StarFox Chosen SEED
Chapter 1
Inhaled by the Dark Breath to Come
It was as empty as they came, nothing but darkness peering from all sides. Nothing could be heard, at least nothing outside of the engine that circulated throughout the cockpit of the rumbling ship. This had been the case from the time they left the base, losing count of how many hours had passed since the last view of the beautiful skies of her home planet. In the flash of that moment a bright streak of light could be seen from the distance, causing a sudden jump in her position.
She had been surprisingly startled; resting a hand upon her chest as her heart rate gradually fell back to normal standards. After seconds of this she faced forward once more, looking ahead for what was to come. It was at that given second that a loud buzz could be heard, echoing from all sides. A familiar voice patched in soon after, reminding her she wasn't the only one traveling through this dark field of space.
"This is commander Gurich," A calming voice spoke. "Elton, Markos, Selaxsis… do you all read?"
"Elton here, loud and clear sir."
"Markos also reporting, it's been a smooth one."
A long pause followed after those first words were spoken.
"Selaxsis… report," Commander Gurich repeated "Is everything alright?"
Hearing her name called for a second time snapped her back into the brink of the mission, taking little time for her to respond to the transmitted message.
"Yes," Selaxsis finally answered. "Everything's a go."
"Very good, now listen up everyone," Commander Gurich began. "We're now within minutes of reaching the last known location of our missing comrades."
"Bout time," Elton remarked. "I was getting the vibe we'd be surfing through here for days."
"I want all eyes on deck, this area of the space system has not been documented."
"No need to worry Commander G," Markos assured. "We were all briefed heavily on the matter just as you."
"Commander, is there a certain formation you'd like for us to take moving on from here on out?" Selaxsis asked.
"Not necessarily, let's just keep within forty yards of one another," Commander Gurich said in response. "I'd like for us to remain as close as possible, in the case something unexpected erupts."
"Loud and clear."
"Let's put a mute to things, we'll continue discussions further once we've reached the given coordinance."
There was nothing further that needed to be said, all following in accordance with his instructions. Commander Gurich could clearly be seen picking up in speed, resulting in the others doing the same. The path seemed to become darker the longer they moved on, finding it hard to see what was in the distance far and near. The reason for this was soon answered shortly after, finding themselves passing through a mild asteroid field. They carefully maneuvered their way along. They came in different sizes, even moved at different speeds. This resulted in cautious flying, taking minutes before they found their way out past the excitement.
"This is it," Commander Gurich radioed. "We're within one hundred twenty kilometers of where their last transmission was sent from."
Focus was now at its height, all eyes sharply looking for anything to be found in the dark atmosphere ahead. As gloomy as it was in the area, the stars in the far distance made for a clear path to follow. It was at that given moment that several objects registered to the radar, objects which were the size of the battle jets they themselves were currently using.
"Commander," Selaxsis radioed. "Are you picking this up?"
"I think we all are." Elton said.
"There's thirty two in all." Markos said quickly taking count.
"The same amount for how many of our allies went missing," Commander Gurich added. "This is it, stay close."
They slowed up in speed just enough, keeping all eyes on the radar as they did. And within a minute what they believed to be the missing fighter jets, was soon confirmed. They were all within thirty yards of one another, simply floating from one area to another.
"They're all here." Selaxsis said being the first to speak.
"Something is seriously not right," Markos said. "I tried sending a message to several of their ships, why isn't anyone responding?"
"You can say that again," Elton said. "I just got done trying the same."
"That makes three of us," Commander Gurich said. "Let's move in, keep extreme caution."
"Yes sir."
Everyone did as instructed once more. Her grip tightened around the wheel, tension clearly rising. She took to the right with the others heading further left, heading straight for the closest jet in the clear. It didn't take long for her to reach it, pulling up next to it before settling in. Her first move was to shine a light across, quickly coming to discover something.
"Commander," Selaxsis radioed. "There's no one inside the cockpit."
"Same on my end." Elton said reporting as well.
"That seems to be the case all over." Markos added.
"What in the world is going on?!" Commander Gurich exclaimed.
"Running a scan now sir." Selaxsis said.
She tapped a sequence of numbers on the control panel which linked her server to the ship across, scanning the ship for anything that could potentially lead to some answers. This process took a little over a minute before results were reached.
"Selaxsis reporting… there's something strange."
"What is it?" Elton said being the first to question.
