A HEROS CHOICE

by vipervet18

A/N: Well even though this took me a while to finish I think you will all be pleased. Has a lot of action and some buildup for later chapter to come. Sorry for any mistakes that I could catch, I'm finishing this chapter up on an all nighter haha. Please drop a review with any feedback at all, good or bad. Trust me by saying this the reviews are helping me get though writers block so thank you to everyone that left one! I couldn't do it without you!

And most importantly, shout out to everyone that reviewed the last chapter:

knownobody

The Krystal Method

Troygroomes

Krieger Aurelius

Lolly Shane

Col. Duncan13

Starfoxfan11849

Estonze

ianagainstcliffhangers

Thanks for your support everyone! Glad to know people like this story!

Song Recommendation: "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons

CHAPTER 4

"Exiting warp speed in three...two...one."

Fox felt the pull of the ship slow as the Great Fox decelerated rapidly. Leaning into it he allowed himself remain standing on the ships bridge. Sitting in front of him was none other than Madison who was piloting the Great Fox at the helm of the ship.

"We're clear Fox." She spoke to him again looking over her shoulder. Fox had his arms crossed as he looked out of the ships bridge window, the small outer colony of Kuiper in full view now. Like Corneria it had a fully sustainable atmosphere but was much smaller in population and size. Only about a dozen small towns at most on the entire planet making it a very quiet planet for space travel.

"Send out a hailing transmission to all channels. We need to get in touch with the planets capital Great Valley."

Madison quickly began typing on her consoled. "So who exactly are we making this delivery to anyways?" She inquired to the vulpine. Fox continued to stare at the window at the nearing planet replying confidently, "Someone the government was working with out here, a doctor I believe based on what I was told. They weren't very keen to questions so we're here to just deliver the goods, that's all."

"So we don't know exactly who were dealing with do we? Just that they work for the Cornerian government?"

"Correct."

The blue furred vixen looked back at the console a little skeptical, "doesn't sound like a good idea to me." The click of Fox's blaster echoed behind her as Fox checked the small fuel cell in the handle. "If they work for the government then they have to be trustworthy." He placed it in his brown leather belt holster smoothly as he continued to speak, "But don't think we'll be caught with our pants down if we run into trouble."

"Still..."

The vulpine walked over to her console and pulled her pilots seat back. "It'll be fine Madison. Go tell Troy we will be arriving soon, I'll take it from here." He gave her a reassuring smile as she replied standing up, "Alright." Fox waited for her to exit the bridge before he took a seat in the pilot's seat. He had been trying to slowly ease her out of the pilot position ever since his talk with his friend Frank. He hoped that by the time this job was over his close friend would have a pilot ready for hire. But for now Fox took over the job of piloting the Great Fox.

He began to type in entry vectors into the navigation computer for the ships decent as the small planet completely filled the bridge window. Slowly the bright glow of the bottom hull hitting the atmosphere began to blur the beautiful view. Fox then relied on the ships instruments and readings to check his speed and altitude as the ship shook against the pockets of air. Fox flipped the switch controlling the planetary thrusters keeping the ship from plummeting to the ground. The gravity from the planet was soon counteracted by the thrusters giving Fox full control over the Great Fox's maneuvering capability in atmosphere. He eased the ship into a level altitude high in the clouds above the planet. Putting his headset on he transmitted a message via communicator.

"Great Valley outpost, Great Valley outpost come in. This is Great Fox."

The sound of static filled his headset as he waited for a response. The ship broke through a huge stack of clouds allowing Fox to view the small town thousands of feet below him. From what his scanners could pick up the town wasn't dead, but he was having trouble getting into contact. 'That's always a good sign...' Fox thought to himself sarcastically. But suddenly his headset came to life.

"This is Great Valley; please state your intentions Great Fox." It was a male voice, probably in his late 30s.

"Dropping off a delivery, we should have someone expecting us. Please advise for landing."

