Chapter 3
General Pepper's test
Jim started training, and instantly impressed the team. Not only acing the on-board combat simulators, but he was also able to tie with Falco's high-score(much to the avian's chagrin). Not only earning his flight license, but he also earned his arwing permit, all in a couple of days. As Fox was fond of saying, 'It's like he was born to fly, just never had the time to grow wings' as he mentored the young man. When he submitted his test scores to General Pepper on Corneria, the general thought he was looking at Fox's record, rather than the human's. When Fox asked if he could be on the team, Pepper said he had no problem with it, and would like to meet the young man himself. Not only showing skill inside the simulator, but he also displayed it inside the real deal; with Krystal as his flight instructor, they would often do aerial maneuvers near either Jupiter, or Saturn, since "They're the prettiest in the system," as the girl was often fond of saying. She especially liked Saturn best, with its rings going around the planet. Often times, when they were close enough, she would just stare at them, in awe and wonder, just gazing at the ice and crystals inside the rings. They would even do maneuvers inside the rings themselves; doing rolls, turns, and flips, dancing amid the rings. The arwings would often come back, all scratched and chipped, making Slippy work extra hours to keep them maintained, of which he was not greatly appreciative. One time, he found a crystal fragment lodged inside Krystal's arwing. Slippy was about to throw it away when Jim salvaged it. After fashioning it into a necklace, using one of his spare dog-tag chains, he offered it to Krystal, as his way of saying thanks for flying with him. She took it, as he expected her to; she gazed at it with affection for a moment, then returned that affection with an embrace, and a kiss on the cheek. Even though she never takes it off, the ring he gave her is now missing. When he asked where it was, she showed him; she had it placed inside a special clear container, set upon a specially treated fabric, so as not to scratch, or blemish the ring, in any way. It was her way, of remembering thier first day together. Jim laughed when he found this out, saying that, "I don't think that a ring is meant to be in a display case, for the rest of eternity." However, she said that she would like to keep it preserved, for all of eternity, like the memories she would like to have with the human. Jim wondered what she meant by her having memories with him. Normally, that's what a girl would say about a guy she really liked, as in having a crush on. At least, on his planet, it did. The time finally came, when the Great Fox was due back at Corneria for maintenance, and supplies. Jim was, understandably, a little nervous about leaving the Sol system. Leaving the Earth was one thing, but leaving his home system was another ball game, all together. Jim was standing in his room, gazing at Saturn, and its rings, wondering, if he'll ever see it again. Krystal popped up into his room, per usual, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Looking over his shoulder, she gazed at Saturn with the young man. "I will miss that planet."
"Because of the rings?" She chuckled.
"That, and the memories." She pulled out the necklace he gave her, and looked at it with affection. Then, tugged Jim by the arm. "Come on, we're going to warp, in a few minutes."
"I'll be right there." He turned his gaze back to Saturn, wondering, if he'll ever return to Sol again.
Making his way to the command bridge, Jim saw Krystal standing by the right view port, as if looking for something. Fox was over by Peppy, inputting the coordinates, while Slippy and Falco were busy at the other consoles. Fox saw Jim, and made his way to him, a slight grin on his face. "I don't think that, your kind has discovered warp speed yet, have they?"
"No, why?"
"Nothing. Just, don't forget to breathe when you see it." He left Jim, with a confused look on his face, and made his way back to Peppy. After an automated countdown from ten, the ship gave a great lurch forward, and Jim could feel the ship vibrate. All at once, he heard a high-pitched ringing in his ears, and had a splitting headache. He made his way over to Krystal, who was gazing out of the viewport. He placed a hand on her shoulder, her smiling face quickly replaced by one of worry as she saw the pained look on Jim's face. She asked what was wrong, but Jim saw her lips moved with no sound coming out. Then, his vision blurred, and everything went black.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was in the infirmary. The smell of alcohol and disinfectant assaulted his nostrils, making him sit up suddenly. He never liked hospitals, and he disliked this place nonetheless. He got up out of bed, and made his way to the door. His legs felt strange, like they were numb from the knees down. He exited the door, where he saw an upset Krystal, talking to, what looked like, an apologetic Peppy. "-Sure that he's alright? He's a human, and never been to warp speed, and-"
"Krystal, calm down. It's not like he's going to die or anything. You were the same way, on your first warp speed trip. I should've told him, but these things have a tendency to slip my mind, I'm afraid."
