Hello all! I'm back!
Had a great time out in the countryside, feel completely refreshed.
Also got a chance to write this chapter for you.
This chapter is the climatic conclusion to the echidna storyline!
There'll be violence, there'll be betrayal, there'll be death!
But first, a history lesson.
Enjoy.
They only had time for ten minutes rest before Remington called to march. A plan had been devised between Guardians Spectre and Athair, who had arrived with Charmy and a dozen warriors shortly after their escape from the fortress, and the Nocturne High Praetorian Remington, with Julie-Su acting as an advisor.
A swift head count had Espio guessing near about two hundred Nocturne. Soldiers marched alongside midwives and healers, farmers and weapon smiths, children and elders. And beside him stood his long time friend and ally, the one who he readily would drop everything to charge to his aid, someone who he trusted with his whole life. And he would have given anything to know what he was thinking at that moment.
"Knuckles." They both turned to see the tall and imposing form of Vector striding towards them, flanked by an elderly looking echidna with a walking stick. The echidna was obviously not of the Nocturnus clan. "This is-"
"Guardian Knuckles." The crimson echidna cocked an inquiring eyebrow as Vector muttered something under his breath. "I am Athair of the Brotherhood of Guardians, and I must say that it amazes me to find a living Guardian beyond the confines of the Twilight Cage."
"What are you talking about?" Knuckles asked, perhaps more sharply than intended but even Espio flinched at the bark in his words. The old Guardian however simply smiled.
"You no doubt have many questions, questions which we will gladly attempt to answer. But now is not the time." He turned and beckoned for Knuckles to follow. "But for now, Remington and Guardian Spectre would like to hear your views on our situation."
Knuckles looked to the chameleon who shrugged before walking off towards the throng of echidnas dragging the crocodile along with him. Knuckles turned back to Athair.
"Why would they want to know what I think?" He asked walking at Athair's side.
"Simply because you were here before we arrived, by the crescent marking on your chest and on the assumption that you are a descendent of the Pachacamac clan, you are a member of the brotherhood."
"But I've never even heard of your brotherhood!" Athair chuckled.
"That does not surprise me. The Brotherhood of Guardians was founded by Steppenwolf after his uncle Dimitri attempted to use what little remaining Chaos energy in an attempt to free us from the Twilight Cage. Needless to say his attempt failed." They stopped just outside a small house near the exit into the surrounding jungle and watched as the echidnas flocked passed.
"You see Knuckles; the Argus Event not only tore Albion from its home but also somehow corrupted what little residual Chaos Energy that remained. Dimitri and his brother Edmund were scientists of high calibre, and together they researched the energies of the Twilight Cage and any possible return to the world we had lost. But even the closest of siblings are the greatest of rivals.
"It is not certain how the civil war began, but what is true is that on one side was Dimitri, and on the other was his brother. Dimitri led a vast amount of loyal followers, the first of the Nocturnus into a bloody war that claimed the lives of hundreds. Edmund rightly opposed his brother, stating that Chaos Energy would destroy any who attempted to use it, but his words fell on deaf ears. He stood defiantly against Dimitri's soldiers at the entrance of the Emerald pyramid, the first of the Guardians. But he was a man of science, not of war, and was cut down without mercy."
"Why would Dimitri kill his own brother? Surely blood is a bond much stronger than beliefs!" Knuckles cried out in disbelief. Athair looked at him sadly.
"If only that were true, Knuckles. However, although Edmund was Dimitri's enemy, he still held a deep love for his brother, and upon learning of his death it is said that he went into a fearful rage. Gathering up all the Chaos Energy he could muster, he attempted to reverse the Argus Event, but instead he disappeared in a great releasing of energy which destroyed Echidnaopolis. From the ashes and rubble rose the Nocturnus, to rebuild and survive. But Edmund's son, Steppenwolf and many others left that dark place for the Chaos pyramids. Steppenwolf took on the mantle of Guardian, just as his father had done, and vowed to keep the Nocturne from using Chaos Energy, but above all, he vowed to keep true to his fathers teachings and ensure the survival of Echidna race. Thus gave rise to the Brotherhood of Guardians."
Knuckles looked up to the echidna beside him who met his gaze with a smile.
"Come, if we stay here much longer I'm sure Spectre will just charge off as usual." Knuckles followed Athair in silence. Was he truly a member of this brotherhood? Could he really trust these so called Guardians? Why did Athair trust him so readily? Why did they come to his aid when he was nothing but a stranger? What did all this mean for the Master Emerald and his duty?
"About time." Knuckles looked up into the faces of three others, Remington, Julie-Su and the black cloaked echidna, Guardian Spectre.
"Perhaps now we can end this discussion and relieve our fellow Guardians." Spectre's red glare was focussed on the young crimson Guardian as he spoke; clearly he had disliked having to wait for them to return.
"Not yet Guardian Spectre, I'd like to know a little more about the man I have defected for." Spectre turned on the High Praetorian with lightning speed.
"There is-"
"Calm yourself Spectre!" Snapped Athair in a tone with more authority than could ever be expected from one of his demeanour. Spectre snarled but stepped down nonetheless. Athair took a deep breath to calm himself before turning a smile on the two Nocturne.
"My brother Guardian is correct however. There is a time and place for all questions, but it is not now. We must contact, and if necessary provide aid to Brothers Hawking and Thunderhawk." Julie-Su glanced at Knuckles who kept his place, unmoving beside Athair. "It is clear to me now that our time on this island is coming to an end. Spectre, you will take half of our warriors back to the pyramids and gather the rest of the brotherhood."
"You don't mean for us to flee Albion do you, Athair?" Spectre demanded through gritted teeth. The elderly Guardian bowed his head.
"We may indeed come to that my friend." Athair answered gravely. "And if we do, I want you to lead the brotherhood away. And I know that Hawking would agree."
