Disclaimer thingy: I do not own Star Fox or any of the characters, sad to admit that the big wigs that made the game still do :'(
/ I updated this chapter slightly and added more to it seeing as it does seem a little short to say the least
Today saw the grand opening of the newly rebuilt Corneria City, and to mark the occasion an opening ceremony was proposed by General Pepper of the Cornerian Army and Beltino Toad, Corneria's Research Director. Having both overseen the reconstruction project since it began, they were both keen to see that the ceremony was a big success.
"I thought this day would never come, especially when the re-construction first started"
General Pepper lay back in his chair, building plans and financial reports littered across his brown oak desk.
"Indeed General, but lets look to Corneria's Future now hmm? We have all the finances for the buildings settled and all resources paid off, as well as the final preparations for the ceremony completed. All we need now is to find a suitable figure to make a speech and reveal the plaque."
Beltino grinned as he looked in the Generals direction, causing the old hound to raise an eyebrow
"I know that look Beltino, as much as I'd love to but I can't, this old hound would like a vaca-"
"Actually General I wasn't thinking of you exactly…"
He lifted an arm and pointed a scroll of paper he was holding past the General to the large holoscreen outside, currently displaying a recent photo of the Star Fox team standing behind the new Corneria City Park. It zoomed out to the corner of the screen, revealing a reporter smiling mechanically as she spoke.
"After returning seven months ago from what could very well be their biggest victory yet, Team Star Fox's leader Fox McCloud announced that he and his team would be taking some much needed R & R until further notice, when will we see the team back in action is still unknown, in other news-"
General Pepper closed the window and let out a tired sigh
"When Fox said his team needed R & R he meant it, to ensure this he made sure that neither I nor the press could find them let alone contact them"
Once again, Beltino gave him his trademark grin, causing the general to shake his head, groaning in defeat
"Not entirely general, you see…my son, as clever as he is, never leaves without his compad, and never turns it off, which is in most respects lucky for me"
He chuckled slightly taking in the old generals defeated expression
"Fine, do as you wish Beltino, but if I get a transmission from an angry vulpine then I shall gladly send him your way"
"Now now, I doubt it will come to that…I hope"
He loosened his tie anxiously, causing Pepper to reply with his own trademark grin
"Yes Beltino, hope…now if that is all I have some urgent business with a travel agent, I 'hope' to squeeze in a vacation after this ceremony before another galactic crisis emerges"
Beltino rose quickly from his chair, leaning over the desk, scattering papers as he did so and shook his hand
"Yes, quite right general, I certainly say that you deserve one for all you've done for Corneria, see you at the ceremony next week"
"Thank you my friend, see you then"
He smiled, now focusing his attention to his desk; he heard the soft hiss of his office doors opening and closing, then let another tired groan escape him
"Now then, what to do with this mess"
After a moments thought he casually reached over to his computer and called up the receptionist, the screen pulsed briefly then a young falcon with a beautiful mix of black and red feathers came into view"
"Yes General?"
"Kiara…how good are your skills in regards to cleaning?"
She gave him a slightly puzzled look, her voice showing signs of curiosity
"Not as good as the cleaners but yes, I guess they are fine…though I'll play the naïve receptionist and ask why?"
She treated him with an actor's version of an innocent smile, while the general held back a devious smile with a quick cough
"Oh because…I've just had Beltino in again and my desk is a bit…ermm…swamped, would you be a dear and come clean up? I have urgent business to attend to and I can't be late"
Kiara groaned, silently wishing she were on her break when he called
"Of course General, I shall be along shortly"
"Excellent, thank you Kiara, I'll ensure you receive a little bonus"
He closed the channel and stood up slowly
"Now, time for that well deserved vacation"
Beltino shuffled down the hall, his attention locked on his compad, Kiara stomped towards him oblivious to his presence in her current agitated state, muttering quietly to herself. "Messy old toad, its always the same, make a mess then leave…but oh no I won't clean up, I'm too busy doing this that and the next thing".
She entered the elevator Beltino had used and pressed the button for the tenth floor, a little harder than necessary; she only just caught the figure of the old toad escaping through the main entrance.
"You'd think that son of his would have taught him some better manners at the very least" she tapped her foot impatiently, her arms folded behind her back. A faint 'ding' emanated from the elevator indicating she had reached her chosen floor.
As she left the confines of the elevator and proceeded to stomp off down the corridor, her ears twitched slightly as she heard the other elevator doors sliding closed. Kiara turned quickly to catch a flash of red that was the general's uniform
"Hmph…lazy old git, sure he's a good general who can commands troops with simple words and gestures, but when it comes to clearing up after himself he can barely lift a finger."
She pulled a face at the closed elevator doors and continued down the corridor until she reached his office, the office doors hissed open quietly, yet for some reason the hissing kept on going. Her forest green eyes dilated and her shoulders twitched. Before her was piles of documents and reports scattered all over the desk, though with Beltino's help had managed to make its way to the floor.
"THAT LYING OLD OAF, TALK ABOUT BRINGING THE BATTLE FIELD TO YOUR OFFICE" She stomped her foot angrily, a few strands of hair falling down to conceal one eye
"It's not fair," she said, her voice reflecting that of a child being scolded
Beltino put on his seatbelt and placed his hands on the steering wheel of his red and white coloured hover car, he stared at the car park exit then to his compad, lying securely on the dashboard.
His brow creased in thought. "I could call him now and get it over and done with, yes...that seems logically sound…though what if now turned out to be a bad time to ask." He slowly reached over, typed in Slippies transmission code, and let his finger hover over a pulsing green button. "Oh I do hope I catch him in a good mood, last thing I want is to be a hindrance" he sighed and pressed down on the button.