"Then right them down, so you won't forget." a rather annoyed Jim sounded from behind Krystal. She whirled, and embraced Jim in a large hug, and held his face, as if to inspect it for damage.
"Are you okay?" she asked, in a concerned tone, not letting go of his face.
"I'm fine, just...weird."
"My bad." Peppy sounded. Jim looked at the elder hare.
"Your people hadn't developed warp speed yet, so your body is naturally unused to the effects that it has. Don't worry, you'll get used to it." As the three of them exited the infirmary, and headed for the gangway, the rest of the team was waiting for them.
"Jim, how ya feelin'?" Falco asked.
"Never been better, Falco." Jim said with a grin. As the gangway opened, Jim got his first look at Corneria City. It looked just like most of the cities that were once abundant on Earth, with two major differences
1. The city was more technologically advanced, than the cities on Earth, by at least a century.
2. All the inhabitants, were anthropomorphs; dogs, cats, birds, pigs, rodents, you name it, they got it.
Jim was thankful for his shaded eye-pro(eyeball protection), and cap, otherwise, all of the inhabitants might've been staring at him, rather than some. If not for the shades, the team might've seen the look of surprise on his face. Krystal, however, picked it up immediately. 'Not what you were expecting, is it?' she telepathically communicated to him, with a laugh.
'Well, it certainly looked bigger in the game, but...' At the mention of the word 'game', Krystal felt odd, like she was hollow, empty, unreal. She could not get used to the fact that all the humans knew of the team's exploits, through a video game; all of thier great triumphs, and worst failures. All of thier happiness, and sadness, all the good, and bad, all of it, recorded on a console, solely for entertainment. This made her feel like, she wasn't a real person, like she was created, solely for someone's amusement. And, it made her feel empty inside. Jim took notice of this through the rapport, and tried to console her. 'Krystal, I'm sorry. I forgot, you're not really comfortable about this issue.'
'It's alright. You never meant it like that. It's just, the very idea that all of our experiences are on an entertainment item, makes me feel...so...'
'Empty.' he finished for her. Krystal looked up, and saw the human smile at her. 'If it's any consolation, you are more of a real person than most of the humans I had to deal with on Earth. You have a kind, and caring soul. That is far more than I can say for most of the people I knew on Earth, believe me. You are more real than you know.' The communicated statement brought a tear to her eye, as she stared at the smiling young man.
"Hey, what are you two waiting for!? Let's go, awready!" They both turned to the sound of Falco's voice, and saw the team was twenty yards away from them. They ran to catch up to them, and both headed down a busy street. When they reached thier destination, Jim admitted to being a little impressed; they had reached a circle of large buildings, surrounding a large park, with a path cutting through the middle. The tallest building, was in the middle of the circle, rising higher than the rest.
'Impressed?' Krystal asked, seeing Jim's expression.
"Yeah, very impressive!' they communicated through the rapport. What they were looking at, was the heart of the Cornerian Military, the Cornerian Army Command Central. Once they made thier way inside the tall structure, they passed a fountain, of the Cornerian Army logo spouting water from the top, and into the pool, surrounded be a beautifully sculptured barrier. The team made thier way to the reception desk, where a female husky greeted them. Fox stated thier business, and she told them where to go. She saw Jim, and flashed him a smile. He returned it, and nodded slightly, a little puzzled. 'What was that about?' Jim thought to himself.
'She thought you were cute.'
