Authors note:
Hello everyone,
I am starting this new story because I honestly believe that this new plot I have come up with more straightforward and just cleaner than my previous story, A Wolf's Tail. For now, the story is still up, but depending on the reaction to this new idea I have I might delete it later. I found myself growing more and more unhappy with the story as I wrote it and just decided to discontinue it for now.
For those of you who are unhappy with the decision, make sure to let me know, as I will be monitoring both stories to see how both stories compare and how many people like this new idea.
For those of you who never read my previous story, don't worry about it if you don't want to read it either.
This story contains some use of strong language, violence and adult themes. You have been warned, though it really shouldn't be anything to jarring. Also, some of the technology will be made up, and most characters as well will also be made up. But all characters, technology, and settings original to the Star Fox franchise belongs to Nintendo.
As always, please offer constructive criticism and comments, as both are greatly appreciated and can help the story out.
Thank you for reading,
-ThatRandomWriter32
Service
By ThatRandomWriter32
Episode 1: Drafted PT.1
A group of four dogs marched through the concrete and steel maze of the Atticus Containment Center accompanied by the Warden of the prison. All four carried MLR-14 laser rifles* and wore gray jumpsuits accompanied by white laser bolt-proof vests, white riot helmets and tall, steel toed boots. The warden, a short yet stout looking red fox, simply wore his red cornerian military uniform and strode around along in the middle of the group.
They were heading towards an elevator at the end of the hallway to take them down to the high security area of the prison, which was already built to hold the worst of the worst. Yet, due to the somewhat recent destruction of Corneria and the lack of concrete order surrounding its inhabitants, the prison was more filled than usual. Jeering by the various inmates at the warden and guards had been growing as they marched down the center of one of the prison blocks. The words shouted at them ranged from direct insults and threats to rude jokes and innuendos about the warden's wife. It was all the things that he had heard many times before over his 20 year career, so it barely phased him.
They finally entered and sighed in relief when the loud jeering was replaced by the quiet humming of the elevator as the made their way down 300ft into the rocky ground to the maximum security part of the prison. The gray steel doors slid open and revealed a lone hallway with a boxed in security center on the left of the elevator entrance and multiple robotic turrets lining the ceiling. Only 10 cells were in here, and all 10 of which were occupied. A bulldog from the security booth called out to the group through a speaker in the thick glass windows.
"Warden Oscar, sir. What do you need today?"
"Please open cell 5 at the end of the hallway, gentlemen."
"Of course sir, I'll get the opening process started."
The guard pressed a couple buttons on his control console and instantly yellow lights above cell 5 lit up, and two little doors on the doorframe opened, revealing two small keyholes. It was standard practice for this area that two personnel would have to turn keys at the same time to fully unlock the door. The warden turned his master key into the lock on the side of the hexagonal metal door and with him on the right, a guard turned his. The door clicked, then slid up, fully opening the room up. The guards walked in and barked out commands, their rifles all pointing at one tall wolf standing in the center of the room. The one-eyed canine simply grinned and raised his hands above his head.
"Well isn't this just a fun surprise warden! Is it my birthday already? Or are you here to take me up and pump some chemicals into me?"
This was definitely a surprise for the wolf. He had really just woken up from his cot and was reading over Knuckleberry Kinn for the 5th time when the yellow light appeared in his cell that indicated to get ready as someone was about to come in. He was supposed to face the wall with his hands up but at this point he couldn't have cared less. He had been stuck in his stuffy cell for about 2 years now with practically nothing to do but play chess with a computer and read practically ancient books; getting shot or beat up by a guard might at least get him out of there for a little bit.
"Listen up you old scoundrel, your presence has been requested with the General. So it would be wise of you to come with us without fighting or causing a ruckus, understand?"
"Awww warden, don't call me old, it hurts my feelings. I'm only...just about 28 now, I think."
"I hurt more than that if you don't shut up, grab what you want, and get going!"
"Easy chief, it's not like I have a lot to grab anyway."
Wolf walked over to his small chest they allowed him to have and began to go through it, picking out some old purple bandannas, some magazines of the "Adult" variety, some old books and a journal of his. Smiling, the wolf walked over to the warden like an eager child with his hands full of toys, and stood right in front of him. A guard jumped in front of him and warned Wolf to back away, but the 6'3" figure towered over the smaller bulldog with ease and simply looked down at him. The warden pushed the guard out of the way calmly, and, upon further study of the objects wolf brought over, stared with disgust into Wolf's hand.
"Hey! Where did you get those magazines anyway? We both know those are contraband!"
"Places. Don't you worry your little mind about it, Oscar. Don't act like you or the guards don't look at the ones you cease, Mr. Clean."
