The ship began to turn from the planet as the engines roared. With a sudden burst from the engines it soared through the sky as a blue and purple vortex formed in front of the ship. As it passed through the ship began to increase in speed till it was as if never there. As the ship passed into hyperspace the crew began preparing for the mission, what seemed like minutes was only a few seconds as a metallic voice rang over the intercom "coming out of warp, brace for deceleration" the great fox appeared in an instant and resumed its course towards a large Grey planet with two small moons orbiting around it. As they approached the planet a large vessel appeared next to one of the moons. It was long with several docking bays, on the side of the hual was the name Distant Horizon. The ship appeared to be a decommissioned military frigate repurposed as a research vessel. Rob scanned the ship as Fox ran into the bridge. Fox looked to Rob with curiosity in his eyes and said "Status report." Rob Quickly finished and replied "Hual intact. No signs of fire. Life signs one hundred and fifty six." Fox looked out the window at the ship and let out sigh of relief and added "Send a message to the captain, inform them that we have arrived." Rob nodded and began transmitting to translate as a light began to flicker on the panel. Rob reached forward pressing the button and said "This is the Great Fox, we are here to escort you back to the Lylat System." A few minutes of silence drew worry into Fox as no one replied. The comms stayed silent for a few minutes when a voice began to echo through the system "This is Captain Ivan Iguana Of the Distant Horizon, we receive you." Fox let out a large sigh of relief and said "You had us worried there for a moment." Fox placed a hand on Rob"s shoulder as he continued to steer the ship toward the planet. Fox took in a second when another voice appeared on the comes "We must continue our research!" Suddenly the captain replied Dr. Sol Get off the comms we are going back!" the captain took a deep breath and said "My apologies to you we are experiencing communication issues, and I can explain in better detail when you are aboard."

Fox paused and said "we were told that you only need escort do you need assistance as well?" The captain replied "I've sent you docking coordinates, please come aboard." Fox looked at Rob and said "are there any contagions aboard?" Rob quickly checked the Horizons records and scanned the ship, he turned to Fox and said "No contaigions detected, but there are unclassified materials aboard." Fox looked back at the ship and added "Get Slippy and Falco to the docking bay we will go aboard." Rob continued to look at Fox as he added "What about Peppy and Krystal Sir?" Fox stopped and for a moment and said Have Krystal and Slippy assist you on the bridge. Rob Nodded and replied "Affirmative."

Fox headed down to the docking bay where unease began to settle in his stomach as something didn't feel right with him. Something was off as he began to think of scenarios that could go wrong. He approached the dock as he was met by Falco standing at the door. He seemed rather unsure about the current assignment. Fox took a look at his friend as he began to place his hands in his jacket pockets. Falco continued to make no eye contact as Fox approached. Fox stared at Falco and calmly said "What's wrong?" Falco turned to make eye contact with Fox and said "I can't go on that ship something doesn't feel right." Concerned by what he said,Fox noticed that his friend was trembling. Quickly he turned to survey the area to insure that no one was around. Fox placed a hand on Falco's shoulder and said

"I'm not sure about this mission either, but let's see what the issues are then we will be back." Falco looked at Fox and with a quick motion with his arm he removed Fox's hand and said "This is A6 454, people do not return from here."

Fox quickly reached out and grabbed the lapel of Falco's jacket. He stared at Falco taking a deep breath and said "We have been through so much together to run away now. I need you on this mission if something seems out of the ordinary we will evacuate." Falcos attitude became calm and focused he reached out and grabbed Fox's arm and said "I guess that is the best im gonna get." He let out a small smile as if jesting about something. Fox loosened his grip and added "I'm more concerned for the safety of my crew and the civilians on board this ship, now let's go save them." Falco and fox both entered the hanger to find Slippy sitting on the floor in front of the shuttle. As they walked over to where he sat, Slippy rose to his feet and said "Fox Everything is ready to go." Fox reached out and patted Slippys shoulder and said "Ok team let's move out."

The shuttle made its way to the Horizon as it moved silently to the designated hanger bay. As the craft made its way into the docking bay of the Horizon Slippy noticed some people enter the bay, as they were docking. The doors opened as Slippy, Falco and Fox emerged into the large hanger with only three other ships and a research pod were docked. There were three individuals waiting for them as they emerged from the ship. The first was a large lizard with a long grey beard wearing a grey flight suit, he displayed a rather laid back attitude as he approached Fox. he extended his hand and said "You must be Fox McCloud." Fox returned the gesture and shook his hand, and replied "I take it you are Ivan Iguana." Ivan returned his hand to his side and said "Aye there ladie, I appreciate you comin aboard to help us." Fox looked at the two standing behind Ivan as he began to question "what seems to be the trouble?" Ivan nodded as his grey beard jostled around, as he said "It be only the communication array it be a little wonky that all."

