Jericho Chapter 01

Chapter 01: Infiltrators

It was a dark night, almost completely silent; the only sounds were those of the Dark Egg Legion sentries patrolling a large complex. They walked around the edges of the complex walls, with their AK-107 rifles slung over their backs. They were consisting of wolves and cats, all cybernetically enhanced to serve Dr. Robotnik.

However, they were blatantly unaware that they were being watched by several other Mobians wearing camouflage, and were obviously waiting for something. The group consisted of a male Mobian Kangaroo around 20 years old, a male Mobian Caribou around 30 years old, and a female Mobian cat around 27 years old. The Kangaroo looked through his binoculars and then spoke into a headset that he had attached to his head: "Group C in position. Clear visual on infiltration point. A few eggs in sight."

At another point, a female Mobian Tiger around 29 years old, a Male Mobian Elephant around 37 years old, and a male Mobian Komodo Dragon around 32 years old were at another point outside the complex perimeter, watching the sentries on duty. The Komodo Dragon then spoke into his headset: "Group B in position. Visual on point of infiltration. Two eggs in sight."

And at another point, near the gate of the complex, there was a third group, consisting of two male Mobian Raccoons, one 23 years old and the other 20 years old, and a male Mobian turtle around 28 years old were watching the main gate from some distance away. The older Raccoon spoke into his headset, and said: "Black Eye copies all. Group A is in position. Got a clear visual on infiltration point. Minimal defenses. Easy target. Stand by groups. Nobody goes until we got Green Light from Source."

"Group B Copies."

"Group C Copies that."

The raccoon then adjusted the frequency on his headset and said: "Source, this is Black Eye. We are in position and awaiting green light."

The signal went from the location the team was to the Acorn Castle in New Mobotropolis, and went right to a special chamber where King Elias Acorn and the Acorn Council was watching the action from a satellite feed. "Black Eye, this is Source. Stand by for Green Light." said Elias into his communicator.

Sally Acorn and Sonic the Hedgehog were watching the scene unfold from an observation room above where Elias and the council were. "This show is slow." said Sonic. "Remind me what it's about."

"Well, Sonic. This *show* stars Jericho Raccoon and his SRU Team, and its set outside a complex for the Wolf-Cat DEL that we recently engaged. We received possible intel that a device of unknown origins was acquired by the DEL Chapter, and we need to find out what it is."  said Sally.

"Why Jericho? I could do it. No Problemo!" said Sonic.

"Because, this is a high risk mission, and you certainly will be looked out for by the DEL. Elias decided that Jericho and his team fit this category. I think that while they lack your speed, they make up for that with good efficiency. Besides, the council can't use you for everything; they do have other groups besides the Freedom Fighters at their disposal to handle some jobs." said Sally.

"Okay. I keep forgetting that there are others besides me fighting this war." said Sonic as he turned to the screen.

Meanwhile, Elias and the council had finished talking and Elias spoke into his communicator: "Black Eye, this is Source. You have a go. You may commence your operation when ready."

Back in the combat zone, Jericho replied: "Copy that Source. Over and out." He then adjusted the frequency again and said: "Alpha Team. Green Light. Commence Operations. Keep it smooth, and remember how we planned it."

"Group B, Roger."

"Group C, Roger."

Lt. Colonel Jericho Raccoon then turned to his two men: "Okay Dayton and Mitch, let's do this." The two men were Major Dayton Raccoon, Jericho's brother and #2, and Staff Sergeant Mitchell Turtle, the team shotgunner. Group B consisted of Lieutenant Natasha Kat, the team's operational psychologist, Private First Class Declan Caribous, the demolitions expert, and Private Kirk Vogel, the team's technology expert. Group C consisted of Captain Xenia Tigris, the team medic, Lieutenant Emil McElephonsky; the teams support gunner, and Sergeant Major Xander Komodo, the team's Biological Expert. They had all fought together in the first Robotnik War, and were the few trained members of the shattered Royal Army, and perhaps some of the most experienced to serve. They were members of an elite unit known as the Special Response Unit, whose goal was to perform Special Operations for the Kingdom and now the Republic of Acorn, and were pretty much an equivalent to the UEA's GUN.

