(A/N: Well, before I start this next chapter, I first have to say last week gave me pause, and I think you all know what I'm thinking. I'll be perfectly honest, as awesome as Zero looks, at first I was a bit disappointed with how they were practically rebooting the whole series, but then again, Zero is not 64, at least from what I've seen and to be honest, it's probably for the best. In other words, I have to accept the fact we may not see Krystal again, or maybe I'm wrong. Either way, I'm obviously going to continue this story and Resurrection, although perhaps Zero has given me a few ideas, you'll see soon enough. Anyway, enough of the chatter, let's continue.)

Chapter 3: 1137

"Katt!?" Falco exclaimed. "What the he-!?"

"You're the one Pepper sent?" Fox asked.

"Is it really that big a surprise?" Katt smirked slightly. "Yeah, apparently I was referred to the old hound by a friend of his. I sure can't complain because the pay involved is pretty nice."

"I'm sure that didn't include the little firefight you just had," Krystal pointed out.

"No, but I needed the practice anyway," Katt said. She then looked at the dead soldiers. "Don't get me wrong though, these guys are definitely a grade up from the usual pirates; it just happens I hit the grunts of the group."

"How many more would you guess?" Fox asked.

"A lot more," Katt replied. "I had the element of surprise but somehow they picked up on me. They were heading towards the cargo elevator, that's where all the important stuff is."

"Then you know why they're here?" Falco asked.

"I wasn't told any specific details," Katt said. "But from the look of things, I'd say it's pretty important to the Cornerians."

"Well, we don't have time to waste," Fox said. "Katt, you know this place better than any of us, can you lead the way?"

"No problem," Katt said.

"About time we see some action," Falco said.

"Sorry Falco, I'm afraid you'll sit this one out for now," Fox said.

"What?"

"We need someone to watch the ship to make sure no one escapes, or for that matter, no one tries to blow us up."

"You can't be serious!" Falco snapped.

"Don't worry Falco," Katt said with a smile. "We'll have time to catch up afterward."

"Yeah…" Falco said before taking off in the opposite direction.

"You're sure about this?" Krystal asked.

"I rather not take any chances," Fox said. "These guys were clever enough to get in so smoothly, I'd hate to think what else they're capable of."

"That's the thing though," Katt said, her smile gone now. "The only reason they got in here so easily was because someone let them in."

"Any ideas?" Fox asked.

Katt shook her head. "I've only been here for about a week and there weren't any transfers since then so who knows, but believe me, I have no doubt it was someone on top here." She then looked in the opposite direction. "Before we go down there though, we need to find the control room and get security back online."

"You lead the way Katt," Fox said.

Katt led them to one of the many elevators in the station and went down to the first basement floor. "My memory isn't perfect, but security should be on this floor."

"I'm assuming the door is locked?" Krystal guessed.

"Probably," Katt replied.

"If worse comes to worst, I can have Slippy try to slip into the station's mainframe," Fox said.

Katt smiled slightly. "It's been awhile since I've seen some action, especially with you guys."

"Yeah, I guess since Titania," Fox replied.

The red sign up ahead was clear enough to tell them they had found the right spot. "Just as I guessed," Fox said. "Looks like you need ID to get in."

"Don't look at me," Katt said. "I was just supposed to keep an eye on things. They can be pretty stingy around here…"

"Fox," Krystal said. "There's someone inside there."

One would probably say, "Are you sure?" but Fox knew Krystal better than that. Fox nodded and decided to knock on the door. "Anyone in there?"

If one was quiet enough, they could've heard the slight gasp from inside. Krystal could tell the occupant was male and could hear a panicked voice. Of course, he wasn't actually talking, she was hearing his thoughts. Krystal may have found it amusing but Fox was getting impatient. "My friend knows you're in there so you may as well respond."

"…Okay fine you win, but I'm not worth the trouble, just leave me be!"

"You don't need to panic, this is Fox McCloud of the Star Fox team," Fox said. "We need your help getting security back online."

"You'll excuse me if I'm a bit cautious," the voice replied. "There's no camera right outside and I've heard it's easy to impersonate others…you know, voice recorders and stuff."

"Let me handle this," Katt said. "Listen hon, you may not know me but I can vouch for these guys."

"You're right, I don't recognize you."

"The name's Katt Monroe. Surely you've seen me around. What's yours?"

"…Stan."

"Stan the security guy?" Katt asked. "That's right, you have a wife and kids correct? We talked once or twice. Anyway, I noticed the cameras are still operational and surely you didn't miss these guys coming in did you?"

"…No, not at all! I uh… just had to be sure. Okay, I'll open the door…" The door then opened and Stan looked a bit sheepish in his chair. "Oh, yep, it's really you guys. Sorry about that, you should've just told me in the first place Miss Monroe."

"Please Stan, it's just Katt," Katt said.

"So you can tell us what happened?" Fox asked.

"Yeah…I was the one who let them in," Stan said, his head now hanging in shame. "I was following protocol but there was no way I could've known."

"You're right, you couldn't have," Fox said. "But we can still fix this. Where are they?"

