(A/N: You know what's sad? Literally two days after finishing Ghosts of Cerinia I had already said I'd wait maybe a week before starting and… here we are. I couldn't take it anymore, that's how bad I am. Anyway, before we start I should explain a few things. One, while you could say this is a sequel, I'm actually intending it to be a tie-in between Ghosts of Cerinia and the story I plan to do afterwards, although for that particular story you probably won't hear about it for quite a while. So let's get started shall we? Also, just for some added entertainment, the song I'm using here is "Awakening (Gui Boratto Remix)" from Halo 4.)
Star Fox
Hornet
Chapter 1: Homecoming
The Cerinian Conflict
*Six months after the Aparoid Invasion, Cornerian scouts located a planet outside the Lylat System matching the profile of the planet Cerinia, which had been destroyed shortly after the Lylat War, reasons unknown. After discovering the planet, the CFC Hornet which had discovered the planet, lost control of its systems and crash landed on the planet. General Pepper, having no other choice, contacts the Star Fox team to investigate the long lost planet.
What they would discover then would put Corneria, along with the entire Lylat System in peril. The Cerinians who many had thought perished had been assimilated into AI constructs due to a bioweapon designed by Andross. Tacitus, the only Cerinian who appeared to survive the outcome of the planet, was planning to use this weapon against the Cornerians in revenge. But thanks to Fox and Krystal, they were able to stop him in time before the entire planet was wiped out. As of now, Tacitus' whereabouts are unknown, nor if he had perished or somehow survived.
Now, one month later, the Hornet returns to the planet to combat an additional threat: the growing presence of pirate forces in that sector. Their mission: stop the pirates at all costs and execute with extreme prejudice…
Salt Pit, Katina; One month later…
Just outside the interrogation roomthe Cornerian official read the file he was given on the newest prisoner:
Jorge Ward – 19
When of age, he joined in on Oikonny's Rebellion but fled back to the Sargasso Region after the Aparoid Invasion. He states that he was part of the group deployed on Cerinia but that his fellow squad mates had been brainwashed into aiding Tacitus. He escaped the planet and went AWOL but was soon picked up by a Cornerian patrol.
The interrogator sighed. "Just another ape willing to sell out his friends for freedom." Still, Jorge was an important asset at the moment and he, the interrogator, had to do his job. He went inside the room where it was dark accept for the light that was shining on Jorge's face. The interrogator sat down and shuffled through the papers he was carrying. "So… Mr. Ward, would you care to explain again what you told officials earlier?"
"Look, I'll tell you what I told them," Jorge said, his tone and quickness of speech suggesting he was nervous. "I had no part in whatever those things were on the planet. We were just told at the beginning to look for resources that would be good for us, ya know? Then all of a sudden this ship comes out of nowhere and my entire group just went off following that ship."
"And not you?"
"No, well, something was telling me, literally a voice in my head," Jorge explained. "Asking to join him, stop the Cornerians. I managed somehow to resist the voice and I just had a horrible feeling about it. I got the hell out of dodge, man."
"I see." The interrogator stared at him, although the ape couldn't see him. "Well, if that is true at least you can be acquitted from being charged with treason, despite your former allegiances, but as you know we do not tolerate piracy on any level and you'll still be spending at least twenty years here." Jorge was silent. "I do have one last question… when was the last time you had seen the Star Wolf team? Wolf O'Donnell, Leon Powalski, or Panther Caroso?"
"Not since before the Aparoid attack on Corneria City," Jorge replied. "Honestly, I can't tell you where he is."
"So they are dead?"
"Oh no. Well, I don't know about Leon or Panther but certainly not Wolf."
The interrogator was a bit surprised. "But… he was last heard to have helped the Star Fox team destroy the Aparoid home planet. In fact most believe they were killed before or by the explosion."
"Look, I don't know them personally but I know about what they did in the past. They're tough for a bunch of pilots, but if Wolf can survive being shot down by Fox McCloud twice, then he can survive anything. Don't ever doubt him."
Cathness, Macbeth
Like many days, it was raining in the city of Cathness. The large city consisted of just as large buildings with screens all over displaying ads of familiar products. People were going to and fro all over the city except for one man who was sitting under the tent, avoiding the rain, enjoying one of his favorite dishes from one of his favorite restaurants.
The main chef stood in front of the man, who was wearing a hood over his face, partly because of the rain but mostly to conceal his face, and asked, "Anything else I can get you?"
The man who was currently eating out of his bowl with chopsticks swallowed and said, "No, that'll be it." He then looked over with his good eye towards the TV in the restaurant where the news was currently being broadcasted.
"In other news, word of the planet Cerinia's return is no longer a surprise to many but the Cornerian government has confirmed that pirate forces are now becoming a larger threat to Cornerian society."
