Introduction: Greetings again! Recent reintroduction to the site has brought out some ideas that have been floating around for awhile now. This story is one of my favorites and takes some chances that I was a bit timid about doing before. I always found writing Starfox to be a nice, relaxing way to take a break from more serious work. Also, I uploaded this prologue and Chapter 1 at the same time, so be sure to continue on. NOTE: Like all of my fics, this story takes place in the Starfox 64 universe without inclusion of any sequels and their plot elements. But enough from me...thank you for reading and as always, I hope you enjoy! –Foxmerc

Additional Note: This story includes my original character Gage Birse, featured before in "Vanguard" and "The Mercenary Wars." He shows up early but don't worry if you don't know who that is, all of my stories unless otherwise noted are independent of each other and self-contained. His friendship with Fox and how it started will be revealed throughout this story.

UPDATE, MAY 2011: Be warned, I just discovered that this site for some reason has eliminated the use of the dash symbol in certain contexts. Since I use the dash symbol for some scene transitions or the passage of time, and also distancing between taglines, this renders certain parts of the story rather confusing since it will appear one scene and the next may run into each other. I will be fixing this as time passes, but a story this long is a large undertaking to find and insert a new symbol where these dashes should be. Please be aware of this as you read. If you want to read "One Death Away" fully without waiting for me to finish the long edit, shoot me a PM and I can email you my original Word copy.

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One Death Away

Foxmerc

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PROLOGUE
Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

General Pepper, Army Special Services

c/o Spc. Sasha Soren, Primary Aide

Special Services HQ, Cornerian Army Complex, Corneria City

For release to public press

LDC VANGUARD, FLAGSHIP OF THE LYLAT DEFENSE COALITION, EMBARKS ON MAIDEN VOYAGE.

Cornerian Army Special Operations Command director General Pepper is proud to announce on behalf of the Lylat Defense Coalition that the LDC Vanguard has set off on its maiden voyage across the galaxy. At a press conference on Katina, surrounded by representatives of the LDC (pictured left to right; Macbeth, Fortuna, Titania, Katina, Zoness. Aquas absent due to domestic urgency) General Pepper spoke for the council to an audience of diplomats and the galactic press.

"It is with great pleasure, pride, and hope that the Lylat Defense Coalition sends this vessel into active status. The LDC Vanguard is the culmination of years of diplomatic support and is a true testament to the shared goal of all free people of Lylat: a safe, peaceful galaxy.

"Since the fall of Emperor Andross' regime, diplomats from every planet have come forth with the realization that the fate of Lylat is a fate we all share. Thus, the best engineers, astrophysicists, scientists, and craftsmen from across the galaxy have united to create a new class of capital ship: the Titan. The LDC Vanguard is the only ship of its kind, a Titan class, the pinnacle of modern space travel. With an unrivaled onboard jump drive and shield system, housing for thousands of crew members, a fleet of warships in its bays, and size comparable to a small city, the LDC Vanguard is a mobile military and science headquarters. The people of Lylat can sleep easy knowing that a force like Andross', a force able to threaten our homelands, will be swiftly confronted before it can expand.

"The LDC has recently been petitioned from the esteemed representative from Zoness to my right regarding increased pirate activity in the lawless deadspace around Venom and the vessel graveyard of Area 6. It has been unanimously decided that the Vanguard's first assignment, with the bridge under the command of the honored Admiral McGarret, will be to assess any threat in the region and retaliate accordingly. The Vanguard will send a strong message to the rogue elements from Andross' army as well as the many pirate gangs and mercenary thugs that prey on the citizens of Lylat.

"Given that this is the first mission for the Vanguard, the LDC has opted for every possible safeguard. The Cornerian Third Marine Battalion will travel as the ship's active ground force, with advisement from the commander of the Army's elite Dagger unit. Air support will be provided by onboard pilots from every planet under the command of the Bulldog squadron from Katina. In addition, the StarFox mercenary group, oft-proven ally of Lylat, has offered to fly escort for no charge. We figured a chance at some publicity alone would hook them in."

This earned the general some laughter from the reporters and attending diplomats before his face again turned stoic.

"This mission will undoubtedly prove that the combined efforts of the free people of Lylat can forever triumph over those that would seek chaos, thievery, and piracy. Together, we can turn the lawless space of Venom, and perhaps the planet itself, into something to be proud of. The pirates are scattered, undisciplined, and greedy; my faith and the faith of the LDC in the Vanguard's mission are unwavering. Godspeed to you, the crew. The hopes, prayers, and encouragement of myself, my colleagues, and the people of Lylat go with you."

As the general saluted and stepped away from the podium, he was met with a thunderous ovation from the other council members of the LDC as well as the audience.

The Lylat Defense Coalition is a diplomatic congregation of representatives from the seven planets of Lylat. Formed after the war with Andross, the Coalition's goal is free diplomatic exchange amongst the allied powers of the Lylat galaxy. Though its beginning years were rife with controversy, hesitancy, and fear, the current adopted rule contract clearly sets each government's sovereignty, protection from outside influence, freedom to act on its own, and admittance into the Coalition by its own will. The LDC is a forum for diplomatic communication, action, and connection in a vast galaxy.

For information regarding the careers of General Pepper and Admiral McGarret as well as pertinent information to freelance unit Starfox, see attached files. Information regarding Bulldog and Dagger units is protected under military classification.

For immediate release.

Galactic press.