Chapter 2: New Alliances

October 23, 2361

1000 hours

Inside The Dreadnought

The arwings and the other fighters landed in a hangar cluttered with flight gear, tanks, jeeps, artillery, helicopter, and automated turrets, which were following the Star Fox team's movements and were prepared to fire at the new heat signatures if they proved to be hostile. All of the pilots got out of their fighters.

Star Fox looked at the team of five soldiers lined up in front of them. There was what looked like a tall, green-scaled cobra that towered over even Falco who appeared to be the leader of the group. He was wearing a pair of combat cargo pants along with a black, metal vest. Despite his height, he was not at all clumsy-looking, and he stood in a military attention stance. His yellow eyes, in the middle of which were black slits for pupils, gave him a slightly hostile feel.

Then, flanking his right side was a tan, brown spotted boa constrictor, who had an intimidating array of muscles. His tiny, dark eyes intensified the snake's overall look. He was merely dressed in shirt with the sleeves ripped off, exposing his muscles, and a pair of jeans. Though intimidating, the figure looked quite warm and friendly.

To the cobra's left was a smug-looking pit viper, who appeared extremely flexible. He was an albino, meaning his scales were of the whitest color and his eyes were a dark red. The serpent was dressed in a black trench coat, which was completely buttoned up and contrasted against his bright scales.

Next, to the far right was a creature Fox couldn't identify. The figure was completely covered in black and gray full-body armor. His chest area was comprised of four separate armor plates joined together over black matte. The arms were covered in several dozen strips of flexible metal, while the joints were covered by corrugated matte and the hands were covered by what looked like metal gloves. His legs were covered in an assortment of metal plates, with spiked greaves covering his shins. The helmet he wore was in the shape of an upside-down equilateral triangle with a non-transparent visor of the same shape, albeit smaller, and two small stubs at the top tips of the triangle. The most striking feature Fox noticed were the figure's gigantic, black-colored wings.

Finally, on the far left was a snow white vixen, who appeared about Krystal's age. She was dressed in an almost-seamless, silver armor suit. Her gray-colored eyes gave her a slightly masculine feel, as did the fact that she was carrying two light sniper carbines on her back.

"Allow me to introduce myself and my team," the cobra-like snake said with an air of command. "I am Adder McBannon, and this is Brutus Kinsley," The muscled boa, "Ace Hawkins," The albino, "Aloysius Sylva," The armored creature, "and Cristine Willis," The vixen. "We are the Star Serpent Elite Squadron and Soldier Force, your new allies, as appointed by Supreme General Pepper."

"Thanks for your assistance earlier," Fox said, not liking the idea of allies. "Your team was a key part in winning this battle."

"Hmph" Adder grunted as he checked his wristwatch. "Yeah, well it's about time for lunch. Meet you in the mess hall. Brutus, I trust you've gotten finished with those sirloins. We mustn't disappoint our new allies."

"I have, sir," the boa constrictor replied soldier-like to his superior. "Follow us, Team Star Fox."

The two teams met in a large dining hall prepared for all of them to eat. Around the room were smaller tables which had been hastily moved out of the way to allow room for a single, large table for them to sit at. A cafeteria-esque counter laid near a kitchen at one corner of the hall. Star Serpent's leader walked over to the table, where Brutus was quickly setting up dinner, picked up his sirloin, and swallowed it whole before turning around and walking away.

"Guys, I'm going to my room. Disturb me only if it's an emergency," Adder said as he walked away into the ship's many hallways.

"Does he always do that?" Marcus asked, concerned.

"You get used to it after a while. Just give him some space," Aloysius spoke in a slightly digitized voice. Snakes have always been at the bottom of society, and were cruelly treated and beaten until recent laws had been passed.

"We've all had," Ace added. "Anyways, we should get to know each other a little bit. Who's first?"

Everybody told a little bit about him or herself. Brutus was Adder's close friend at the military academy and they've been partners ever since. He is currently the heavy gunner of the team and has a lionhearted personality.

Ace was a little childish at times, but usually was quite serious. He's also the wunderkind of Star Serpent and invented many of their weapons and vehicles. Additionally, he is the team's ace pilot and small-arms expert.

Cristine, preferring being called Cris, was orphaned during the aparoid invasion. Her mother's dying wish was to have Adder look over her. He sacrificed his rank as a lieutenant to get her out of harm's way, deserting his squad. She is currently the sniper of the team. Last was Aloysius.

"Hmph," the armored soldier huffed, then growled. "My turn, eh? Well, I might as well show you guys what I look like, so…here goes…" He removed his helmet with a small hiss of air and slammed it on the table in front of him. Even Fox had to shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"Oh, Gods," Krystal gasped. Aloysius' face has been almost completely ripped off, and his eyes had retreated deep into his skull, possibly to avoid further torture. Several parts of his skull had small cracks, and without his helmet, his specie was finally revealed- he was a bat.

"I'm not the bat…hhhh…I used to be," Aloysius said in a raspy voice. "When I was a…hhhh…lieutenant during the war…hhhh…against Andross, I was captured. I…hhhh…knew vital intel on the…hhhh…next major attack on Andross, and they…hhhh…wanted it. I was subjected to…hhhh…torture of many kinds…hhhh…As a result, I lost much…hhhh…of my original body. Adder was the one who broke me out of that infernal…hhhh…place, and I have a debt to pay him…hhhh…so I joined his team. I'm now the…hhhh…berserker and rifleman of Star Serpent," He quickly put his helmet back on with another hiss of air before gasping for breath and continuing in his old, digitized voice. "Urgh…uhhhhh…From what I can tell, he's suffered worse than I have, in a way. Something happened to him a while ago. He needs time alone every so often. Just let him do his thing."

"Anyways, nice crib," Falco said, trying to change the subject.

"Good, 'cause Adder said that he has new rooms here for you. This is your new mothership, Star Fox."

"But what about the Great Fox and ROB?" Fox asked. "Sure the first Great Fox was destroyed, but this one's just as special."

"Fox, this ship was ordered by your dad," Ace replied. "This ship was constructed in the Algax Shipyards by James McCloud's orders to use as a new base of operations, although he never got the chance. And we'll put the Great Fox in the docking bay, and ROB's already onboard."

"But- how did?" Fox stammered.

"All in due time Fox, all in due time." Ace interrupted. "Best go to bed- we have a special-ops mission tomorrow in the early mornin', so get some rest. G'night." Everyone retired to their new rooms, and Star Fox found that the rooms were exactly like their old ones on the Great Fox. Falco had his hammock and fighter design posters, Tallon had his rock band posters and his plaid bed, and Marcus had his simple mat. Fox and Krystal even had a twin bed to sleep in together. The couple bid their friends a good night, undressed, and got in bed.

"Quite a day, eh Fox?" Krystal yawned.

"Yeah," Fox replied with a tired sigh, "new allies, new war, and everything. I just hope we can trust these guys."

"They seemed trustworthy enough," Krystal reassured him, "I already looked over their consciences and everything checks out fine."

"I hope so," Fox turned on his side and yawned. "G'night, Krystal."

"Night, Fox," Krystal replied. The couple fell asleep.

This chapter was pretty much an introduction to my original characters. I do realize I could've done a much better job than this, but I suppose it gets the job done. Star Fox meets Star Serpent, they get acquainted with one another, and then they share the Dreadnought for the remainder of the campaign. Simple as that.

At any rate, next chapter's a ground border. A little violent, too. Just a heads-up.