To Julie-Su's surprise, Spectre's expression changed from his permanent scowl to one of humble acceptance.
"Now, High Praetoria-"
"Not anymore Guardian." Remington interrupted with a raised hand. "I've defected and betrayed my clan. I am no longer worthy of such a title."
"An admirable trait to be sure, but let us be honest. These Nocturne look to you for leadership, Remington. I hope you don't disappoint them." The brown furred Nocturne turned his eyes to the ground in a moment of silent contemplation.
"He's right Remington." Said Julie-Su resting a hand to his shoulder. "They need a leader, and you're the one they'll look too."
As the steady thump of marching feet sounded past, Knuckles couldn't help but feel the sense of hope which floated think on the air. Hope for a change, a new life, but also for an escape from the norm, away from a harsh existence and to a chance to actually live instead of simply surviving.
"It is decided then." His eyes snapped back to the small group suddenly realising that his attention had drifted away as his thoughts wandered to future possibilities. Remington was the one speaking, one hand massaging his temple.
"Guardian Spectre will return to the Guardian pyramid to gather the rest of the Brotherhood, while Julie-Su and her Chaotix allies will escort the Nocturne civilians to the new world. Guardians Athair, Knuckles and the Brotherhood warriors will accompany me and my Nocturne soldiers to rendezvous with Guardians Hawking and Thunderhawk." A chorus of agreements sounded. Athair patted the black cloaked echidna on the shoulder before Spectre stalked away to follow his orders.
Remington and the elder Guardian headed of discussing the finer points of the plan as Julie-Su came up to Knuckles' side.
"Everything's happening so fast." He muttered just loud enough for her to hear. "So far my life has been rather stagnant and unchanging. But now…"
He couldn't shake his gaze from the throng of echidnas still processing through the gates of the compound. He could see Vector, standing head and shoulders taller than those surrounding him. He was leading a small group of Nocturne soldiers acting as prison guard for those few still loyal to the Imperator. Espio was stationed near the entrance into the obsidian fortress along with another small group of soldiers. They were obviously kept there should any opposition come through those halls, and remain there as rearguard until they were away.
"I never thought that anything like this would happen." He admitted freely. Part of him, a large part rejoiced that he was no longer the last of his kind. But another was hesitant to accept that this change was anything other than for the worse.
"Neither did I." Julie-Su agreed. Knuckles looked sidelong at her. "But Shade never lost hope. She would spend hours talking with Nestor the Wise, the archivist, about everything we knew about Mobius and Albion before the Argus Event. She used to tell me what she'd do when we escaped the Twilight Cage, but then she was given command over a scout squad and her dreams were overtaken by reality."
There was a distinct note of sadness as she remembered who her sister had been. She faced the crimson echidna, her eyes fixing on his. "I saw a shimmer of that when I saw her with you, that hope, those dreams, it all came back. Please don't disappoint her."
She walked away, waving and shouting something at Charmy and leaving Knuckles with more thoughts and emotions sweeping through his mind than he could understand. A shout from Remington shook him from his thought provoked stupor and he jogged after the High Praetorian, thankful that something had come along for him to focus his mind upon. But a small niggle in the back of his mind wouldn't leave him be.
-0-
"Fall back!"
Mighty vaulted over a fallen tree as blue energy bolts flashed overhead. The arrival of those earthy brown combat robots had turned the tide against the Brotherhood, and all the ground they had taken was slipping back through their fingers.
The single female echidna who shared this small piece of cover rose next to him and loosed a barbed arrow towards the oncoming wall of robotic fury, by glancing over the wooden barrier Mighty saw the arrow strike one, and bury itself into the chassis of its target, but do little else than stagger it.
"What are those things?" He shouted over the noise and the chaos.
"Gizoids! Robotic creations of the insane Doctor Zachary!" She fired a second arrow which did just as much as the first.
"How can we take them down?"
"Usually there is only a single Gizoid per Nocturnus squad, making it easier to bring numbers against it and destroy it!" Mighty spared a moment to stare at her.
"Well that's a comforting thought!" He shouted back, his words dripping with sarcasm.
"They can be defea-" A stray or lucky shot struck the tree they were behind just by her head, the shockwave blasting her unconscious and to the floor. Mighty cried out in shock as three Gizoids leaped over his piece of cover, turning their glowing, lifeless blue eyes on him.
Reacting purely out of armadillo survival instinct, he dashed towards the nearest one and delivered an uppercut to its chin, putting as much of his incredible strength behind the punch as he could muster.
The armadillo's of Mobius had always been admired for their strength, said to be second only to that of the echidna's, and Mighty had trained extensively for many years with his Masters as well as Knuckles, and any who would teach him over his travels.
And so, as his fist connected with the metallic chin of the Gizoid, all of his training finally proved its worth as the Gizoid's head was separated from its body.
Time seemed to slow down for the armadillo, sounds became muffled and movements appeared sluggish, and everything he could see was in perfect clarity. He quickly studied the movements of the two other Gizoids and delivered a kick to the still standing body of the headless robot, sending it flying into one of the others.
Three steps brought him close to the remaining upright robot, ducking under one swing and twisting away from another, he hopped into the air, giving no thought to the arrows and energy blasts whipping past him, and brought both clenched fists down onto the Gizoid's metallic skull. He heard the snap of cables, the crack of metal and watched as the blue crystal like glass of one of the eyes shatter and spring free from the eye socket. The Gizoid buckled under this vicious strike, with the joints within its left leg breaking and its power core rupturing, it collapsed to the ground.