"There are three basement floors on this station," Stan explained. "The main elevator on this floor is just up ahead but it only goes down to the first basement floor. It's a little trick the designers came up, which at this point is good for us because it means they have to trek along to the next one which is practically on the opposite side. I shut down security to try to hold them back but they got someone on their side breaking through. They're on the second floor and it looks like they're trying to get to the third floor."

"Then I guess there's where we're headed as well," Fox said.

"Do you have any footage from when the attack took place?" Krystal asked.

"I could go back, but why?" Stan asked.

"Stan, this was all set up on the inside," Katt said. "We need to find out who it was."

"You mean- oh no… okay, I'll go back." The monitors in the room then rewound themselves and the group saw the attack first take place."

"They didn't stand a chance," Fox said. "At least they didn't kill them."

"Hold on a second," Katt said. "Go back, second monitor to the left."

The monitor fast-forwarded for a few seconds and then played. There was no sound, but they could two security guards in front of the elevator as a woman approached them. From the sketchy quality of the camera, she looked like an Aussie and Shepherd mix. Suddenly, the woman pulled out a gun and shot them both in the head before they could even react.

"Son of a bitch…" Katt growled. "I knew something seemed off about her."

"You know her?" Krystal asked.

"Yeah, she's supposedly a doctor from the University on Corneria," Katt replied. "Dr. Kalrin Caxton, specialty archaeology. Now I know that's a bunch of bullshit."

"I thought she was cute…" Stan said meekly.

"Stan, you're married," Katt argued.

"Yeah, and that didn't stop you from flirting with me," Stan shot back.

"Hon, I do that with everyone," Katt said, a smile on her face. "Well, that answers my question then. Shall we get going?"

"I got the elevators on this floor and the first basement floor working so you can make your way down," Stan said.

"Okay." Fox then gave Stan a receiver. "Use this so we can keep in touch in case anything comes up."

"Sure, no problem," Stan said. "By the way… when this all gets resolved you'll mention me helping out right? I rather not get fired over this…"

(A/N: For this next part, the song I'm using here is "Mars" from Mass Effect 3.)

"Well he seemed nice," Krystal said as soon as they got into the elevator.

"Oh Stan? Yeah, he's a real teddy bear," Katt said. "Although I need to remind him about not staring at my ass so much."

*Once they got down to the first basement floor, the doors opened and the three of them had their guns at the ready, but no one was waiting for them. Although there appeared to be a lot of large objects covered in tarps. "Don't let your guard down," Fox said. "They're probably lying in wait."

"If they're trying to get to the third floor, that's probably where the disk is," Krystal said.

"Yeah, which is why leaving isn't an option," Fox said. Suddenly, they heard something clink against the ground and Fox was the first to see it as smoke shot out of the canister. "Smoke grenade, we got company!" Suddenly, blaster fire erupted as they were trying to take cover behind some of the bulkier artifacts.

"Well, those aren't stun rounds!" Krystal exclaimed as she returned fire.

"Yeah, sorry, I think I pissed them off!" Katt said as she was able to take two out with two rounds of her blaster.

As the smoke started to clear, Fox could see the figures, now at least five of them, huddled together behind cover. He saw one of them reach for a grenade and he managed to take him out before he threw it. Unfortunately for his friends, they weren't aware of what just happened and in three seconds the area was covered in bits of flesh and armor.

"Nice shot," Katt said.

"It's only going to get tougher from here," Fox said. "Know what's ahead?"

"Yeah, there's a series of tram cars ahead that'll take us to the other side, hopefully where the elevator is," Katt said. "We may have more company once we get there."

They soon found the tram car and Fox quickly pushed the button which closed the doors and they quickly accelerated towards the other side of the station. "That's quite the view," Krystal commented, looking out towards the window that displayed space and Fichina.

"It certainly gives you something to look at at least," Katt said. "How is Fichina this time of year anyway?"

"It's always cold," Fox said.

"Yeah, I'll take Zoness any day." Suddenly, Katt caught movement and on the opposite rail another tram was catching up to them. "Damn it, we can't risk too much gunfire here. If those windows crack we're all dead." She looked at Fox. "Got anything with a little bit more punch?"

"I got what you need," Fox said, smirking slightly as he unstrapped his rifle. "You want the honors?"

"Honey, I could kiss you." Katt took the rifle, opened the window and aimed down the scope. "But don't tell Falco I said that." She then aimed the grenade launcher attachment of the rifle and fired. The grenade hit the opposite rail and tore off a huge chunk of metal, causing the other tram to initiate the emergency brakes and stop dead center of the track.

"Nice shot," Krystal commented.

"What can I say, Falco taught me well," Katt grinned as she handed the rifle back to Fox.

Once the tram made its destination, the three of them quickly got off and headed towards the elevator dead ahead.

Suddenly, Fox's gauntlet went off. "Fox, do you copy?"

"Stan? What is it?" Fox asked.

"I have some bad news," Stan said. "I tried as hard as I could, but someone on their side managed to crack through my security and got the last elevator running. They're on their way to the third floor now and it looks like you got a party waiting for you on the second floor."
"Great…" Fox commented.

"Sorry. However, there are some sentry guns I can try to get back online there to give you some aid but it'll take some time. I'll do what I can."

"Appreciate the help Stan," Fox said, signing off.

Katt sighed. "It's always exciting with you guys around, isn't it?"

FoxMcCloud7921