Chapter 5

An Enemy Inside

Everything went fast after remembering that near death experience Anthony had. He ordered a take away consisting of a hot dog, quarter pounder with cheese, large chocolate milkshake and large cherry soda. He was ordering it for Nazo and himself. He received a text message from Nazo saying he might be arriving late. Anthony sat on a bench in park near the restaurant, he was about to chow down when there was a sound of sobbing interrupted. He placed the food back in the bag, rolling the open to prevent any hot air from escaping. He trailed the sound which led him to a patch of flowers surrounded by bushes. Sally Acorn was lying near some Dwarf Fireweed; her arms were hiding her head just so no one can see her traumatising event.

"Hey, is everything OK?" Anthony said in a gentle voice.

Sally lifted her head slowly, not bothering to wipe her wet eyes. She didn't say a word once she looked at Anthony. He placed the bag near a rock and he bent his knees so he can come closer. Sally noticed that Anthony is a GUN agent; not a soldier.

"You seem upset," Anthony answered. "Can I come closer?"

"Sure," sobbed Sally.

Anthony made sure not to step or destroy the precious flowers. He sat on the grass and tried to think of a way to see what's the problem. "Why are you crying the park a river in this spot?"

Sally thought he was making a bad joke but can see that he's being helpful. "Some dick killed the Council of Acorns along with Rosie."

"Who's Rosie?"

"My Nanny."

Anthony can see the pain she's going through. "Who told you?"

"Some echidna named Shade. Who claimed to be there during the massacre."

"What made you want to come to this spot?"

"I remember when Rosie used to bring me here when I was young. I had to play along on being exiled back then."

"Your father made up a fake exile to protect you from Ivo right?" Anthony was catching on with her past. During his months of recovery, he did research on the history of Mobius.

Nazo arrived at the restaurant noticing no sign of Anthony. He asked the clerk inside to ask where he might of went. He pointed to the park and mentioned that he went in some bushes.

Once Sally confirmed Anthony's words, he told her that he managed to kill Ainsley and SWAT has been disbanded. "After killing the last of Theobald's lackeys, we still have yet to find Geoffrey St. John."

"Shade said that it was one of the Destructix who killed the council," continued Sally.

"Guess each of us have to deal with that trauma somehow."

He pulled a hamburger and passed it to Sally, thinking she might be hungry. She took a huge bite and thanked him. Nazo found them and was surprised to see Sally. He had to tell Anthony that they are needed. "Babylon Rogues, Destructix and another group are in a hotel turning it into a fortress."

They walked towards the car park with Sally following them.

Shadow, Rouge and Omega are at last Team Dark, Topaz had to make sure that they won't be any unnecessary risks. She looked at the computer to examine the building so Team Dark can find a possible entrance. It showed a 3D rendering of the hotel, she found a vent shaft on the east side. "Found a way to sneak in without being noticed."

She showed them the computer. "Rouge, you'll be taking the vents and Shadow you'll be entering via rooftop entrance while Omega distracts the Destructix."

"And the others?" Rouge asked.

"They will probably do the same thing," thought Shadow.

Topaz turned on her radio, Rouge and shadow turned on their earpieces. Omega loaded his guns and walked towards the front entrance. Topaz wished them good luck while Rouge flew near the vent and Shadow headed for the opposite side. Omega open fired causing Boris, Frank and Gabe to run out of their rooms, Wave and Storm did the same thing. Rouge squeezed in and Shadow dashed upwards.

Rouge used a handheld computer to navigate through the ducts. It wasn't a tight squeeze, the vents were about as bigger and wider than the average size. She was about to ascend using her wings, her eyes caught something in one of the rooms. She crawled to her right and ended up in what may be a secret stash in the laundry room. She inspected some crates while reading the paper attached.

Shadow sped to the roof landing near the landing zone. He broke the lock on the door with a swipe kick. He went from the top of the stairs to the bottom. He can see that the lifts are active, taking one might attract unwanted diligence. Taking the stairs is the only way and he knew he had to be stealthy. He slowly went down each step while figuring out which floor they might be on.

Simian and Jet were distracted by Omega's gunplay, this led to Stefan kicking Jet in the beck and slamming Simian against the wall. Simian struggled vigorously while pointing the gun near Stefan. He slapped it out of Simian's hand; right before Jet charged from behind. They dodged just as Jet hit the wall. The pain was unbearable, it was as though he might have internal bleeding. Boris, Frank and Gabe heard the noise, rushing down another set of stairs. It was across from the flight Shadow took.

They broke through the door arming themselves. After checking the corner they pointed their guns at Jet and Sergeant Simian. Stefan didn't turn his head, he knew it was them.

"You must know about this hotel," Frank said to Simian.

"Do you think I could tell a human what this hotel that might spark an interest?" intimidated Simian.

"There's nobody inside so we know that the whole building is just a shell."

Shadow listened in while trying to be stealthy. Jet still holding his gun, wanted to know what's going with the Destructix and this "hotel" they're staying in. "You're telling us that the Destructix have built a fake hotel to run their operations?"

"Seems like the way you pictured it," confirmed Stefan.

Simian gave the hawk and humans his sendoff as he reached for his radio. "If Fiona Fox was here, she'll give each-"

Shadow grabbed Simian's arm causing the gun to fire. Stefan cried in pain after the bullet entered near his upper leg. Simian fell flat on the ground before he heard the second shot. Boris charged at Shadow before Jet pulled the trigger. Frank open fired at Jet each bullet missed the hawk as he grabbed his gear and escaped. Shadow and Boris struggled to free from each other's grasp unknowing that the rammed into an emergency exit. Two screams alerted Gabe, he crawled noticing the slippery floor and peeked over the bannister. He can see Boris lying on his back and Shadow on his stomach; none of them were moving.

Agent Topaz heard guns firing and tried to radio in. "Rouge! There were guns firing in the fifth floor. I think Shadow might be injured."

Rouge heard every word and pressed a button on her earpiece. "I heard you. I happened to find shipments in the basement."

"What is it that you're telling me?"

"This isn't a hotel, it's the Destructix' secret base."