Loosing no time, the armadillo grabbed the unconscious echidna, hefting her firmly into his arms and ran towards the tree line where the other Brotherhood echidnas were gathering. He saw Thunderhawk throwing more of his strange devices and firing a small energy weapon towards the advancing Nocturnus line, warriors fired arrows and struck out at any Nocturne or robot that advanced too near and Hawking was fighting several Gizoids at once, using his cane to batter anything that ventured too near, looking nothing like the old man he had seen in the Brotherhood pyramid.
As Mighty ran more Gizoids and Nocturne soldiers appeared behind him, leaping over the fallen tree and dashing past three disabled Gizoids. None of them could have known about the ruptured energy core.
For one brief moment the battlefield became still and silent as a bright blue flash lit the sky and the landscape, and then the roar came. The Gizoid power core detonated with such force that it vaporised any unfortunate Nocturne and Gizoid too near and sent others flying through the air like they were ragdolls, leaving nought but a smoking crater in its wake. Mighty was flung to the ground by the shockwave, holding tightly to the echidna in his arms he twisted midair to land on his shoulder and roll with the impact.
Ears ringing and shoulder throbbing with pain, Mighty staggered back to his feet as grasping hands hauled him towards the Brotherhood line. Hands reached out for the echidna still held in his arms but he refused to let her go. Words were nothing but deep resonating noises to his still ringing ears.
Shouts of surprise sounded and fingers pointed off into the distance. The armadillo turned to see something happening to the Nocturne line. The line faltered and then buckled entirely as a small force struck their flank, coming from around the obsidian fortress itself. Soldiers looked around in confusion as cries of panic sounded from dozens of throats.
Before he knew it, cheers erupted from the Brotherhood around him and the Nocturne were running back towards their techno-fortress. He at last aloud someone to take the echidna warrior from him and stared dumbfounded as the grinning form of Knuckles strode towards him flanked by Espio and Vector.
"What are you doing here?" He called as they neared. Knuckles clapped him on the shoulder and even Espio smiled.
"We were in the neighbourhood and thought you could use a hand." Vector answered with a toothy grin.
"You aren't even meant to be here." Knuckles retorted, to which Mighty raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Hey! We came to pull your tail out of the fire! We're not about to let you walk back in without some backup."
"Where's Charmy?" Mighty asked, looking about for any signs of the hyperkinetic bumblebee.
"We left him in Julie-Su's capable hands." Espio answered simply.
"Yeah. He wanted to come but there's no way I was lettin' him fly into a warzone!"
"Wow! Vector being a responsible adult! There's a first." Mighty joked, earning grins in reply.
"I know we do some dangerous stuff, but I also know when too much is too much. Besides, I don't want to get on the bad side of his mother do I?" Espio nodded sagely as Knuckles chuckled.
Something caught the crimson echidna's eye and with a swift apology he jogged away.
"What's going on?" Mighty asked his two friends as he watched Knuckles join the Guardians along with someone who appeared to be a Nocturne officer. "And what's with those Nocturne?"
"They're allies, defectors from Imperator Ix's regime." Espio answered.
"There's loads of 'em, a good few hundred I'd say." Vector added.
"Indeed, and in addition to the entire Brotherhood preparing to leave Angel Island-"
"Or Albion, as they call it." Espio glared at the crocodile's interruption.
"Indeed. It seems that there'll be many changes in the next few days."
"That's if we get out of here alive." They turned to see the echidna who had spoken pointing back at the Nocturne fortress and the vast force of warriors and Gizoids that were now streaming towards them.
They must have numbered nearly two hundred. Gizoids made up the majority, but it wasn't just the simple bipedal combat pattern that they had just faced. There were Gizoids that stood taller than their counterparts that charged forward, carried on large spheres and wielding vicious looking spears, centaur like creations that forged ahead of the main advance with long lances replacing one of their arms and being ridden by Nocturne warriors, and three hulking constructs powered forward by large tracks, bristling with cannons.
At the centre of the advance was a single floating dais, upon which sat the Imperator himself on a technological throne, flanked and guarded by Doctor Zachary, fitted out with a cybernetic blaster arm and targeting relay over one of his eyes, and Procurator Lien-Da bearing a blaster and her long bullwhip.
"Well, this could be interesting." Vector stated rather flatly.
"Fall back!" Boomed the voice of Guardian Thunderhawk and immediately the entire force of Brotherhood and Nocturnus allies turned to flee into the ever thickening jungle.
The three Gizoid tanks opened fire with a steady thump of cannons, their shots tearing through trees and blasting apart the jungle, the explosions causing the fleeing allies to flinch back.
A wave of panic filtered through each and every one of the warriors and soldiers as the situation reviled itself. Certain death wherever they went. Cries of despair sounded and some chanced an escape through the trees only to be blasted to oblivion by the unrelenting firepower of the advancing Gizoids.
"Stand!" The echidnas faltered in their panic, eyes searching for the speaker. Guardian Hawking had stepped to the front, back turned to the oncoming tide of death, face set in grim determination.
"I know we all fear death! It is the one journey from which none have returned! If this is to be our end, if we are to be forced along that road, then we will make the price so high, that even the Chaos God himself would fear to pay the toll!" All drew themselves to their full height, Mighty caught a glance from the echidna he had carried to the line as she stepped up. "And I will be proud to make that journey beside you! My friends, my Brotherhood!"
No cheers sounded as Hawking's words echoed into the dawning sky, no cheers, just a determined silence as each and every echidna stepped forward to form a line facing the oncoming foe.
Vector, Espio and Mighty merged with the echidnas. Knuckles, Remington and the other Guardians stood at the centre opposite the gravity defying dais of the Imperator. Nocturne stood side-by-side with Brotherhood.
Together they would fight, and together they would die.
At some unseen signal the Nocturne soldiers and Brotherhood archers opened fire, their weapons spitting out barbed and flashing defiance from the line of stoic warriors. Remington's own handgun barked time and again, each shot downing a Gizoid centaur and its rider, his marksmanship unparallel. Those suited to close combat, including the Chaotix stepped forward to greet the charging centaurs and suddenly battle was joined.