Jericho, Dayton, and Mitchell readied their weapons, Jericho carrying a suppressed P90 submachine gun, and an F2000 Tactical rifle with a GL-1 EGLM. Dayton carried a suppressed UMP-45 and an F2000 Tactical. Mitchell carried a suppressed SCAR-H rifle as well as an AA-12 shotgun. "Suppressed weapons only." said Jericho. "Let's keep it quiet ALAP." (ALAP: As Long As Possible)

"Got it." said Mitchell. "I have visual on two enemy sentries guarding the gate."

"Hold up." said Jericho. "Watch and weep."

Then suddenly, both sentries fell dead of gunshots to the heads. Jericho then heard over the radio: "Captain Sean Hisseowski, in position to take target practice." said a voice with a thick Russian accent.

"Good work, Captain." said Jericho. Captain Sean Hisseowski, a Male Mobian Cat around 32 years old, and the team's sniper, was covering Jericho and his group as they entered through the gate. He carried a suppressed SR-25 sniper rifle, which had a Night-vision scope attached for this operation. He also had a suppressed SCAR-H rifle at his disposal as well.

Meanwhile, Group B begun moving in on the wall that they were going to climb up onto. Natasha carried a suppressed UMP-45, as well as a SIG SG552 rifle. Kirk used a suppressed MP7A1 PDW, but also had a suppressed G36C rifle as well. Declan had a suppressed MP5A5, as well as a SCAR-L rifle with an FN40 EGLM.  As soon as the two sentries patrolling their area came into view, they took aim and neutralized the guards. Quickly, they approached the wall, and producing specialized rappel launchers from their backpacks, they fired grappling hooks onto the top of the wall and were pulled up by the rappel launchers, and as soon as they got onto the wall, they made their way towards a service door.

Group C performed the same routine as Group B, neutralizing the guards and rappelling onto the wall. Xenia carried a suppressed MP5A5, as well as a TAR-21 rifle. Emil carried a suppressed TDI Vector, as well as an FN M240 light machine gun. Xander carried a TDI Vector as well, and also carried a SCAR-L with a FN40 EGLM. They began making their way towards a nearby guard tower to neutralize those inside.

Group A had just reached the gate, and now had to make their way across the courtyard into the command center, which was crawling with Dark Egg Legionnaires. Jericho wasn't worried, and said: "Okay, we'll use our OpCams for this part."

"OpCams. Optical Camo Suits." said Mitchell. "Never fails."

"Remember, no sudden movements. No gunfire. These things are very delicate. Move quickly and quietly." said Jericho, who then pressed a button on his wrist device, as did Dayton and Mitchell, and they vanished like smoke. They were invisible to the naked eye. The Legionnaires inside the courtyard heard a rustle or two, but never saw Group A sneaking by them, nor did they see them making their way into the command center. As soon as they were confident that they were alone, Group A deactivated their OpCams and then Jericho said: "Smooth as always. Now let's meet up with the others and then we'll make our way to the objective downstairs. And be on the lookout for any intel."

"Sure thing, bro." said Dayton. "What exactly are we looking for?"

"Something these guys want. The intel we got was vague, but command wants it, so we have to get it." said Jericho.

"I swear the council is so needy these days." said Mitchell.

Group B meanwhile, made their way through the access door and made their way down towards the command center, where they would hook up with Group A. After going down stairs, they reached the ground floor, where they neutralized several guards.

Meanwhile, Sean was preparing his own infiltration plan. He produced a large rappel gun and took aim at a wall next to a balcony atop the command center. He then fired off a rappel cable and hooked onto the wall, and then secured his end of the line. He had made a zip-line, and as soon as he got into position, he then zipped on the zip-line over the unsuspecting Legionnaires, and then stopped himself with his feet when he reached the wall. He then detached himself and then changed to his SCAR-H and begun making his way down. "Sir, I'm in. I'll be joining you shortly."

"Copy that, Sean." said Jericho. "We're on Ground."

Group C had by now, neutralized the guard tower and disabled the alarm system in the tower so that it would buy time if anyone came around to check on the now-dead guards. They then left the tower's control room and made their way down towards the command center to link up with Groups A & B.

Meanwhile, Group A was approaching the central command room, where the link-up would take place. But then, they approached a stairwell, where Sean appeared through the door. "Sean Hisseowski linking up with you now, sir." said Sean to Jericho.

"Affirmative." said Jericho. "Glad you could join us, Sean. Let's keep moving, we have a secondary objective to achieve." Sean was now part of Group A, who moved towards the command center control room, and approached one of the many doors that led inside. "Stack up." said Jericho.

