Shadow and Espio were standing in the middle of the Shinobi council "Espio, you must track down this bounty hunter" Blaze said with Merlin adding "Most importantly, find out who he's working for". "What about Senator Tikal? She will still need protecting" Espio asked, "Your apprentice will handle that. Shadow, escort her back to Albion. She'll be safer there. Don't use registered transport" Blaze said. Shadow didn't look confident "Senator Tikal is the leader of the opposition, Master Blaze. I'm not sure how willing she will be to leave". Nate leaned forward in his chair "That maybe so. But until this killer is caught, she will have to trust our judgement". Merlin added "Go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Solaris to discuss these matters with her" Espio and Shadow both bowed and exited the room.
Shadow was now speaking with Solaris in his office "I will talk to her. The Senator will not refuse an executive order, I can assure you" "Thank you, Your Excellency". Solaris smiled "I'm happy to know they've given you the assignment, your patience has paid off" "Your guidance more than my patience". Solaris began leading him to the exit "You don't need guidance Shadow. In time you will trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible. I have said it many times. You are the most gifted Shinobi I have ever met". Shadow was happy that someone was giving him recognition "Thank you, Your Excellency".
Blaze, Merlin and Espio where walking through the halls of the Shinobi temple "I am concerned for Shadow. I don't believe he is ready for this assignment". "The Council is confident in its decision, Espio" Blaze said with Merlin adding "Your apprentice is exceptionally skilled". "I know, I am proud of his progress. But he still has much to learn. He is at times... arrogant". Blaze chuckled "That flaw seems to be common among more Shinobi". "Remember Espio, if the prophecy is true then your apprentice is the only one who can bring the force back into balance" Merlin said.
In Tikal's apartment, Shadow was watching her talk to Razor "I'm taking a leave of absence. It will be your responsibility to take my place in the Senate. I know I can't count on you, Representative Razor". Razor looked very nervous but bowed his head "I will do my best, Milady", Tikal reassuringly smiled "That will be enough. Trust your own judgement, my friend", Razor nodded and went to the lift. Tikal walked past Shadow towards her room, she didn't look happy "I don't like this idea of hiding", Shadow followed her "Don't worry, now that an investigation has been open it won't take long for Master Espio to find this bounty hunter". Tikal started packing "I have not been fighting the military act for a year just to not be here when it's fate is decided" "Well sometimes you have to put duty before pride". Tikal looked at him "Shadow, you've grown up", Shadow frowned at this "Good to know somebody's noticed" he said to himself but Tikal heard him. She looked at him concerned "Everything alright?" she asked. Shadow sighed but didn't say anything "You know you can talk to me". Shadow looked at her and reluctantly answered "It's Espio...Don't get me wrong. He is a great mentor. It's just… sometimes it seems like he doesn't believe in me". Tikal could tell he this was getting to him "All mentors focus on our flaws. It's the only way we grow". Shadow sat on the bed "Yeah, I know" he said although he didn't sound convinced, Tikal put her hand on his shoulder "Don't grow up to fast, though".
Later, on a transport, Shadow and Tikal were being taken to a station "Stay safe, Milady" Captain Remington said, "Thank you, Captain. Take care of yourself". The Captain looked concerned "I should be the one worrying about you. What if they discover you've left the planet?", Tikal smiled and looked at Shadow "Then my bodyguard will have to prove how good he is". Espio was talking to Shadow "Don't do anything without consulting myself or the council" "Yes, Master". Espio then walked up to Tikal "I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, Milady. You should be back here in no time" "I am grateful, Master Shinobi". Shadow and Tikal both exited the transport onto a landing platform "Shadow, may the Force be with you", Shadow nodded "And you, Master". Emerl followed the two of them across the platform "I don't feel good about this" Tikal said, "This Is my first assignment alone. I can relate. Although I suppose we're safe. We have Emerl with us", Tikal laughed at that. The three of them entered a large refugee ship that eventually took off. Espio and Remington where watching "I do hope he doesn't try anything foolish" Espio said but Remington chuckled "I'm more concerned about her doing something".