The Brotherhood and their Nocturne allies only numbered around thirty, but each one fought with the skill and stubbornness of three or more, refusing to surrender any ground or blood without a cost.
Vector grabbed the lance of an onrushing Gizoid and used his strength coupled with the constructs momentum to throw Gizoid and rider over his head and crashing into the trees just behind, neither got back up. Espio vaulted up onto the back of another, slashing the throat out of its rider before turning his kunai and plunging it deep into the Gizoids head. Its legs buckled and it crashed to the ground, the chameleon flipping gracefully from its back, throwing a pair of ninja stars into another before landing. Mighty battered a lance away and drove his shoulder into the torso of a charging Gizoid. His footing remained sure, the Gizoid crumpling like it had charged headlong into a wall, sending its rider flying overhead.
All along the line the centaur charge was met with similar ferocity, as it was smashed apart like water on rock. A few defenders went down, impaled on lances or blasted by the riders but the rest fought on.
Any opposition that neared Knuckles, Remington and the Guardians was destroyed in moments. The ex-High Praetorian and Guardian Thunderhawk provided much needed ranged support while Knuckles fought alongside the surprisingly sprightly and deadly Guardians Hawking and Athair. Hawking was proving why he was still the leader of the Brotherhood despite his age with each opponent he defeated, Athair was wielding his walking stick like a blade, and like a blade it cut down whatever it connected with. The price for their deaths would be great indeed.
-0-
"Be careful Sonic!" Amy squeezed his arm tightly as the cobalt blue hedgehog steadied his feet.
"Ah don't worry Amy, I'll get used to it before ya know it." He was slowly walking even though countless medical professionals had advised him not to, although Amy had persuaded him to at least make use of a stick. They were steadily making their way along a hospital corridor, away from Sonic's private if not confining ward.
"You shouldn't be doing this yet." She said for the fourth time since they had left. Sonic chuckled happily as he limped alongside her, a hand clutched tightly to his stick and another which sought out Amy's smaller counterpart. As their fingers intertwined their eyes met and neither could have been happier.
She had always been there when he had opened his eyes, even if she had been sleeping and now a small part couldn't see him waking up without her.
They chatted about the past, joked about the present and mused about the future as they slowly made their way towards the elevator. Although Sonic had boasted that he'd be able to manage the stairs no problem, Amy had insisted that they avoid any stairs until the doctors gave the go ahead.
To save Sonic's sanity, but avoid any further injuries, they were making their way to the hospital roof in order to watch the sunrise over Station Square.
"I can't wait to be able to run again." He stated inside the mirrored metal box which carried them towards their destination. Amy smiled at him, recognising the longing in his voice.
"You will again." Her comforting voice bringing a smile to his face. They said little else as the small metallic box shuddered to a stop, the doors sliding open and greeting them with the reddening dawn sky. "Come on."
Carefully, led by Amy's gentle hand they walked to the bourdered edge of the hospital roof. The majority of the roof was covered with a large H indicating the landing zone for helicopters, various ventilation pipes were dotted about, some releasing steam into the chilly air leaving behind a steady hum of rotating fan blades.
The view overlooking the city was simply breathtaking. Tall skyscrapers jutted proudly into the sky, smaller red bricked period buildings which heralded back to a time before even King Maximillion Acorn, although surrounded on all sides by the imposing glass and concrete buildings of the new millennium kept their majesty. The shinning lights and flashing neon of the aptly named Casino Night Zone of the city still lit the sky although many clubs and Casinos would now be closed.
From where they were standing they could see the huge Emerald Gardens nature park, its lake had once been the only source of fresh water for the first settlers and now it provided one of the city's most popular tourist locations and the perfect place to simply relax. All this beauty was overlooked by the back of the City Hall and it wasn't uncommon for the Mayor himself to wander slowly through the gardens. Amy had met him once while seeking a place of solitude to read her book.
He had been on his own and it had taken her a few moments before she had realised who she'd been speaking with. He stated that he loved walking through the gardens to gather together his thoughts and to escape the ever present hangers-on that his position attracted. And Amy could see exactly why he chose to do what he did.
But it was out here, on the rooftop of the Station Square Hospital overlooking the city they knew as home, watching the sun rising slowly on the horizon that both hedgehogs realised that in an ever changing world there would always be something that they could hold on to. With this thought, Sonic turned to face the sakura hedgehog by his side.
"Hey, Ames?"
"Mmm?" She looked away from the view and gave him the full view of her beautiful features.
"I was thinkin', when I can run again, that you would, uhh… ya' know, like to um… go on a…" He was struggling to say the words in his head, although from her growing smile and the shimmer appearing beneath her eyes it was clear that she knew what he was trying to say.
"I love to Sonic." He breathed a great sigh of relief and his trademark grin spread across his face. "Just promise me something."
His grin faded and he looked at her curiously. "You won't run away and forget about me."
"Amy, that's a promise." There had been no hesitation in his answer, none at all.
They turned back to watch as the thin clouds made their way lazily across the sky and flocks of early rising birds take to the wing, and although it was chilly in the early morning before the suns golden gaze could warm the streets, neither felt the cold. Not while they were together.
All of a sudden the peace was broken by the roar of jet engines as they streaked through the air, behind them came the deep resonating chop of blades.
The two hedgehogs spun around to see a veritable flock of helicopters swooping through the sky. Numbering perhaps a dozen in total, there were the easily identifiable personnel carriers of the Chinook and the sleek, yet fierce apache attack craft. All bore the GUN emblem.
"Where are they going!" Amy shouted over the noise as the aircraft tore overhead.
"I don't know!" Sonic called back, feeling Amy wrap her arms around him as their quills were buffeted by the wind.
