Chapter Text
Espio pressed himself against the cold metal wall, his form fading into near invisibility as his camouflage activated, the faint hum of old machinery echoing steadily through the hallway as he listened for any sign of movement.
“Espio, report,” Shadow the Hedgehog’s voice came through the earpiece, calm and direct.
“I’m in,” Espio whispered, his gaze already scanning ahead. “No activity so far.”
“Well done. Now what do you see?” Rouge the Bat followed, her tone confident as ever.
“A long hallway with two paths ahead—just like you said.”
“Good. Take the left route. It should lead you straight toward the main sector.”
There was a brief pause, faint static filling the silence before Shadow spoke again.
“Do you remember what to do?”
Espio didn’t hesitate.
“Follow your orders.”
“Good.”
-x-
As Espio pushed himself off the wall and began moving forward, silent and controlled, his mind briefly drifted back to when all of this had started, only a few days earlier, when Shadow and Rouge had arrived at the Chaotix Detective Agency with an offer that had been difficult to refuse.
Vector had welcomed them in without a second thought, their financial situation alone making the decision for him, as rent and food had already stretched their limits and even basic utilities like water and heating had become uncertain, especially with the cold nights settling in.
Charmy had been the first to respond, excitement written all over him as he imagined all the snacks he could buy with the reward, while Espio had remained more composed, studying the situation carefully.
“It must be quite the special mission for you to come to us,” he had said, his tone measured. “With you and Shadow, I doubt this is about brute strength or just extra help.”
Rouge had simply smiled and confirmed his suspicion, explaining that while they could have handled the mission alone, Espio’s specific abilities made things significantly easier, though Vector’s enthusiasm had been cut short the moment Shadow made it clear that Espio was the only one they needed.
The reasoning had been simple enough: an old base belonging to Dr. Eggman, its systems mostly inactive, yet still equipped with security measures that required someone capable of entering completely undetected.
Espio had understood immediately. “You want me to infiltrate the base using my camouflage.”
Shadow actually allowed a faint smile at that, seemingly relieved he didn’t have to explain everything twice.
“You catch on fast.”
The following night at G.U.N. headquarters had been quieter and more focused, as the three of them went over the plan in detail without the usual interruptions of his teammates, and while Espio valued them deeply, he couldn’t deny that the clarity of the moment allowed him to absorb every detail with complete focus.
The mission itself had been straightforward—enter the base, locate the main computer, connect the USB device, and leave—simple enough in theory, and for once structured in a way that left little room for error.
“You’re a good listener,” Shadow had remarked during the briefing, his voice cutting through the quiet as Espio felt that same sharp, evaluating gaze resting on him.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s see how capable you are during the mission.” With that, Shadow turned and walked toward the door.
“I won’t let you down.”
Shadow stopped for a brief moment.
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”
Then he made his exit.
Shadow had always been someone Espio found difficult to understand; he didn’t quite know how Rouge—or Sonic the Hedgehog, for that matter—managed it so easily. But perhaps during this mission, he would have a chance to learn more about him, his gaze lingering briefly on the doorway Shadow had just passed through.
“Looks like Shadow likes you,” Rouge said with a teasing smile.
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
“Don’t worry about it. Come on—I’ll show you the way out. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
-x-
“Now make a left,” Rouge’s voice crackled through the earpiece, pulling Espio back into the present as he continued down the corridor without breaking stride. “You’re doing great, sweetheart—just like we discussed.”
Espio gave a small nod, even though they couldn’t see it. He didn’t need them to repeat the plan; he had memorized every step, every turn, every possible outcome.
A sharp tone followed shortly after.
“G.U.N. is calling—I have to take this,” Rouge said, a hint of annoyance slipping through.
Shadow responded immediately. “Go. I’ll handle it.”
There was a brief pause before Rouge let out a quiet, amused breath. “Try not to scare him off.”
Then the line shifted, leaving only Shadow.
The difference was subtle, but unmistakable.
“Espio,” Shadow’s voice returned, lower now, more focused. “Report.”
“I’ve taken the left route,” Espio replied as he moved deeper into the base, his steps soundless against the metal floor. “Still no resistance.”
“Stay alert. It may be an old base, but it’s still one of Dr. Robotnik’s.”
Espio slowed slightly, not out of uncertainty, but awareness, as his surroundings continued to match the plan with almost unsettling accuracy—the broken panels, the exposed wiring, the flickering lights—all exactly as Rouge had described.
