Sonic Forces: Not a Hero

The Briefing

 I put on my gear, which was a black suit with the kanji for resistance on it, black sneakers, gloves which allowed me to hack computers easier according to Silver, and a white earpiece. Silver made sure I had the specifications I needed for my outfit, so I could help the best I could. Looking myself in the mirror to make sure it looked alright, I noticed my old black scarf on my new bed. I haven't worn it since my time with the Jackal Squad, but I could never part with it. Staring at the tattered scarf, I remembered the day Zero gave me it.

"You seem nervous," said Zero as I prepared for my promotion to Huntress, Second in command of the Jackal Squad.

"Course not," I lied. I was so afraid that I would let the squad down or even worse Zero down.

"Here, I have something for you," smiled Zero as he handed me a black scarf, "You are one of the best pupils I have ever trained. The dedication and loyalty you have shown over these past years, prove that you belong here. Take this as a reminder of everything I've taught you. When you wear it, it shall give you the courage to move forward."

"Boss, I.." I started to say.

"No, you've earned the right to say my real name," said Zero, "When it's just you and me, you can call me Zero. Are you ready, Artemis?"

I put on the scarf around my neck, "Born ready, Zero."

Whenever I needed strength, I've worn that scarf. Realizing what was ahead, I knew I needed this scarf now more than ever before. Once I put on the scarf, I headed out for the meeting. Knuckles wanted to introduce me properly, so he had me wait outside the meeting room doors until he arrived. While I waited, I could hear voices from inside the room. I was only able to make out some of what they were saying, but I heard enough to know it was about me. I guess they don't get someone like me very often. That's when Knuckle showed up smiling at me.

"You ready for this?" he asked.

"Born ready," I nodded.

"Alright give me a moment to brief them, then enter," explained Knuckles, "Don't worry about what they say. Remember that we're all here to end this war."

"Just get on with it," I sighed, "Don't we have a world to save?"

Knuckles nodded and went inside.

"Knuckles!" called out Silver, "What's the sitrep, Commander?"

"Happy to see you're all still alive," said Knuckles, "Eggman's forces have chewed through our defenses at Green Hill and the resistance in the city is reporting that whatever it is that finished Sonic....Sorry. I'm still not used to saying that. Whatever it is has got them running in fear."

"Not me," I said walking in, taking the view away from Knuckles.

"All except for this brave kid," continued Knuckles, "Who survived the battle and made it here in one piece. Meet our newest recruit." He then patted me on the back, almost knocking me over.

"Hey watch it," I growled.

"Hmm, doesn't look like much," said a small bee-like creature flying around me.

"Neither do you Charmy," snapped Knuckles, "But I still manage to find a use for your pointy butt!"

"Teehee," laughed Charmy backing off.

"Nice to meet you," said a pink hedgehog. For attire, she wore a red, sleeveless dress with white trims, tall red boots with a white stripe down the center and white cuffs, a red hairband, and white wrist-length gloves with gold bracelets for cuffs, "My name's Amy."

"The name's Vector," announced a voice behind Amy. Vector is a large, green-skinned crocodile with spiky red scales down his tail and vermilion-colored eyes. Vector sports a thick body resemblant of an S-shape, with a broad upper body, starts including his long arms, getting slimmer towards his tail and legs. His belly, snout, and arms are light green, while the rest of his body is dark green. He wore small, black shoulder pads, white gloves with black-and-orange cuffs, embellished with gold buckles as well as black shoes figured with white and orange colors. Vector also wears a gold chain around his neck, alongside a pair of black-and-grey wireless headphones, "But I'm sure you've heard of me."

"Why would I have heard of you?" I asked almost sarcastically.

"Vector please," sighed a purple chameleon next to him, "He's talking about us, we form a team called Chaotix, but for now we work with the Resistance. I go by the name Espio." Espio is a purple chameleon with a yellow horn between his eyes, golden eyes and a ridge of three black scales down his spine and a coiled tail. He wore dark purple and black shoes with elaborate cuffs, white gloves with a purple back, and studded bands around his wrists and ankles.

"Here kid. Take this Asteroid Wispon," said Knuckles handing me a special gun of some kind. The Asteroid Wispon is an orb-shaped weapon. This orb is colored indigo on one half and black on the other. The Asteroid Wispon also has a lens up front and is surrounded by a mechanical yellow planetary ring.

"I have a name you know," I growled, "I'm Artemis, not kid."

"Okay, let's get going everybody!" cheered Knuckles, "The world's not going to save itself."

Everyone, except for me, cheered, but then something caught my eye by the computer screen.

"Hey Knuckles, is that supposed to be flashing?" I asked.

He turned over to the screen quickly, then placed an earpiece to his ear. He mumbles a lot of 'yeahs' and 'okays', then something caught him off guard.

"Are you sure?" he asked loudly, getting everyone's attention, then he looked towards us, "I've just received some incredible news! Sonic is alive!"

No way that's excellent!" cheered Silver.

"What?" cheered Amy, "Oh, thank goodness! I knew it! I knew it!"

"He's captured in the orbiting prison," continued Knuckles, "My spy there says he's in a solitary confinement cell, and they've been torturing him for months."

"That's horrible!" growled Amy, "We have to rescue him!"

"Plan's already happening Amy," said Knuckles, "We're going to send a squad to the Spaceport in the Chemical Plant to 'borrow' a shuttle. C'mon guys. Who's up for an old-school style jailbreak?"

"Sounds like fun," I smirked.

"Good," smiled Knuckles, "Cause you're going to steal that shuttle. While our troops are keeping Eggman's forces busy, you're going to grab that shuttle, swing by and pick up the rest of the squad. Are you ready, rookie?"

"It's Artemis," I snapped, "And let's do this."