As they watched, all of the aircraft turned towards the Mystic Forest.
"Amy! Have you got your phone?" Her hand dove into one of her pockets and in moments a pink mobile phone with a sticker of Sonic's face on the back was revealed and handed to said blue hedgehog. "Maybe Tails knows something about this!"
Fingers jabbed swiftly at the digits and as the phone began to ring, Sonic and Amy went back to watching the ungainly metallic aircraft fly into the distance.
-0-
Tails muttered something which was lost to the pillow his head was buried in. His gloveless hand groped around in the darkness for his phone. Finally finding it, he looked at who was calling and grumbled as he pressed the answer button.
"What do you want Amy?" He suddenly jerked upright. "Sonic? No, I'm not at my house. I'm-I- Sonic! I'm at New Mobotropolis. What? I'll tell you later. What do you need?"
He listened carefully to his brother on the other end of the phone line, nodding his head occasionally. "I don't know. I-I've been here for a couple of days. Yeah, so I've got no clue. Look, I'll tell you everything I know when I get back. I dunno, later today maybe? Alright? Have you- have you tried Shadow?"
He laid back on the bed, his free hand going to his forehead. "Yeah, try him. Alright, yeah. Hanging up now. Yeah. See you later bro."
Groaning he unceremoniously tossed his phone back onto the bedside table and stared up at the ceiling. Right now he had more important things to worry about than GUN helicopters as his thoughts returned to the red furred vixen who'd managed to steal his heart, and the fact that she would be leaving so soon after they'd met.
-0-
Shade could barely sit still in the tight confines of the strange and noisy aircraft. The Nocturne had nothing like this contraption. She turned to face her scout squad, three of whom were sat opposite and the others two sitting either side of her, the rest of the twelve seats taken up by GUN soldiers.
"I know we all vowed to follow your orders High Praetorian." Losis shouted over the noise, his voice reaching her ears via their Nocturne communication devices inbuilt in their helmets. "But this is treason! Should this gamble fail, we'll all face the judgement of Imperator Ix!"
Kalimbre and Ranaile voiced their agreement.
"And if this gamble succeeds, we'll be freed from his tyranny!" She looked at each of her troops. "Isn't that what you want? A chance for a new life!"
They looked at each other, their body language hesitant and indecisive.
"I do." Imrain said meekly, her response almost lost in the scream of engines and whistling of the wind. Slowly, reluctantly, the others admitted the same. Shade was distinctly relieved and couldn't help but smile beneath her helmet.
"ETA four minutes!" Crackled the voice of the pilot as they soared over the same train tracks through which Shade and her scouts had used to infiltrate the city scant hours earlier.
"What I don't get is how this thing can fly!" Kalimbre shouted, thumping his fist against the side of the aircraft.
"That's simple!" Replied one of the GUN soldiers sitting nearby. "It's 'cause this things so ugly, the ground repels it!"
Although this joke was completely lost on the Nocturne, the other GUN soldiers laughed boisterously and began joking and chatting among themselves.
"How can they be so relaxed? We're about to enter a possible combat zone!" Mused Imrain.
"Maybe it's the way they prepare themselves. Much like you should be doing!" Tilus answered with a slight snap in his tone which caused the squad to begin checking their equipment again. Again Shade was pleased she had chosen him to be her sergeant.
Taking her sergeants advice she began checking her own equipment. First she made sure that the ballistics gel-layer beneath her armour was secure, before checking each piece of armour individually in well rehearsed patterns which she had performed so often that she no longer needed to focus on what she was doing. Running the tips of her fingers over the seals, she tightened and maintained any which felt out of ordinary, as she ran through various tactics and combat manoeuvres in her head.
"Get Ready!" The voice snapped her attention back to her surroundings and she could suddenly hear thumps and explosions, tale-tell signs of an ongoing battle. She flexed her wrists, activating the pinkish energy blades which leapt from her bulky wrist bracelets and deactivating them again.
The tailgate of the aircraft lowered revealing the treetops of Angel Island as they sped past, the sounds of battle increasing in volume substantially. They stood, following the lead of the GUN soldiers. The helicopter shuddered staggering them.
"Sorry 'bout that lads!" The pilot said and some of the soldiers laughed nervously. A red light switched on just over the tailgate, the ground getting nearer. Green.
"GO!"
Immediately the GUN soldiers thundered down the metal ramp, the lead few jumping a short distance to the ground, weapons levelled as the spread out with a military precision Shade had never seen. In moments she led her scouts after the GUN soldiers and out into the chaos of battle.
They had been put down on the left flank with six other Chinook's which swiftly took back to the air once they had discharged the squads taking shelter in their innards. Those squads spread out and began firing at priority targets, mainly the Gizoids which Shade had explained were the muscle of the Nocturne military, while others rushed to support the beleaguered line fighting with their backs to the jungles.
With shift hand signals Shade ordered her squad to make for that line, her sharp eyes picking out the locations of Praetorians and other Nocturne officers. Targets for elimination.
Sprinting ahead of her troops she fired of two energy blasts from her wristlets into the throng of Nocturnus soldiers and Gizoids which swarmed across the battle field. On the other side of the battle landed the other six Chinook's landed, creating two fronts which began squeezing the Nocturne forces in a pincer movement. The roar of engines screamed overhead as three GUN jets swooped over, loosing their payloads which struck the trio of Gizoid tanks enveloping them in balls of flame.
Laser and rifle fire whipped through the air in answering salvos, screams of pain and cries of anger sounded in the melee that raged nearby. All was chaotic, nothing stayed the same for more than a moment, voices shouted commands and Shade could see the frantic hand gestures of the Nocturne officers as they swiftly adapted to the changes in combat and the arrival of an unknown enemy force.
