then charged forward knocked him out, grabbed his pistol and shot Wave with a stun blast before she could turn around.
Tails felt something hit his head "Ow!". He opened his eyes and saw G-merl in front of him "Gem". He then realized that his left wrist was cuffed to Wave's right "Hey, Wave" he shook her, and she woke up "Oh. I'll live. Where's Slinger?". G-merl crushed the restraints releasing them both "I don't know, but he's got our weapons. Gem, did we land?". The walked outside and realized they were on Terminal Velocity and saw Slinger standing at the top of a hill. They ran up and saw smoke rising from whatever Slinger was staring at. Once they got close Tails used the Force to take the pistol from him "Turn around!". Slinger didn't move "Slinger?" Wave said. They walked forward and realized he was staring down at the Fox Hound camp which was now destroyed. Wave removed her mask "Your men weren't laying a trap. They were ambushed. The Empire?" "Not the Empire. Other Wispons".
They went down to the camp and Slinger picked up a damaged wispon pistol "Precision detonations, laser strikes from above. Definitely a surprise attack by another clan" "Why would other Wispons attack you" Tails asked. Wave glanced at him "It's complicated. Look, Slinger-". Slinger angrily turned to them "This is all your fault! If I'd been here instead of locked away by you and your Freedom Fighters, I could have prevented this" "We didn't mean for this to happen. You know that. They were my people too". He pushed her back "Don't talk to me about your people. What do you know of loyalty?" "I am not your enemy, Slinger. None of this makes any sense. Which of the clans has the power to do this? Who would want to? Fox Hound is loyal to the throne and they recruit the best warriors from within all the clans". G-merl suddenly started beeping "G-merl's picking up a signal from over there" Tails said pointing towards a tent. An imperial probe flew out "It's trying to transmit" Wave yelled as it fired on them. Tails used the Force to hold it still "I can't hold it long!" he said groaning as if in pain. Wave fired at it destroying it. Tails examined it "Do you think it got a signal out?" "Well, we're either fine, or a few Scarships are on their way. You wanna wait, and see?" "Good point. We're leaving". Slinger stayed where he was "I have no intentions of leaving and certainly not with you" "The Empire could be on their way right now" "I've dealt with them before, and I'll deal with them again. But now, of course, I have the location of your base as a bargaining chip. It's no less than you deserve after causing all this".
He turned his back to them, but Wave raised her wispon "I can't let you do that". G-merl entered the Sneak and checked the scanner seeing something coming. Tails was trying to defuse the situation when he heard G-merl over commlink "The Empire? Already?". Wave used her mask to look ahead and saw a group of Wispons flying towards them "Traitors" Slinger said with venom in his voice, "Run!" Wave yelled. G-merl was still in the ship when a squirrel Wispon entered, G-merl put his hands up. Wave and Singer were hiding in a tent when the Wispons led an older Akhlut now with a red mask. Tails came out form behind a pile of crates and fired at him, but a shield appeared and stooped him form getting hit "Get him!". Tails ran and was chased by the Wispons. Wave was about to run out, but Slinger stops her "No. His sacrifice saved us. Don't waste it" he ran in the opposite direction. Tails got surrounded by Akhlut and the Wispons "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop! I give up! Don't shoot!". Wave stopped Slinger "We have to help him" "Think, Wave. Your only advantage is that they don't know about you yet" "You still have his lightsaber". Slinger scoffed "That might just save his life. Come. I know a place where we'll be safe and where we can watch them". Akhlut removed his mask "Search the area. I doubt he's alone" "Who are you guys?" Tails asked. "I am Akhlut, Imperial Viceroy of Planet Wisp. And you, Freedom Fighter, are now my prisoner".
