"This is a catastrophe." The hound put his hands to his face. He knew something must have gone terribly wrong with the mission. "James, please be alright." A single tear fell from his droopy eyes. He heard a creak come from the door and looked to see a lost and scared looking Fox McCloud. "Fox?" The general quickly gathered his composure and walked up from behind his paper filled desk to the young vulpine. "You're supposed to be downstairs with Bill. How did you get all the way up here?" Fox looked up to Pepper and innocently said,

"I want to know when my dad will be back." The general's heart sunk. He didn't know what to tell the poor thing because he was wondering the same thing himself. But the bloodhound wasn't one to sugar coat anything.

"I'm not sure myself, Fox. He was supposed to check in when he got to Venom, but no one's heard anything from Star Fox."

"I know. I heard you talking on the phone." Pepper looked down at Fox only to find tears beginning to fill his deep green eyes. After the passing of his mother, Vixy, Fox was always around the military base with James. It practically became his second home. Pepper and James were rather close, military and mercenary work aside. Pepper looked at Fox like part of his own family. He couldn't bare seeing the young vulpine in such a distressed state. He had to say something to calm his nerves.

"But you know what, your dad is the best of the best and he more than knows how to handle himself. If anything went wrong, I bet he's just working hard to fix it." Fox looked down and back up to Pepper, this time with hope in his heart. Despite the awful gut feeling Fox had in his stomach, the general's words relaxed his mind.

"Yeah, yeah you're probably right, Uncle Pepper!" The young vulpine took the general by surprise and trapped his legs in a warm embrace. "You're definitely right..." Pepper, feeling guilty, knelt down to Fox's level and held him at arm's length. He wanted to say something more, but he was at a loss for words. He wasn't sure if what he just said was for Fox's benefit or his own.

"Feel better, Fox?" The general's voice sounded muffled.

"Wha-"

"Feel any better?" Fox could barely hear the words coming from Pepper's mouth.

"Feeling any better, Fox." He could now hear the words with much more clarity. "I almost feel guilty for sending you out there. My biggest fear is that something will happen to you because of one of my requests…. Just like…. Like…."

"What are you talking about, Pepper?" Fox grunted through dry lips.

"Oh good, you're awake!" Fox then opened his tired eyes and saw General Pepper sitting in a chair at his bedside. "I haven't been here too long. I actually have to be in a meeting later on so I'm glad you're awake." How long was I out? Fox slowly sat up and looked around to see that Pepper was the only one in the room with him. He noticed he wasn't in as much pain as when he woke up in his bed last, but still in pain nonetheless. "How are you feeling? I heard you pulled quite a stunt back on Fichina. How'd you manage to get out of there?" Fox was almost irritated that the questions were coming from someone else rather than him. You're asking me? Really?

"General, I don't know any more than you do. Hell, I probably know less. All I know is that I found a blue vixen in Andross's underground lab in Fichina, it was about to blow, and I somehow ended up back in my bed with a body that feels like it was ran over by the Landmaster. I tried getting some answers out Peppy but he told me you'd fill me in."

"Fox, I-"

"And to be honest, I don't really care about any details besides what you know about her, so lay it on me." Pepper was taken aback. Fox was never rude to the general, and he could tell this was a different vulpine from the one he's known for many years. "So, any answers?" Fox crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side. Pepper wasn't used to receiving attitude from anyone and he wasn't about to get used to it. He stood up, pushing the chair he was sitting on back, and sternly asserted his position.

"Before you go asking questions about that girl, let me ask you one thing, Fox. Why can't you stop thinking about her? You don't know who or what she is and you found her in one of Andross's underground bases."

"I…. I don't…." Well when he puts it that way it sounds kinda bad…. But the vulpine felt as if he needed her. There was something about her that told him to keep her safe. He didn't even feel like Fox McCloud, the mercenary anymore. He felt more like Fox McCloud, hers. "I need to protect her, General. I can keep her safe better than anyone else could." The general closed his eyes as his posture sunk. Fox could see that Pepper was disappointed. Fox's face, ears, and spirit then lowered. After the death of his parents, Peppy and General Pepper became the closest thing to family Fox had left. To see either of them disappointed in him was crushing. But how did he know she's all I've been thinking about? "General, how did you know she's all I can think about now?" Pepper opened his eyes and began to sit back in the chair besides the vulpine.