“Just do as I say. Understood?”
“Yes, Shadow.”
A brief pause followed as Espio waited, hearing the faint sound of Shadow taking a measured breath before continuing.
“Proceed.”
“I will.”
Espio continued forward, his movements becoming more deliberate as he adjusted his pace, his training guiding every step as he passed through corridor after corridor without triggering a single response.
No alarms.
No traps.
Nothing.
And yet, the absence of danger only made the silence feel heavier. He wouldn’t call the place creepy, but it would have felt different if his teammates were there with him.
After a few more turns, the narrow hallway opened into a larger room, and Espio slowed as he took in the space before him. Rows of old terminals lined the walls, their screens flickering faintly, while at the center stood the main computer unit.
Even Espio could tell the machines were outdated, a thick layer of dust covering both the floor and the screens.
“I’ve reached the main room,” he said quietly.
“That’s your target. Make sure you clear the room first,” Shadow confirmed.
Espio stepped inside, his attention fixed on the central terminal as he moved closer, every sense still alert despite the lack of any visible threat.
“The room appears clear.”
“Good.”
Espio didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.
As he reached the terminal, he extended his hand toward it, stopping just short of contact as he allowed himself one final moment to listen, to feel for anything that might reveal itself within the stillness.
“Find a port for the USB. Once you do, plug it in—the systems should still be connected, so it won’t matter where.”
For a brief moment, only the hum of the base filled the silence.
“I’ve found one. I’m inserting the USB.”
As Espio connected the device, the old computer flickered to life, its screen dimly illuminating the room as layers of dust shifted with the sudden activation. He wiped part of the screen clean to get a better look, watching as unfamiliar data began transferring across it.
He could tell the USB was working—but beyond that, the system was difficult to interpret.
Technology had never been his strong suit.
Not like Tails… or, realistically, most others.
“Stay in position,” Shadow instructed. “Wait for my signal before removing it. No unnecessary movement.”
“Understood.”
As Espio waited for the USB to finish its work, the door behind Shadow slid open and Rouge stepped back in, letting out an exaggerated sigh.
“I swear this place would collapse without me,” she said dramatically, though there was a hint of humor in her voice.
Shadow simply huffed in response.
“Anyway,” Rouge continued, crossing her arms lightly, “how is our spy doing?”
“I must admit,” Shadow said after a brief pause, “you made the right call hiring Espio.”
Rouge raised a brow, a smirk forming almost instantly. “Did I really just hear you admit I was right? He must be good at what he does.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Shadow replied flatly. “But yes.”
Even he couldn’t deny that the plan had gone smoothly so far. Espio wasn’t someone who had ever particularly caught his attention before—if anything, he had always found the Chaotix more annoying than useful.
But Espio was different.
“He knows how to follow orders,” Shadow continued, his voice lowering slightly, “and how to execute them properly.”
Rouge hummed softly, nodding along, more amused than surprised. She was simply glad Shadow wasn’t being his usual brooding self for once, missing the subtle glint in his eyes as he spoke.
Shadow stepped back toward the microphone.
“Espio, report.”
It didn’t even take a second.
“Still at the same location,” Espio the Chameleon responded.
“Have you moved?”
“No.”
“Good. Then remove the USB and make your way back to G.U.N. headquarters.”
Shadow stepped away from the console again, folding his arms as his thoughts drifted for a moment.
“Sonic would have left the computer already to run off somewhere,” he said, mostly to himself, “Tails would have tried to look around the base for metal scraps.”
His gaze shifted slightly.
“Even you probably would’ve gone off on your own.”
Rouge smirked at that.
“But Espio…” Shadow continued, quieter now, “he didn’t move an inch until I told him to.”
“I know,” Rouge replied, clearly pleased. “I had a feeling you’d like him.”
A brief pause followed.
“…Yeah,” Shadow admitted.
Rouge stepped forward, gently nudging Shadow aside from the microphone with playful insistence.
“Alright, commander, let me handle this part,” she said, slipping back into her usual tone. “Espio, sweetheart, are you there? Like Shadow said, you can leave the base now. I’ll guide you back out.”
A brief pause.
“Copy that.”
With the USB secured, Espio turned without hesitation and began making his way back through the corridors, his movements just as silent and precise as before.
Shadow remained where he was, arms still folded, his gaze lingering on the console.
...
…He really did like him.