Pigma and Felix found themselves at a mysterious grey building, "I remember this place", Pigma spoke, "I went here with Jimmy and Pep".
Felix scrunched his nose, "Star Fox is dead, Dengar. Forget about them".
Pigma rolled his eyes, "oh, lighten up, scales". He pushed the heavy door open, letting light into the dark building.
The two walked into the cold building, it looked like it had been abandoned for years, "O'Donnell?" Felix called out.
A scrawny wolf wearing an orange poncho walked out from behind a shipping container, "you guys with Andross?"
Felix approached the wolf and held out his hand, "indeed we are".
The wolf's ears twitched, his bright red eyes drifted towards Pigma, "you got one of those Star Fox assholes?"
Pigma strutted over to the two, "nah, don't worry, Star Fox is dead and I killed it", he smirked.
Felix gave Pigma a look, "Andross killed it".
"It was a team effort", Pigma compromised.
The wolf cleared his throat, "I don't care who took out Star Fox as long as they're gone. Andross said someone was gonna pick me up, I guess that's you?"
"I take it you're that Wolf fella?" Pigma asked.
He nodded, "you're a smart guy, Pigma".
Pigma shrugged, "I know I am, nyeh heh".
Wolf frowned, "don't get too cocky, hog".
Pigma rolled his eyes and scoffed, "what're ya doin' out here, anyway?"
"I was with a group tasked with raiding this supply depot" Wolf stomped his foot, "but those damn pups of Pepper's ambushed us. I took them down, but not before they got half of my men".
"So", asked Felix, "where are the survivors?"
Wolf shrugged, "hell if I know. I told them we should wait here but they didn't listen".
The sound of spacecraft landing echoed through the abandoned building, "shit", muttered Wolf.
"FREEZE!", a group of three armed dogs ran through the doorway. Pigma and Felix held their arms up, but Wolf just smirked.
"I SAID FREEZE!" one of the dogs shouted.
Wolf shook a finger, "don't worry, little child. No one's gonna hurt you".
Felix was visibly sweating, "what are you doing!?"
Wolf ignored Felix and got closer to the nervous dog. He inspected the gun aimed at his face, "of course Pepper gave his minions outdated weapons".
The dog poked Wolf's nose with his gun, "THIS IS NOT A GAME! SIT DOWN AND PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK! ALL OF YOU!"
Wolf turned to see Pigma and Felix obeying the dog's order, "well, if all the cool kids are doing it". He slowly sat down on his knees and moved his hands behind his back.
The three dogs exchanged glares before lowering their weapons and getting out handcuffs.
The one arresting Pigma gave him a quick kick in the ribs, which got a small chuckle out of Wolf.
"Don't you laugh, wolf boy", the dog flicked his nose. Just as the handcuffs locked around Wolf's wrists, he shook his arm and a knife dropped out of the sleeve, cutting the dog's finger.
As the other two rushed to help their co-worker, Wolf cut the handcuffs on the fallen blade and picked up one of the dropped weapons.
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" the dog with the bleeding finger shouted.
Wolf cut Pigma and Felix free and handed them the remaining guns, "the hunt is on boys!"
The three formally armed dogs got on their knees and begged. A sadistic smile graced Wolf's face, "what's the matter, scared?"
The middle dog lifted his head, "I have a family!"
Wolf tilted his head, "and?"
Tears fell out of his eyes, "my wife, Patricia, she's disabled and can't work. And my son, Ben, he's about to start school! You can't kill me!"
Wolf flared his nostrils, "don't you ever tell me won't I can't do!" he pulled the trigger and killed all three dogs. A thin stream of smoke came out of Wolf's stolen gun as blood pooled on the floor.
Pigma stood over the still bleeding corpses, "I can see you mean business, Wolf". He bent down and dipped a finger into the blood, he was still a little nauseous from his own blood loss after nearly getting a hole straight through his heart.
Wolf joined the pig, "I always mean business", he smirked. He swirled his finger through the blood, "it's funny, ya know", he lifted the finger and watched the crimson blood drip back to the puddle, "no matter how much of a hot shot you think you are, everyone still relies on this pathetic, sticky, red stuff being pumped around to stay alive", Wolf clenched his fist.
"Shall we head for Venom?" Felix called out from behind.
Pigma stood up, "yeah, let's get a move on".
Back on the cruiser, Felix introduced Wolf to Ferrell. "So you're this Ferrell bloke I've heard about?"
Ferrell nodded, "sure am. It's great to meet ya, Wolf".
"No, it's not", Wolf spat.
Wolf looked around the cruiser, "what's with all the blood stains?"
"Yeah, that, Pigma got shot", Ferrell explained.
"Huh", Wolf dismissed. He made his way to the control room, "how do you fly this thing?"
Felix rushed to the seat, "you don't fly it, that's my job", he was oddly defensive.
Wolf blinked, "okay, so how do you fly this thing? Better?"
