Finally I get some time to write!
Sorry for the delay but real life is a right pain sometimes!
But who cares, new chapter!
In rapid movements they dashed from cover to cover, keeping to the shadows and staying out of sight. It was getting increasingly difficult to remain undetected as the small infiltration force edged its way further into the city.
They had traversed the long tunnel carefully. Three times they had to dodge out of the way of oncoming trains. The first time that happened they almost lost Imrian, she had stood frozen to the spot until Tilus had pulled her out of the way, berating her on her foolishness and how she should have followed orders instead of just standing there. Shade was just happy that leave that dark, dank and dangerous tunnel with the same number of Scouts she had started with.
They had left the tracks as soon as they could and travelled through backstreets and alleyways of the city they had found themselves in. Shade wanted to find a safe area to broadcast their findings back to Command before they went much further.
Kalimbre, the Scout on point signalled them to halt and the entire Scouting party stopped in their tracks. More curt signals and they scattered into hiding, blending into the shadows and drawing their weapons. Shade made her way to the scout's side and he pointed ahead at a tall building surrounded by strange wheeled vehicles with flashing blue and red lights on the roofs. There were several strangely dressed people standing in the cover the vehicles provided, their backs turned to the echidnas and all pointing weapons towards the building.
"Looks like some sort of security force." The Scout muttered drawing his own weapon.
"Put that away." Shade ordered. "They're distracted, we sneak around. No need to cause an incident."
"At your command, High Praetorian." Kalimbre obeyed, holstering his blaster and slipping out into the next piece of cover just a bit further ahead. Shade looked back and signalled her squad to move up carefully. She wanted to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with the locals as possible.
Remaining out of sight as best as they could, Shade and her Scouts slipped past the preoccupied police force, headed down a nearby alleyway and into an abandoned building. She signalled to secure the perimeter and waved Tilus over. The Veteran Scout pointed at one of the others to check a set of doors before coming to the High Praetorian's side.
"Thoughts Tilus?" The head Scout removed his helmet, which unlike Shade's lacked the ability to fold in on itself, and held it in the crook of his arm. His fur was a deep shade of terracotta and his eyes were a dark brown. He bore a scar from a Zoah warrior running at a diagonal across his left cheek and halfway down his neck.
"This seems all too easy." He admitted. "We've come across no barriers, no psychic wards, and no automated defence systems. I'm not one to complain about our good fortune, but I am yet to see anything which could be a threat to us."
"I'm not sure. That security force had numbers, and we don't even know what sort of weaponry they posses." Shade countered.
"True, we are strangers to this world. I would suggest we attempt to make contact carefully and judge their reaction to our arrival."
"But that is contradictory of our orders!" Shade was surprised by the Scout's forwardness.
"Maybe so High Praetorian, but contact with these people is inevitable. Better to do so peacefully and on our terms than to stumble in blindly and possibly provoking them into violence." Shade was seeing the gruff Scout in a new light. She had seen him in combat and during battle as a fierce and unrelenting soldier who showed no mercy, she never expected him to be pushing for a peaceful solution.
Shade removed her own helmet and stretched. Looking around at her Scouts she noticed that many of them were flagging and their movements were sluggish.
"Is this area secure?" She asked Tilus without looking at him. The Veteran Scout spent a few moments speaking with the others before answering with a curt nod.
"Area secure. Losis has set up early warning systems by the entrances and Renaile is currently on lookout."
"Good, we rest here for now. Break out some rations and have the others get some rest." Tilus bowed and went to follow her orders, leaving Shade to wander over to one of the piles of scrap that littered the floor space. She knelt down and began sifting through the small pile, finding several small pieces of glass, a few crumpled metal cylinders with odd colourful designs on them, and several ragged and dirt encrusted strips of cloth.
"High Praetorian?" She looked up into the face of Imrian. She was the youngest of the Scouts and it showed on her features. Her light brown fur was always kept as smooth and presentable as possible and her seven dreadlocks were tied back to merge into one. Her helmet was hanging from a small hook on her belt and her light green eyes had a hint of worry shinning within them.
"What is it Imrian?" Shade stood up and dusted off her knees.
"I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity." Shade smiled inwardly but kept her facial expression neutral.
"I chose you out of all the other prospective Scouts because I know how skilled you are." Imrian was one of the Scouts who Shade already had command over, and thus she had better knowledge of her strengths and weaknesses.
"I realise that High Praetorian, but if this mission is a success I've been told that we might be granted promotions and further standing." That was the usual reward for successful missions, the higher the rank, the higher the standing, and the higher the standing, the better off a Nocturnus echidna would be.