"Land near center of town someone will be out to meet you shortly Great Fox." Fox heard something being moved in the background followed by some whispering. Before Fox could confirm the line went dead. It made the vulpine very uneasy. The animal on the radio he was speaking to was not following standard protocol so something was up, the vulpine knew it. He scratched the fur under his chin in thought, looking at the terrain around the town. The town was in the middle of a lightly forested area filled with small rows of metal two story buildings. It was in the middle of a small valley with hills that overlooked the town. Thinking back to what Madison had said he began to have doubts, he didn't want to risk his crew or his ship just for a quick delivery run. But they desperately needed the money.

Finally Fox decided that keeping his distance from the city would be the best option at hand. Slowly he descended the ship towards the outskirts of the town. Finding a nice clearing on a hill Fox gently maneuvered the Great Fox to the ground. Once the landing gears touched down he began shutting down the ships engines. Fox pushed the pilot's seat back and exited the bridge.

Making his way past the crew courters and lounge he entered the hanger that was currently being used as a cargo hold for the job at hand. There he found Troy loading five very large creates into an old military transport vehicle. The transport Fox had bought was much like an Armored Personnel Carrier used in the military but this variant was used mainly for transporting supplies rather than troops. Fox found it useful in times like these where he needed to get around on planet without using the ship. On the plus side the transport could take a direct hit from a tank cannon and still protect the interior but it lacked defenses against anything more than small arms fire. Fox hoped he would never have to face anything more than the transport could handle.

"Troy get equipped for a hot delivery. Plans may have changed" Fox ordered as the blue and orange vulpine closed the back of the transport. Madison was first to speak up, "I thought we could trust these Government guys?"

"Doesn't hurt to be prepared Madison."

"Fox maybe we should call this off, tell our employer we can't do this job. I don't like walking into the unknown like this..." She said voicing her concern in a very respectful manner. Fox was busy grabbing an M417 from the hanger's gun locker. He pulled the slid back looking to see if the semi-automatic rifle was fully charged then let it click forward as he looked up to the concerned vixen.

"That's perfectly fine Madison but we need to get paid. Something has to keep this ship running and it can't be simply good ideas or bad feelings. The mission is still a go." Troy was right behind Fox grabbing his own weapon from the gun locker, a M240 light machine gun. He checked its ammo count and its charge just like Fox as the orange vulpine went on. "Besides... you're staying here to watch the ship." He tossed her a P90 SMG after shouldering his rifle.

Troy walked over to Madison with a smile on his face. "Don't worry about us... I'm fully capable of kicking any sorry ass who tries to harm you." He said giving her a wink but only receiving an eye roll in return. "Oh I feel safer already," she said over enthusiastically to her mate. She playfully gave Troy a punch on the shoulder as he made his way to the driver's side of the transport. Fox climbed to the side of the passenger side door and looked back at Madison. "You're in charge of the ship now Madison. Keep alert, if things go south you'll be our only way out."

The blue and orange vixen gave her Captain a sloppy salute, "yes sir..."

Fox closed the passenger door as the vehicles plasma core engine spooled to life. Seconds later they were rolling down the ship's cargo ramp and onto the lush green surface of Kuiper.

The transport slowly rolled to a stop just outside of the small town of Great Valley almost five minutes after the first touched down. Along the way the roads had changed from dirt to asphalt showing that some form of advanced society was present here. The streets in front of them were lined with a few off road vehicles next to two rows of what looked like business buildings and houses. It was hard to believe this town was the capital of an entire planet. But this was not on Troy or Fox's mind once they entered the town, only one slight detail remained.

"Where is everyone?"

Fox was wondering the very same thing. The streets were empty. "Hell if I know. Just keep your eyes up." The truck started forward again slowly making its way down the streets towards the town center. As they got closer Fox began to notice that some of the small houses and buildings had their doors wide open almost as if everyone just up and left. Some belongings were left out front abandoned and yet the town itself looked almost perfectly preserved.

"This is a little creepy Fox, why does it look like everyone just vanished..." The orange vulpine said nothing, only continuing to stare down the street in wonder. Suddenly Fox grabbed his gun, "hold on stop." The breaks on the transport vehicles wheels squeaked to a halt. "What?" Troy asked him looking very questionably. But when the blue vulpine looked down the street he saw a lone figure walking out to the middle of the street just outside of the city's main government building. The unknown figure was almost fifty yards away from the truck and looked to be alone carrying nothing but a small black bag. Fox placed his rifle in between the seats of the truck and opened the passenger side door. Not even for a second did he take his eyes off the animal standing in the middle of the street.