"Hey don't call me...No...we don't… you shouldn't...ugh! Just...just get his stuff please…"
Sighing and pinching the bridge of his snout, already tired of Wolf's idea of humor which he has had to deal with for 2 years and just wanted him out, signaled for the guards to grab Wolf's processions, which one of them grabbed the magazines by the corner with a disgusted look on his face, and put them into a box along with everything else Wolf managed to keep with him.
"Whatever, let's just get out of here gentleman, we have an appointment to make."
Another guard handcuffed his arms together in the front and took him by the arm, leading him out into the hallway. Before they left however, Wolf looked back. This was it, he may have been leaving this hallway for good, or maybe just for a couple years. He didn't trust this fully. He knew that the General had some deal for him to make, it was obvious. Probably to take out some bandits somewhere using his knowledge of the underground and then throw him back in for a reduced sentence. That's what they always did, probably.
The group of various dogs with Wolf in the center together retook the elevator up and went through the same hall that they did earlier, with many of the inmates yelling their goodbyes and questions to Wolf and Wolf waving back to them the best he could like a celebrity before the warden forced his hands back down.
"Where are you going Wolf?"
"Where the hell are they taking him? They didn't schedule him to die, did they?"
"Hey Wolf, remember me on the other side!"
"Don't worry boys, the army is just taking me on a fun vacation cruise for my birthday!"
The hall erupted with laughter and waving and some people jokingly singing the standard Happy Birthday song. The warden rolled his eyes and barked out orders for the inmates to keep quiet. They all let out one more collective goodbye before the escort entered into the hanger bay of the prison.
The hanger bay was pretty empty except for a medium sized transport vessel that was pretty much just a trapezoid with wings and 6 engines in the back, and a couple Cornerian fighters along side of it as an escort. Various pilots and personnel who passed by the group looked with wide eyes at the tower of a wolf that walked towards the ship. Wolf flashed a toothy grin at all of them and raised both his bound hands to wave to them.
When they got to the bottom of the transport's loading ramp, a larger contingent of soldiers stood along the ramp, guns and tasers ready for any move Wolf might make. A gray and black husky officer stood at the top, his height similar to Wolf's. Various metals covered his chest, a golden colored aiguillette** strung over his shoulder and to the center of his uniform. His scolding gold eyes stared at Wolf, his overall tall and bold figure creating an aura of seriousness and intimidation around him.
"Did you boys roll out the parade for little ol' me? This has all just been wonderful commander. Not even my own parents threw me parties like this!"
The husky gave him a death glance that could have burned a hole in the back of his skull and grabbed him by his collar, pulling him over eye to eye with him.
"You're lucky that I'm not going to stoop to your kinds level and beat the shit out of you for speaking out like that. The government wants you in one piece, and I intend to follow that order. Though know this, Wolf, that if it were my decision, I would just have you hanged right here, right now."
"Well it is not your decision, is it? Clearly someone higher on the food chain likes me."
The Major let out a loud growl and was right about to sock him in the face despite his personal honor and orders when the pilot called out on his communicator.
"Major Harrison, sir, we are expected to leave in 5 minutes. We had better be going for take off now, sir."
"Alright lieutenant, get our guest situated."
He then let go of Wolf and stepped to the side, going down the ramp as Wolf was lead in and the soldiers followed in suite. As he reached the bottom he met up with the warden, who was picking at his gloves nervously before the pair saluted each other.
"Major Harrison."
"Warden Oscar. How has he been while staying here?"
"Eh, pretty much the same as he is now. The same sarcastic, cynical asshole he always was since they dropped him off here. Any idea why the General wants him?"
"Very little. All I know is that it has to do with the desperate need for manpower at this time. We all know how costly that damn invasion was on all of us."
The warden nodded somberly. "Strange to think nearly 3 years ago that hell opened up. Damn Apariods nearly destroyed everything, if it wasn't for Star Fox and, well kind of ironically-"
"Our brave men, right warden? I fail to see what is so 'ironic' about that."
"Well them of course, but we have to also at least acknowledge the-"
The smaller fox was cut off by a sudden growling Harrison as he put his hand over the wardens mouth, stopping him from speaking at all. His other hand made a shushing gesture while the muscular, well defined head of the Major turned side to side.
The loud whining of the whirring engines behind the two filled the hanger, and soon another message urging Major Harrison to board came through his radio. He let go of the small fox's muzzle and walked towards the ship, the ramp hydraulics of the ramp groaning and as they lifted and closed the entrance. He shot a disapproving glance over at Wolf as he passed him by on his way to the cockpit. Harrison took a seat in the cockpit next to the crews navigator, took off his cap and sighed as the ship began to rise up into the air.
