Chapter 1
One week earlier…
In the middle of the Lylat System, anywhere between Sol and Venom, anywhere that was a far enough distance from Corneria, was an area where many didn't venture out to, including Cornerian forces. It was also the ideal place for all sorts of criminals to do their smuggling in drugs, currency, sex trafficking, you named it.
Near Sol there was also a space station where anyone could stop and grab a bite to eat while their ship was being docked and refueled. And for some, to spend some time at the bar getting plastered. One such individual was at the bar, by herself, because no one else wanted to sit next to her, because they didn't want to piss her off and end up in a body bag.
The bartender was the only brave one, handing her drinks and having a conversation. "This is your fifth drink Kursed, you're going to be puking your guts out in no time."
The blue vixen took the glass and downed it in less than a second. The tattoos she once wore were now gone, but no one could see them anyway over the dark blue jumpsuit she wore. Her hair had grown to the longest it had ever been and she kept it that way. "You know me well enough, and you know I'm no lightweight," she said as she slammed the glass back on the counter. "Besides, I'm done anyway… for now."
"I'm surprised you're even wasting money on this when that ship of yours needs it more," the bartender commented.
Kursed paused for a moment. "The Cloud Runner was built by Space Dynamics, so despite its wear and tear it can still outrun a Cornerian fighter. That's how good the equipment is. But you're right, it does need repair."
It was then that an individual, a husky probably in his thirties wearing a leather jacket and cowboy hat walked up to the bar. But he wasn't brave, he was drunk and stupid. Sitting right next to her, he then said, "Hey, hey I think I know you… you're that bounty hunter Kursed ain't you?"
Kursed rolled her eyes. Bars always brought out the stupid in people. She then faked a cheerful, girlish face. "Gee, you noticed? You are certainly a smart one."
"Ah, but you don't sound like one at all," the husky said, getting close and Kursed could smell whisky on his breath. "I know you're the one who took out that crime boss Woody McNair."
"Yes, we've all heard the story," the bartender said calmly. "And if I were you sir, I'd back up about three feet if you knew what was good for you." Kursed smiled slightly. She knew the bartender, meeting him from time to time. Never asked his name though, and he never gave it to her.
"Oh come on, even bounty hunters gotta let loose ya know?" the husky said, making more of a fool of himself. "Come on babe, I have a pretty nice ship that can take us to Zoness and we can find a-" His words stopped short and his eyes widened upon seeing the muzzle of a blaster in his face.
"No thanks," Kursed said, still facing forward. "Keep trying and I'll get to see how well I shoot under the influence."
The husky gulped and slowly backed away from the bar and headed back to the table. "I appreciate you not making a mess of the bar," the bartender said casually as he washed one of the mugs.
"I'm not really in the killing mood right now," Kursed replied. She then sighed. "It's been two months since I've heard anything. Woody can't have been the last criminal around standing."
"You'll find someone," the bartender said, as if she were looking for a partner. Sadly she did, at one point.
Kursed then got up and reached into her pocket, pulling out some credits. "Thanks for the drinks."
"Thanks for the entertainment," the bartender said. "By the way, it's Monty."
Kursed smiled a real smile this time. "Okay Monty, maybe I'll see you around." It was odd, that feeling she just felt. It had been a long time since she smiled like that, long before she became who she was now.
She started walking, quickly putting those memories away. She couldn't and wouldn't allow herself to remember the old days, the days when she had gone by a different name. Krystal. The name almost sounded foreign to her. But she had made her choice and this was where she was now, nothing could change that.
Before she left, she then realized she was being watched. She turned and saw someone at a table in the back. The individual was a red-tailed hawk but despite his appearance, he didn't seem threatening and he was actually inviting her over. It could be one of two things: either she was being offered a job or she was walking into a trap. Either way, she had nothing better to do since she would've just sat and slept in her ship until the alcohol was out of her system.
She then walked over to the man and sat down, her eyes focused on him. "If you're asking for a good time, I don't offer that," she said to break the silence.
The hawk chuckled. "Trust me; the missus back home wouldn't appreciate that. But no, I am here asking something of a different matter. My name is Dmitry and I have an offer for you."