The Sneak landed at the camp and G-merl was led out by the squirrel. Tails was kneeling inside a tent with Akhlut stood in front f him with his arms crossed "How many are with you?" "I'm here by myself". He then saw G-merl entered "Except for my gizoid" "We checked the base. No sign of anyone else" the squirrel said. Tails smiled "See?" "You'll excuse me if I don't take the word of a spy" "I'm not a spy. I told you, I'm a scavenger. Part of Manic the Hedgehog's crew. He'll vouch for me". Akhlut scoffed "I don't think so. The Empire is fully aware the Freedom Fighters have been using the system as a thruway to avoid patrols in this sector" "I don't care about that. I just came here looking salvage some spare parts". Akhlut took a step closer to him "You're dealing with the Wispons now, child, not some Imperial officer fresh out of the Academy" "Look, uh, sir, I didn't even know Planet Wisp was part of the Empire" "Search the ship. Maybe we'll find the truth there. Until then perhaps target practice with your gizoid will encourage you to talk". He raised his wispon to G-merl.
Outside Wave and Slinger were watching from the top of the hill "We're going back" "For the fox? Pawns are meant to be sacrificed" "Okay. One, he's not a pawn. Two, Tails can take care of himself. But the Sneak has our base coordinates on board. We cannot let the Empire get their hands on that". Slinger scoffed "You think I actually care about him or your Freedom Fighters? To think Fox Hound fell to these traitors" "The leader. He looked familiar". Slinger glared down at the camp "He should. He's Lion Clan, like you. His name is Akhlut. He wanted to be our ruler, but he had no honour" "That's why the Empire put him in charge". He angrily turned to her "You think you're any better than him? Everything that's happened here is because of you" "Okay, look. You may not like it, but right now, we need each other. Help me get my ship, get Tails and then we'll all get out of here together. Deal?". Slinger dismissively rolled his eyes "You want to get yourself killed trying to rescue your friend? Be my guest. All I care about is making Akhlut and his traitors pay. But now is not the time for that". Wave shrugged "Well, I'm not after revenge. Just my friends".
Akhlut fired at G-merl's feet making him beep alarmingly. Tails then jumped in front of him "No! Stop! I'll tell you the truth. I promise, okay?". Akhlut lowered his wispon and listened "My name is Khan. I'm a smuggler. I heard there was lost treasure here. I made a deal with pirates, okay? I swear". Akhlut smirked "Every lie you tell holds a shred of truth. You're giving me what I want to know, whether you realize it or not". Jut outside the tent Wave and Slinger were hiding, the latter pressed the side of his eye and he could now hear Tails "You have to believe me" "I believe you've run out of lies". He turned to Wave "Set frequency to 337. Inside Akhlut kicked Tails down "Blast the gizoid. Perhaps its memory circuits will provide us with the information" "Wait. Okay. I was sent here by Slinger the Ocelot". This got Akhlut's attention "You know where he is, then?" "I don't. But I sur wish I did" "Is that so? You I planned to strike this base and destroy the defiant Fox Hound for some time. Missing Slinger was disappointing. But his absence did make the destruction of his men… easier. I've been waiting for him to return. I only allowed ships to move through Terminal Velocity to lure him back. But now, I have you". He grabbed Tail's throat and lifted him up "And I think you know exactly where Slinger is! And you will take me to him". Outside Slinger sighed "He was going to kill us anyway" "I'm sorry, Slinger" "Had you and your Shinobi captured me, I'd me dead alongside my men, executed by the Empire… A truce, then, for now". He handed Wave Tails' lightsaber "You get your friend; I'll secure our ship" "Thank you. First, let's thin them out and get you a weapon" "I like the way you think". They snuck through the base and managed to knock out two Wispons. Slinger picked up one of their weapons "Not used to not having pistols" "Better than nothing. How many vials are in it?". Slinger opened it and all the slots were full except for one "Eight. Only missing the Indigo". Wave took off her mask and a huge grin formed on her face "No?" "Yeah" Slinger said confused. Wave took the other wispon, opened it along with her own. She took the vials out of the other wispon except for the cyan and placed them all in her own "Been wanting the rest of these. Ha". They split up and Slinger silently entered the Sneak where a single Wispon was sitting on the pilot's seat. He slowly advanced on him, but he suddenly turned around and pushed Slinger against the wall. Slinger however then kicked him and punched him in the stomach before throwing him to the floor.