"I was frightened it was true, Fox. I did not know, but now I do." Fox looked back at the general with a quizzical stare. Why frightened…. Before Fox could say anything, Pepper continued. "After you were beamed back up to the Great Fox, we found files in your pocket of that girl you must have managed to gather before racing out of the lab. We believe her name is Krystal." Krystal…. "Or as her file reads, 'Project 672'." Pepper waited to see if it would sink in Fox's mind, and it did. Well fuck me.

"Project, General?"

"Yes Fox, project. Which means we must be extremely cautious about this whole situation. She came from a planet called Cerinia. The planet no longer exists and it seems that Krystal is its sole survivor. How she came into the clutches of Andross, we aren't sure. However, what we do know is that she has telepathic abilities. We believe she was born with these abilities and Andross was studying her, most likely to harness said abilities for himself. That's all we know from the files you gathered. But Slippy came up with a theory that makes sense. If that base had been abandoned for 25 years and you were the first being to come in contact with her in lord knows how long, it's not far fetched to assume she somehow got inside your head to save herself from that lab. She may even still be in there, Fox. In your mind. That would explain why you've been acting aggressive with your teammates when it comes to her." Aggressive? I haven't hurt anybody. I just wanted some answers.

"Aggressive, Sir? As far as I know, I haven't done wrong by any of the guys. Irritated and rude, maybe, yeah. But I'd never hurt one of my own." The bloodhound just looked at Fox.

"Fox, you said you don't remember anything after finding her in the lab, right? And after that you woke up here in the Great Fox."

"Well yeah, but-"

"That's just it. You don't remember. When you and Krystal came on board you collapsed. Slippy rushed to your aid once you hit the floor and just as quick as you fell, you got back up and punched him right in the stomach. You wouldn't let anyone come near you or her. That's when Peppy got a hold of me. You stayed on the floor with her in your arms all the way from Fichina to Corneria. Once the ship was docked we tried, and failed once more, to get near you so we had our medical team tranquilize you so that we could separate the two of you. It was upon testing and examination that we found out that all of the muscles in your body were torn. I can only imagine the pain you must be in." Pepper trailed off in his own thoughts before again continuing to tell the vulpine the predicament he was in. "We think that Krystal's abilities are so strong that she caused the neurotransmitters in your body to work overtime so that your body could move as fast as it did and the both of you were able to get out of that lab before it was destroyed." So these feelings, they're fake? No, I can't believe that. But then again, I've never had someone inside my head before…. "Don't be fooled by her beauty, Fox. Krystal is dangerous." The general's comment caused Fox's face to blush slightly.

"Well, have you talked to her? What if she wasn't cooperative with Andross and never wanted any involvement with him? I mean, it's Andross we're talking about here. If I was her I wouldn't have wanted anything to do with him either. She could actually be a good canine." Fox was trying all too hard to be optimistic.

"Although I think that's unlikely, we haven't had the opportunity to speak with her. She has been unconscious ever since you brought her aboard the Great Fox. She's currently in the medical research centre on the military base here in Corneria. We're having our top analysts running tests on her brain waves. When she wakes up, we'll have someone waiting for her." Fox's heart sunk when he realized she wasn't on the Great Fox. He wanted to see her again. Even though he was unsure of whether or not he wanted to see her because she was bidding him to, he couldn't quite bring himself to care.

"Do I have clearance to see her, General?" Pepper looked at Fox, then down at his feet, and back to the vulpine.

"You do, but I don't think it's a good idea." The general put his paw to his chin. "Although…. We might be able to figure out if there's any connection between your minds. We might be able to discern whether or not Slippy's theory is accurate." He pat his paws on his legs. "Okay, I've decided. Tomorrow we'll have you come to base and see what we can gather." With that the general stood up from the chair. "I'll see you at 12pm tomorrow, Fox. I think Peppy can handle any more questions you may have until then." He saluted to the mercenary, Fox returned the gesture, and the general left the vulpine to himself with noting more than his inquisitive thoughts.

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She could feel the presence of many fascinating minds in her mists. And that they were all very intelligent. She wished she could bid her body to obey her thoughts so she could see who they are, but her efforts were futile. However, this came as no surprise to her. It had been this way ever since she could remember. To her, she was nothing more than a stream of consciousness now. She had memories of being a young blue vixen on a primitive planet, but that's all she could recall. So much time had passed since those memories that she was unsure if that was even her anymore. In the middle of her thoughts she felt a familiar sensation beginning to infiltrate her mind. Is that you again? She assumed it was the raspy male voice she often hears, but she received no answer. Odd, he usually answers when I get this feeling. Oh well, I suppose. There's not much I can do about it. Unless…. I might as well try. She began to focus all of her energy on the nearest consciousness she could feel. Fey. Alright, Fey. Let's see if this works.

