Woo! Not only do I dig myself from under all that coursework, I manage to get another chapter done!
Either that, or I have no life...
The two hedgehogs jogged down another dimly lit corridor, their footsteps pounding away any hopes they had of keeping the element of surprise. The combination of the winding corridors, lack of light and direction, and anything that could remotely be considered resistance left them dumbfounded.
"Okay, I've changed my mind. Eggman's definitely got a new game plan." Sonic slowed his pace, casting his eyes along the walls. "Look at this place! All those busted screens, not a single badnik or swat-bot to send to the scrapheap, what's Ol' Buttnik been up to all this time?"
"Nothing good, that's for certain." Shadow said as he reached into his quills. He pulled out a small device and powered it up.
"Hey, that looks like Sally's old handheld computer! You know, before Nicole's nano-technology gave her a body?" Stated Sonic, looking over Shadow's shoulder.
"Well it should. When Sally joined G.U.N after disbanding the Freedom Fighters, she gave our lab-techs the blueprints for a prototype VI handheld interface for use by our field Agents." Sonic blinked a few times, his face expressionless.
"Pretend I've got no idea what you've just said." Shadow rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Alright. Basically it's a super intelligent computer, much like Nicole but with no personality or self-awareness. With it I should be able to uplink directly to the G.U.N information database." He explained.
"Should?"
"Something in here is blocking the signal, so I can't get through."
"So in other words, it's useless." The cobalt hedgehog crossed his arms behind his head and leant against the wall.
Nearby, hidden within a broken air duct, a deadly threat waited in silence. Seniva had been able to keep pace with the two hedgehogs through the ventilation system, following the sound of their footsteps and the taste of their body heat. Right now, in the pitch black of his hiding place he could see them, their bodies pulsing orange, red and yellow.
On the hunt he rarely relied on his eyes. By using the sensitive heat sensors on the tip of his tongue he could see his prey in the darkest of places, picking up the residual heat signatures long after his quarry had moved on.
This cold, lifeless metallic corpse was his hunting ground, and he was perfectly adapted to it.
He listened to their inconsequential conversation, almost willing them to move closer, to move within striking range. His hands gripped his knife tightly, his knuckles whitening with the strain.
One step. He tensed.
Two steps. His breath stilled in his lungs.
Three steps. A wicked grin spread across his lips.
"Will you take this seriously Sonic!" Shadow snapped, earning a grin from the accused hedgehog. "For all we know, Robotnik could be torturing her even as we- Rouge!"
The white bat practically fell into the wall at the end of the corridor, a small light flickering fitfully above her head. She looked up as the two hedgehogs dashed towards her. Her eyesight was beginning to blur, but she saw an all too familiar figure slip out of the darkness behind them. Summoning what was left of her strength she shouted.
"Shadow, behind you!"
The ebony hedgehog spun around in mid-stride, instantly throwing up his arms in defence. It was lucky he did so as a tearing pain flashed across his left forearm. In the same movement, he lashed out with his foot, feeling it connect with something solid.
A grunt told him he had at least winded their attacker, buying Sonic enough time to get to Rouge's side. Shadow followed up his defensive strike with a roundhouse kick. Again he felt his attack make contact and the dark shape slammed into the wall.
Ignoring the pain in his arm, Shadow stomped towards the fallen figure, fist clenched and his face contorted in rage.
Seniva hissed loudly at the ebony and crimson hedgehog, before using his long, strong tail to launch himself with great accuracy back into the vent he had emerged from, and darted away.
"Shit!" Cursed Shadow, sending an ineffective bolt of Chaos energy careening into the ventilation shaft.
"What the hell was that!" Shadow turned and gazed at Sonic, who had managed to get Rouge to her feet, and was keeping her upright as best he could.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it was, it was quick."
"But we're quicker right?" Blurted Sonic, sweat beading upon his forehead and his face pale. Shadow looked over his friend and fellow Agent. It was clear that she wouldn't be able to move on her own with constant support.
"Not with Rouge like this. Besides, whatever it was, it's an ambush predator." He pressed his hand against the cut on his arm. His hand came away wet with blood, but the wound itself had already begun to scab over. One of the many perks of being the Ultimate Life form.
"We need to get Rouge out of here and signal for backup. Stay close, stay alert and watch the shadows." Sonic gulped and nodded.
"Let's go."
Despite the pain flowing consistently through her body, Rouge managed a weak smile. If anyone could save her, it was Shadow.
They carried on in silence, Shadow staying in the front, eyes pealed for any signs of ambush. More than once he had sent a bolt of energy through a doorway or down a corridor, thinking something was there.
Sonic wasn't much better, jumping at every sound, his eyes scanning fitfully for any signs of movement.
They hadn't had time to properly tend to the multiple wounds Rouge had somehow received, and she was in no fit state to tell them anything.
"Please tell me you've got signal!" Whimpered Sonic for the seventh time. Even though he knew that something was blocking him from contacting the backup which was stationed mere miles away, Shadow kept reaching for the communicator resting in his ear. He looked back over his shoulder at his sagging companion. A moment of silence stretched between them.
"Nothing." They walked on for a while with nothing but the sounds of their footsteps and the occasional groan from Rouge to break the silence.
"Shadow, we've gotta take a look a Rouge. I don't think she's gonna make it!" Shadow growled to himself before turning to Sonic.
"All right, give her here." Shadow gently lifted Rouge bridal style, and examined her face closely. "We need to get out of here and fast!"
"You're not gonna get any argument from me! So why are we still standing around?"
"Because with Rouge this injured, one false move could cause more harm than good!" Shadow snapped back.
"Well standing around s'not doing much good either!" Retorted Sonic. Shadow took a step back.
"I can't fault you there. Alright, lead the way."
"W-what? Why do you want me too lead, you're the one who said you were in charge?" Shadow grinned.
"Maybe so. But in all the time I've known you, no matter where you are, be it huge labyrinths, gigantic airships, sprawling cities, you've always found your way out. By either luck or good judgement, you're the best person to lead us out of here."
"Wow Shadow, you really mean that?" Shadow's grin broadened.
"Although I'll have to go with luck. Sheer dumb luck."
"Hey!"
"Just get moving Faker." Sonic began to jog down the corridor with Shadow easily keeping pace with him.
"You're so gonna pay for that Shadow."
"Oh I'm quaking in my jet shoes." They both sped up their paces until they were darting though the silent metal hulk, slowly but surely making their way towards fresh air and freedom.
Seniva slithered into position. After his initial confrontation with his targets, he had retreated back to Dr. Robotnik to request assistance. Even now, as he hunkered down in the dark recesses of the torn structure, three heavily armed and armoured killing machines were setting up in various locations preparing to rain death upon anyone to leave the Death Egg.
As the sun behind him slowly began to set beyond the horizon, he did one last look over the setup of his ambush and smiled.
As his recently deceased master had once told him, a well laid ambush was legalised murder, and Seniva was confident that nothing would get past him.
Another one down, and I have no idea how many more to come.
Seriously.
As usual this has been Corrupt TE
Bringing you violence, blood and sarcasm. Just not necessarily in that order.
Have fun.
-Corrupt TE-