"Would it kill you to make a little more noise?" Rouge whispered sarcastically as they slipped through the ventilation shaft. "I can barely hear you breathing back there."

Blaze said nothing, moving with liquid grace through the narrow metal passage. Her movements were precise, calculated - each placement of hands and feet deliberately silent. Rouge found herself stealing glances back at the princess, grudgingly impressed.

The bat had expected to be babysitting a clumsy royal, not working with someone who moved like a ghost. Even with her sensitive hearing, Rouge could barely detect Blaze's presence.

They reached a junction point, and Rouge consulted her wrist computer. "Security office should be two lefts and a right from here. That's where they keep the personnel files."

Blaze nodded, her amber eyes gleaming in the darkness. The princess hadn't spoken a word since they infiltrated the base, communicating purely through gestures and meaningful looks.

As they approached their target, voices echoed up through a nearby vent. Both women froze instantly.

"...checked the hospital security feeds again. Nothing unusual."

"Keep looking. Shadow the Hedgehog doesn't just disappear without a trace."

Rouge's ears perked up. She exchanged a look with Blaze, who had already settled into a comfortable crouch to listen.

"Sir, with all due respect, maybe we should be more worried about who shot him in the first place. Those weren't random hit points - someone knew exactly where to target."

"That's classified information. Focus on finding the target."

The voices faded as the speakers moved away. Rouge frowned thoughtfully. "Well well, sounds like we're not the only ones asking questions."

They continued on, eventually reaching the security office vent. Rouge peered through the grating - two guards inside, both armed.

She turned to signal Blaze, only to find the princess already moving. In one fluid motion, Blaze removed the vent cover without a sound and dropped into the room. Before the guards could react, she'd struck precise pressure points on both their necks. They crumpled silently.

Rouge landed beside her, eyebrows raised. "I'm starting to think there's a lot you haven't told us about your training, Your Highness."

"A guardian must be prepared for all scenarios," Blaze replied simply, already accessing the computer terminal. "Including stealth."

"Honey, that was more than just preparation." Rouge helped herself to another terminal. "That was expertise."

A ghost of a smile crossed Blaze's face. "Perhaps you're not the only one who keeps secrets, Agent Rouge."

They worked in companionable silence, sifting through personnel files. Rouge found herself continually distracted by her companion's methodical efficiency. Every movement was purposeful, controlled - nothing like the temperamental princess she'd expected.

"Got something," Blaze murmured suddenly. "Three new security clearances issued last month. All for positions that would have access to Shadow's medical records."

"Send them to me," Rouge said. "I'll cross-reference with my GUN contacts."

An alarm blared suddenly, making them both tense.

"Time to go," Rouge announced, already heading for the vent.

Blaze followed smoothly, leaving no trace of their presence beyond two unconscious guards who would wake with headaches and no memory of what hit them.

As they made their escape through the base's blind spots, Rouge found herself grinning. Maybe bringing the princess along hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

She just hoped Shadow would be equally impressed when they told him what they'd found.

—-

"This way," Rouge whispered, leading them down a dimly lit corridor. "There's a secure terminal in the auxiliary data center where we can—"

She stopped abruptly, throwing an arm out to halt Blaze. Commander Tower stood in the doorway ahead, his stern face illuminated by the soft glow of computer screens.

Blaze's hands immediately ignited with violet flames, but Rouge grabbed her wrist. "Wait!"

"Agent Rouge," Tower's voice was carefully neutral. "I thought I might find you here."

"Commander." Rouge's tone was equally measured, though her grip remained firm on Blaze's wrist. "Fancy meeting you at this hour."

Tower's good eye shifted to Blaze, noting her defensive stance and the slowly dissipating flames. "And Princess Blaze of the Sol Dimension. We haven't had the pleasure."

"The pleasure is debatable," Blaze replied coldly, muscles still coiled for action.

"Stand down, hot stuff," Rouge murmured. "He's Shadow's commanding officer."

"Former commanding officer," Tower corrected. "Since he's currently AWOL from our medical facility." His gaze hardened. "Which I suspect you know something about, Rouge."

Rouge released Blaze's wrist and placed a hand on her hip. "Can you blame him? Someone with inside knowledge of his physiology tried to kill him. The hospital might as well have been gift-wrapping him for a second attempt."

"Then why not come to me?" There was a hint of genuine hurt in Tower's voice. "We've worked together for years. You, Shadow, and I have been through hell and back."

"Because I don't know who to trust anymore!" Rouge's composure cracked slightly. "Someone in GUN leaked Shadow's vulnerabilities. Someone with high-level clearance. And until I know who, everyone's a suspect."

Tower was quiet for a long moment. "Even me?"

"Especially you," Rouge admitted. "You have the highest clearance of anyone."

Blaze watched the exchange silently, flames ready to reignite at a moment's notice. But something in Tower's expression made her pause – disappointment, perhaps, or resignation.

"You found the new security clearances," he said finally.

Rouge tensed. "How did you—"

"Because I've been investigating them myself." Tower stepped aside, revealing the terminal behind him. On the screen were personnel files – the same ones they'd just stolen. "Three new positions, all fast-tracked through the system. All with suspicious gaps in their background checks."

Blaze's eyes narrowed. "You suspect infiltrators?"

"I know they are," Tower replied grimly. "But whoever placed them has enough influence to block my official inquiry. That's why I'm here, doing my own after-hours investigation." He looked at Rouge. "Just like you."

Rouge studied her commander's face, years of working together warring with her current suspicions. "Prove it," she said finally. "Show us what you've found."

Tower nodded and moved to the terminal. As he pulled up files, Blaze leaned close to Rouge.

"Can we trust him?" she whispered.

Rouge watched Tower work, remembering countless missions, close calls, and times he'd had their backs. "No," she whispered back. "But right now, he might be the only ally we've got."

"The infiltration goes deeper than just these three," Tower explained, pointing to connections appearing on screen. "Someone's been playing a long game, placing pieces over months, maybe years."

"Building up to what?" Blaze asked.

Tower's expression darkened. "That's what worries me. The attack on Shadow might just be the opening move."

Rouge and Blaze exchanged glances. Whatever was coming, they'd need all the help they could get – even if that help came with a risk.

"Alright, Commander," Rouge said. "Let's compare notes. But if this is a trap..." She left the threat hanging.

Tower actually smiled slightly. "Agent Rouge, if I wanted to trap you, I wouldn't have waited until you'd already downloaded the files."

"Fair point." Rouge pulled up a chair. "But just so we're clear – Shadow's location stays between us."

"Agreed." Tower nodded to Blaze. "Princess, would you mind watching the door? We might have company if anyone noticed the security breach."

Blaze took up position by the entrance, flames dancing at her fingertips. "Just remember," she said quietly, "if either of you betray us, there won't be enough left to identify."

Rouge couldn't help but grin. The princess was definitely growing on her.