'WHAT!? Look, I am not into inter-species relationships, okay!? So, if you were just trying to get me a date, you're out of luck!' Krystal laughed at the communicated comment. Though he may be the last of his kind, he's not really willing to explore the 'other options'. They made thier way down a large hallway, until they stopped at a door, with the name "General Pepper: Cornerian Army Director" written in bold letters on the glass view of the door. Fox knocked on the door, and was greeted by a gruff sounding voice;
"Who is it!? I'm expecting someone!"
"Team Star Fox, reporting as ordered, sir!"
"Fox? By all means, come on in!" The team entered the office, and Jim found that it was deceptively more spacious, than it appeared on the outside. In front of them, there was a large desk, where the general sat.
'He looks almost exactly like his game character...' Jim thought to himself. Krystal picked it up, but didn't let it bother her. The general was a wizened blood-hound in a bright red uniform with military cap and white gloves. He appeared to be glossing over some files. When he looked up, a slight smile played over his wrinkled features.
"Fox, I see that you have a new recruit. Even though I saw the photos, I still could not believe it." The team made a hole, so Jim could be seen better be General Pepper. "A real, live, human. You know, your kind is considered to be rare, especially out here."
"You mean, there are other humans?" Jim asked, his voice showing a slight glimmer of hope.
"As far as I know, your Earth was the only world, where your kind existed. So far, the evidence suggests that yours was an indigenous species."
"I...see." Jim replied, downtrodden.
"However, the universe is vast beyond imagining. I'm sure that, somewhere out there, there are others like you." Jim allowed that one glimmer of hope to remain alive inside of him. "However, I am more concerned about this particular human. I have read the observations about you, and seen the test results. Both, are most impressive. Surely, a fine example of the race you represent. And, a soldier no less. You do your race proud, young man, very proud." Jim felt a hand on his shoulder, and saw Fox smiling at him, reassuringly. Jim returned it, and nodded. "I'd like to speak with him alone, if you don't mind," he gestured to the door, behind them. The team left the human and blood-hound alone, however, none of them noticed Slippy dropping something into the potted plant beside the door. Outside, the team waited in the waiting chairs, on the opposite side of the hall.
"Man, isn't there any way to listen in?"
"As a matter of fact, Falco, there is." Slippy pulled out a twelve inch monitor from behind him, and the team gathered around it, watching it with all of thier undivided attention.
Inside, Jim stood at the position of attention; eyes forward, face blank, arms at the sides, the works. General Pepper sat there, with a smile on his face. "So, what kind of a soldier were you?"
"Sir, I was a soldier in the United States Armed Forces, of the continent America, of the planet Earth, sir!"
"I see. And, what kind of soldiers did they train there?"
"Sir, only the best of the best, sir!" Jim replied, loud and proud.
"I can see that. It says here that, you were a 'specialist'?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"What did you specialize in?"
"Sir, 'specialist' is the rank given to those, who exceed the expectations of the rank 'private first class', sir!"
"So, 'specialist' is a rank now, eh?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" Pepper reached out from behind his desk, and pulled out a jar of suckers. He pulled out a blue one, removed the wrapper, and placed it into his mouth.
"Would you like one?" Jim barely glanced at the jar, before returning his eyes forward.
"Sir, I must respectfully decline, sir!"
"Put you on a diet where you from?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"Well, we're not on Earth now, are we?" He wiggled the jar, making the candy jiggle a bit. Jim stuck out a reluctant hand, and pulled out a red sucker, and placed it in his right cargo pocket.
"Good choice."
"Sir, thank you, sir!"
"That's an interesting weapon you have, there. Mind if I take a look." Jim unholstered his nine-millimeter Glock, and cleared it; he pointed the weapon in a safe direction, away from the general, made sure the weapon was on safe, removed the magazine, placed the magazine on the desk, pulled the bolt back, made sure the chamber was empty, and slid the bolt forward, placing the ejected round in the magazine, after setting the glock on the desk. He then went back to the position of attention.
"Sir, weapon is now cleared for inspection, sir!"