"It is true that we may be rewarded as such, but I want you to remain focussed. Don't allow yourself to become blinded by incentive. Remember, a diamond Kron is much more dangerous than its stone kin."
"I- I understand High Praetorian." Imrian sighed and bowed her head.
"Imrian, I'm going to take a leaf out of High Praetorian Remington's book. My name is Shade, I'd appreciate it if you let the others know that rank doesn't matter." The young Scout smiled and left.
Shade watched as she joined the others and smiled. It was common knowledge throughout Nocturne that High Praetorian Shade chose to continue living in squallier with her sister than live high in the obsidian tower alone. That decision to not leave her sibling granted her huge respect from the common Nocturne soldier and her habit of not pushing her troops as hard or forcefully during combat or training meant that her troops would look out for her just as much, or even more so than she looked out for them. And this mission would be no different.
-0-
Tails grumbled quietly as he fiddled with the wiring of one of the castles anti-air weapon systems. The entire circuit board had been fried, and by the looks of things the combat systems hadn't seen any upgrades since he and Rotor had first installed them. What had started as a simple idea to help Sonic heal up faster had turning into a full blown mission.
"Hey!" Tails yelped and banged his head against the metal latch his back had been propping open. Emerging from the insides of the weapon, Tails glared at his interrupter. Sakura McCain stood a few paces away, grinning at what had just happened. In her hands were a pair of steaming mugs and she handed one over to the stricken fox.
"You know there are other engineers who can take care of this sort of thing right?" She said, taking a sip from her mug. Tails followed suite, finding the bitter liquid surprisingly refreshing.
"Yeah, but me and Rotor installed these, I want to make sure each works to full capacity and can continue to function under the worst of conditions. As such I'm installing a dampening field into each one and realigning the b-twelve power couplings to decrease the chance of electromagnetic interference again." He looked up at the crimson furred fox and frowned when he saw her blank expression. "Sorry, I keep forgetting that others don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to tech."
Sakura snorted in amusement which confused the young genius.
"You know, I understood everything you said, I just wanted to see your expression." She said with a broad grin. When Tails raised a questioning eyebrow she smiled. "I graduated top of my class and next to Rotor, I'm the best engineer in the whole kingdom, so of course I can understand tech-speak."
She crouched down next to him and looked over his work. What he had done amazed her; it was much more complex than anything she or Rotor had wired together. Tails noticed that she had repaired her jacket as best she could, but it was now sleeveless and still had some stray treads dangling here and there.
"I know someone who could fix that for you." He said after a moment and she looked down at her jacket. She smiled sadly.
"You know, this jacket is the only thing I have to remember my parents." Tails' eyes widened and he sat up.
"I'm sorry Sakura." He said sincerely. She smiled at him, their eyes meeting.
"It's okay Tails. I'm not the only one Robotnik has hurt."
"I know what you mean." Tails admitted. "I never even knew my parents; I've always been an orphan, at least until Sonic turned up."
"Yeah, I've heard of him. Rotor talks about him all the time, the big time hero who fights the good fight and all that." She chuckled sadly. "Wish he could've…"
Tails gently laid his free hand on her shoulder. "I know. There are a lot of things that never should've happened, but they did. Now we just have to carry on and-"
"Pick up the pieces." Sakura finished.
A silence spread between them as they drank, enjoying the feel of the grass beneath them and the sky above. Sakura drained her mug and made to stand up and was quickly followed by Tails.
"Hey Sakura?" She turned to face him, a small relaxed smile on her face. "Once I'm finished here I was wondering if you'd like to meet up for something to eat."
"Yeah, I'd like that." She answered after a moment. She took the now empty mug from him, their fingers brushing lightly. "I'll see you later Fuzzy."
Tails grinned and watched her leave before diving back into the machinery with renewed vigour.
-0-
"Are ya sure you know where you're going Espio?" Charmy asked, buzzing around with barely contained hyperactivity.
"The directions were clear; we are to meet our contact on the bridge connecting Angel Island to mainland Mobius." The chameleon answered curtly.
"So we're supposed to trust this, Julie-Su? We've never even met her, and how can we be sure that she's telling the trust about Knuckles?" Vector said, adding his own thoughts to the bubbling pot of annoyance which plagued the stoic ninja.
"This case is much like any other we have taken. We have little too no prior knowledge of our employee, and must therefore take the initial information presented to us on faith."