"Troy... Wait here."

Troy watched in amazement as Fox stepped out of the vehicle and walked towards the other animal. He covered his blaster holster with his brown leather coat trying to look as harmless as possible. Slowly Fox walked towards the lone animal in the street.

Once fox was within talking distance the figure waved. "Fox McCloud!"

Fox casually came to a stop just a few feet away yet still having some distance between the two of them. He didn't bother with introductions or greetings right now, everything seemed too skeptical. He went straight for what was on his mind. "What happen to everyone here?"

"They are all safe and sound McCloud, don't you worry. I have your payment ready if you have the goods?" He said holding up the black bag. Fox however wasn't prepared to receive any money at the time. "That didn't answer my question."

The wolf in front of him smiled and began to laugh, "We don't pay you to ask questions McCloud." Fox narrowed his eyes; the guy was trying to hide something. The hair on the back of his neck was standing straight up by now. "I could care less about the money, what happen to everyone that lived here?"

The wolf lowered his head as his smile faded. He looked back up at Fox with a much less welcoming face. "Here," he tossed the black duffle bag over to Fox's feet. "Just take the money, I'll walk away, and you just leave the cargo." Fox didn't even think about touching the bag, he only continued to stare at the wolf in front of him. The two of them would not break eye contact, each skeptical of what the other was going to do next. Fox was torn between whether to pursue the whereabouts of the towns people or worry about is own people. But his gut was telling him it would be better to end this confutation and complete the job rather than risk not getting paid. Luckily for Fox the wolf did as he said, he turned slowly with his hands in the air with the very smile he first flashed at Fox. The wolf began walking in the other direction as calm as ever without a care.

Once he was a few more yards away Fox reached down to the duffle bag and grabbed it. Opening it he could see stacks and stacks of Conerian credits all held together with rubber bands. He closed the bag and started back to the transport. The entire walk back to the transport Fox felt as if he was being watched. The hair on the back of his neck was still standing up.

When Fox got back to the transport vehicle he opened the door to find Troy anxiously waiting for the news. At first Troy was unsure of what to say to his silent Captain but finally asked, "Well...?" Fox only looked back at the wolf he just talked to waiting for something to happen. Troy watched as Fox let out a long and stressful sigh trying to ease his unwary nerves.

"Something doesn't seem right Troy..."

Troy looked at the bag and saw a few credits within the opening. "Wait he paid us? Already?" Fox reached his paw into the bag to grab a wad of money still looking at the wolf. "Yeah... either he has complete confidence that we have what he wants, or he doesn't even care about-"

Fox's heart stopped when he looked back down into the bag. There was something else among the paper bills, something metallic. Fox glanced up at the wolf off in the distance. He watched as the far off figure pulled something from his pocket and held it up.

Seconds later the metallic object let out a horrifying sound to Fox that chimed from within the bag. As if his body already knew what it was even before his head could comprehend it Fox tossed the bag away from the transport vehicle.

"BOMB!"

Fox desperately yelled to Troy as he jumped up into the cabin of the truck. Reaching back Fox pulled the passenger door trying to close it as the duffle bag landed on the ground just a few feet away from the truck. For Troy everything happen so quickly, Fox had acted so fast time seemed to slow for the blue vulpine. But he didn't have time to comprehend what happen next.

The blast of the explosion sent dust and debris flying towards the truck almost instantaneously. The blaster proof windows cracked and caved in slightly as the sound of a thousand tiny rocks pelted the transport vehicle. Fox and Troy were tossed throughout the cabin as the vehicle rolled sideways from the shockwave. They watched as the world outside the front window did a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn before crashing upside down. Everything seemed to stop as the top side of the transport vehicle caved in slightly. About everything not strapped down was now scattered on the ground including Fox as Troy remained strapped to his seat hanging from above.

Fox's ears were ringing from the blasts concussion, impairing almost every sense he had. Slowly he regained his bearings and looked around him to see how trashed the trucks interior had become. The frame of the transport vehicle had held strong against the impact of the ground but the explosion had cracked all three blast proof windows. As his vision became clearer started to try and locate his crew member.