"Tilus, Ranaile, secure primary location! Losis, priority targets! Kalimbre, Imrain, with me! Strike hard and fast! Go!" The squad split with Tilus and Ranaile branching off towards a predetermined area which the GUN Commander had designated as the landing zone for evac-helicopters. Losis slipped towards the tree line, rifle in hand. His sniping skills would be coming into play as soon as he was settled. As for Shade and the other two, they made a beeline towards the thickest of the fighting, where the unmistakable shape of the Imperators floating dais could be seen nearby.
Kalimbre drew his combat blade with relish, increasing his strides to maximise his impact with the foe. When he neared the melee he dropped his shoulder and barged into the side of a close combat Gizoid. Imrain kept on the move, darting side to side while firing rapidly at the swarm of brown warbots. Shade flexed her wrists once more and her energy blades leapt into being.
She stabbed and slashed, left and right, no time for orders just a battle for survival, kill or be killed.
A plan had already formed in her head, cause as much mayhem to make the Nocturne forces fall back to reform and bring in the evacuation helicopters during the lull in the fighting to pull out, rescuing any allies in the process.
When she had received her sister's message about Knuckles' rescue and the subsequent defection of Remington and many other Nocturnus, she knew the Imperator and Procurator would move swiftly and decisively against this betrayal. But what had surprised her was the involvement of the Brotherhood of Guardains and their role in the rescue attempt.
When she had relayed this message to the GUN Commander, he had sent a call out to the military branch of his forces and before she knew it, she and her squad were bundled aboard one of the ungainly aircraft and Operation Swift Reprieve was put in motion.
She punched her blades through the helmet of a Velite and threw his body to the ground. There she saw an awe inspiring sight. Imperator Ix and one of the Brotherhood echidnas were locked in what appeared to be a battle of wills.
From his staff, the Imperator was firing the powerful and much feared Doombeam, but somehow the Brotherhood echidna, an ancient looking man was holding it back by the palms of his hands. The other combatants were giving this struggle a wide birth and she could see several fried bodies of Gizoids and echidnas who had been struck by a stray bolt of energy from that most destructive of Nocturne technology.
Doctor Zachary was fighting another Brotherhood. He was trying to bring his arm-cannon to bear on another old Brotherhood warrior, but every time the echidna battered his weapon away with a swift swing of his cane. It was like watching a duel between the greatest of swordsmen, neither could strike their opponent without opening themselves up for a counterattack, but both were waiting for the opportunity to do so. It was hard to believe that these two old men could move and react as quickly as they were, sometimes becoming simple blurs of movement.
Then she saw a sight which brought her heart to her throat. Knuckles, his fur singed and blood oozing from various cuts, fighting against the lithe form of Procurator Lien-Da wielding her barbed bullwhip and a curved Decurion blade which she must have picked up from one of the bodies, her blaster has nowhere to be seen.
She was laughing as Knuckles made clumsy counterattacks which she easily twisted and dodged away from. As Shade watched, Lien-Da flicked out her bullwhip which wrapped around Knuckles' left arm, the barbs biting deep into his flesh, she then stepped forward, bringing the Decurion blade upwards in an arc which would have ended the crimson echidna's life had he not leaned back at the last moment. But the blade did strike, leaving behind a horrid gash which tore across his chest and through the white crescent on his chest in a diagonal, ending at his right shoulder. He tried to stagger back but Lien-Da pulled him back with a vicious tug of her whip, still wrapped firmly around his arm.
Shade dashed to his aid, bringing her blades up to slice through the offending whip. Due to her being in the process of pulling Knuckles, the sudden amputation of her favoured weapon sent her staggering back, almost falling to the floor. When she regained her footing she glared down at her decapitated weapon and then up at Shade, her face filled with rage. She tossed away the now useless weapon and swapped hands, passing the Decurion blade to her right hand.
Shade spared a swift glance at Knuckles, who had dropped to one knee and was pressing his hand tightly to the dreadful wound across his chest, the remnants of the bullwhip still wrapped around his arm. She turned back to face Lien-Da just in time to see the curved blade flashing towards her head.
The Procurator had taken advantage of that moment of distracting and attacked in hopes to end the fight before it began, but Shade wasn't ranked amongst the top hand-to-hand fighters for nothing. She dropped to her knees, tilting her head back to avoid the wickedly sharp blade.
The tip of the blade caught her helmet, slicing across one of her eyes. Immediately the vision sensors sparked and fizzed, effectively blinding her. Shade rolled away, tearing her helmet from her head and throwing it to the ground. Lien-Da sneered at her.
"It's never just one is it?" She said, her voice cutting through the clamour of combat around them. "I knew when your sister betrayed us that you wouldn't be far behind."
Shade's heart thudded harder and faster at the mention of Julie-Su.
"No matter. Once I've killed you, I'll gladly hunt her down, and who knows? Maybe I'll be merciful and kill her quickly. But I doubt it." Lien-Da darted forward bringing her blade around. Shade threw one of her blades in the way, stepping under the Procurators guard as the curved blade met energy in a clash of sparks. Decurion blades each possessed a small grouping of energy cells which created a thin energy blade across the edge, making them one of the few weapons that could be used to counter the energy blades of Nocturne combat elite.
Shade punched out her other blade, but Lien-Da twisted and kicked her arm away before spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick to Shade's chest. Shade slammed to the ground and rolled out from under the descending curved blade.
Suddenly another Nocturne appeared, driving Lien-Da back with wild and vicious attacks. Shade's eyes widened as she realised that it was Kalimbre. His blade flicked swiftly, turning aside Lien-Da's blade time and again as he forced her back step-by-step.
Shade used this turn of events to see to Knuckles. She slid to her knees next to him and he looked up in pained surprise, still clutching the pumping wound of his chest.
"Shade?"
