Krystal spent many hours of her first days training, becoming more and more of a skilled and helpful member of the team. Throughout it all, Fox remained being tough on her. During her flight simulations, she showed some need for improvement. As she continued training in the Arwing simulation, learning mostly from Falco, since he was the team's best in flight, she soon became a great pilot. She wasn't as good as Falco, but she became a great pilot nonetheless.
However, she mostly excelled in ground fighting, and that would prove very useful, as she would mostly win in sparring matches against Falco and even Fox at times, and she was responsible for taking down the most enemy droids in target practices... However, Fox remained rather skeptical.
Krystal adopted the same outfit she wore during her first simulation as her primary outfit, though with a small difference; a Star Fox team badge placed on the vest.
Fox stood by on the Great Fox, waiting for the fee to be delivered for his work on Sauria. He waited by in the bridge, sitting in his chair and working on the computer, getting a bit bored. He looked over and saw Krystal and Falco talking in a very friendly conversation. Immediately, Krystal and Falco were very close friends... And that bothered Fox. Why the Hell is he so close to Krystal, anyways, Fox thought.
As Krystal and Falco continued conversing with each other, Fox left the bridge and started heading to his quarters to get some rest, entering and laying down in his bed to do so.
Later on, once he woke, Fox walked through the ship, right where he came upon the hangar bay. As he came in, he looked over in aggravation as he spotted Krystal with Falco and Slippy, the three of them working on an Arwing.
Fox proceeded to walk past this to the next office as the three kept working. Krystal was using the spanner to put the section of her focus in place, making sure it was all fastened.
"You sure you got it working?" Falco asked the vixen.
"It's coming," Krystal said, "I think I've fixed it."
"Well," Falco spoke, "Let's test it out."
"Right," Krystal said, "Climb in, then."
"Will do." Falco responded.
As Falco started climbing into the Arwing, Krystal saw Slippy sitting on a nearby crate, working on some papers. Krystal walked up and saw him to be working on blue prints. Krystal was a bit giddy as she stood there, holding her hands behind her back, and Slippy could even hear her tail wagging.
"Care if I see this," Krystal asked, "...If I may."
"Oh, sure," Slippy responded, showing the vixen the blueprints for new designs on the ship. Krystal looked at the design of the mother ship, seeing a slicker, improved and more durable version of the Great Fox.
"...Slick," Krystal said, "It's very impressive, lifelike."
"Yeah," Slippy stated, "I thought it'd be good to add the new X-05 plasma cannons for more powerful shots, stronger shielding and armor, Mark 2 engines for faster speeds and maneuverability, as well as a new angular and slick design."
"I'd like seeing it's abilities." Krystal said.
Falco started switching on a few buttons, turning the Arwing on and it started to hover, hinting at the progress, with Krystal and Slippy looking on in relief. "Seems to be working," Falco called down to them, "Ya' did good, Krys."
However, suddenly, a fire started breaking out near the cockpit, startling everyone. Slippy rushed to go grab a nearby fire extinguisher as Falco turned off and set the Arwing down. Once he did, Krystal immediately climbed aboard the Arwing and reached out to get Falco, helping him out of the ship and then jumping back down with him... Slippy then came over and sprayed the extinguisher at the bursting area, putting out the flames.
"Is everything all right?" a worried Krystal asked as she helped Falco back up.
"Yeah, I'm good," Falco responded, gratefully, "Thanks, Krystal."
As Slippy put out the rest of the fire, and alerted Fox came in from the office and rushed over towards his team mates, looking furiously eager to know what went on.
"What the Hell just happened?!" Fox demanded.
"...I-I'm really sorry," Krystal said, "I-It..."
"Just an accident, Fox," Falco said, "No big deal."
Fox looked over the Arwing, processing what just happened as he turned back and spoke, "Really, cause we can probably scratch flying off of her list."
"...I'll try being better, sir." Krystal said.
Fox, however, turned back to the vixen and stated, "And I really doubt you will... If you wanna crash and burn, be my guest. Just don't bring us all down with you, got it."
Trying to defend Krystal, Falco spoke out, "Fox, what the Hell's your problem?"
"She's my problem," Fox spoke, "I'd feel better if my back was being watched by the high scorer, and I don't really see a soldier when looking at her... She doesn't even like guns."
"You've seen the simulations," Falco stated, "She'll handle herself really well once we're out there!"
"She doesn't belong here," Fox continued, "You wanna watch over her, that's fine, but I'm focusing on accomplishing my job, even if she's too busy trying to be something she's not!"
"Fox!" a nearby Peppy called out to reprimand him, "...That's enough!"
With a huff, Fox looked at Krystal with disappointed ire and then walked back up towards the bridge as Peppy followed after him. Falco stood there, just as Krystal walked up to him.
"I've been listening," Krystal said, "...He is right."
"Look, what just happened was a mistake," Falco corrected, "I'll be honest, I didn't know what to think of your abilities at first, but after seeing you in training, I'm sure you'll do great out there."
"Right... I'll be right there with you." Krystal said.
"Take it from me, I'm a professional," Falco stated, "Come on, let's try out your piloting."
With that, Krystal and Falco proceeded to enter two spare Arwings. From what Krystal remembered, she switched on the controls and her ship hovered as she waited for Falco to get his up. Eventually, they both soared out of the hangar, rushing into the space surrounding the Great Fox.
Fox sat at his chair on the bridge, contemplating everything going on in his mind. That's when Peppy walked up into the bridge to meet him, and he was more than just wishing to talk about what happened.
"Fox, you were a bit hard on them." Peppy stated.
Fox sighed and spoke, "Not now, Peppy... I don't need you encouraging this."
"Why not," Peppy questioned, "She's a very capable soldier... She's had the experience."
"Yeah, I've heard. But you know it just as I do... She's too pacifistic, and probably too clumsy."
"Regardless, she'll fight when necessary, and she'll do it with great effort."
"Yeah, I'll take that when I actually see it."
"...Fox, what's going on with you... Ever since she joined the team, you've been acting different."
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw the way you were looking at her when you first met her... Now, you're distant, acting harsh."
"That's because I have my team to look out for... You should know that more than anyone."
"Oh, I know, and I agree, but you could stand to be more supportive. We got along just fine with the old Fox, and she'll get along just as fine if you bring him out more."
"...Whatever, Peppy." Fox spoke.
"Just remember, Fox," Peppy stated, "We're having a meeting in an hour to discuss our next move."
As the two sat there, Fox sigh and moaned, "God damn it." to himself as he rubbed his eyes with his right hand. From there, the two men watched from the bridge window as the Arwings of Krystal and Falco soared just outside to begin their practice.
While Fox kept watching the practice, Peppy felt some relief go over him as he watched Fox. Peppy then looked up to the ceiling and thought to himself, You've got a good boy here, James.