The reason Krystal is in the thingy that helps classify the story is NOT because she gets together with Falco. Just in case that's what someone was thinking. She's a main character, but I don't think that she'd ever get together with everyone's favorite bird.

Chapter 2: Recognition

Fox tacked up another poster. 'Perfect,' he thought. This was the only thing he had left now. He had sold the Great Fox and his arwing for a smaller cruiser that was cheaper on fuel. Now he just did odd jobs here and there, always searching. But he wasn't unhappy. Somehow… He just knew that she was going to find him. It was just one of those good feelings.


Falco tossed Dash aside and straightened out his clothes so he looked presentable to whoever was calling.

"Hello? Testing, testing, one two three?" There was a chicken, who looked quite the worse for wear.

"Hello sir, you've reached Star Falco, best mercs you can possibly hire," Falco commented with nothing but politeness. Both Dash and Katt followed suit. "Can I ask your name?"

"I am Governor DuBakee. I am looking for a group of mercenary's as a matter of fact. I got word that you were on this planet, and so I contacted you immediately," The chicken said.

"Well you came to the right people. What'd you want?" Katt asked from her chair.

"Now I'm positive you are aware how planetary governments work?"

"Each Planet has an ambassador. All countries have a president. Beneath them, governors who watch over vast areas. When a planet goes to war, complete control is given to the ambassador," Dash said, giving the basics. In truth, it was a little more complicated than that, but if you want the short version, that's it.

"Precisely! Now, as governor, I often receive complaints that I can't often deal with because they are too small. But I try and do anything I can. And as such, there happens to be a smaller town in very large danger. A dangerous bounty hunter is heading there, looking for information on some big game. He is bringing a large group along with him. The town feels threatened…"

"And you want us to shoot em down before they get there," Falco concluded.

"Precisley. And before you ask, I will pay you 2500 credits for each ship you shoot down, plus expenses."

"We'll take the job!" Falco declared immediately.


"Jonathon Lombardi? Any relation to me Dash?" Falco asked. Dash looked through a data base on the Great Falcon.

"Nope. Last name's just a coincidence. Besides, the guy's a shepherd dog*," Dash stated. (*Would be German shepherd, but they're in space, and there's no Germany.)

"We live in strange times my friends," Katt said with a smirk.

Katt and Falco were in the Cat's Paw and Sky Claw respectively, (If Katt's ship has an official name, please let me know.) Meanwhile, Dash was covering them from the Great Falcon.

"Okay, looks like their coming in," Dash said, looking at the radar.

"Katt, Dash, let's go!" Falco cried, putting on the boost, his guns blazing. Katt followed. Dash got the weaponry ready. In a matter of seconds ships explosions ships were being shot down, and their debris floated in the vacuum of space. Falco was after "Johnny Boy".

"Easiest paycheck I'VE ever cashed," He said over his communications link. Suddenly a Sheppard dog appeared.

"Very good, little bird. Now why don't you, your freak girlfriend, and your pet monkey tell me what your gonna do about… THAT!"

"Falco! Huge squadron coming from the left!" Dash yelled. Falco checked. Indeed, a giant squadron of fighters, bigger than the previous wave was coming in. But… They were so far away. If he went and helped Katt, the entire purpose of the mission would get away, but even HE couldn't take on a squadron that big alone. Even with the Great Falcon's fire power some were bound to get through. What could be done? No matter what, someone was getting through…

"Star Falco? This is Bounty Hunter Kursed, requesting to join the fray," said a blue fox, suddenly appearing on the screen.

"PLEASE DO!" all three of them yelled into the comm. link.

Falco was instantly back on Johnny Boy's tail, letting his weapons blaze, as Kursed, proving herself to be more than a little skilled, helped Katt and Dash shoot down the other Lombardi's fighters. Falco was about to finish Johnny Boy.

"Say G'night, Johnny Boy," Falco said, taking his final shot.

"Do you even KNOW why we were coming here?" he said, panic and fury in his voice.

"Don't care."

"WAIT!"

BOOM!

One final shot. And again, the only Lombardi the team knew, was the blue falcon.

"Yeah! Mission Accomplished! Katt, Dash, how much damage have we taken?"

"Great Falcon: All systems go," Dash stated.

"It'll take a lot more then what they dished out to handle me. You know that," Katt said winking.

"Hey, Kursed, thanks for your help!"

"No problem," Kursed said. They don't recognize me, she thought looking at Katt and Falco. Her ship spun around.

"I gotta say, your way better than this other blue fox I knew," Falco said laughing.

"Oh that Krystal girl you're always talking about? Yeah from the sound of it, she couldn't fly for nothin'," Dash stated, with a smile on his face.

Kursed smiled to herself. After betraying the team, she could understand them talking behind her back.

"Nice girl but," Katt said, tapping her head, "not a lot going on in here, if you catch my drift."

This struck her as odd. If they thought she was nice then why…?

"Oh unbelievably stupid. Couldn't fly for crap. Went and got herself lost on a mission one time, haven't seen her since," Falco said.

That wasn't what happened, and he KNEW it! Kursed thought to herself. The she realized what was really going on. She gritted her teeth in anger.

"IQ was around, 13. Doctors said she hit her head pretty hard. We figure she wasn't that smart to begin with, and just thought it'd be fun to hit herself with a tree branch…"

"ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH! I GET IT! YOU KNOW IT'S ME!" Kursed screamed.

"Krystal!? What a surprise! I never would have thought," Falco said smugly.

Kursed fumed, and smashed her control battle with her fist. Suddenly, her ship started to shake.

"OH GOD DAMNIT! Look what you made me do! Now I need repairs!"

"Well, since you helped us, we'll do it for free. Besides, you might not make it back to the planet," Katt stated, narrowing her eyes.

Kursed knew she was right. So, furious about her cover being blown, she flew into the Great Falcon, not realizing just how much fun these three were going to have, at her expense.


A cookie to everyone who can figure out what they do with the lovely Miss Kursed.