"Hello?" Krystal asked timidly. She could instantly feel Fey's anxiety levels begin to rise. "It's okay, I'm nothing to be afraid of. I know this may be alarming but I promise you I'm only looking for answers." Fey is a research assistant who is working at the medical research centre as an intern. "You can ask me something, if you'd like. I know this may be a bit unsettling. Please, ask me anything." Krystal tried assuring the startled girl within her own mind.

"Okay…. Are you Krystal?" The cerulean vixen wasn't entirely sure her response would do anything to calm bring the intern's mind at ease.

"To be honest, I'm not quite sure what my name is. I have very few memories and my name isn't one of them."

"Um…. Okay…. Then are you the blue vixen?"

"I…." Krystal thought back to her memory of the young vixen. "I believe so."

"Okay, so you are Krystal…. Holy shit! Oh, sorry for the language. It's hard to filter my thoughts. But how are you doing this? I guess this is telepathy in the works, right?"

"You're absolutely right." Krystal giggled internally to herself. "And no need to worry about the language, I understand. But to answer your question, I've always had this ability. I've undergone many tests that have enabled me to push my reach farther and transfer my thoughts into the minds of others. At first I could only listen, but I've come a long way from where I started…. In terms of my mental abilities, that is." The intern was still in shock from what was happening.

"That's incredible. I wish I could do what you can…."

"Well, I'm not quite sure if it's a gift so be careful what you wish for." Fey seemed enough at ease for Krystal to delve into some questions of her own. "Since I've given you some answers, would you give me some?"

"I'll try my best! I don't know how much I should disclose to you, but then again you are in my head so there's no use in trying to hide anything."

"I promise I won't probe. I don't abuse my powers to my advantage."

"Alright, well what do you want to know?"

"How about, where am I?"

"You're in Corneria's military medical research centre."

"For what purpose?"

"We're running tests on your brain to figure out what we can on your telepathic abilities."

"That much I figured, but I meant how did I get here?"

"From what I heard, Fox McCloud found you in one of Andross's abandoned underground bases."

"Fox who?"

"You're kidding, right? Even if you haven't heard of him before, if he found you, there's no way you'd forget him."

"I don't believe I was conscious when he found me. I don't recall going anywhere for that fact. That's why I'm so confused." Krystal paused for a moment. "So if this Fox McCloud found me, does that mean I do in fact have a physical form? I haven't been in control for so long I was beginning to wonder if I even had a body." Fey began to feel uneasy. This was becoming more complicated for her. She was just a girl who was given this internship through her uncle who worked at the base. She had no real interest in the military or anything political. She did however feel a certain sense of pity for Krystal. She seemed completely clueless and helpless.

"Krystal, I'm sitting right across from your body. I can assure you, you have one." Krystal's spirit became elated. She began to feel as if she could trust her memories to be concrete and indeed her own. Before she could reply, the intern interjected. "If you're trying to get answers, why don't you just open your eyes and ask the research director what you want to know? He'd be able to help you better than I ever could."

"I already told you, I have no control over my physical form. I don't know why but I just don't. That's why I reached out to you, Fey." Fey felt embarrassed for not keeping track of the conversation.

"Right, sorry about that, Krystal." The vixen still wasn't used to hearing her own name, much less being addressed by it.

"It's alright." Krystal replied. She felt slightly guilty for letting the intern hear the irritation she felt. There was a moment of awkward silence. "So why should I know who this Fox guy is?" The azure vixen felt Fey's mind race with adornment.

"He's the leader of team Star Fox, the mercenary squad that defeated Andross. Everyone in the Lylat system knows who he is. He's a celebrity hero. I don't think he'd be as popular if not for his looks though." Krystal then felt a bitterness cloud the intern's thoughts.

"Are you okay, Fey?"

"Oh, sorry, I was hoping you wouldn't pick up on that. Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that I'm a bit jealous of you is all…." Krystal was terribly confused.

"Why would you have any reason to be envious of me?"