"Troy!?"

The vulpine noticed Troy still stuck to his seat. "Troy! Troy talk to me!"

The other vulpine let out a long moan before gathering his bearings. He reached for his combat knife on his boot and pulled it out. He cut the strap holding him to the seat and fell with a loud thud. "Yeah!...I'm alright!" he managed to speak still struggling to get right side up. Fox searched the trucks cabin for his rifle finding it still stuck to his seat above him.

"What the hell just happen?!" Troy yelled as he grabbed his light machine gun off the ground.

"We've been tricked! These guys don't care about the cargo at all! Whatever they want, it involves us dead!"

Fox crawled over to the passenger side door as he yelled back to Troy, "Come on! We need to get out of here! I have a feeling this truck is not the place to be in a few minutes!" The door was then hammered by Fox's steel toe boots as he tried to kick the heavy metal door open. After a few blows the door busted open allowing Fox to climb out of the wrecked vehicle. He quickly scanned the area for targets ready for just about anything to attack him.

Outside Fox started to see the true damage that the blast had caused. The buildings on the side of the street closer to the explosion were all littered with fragmentation holes. Windows were blown out and doors were knocked down in the homes making the surrounding area look like a terrifying war zone. The crater where the blast had gone off was a good three feet deep into the ground and almost ten feet in diameter. If Fox was outside of the vehicle there was no doubt in his mind he would have been dead instantly. They were lucky the blast didn't kill them both even inside the armored transport.

"Troy are you good?"

Troy was just climbing out of the truck as he replied, "I'm up. I guess someone was watching over us on that one." Like Fox he looked over the damage thinking about what could have happen.

Suddenly the crackle of automatic weapons filled the dusty air around them. Both Troy and Fox instantly ran for their lives trying to find cover in one of the buildings close by. Knocking down the side door of what looked to be a restaurant, Troy stormed in searching for targets with Fox right behind him. Once the area was clear Troy took up a firing position in the main window of the restaurant pulling back the slide on his machine gun than letting loose a barrage of fire. "Contact! 150 meters to the west! Up on the roof tops!" Fox popped his head up to see a group of armed men taking shots at the broken windows around them. Troy had already begun to suppress them with his machine gun but could not focus his fire on all of the targets. "Who are these guys!?" he yelled letting out another burst of fire at the rooftop. Fox followed suit with the other vulpine quickly picking off their attackers one by one. "Hell if I know!"

The firefight continued for a good minute before Fox started to realize they could not keep this fight up. No matter how many of these guys they could take out, more just took their place. Eventually they were going to run out of ammo and be overrun.

Fox held his communicator up to his mouth, "Madison! Come in!"

He waited for a reply. The only thing he could hear was static so he tried again, "Madison!" Still nothing.

Fox was beginning to think getting out of this situation was nearing impossible. He continued to fire at his attackers trying to make use of every bullet now.

"Fox new contact! Looks like a vehicle!"

Fox cursed under his breath. He looked out to the street to see an off road looking jeep with a heavy weapon on the back make its way down the street. The jeep had a driver and two passengers with one manning the heavy machine gun mounted behind them. Slowly Fox lined up his sights on the golden furred vulpine with three tails on the heavy gun waiting for the perfect shot. But just as his finger touched the trigger he noticed something strange.

As the vehicle neared the firefight the gunner on the back began housing down fire on the unknown attackers up in the buildings. It was as if a miracle on wheels was here to save them. The gunner made quick work of those who were in front of the jeep clearing a straight path towards Fox and Troy's position.

"Troy hold on!"

When the jeep arrived the driver swerved the vehicle into a drift that stopped it directly in front of the restaurant. The passenger riding next to the driver hoped out and ran into the building. Fox raised his weapon at the unknown animal not knowing if he was friendly or not. But it became clear after the husky threw up his paws defensively.

"Whoa hey! I'm on your side don't shoot!"

Fox looked at him skeptically; he was not in the mood to meet strangers after today. "Who are you?"

"My name is Ryan Cooper! I'm with Doctor Anderson! We were supposed to get that delivery those damn pirates blew up!"

