Chapter Four: The Last Survivor

"What the hell went on in this place!" Fox shouted, his jaw still dropped in awe.

"All these people…" Krystal said softly, a tear forming in her eye.

The entire office was filled up with corpses scattered everywhere. There were bloodstains everywhere; on the clothes of the victims, the carpets, the desks, the walls, and even the ceiling.

"What the hell happened!" Falco exclaimed, moving forward.

"I don't know what's going on…" Slippy mumbled. "…but if my father has anything to do with this, I'll never forgive him!"

The others didn't say anything; Fox began to move ahead, his Blaster held firmly in front of him. The corpses of innocent workers who apparently were just doing their jobs kept appearing and appearing. He made sure not to step on any of them as he trudged through the dark office; his team following right behind him. Fox crouched down behind another desk and opened up his communicator while his teammates did the same.

"What's the situation, Fox?" Peppy's voice came in.

"Oh, I don't think we'll be finding any hostages anytime soon, Peppy." Fox said in a rather low voice, looking around the room.

"Why? What's going on here?"

"Well, uh…" Fox moved his wrist out, holding it out in front of the office. The camera was pointing out to the room.

"Oh my god…" Peppy muttered, looking very shocked.

Fox moved the camera back in front of him. "They must have been dead for at least five or six days…"

"What is going on around here!" Peppy shouted.

"I don't know…but it must've been more serious than we thought."

Everybody sat there in silence for a moment, then Fox came in. "Peppy. General Pepper knows everything about this, right?"

"Yes." Peppy answered. "What do you have in mind?"

"I need you to ask General Pepper what he knows about this weapon…and I mean everything."

"Alright." Peppy responded. "I'll get a search going on it, and…wait, Fox--"

"What is it, Peppy?" Fox asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Scanners have indicated other life forms present…currently one."

"What!" the four shouted.

"Yes." Peppy confirmed. "There is one life form on the north-western part of this office. Scanners show that he or she is very weak. I suggest you find them fast."

"Right!" Fox closed his communicator. "You heard him guys! Let's do it to it!"

The four stood up, and dashed toward the north-western area. They began frantically searching over the many corpses, when they noticed an unusual body. A pearl-white, female cat in a white uniform was shifting slightly.

"Excuse me, miss?" Fox said, slowly reaching out.

The woman slowly looked over, and saw them. She began to scream weakly, as a tough piece of wire-like clothe was wrapped around her mouth tightly. Her hands and feet were also tightly bound. Fox thought she looked like she was in her mid-20's.

"No, no!" Fox said. "We're not with any terrorists. We're here to help you!"

Fox kneeled beside her and began to gently unwrap the cloth around her mouth, then her hands, and finally, her legs. The woman slowly sat up as Fox guided her; she seemed to be very weak. He noticed she had blood stains all over her dress.

"Are you alright, miss?" he asked, rather softly.

She coughed, then looked up at him. "Yes…thank you…" she took a minute to look at all of them.

Fox watched her, as she slowly looked at him and his team.

"So…so you're not with them…" she said quietly.

"With who?" Fox asked, kneeling down right next to her so she wouldn't have to use any unnecessary strength to talk loud.

"The--" she coughed again. "--the terrorists…"

"Terrorists?"

"Yes. So you're really not one of--them?"

"No. I'm Fox McCloud, leader of Team Star Fox."

"Star Fox? I've heard of you. You're the man who saved the Lylat System from Andross almost ten years ago, aren't you?"

Fox felt a little embarrassed. "Yeah, that's me. But I couldn't have done it without my team…friends here. This is Falco Lombardi--"

"Yo!" Falco nodded.

"--Krystal--"

Krystal politely bowed.

"--and Slippy Toad."

"Hello!"

"Toad, did you say?" she asked. "Beltino Toad wouldn't happen to be your father, would he?"

"Yes, he is…" Slippy replied, dropping his polite tone.

"Anyway…" Fox cut in, knowing how uncomfortable Slippy was getting. "Tell me more about these terrorists."

Fox opened his communicator so Peppy could listen in as well. She looked at him and nodded.

"About five days ago, a group of terrorists invaded this colony in search of our blueprints for the project we've been currently working on."