"Well…. I heard that when Fox found you, you were naked. And you're, well…." The young intern stopped in her thoughts for a moment. "You're really attractive, Krystal. I know I'd have no chance in the galaxy with him, but it's nice to think of him as a single batchelor." Krystal thought this conversation was getting a bit childish and off topic.

"Fey, I don't even remember him. Plus, if he's as much of a celebrity as you describe him to be, I don't think he'll be looking in my direction either. But do tell me more about this Andross character. If I was found in one of his facilities I must have some connection to him."

"Andross used to be one of Corneria's top scientists until our military leader, General Pepper, exiled him to Venom for his unethical and dangerous bio experiments. He then became fixated with getting revenge on General Pepper and tried taking over the entire Lylat System. He was one hell of a dangerous ape. He almost got away with everything too, but Star Fox was able to take him down just in time. And thank god becau-"

"Fey!" The young white cocker spaniel sprung up in her seat, startled. "What have you been doing? I hardly see any new records in your journal since I left! I knew hiring you was a bad idea! I swear if your uncle wasn't my boss, you'd be out of here! Ugh!" The black lab spun around on his heels and barked at Fey as he walked away. "Follow me, I'm putting you on clean up instead!" The young, and now frightened intern sat up from her seat in an instant.

"I'm so sorry Krystal, I have to go! I hope we can talk again soon!"

"Wait, please!" But Fey was gone all too soon before Krystal's pleas could still be heard. Guess it's no use being upset over it. Maybe she'll be back soon. The now lonely vixen thought to reach out to someone else, but she didn't want to go through the hassle of frightening anyone else with her mental intrusion and having to explain herself. Besides, her conversation with Fey had depleted her energy level. It's been a long time since I've done that. Besides answers, Krystal wanted nothing more now than to rest. But how could she with all that she just learned? She does indeed have a physical body, and it seems to be the one she remembers her having as a girl. She was formerly being held in a mad scientist's lab and now she's in yet another research lab. And the worst part is that she suspects that the voice she's been hearing for all these years is Andross himself. Who apparently was supposed to be dead…. The more she thought about it, the more she was certain that he was the one conducting all the tests she'd been partaking in all this time. But why would he be helping me to strengthen my telepathic powers? It all just seems so random, nothing is matching up.

"I think you've done enough thinking today, my dear. Go to sleep now."

"You owe me an explaina -!" The cerulean vixen was unconscious before she could finish her thought.

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The sweet smell of cinnamon filled not only the small kitchen, but the whole fourth floor of the Great Fox. Fox quickened his pace, which was still considerably slow, but still much faster than he had been previously moving about. His mouth began to water. With every step his taste buds craved the heavenly flavor to be delivered to his palate. He was finally about to round the corner to the kitchen. As soon as he stepped foot into the kitchen he was greeted by Slippy. "Hey Fox, want a cinnamon roll?" The amphibian had just pulled the delectable tray of goodness out of the oven. He turned around to put the icing back in the fridge and implored, "They're fresh." But by the time Slippy turned back around Fox had already devoured his first roll.

"Slip, I think these are your best batch yet." Besides mechanics and technology, there wasn't anything that brought Slippy more joy than making his friends happy. Baking was a side hobby of his that the team had only recently began to exploit. The amphibian didn't mind though, it was a nice way to occupy his time.

"You really think so?" Slippy was excited. With his mouth full, Fox managed to mumble,

"Definitely."

"Oh good, I'm happy that worked out. I made a few alterations to the recipe. I was scared they might turn out too sweet, but I guess not!" After scarfing down three more rolls, Fox looked at the time and, to his horror, it was 11:42. Son of a bitch!

"Shit, when did it get so late! I gotta go see the general, thanks for the snack, Slip!" Fox rushed down the hall to the elevator as quickly as he could.

"How was that just a snack?" The amphibian looked down at the tray that was now already a third gone.

He only had eighteen minutes to get to the lab. Usually that'd be plenty of time but not as of late. Although he was healing nicely due to special medical treatment he received upon docking on Corneria, it would still take some time before he would be functioning at one hundred percent maneuverability. The military medical research lab was only ten minutes away from where the Great Fox was currently docked. Normally any other ship would have to be stationed at the Intergalactic Cornerian Docking Bay, but the Great Fox has it's own home on Corneria. Pepper likes to keep the mercenary team close by when they're stationed on Lylat's capitol.

