Author's Note: Ok I know i'm taking a little long trying to get to the action but I should be getting there in the next chapter. I'm doing my best and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 7: Heading Out

Hunter and Axel both stood around the table in the briefing room, getting things ready to embark on their mission. This would be the first time that only the two of them would go on a mission, and it had them worried. They weren't sure how they could do this without the others to help them, but they knew they had to try. "Is everything here?" Hunter asked as they both looked at their equipment on the table. Since it was only the two of them they needed to make sure they had the right equipment needed, so they can take on Havoc's men if they find them and it may take a while for them to find the flower.

"Yes," Axel responded as he put traveling pack on the table as well. "Chance are it may take more than a day to find the flower so we best take some extra supplies."

Nodding Hunter started loading up the stuff into the pack, they were carrying equipment like canteens, their shock pistols, some food, etc. as they did both of their minds were on earlier.

An Hour Earlier

Everyone waited inside Professor Hubert's lab as they waited for him to find the location of the Sun Spring, but it was taking long. They needed for things to hurry up, chances were that time weren't on their side. Nothing was spoken as they all could hear the Professor's typing, that seemed to be the only noise that was being made. But then their answer finally answered, "I've found it!" The Professor exclaimed, causing everyone to gather around him.

"Where is it?" Hunter asked.

"In a jungle in South America, I'm not exactly sure but I've narrowed it down to these coordinates. It's a pretty big area, but I'm sure you two can find it."

"Ok, when should we leave?" Axel asked.

The Master answered for them, "Get prepared and gather some equipment and supplies, then meet in the briefing room and I'll give you further instructions."

"Yes Master," They both responded as they watched him leave the lab.

After watching him leave Professor Hubert then approached the two Rovers, "Well seeing as you two are heading for the jungle I think a change in clothing is appropriate."

Both of them had questionable looks on their faces as to what he meant, but then deciding to trust his judgment. "Alright, what did you have in mind?" Hunter asked as they both watched him smile.

End Flashback

Hunter stopped packing for a sec to look down at the new gear he was wearing. It was almost like the same clothes they all wore back in London, with the whole werewolf fiasco, but modified a bit. The pants were baggier, black, and had a holster on the leg for their shock blasters. He had on boots that were specially designed for any kind of surface, whether it is ice, or slick surfaces. The shirt was the same, dark green with the Rovers logo on it, but the sleeves were long but could be roll up if desired, which he did. On his hands were fingerless gloves, they were optional if they were desired, but still add to the look. Finally over the shirt was a tactical vest, which held other equipment they were using. The only differences in the vest were the color, each Rover was issued the same vest but each was in a different color. Hunter's was a navy blue, which was zipped up about three-fourths of the way.

Looking over at Axel he saw him dressed in the same fashion, same gloves, rolled up sleeves, and the color of his vest was green, which was unzipped. "Liking the new clothes?" Hunter asked.

Looking up Axel nodded, "Yeah, they're nice, probably not as protective as our armor but it's still cool."

Hunter couldn't agree more, when the Professor showed them their new attire they were shocked at it. They were told that it was they were perfect for the type of environment they were going into, plus it would help them carry extra equipment they needed. They were a little worried about the lack of protection it could provide but in the end they decided to compensate for it.

Once they got dressed they retrieved some new equipment that the professor had developed, also some supplies they needed. The new hardware they had to play with was more effective smoke, flash and EMP bombs. Laser trip wires, just in case they were camping and didn't want to be caught off guard. The same remote detonated EMP mines, from their last mission, and finally a proximity trip wire that shot off a loud high pitched whistle that only they could hear, so that they could be alerted when camped. Most of these new toys were made from the blueprints that they got from the Mighty Ducks; their plans had really helped them out and were thankful for their help.

Hunter and Axel both finished packing up everything just as the Master entered the room. A smile crept onto his face as he saw them in their new gear; he would have to congratulate the Professor once they were gone. "All both of you packed?"

Both nodded as a response, "Yes Master, we have all of our equipment," Hunter answered.

"How about supplies?"

"We packed some freeze dry foods, and canteens, we're all set," Axel responded.

"Good," He responded as he pulled up a map of South America on the monitor, and then showed the jungle they were heading to. "Now from what the Professor has told us the plant is somewhere in the area, but the precise location hasn't been determined so you're going to have to look for it. Plus you also have to watch out for Havoc and his men, if possible subdue and capture him; it'll do us a lot of good for us. But remember your main priority is to obtain the plant and return here as safely as possible."

"We understand Master, we'll do our best," Hunter responded, as the both of them stood up.

The Master nodded as a response, "I wish I could have back up for you two but I'm sad to say I cannot at the moment. I know you've never done a mission with on the two of you but I know you can pull it off and save your team, good luck."

Once the Master had finished Hunter and Axel looked at each other, "You ready?" Axel asked.

Hunter hesitated for a moment before answering, something was on his mind at the moment and he knew he couldn't leave until he did something. "Not yet…can we stop by the med bay first?"

Axel was silent as he heard his brother-in-law's request, then it came to him. The same thing followed for him, "Yeah, I think I would also like to stop by there first." Smiling they both left the briefing room and headed towards their next destination.

The door to the med bay opened as the two entered, they were surprised to find that Shadow, and Sierra were in there, along with Christian who was asleep in his grandmother's arms. Turning towards the door the two grandparents were also surprised to see their sons in the room as well. "Is something wrong?" Shadow asked.