"How long again till we reach New Corneria City?"
"Eta is approximately 3 hours, sir. We have to make some detours to make sure no one is following us. It is standard procedure, sir."
The Major glanced back through the window in the door to the cockpit and saw Wolf sitting between two large guards, seemingly trying to talk to them and laughing to himself. Everyone else kept a stern look of annoyance.
"Ugh, 3 hours with him. Those poor bastards need a raise."
"Is something wrong with him Major?"
"What's wrong is that damned wolf has lost his mind, and now the government wants him for something. Lylus help us."
As the shuttle left the hanger and the area grew quiet again, the Warden stood and watched it climb up to altitude over the seemingly endless jungle while rubbing his muzzle where Harrison had grabbed him. A nearby female labrador guard noticed the warden looking somewhat distressed and approached him.
"Sir, is something wrong, sir?"
He looked over to her and began to walk away from the now closing doors of the hanger area.
"I sure hope those damn armchair generals know what they are doing."
New Corneria City, 13:24 SCT***.
The transport glided slowly into the landing area near New Corneria City, coming close to the various rubble and hole filled structures still yet to be repaired. New Corneria City was the same location as its predecessor, but the title of "new" was given as a way to establish hope that the Cornerians would rise out again and establish themselves in a new society.
While most office buildings and hotels in the center were cleaned up and rebuilt, many of the old buildings around the outskirts still sat in decay, the native Cornerians trying their hardest to still go on with their lives like it had been before. Small markets and relief buildings were the only fully clean and built structures around. Other old apartment buildings still had boarded up windows and caution tape. The streets still had signs of craters and pebbles left behind, and some sidewalks remained cracked and bent. It was on these sidewalks that many waited in breadlines or to buy supplies using ration tickets while the farms and factories were slowly, but steadily, re-establishing themselves.
It was conditions like this that inspired a wave of crime in mainly the younger people and veterans who felt betrayed by the Government who, until recently, sat in a space station to govern. The result of this was much of the remains of the Cornerian Military was posted on the streets instead of being on other planets to keep the peace, stretching the forces out thin.
The landing struts of the transport touched down with a mighty thud while the engines spooled down. Two black armored SUVs drove up while the guards walked out with Wolf in hand. Civilians were gathered at the fence of the compound, trying to catch a glimpse of someone who they had once been told was a ruthless criminal monster. Shortly after the Major walked out as well wearing black sunglasses and strutted out towards the cars.
As they packed Wolf and his processions into the first SUV and two guards got in with him, a modest looking hound officer in the second car got out and greeted the major with a salute. They saluted each other for a couple seconds before shaking hands and getting into the car together. A raccoon in a full black suit on the outside knocked twice on the window, and the motorcade was off towards the center of the capital.
"Major Harrison, sir. How was the trip?"
"It was a trip Corporal, and we still have awhile to go. How was everything here?"
"The usual, sir. Does it seem like Wolf is going to comply with us at all?"
"The bastards lost his mind, I think. Either that or he is trying to spite us. I think this was a massive waste of time and resources. All he is probably gonna do is flip off the General and stick his tongue out at him like a little brat."
"With all due respect sir, I think we should give Wolf a little more of a chance. He did help Star Fox ou-"
The husky shot him daggers and got into the hounds face, lowering his sunglasses slowly.
"-out of nothing. Yes, that's right. Star Fox did most of it, right?"
"No! You idiot! It was us who did everything, not any dirty mercenary group."
The hound gulped and quickly looked out the window.
"My! Would you look at that sir. We are almost at headquarters already, sir."
Harrison backed off and also looked out the window, seeing a large glass tower with multiple flags surrounding the fountain memorial in the front. The building featured special armored glass and multiple defenses, and was one of the first buildings completed during reconstruction. The two cars pulled up to a side entrance which took them into an underground garage, and came to a stop near the curb. Taking one last look at the hound officer before the door was opened for him, he left with his head held high and stretched. Seeing Wolf get pushed out and lead through the automatic glass doors, he sighed and followed suit, straightening his uniform.
"Here we go…"
*The MLR-14 Laser Rifle- A newer age laser rifle made by the Phoenix Corporation bought in large quantities by the military. Designed to be an all purpose medium range rifle, it can effectively kill up to about 700 yards (0.64km), and effectively stun to about 400 yards (0.37km).
**An Aiguillette is the rope sash worn by high ranking officials in the military meant to show position or a particular honor.
***Standard Cornerian Time. Basically what I am using as the basic time range of this story as I figure that a story involving multiple planets and traveling can make the idea of time difficult.