As Fox stepped outside the doors of the Great Fox, he couldn't help but come to a halt and breathe in the fresh Cornerian air. The whole planet smells like blooming wildflowers and tastes like fresh honeysuckle. Every time the vulpine takes his first breath of air on this particular world, he feels like he's taking his first real breath ever since he left. Corneria is an extremely clean and environmentally conscious planet. The Cornerian Government, although highly technologically advanced, believes preserving the planet is of utmost important for the health of its citizens.

After replenishing his lungs with a deep, refreshing inhale and exhale, Fox looked down at his watch again. Alright, I've got thirteen minutes. That's doable. I think. He could feel little jolts of electricity dancing through his body with excitement as he revved his hover cycle to life. This is probably going to hurt, but I don't want to keep the general waiting. Not many people could ride hover cycles well, but the young vulpine certainly could. It takes a great deal of physical strength to properly maneuver the vehicle, and Fox wasn't exactly at his strongest. But nothing holds the vulpine back when he has a task at hand.

He arrived at the base at precisely 11:58, his fur wind blown and all. He may have a couple matts to work out later, but it was worth it to be on time. "Mr. McCloud?" Fox heard a meek voice call to him from behind. He turned around to find a young white cocker spaniel with deep blue eyes in a lab coat standing in front of him. She was pretty in a proper, traditional sense.

"That's me." He could tell she was nervous. He had that effect on most females, especially around his age.

"Hello, my name is Fey. I am to to take you to General Pepper." Before he could say anything else, she turned around and called, "This way, Mr. McCloud."

"No need for the formalities, it makes me feel old. We're probably around the same age anyways, so call me Fox." Fox couldn't see it, but Fey was blushing a deep red while grinning wider than she ever had. She never thought in all of her life that she would be meeting the famous Fox McCloud, astounded mercenary and intergalactic hero. The fact that he had already made such a name for himself at such a young age made her feel like she needed to be doing more with her life. She at least felt like she was on the right track. Although, the black lab in charge of the Krystal case wasn't too keen on her being involved. As long as she didn't make any more mistakes, she was sure she could win him over with her bubbly personality.

She was directed to take Fox to the lab where the general would be waiting at the doors for them. She was instantly sent into distress when she found no one there. Her hands began to tremble, and Fox quickly noticed her composure stiffen.

"Is everything okay, Fey?"

"Um, uh, yeah…." She was obviously lying. Anyone could tell. "Actually no." She let out a long sigh as she put her paw to her face. "General Pepper was supposed to meet you here and bring you inside the lab himself but he's not here and if I make one more mistake this may be my last day as an intern here." Fox felt sorry for the cocker spaniel. She was clearly under too much stress and he didn't believe anyone their age should be put under that kind of pressure, especially when things don't go as planned. But then again, he did go through the stress of having to save the entire Lylat system at 17. Yeah no, she has it easy. But if this is the lab….

"Listen, just let me in now, it'll be fine. If you get into any kind of trouble I'll take full responsibility. I'll just say I snuck away on my own or something." He smiled his flashiest grin and Fey couldn't resist, although she was hesitant.

"You promise I'm not going to get fired?" She figured he was a war hero so why shouldn't she let him in? He was already supposed to be in there so he definitely had clearance. Plus, she daydreamed about the vulpine so this would give her something to tell her friends.

"I promise." He extended his arm out to give her a pawshake. She returned the gesture and nodded her head.

"Deal." Fox was beyond excited to see the cerulean vixen. Fey entered a five digit code on the lock pad and scanned her security badge. The doors opened to reveal a large, white, circular room with many machines and lab tables. But the only thing Fox was interested in seeing was Krystal. Is she even here? I don't see her anywhere.

"Can you show me where Krystal is?"

"I can." Fey lead the vulpine across the room over to a niche in the wall where Krystal's body was lying. From afar, the hole in the wall just looked like it was a place for wires so they weren't in the way. It wasn't until they got closer that Fox realized she was hooked up to several machines. "She's been asleep ever since they brought her in."

"So I've heard." Fox replied. With a few more steps he would be looking over her sleeping body.

"Here we are."

Fox glanced over the azure vixen and if on cue, she opened her eyes.

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AN: Can anyone tell that I like cinnamon rolls? I tried to make this chapter a little longer, which I'm planning on for all future chapters as well. I hope it didn't seem too repetitive, off topic, or things of the like. I'm really looking forward to writing the next chapter so I'm going to try my best to have it posted as soon as I can. Any reviews would be greatly appreciated. Until next time, toodles!