"Thank you soldier. Wouldn't want an accident, now would we." Pepper picked the Glock up, and practiced aiming it at the far right wall.
"How accurate is this weapon?"
"Sir, the nine-millimeter Glock is accurate up to fifty meters, sir!"
"Fifty? that's mighty close."
"Sir, that is why we are normally armed with rifles, sir!"
"How effective is this weapon?"
"Sir, the weapon is only as effective as the soldier firing it, sir!"
"Show me."
"...sir?"
"Shoot me." Jim felt his body go numb. Outside, the team could scarcely believe what they had heard. "Di-did General Pepper just tell Jim to shoot him?"
"I...think so, Slip." said Falco, uneasily.
"But...why? Why would General Pepper want Jim to kill him?"
"Don't worry Krystal, he knows what he's doing." said Peppy, wondering if he did have a plan.
"Sir, I must respectfully decline, sir!"
"And why is that?"
"Sir, I cannot shoot a superior officer, sir!" General Pepper's smile disappeared, replaced by a stern look.
"I am giving you an order, soldier, now, pick up that weapon, and shoot me!" Jim loaded the magazine into the Glock, and locked a round in the chamber.
"General, NOOOOO!" Fox slammed his body against the door, in a vain attempt to get it opened. But, the door would not budge.
"Fox!" Fox ran back to the screen, and saw Jim take aim at General Pepper.
"Do it." he said, on the screen. 'BANG!'
"NOOOOOO!" Fox and co. broke down the door, and what they saw made them freeze; Jim was standing in place, his pistol in hand while Pepper was beaming at him, and the team, with a bullet hole in the glass view behind him just a few inches shy of touching his head.
"You missed deliberately. Why?"
"Sir, I am a soldier, not a murderer, sir!"
"What's the difference?" Pepper asked, never losing his smile.
"Sir, a soldier upholds the constitution of his nation, defends the people of his nation, and fights the enemies of his nation! A murderer kills indiscriminately, albeit for pleasure, vengeance, or a mental imbalance, sir!" General Pepper let out a hearty laugh, and sat back down on his chair.
"Very good! Very good! You may all relax, I'm perfectly fine." Jim holstered his weapon, and stood at ease, while the team picked themselves up. "Son, do you know the purpose of that test?"
"To see if I'm really a soldier."
"Exactly. And, you have proven your worth, and your honor." He stuck out a hand, and Jim took it.
"Welcome to Team Star Fox, James Aaron Howards Jr., Specialist of the United States Armed Forces of America, of Earth!" Pepper said, loud and proud. Jim felt a grin play across his features.
Outside the complex, the team was still giving Jim congrats all around; "Good work, Jim!"
"Never expected the general to pull that oneā¦"
"Nice going, bud!"
"You did it! You pulled it off!" Krystal embraced Jim from behind.
"Excellent, Jim! The general trusts you, now. You're one of us from now on!"
"Great. Now, if you all will excuse me, I need to go throw up..." Jim, looking pale and feeling faint, stumbled to a lamppost and slumped to his knees. "I...just pulled...a gun...on a general..." he said, not believing what had happened.
"Here, pal, let me help you up." Fox got Jim by the arm, and helped the young man to his feet.
"Hey, who's hungry? I know this great place!" Slippy said excitedly.
"Jim, think you'll be able to keep something down?" Krystal asked, still smiling.
"I'll be fine, I just need some water." he said, a little faint. Then, the team, with thier newest member in tow, made thier way into the sunset.
In his office, General Pepper watched the team leave the complex. When they had left, he pulled out, from a drawer, a box, with a glowing item inside. He held the box, remembering the words of a being made of light:
"You will give this item to the rightful owner."
"But, how will I know who the rightful owner is?"
"You will know, for he will have the power of our race."
General Pepper came back from memory, contemplating about the young man. 'He certainly seems like it, but, time will tell. Yes, time will tell.' He stared out of the glass view with the bullet hole, and watched the tranquil sunset.