Akhlut threw Tails at the wall and pointed his wispon at G-merl "If you won't tell me!" he fired but "No!" the wispon was pushed slightly right missing G-merl. Akhlut paused for a moment before seeing that Tails was holding his hands up "You just became a much more valuable captive. Shinobi". Suddenly a smoke bomb was thrown in and detonated blinding everyone. Tails couldn't see but he felt someone grab his arm "Get up! Come on!" it was Wave. The three of them ran out "What took you so long?" "I was using strategy. It takes longer". She activated the lightsaber, cut Tails' cuffs and then handed it to him. They ran to the Sneak "Slinger should already be onboard" it then took off without them "Oh. He's on the ship alright". They turned around and saw three Wispons running towards them. Akhlut the flew out with a crimson wispon and landed in front of them "Wave the Voyance". Wave stared at him "I don't know you" "Well, I know you and all about how you joined the Freedom Fighters. I also know that your mother is looking for you". Tails turned to her, "Don't believe him" she said. Akhlut scoffed "Wave never told you about her family? Well. She lies as well as you, boy. Her own mother stands with me and the Empire now" "I doubt you gave her much choice, traitor". Akhlut raised his hand making the Wispons rise their weapons "She came around herself after you abandoned the Imperial Academy. Your cowardice shamed your family's name and standing. Had you honoured your commitment, you could be wearing this these colours now".
Wave shrugged "Sorry, Akhlut. Red's not my colour" "You think yourself a loyalist? The Empire will make Planet Wisp stronger than ever before" "The only one who's gotten stronger under the Empire is you". Akhlut gave a slight sigh "Out of respect for your family, I'll give you a choice. Give me Slinger and swear allegiance, or you and your friend die". There was a pause then "I yield" "Wave, don't" Tails said, "We have no choice". She removed her mask and she leaned close to G-merl "On my mark, send feedback to frequency 337" she whispered as she handed the mask to him. She then kneeled to Akhlut who stepped forward "Say it" "I swear… that this is gonna hurt. G-merl, now!". A noise was released from Wave's mask causing feedback in the Wispons' causing them all to scream. Wave then put her arm around a surprised Tails "Whoa" "Hang on". She held the wispon up with her other hand and it turned orange and they shot up like a rocket "WHAO!" Tails yelled. G-merl flew up and followed them as the wispon then turned crimson and they both flew away. Akhlut fired at them but missed "I want them alive!". Tails was desperately holding on to Wave as they flew, and he saw the Wispons following "So what's your strategy for this?" "They must have a ship nearby. G-merl, find it". G-merl nodded and started scanning "Make it quick, Gem. Her evil cousins are coming". They flew through a gorge and Tails used his free hand to ignite his lightsaber and deflect the blasts. Wave sighed "Tails, I'm really sorry" "For what?". Her wispon turned form crimson to light red causing them to start to fall to the ground. Tails started screaming as Wave aimed her wispon to the gorge wall and shot a fire ball at it. The wispon turned back to crimson and they flew again right before hitting the ground. The wall then collapsed slowing down the Wispon. Tails saw them "Never do that again".
They exited the ship but as they got close, and explosion went off behind them causing them to fall to the ground at the ship. Akhlut landed and kicked away their weapons "Finish the boy. The swallow is mine" he said to another Wispon. Suddenly "Akhlut!" they turned and saw the Sneak "Those kids are under my protection". Akhlut shot a fire ball at him but Slinger moved out of the way and fired on them with the Sneak's weapons. Wave then charged forward and fought Akhlut and kicked him over the edge of the cliff edge. The Sneak flew close to the ground, Wave and Tails ran inside and Slinger flew off. Wave took off her mask and smirked "I really thought you left us" "I thought of it. Then I realized you were willing to die for your people, even though they are not Planet Wisp". He smiled warmly "you haven't forgotten our ways. That has earned my respect". Tails nervously scratched the back of his head "Don't take this the wrong way, you guys, but, uh, Wispons are crazy". Slinger chuckled "Crazy enough to join you" "Really?" Wave asked. He nodded "If you'll have me" "Then welcome to the family".