"Don't speak, save your energy." She commanded, swiftly looking him over. She opened the hidden medical compartment built into the armour of her left thigh and produced a packet of medigel, designed to clot over wounds and to stop the bleeding by administering coagulants and chemicals to promote swift healing. She tore open the packet and carefully applied it to Knuckles' wounds. He hissed with pain as she rubbed the clear gel across his chest.
A gurgled cry caused Shade to look back at where Kalimbre had been fighting the Procurator only to see the tip of Lien-Da's Decurion blade jutting through his back. The Procurator dragged her blade free and pushed the brave traitor aside. By the way he fell it was clear to Shade that he was dead before he hit the ground.
Lien-Da's face was scrunched up in rage. Shade swiftly jumped back to her feet and drew both her energy blades, settling into a defensive stance. With a grunt Knuckles forced himself to his feet and clenched his fists in readiness, his face pale but determined.
Lien-Da charged forwards with murder written on her face. A high velocity shot boomed and Lien-Da was struck, her left arm separated from her body in a gout of blood before the shocked Procurator vanished in a flash of light, he emergency teleportation system sending her directly to the medical section back within the Nocturne fortress. Shade glanced back and saw a glimpse of movement as Losis repositioned for another shot.
With the loss of the Procurator, the Nocturne line buckled. Another high velocity shot blasted out from Losis' position, this one striking the Imperator himself. Although the shot was blocked by the small energy field which was generated by the large golden wristlets he wore, the floating dais swiftly withdrew to a rousing cheer from the Brotherhood.
In swift order the rest of the Nocturne and Gizoids turned and fled after their leader.
The GUN soldiers sprinted together to form a firing line between the Brotherhood and Nocturne as the Chinook's began to swoop back down.
With waving arms and encouragement from a tall crocodile and a purple chameleon, most of the Brotherhood and the Nocturne soldiers boarded the carriers which took back to the sky once they were full. Shade looped her arm under Knuckles' shoulder and began leading him to one of the waiting aircraft.
She noticed Losis jogging towards her, his favoured rifle still in his hands. With her free hand she signalled that she'd lost her communicator and that she wanted to contact her squad. He nodded and removed his helmet, handing it over before putting his shoulder underneath Knuckles' other arm and giving further support to the wounded echidna.
"Shade to squad, rally on my position." She commanded simply, hooking Losis' helmet to her belt.
As they reached one of the helicopters, a bloodied armadillo ran up and took hold of Knuckles, leaving Shade and Losis free to observe the continuing combat. Remington and several Nocturne and Brotherhood were backing up the GUN advance as the pursued the fleeing Nocturnus back into the obsidian fortress. As they went, several pockets of Nocturnus threw down their weapons and surrendered; these groups were swiftly overrun and escorted towards the landing area.
"Are you Shade?" She turned and saw the same armadillo walking towards her. He sported a nasty gash across his forehead and another to his side.
"I am yes."
"Knuckles wants you to ride with him." She took a double take, not noticing the slight hot flush that rose in her cheeks.
"I'm afraid I can't, I've got to see to my squad." Losis raised an eyebrow at the tone of reluctance in her voice but said nothing. "But please let him know that I'll find him shortly."
The armadillo nodded his head and turned back towards the helicopter, just as Tilus and Imrain arrived. Shade noticed that they both sported wounds and damage to their armour.
"Where's Ranaile?" Shade asked. She had already seen Kalimbre slain and didn't like the thought of loosing another squad mate.
"She lives High Praetorain, although she has been taken to a medical centre for immediate treatment." Tilus answered, his voice rasping through a heavily medigeled cut to the neck.
"As should you Sergeant." Shade reprimanded.
"Not until my officer is safely away from the field of battle." She nodded with a slight smile. Imrain was looking around, obviously searching for something or someone.
"Tilus, I want you on one of these airships and on your way to that medical centre." Shade continued.
"At your command." Tilus answered with a nod of the head.
"I am afraid to report Kalimbre KIA." She said, the words catching in her throat. Her three scouts reacted in their own way.
Imrain raised her hand to her mouth and whispered a blessing to the Chaos God. Tilus placed a finger to his forehead and then to his lips, a silent farewell often performed during frontline combat so as not to reveal location to the foe. Losis' eyes darkened and he raised his rifle to the sky and fired off a single round which echoed loudly despite the noise around them.
"Tilus, when you reached the medical centre, locate Ranaile and check on her. Also find where Knuckles is being treated."
"Knuckles, High Praetorian?"
"A Brotherhood warrior. He was fighting in the thick, holding the line almost individually. I wish to speak with him." Losis gave a knowing glance towards Imrain who smiled, hiding it behind her hand. Tilus straightened their faces with a stern look before bowing slightly to his commander.
"Your leave High Praetorian." He turned and went in search of a helicopter to take him away. Shade turned back to the two remaining scouts.
"If it wasn't for Kalimbre's intervention, Procurator Lien-Da would have slain myself and the Brotherhood warrior Knuckles. He died a true soldier and is deserving of the highest respect. Come."
She led them to where Kalimbre's body lay and knelt down. She turned him onto his back and removed his helmet. The ugly wound to his chest was ignored as his squad mates tended to him. Shade closed his lifeless eyes as Losis retrieved Kalimbre's weapons. Imrain folded his arms across his unmoving chest before placing his helmet over them.
"Find something to use to carry him. I won't leave him here." Placing Kalimbre's weapons next to him, Losis went to carry out his commanders orders.
"He fought against the Kron and resisted the Voxai mind control. Nothing could kill him, other soldiers were inspired by his mere presence." She recounted somewhat in awe. "I wouldn't believe it if I weren't here."
"Honour him later Imrain." Shade said quietly. She looked up as someone approached, surprised to find that it was the Brotherhood warrior who had been battling Doctor Zachary. He silently knelt down and gently laid his hand to Kalimbre's forehead.