"That's all well and good Espio, but we also don't make a habit of accepting cases without a reward."
"Yeah! How else can I buy new drum sticks?" Charmy cried.
"You even think about getting a new drum set and I'll hide all the sugar!" Vector threatened, glaring at the bumble bee hovering next to him.
"No! The sugar is innocent!" Wailed the young aviator, dodging the crocodile's answering swipe.
Espio sighed and strode ahead; mainly to keep a distance between him and the two trouble makers he had the misfortune to call friends. As the trio stepped out of the tunnel into the midday sunlight they blinked wide eyed at the sight before them.
"I don't remember the island being that big!" Charmy explained, voicing the thought that ran in their minds.
"You're telling me." They all turned in surprise to face the direction the new and yet strangely familiar voice had come from. Stepping out from behind a small pile of rocks was a black furred armadillo with the large red flexible natural armour of his species running from the top of his head all the way down his back. His black eyes sparkled and he was wearing a small friendly smile on his face.
"Mighty!" Screamed Charmy before dive-bombing the armadillo, who sidestepped the eccentric bee at the last moment, making him crash into the ground.
"Hello Charmy." He said, grinning broadly. The other Chaotix walked up to their old friend and greeted him with kind words and shakes to the hand.
"So what brings you here Mighty?" Asked Vector as they slowly walked across the wooden bridge.
"I got a call earlier today about Knuckles being in danger; of course I had to come here." Espio rubbed his chin in thought.
"A similar phone call has brought us here as well; it is possible that the same caller has brought us here for similar purpose." The chameleon said, trying to sum up the facts.
"Ooo, long words…" Complained the bee holding his head, he giggled at the mixture of stares and glares he received.
"We don't speculate until we have all the facts Espio, you know that." Vector said, calling a stop to Espio's method of deduction.
"I dunno Vector, sounds logical to me." Mighty came to his old friend and sparing partners defence. The crocodile grumbled slightly but let it go.
As they reached the end of the bridge the small group looked around for their contact, the mysterious Julie-Su.
"Well it doesn't look like she's here so let's go home!" Charmy stated after a few seconds. Vector grabbed the bumble bee by his stinger and held the youth upside-down.
"I'm the leader; I say when it's time to go home!" The crocodile growled. Mighty looked sidelong at Espio and grinned when the chameleon rolled his eyes. The two old friends walked a few paces aware from the bickering pair and looked at the two towers that thrust from the jungle canopy.
"I remember living here with Knuckles and it certainly lacked those two things." Said the armadillo pointing at the buildings in the distance.
"Agreed, something has occurred to bring them here, but what and why is something we should-" Espio stopped suddenly, his eyes narrowing.
"What is it?" Mighty asked quietly, crouching into a combat stance. The bickering from Vector and Charmy ceased and they both jogged up to join them. Espio flicked his wrist and grabbed the kunai which slid from his bulky cuffs between his fingers, ready to throw it with deadly accuracy.
"You can lower you weapons, I'm not here to fight." Said a distinctly feminine voice as the speaker emerged slowly from the jungle undergrowth. None of the Chaotix lowered their defence as the young cloaked figure walked cautiously towards them.
"Who are you?" Mighty demanded. The cloaked figure huffed and drew back her hood revealing her bright pink fur and seven dreadlock quills.
"You're… an echidna?" Espio said being the first to regain their senses. She nodded.
"My name's Julie-Su. Thank you for coming, and I'm sorry I wasn't forthcoming with what's happened. I'll try to answer any questions you have but you need to follow me." She turned to delve into the jungle.
"Now wait a second!" Julie-Su looked back at the group, her hands gripping her hood in preparation to pull it back up. Vector stepped forward.
"We've taken a lot on nothing but faith! If Knuckles is really in trouble why didn't he contact us himself?" Distrust dripped from his every word and it wasn't difficult to see how he felt about this unexpected turn of events.
"Knuckles don't have a phone Vec. How could he call us, by playing the bongos?" Charmy quailed back from the crocodiles glare, realising that he had just crossed the line.
"Knuckles is being held prisoner by Imperator Ix of the Nocturnus. The only reason you're here at all is because not everyone is loyal to that megalomaniac!" Julie-Su snapped back, matching glares with Vector.
Mighty and Espio exchanged worried glances as the echidna and crocodile faced off. The chameleon stepped out to stand between them.
"Just one question before we come with you."
"Espio! What are you doing!" Vector shouted, only to be answered by the ninja's withering stare.