Felix hunched over the control panel, "none of your business, O'Donnell. Just sit back and enjoy the flight".
"Whatever". Wolf rolled his eyes, "I'm in no mood to argue".
The flight to Venom was slow and quite. Pigma, Wolf and Ferrell weren't friends and no one made any move to change that.
Pigma slept on a couch just outside of the control room door. The med bot was careful not to awaken him as he checked up on his condition, it was all for nothing as Felix forcefully slammed open the door to announce their arrival, "we've entered Venom airspace." He looked the freshly awoken Pigma next to him", "Venom's surface is rough so prepare for a rocky landing". Felix returned to the controls.
The cruiser shook and rattled as it slid to a stop on Venom's rugged surface, Pigma and Ferrell held themselves up against the wall as Wolf just stood perfectly still as if nothing was happening.
"We've successfully landed". Felix announced.
Hot air and smoke entered the ship as the loading ramp slowly lowered. The group stepped out to the warm, rocky terrain of planet Venom, the entrance to Andross's hideout loomed over them.
Pigma noticed Wolf's fur was quickly being soaked in sweat, "hey, Wolf boy, ya might wanna take that big ass cloth off".
Wolf gripped his poncho tightly, "I'm fine, porky", he snapped.
"Just lookin' out for ya, big guy", Pigma shook his head.
Wolf looked away from the pig and snorted, attempting to hide his obvious discomfort in Venom's harsh climate.
The group reached the entrance to the hideout, Wolf looked up at the enormous steel dome that dwarfed them, "what the hell is this and how do you get in?"
Felix pushed his way to the front of the group, "have a little patience for once and I'll show you". He tapped seven seemingly random bolts screwed into the dome.
Wolf raised an eyebrow, "what did you do that for?"
"What did I just say about patience?" Felix spat.
Two panels slowly folded up to reveal a small opening. The group calmly walked through the dark opening as the panels folded shut again behind them.
Felix guided the group through the ice cold tunnels of Andross's base. The layout seemed to change every time, yet Felix always knew where he was going.
Eventually they reached Andross's main laboratory, "Lord Andross, we have returned with Dengar and O'Donnell", Felix called out to the darkness of the lab.
Two lights came to life in the corner of the room. The owner of the lights approached the group, revealing himself to be a robotic pig, "Greetings, I am Herbert", the android introduced himself, "Dr Andross is busy at the moment".
Wolf inspected the robot, "Herbert", he spat, "and I get shit for my name".
Pigma slapped Wolf's back, "aw, c'mon, I think Herbert's a fine name", he chuckled, "Wolf is a shit name, though".
"Shut up, Pigma", Wolf snapped.
Felix coughed, "did Andross say when he'll be back?"
"Dr Andross will be returning soon", Herbert said as his eyes flashed.
Ferrell covered his own eyes, "hey, robo, do ya have to flash so brightly?"
Herbert turned his head to Ferrell, "only Dr Andross can change me. You are not Dr Andross", his eyes seemed to be slightly brighter now.
Ferrell flicked his tail in frustration, "fuck you, asshole", he muttered.
Before anyone could say anything else, a large shadow loomed over the laboratory from its entrench, "Herbert, my friend! I hope our guests have treated you well..."
The android pig pushed through the group to join the newcomer by his side. Felix bowed before the figure, "Lord Andross! Welcome back".
Andross slowly moved towards the bowing lizard, his shaggy, black robes barely moving as he did, "Felix Scratcher, I see you and Ferrell have returned with the members of my new squadron".
Pigma and Wolf looked at each other in the hope that the other had any idea what Andross was talking about.
Andross laughed at their confusion, "you two are going to be the founding members of Venom's most feared force!"
The maniacal ape smiled, "now, will that force be Star Pig or Star Wolf? Present your arguments".
"Star Wolf", Wolf and Pigma said simultaneously.
All eyes turned to the smirking hog, "Star Wolf", he repeated, "trust me on this".
Andross's smile widened, "Star Wolf it is then". He moved aside, "Felix, show them to their room. Tomorrow we shall begin the plans for Corneria's downfall".
Ferrell stayed behind with Andross as Felix led Wolf and Pigma through the twisting halls and to their bedroom. Felix opened the door to the cold, grey room, "Andross will arrange a more permanent settlement for you in the future, for now you sleep here".
Without another word, Felix closed the door and locked them in. Wolf scratched at the door, "does that slimy lizard not trust us?"
"Probably not", Pigma said, already relaxed in the bottom bunk bed. The room was small, with nothing but the smelly beds and a dim light occupying it.
Wolf climbed up the rusty ladder, "then I don't trust him".
"Fair enough", said Pigma as he went to turn of the light.
The bunk shook as Pigma laid back down on it, "g'night, Wolf".
Wolf didn't bother to return Pigma's gesture as he faced the wall to sleep.
End of Chapter 2