"The Black Cobras?" Fox asked.

"Y-yes. How do you know about that?"

"I read a file on it earlier downstairs…" he answered, casually looking over at Slippy.

"Anyway, they raided the place in search of them, and threatened the Cornerian Government with terrorist demands."

"What were their demands?"

"Fifty-billion spdollars, and the design for their new 'E Smart Bombs' ''

"E Smart Bombs?"

"Yes. A new type of bomb that can act as an EMP, and has an explosive radius of three-hundred miles. It's completely invisible to radar."

"Why didn't Pepper tell us about that…" Fox said to himself.

"If the demands were not met, the terrorists would kill a staff member every hour. And as you can see…"

"We know…" Fox replied.

"They got out with the blueprints and files, and left me for dead…"

"Are you the last survivor?"

"That I know of, yes…"

They sat there for a moment, not saying a word.

"By the way, my name is Jessica Turnquist."

"How have you been surviving in here, Jessica?"

She frowned. "To tell you the truth, I don't even know myself…"

"It must've been rough…" Fox replied. "…You must be starving to death…"

She coughed again. "Yes…y-yes…"

Fox lifted his communicator to his face. "Peppy, is there anything we can do for her?"

"…I could try to send in the Medical Corps…" his voice came in. "Hang on, I'll patch them in."

Fox looked at her. "We're sending someone to come and get you. Think you can hang on a little longer?"

She smiled faintly. "Yes."

"Oh, and before I forget…" Fox said. "Did you see any Cornerian Reconnaissance Troops around the time the terrorists took over?"

"Yes!" she replied. "They went up to the eighth floor where the terrorists were stationed five days ago. But I have not seen nor heard from any of them since…"

"Eighth floor? Got it." Fox stood up. He looked back into his communicator. "Can you get access to them, Peppy?"

"Yes. They're on their way."

Fox smiled. "Yes! Have them come to the second floor." He looked back at Jessica. "The Medical Corps are coming to get you, Ms. Turnquist. Don't worry anymore, you're gonna be just fine."

"Oh, and Fox?" she said. "I want you to take this."

Fox kneeled back down beside her again. He took the card.

"It'll get you access into every floor from one through ten."

Fox smiled, and put the card into his pocket. "How many floors are there?"

"Eleven." she answered. "I wasn't of enough clearance to have access to the President's office on the eleventh floor."

"Thanks." he smiled.

Without any hesitation, she lunged at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "Thank you, Fox…" she said into his ear, tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you so much."

Fox returned her warmth, and stood up. "I…well…"

She looked up at him, her eyes twinkling. "It's true what they say you're not just courageous; you're a gentleman, too."

"Well, we'd better continue our investigation." Fox said. "Are you going to be alright by yourself?"

"Yes. Thanks for rescuing me, Fox McCloud." she smiled.

Fox grinned as he turned around. "Anytime, Ms. Turnquist."

They headed back to the elevator as she watched them walk off. Just before Fox turned the corner, he heard her trying to work up enough strength to speak again.

"Fox." she called.

He looked over in her direction. "Yeah?"

She smiled again. "Is there anyway I can repay you?"

He rubbed his chin, and then said, "Just give me a call when you're better."

She chucked softly, and smiled. "Alright."

He grinned, and continued back to the elevator where his team was waiting. The elevator chimed, and opened up its doors. Fox, Falco, and Slippy all stepped inside as Krystal just stood there; apparently hesitating.

"What's up, Krystal/" Fox asked.

She frowned, and looked up at him. "I think I'll stay with her until the Medical Corps get here…"

"Hmm?"

"Yeah, I will." she looked back nervously. "I don't feel comfortable just leaving her here alone in her condition. Permission to stay?"

"Granted." Fox replied. "Remember, we'll be on the eighth floor when they arrive. Just radio us in, and I'll unlock the door as soon as I can."

She smiled, and turned around, heading for the wounded Jessica. Fox turned around and stepped into the elevator. Krystal looked back as the elevator closed and headed straight up. Jessica looked up at Krystal as she appeared from around the corner. She looked a little confused.

"Hi Jessica." Krystal said softly.

"Oh! Uh, K-Krystal, was it?" she replied awkwardly.

