Shadow: Forces

Chapter 9: Delayed Assault

A/N: random picture of Dare just cuz. Lol. And did I say Shadow would be leading a rescue mission? Oops...

-1200 hours-

Shadow was in the briefing room alongside Amy, Tails, Silver and Team Dark. Shadow stood by the map and nodded to himself
"Alright, let's start the briefing. As you all know, Sonic has been captured and been tortured at the hands of Eggman, our-"
Suddenly the base rumbled and the radar started beeping. Tails quickly got up and checked it "Something is launching missiles at us from the coast!"
"What is it?"
"It's... Underwater now!? Must be... Hold on, I'll check the cameras... Just as I thought! Shadow, Eggman has a submarine launching missile attacks on muiltple bases. What do we do!?"
Shadow smirked "We'll save Sonic later. Have everyone on the cruiser...(the ship that he captured earlier) ...ready for combat. And get Arnec in here." Shadow said as he looked at a map. A few minutes later Arnec rushed in, fully clothed and ready. "Something up Shadow?"
"Is Dare okay?"
"She's fine."
"You haven't done anything to her, have you!?" Shadow then asked sternly. Arnec shook his head "N-no!" he answered, Shadow smirking "I'll ask her too. But, I do have good news for you. You'll be assisting in an attack. While we handle the submarine, you'll steal us some artillery on the coast. Dare will be with you."
"Don't we have that ship? Surely it could deal some massive damage!" Arnec said with a raised eyebrows. Shadow shook his head "I don't want to overextend and possibly lose our only chance of getting Sonic back. The artillery will serve as a distraction... The ship will finish it off."
"Oh, yeah. Guess I forgot we only got one."
"Dare has recovered, right?"
"Yes sir. She's doing just fine. In fact, I think she may have gave her guns a little extra kick! So when we beginning the op?"
Shadow smiled "Right now."
Arnec smiled back and nodded...

-1430 hours-

"Fishing pole not provided"

Arnec ran through the abandoned streets of some old Town as him and Dare, with some backup, went to get the artillery guns. Arnec and Dare ran up to a ridge and could see the guns. He looked over at the troops. "Alright, we'll rush in and get those guns online as soon as we can. Be ready." he said as he looked at the troops. Shadow got onto the radio "Hey, Arnec... You're clear."
"Copy that." Arnec responded before looking back at the soldiers and nodding. He looked at Dare before they rushed in, quickly looking around the place and finding only abandoned artillery guns. They could also see something in the water, a metallic fin... Tails got onto the radio
"Done some scanning and stuff. Apparently the submarine is called the “Egg-ladon”."
"This is Shadow, copy that. Right as the troops got to work, the friendly cruiser made it's appearance, breaking through the clouds right as the fin disappeared. Suddenly a large robotic shark jumped out of the water! "Egg-ladon spotted!" Tails yelled. Shadow looked over and saw it as it launched another salvo of missiles, probably heading for another base
"Arnec, how's the artillery!?"
"Firing in 3, 2... One, firing!" Arnec yelled as the artillery guns fired, blanketing the Egg-ladon in shells. It dove before reappearing a short distance away.
"Ready the main guns!" Shadow yelled. The cannons on the cruiser turned and aimed at the large sub, zeroing in. "And... Fire!"
Smoke came from the barrels as they fired, their sound echoing as their shells whistled to their target. The Egg-ladon was struck and dove again. Arnec then noticed some depth charges right by one of the guns
"Load that! We're taking this thing out!" he yelled. One of the soldiers, a red wolf, nodded and his friends loaded the guns. They boomed as they fired, multiple splashes near the Egg-ladon as it stayed underwater. It got eerily quiet, with Arnec then smiling. "It's hit, I think we got it!"
Suddenly ripples formed across the water and everyone looked at the water...
(Naval Warfare - Ace combat assault horizon/Infinity OST.)

Suddenly the Egg-ladon leaped from the water, water jets shooting into the sky as it splashed down onto the waves.
"Shoot, it's still afloat! What does it take to kill this thing!?" Arnec yelled. Shadow gritted his teeth and some of the bridge crew could hear a low growl. Arnec narrowed his eyes before he got an idea. "Fire this gun on my mark!" he yelled before going into his demon form and hopping into one of the artillery guns.
"What, are you insane!?" Dare yelled. Arnec chuckled "Maybe just a little! And... Fire!"
Arnec curled into a ball and got launched by the gun, his Demonic scales protecting him from the heat as he shot out like a pinball. Right as he shot out the barrel he unfolded, using his wings to keep his momentum as he went straight at the Egg-ladon. He twirled to his side while his blade was drawn, turning him into a deadly whirlwind as he spun by the Egg-ladon, slicing it's missile launchers off. "Dare, Arnec, what the heck was that!?" Shadow yelled.
"That was me sir!" Arnec yelled on the radio as he flew up, his wings spreading in the sunlight. "Arnec, you crazy-! Well, you took out the missile launchers... Aim all guns at that submarine and blast it to bits!" Shadow quickly ordered. All the guns, both on the ship and the artillery, opened fire on the weakened submarine. Explosions splashed onto the submarine's hull and lit it up like a firecracker before it leaned back, it's neck exposed. Arnec took the opportunity and swooped in and his blade sliced through it's neck like a hot neck through butter, lighting coming off of it before it exploded. Arnec flew back and could hear everyone celebrating as he landed by Dare. She smiled as she hugged him tightly, Shadow watching with a straight face. Arnec blushed before hugging back, rubbing her back. Suddenly they heard Shadow "Mission was a success. Return home for debriefing."
"Arnec copies."
"Dare, copy that."
They smiled before running back to base. Arnec and Dare walked into the command center. Shadow turned
"Mission was a success, now we can focus on what really matters." he said to them before taking Dare aside "Did he do anything to you? Anything at all!?" he whispered. Dare sighed "I'm fine, he saved my life! Quit being so overprotective!"
"I just care... And I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. It's just... I really miss Maria."
Dare smiled before hugging him "I miss her too. But we have a war to win. You know what? How about we do it for her!"
Shadow smiled "Alright... Maybe that will be enough to make up for that promise." Shadow said with a smile before looking at Arnec "...Got something for you." he said as him and Dare backed away from each other
"What is it, sir?"
"You're getting to lead your own squad. You'll be the 8492nd squad, callsign "Warwolf"*. As of now, you and the rest of your team no longer exist, and never did. All records of your existence will be classified to the highest level You'll be the phantom blade in Eggman's side. You and Dare will have another member join you, alongside a few others."
"Roger that. What do we do first?"
"Take the other cruiser that Tails and Silver managed to nab yesterday. You'll use it as a base of operations and it'll be your new home. We'll modify it for you."
"Copy that. And what'll you be doing sir?"
Shadow smirked before answering
"Getting back Sonic."
Arnec nodded before leaving. Shadow looked out the window, seeing the Resistance continue growing....

*In case you don't get these two nods, they're a reference to one of my favorite game series ever: Ace Combat. In Ace combat 5 there was an enemy squadron that was known as the 8492nd, that apparently "didn't exist" when they antagonized the main squadron. Meanwhile Warwolf is a reference to Ace Combat Assault Horizon, as that was the player's squadron.