"Copy that. Stacking." said Mitchell as he and Dayton took one side of the door, while Jericho and Sean took the other. Jericho then produced a large device from his backpack and stuck it on the door, and looked into the screen attached to it. He then could see what was on the other side of the door, which was surprisingly not that well defended.

"Group B here, in position. Awaiting your signal." said Natasha.

"Group C here, same here." said Xenia.

"Group A copies all." said Jericho. "I count at least 12 Eggs. Only a few heavily armed guards, easy targets."

"Amateurs." said Emil. "These guys really are sloppy."

"Tell me about it." said Declan.

"Keep channel clear, gentlemen." said Dayton.

"Okay. Let's take 'em by surprise. Open and clear. Take the guards by the doors, and then clear out the others. Suppressed Weapons Only." said Jericho.

"Group B copies." said Kirk.

"Group C, Copy that, sir." said Xander.

On all ends, one squad member opened the doors into the room, and as quick as lightning, two on each end performed stealth kills on the two guards on each of the three doors using their knifes, and the remaining squad members came in and neutralized the remaining guards, and then took out the remaining crewmembers who tried to pull pistols on the attacking unit. All three groups soon met up in the center of the control room.

"Glad to see that you all haven't gotten killed yet." said Jericho. "Anyone time us on that last stunt?"

Dayton checked his stopwatch and said: "30 seconds."

"Too easy." said Mitchell.

"Only because that the Grandmasters of this Legion are too sloppy." said Natasha.

"Source to Black Eye. Report your status." said King Elias over Jericho's headset.

"Black Eye here. We're in the control room, ready to upload any intel." said Jericho.

"Good work so far Alpha Team." said Elias. "Take what you can and move to accomplish Primary Objective."

"Roger that." said Jericho. "Kirk, get to work with those uplinks."

"On it, sir." said Kirk as he headed for the computer terminal, and produced a small antenna-like device from his backpack and attached it to the terminal and then activated the device.

Jericho then adjusted his signal frequency and said: "Come in, NICOLE."

"I'm here, Jericho." said NICOLE, the A.I. unit used by the Freedom Fighters and by SRU. "I am receiving the data from Private Vogel's uplink device." after a few moments, NICOLE then said: "Uplink complete. Proceed when ready." Kirk then disconnected his uplink device from the terminal.

"Okay, let's head into the basement and get what we came for." said Jericho.

The combined Alpha Team prepared to exit the control room. "We need to find a way down." said Xander.

"There's a freight elevator that my group passed." said Natasha. "Everyone on me. I'll show you." Alpha Team followed Natasha through the entrance that Group B entered from and they stealthily made their way through the dark and winding corridors of the command center towards the elevator. "Hold up." said Natasha.

Then the sounds of the Elevator in motion could be heard, and Kirk said: "Get back! Someone's coming!"

And the team quickly moved back behind cover, out of sight wherever they could. The elevator door opened, revealing two technicians, and they walked right past the hidden Alpha Team, whom promptly made their way into the elevator and disappeared without a trace. The team took the elevator down into the target floor. When the doors opened, there was nothing but hallway in front of them. The team then proceeded down the hallway, where they eventually came across a large room which looked like a technology room, filled with only a few technicians, all of them armed with pistols. But then, as the team attempted to sneak up on the technicians, one of the technicians spotted the team in a reflection and then prepared to try and attack them. The team quickly responded and neutralized the technicians with quick speed before the technicians could get a shot off. As soon as the room was clear, the team made their way to the object on the table.

"Looks like some kind of satellite." said Kirk. "Looks like they were trying to recover its data core."

"A spy satellite?" asked Mitchell.

"This thing looks more sophisticated than what Robotnik uses." said Emil.

"Black Eye to Source." said Jericho. "We've uncovered a possible downed Spy Satellite in the basement. Looks like the DEL was trying to retrieve it's data core. Advise."

"Source to Black Eye. Can the data core be retrieved?"

"I think so." said Jericho.

"Take it and get out of there. Use any means necessary to get that core out of there." said Elias over the communicator.

"Copy that. Black Eye out." said Jericho. "How soon can we get that data core out?"

"Looks like we can have it out in no time." said Dayton. "Should be a piece of cake since the DEL did all the hard work, give a minute."

"Do it." said Jericho. "And let's go loud from here on out." he added as he switched weapons and readied his F2000 Tactical. "They're probably gonna find out what's happened and they're gonna come after us. We'll have to fight our way out."