The man's hood fell back slightly, revealing the eye patch on his left eye. Wolf O'Donnell glared at the TV, troubled by this. "Would've thought they'd be done without us…" It had been seven months since he had helped the Star Fox team defeat the Aparoid Queen. He had barely gotten out of that alive.
He remembered how he had woken up from unconsciousness, saved by his ship's life support systems despite his entire ship being shut down. He had been floating in space for who knew how long and he couldn't get in contact with Leon or Panther. No doubt they had been in the same situation and had moved on. Seven months and he still hadn't heard a word.
Once he was done with his meal, he paid the chef and left, heading towards the hangars where his Wolfen was currently docked. Seven months he spent hiding, not sure whether he was still considered a criminal or a hero. "Maybe the pup put in a good word for me," he thought with a smirk. He then started up his ship remotely, opening the cockpit.
"Nice ship sir." He then looked over and saw a young Rottweiler admiring his Wolfen.
"Hmph, if you work hard in the Academy maybe you'll have one too someday," Wolf replied as he got into his ship. The Wolfen then cleared the hangar and exited Macbeth space. He set his destination to new coordinates: planet Cerinia.
Sargasso Region, Lylat System
"General Brynhilde, we are prepared to warp."
The large ape, seated in his chair of the ship the Imperator, flagship of the pirate fleet, nodded. "Any word from Cerinia?"
"Yes sir," the main pilot responded. "The Cornerian ship Hornet along with two other battlecruisers are stationed on the far side of the planet as we predicted. We should be able to skip past them undetected with the new cloaking device that's been installed."
"Very good," Brynhilde responded, lounging back in his seat with his hands folded together. "With the secrets that Cerinia holds, in our hands we'd become the mightiest force in the galaxy, mightier than the Cornerians or even Andross' army. And once the Cornerians are forced to surrender everything, then I will be the true Emperor of the entire Lylat System."
Planet Cerinia
It had been about three days since the CFC Hornet, along with the Vindicator and the Impeccable, made their return to Cerinia. The three ships floated almost parallel to one another overlooking the giant blue planet.
Captain Hill was on the main deck staring at a holographic view of the planet and he wasn't too happy with what he was seeing. "How bad Lieutenant?" he asked.
"Pretty bad sir," Lieutenant Axelrod replied. The view of the planet changed to a local viewpoint. "They've established a base using one of the temples shown here, and it's now full of anti-aircraft turrets, laser towers, you name it."
"Damn it." Hill looked over to an Aussie Shepherd in dress uniform. "Of course I and the team have to do all the dirty work."
"Are you complaining Savannah?" Hill asked with a bit of a smirk.
"No sir, I'd love to have others be able to share the credit from time to time," Corporal Savannah replied.
Hill then turned back to Axelrod. "How large are their numbers?"
"Larger than the first time we were here," Axelrod replied. "They're pretty serious about this."
"Well, at least we'll only have one group to worry about this time," Hill said, taking a seat with a sigh. "This is the closest thing to a war without officially calling it a war."
A soldier then came into the room and did a quick salute. "Sir, Commander Grey has arrived along with Bulldog and Husky Unit."
"Good, send him up here," Hill acknowledged. "And our other guest?"
"Not yet sir."
"Ah, she'll be here soon," Hill replied.
Bill Grey soon entered the room afterwards dressed in his Cornerian flight suit. Bill was a veteran pilot of almost ten years now, earning his title of Commander shortly before the Lylat War. He approached Hill and saluted. "Commander Grey, reporting in."
"At ease Commander," Hill said. "Your timing is perfect. I'm assuming you were briefed on the current situation?"
"Most of it, although I wonder why you need both Husky and Bulldog Units?" Bill asked.
"The pirates are dug in deep on the planet," Hill explained. "Savannah and her troops can get in and take out their air defenses but the real damage is going to come from the air and we'll need all the help we can get. We also have to assume that we will be engaged with the enemy fleet at some point, even though for the time being they've backed off."
"And what about the rest of the fleet?" Bill asked.
"If things get really bad, they'll be on standby," Hill replied.
"Sounds pretty serious then," Bill said.
"One problem though," Savannah said. "If the past is any indication, once we go through all that jungle, radar's gonna be useless and we don't know the terrain well."
"That's true, but I know someone who does," Hill answered. He then heard the doors open and looked over. "In fact, she just arrived."
They all looked over at their newest visitor, clad in her blue jumpsuit and heels. She then walked forward and stood in front of the group. "Krystal, reporting for duty," she said, saluting.
(A/N: Okay I admit that was rather predictable wasn't it? But why is Krystal here exactly, why is Wolf going to Cerinia and who the hell is Brynhilde? Well, you'll find out next chapter of course! But yes this is primarily just a Krystal story along with some familiar faces you know and love so I hope you all enjoy. As always I do not own Star Fox, unfortunately and I'll see you all again soon!)
FoxMcCloud7921