Chapter One

"Ah, General Hare. Good to hear from you, old friend," spoke the image of Dash Bowman, the young but effective Prime Minister of the planet Venom, from the transmission screen.

General Peppy Hare leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands around his cane. "I certainly can't argue with the "old" statement," he said. "Which is why I requested this meeting. I'm not getting any younger, and with the passing of General Pepper…"

"Rest his soul," Bowman interjected, bowing his head respectfully.

"Yes. The passing of General Pepper has only made me realize my own mortality. Things will be coming to an end here for me at any time now, and it's best that I have a proper successor to my position, one that is fully trained and ready for the responsibility before I leave this world."

"Sir, are you suggesting your retirement?" Bowman asked

"That is exactly what I'm suggesting."

Bowman nodded. "Now is a good of time as any. The Lylat System is finally at peace. Venom has returned to its natural state, and our militaries are a strong allied force. There have been no real threats to our tranquility in years."

Peppy hesitated before replying. Yes, all had been quiet, perhaps too quiet. Even amongst the peace, he sensed a growing unease for a long time. Maybe it was all in his head, what with his shaky history with Lylat's now renowned Star Wolf team, who had gone from an amoral rogue squadron-for-hire to forerunners of the CDF, and he still could not forget the fact that Dash Bowman came from the same bloodlines as Andross, the insane simian who'd made several attempts to overthrow the Lylat System.

"Yes," he finally said. "Yes, I suppose you're right."

Bowman smiled sadly. "Do you feel it to, sir? I cannot deny there is still an air of uncertainty, or distrust, among the galaxy. I feel it myself. I know there are still whispers throughout our planets' populations, but I assure you all intentions are good."

Peppy smiled back. "Prime Minister Bowman, we have always said you are not only a brave, intelligent, and skilled leader, but you're also intuitive with a pure heart. You have yet to prove us wrong."

"Thank you, sir. So, who do you have in mind as successor? Colonel Bill Grey, I suppose? He would make a fine leader."

Peppy nodded. "Colonel Grey has been chosen. He will begin training tomorrow." He paused, then finally asked, "Have you heard from Fox McCloud recently?"

"Last I heard, he and his most recent team did a small job on Eladard. It was more of a 'domestic disturbance', really. That was awhile ago, I haven't heard too much about them for oh, a couple years now. They do odd jobs here and there, apparently Fox spends most of his spare time entering the races, I hear he's not too bad on a good day." He cocked his head curiously at Peppy. "Were you considering him for General?"

"Fox McCloud is an ideal but unrealistic choice at this time. Oh, I understand I'm biased in my thoughts, besides, I can't let the past make decisions for the present and future."

"Well, Colonel Grey is certainly an excellent choice, General Hare, although he does have big shoes to fill, following you."

"I'll always appreciate your support, Bowman," Peppy said genuinely. "And I appreciate you taking your time for this meeting."

"It was no trouble, General Hare. I wish you the best of luck, and look forward to working with Colonel Grey. This is Dash Bowman, signing off." He saluted at Peppy, and the transmission screen went black.

Peppy stared at the blank screen for a moment, then rose from his seat (which, he had to admit, even that task was getting to take a bit of effort) to the large window that overlooked Corneria City. Below, the city was bustling with activity. People walked along the streets, air ships and ground vehicles weaved around skyscrapers. Everything appeared as it should. His eyes lifted to the sky where the sun was setting on the horizon. Soon billions of stars from Lylat and the surrounding systems would begin twinkling through the darkness. As he studied the sky, he thought again of Fox McCloud, of where he was now and if he'd ever see him again. Fox had been in Peppy's life since he was a pup, until the recent years when they drifted apart from each other. Peppy was focused on running the CDF, and Fox did, well, whatever it was that Fox was doing, brooding and racing as the Star Fox team floundered, if the rumors were true.

The Lylat system had been won over by the Star Wolf team, and even though they had yet to give Peppy a reason to doubt them after guiding them over the years, he never felt a closeness with Wolf O'Donnell or any of the other team members. It was strictly business, he supposed the wariness between them would never completely fade. Then there was Star Falco, another star fighter squadron led by another old friend and former team mate of Peppy's- Falco Lombardi. They had become very successful and were too busy adventuring around other systems to bother with old Peppy Hare, it seemed. He really wasn't surprised, it had always been Falco's nature to answer the call of wanderlust and adventure.

He went over to his desk and studied a framed and faded photograph he kept under his lamp. The photo was taken right before Star Fox had set out on their first fateful mission against Andross. Slippy Toad was smiling broadly and waving at the camera, a much younger Peppy wore a professional smile, Falco gazed coolly at something in the distance, and Fox stared intensely at the camera, a slight smirk on his face that made him look very much like his father, James.

"Father?"

Peppy jumped at his daughter's voice. Lucy Hare put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said. "Should I come back later?"

"No, no, you are fine. What did you need, honey?"

"Bill wanted to double check what time he is to report to you tomorrow, and I told him I'd check for him. Seven A.M., correct?"

Peppy gritted his teeth at his daughter's barely contained fondness when she said Bill's name. "Lucy, you should really refer to him as Colonel Grey. And yes, seven A.M."

"Bill doesn't mind, he prefers I call him by his first name."

"Well, I'm your father and I prefer you call him Colonel Grey."

Lucy picked up the photograph. "You really wish that Fox had stuck around so he could take your place, don't you?"

Peppy chuckled. "Either you and Prime Minister Bowman are extrememly intuitive, or I am that obvious."

"You are that obvious," Lucy laughed. "But Father, Fox McCloud is not the man he once was. He's become an unstable, almost reckless leader. Those who do join his team leave shortly after because of that…even me," she said guiltily.

Peppy grasped her hand. "Lucy, darling, you know I don't fault you in any way for leaving Star Fox. You did what was right for you."

"I love you, Father. And I think Bill will do a wonderful job." She bent down and kissed his cheek, then left.

"That's COLONEL Grey, you hear?!" Peppy called after her. Then he leaned back in his seat, his mind still pondering the past, present, and future, and how it would all tie together, when he heard a signal start to come over the transmitter…