"Knuckles is in danger and standing around here will only prolong his captivity! Put away your distrust Vector. We need to work together to save our friend." Vector looked down shamefully and Julie-Su looked at the chameleon with increasing respect. Mighty clapped his hand on Vector's shoulder.
"Besides, I'm sure we can handle anything that comes our way." Espio allowed a ghost of a smile to flicker across his face before he turned back to the echidna.
"You stated that not everyone was loyal to this Imperator Ix." Julie-Su answered with a nod. "Then we have allies."
"Yes. But I don't know how many." Espio was silent for a moment and he stowed his kunai away.
"Where would you have us begin?" Vector and Charmy stared in disbelief at their friend. None of them knew this stranger and yet he was willing to trust her?
"There is another clan who might be able to help us, the Brotherhood of Guardians." She paused for a moment, a thought flickering to life in her mind. "And I think I know a Nocturne on the inside who'll be able to help us."
"So where too first?" Vector grunted his arms folded across his broad chest.
"The Brotherhood, if we can get them on our side it'll make rescuing Knuckles that much easier."
"Then lead the way Julie-Su, and we will follow." Espio said bowing slightly.
"I don't like this Vector." Charmy admitted in a whisper as they slowly followed the cloaked echidna.
"Neither do I Charmy, so stay alert. I've got a feeling this mission won't be as easy as she makes it out to be."
-0-
Shadow was leaning against the wall just outside Sheba's hospital room deep in thought. What the ginger cat had told him was sending his thoughts spiralling through his head, not only about the case, but also about the strange feelings that continued to swirl around his heart at the thought of her.
He began to walk slowly down the off-white corridor towards the room of his most trusted friend and ally, Rouge. A pang of guilt flashed through his heart. He had failed her, and it had taken him this long to man up and visit her. He half expected Rouge to send him away as soon as he entered her room, and that was the reason he didn't want to do so alone.
His thoughts returned to that fateful mission which had almost destroyed him. He went over every step he had taken again and again, trying to see where it was he had taken a wrong turning or made a wrong decision and finding far more than he ever wished too.
He paused outside Rouge's room, fighting a battle against his conscience and his shame. After several minutes of internal struggle his knuckles rapped against the door and a soft voice replied for his to come it. Taking a deep breath he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Rouge looked up from her bed and regarded the hedgehog through dull eyes. Her face was pale, her eyes were heavy, and for the first time, Shadow saw her without her mask of makeup. Shadow walked slowly to her bed side, never breaking eyes contact.
They were silent for several minutes, neither knowing what to say. Rouge knew that Shadow blamed himself for what happened and part of her wanted to blame him as well. But he had saved her, in the end he had saved her.
"I'm sorry…" Shadow said finally breaking the silence. "If I had only been faster I-"
"It wasn't your fault Shadow. Sometimes missions go wrong and…" Her response sounded hollow and strained, swiftly fading back into silence. Rouge looked away and stared down at her feet.
"I was scared Shadow. I thought I would never see daylight again." She pulled her knees to her chest, wincing at every movement. Shadow could see a small patch of red seeping through the shoulder of her medical gown and a stronger wave of guilt washed over him before he remembered Cassie's words.
He wasn't sure what drove him, but he carefully sat down on the edge of her bed and pulled her close, wrapping his arms gently around her frame.
"I know nothing I say can change what happened, and I'm sorry for that. I will never forgive myself for what you and Sonic had to endure, but I can't let it hang over my head." Rouge looked up from her position against his chest. "What happens happens. And although we might not like what happens, we can't let it control our lives; we must knuckle down and adapt however we can."
"Wow Shadow, since when did you become a philosopher?" Shadow smiled down softly at the bat in his arms.
"Since someone made me realise that I've spent too long living in the past."
"You're gonna have to introduce me to them, I want to shake the hand of whoever managed to get Shadow the Hedgehog to open up." His smile grew wider as he looked over at the open door and the lavender hedgehog who was leaning on the doorframe with a sweet smile on her lips.
"Sooner than you think." He said. Rouge looked up at him confused before following his point of view. "I'd like you to meet my partner, Agent Cassie Rahna."
Well that was a long time coming!
Chapter 30, Big landmark for me (considering that I only posted FntS as a one shot all those chapters ago)
Big shoutout and thank you to all those who have kept me going:
Silhouette the Daemon-Wolf
Zebsolo
Stonefaced610
Outis aka nobody
and of course everyone else who I haven't mentioned.
Thank you all and long live FntS!
Corrupt TE, off to celebrate!