PLEASE READ.
I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Also, please offer any input if you'd like to. I'm always open to criticism, and I'll do whatever I can to fine tune the story to your liking. Any ways, enjoy chapter 3

3. Troubled Minds

~The team was anxiously waiting in the bridge of the Great Fox. They were on edge since Fox told them about the briefing and they didn't accept the fact that a convict was going to work with them in exchange for judicial freedom. "If he tries anything," Falco said as he was loading a clip into his blaster, "I'll take my blaster and put a hole in his head."

"I'll crush him with the Landmaster." Slippy angrily continued.

"I don't like this Fox," Amanda nervously interjected, "do you trust him?"

"I don't know." Fox softly responded. "All I know is that he has information we need, and he wants to help us." Fox was seated in a chair in front of the windshield looking out over the air way. He saw Axios being escorted to the Great Fox and he even saw Axios's fighter being towed behind him. He crossed his arms and was thinking deeply about his decision.

Krystal noticed the look on Fox's face and she could tell that he was irritated. She didn't want to read his mind to find out what was wrong, but she didn't like to see him so distraught. She gently placed her fingers on her forehead as Fox was looking the other way. "What did he loose?" Fox thought. "Where did he get all those scars, and he didn't even ask for immunity. He's accepting his punishment, but he's helping any ways. What is he after?"

Fox let out a sigh. "There's something to it." He continued to think. "If he's helping us like this then he must have a good reason. He even shook my hand and didn't try to escape. Based on what Peppy said, he could have easily fought his way out or even brake my arm. But why didn't he try to run away? None of this makes sense."

Krystal tried to read deeper into Fox's thoughts. She viewed Fox's memories as she saw that he shook hands with their new visitor. The sight made her nervous and she removed her fingers from her forehead. "Fox," she thought, "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Fox," ROB said, "a ship has been locked into the hanger, and the prisoner is being brought to the bridge."

"Thanks ROB." Fox said. The team turned towards the bridge entrance. They all stood there, except Fox who was sitting, waiting for those doors to open. Falco, Slippy, and Amanda all had one of their hands on their blasters, and Krystal was holding her staff in her hands while her arms were crossed. After what felt like hours of wait, the doors to the bridge opened and the team gazed upon their new guest.

"Guys," Fox said to his team, "this is Axios."

The team was relatively surprised with Axios's appearance. He bore great resemblance to Fox minus the fact that his fur was a different color and he was dressed in black clothing. He had a black jacket over his sleeveless shirt, and his last new addition was locater brace attached to his ankle.

"Axios, this is the Star Fox team." Fox continued.

"Nice to finally meet you all in person." Axios said.

"Well Foxie," Falco said in surprise, "if I didn't know better; I'd say you two were related."

"Thankfully we're not."

"You should be in jail." Slippy interjected.

"And you're lucky you're getting a second chance and not a plasma round to the head." Falco continued.

Axios crossed his arms and gradually leaned to the side. "You don't have to like me, and I surely don't like any of you hot shots either. But I'm being offered a second chance and I don't go back on my word." he said.

"Don't cross us." Amanda angrily said.

"Not my intention."

Fox stood from his chair and walked in between his team to be standing in between them and Axios. "Let's settle something first." He said. "Don't think this is your chance to run away. If your accomplices bring a threat to the Lylat system, they have to be stopped. When the time comes, are you willing to face them considering you're helping us?"

"My reasons for helping for you are my own." Axios replied. "When the time comes, I'll face them; and I'll do so flying by your side, not theirs."

"He isn't going to become a member of Star Fox is he?" Slippy quickly asked

"No. I don't think I would even if you asked me to."

"Good thing we aren't asking then." Falco retorted.

Axios uncrossed his arms and stepped towards Falco. Fox stepped in front of him blocking his approach. He wasn't about to have Falco and Axios starting a fight aboard the Great Fox. "Falco, relax." Fox said as he held is hand up to Falco. "Our new guest won't become a problem." Fox paused and gave Axios a questionable look. "Will he?"

"That depends on you." Axios responded.

Krystal walked up through Falco, Slippy, and Amanda and stood next to Fox. "So your gang destroyed the fleet?" she asked.

"I can honestly say I'm not proud to admit it but yes."

"How many of you were there?"

"Before I answer that, I think we should get moving. I was told to help you, and I plan to do so."

Everyone was alert for Axios's treachery. His method of avoiding Krystal's question rose a bit of suspicion amongst the Star Fox team. "Then how are you going to help us then?" Slippy asked.

"I hope you don't mind the cold, but if you want to find my comrades, then you'll have to head to Fichina."

"ROB, set a course to Fichina." Fox said as he turned to face ROB.

"Affirmative." ROB replied.

"I'll answer any questions on the way." Axios said. The team spread out through the bridge and every one took a seat. They buckled themselves in their seats and the Great Fox slowly lifted off the Cornerian air way. After a few minutes, the ship fired its engines and ascended into the Cornerian atmosphere. Soon the Great Fox was in orbit over Corneria, and the engines prepped for a light speed jump to Fichina.

