Star Fox Alliance
"Danger. Danger."
The team hurtled toward the bridge. If ROB was saying there was danger they had to be briefed before heading out in the Arwings. Fox was in the lead.
"What d'you think is wrong, Fox?" Slippy asked.
"I don't know." He replied. "Things have been quiet since the aparoid invasion."
They entered the bridge. There was no sign of Peppy or ROB.
"What the… Peppy? ROB?" Fox called.
"Subject: Fox McCloud. All signs indicate that Chief Strategist Peppy Hare has had a heart attack."
"Oh my god!" Slippy shouted.
Peppy had fallen forward out of the main chair, that was why none of the team could see him. ROB was bent over him performing a bioscan. Fox jumped towards him.
"Signs indicate that Peppy Hare will die within three minutes if medical attention is not received. Suggestion: Begin cardio-pulmonary resuscitation immediately."
Fox started pushing on Peppy's chest. After a minute or so he spluttered, coughed, and woke up.
"F-Fox…"
"ROB, set a course for Corneria. We need to get Peppy to a hospital. Meanwhile, we gotta get him to the med lab."
It was midnight. Fox was sat in the captain's chair, thinking about Peppy. Everyone knew now, even if they did not vocally express it, that Peppy had to retire. Everyone had been getting a bit stressed about the limited funds, and it had obviously worried Peppy too much.
He sighed, Corneria was taking a very long time to recover after the aparoid attack. It was the most heavily damaged of all the planets attacked, but the death toll was low at least.
"Approaching Corneria. Incoming transmission from Command."
"General Pepper here. What's the situation Fox?"
"It's Peppy…" Fox began. "He's had a heart attack."
"Good Lord. I'll get Corneria General Hospital on standby."
"Thank you sir, but if it helps his levels are stable."
"I'm glad to hear it… How's the rest of the team?"
"OK. Falco is quite settled surprisingly. Slippy is as eccentric as ever. ROB needs a bit of reprogramming…"
"And Krystal?" Pepper smiled knowingly.
Fox, oblivious to Pepper's tone of voice, simply said she was fine.
"One hour until contact with Corneria."
"I'll meet you at the hospital Fox. Pepper out."
Fox sighed again. They had lots to do in so little time. They had to raise money for ship repairs and Peppy's upcoming hospital bills. Though, he imagined that Pepper would use military money for that. After all, Peppy had saved the general's life. Then they had to find a replacement for Peppy. Fox personally wanted Peppy to stay on the Great Fox and do minor jobs, something to keep him busy but not get him stressed.
Krystal walked in in her satin nightgown.
"F-Fox?"
"Krystal! You'll freeze in that!" She went and sat in the flight co-ordinators chair.
"I don't care. I'm worried about Peppy… and you."
"Krystal, you don't have to worry about either of us. Come and sit over here." She walked over and sat on his knee. She shivered with the cold and snuggled up to him. Fox put his arms around her. This was a tradition of theirs. When one of them was depressed or lonely, they would just talk and be close to each other.
"So…" Krystal began. "What's the plan after we drop off Peppy?"
"I need to talk with the general about funds. I need to find a replacement for Peppy. I need to-"
"Stop. There is more than one of us and you are our leader. You can go with Falco to talk with Pepper about funds and Slippy can hold auditions for Peppy's replacement. I'll stay in the Great Fox with ROB."
"OK. Thanks Krystal. Are you sure you don't wanna go with me and Falco?"
He would have to wait for her answer. She had fallen asleep.
I have planned pretty far ahead, and have already written a fair few (longer) chapters. One review until the next one, you know you want to!-Cerberus15