Fox looked over the younger k-9 trying to decide whether he believed his story or not. They both ducked behind a table dodging incoming fire as more pirates began to attack, this time from the street. The jeeps gunner adjusted his fire to them accordingly letting off quick control bursts.

"Look we don't have time for this, more of them are coming! We need to get back to your ship so we can get off this damn planet!"

Reluctantly Fox began to weight his options towards going with the kid. He would rather risk it with these people than try his luck with the pirates out on the streets. "Alright," he looked over to Troy who was still firing away into the streets. "Troy we're on the move! Let's go!"

Troy quickly made his way over to Fox, "Fox just so you know, I've just about had it with meeting new people, but whatever... Beats making friends with the guys out on the street!"

Troy and Fox followed Ryan out of the restaurant and into the streets. The noise of the heavy machine gun was deafening as they got closer to the jeep. Fox could see that the gunner and driver were dressed in a combat styled attire just like Ryan was, full vest and boots with everyday clothes. But the driver just so happened to be the only one with a helmet covering the face of the individual. Fox pushed that minor detail aside for now as they all jumped into the jeep quickly. Ryan gave a thumbs up to the driver signaling they were ready. The wheels of the jeep wined as the drive stepped on the accelerator.

The jeep sped down the street as they continued to fire on the pirates who by now where all around them. Fox was searching for a target through his sights when suddenly he came across a very familiar looking wolf. It was the very same wolf who had almost taken his life with the bomb. This time he was holding a blaster firing away at the jeep as they accelerated by. Adjusting his angle in the vehicle Fox lined up a shot on the wolf's head. With one deep breath Fox steadied his aim.

The shot from his rifle echoed in Fox's mind despite the constant gunfire going off around him. He mumbled under his breath as if he was speaking to the man he just shot. "If you're going to try and kill me, make sure you finish it." With that one parting phrase the group accelerated out of the town and off into the woods.

The jeep revved its motor as it entered the cargo bay of the Great Fox coming to a stiff halt in the middle of the hanger. Madison was quick to close the hanger doors behind them as everyone jumped out of the battle damaged vehicle. "Madison get us off this rock, now!" The blue vixen was still confused as to why they had returned with a different vehicle and not to mention the extra group members with them. "What the hell happened, Fox? You weren't responding to any of my radio calls."

Fox placed his rifle in the gun locker off to the side just as Troy did. The exhausted vulpine stopped and rubbed his temples trying to release some of the stress. He sighed and looked at Troy, "you mind explaining to her what happen while she fly's us out of here?" Troy gave Fox a friendly pat on the back, "with pleasure Fox. So you should have seen it Madison, there were like a hundred pirates and I only had my one katana..."

Fox sat there silently holding his side in pain as he watched the two lovers walk out of the cargo area. His body was covered in bruises and scratches from the fight earlier and it was hard for him not to show even just a little pain. There was a good possibility he had at least one cracked rib but that was just where he could still feel. The worn out vulpine noticed the husky he had met before walking up to him from the middle of the hanger. Fox stood up straighter trying to look strong despite him being damaged on the inside.

"That was a crazy fight, huh?" Ryan asked as he stood next to him. "Hard to believe I would one day be fighting alongside the great Fox McCloud!"

Fox only nodded in agreement as he continued to stare at the metal floor in the hanger. He didn't want to acknowledge the praise his former self still brought him.

"Look... Thanks for taking us in for the moment. I know after dealing with those guys it's pretty hard to trust a stranger."

"It's alright; you saved our asses out there so I didn't really have a choice."

The husky smiled to himself, "yeah, but there was always the choice of staying there and trying to fight it out with the pirates." Fox let out a light sigh as he rubbed a large bruise on his arm. A few of the cuts on his body were starting to open up a little more as they seeped into his orange fur. The Husky noticed he looked like he was in bad shape so he waved over at the driver who was standing next to the jeep.

"You probably need to have those looked at, doc Anderson will check it for you."

Fox stopped rubbing arms and crossed them over his chest as he stared at the animal walking up to him. The driver still hand not removed the helmet after the fight, still keeping his identity hidden. Fox held up his hands trying to keep the doctor away as he reached to examine the wounds on his body.

