Star Fox: Hell's Souls
All was quiet on the planet of Aqudim… until Star Fox came, of course.
Fox heard Falco sigh over the com system as they flew over Aqudim in their Arwings, crowds cheering below.
"Ah, my public awaits," he said. Fox sighed inwardly. Falco can have the biggest ego, he thought.
"Cut the chatter, Falco," Fox said over the com. He didn't really mind Falco's egotism much, just that they were supposed to be on vacation, and it wore on him after awhile.
"Yeah, Falco, don't let your ego get too big. You won't be able to get your head inside the cockpit!" That was Slippy, in his relatively whiney voice. But after spending years with these guys, Fox didn't mind this sort of bickering at all. Sometimes, though he'd never admit it, on long missions, he'd give an arm to hear these guys fight. Like on Sauria, he thought.
He heard a giggle over the com a split second later. Krystal, he thought. He liked hearing her voice, even just a giggle. He was distracted by the thought of her for a minute.
A moment later, he said out loud, "Ok team, let's give 'em an air show. Diamond Formation!" The Arwings changed from a loose line formation to a tight, diamond-shaped formation. This was precision flying, very hard to pull off. One mistake could send an Arwing careening off. The crowd's cheer only got louder as the team made an intricate series of twists and turns. The Arwings then went back to the loose line formation. A beep on the com system signaled an incoming com call.
"Welcome to Aqudim. Have a good time at our spas and water parks," a female voice said over the com. That was the Aqudim central control, most likely, with a canned message for all visitors.
The voice continued. "Are we addressing the Star Fox team?" Huh. Must have gotten word of their arrival. Fox keyed the com unit.
"Uh, yes. This is the Star Fox team." Without a further statement by Fox, Central Control continued.
"We had been informed of your arrival by the hotel you are staying at. They have updated your room to Senator status. Please, make use of all of our facilities, and enjoy your stay." Fox's face held a look of surprise for a moment, and then he keyed the com unit again.
"Wow, thanks! We appreciate it." He knew that a Senator-status room was the best they had here. The team will be happy to hear this, we haven't had a decent day off for… well, awhile now, at least, he thought. Also, I thought I got a room anonymously…
"It's no problem." The control officer's tone gained a more personal note. "By the way, check out the grazer meat they have here. It's great, trust me." The formal tone came back. "Your landing zone is…" The attendant gave a series of numbers.
"Thanks." Fox switched the com system to the Star Fox signal. "Ok guys, we've got a Senator-class room now. Guess the staff got wind of our coming." Cheers rang out over the com.
"That's great!" Krystal said. Fox smiled.
"Ok team, we're going to land on…" He ran off the string of numbers to the team. They confirmed the Landing Zone, and they flew off to land.
Fox got out of the Arwing onto the hard concrete LZ. He was in his old vest and other clothing, with his blaster in a less-conspicuous holster under his left armpit, under his vest. He saw the other three get out, in similar clothing. It had become the unofficial Star Fox "uniform", though each one was personalized a bit.
"Let's head out, before they mob us!" Slippy said, pointing over in the direction of the crowd, now coming closer. Surprise blossomed on the team's faces, and they started to walk toward the hotel.
The scenery's nice, I haft to admit, he thought to himself. There were trees all around, and the grass was a deep green-blue. The sky was blue with a slight tint of green. He looked at the others, and they were taking in the view also. Krystal seemed to like it the most.
"I haven't seen a place this beautiful since Sauria," she said, and frowned. "Well, at least the first time we were there…" Fox frowned also. The last time they were on Sauria, the population was almost wiped out by the Aparoids. They had been a bit relaxed after the battle, but it was nose right back to the grindstone after that. That's when Tricky suggested that Krystal and I go on a honeymoon there… He had gotten mad at Tricky for that, because Krystal had been right their when that had happened. Very embarrassing.
That's the start. Please, take the time to review. I want to get a feel of things.
Black Footman342