As Dayton and Kirk got to work trying to remove the data core from the satellite, the rest of the team switched to their other weapons, ready for a serious fight. They took positions around the room, waiting for any other Legionnaires that were sure to come. Dayton and Kirk had just about removed the core when Emil shouted: "Eggs on my end!" He then lowered the bipod on his M240 and took aim at the hallway in which the Legionnaires were coming, and as soon as they entered view, he opened fire and begun mowing down the Legionnaires.

But then, more Legionnaires appeared from the direction of the elevator, and Natasha, Declan, and Xander engaged in combat with the Legionnaires, who finally started firing off shots at the team.

"Almost…..got it!!" said Dayton as he and Kirk put the core into Dayton's backpack.

"Right! C'mon! Let's get the hell outta here!!" shouted Jericho. "Everyone on me!" And they followed Jericho out of the room, with Emil and Declan providing cover fire on their rear. Jericho, Mitchell, and Sean took the front, blasting any Legionnaires that got in their way as they made their way towards an exit that they had planned for. The tem made their way through the long winding corridors of the complex towards a large garage, where there was a ramp leading to a large door. As soon as the garage was clear of enemies, Emil, Dayton, Natasha, Sean, Mitchell, Xander, Xenia, and Kirk took positions near the entryway they had just entered through, while Jericho pointed out where Declan was to plant C4 explosives on the Garage door. More Legionnaires attacked, although they were held back by the rest of the team.

"Charges planted! Fire in the hole!!" said Declan as soon as he and Jericho were clear of the door, and then the door was blown up by Declan's C4. The team then quickly filed out of the door, before more Legionnaires arrived.

"Angel Squad, this is Alpha team! Objective achieved!! Meet us as designated rendezvous point, ASAP!!" said Jericho to his communicator.

"Angel One to Alpha Team. We acknowledge your signal. ETA is 1 minute." said Captain Logan Vulpes, the team's pilot.

But suddenly, the team found themselves surrounded by Legionnaires. "This is Grandmaster Drago! Drop your weapons and surrender!!"

"Hold your ground." said Jericho as he slung his weapon over his shoulder. "I need to scream." Jericho then adjusted a knob on his wrists, and then raised them into the air. The next thing that happened was that there was silence for one moment, but then, the wolf and cat Legionnaires gradually begun grasping their heads and dropping their rifles. They also began screaming in pain. The team then took advantage of this distraction and ran towards the extraction point, where Logan's modified VH-71 Kestrel Helicopter was waiting with a squadron of Longbow Gunships. The team climbed aboard and they left the area right before the DEL even realized what had happened.

"Black Eye to Source." said Jericho into his headset. "The package is secure. We are returning to the Salvation and coming home."

"Source here. Excellent work, Black Eye." said Elias.

Back in New Mobotropolis, Sonic and Sally had watched everything unfold. "Not bad." said Sonic. "I was a little worried there for a while."

"You can say that again. But despite my disproval of Jericho's tactics, they are rather efficient sometimes." said Sally. "He does get the job done. And he has something good for Sir Charles and Rotor to look at."

Back at the complex, the Wolf-Cat Legion was still recovering from the attack, and Grandmaster Drago made his way back to the bunker where the headquarters was located. He made his way down to his quarters and then approached something hidden inside a box, and it revealed a large device with a small mechanical eye-like device attached to it. The device then activated, and it said: "Grandmaster Drago."

"CORTEX, I have urgent news for the Kommissar." said Drago.

"The Kommissar is unavailable for conversation at this time, Grandmaster. This had better not be bad news, or we will have problems." said CORTEX through the device.

"Republic SRU has stolen the data core of a satellite we have recovered! They killed several of my men and have stolen key intel!! And you…"

"You are in no position to be making demands, Grandmaster!" snapped CORTEX. "You shouldn't have been so incompetent. I wonder why Eggman hired you back."

"Watch your fucking mechanical tongue!!" snapped Drago. "I advise you to remember who I represent!!"

"It shall be you that will watch your tongue while you serve us!" said CORTEX. "Do not forget that we allowed you to operate freely. But don't forget, that our organization's resources extend far and wide. Without us, you will certainly be destroyed. And it may not be from the Republic or the Wolf Pack, or the Cat Country for that matter." Drago fell silent, since he knew CORTEX was right. "I thought you wouldn't risk the Legion's gift. But don't forget your position in the state of things. That is all." and the device retracted itself and shut down, leaving Drago virtually silent for several moments.