Kursed to Love

Summary: When Krystal started her life as a bounty hunter named Kursed, Fox also changed professions. The consequences cause the reformation of a new Star Fox no one expected. Combines several endings to Command.

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Chapter 4: Falco

Star Falco wasn't usually called to the General's office, and for good reason. The General – the only name he was known by – hated Dash. Before becoming Protector of Venom, Dash had been a member of Star Falco, along with Falco and Katt. There was a great deal of enmity between Falco and the General for this reason.

Of course, not many people liked the General. He was rude, crude, perverted, and self-righteous. To most, he was just someone they had to put up with for the time being, although some refused to. Bill had resigned the Cornerian Military in disgust when the General refused to follow through with the promotion to Admiral that Peppy had promised him. Now Bill flew as a member of Star Falco.

However annoying the General was though, Falco stuck to legacy his best friend Fox had left him. If it meant serving the people, they would put up with the stuck up piece of striped orange flea-bait.

Which was why Falco and his teammates were in the General's office, along with every Cornerian Admiral in Lylat, listening to a wounded whiner about why they were going to war against Venom once more.

I don't get paid enough for this, Falco thought furiously.

"We shall begin now in making sure they do not come close to Corneria this time," the General said. "We've been far too lucky in the past. Now, we must end it once and for all. Either Venom goes, or Corneria does."

"Do you mean you want us to slag the planet?" an Admiral asked, mortified.

"When we get to that point, yes," was the answer. "We cannot afford to take risks anymore. It's us or them."

"Count us out," Falco said, standing to leave.

"Just one second, rookie, I may have the leverage to change your mind," the tiger grinned.

"That's Captain Lombardi to you," Bill growled. He didn't like the fact that the General was openly insulting Falco, and in front of the Admiral Counsel as well.

"Talk fast," Falco said, the venom of his own anger clear in his voice.

"Help us, and I'll tell you where Fox McCloud is," the General offered.

The members of Star Falco couldn't believe what they just heard. Fox McCloud had been missing for almost two years. Bill and Katt both knew that Falco would do anything to find his old friend and leader.

"How do I know you're telling me the truth?" Falco asked, but his tone of voice said that the General had already won.

"I have my sources," the General smiled.

"Fine, but I want a good price for every ship we take out," Falco said. "And I want you to replace every ship we lose in the fight."

"Very well," the tiger said. "Dismissed."

As the team left the building, Katt voiced her concern, "The General took things way to easy this time. Either he's finally warming up to us, or he's stabbing us in the back."

"Money-wise he can't now," Bill said. "He made that statement in front of the Admirals. But do you really think he's telling the truth about Fox, Falco?"

Falco sighed, "No, but it's something to go on. Right now, I could use any lead, and this is the first one in months."

The other two agreed. They all had their doubts about it, but they had nothing else to go on. They could only play the General's game and hope. What else could they do?