Shadow the Hedgehog waited as the elevator doors moved lower and lower through the elevators of the earth. Different lights on the elevator control panel continued to light up as each level of the underground G.U.N. HQ was passed through.
Shadow crossed his arms as the last few levels where breached.

Why was he called?

Was there a connection with Dr. Eggman's capture of a Government Dream Phycology researcher?

Or what of the strange man who tipped off Shadow about. . . "something" (the info was pretty worthless) something from. . . the ocean?

It was all strange.

And this call?

Things just got a little stranger.

Shadow walked through the big open doors into the G.U.N. commander's main analytical mother board. computer screens everywhere in the dark room. Catwalks filled the area, allowing people to move to the upper layers and analyze other details on the main screen. The room was a little darker, yet not totally lifeless. A good handful of souls scattered the general facility, either checking something, using a computer, or exchanging data with other analyzers, whilst writing info, and sharing info on notepads.

As he walked between two shield bearing G.U.N. hunters, they both twist slightly and check Shadow out. Shadow looks at the one on his left with somewhat unimpressionable face. One that is almost mean, or upset. slightly irked that they even have to look at Shadow to be sure that he really is the chosen one. He made his allegiance clear a long time ago. No need to be alarmed, though, Shadow knew they weren't. Just doing their, "duty" or programming really. Sometimes Shadow wondered if G.U.N. soldiers where much different in that aspect when it came to doing "as told".

Having confirmed G.U.N.'s number one agent. The robots relax. Looking straight foreword, watching various analyst's activities.

Shadow looked up. Upon seeing G.U.N. commander talking to his daughter Amanda tower about who knew what. Abraham directed his eyes at Shadow and continued speaking to Amanda before finally tipping his head and turning around to see Shadow. Shadow crossed his arms and continued to stare at Abraham Tower. Abraham Tower nodded at his top agent crossing his own arms. Shadow jumped up onto the catwalk and landed right in front of his "superior". Removing his hand from the catwalk, Shadow nodded and crossed his arms again. The G.U.N. Commander finally spoke.

"I have something for you to check out."

"Alone I hear?"

"Yes, I need Rouge and Omega to take on a different mission. You're capable of taking care of a more urgent matter."

"Of course. And what might that be?"

"A distress signal coming from an unknown location. The general facility is all that we could pinpoint."

"I see."

"We are worried that it may be important regarding Dr. Robotnik's forces. The signal was high in technology, but did not match the frequency of the Eggman Empire. Therefore. . . "

"You need to know exactly who it is."

"Yes. If they are friend or foe. Enemy of the United Federation, or potential ally. Since Dr. Robotnik's Aircraft Carrier was seen there recently, there's a good chance that he's the reason that whoever it was sent the distress signal."

"Of course. And I'll check it out."

"Exactly. Mission briefing complete."

"All ready to go." says Shadow in response. Uncrossing his arms he turns around slowly. But before he and the G.U.N. commander have both made a 180, Shadow twists his head.

"And what is. . . Rouge and Omega doing. . . ?"

The G.U.N. Commander stops, and turns back around.

"That is classified as it's a liability to have agents know what other agents mission is. . . You know that Shadow. . . "

Shadow makes a long, slow blink.

"Just thought I'd ask." He finishes before turning around completely and moving to the edge of the catwalk. Getting ready to jump off.

The G.U.N. Commander speaks again. His voice causes Shadow to stop.

". . . . . Okay."

He turns around and continues walker, putting one hand in the air bidding his farewell. Shadow jumped off the catwalk now that the G.U.N. commander had left. "That was dumb" he thought to himself. "Now they'll guess that I'm a traitor. Oh well, not that I could handle it. Shadow walked toward the elevator, passing through the G.U.N. robots once again. They aren't looking at him like when he entered. Oh well, they were only robots. It's not like they could help what they did. Might be a good idea to offer a complaint to the designer though.

Oh wait.

He was dead.

And G.U.N. killed him.

Just another reason to always watch his back- even with a good man. . . like Commander Tower to help watch it for him.

Good luck Tower. I'm glad I can trust someone.

I think.