"There's been no breech, no damages either… everything's completely sealed."
"What are you trying to say?"
"There's no way anyone could have ejected from this fighter jet," Selaxsis replied. "It's almost as if… if they disappeared."
"Disappeared," Markos stated. "That's impossible, there's no one who can do that… let alone a small army like we had here."
A chilling sound struck at that given time, sending a thrilling vibration throughout their bodies. All were reluctant to say anything at first, taking seconds for Gurich to speak.
"It's alright, I'm sure it was just a lot of passing space rocks."
"What now commander?" Selaxsis asked.
"We report in," Commander Gurich said in response. "I'm sure the General is eagerly awaiting an update on the situation."
"What exactly are we to report back," Elton questioned. "We don't have an answer for what's conspired here."
"You leave that to me to handle." Commander Gurich replied.
In the heat of that moment a bright flash erupted, causing each of them to look ahead. It only appeared as a strand of light at first glance, appearing to be that of flowing energy after glancing at it further.
"... What is that?" Markos questioned.
"Don't know, but the radar is going delirious right now." Elton stated.
"Commander, what's your call?" Selaxsis asked.
"We'll retreat, and back track once whatever this is passes by."
Before any of the four got the chance to move the yellow energy of light noticeably picked up in speed as it approached, widening in the process.
"What?!"
It was moving too rapidly for them to out run it, too wide to fly around it... it was now where the inevitable kicked in, fear. The rate at which her heart raced was now at its max, staring the fate of uncertainty as it approached. The yellow energy of death hit with an immense force, feeling as if her flesh was being peeled from her structure, her heart from where it lay in confinement. She let out one subtle cry, a cry which was the eclipsed with complete darkness.
A great deal of preparation had been put in; much sacrifice... had the time finally come? The space was nearly pitch dark, the only light finding its way into the room was that from a cracked door across the way. He had been sitting in the emptiness of the room for a time, waiting for an update on what he hoped would be the final trial. To his pleasure a soft knock came from the other side of the door, giving off a grunt which gave them the signal to come in. The door was pushed wide, looking ahead to see a man in a space suit standing before him. He first took to a nee before proceeding to speak.
"... My lord, I come with a message."
"At ease CelZat." The man hidden behind the dark spoke.
He stood back to his feet in response to this.
"It was a success, three were wiped clean with the fourth serving as our intel."
"And their response?"
"None yet, but if they do we'll send another." Celzat said only to be cut off.
"No, our rings of power have proven their purpose in our path in gaining control of the gems."
"Of course, I stand corrected... What now my lord?"
"Send unit two to the first location we discussed, you'll lead unit one to the third."
"Understood, will that be all?"
"Remain blooded soldier, war may be unavoidable."
"Yes..."
"You're relived."
He nodded, closing the door on his way out like it had been before entering. He sat there for the longest time after, reflecting on what had been reported before standing to his feet.
"If all goes accordingly... no force will stand to the power source of the Yin, but before that the Yang line must be set in place."
It was a time of uncertainty, the feeling of the worst circulating throughout his mind as he sat in wait. It had been two days, two long days since he had heard from them… what had happened? The door to the large room opened soon after, causing a stir with his emotions between the relief of getting an update and the fear of the worst. An anthropomorphic bear dressed in military attire entered, wasting no time in heading toward him.
"General, I've been sent to deliver some news."
"Stal, is this in regards to Gurich's latest mission?"
"Yes sir… General, we can't seem to get in contact with him or any of those who were assigned," Stal informed. ".. They've gone missing like the others."
Nothing was said in the moments that past, nothing but silence.
"… General?"
"We need to call in reinforcements."
"I don't feel that is necessary, I could lead a." Stal began only to be cut off.
"No, we've lost enough… we can't afford to lose anyone else."
"Then what do you propose we do," Stal exclaimed. "We can't just sit here and do nothing!"
"And we won't, I'll call in for a helping hand."
"And by that, what did you have in mind?"
"The one I've trusted in countless of times, the one whom many have counted on."
"No… don't tell me you're thinking of him," Stal growled. "Relying on him shows a sign of weakne."
Yet again he was cut short before he could express his thoughts.
"Enough Stal, I've made my decision… and that's final."
"Yes… General Pepper."
"Stal, go and alert the academy." General Pepper instructed.
"What shall I tell them?"
"Let them know I will be sending in Star Fox to see to this matter."
"Yes.. sir."
To Be Continued