Krystal nodded, and sat right next to her, leaning against the wall behind her.

"Why did you come back?" Jessica asked.

Krystal smiled. "Just thought I'd give you company until help gets here."

They both sat silently for a moment, until Jessica broke the silence.

"So, he must be really special to you…" she said.

Krystal's eyes opened. "Huh? Oh, um…yes…he is…"

"Are you two..?"

"No! I mean, we haven't yet…"

Jessica laughed. "I know how that is…"

Krystal looked at her. "Hmm?"

Jessica looked up at the ceiling, apparently recalling older times. "I was working as a weapons technologist at Katina before I transferred here three years ago. That's where I met him…"

Krystal arched an eyebrow. "Who?"

Jessica turned to look at Krystal. "Leader of the Bull-Dog Unit, rank S officer, Bill Grey."

She had heard that name before. "Bill?" Isn't that one of Fox's best friends?

"The day he really impressed me was on the battlefield, almost ten years ago…" she closed her eyes. "Our base was under attack on the Katina Outpost Research Center by an armada of Venomian Fighter Jets. A giant UFO-like mother ship appeared and began to deploy even more jets. Bill commanded the Katinan Army, and led us to victory…he was so brave…"

"Fox told me about that…" Krystal mentioned. "He told me that Bill drew their attention while he went to take out the energy core of the ship."

"So, that's who did it!" she exclaimed.

"Did he ever tell you about Fox?" Krystal asked.

"Well, sort of…" she replied. "He just said an old friend popped in to help us out, but he never said who…"

Krystal sat there, thinking about Fox for a moment, fighting off that armada. "Um…Jessica…whatever happened to Bill?"

She frowned. "Well, the last time I saw him, he said he was going to help out in the fight against the Aparoids. It's been months since, and I haven't seen him since…"

Krystal shook her head.

"Krystal…" Jessica said quietly.

"Hmm?"

"How do you feel about Fox?"

Krytsal blushed. "Well, I…I really care for him. I'm always thinking about him, and I never want to see him hurt…"

Jessica smiled. "Have you told him?"

She shook her head. "No, not yet…" she checked to make sure her communicator was off.

"Well, whatever you do, don't make it too late…" she closed her eyes, a tear forming in her right. "Or you'll miss your chance."

Krystal looked at her and nodded. Suddenly, there was the sound of many different footsteps. She looked up and saw a group of many different footsteps. She looked up and saw a group of SEALS entering the office, AK's in their hands, and bullet-proof shields attached to their arms.

"There she is!" one of the masked-men said.

They marched over, avoiding tripping on any of the bodies that filled the room. Krystal stood up.

"Here she is." she informed.

The leader nodded, and signaled for one of the others to come forward. Two stepped up, medical kits in their hands.

"We'll take it from here, miss." the leader said.

Krystal nodded, and left for the elevator.

"Krystal!" Jessica called.

Krystal looked back.

"Thank you." she called.

Krystal smiled. And thinking of Fox, she said, "Anytime."

She turned the corner, and followed the hallway path to the elevator. As the door was coming down, she opened her communicator.

"Fox?" she said.

"Yeah?" his voice came in.

"Open the door, I'm coming up!" she said cheerfully

"Don't need to!" Fox replied. "Peppy found a way to unlock the doors permanently once we've opened them!"

"Alright!" Be right there!" So, that's how the SEALS got in…

"Oh, and Krystal…you're not gonna believe what we found…"

"What is it?" she said curiously.

"Well, let's just say we know where the data is…"

"Really! I'll be right there!"

She jumped into the elevator, and pressed the 'Eight' key. Slowly, the room began to move up; she watched the passing floors go by. Finally, after what felt like hours, the elevator stopped, and the door opened. The door leading to the offices automatically opened, thanks to Peppy. The room was huge; dimly-lit lights dangled lights dangled over the many computers that filled the another room. They're probably in there… she thought as she walked through the room, holding her Blaster firmly in her hands. Every monitor screen was blank, and the corporate flag was spread out on the ground, apparently having been trampled and stepped on by numerous people. She slowly up there, shut off as well. She opened the door slowly and quietly, then quickly forced it open, simultaneously jumping in and pointing her Blaster in front of her. The dome-shaped room was empty; except for a big computer in the back, and a few desks and shelves here and there. Suddenly, three figures popped into the room from behind their hiding spots, pointing their weapons. Krytsal dropped her Blaster by mistake, apparently shocked. It was Fox, Falco, and Slippy.

