Path of the Hunters [PART 4] (NSFW)

He chuckled. "Yup, you definitely are gonna be the bossy one, Aurora."

*

He growled playfully, tongue dancing tirelessly. If only he could've gotten his rest back on the plane...

*

He shook his head, frowning. "Damn. Just... Damn."

"Yeah, the Katherine you know is Katherine. My Katherine. Those bastards took her from me, killed her, then revived her inside of a computer. This is why I hate ONI, they're not corrupt, they're just egotistical and so detached from the military that very few know of what they are doing behind closed doors, and even less have any form of control."

Katherine walked up beside Damien, looking at him as she spoke, "Two years after that, in an effort to understand all the upgrades I had been given by ONI to turn me into the perfect espionage AI for them, I happened to stumble across my living memories. Point five seconds later, five bases and ten of their ships were smoldering wrecks and I hunted down and found Damien."

"It didn't take her long to convince me that she was telling the truth when she revealed herself. I went AWOL and disserted shortly after and started a new life with her by my side as a merc, too betrayed to continue working in the UNSC, too loyal to join the Insurectionists, and eventually I formed Shadow Squad." He looked over at her, "Now you see why I do not talk of this." His voice had a sharpness to it, he was trying to hide the pain. "The one I love is here with me, but I am forever condemed to never touch her again. This is why I hate ONI, this is why those idiots will never see the light of day again, at least not while still alive. That's my form of vengence on them."

She licked his face eagerly, tail wagging. It thumped Dart, who woofed in annoyance.

*

She nipped him in response to the growl, tongue dancing to his neck and back.

*

Trip snuggled close to Cross, imagining it. He never wanted anything like that to happen...

"I'm so sorry," she said quietly.

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy!" He shifted Aurora, so that her tail didn't hit Dart.

*

He continued to lap at her, occasionally licking her cheek or some other nearby body part. Maybe he would get lucky, and get a second wind.

*

"Vengeance..." He let the word soak in, being reminded of the "vengeance" he unleashed so long ago...

"Arf!" She lapped at him still and Dart yawned, snuggling comfortably.

*

"Mm..." She nipped his ear, mouth soon going to his neck.

*

Star took his hand, squeezing it gently.

He shook his head, "It's not your fault, Star. At least I'm lucky enough that she's still here, even if she is nothing more than a highly advanced computer, at least she's still here. It's the only comfort I got left besides the harrasment of ONI."

Nova continued to chuckle. "You sure are energetic."

*

He licked her cheek, nipped her ear as she went downward.

*

The echidna looked back up to the human. "I think I asked this before, but if you could do something about that, would you?"

"In a heartbeat. Sure, I'd lose my most valuable intelligence asset, but I want to hold her again..."

She gurgled, laying a small hand on his cheek.

*

She nuzzled his neck, licking and nibbling.

*

Trip frowned. "Are you gonna help?" he whispered so only Cross could hear.

He smiled, nuzzling her. "You are just too cute..."

*

He sighed, nuzzling at her cheek. Ge wanted to have her so bad, right now. He just didn't have the damn energy!

*

Cross only smiled slightly. "A couple of months ago, I started first drafts on a project focused on humanoid robotic systems that could be integrated into human or Mobian bodies, much like prosthetic body parts, but far less limited. In short, with the right amount of research, I could possibly make a fully interactive android body, and I do mean fully interactive."

The look of surprise on both of their faces would have been comical if the subject wasn't so serious. Damien rounded on Cross with the most serious, desperate, look he's ever had. "What do you need?"

She licked his cheek, gurgling softly as she started to grow tired.

*

She nipped his lip, annoyed that she couldn't do much more. "Shit," she murmured.

*

Star smiled softly, squeezing his hand again.

He smirked, noting her drowsiness starting to set in. "All right, kiddo. Time for bed."

*

He laid back, panting. "Too goddamn tired..."

*

He thought for a moment. "There's an old space colony, in orbit around the planet. Deep in its more restricted areas, there are elaborate research notes for something similar to what I have in mind. It's called 'Project: Shadow'. Those notes are the key to it all."

"You need it, you got it. I don't give a damn what it is."

"Make it as covert as possible. I don't need G.U.N. breathing down my neck again. Also, the caretaker there isn't very fond of uninvited guests, especially military grade. He is not to be underestimated."

"GUN? Ah yes, those idiots. As for the caretaker, it wouldn't happen to be a one Shadow the hedgehog, would it? I can understand your desire for caution. I'll have my folk try to be as peacful as possible. Though I would be more comfortable if we could find a friend of his to go with my people to help convince him of their trustworthiness...any suggestions?"

It sounded like something she didn't want to do, so she whined softly, turning wide, pleading eyes on him. Pitifully, she licked his cheek again.

*

"Seriously..." She laid her head on his shoulder, idly nuzzling into his neck.

*

Star frowned slightly. "Knuckles, maybe. he's the only one of that group I know."

He smiled, but shook his head. "Look, you're cute, but you're not that cute. Time for bed."

*

He brushed her hair with his hand. "Those bastards really know how to wear you out..."

*

He thought again. "There is Rouge the Bat, a government agent and part-time treasure hunter, but she's about as likely to let you in as Shadow."

"C'mon, there's gotta be someone he trusts that trusts us..."

She whimpered again and Dart made a grumbling sound, trying to sleep.

*

"I'll say," she muttered.

*

Star's eyes rolled. "Trip, sweetie, do you still have my phone?"

He nodded, patting his vest pockets for it. After a moment, he found it. "Um... The battery died."

"Cross, can you charge it?"

He sighed. "Let me at least get Dart in bed, okay?" He managed to ease the boy back in the crib, kissed his forehead fondly.

*

"Oh, well. We'll have plenty of energy in the morning."

*

"My powers are kinda shot, but I'll see what I can do." He took the phone in hand, took a deep breath, focusing. After a couple of seconds, it sparked slightly, and Cross smiled victoriously. "Done.

"I'll route your service through the com channels, that'll get you through the jamming." Stated Katherine.

He licked him and fell asleep quickly. Aurora, not entirely certain if she liked being far off from her brother, but also not willing to fall asleep just yet made a slightly distressed sound. What was she supposed to do?

*

She grinned, licking his neck. "Yeah."

*

"Okay." She flipped through her contact list, smiled when she reached it. "Now?"

"You're good."

"Cool." She hit the call button, waiting a moment while the phone rang. "Knuckles!" she greeted when the echidna answered. "Hi! I need a favor. Yeah... no. Well... I actually owe someone else a favor, big-time. I need Shadow's help. Please? Pleasepleaseplea - mrow! Thanks! Yeah, tomorrow. I'll let you know. Thanks again!"

Smiling, she hung up. "He's getting a hold of him now."