"Entering jump in 3… 2… 1…" ROB said. Soon a small blue field started to surround the windshield of the Great Fox's bridge, and the massive ship entered a light speed jump. The team unstrapped the harnesses from their chairs and sat comfortably. All attention was now turned to Axios.

"So," Krystal said, "about my question?"

"There were eight of us." Axios responded.

"What?" Slippy quickly asked. "You're telling me the eight of you guys took down an entire Cornerian fleet? That's impossible."

"Nothing is impossible. The fleet had many fighters try to shoot us down, but my comrades and I are very skilled pilots."

"Who exactly are your comrades?" Amanda asked.

"I don't know their names. For our own safety, none of us ever shared names. We gave each other numbers to hide our identities." Axios paused for a moment to ponder the information he was about to give. At the same time, Krystal was gently leaning her head off the side as she slouched a bit in her seat. Her arm was rested on the arm rest and her fingers were gently pressed upon her head. She was trying to read his mind for any signs of lies.

"We are known as the Black Suns." Axios continued. "There have always been eight and only eight members of this group; including myself."

"And where exactly can we find your friends?" Falco asked.

When Axios turned to Falco to answer his questions, he noticed that Falco had a rifle leaning up against his seat. "Are you eager to get revenge Falco?" Axios asked.

"I'm asking the question here pal." Falco said.

Axios leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. "I don't know where I can find them." he said.

"That wasn't our deal." Fox said.

"I know our deal. The issue is that we're ghosts. We are always separated from each other to avoid causing damage to each other."

"Causing damage to each other?" Krystal said.

"Let's just say I'm not on friendly terms with a few of my comrades."

"I can't imagine why." Falco interjected.

"I'll second that." Slippy said.

"Third." Amanda added.

Before Axios could respond, an alarm started to sound within the bridge of the Great Fox. "Exiting jump in 3… 2… 1…" ROB said. After a brief moment of deceleration, the ship was now approaching the planet Fichina. "Approaching Fichina space zone." ROB said.

The team stood from their chairs and approached the windshield. "Brrr, just looking at the planet gives me chills." Amanda said.

"Good thing our ships have good heating." Slippy responded.

"All right," Fox said as he looked at the planet, "Axios, what are we looking for down there?"

Axios stood from his chair and approached the team. "We're looking for one of my comrades." Axios said. "The particular one we're looking for is identified with the number seven."

"I thought you said you didn't know where any of them were?" Slippy asked.

"All but one. Seven would often remain close to Fichina. He enjoyed the cold."

"Any leads?" Krystal asked.

"He won't be around the climate control center; that I can promise you. In the outskirts, however, there is an abandoned insurrectionist out post. That would be a likely place to start."

"So, search and destroy? I like it." Falco said.

"Beware Seven is no push over pilot. Don't underestimate his abilities."

"I guess we should get down there and see for ourselves." Slippy said in his excitement.

The team turned and walked out of the bridge towards the hangar bay. Before Fox would leave the bridge however, Krystal grabbed his arm and held him back. "Fox," she said, "I need to tell you something."

Fox turned back to face Krystal. "Tell me." he said.

"It's about Axios. There's something strange about him. I don't know how to explain it, but I sense that there's something he's not telling us." Krystal said.

"Is he leading us into a trap?"

"I don't think so, but there is something in the back of his mind that is eating away at him. I couldn't see it as he was trying to bury it behind in the back of his mind. Almost like trying to hide a memory."

Fox took a moment to embrace Krystal. She wrapped her arms around him and the two shared a moment before they would depart. "We'll be careful." Fox said. "But should anything happen, I-"

Krystal placed a finger on Fox's lip to silence him. "Don't act like you're going to let anything happen." she said.

"Ok." Fox and Krystal joined the rest of the team in the hangar bay. The Star Fox team climbed into their fighters and was ready to be launched into space. They all watched as Axios climbed into his ghostly, black fighter. They saw his cockpit window close and his figure disappeared behind the tinted glass.

"Hey hot shot," Falco said over the communicator, "does that hunk of junk have a name?"

Axios flipped a switch and the engines were primed for launch. He strapped himself into the cockpit and turned on his radio. "My ship is known as Nightshade. I designed her myself." Axios responded.

"Let's see if she is any good as she looks."

"Oh you'll see."

"Remember, I got my eye on you." Slippy said. "You do anything to mess up this operation and you're going to regret it."

"Of course I will."

"Locks are released." ROB said over the communicator. "Launching in 3… 2... 1…" Just as his count down struck one, the six ships were launched outside the hangar into orbit. The fighters descended through the planet's atmosphere into the frozen tundra of Fichina.

"This is it." Fox said as the ships traversed the tundra. "Let's grab this guy and go home. Mission is a go."