"Look I don't need a doctor check on me I'm still breathing. Thank you for getting us out of there but I'll be fine-"

The driver suddenly removed the helmet revealing a full head of beautiful white hair that flowed off the drivers head. The hair fell to the side of the doctor's face reveling a gorgeous set of blue eyes that seemed to reach into the depths of Fox's empty soul. The driver and doctor who fox had assumed to me a male... Was female. A beautiful looking tigress at that.

"Hold still..." She said forcefully grabbed his head examining one of the open wounds on his forehead. Fox was still at a loss of words as she continued to look over all of his cuts and scratches.

"Do you have an infirmary?" She asked looking up into Fox's eyes.

Hesitating for a moment Fox pulled himself from her gaze. He pointed towards the blast doors that lead to the rest of the ship. "Ye-yeah... Just down the hall."

She stood back up and placed her arms across her chest in thought, "we'll need to close up those cuts with stitches before they get infected."

"Look really I'm fine; I'm been though worse than this..." The beautiful tigress pulled her hair back into a ponytail as she rolled her eyes.

"Even the great Fox McCloud isn't invincible so I don't want to hear it. I'll need a few moments to prep the infirmity before I can work. Meet there in five minutes."

As quickly as she spoke the doctor was on her way to the infirmity leaving a very awestruck vulpine in her wake. Fox continued to stare at her as she walked out of the hanger with his jaw slightly agape. Ryan waited a moment before he finally broke the silence.

"Sooo... Where do we sleep?"

Kew City

The small snack shop was nearing its closing hours as Frank began to finish serving the last of his customers. The sun was setting slightly in the distance signaling to Frank that he was finally about to go home after a busy day. He handed over the last order of the day in a brown paper bag to a scruffy looking dog.

"Thanks Frank, I'll see you next week."

Frank waved to the k-9, "alright see ya later bud."

He then placed the 'closed' sign on the counter and began cleaning up the kitchen behind him. The black bear was washing the dishes when suddenly he stopped, feeling as if someone was calling him in his mind. He glanced back at the front of the shack just to make sure no one was there. Once Frank scanned the area for a minute he went back to washing the dishes. But out of nowhere he felt the same calling in his head once again. It was like he knew what it was telling him but he couldn't understand it. He turned around one more time thinking no one would be there but he was shocked to see a hooded figure standing in front of the counter completely silent. Just by looking at the animals build Frank could tell this was either a young kid or a woman under the hood so he felt a little less threatened. He put the plate he was just washing in the sink and walked up to the counter.

"I'm sorry but we're closed for the night. I'll be open first light tomorrow."

The small figure only mumbled quietly, "Please Frank… I was told you could find me a job... Please, I'm in desperate need of one."

He could tell now that the hooded figure was a girl based on the pitch in her voice. Frank scratched the back of his head in wonder at how quick to the point she was and even how she knew his name. "Well miss, I can't promise I'll find you one but I will most certainly look."

The hooded girl raised her head a little more trying to reach into the black bears compassion. "Please... I haven't eaten in three days, I need a job. Something that can just support me for a little while."

After hearing this Frank grabbed an Apple from the basket on the counter. He tossed it to the tiny little figure and watched as she graciously accepted it. "Look don't trouble yourself over it, I'll find you a job somewhere out there."

The girl smiled at the bear's kindness, it was unlike many other Cornerians nowadays. It reminded her of a man she once knew; someone who was always there to help her in a time of need. "Thank you." Was all she managed to say in her fit of silent joy. Frank smiled knowing he was going to help this young girl get back on her feet; she looked as if she had been though a rough time.

"Anytime... you look like you could use the help. Come see me first thing tomorrow and I'll get you started with something. I'll need to know what exactly you can do before I start looking for a job anyways. Do you have a name?"

The girl slowly lifted the hood off her face. What Frank saw was almost comparable to an angel. He found it hard to believe that such a pretty girl was in such a hard spot in her life. The vixen's fur was beautifully white in almost every inch of her fur and hair. Her radiant blue eyes glowed in the sunset making Frank smile a little at how innocent she looked. The vixen looked at him with both of her eyes and smiled slightly.

"Kursed"

A/N: Ahhh what could happen next? We will see!

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this long chapter and that you'll drop a review to let me know how I'm doing!