Kursed's eyes lit up slightly. "You're offering me a job?"
"Well, there is a job included but I'm asking for your services," Dmitry said. "Have you ever heard of Polaris?"
Kursed nodded. "The light that will shine the way." Who hadn't heard of them? Polaris was a freelance organization that didn't do things by the book, as they said. They crossed the lines that Corneria wouldn't, and since Corneria didn't have as much of a presence in this part of the Lylat System, they've reluctantly allowed Polaris to do the dirty work for them. "Of course, but why do you need my help?"
"I've heard about your encounter with McNair," Dmitry replied. "One of the largest crime bosses in all of the Lylat System, hidden away for almost fifteen years and you were the one to find, not anyone from Corneria. That is impressive by itself. I feel that we can work well together and from the look of things, you could use some work."
"…Yeah you're right there," Kursed replied. "But is that the only reason why?"
Dmitry looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Perhaps many haven't been able to tell but I know a good disguise when I see it Kursed, or do you still go by Krystal?"
Kursed's eyes widened as her hand quickly jumped to her holster. "How did you-?"
"I've been in the intelligence world a long time," Dmitry said. "But I suppose you would like if we kept all that between us, da? I wouldn't even think of sabotaging your image like that."
Kursed relaxed and leaned back in her chair. "So you know who I am, do you want to hear a sad story or something?"
"Not at all, your personal business is yours," Dmitry said calmly. "Just saying that a former member of Star Fox obviously has quite the number of skills many are looking for, since Star Fox is now disbanded."
Kursed frowned slightly. She hadn't heard about that. Apparently leaving Fox and the others behind caused the team to fall apart again. It was sad to think about, considering the team had been reformed for only a few days. "So if I do accept, what's the job?"
"The elections on Macbeth are coming up and things are becoming quite tense," Dmitry explained. "One of the candidates, Councilmen Evans, is seen as a frontrunner for his promises of change and ending corruption in the cities. As you can guess, some are not happy with this."
"End corruption, clean Macbeth's image, what's not to like about him?" Kursed said. She then realized what was coming next. "…He wants me as his bodyguard?"
"To put it that way, yes," Dmitry replied. "Of course, it wasn't him exactly that asked for you because it would ruin his image. But he has said he likes your reputation and couldn't ask for a better person to be protected by."
Kursed sighed. "I don't do public Dmitry. I'd like to keep myself off the screens."
"Fair enough, we'll take care of that, but you won't have to be with him at all times, or when he is giving any speeches. The cameras will ignore you."
"…Alright I'll accept your offer but only on one condition," Kursed said. "My ship gets a complete overhaul and I want everything that can be put into it without slowing it down. It's an Arwing so it's made to be fast."
"Done." He then pulled out a box from underneath the table. "I had this just in case you still weren't convinced. I think you'll like it very much."
Kursed opened the box and inside was a brand new blaster, straight from the factory. She picked it up and once her fingers went around the grip an LED light lit up around it. It was a perfect fit.
"The gun has been programmed to only accept your handprint and if anyone else tries to use it, the gun won't fire," Dmitry said. "R&D was rather delighted to work on this project."
Kursed checked the sights, clip, and chamber. Perfect. She then looked up to Dmitry and had a grin on her face. "I think I'm starting to like you already Dmitry."
"I told you you would," Dmitry said. "Now once you're all sobered up, we'll meet back at the Hen's Nest, as we call it. I'll send the coordinates to your ship."
They both got up and shook hands. "So this is a long-term thing, isn't it?" she asked.
"If you'd like it to be, we would greatly appreciate it," Dmitry said. "We'll be in touch."
(A/N: Well there you have it folks, your first true look at Kursed. As you all probably know, she is almost the exact opposite of what Krystal is, but she does have some morals still and she's not completely cold, at least that's how I see it. This was more of an introduction to her character as well as other characters in this story. By the way, don't bother asking about what happened in the prologue because I'm not saying anything. :D With that being said, you'll get to see her in action the next chapter and that is where the good stuff begins but you'll have to be patient. Until then guys, see you later.)
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