he turned and pointed at the others behind him. Fox saw a tall brown haired hound wearing military fatigues and a barrett slightly tilted, as well as a short gecko with green a blue scales wearing a white lab coat overtop a white shirt and black pants. Ivan made a gesture to Fox and said

"This here be the distinguished Dr. Garry Gecko, and this here be our head of security Pvt Baas Hound." the private began to shake Fox's hand as he said "It's an honor to finally meet you, my uncle speaks very highly of you." Fox froze for a second and felt rather curious at the statement as he replied "who is you uncle?" Baas looked surprised and said "General Pepper." Falco and Slippy both were shocked to hear the news as Fox replied "Your uncle never mentioned that you would be here." Ivan steeped between them as he uttered sharply

"We should get that array fixed first boys." Fox turned to face slippy and said "See what you can do, and keep me posted." Slippy quickly saluted as he picked up his tools and headed toward engineering. Ivan began to follow Slippy as he shouted back "Pvt. Baas be sure to give our friends the tour.!" Dr. Gecko looked at Baas and said "I can show them around If you'd like?" Baas seemed rather worried and muttered "Oh ok I will catch up with you later then." as he quickly marched out of the hanger leaving the three in the hanger bay Dr Gecko turned to Fox and said "Shall we" Fox turned to Falco briefly and said "lead the way."

As they walked throughout the halls filled with civilians, families and security personnel. The hallways had lush greenery and large areas for people to live. Falco noticed a sign in the far corner that read Research and development. Fox continued to survey as Falco pointed and said

"Doctor Gecko what's over there?" The doctor turned to where Falco was pointing and said "Ah that way leads to our research anything from diseases to defence measures." Fox turned to face the Doctor and added "You mean weapons." The Doctor let out a small smile and nodded in agreement. As the three moved down the hall, when out of nowhere something slammed into Falco from behind. The two hit the ground as Fox and Dr. Gecko turned to find a small mouse around five feet in height wearing a white lab coat underscored by a green shirt and brown pants. Dr. Gecko quickly Identified The individual and shouted "Leo! How many time must i tell you to look where you are going." The mouse bounced quickly to his feet and said "Im so sorry sir..terribly sorry…..I will be heading to the lab." In a flash he was gone as he ran to the labs. Falco returned to his feet and began to shake the dirt of his jacket and pants. Dr. Gecko turned to Falco and said "Please forgive Leo he is an excellent assistant but a bit of a scatterbrain." as the doctor gestured to the labs Falco pushed past in frustration.

As the three entered the labs a young woman walked up to meet them she wore a blake skit that came down to her knees as well as a blue blouse also wearing a white lab coat. Her feathers were a bright yellow which made her almost glow in the current light of the labs. She approached the Doctor while fixing her glasses which laid delicately on her orange beak. She seemed fixated with her work not to notice Fox or Falco and continued to address the doctor "Good morning Dr. Gecko we have started the tests to see if the cure works on the virus provided. Dr. Gecko held up his hand and said "very good...Oh This is my assistant Elizabeth Canary." Elizabeth turned her head slightly to see Fox and Falco standing behind the doctor. She froze for a moment then returned her attention back to the Doctor. Falco looked off to the right where he saw an older looking lizard wearing a nicely pressed suit with a lab coat draped around his shoulders move into the room, he had a folder in his arms as he sauntered into the next room marked bio research. Falco paused and said "Who was that just now"

Elizabeth turned to see that everyone was still hard at work. She saw the light to the next lab come on and replied " That was probably Dr. Sol Salamander he is our head of bio research, He is a very private man" Fox looked at the Dr. Gecko and with a peaked interest he said "Is there any live animals aboard?" The doctor looked at Fox and said "Nothing dangerous I can assure you." A smile grew on his face which sent Falco into a state of concern. A sudden beeping noise rang as Fox's com began to flash a pale light. He reached for his comms in his ear, pressing a small button on the mouth piece. Slippy's voice began to emit from the com "Fox the comms are fixed here" Fox gave the doctor a quick thumbs up as he replied "Excellent work Slip, meet us back at the shuttle." the coms went silent as Fox and Falco began to head back.

As the two silently headed back to the shuttle, Falco could not shake the feeling that something was going on. He reached out and tapped Fox on the shoulder. Fox turned around to look at Falco when Slippy arrived at their location. Slippy was out of breath, as he had been running for a man his size. Slippy reached to his belt and pulled a large flat device and said "Fox you have to see this." Fox took the tablet as the screen began to display a series of logs. Fox and Falco read intently as Slippy regained his breath, as he took deep breath to clear his mind he said "They have been down to the planet." Fox continued to read as he added "Apparently more than once." Falco turned around and with an underlay of anger in his tone "I bet I know who." The three began to head to the shuttle as Slippy relayed the info to Rob.