On the city streets Espio entered a diner and is immediately recognised by the owner, a fellow chameleon "Espio" he said excitedly. Espio smiled at his old friend "Hello, Valdez", Valdez exited the counter "Hey, old buddy" the two hugged and sat down at a table. "So, what can I do for ya?", Espio placed the dart on the table "You can tell me what this is". Valdez examined it and looked surprised "Wow. I haven't seen one of these sine my prospecting days". "Do you know where it comes from?" "Yeah, it belongs to the cloners on Soleanna. This is a saberdart they make". Espio pondered "That's strange, I didn't find any of that in the archives. Is Soleanna in the republic?" "No, it's far in the outer zones, near the Rishi Maze. Should be easy to find". Valdez then leaned into whisper "If you're going there you should be careful. These cloners keep to themselves" "Are they friendly?". Valdez laughed "Depends on how good your manners are and how big your account is".
Espio was now back at the temple in the library, he was sitting at a computer terminal when an elderly rabbit walked up to him "Are you having a problem, Master Espio?". "Yes, I'm looking for a planetary system called Soleanna. But it's not in the archives" "Are you sure you have the right coordinates?". Espio showed a chart of the galaxy and zoomed in on a specific point "According to my information it should be right here. Are the archives possibly incomplete?". The rabbit looked offended by that "If something does not appear in our records, it does not exist" she walked away leaving Espio to think.
On the refugee ship, Emerl was collecting food but the robot handing the food out wasn't happy "No gizoids, get out of here", Emerl walked away with the food he already had. He went through the ship reaching Shadow and Tikal who were sitting on a stack of boxes each with a third stack being used as table, Emerl handed them the food "Thank you, Emerl" Tikal said making Emerl beep happily. Tikal looked at Shadow "Do you mind if I ask you something… Personal", Shadow looked curiously at her but nodded "Of course". "Is it difficult, being sworn to the Shinobi order. You can't go places you like or do things you enjoy. You can't love another person". Shadow wasn't sure how to answer so he thought of the philosophy of the Shinobi "It's attachment that is forbidden, possession. Compassion is form of love and we have it for all things, it is encouraged" that's how he justified it anyway. Tikal looked curiously at him, "What?" Shadow asked, "It's just hard to believe you're the same boy we met all those years ago. You've changed so much". Shadow smirked "You haven't changed at all".
Back at the temple, Espio entered training room where Blaze was instructing younglings on using their lightsabers while they had their eyes covered. "Reach out. Sense the Force around you. Use your feelings" small robots where shooting harmless lasers at the children that they were deflecting. Blaze then noticed Espio enter "Younglings. Younglings! We have a visitor" the younglings removed their helmets and said in unison "Hello, Master Espio". Espio smiled "Hello. I'm very sorry to disturb you, Master", Blaze smiled "How can I help you Espio?". "I'm looking for a planet described to me by an old friend. I trust him, but it doesn't appear in the archives". Blaze chuckled and looked at the younglings "Espio appears to have lost a planet. How embarrassing. How embarrassing", the younglings laughed. Blaze looked to one of the children "Marine, please close the shades", the young raccoon did so, and a small hologram projector extended from the middle of the room.
"Gather round the map reader, so we may find this planet" everyone did so and thousands of stars where projected around the room. Espio walked around the room and pointed in between a group of stars "It should be here. The gravity is pulling all the stars towards this spot". Blaze looked to the children "So, we know the system exists, but they seem to have disappeared. How can this be? Anyone?". One of the children spoke up "Master? Because it was erased by someone", Blaze chuckled "Well done. You are correct. Espio go to that point on the map and you shall find your planet". Blaze and Espio walked out of earshot "Master, how can someone have erased it from the archives. That's impossible", Blaze now looked very serious "The only way is if the person was a Shinobi. Who and why, I can't answer".
