F r a m e d
-chapter one-
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By Kattz Maricle
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Through the sky of Corneria, an Arwing of the same make and model as those used by Star Fox flew steadily toward Corneria City. The Arwing is both decorated and is of the same design as well. As the jet entered the city, a volley of hyper laser fire erupted from it, barraging all ground transportation units that it could find. Releasing a smart bomb, the Arwing demolished a nearby building as it flew past at a high speed.
Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the Arwing ceased its destruction and fired its boosters, jetting out of the city.
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On the Great Fox, the members of Star Fox were enjoying, for once, a moment of relaxation. Peppy Hare was sitting in a chair in the Great Fox's lounge room and was reading a newspaper that he had gotten the day before. He never had the time to read it until now. Falco was in the gym area practicing his aim with his laser pistol. Slippy was in the docking bay working on his Arwing. As for Fox, he was sitting in an armchair in the lounge area, though he wasn't reading a newspaper like Peppy was. He had his arms crossed behind his head and his feet propped up, immersed in sleep.
Peppy looked over the top of his day old paper at Fox and chuckled. Fox was so much like his father and didn't even notice it. James McCloud could always be caught taking a nap between missions as if he didn't have a care in the world otherwise.
"Message from General Pepper. Priority one." ROB64, the Great Fox's computer, suddenly blurted.
"Put it through." Peppy said as he stood up and walked over to where a small TV-like screen was. The general of the Cornerian Army's face flashed on the screen. "What is it, general?"
"The Star Fox team is under arrest." General Pepper spoke grimly, his face contorted into a look of anger. "Don't try to escape. Several Cornerian Fighters are already outside the Great Fox."
Peppy went wide-eyed. "What's this about? We haven't done anything wrong. You must be joking."
"I'm not joking. Look at this." On the screen appeared a recording of an Arwing destroying ground units lining the Cornerian City's streets. Peppy watched as a smart bomb struck a building, demolishing most of the upper floors and setting the rest of it aflame.
Pepper's face came back on the screen.
"That Arwing had Star Fox's insignia on it. Are you telling me that fighter was not one of Star Fox's?"
"We've been in Katina space all day, sir. It couldn't possibly - "Peppy insisted.
"Until Star Fox can prove their innocence - "
"Sir - "
"- Cornerian prison awaits all of you." Pepper finished. "Prepare to be boarded and taken into custody."
The screen went blank. Peppy just stood there, stunned as to what had just happened. When he turned around, he saw Fox staring at him, standing not far away. By the look on his face he, too, had heard everything that had been said. Also, by the look on his face, he didn't believe a single word of it.
"Well, Fox?" Peppy asked.
Fox's look went to one of determination. Peppy had seen that look many times before. "We can't find out the truth if we're in prison."
"What can we do? We know we're all innocent."
"We have to find somewhere to run to right now."
"You're running from the Cornerian Army? Fox, that's crazy!" Peppy exclaimed. "Even your father wouldn't have done something like that!"
Fox turned and ran to the bridge of the Great Fox, ignoring his friend's pleas.
"ROB, use your boost! Head for Sector X!" Fox commanded ROB64.
Outside, the Cornerian Fighters watched as the Great Fox fired its boosters and started to move away at a fast rate. The squadron leader ordered the fighters to immediately begin firing, but the lasers bounced off the Great Fox's hull harmlessly. Before the fighters could persue, space mines were ejected out the back of the Great Fox.
The fighters put on the brakes hard, slowing just in time before they got close enough to the mines to detonate them. They could only watch as the Great Fox flew away.