"Sorry, Krystal!" Fox said, lowering his weapon. "Thought you were a terrorist or somethin'!"

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that!" Falco said. He walked over to her Blaster, picked it up, and handed it to her. "But you have to learn to not take anything by surprise. Always keep your guard up, no matter what!"

"I know…" she muttered, taking her weapon.

Fox looked at them. "Falco, c'mon! Give her a break…this is her first black-ops mission, remember?"

Falco shrugged and walked back to the computer. Fox motioned the two of them to follow.

"So, what have you guys found?" Krytstal asked Slippy as they followed Fox and Falco.

"We'll…we found a computer that had the test-run data on it." Slippy said. "It's all missing, but we're uploading the location of where it is now."

Krystal smiled. "Alright!"

They watched as the uploading bar on the monitor slowly began to fill up. After about ten minutes, a red message appeared, reading "Upload Successful."

"Peppy!" Fox opened his communicator. "Are ya getting this?"

"Sure am, Fox!" he replied.

"And it looks like the data is now in the hands of…" Falco read.

"Sargasso Space Zone!" all five of them shouted.

Fox pounded the desk with his fist. "Are you telling me that Star Wolf has it!"

"I'm afraid so…" Peppy said. "But the trail doesn't end there…their last destination was Venom!"

"What!" Falco yelled.

"Team! We have to get to Venom, ASAP!" Peppy shouted.

"Right!" Fox shouted. "Let's move out!"

As they stepped out of the room, they froze on top of the stairway. There stood an enormous group of shielded soldiers, aiming their weapons up at them.

"Oh…crap…" Fox muttered.

A soft clapping began to sound. From behind his men appeared Andrew Oikonny, nephew of Fox McCloud's arch nemesis, Andross.

"Well, well Fox McCloud, we meet again!" he laughed.

"Oikonny, you ignorant ape!" Fox shouted. "What the hell are you up to!"

"If I could only tell you!" he sneered. "But I'm afraid you boys have been snooping too much! It's time to say good night, Foxie!"

Suddenly, three bullet shots went off. Falco, Slippy, and Krystal all fell to the ground.

"Falco! Slippy! Krystal!" Fox shouted to his fallen comrades.

"Don't worry too much, my friend!" Andrew laughed. "It's only a tranquilizer."

Fox felt somewhat relieved. His whole body was shaking with rage. "I'm no friend of yours!"

Suddenly, three soldiers marched up to Fox, surrounding him from all sides. "Drop your weapon! And put your hands into the air!" one of them commanded.

Fox rolled his eyes, and dropped his Blaster to the ground and raised his hands. The three surrounded him, looking somewhat accomplished. Suddenly, without hesitation, Fox grabbed the weapon from in front of him, and whipped him around the face with the stock. He then kicked the man behind him in the face, and through a fast punch to the last man; both of whom fell to the ground, unconscious. Andrew signaled more men to lunge at him. Fox dashed toward them, throwing punches here and there, nailing quite a few soldiers. He quickly grabbed a soldier by the arm, and flung him at a group of other soldiers. Someone shot at him, and he quickly ducked, barely avoiding it. He watched as the bullet struck another soldier, killing him. Suddenly, a huge group surrounded him, all of whom were pointing their weapons.

"Give it up, Star Fox!" Andrew called out.

Fox was shaking with rage.

"I'm afraid he's right, Fox." Peppy came in.

"But Peppy--!"

"Don't do it, Fox! You're going to be killed!"

"But--!"

"It's not worth it! What would your father think!"

Fox scoffed, and put his hands into the air.

"Now, that's a good fox!" Andrew laughed.

"Pretty sad when one guy can take down your whole army now, isn't it!" Fox said, grinning evilly.

"W-watch your mouth!" Andrew snapped. "Let him have it, boys!"

And with that, a loud gunshot went off, and Fox slowly fell to the ground.