"No, there was something we both wanted to do before we left," Hunter responded as they both walked forward. He then went over to Colleen's side as did Axel with Ariel. They both were silent as they looked around the room at their down friends, Blitz, Krystal, Exile, Jenna, Shag, Muzzle, Colleen, and Ariel, all of them down and not able to help them. It became surreal to them as they saw them like this, it only made them more determined to save them, so that won't ever have to see them like this again.

Hunter ran his hand through his wife's hair as he kneeled down to her level, putting his mouth near her ear he began to speak. "We'll be back Colleen, just you and everyone hang in there, and you'll all be up and we'll be together again. I love you." He then planted a kiss on her lips before standing back up.

Axel hugged his wife and kissed her also as he spoke into her ear. "I love you, don't worry we will have this nightmare over in no time." After finishing he stood up and joined Hunter.

Once the two of them finished Shadow and Sierra walked to them, "you two ok now?' Sierra asked.

"Yes mom, we just wanted to say bye to everyone before we left," Hunter responded.

"Yeah, I mean this is the first time we aren't going to have everyone else with us," Axel seconded. "We just felt right doing it."

"Well we both wish you two the best of luck on your mission," Shadow responded as he hugged the two. "And please come back with that cure."

"We will," They both responded, returning the hug, and then accepted the one their mother gave them.

"Please be safe," Sierra said.

Nodding Hunter then took his son into his arms and hugged him, "I love you my son, be good for your grandparents." Kissing him on the forehead he gave him back to Sierra. They said their last goodbyes before heading out, both not wanting to show that on the inside, they were scared.

Sometime later they both were sitting inside the Sonic Rover in silence; both didn't really know what to say or even if they should say anything. Occasionally Hunter and Axel would glace back at the empty seats on the ship, which would usually be filled by their friends, but sadly they weren't and things were quiet.

The chatter of the others would fill the ship as they went to their destination; it was a good way to calm everyone before they official began their mission. But now seeing those empty seats made them feel…worried. All sorts of thoughts filled their minds, but best tried to keep them at bay so they wouldn't get distracted.

Axel turned to Hunter and saw him with his eyes straight forward, as if that was the only thing he was concentrating on. He knew that he was scared on the inside, and he didn't blame him because he was the same way. They had some time before they arrived so it was best they talk this over right now. "You alright Hunter?"

Hearing his voice knocked the retriever out of the trance he was in, "What?"

"I asked if you were alright." Moving his eyes forward, Hunter didn't say a word at all; he didn't really want to say anything but he knew he had to. "You're scared aren't you?"

He didn't respond right away, Hunter turned the auto pilot on and slumped back into his seat. "I forgot you can sense emotions."

"I'm sorry for that, but I feel the same way as well," Axel responded, looking at the floor. "I mean we have never done this with only the two of us, who knows what could happen."

"I know what you mean," Hunter responded as he turned in his seat. "Never before in my time being a Rover has my heart beaten this fast before. Never have I admitted before but I am scared."

"Do you think we can do this?" Axel responded as he looked up.

"In my honest opinion, I'm not sure. But if we can work well as a two Rover cell then I'm pretty sure we can pull it off."

"I hope so," He responded as he slumped forward."

"But remember our main priority it to get the plant, if we can we can get Havoc for this also." Hunter then smiled as he saw Axel's spirits perk up at that statement, both really wanted to get their hands on him for this, but they knew their main objective was more important than vengeance. "Plus there's one last thing I needed to ask you."

Axel's perked up expression changed to concern as he saw Hunter's uneasiness. "What is it?"

Hunter sighed deeply as he shut his eyes for a sec, this was something he felt real uncomfortable asking, but needed to be done. "Axel heaven forbid that this happens but if for some reason something happens to me, I want you to look after Christian."

Axel felt a bit pain shoot through him, this was something he didn't want to hear, and he didn't want any of them to be thinking like that. "Please don't think like that, we're both walking away from this, you know that."

"I know but I want to make sure that Christian will be taken care of, and I know you can do that."

Axel didn't respond, everything right now was becoming too much for his mind to handle and he needed to relax. Standing up from his seat he started to walk over to the back of the ship, "Will you be alright up here by yourself?"

Hunter gave a questionable look, "Why, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry but my mind is swamped and I need to meditate to clear it," He responded as he stopped and looked back.

Hunter began thinking, and he too needed calm himself too but wasn't sure how. He then thought of Axel's way of relaxing and though that maybe he should give it a try. "Axel do you think you can show me how to meditate also, I need to calm myself also before we arrive, and I don't have any idea what to do."

Axel was taken back at the request, not that he didn't want to it was just that he just started out with it and didn't know how to walk someone through it. But he knew he had to help Hunter out so he nodded, which caused the retriever to smile as he stood up and the two of them walked to the back. Sitting cross-legged on the floor Axel wasn't sure how to begin. "Well I'm not sure how to talk you through this, I never done that at all."

"Use your best judgment, I trust you," Was all that Hunter said.

Axel took Hunter's words of encouragement as he began breathing and then everything started flowing from his mouth. "Close your eyes and clear your mind…Don't say a word and focus on your breathing…Try and feel everything around you…do you feel anything?"

"Yes…I do." Axel mentally cheered, he was doing it, so he best keep the momentum going.

They both got deeper into their trances, the stress from earlier starting to meld away as they became relaxed. They both needed this so they could become focused on their mission; with only the two of them they had no idea what would await them.

A/N: Hope you like, I wanted to change up the attire of the Rovers outfits for missions and I hope you like it. It might be for this story only, or maybe used for many more. Tell me what you think. Next one will be out soon.