"Ancestors guide you to the halls of your father." He whispered, spending a moment before rising again. Shade looked him in the eye and gave a thankful nod. The Brotherhood smiled sadly and went on his way.
Behind them another helicopter began to rise into the air, taking with it wounded and priority individuals. The Station Square hospital would be busy tonight.
-0-
The spattered sound of blaster and gun fire echoed through the dark halls, panicked footsteps thundered around every corner. Imperator Pir'oth Ix stalked swiftly past Nocturnus running this way and that, treating injured in the hallways because the medical bay was overcrowded.
He cursed the Brotherhood and their unexpected allies. The weapons of these soldiers who came from the sky were tearing through his Gizoid legions with frightening ease, not only that but two of the highest ranked and most respected officers had defected! High Praetorians Shade and Remington, with them a large portion of others. He estimated that defections, casualties and surrenders accounted for nearly four hundred, over half of the total population of Nocturne! And there was no knowing how many citizens had fled the fortress city.
An explosion sounded, indicating that the enemy had breached the blast door and had entered the fortress. It was only a matter of time until they had full control over Nocturne.
The order for evacuation had been given. Streams of echidnas rushed towards the shuttle bay. Some carried wounded, others hefted large packs of rations. Children screamed for their mothers and fathers, weary soldiers slumped against the walls. It was the unprecedented exodus, the final resort. A full evacuation of Nocturne.
Imperator Ix marched swiftly up the ramp and onboard the shuttle designated for echidnas of highest standing. The few High Praetorians still loyal, several other officers, Doctor Zachary looking over Procurator Lien-Da, emerged in a suspended animation tube for the journey. It was surprising that she had survived the combination of blood loss and shock, but she was well known for her stubborn will.
Ix strode past everyone and onto the command deck where he was met by two others, the white furred technomage Finticus and the leader of the Nocturnus, Kragok.
"Imperator." Karagok welcomed him with a stern expression.
The Grandmaster of the Nocturne was a tactful and vicious individual who had come to power through his fathers mysterious disappearance. His fur was a deep crimson, his left blue eye had been replaced by a glaringly red cybernetic eye as had his left arm. He'd lost both during frontline duty against the Zoah forces. It wasn't long after that incident when his father Luger vanished and Kragok took up the mantle of Grandmaster, elevating his twin sister Lien-Da to the lofty heights of Procurator. He now wore a long grey cloak with the hood drawn over his head, this was held up by a emerald and golden clasp, the symbol of the Grandmaster.
As for the silent Doctor Finticus, he was the greatest technomage of Nocturne, a scientist without peer. His expertise was in continuing the research of the great Dimitri, pooling together what little chaos energy that remained and experimenting in utilising the ever changing energy signatures. One such experiment backfired and changed his once crimson fur to the bright white it was now. His birth marks had become black rings, the sclera of his eyes becoming black as the darkest night and his irises changing yellow. His black cape gave him a suitably threatening silhouette and as the Imperator approached he slipped back into the shadows.
"Lord Karagok, we are prepared for launch." The Imperator replied with a bow.
"I'm disappointed Imperator." Kragok growled.
"Grandmaster, if it wasn't for the intervention of this unknown force the Brotherhood would now be decimated and our- your rule over Albion secure."
"And then we'd march victoriously into a Mobius willing to bow down in the wake of our return?" Ix took a worried step away. "Imperator, your fast strike methods worked well within the Twilight Cage, but here we face a full world, a world we know little of. We needed information before such an action could be taken."
"I followed procedure Grandmaster! A scout squad was dispatched with the task of gathering what information they could, and from their reports the local area was ripe for taking!"
"And it was that very squad which led our enemies to our door." Although his voice was calm and his stance relaxed, the Imperator knew that his Grandmaster was furious. And when Kragok was furious, people died. "Tell me Imperator, was there anything to indicate that High Praetorian Shade was liable to defect?"
"None Grandmaster." Pir'Oth Ix answered quickly.
"And what of my son, Remington?"
"His defection comes as a shock to us all, Grandmaster." Kragok's expression was unreadable as echidnas scuttled around the shuttle, strapping themselves into chairs and treating the injured.
Imperator Ix swallowed heavily. "There are also reports of Remington, leading the assault against us."
"Then he is no son of mine." The Grandmaster said darkly. He turned suddenly on the albino Imperator. "Sound the evacuation. We will find somewhere to lie low, strengthen our forces and learn what we can of Mobius."
"Yes Grandmaster." Imperator Ix turned to enter the separate cockpit.
"Imperator." Ix looked back at his leader. "Fail me again, and your head will become my latest trophy."
"Y-yes Grandmaster." The albino echidna couldn't get into the cockpit fast enough, the door slamming swiftly behind him.
"You were saying, Finticus." The technomage stepped forth from the shadows once more, his purple glasses perched carefully on the edge of his nose.
"He is secure Grandmaster. It is as I predicted."
"Are you sure?" Doctor Finticus sneered.
"His energy levels began to increase the moment we escaped the Twilight Cage."
"Good. Inform me the moment he regains consciousness." Doctor Finticus inclined his head a left through a darkened and underused side passage.
The tale tell rumble and cry of engines indicated that they had left the obsidian fortress behind. Kragok knew that this retreat could spell the doom for his people if they couldn't find a safe location to put down, but the choice had been made and now they all had to bear the consequences.
But even as the sleek black ships soared over the azure ocean, Kragok aloud a faint smile to grace his lips. They'd return. And when they did, the whole of Mobius would tremble.
Foreshadowing is fun.
Sixteen A4 pages of FntS goodness and I hope you enjoyed it.
Next time will see a return to Shadow and an interesting development to the Assassination case.
Stay tuned.
-Corrupt TE-