Chapter Six

Peppy, Bill, Lucy, and Dash Bowman were reviewing the latest footage of the Beljar system that Slippy had sent them via the transmission screen. Peppy interrupted the image review for a moment.

"Slippy, do you know if Fox will be able to intercept the technical readouts of Pigma's weapons if the base is completely under Pigma's control?" he asked

Slippy's face filled the screen. "He should be able to. Pigma's soldiers are not aware of the files and don't have the code to access them, according to Colonel Bruen. I hope that's still the case."

Peppy nodded. "We have our first line of defense en route to Beljar."

"Venomian defenses are prepared to launch later tonight as well," added Bowman. "Having those files will make it that much easier to plan our attacks."

The screen cut back to the footage of the mecha-animal attack. Bowman let out a cry of pain as they watched Scout get his leg bitten and take down the beast. The others looked at him with concern. Bowman's eyes were squinched shut and he was rubbing his head with his hand.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I just got a splitting headache. I think I've been staring at this screen for too long. Been happening a lot lately."

Lucy looked concerned. "Have you gotten that checked out?"

He shook his head. "Just stress, I'm sure. I haven't been sleeping well lately."

"Let's take a break," suggested Peppy. "Prime Minister, go get yourself a glass of water and try to relax for a few minutes. General's orders!" he added playfully. Bowman nodded gratefully and staggered out of the room. Peppy followed, claiming he also needed a drink of water.

"Went to make sure Bowman really is okay, I'll bet. Your father is a good man, Lucy," said Bill. "I can see where you get it from. Not that you're a man, I mean," Bill stammered as Lucy blushed. "It-it will be an honor to follow his footsteps."

"Thank you. Bill, I've never asked, why is it you never joined Star Fox?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Oh, I don't know, I made my way through the Cornerian Military Academy and just went straight into the CDF after that. Fox was always more adventurous than me, you know he dropped out of the academy, right?"

"No," she said, surprised. "I'd always assumed he made it through and decided military life didn't suit him."

"Well, that is basically what he decided," Bill laughed. "After he met Falco, he decided he'd rather convince General Hare to regroup a team like his father's. Not that he needed much convincing. Ironic isn't it, when you think that Peppy- excuse me, General Hare- is now the general of the CDF. Now, you tell me, why aren't you out there in Beljar with Fox and the team right now, a skilled pilot like you?"

"Oh, you know, a lot of reasons," she started to say, when Peppy and a pale but recovered Dash Bowman entered the room. "But this is more important," she said, turning back to the screen.

"What's not important?" Peppy asked sharply. Bowman smiled warmly at Peppy's protective instinct over his daughter.

"Just small talk, Father. This is important," she pointed at the screen, unfreezing the image. At that moment, Fox's voice came over the voice com, "General Hare, we are entering Brea Defense Base."

*

"Hey, let's disguise ourselves in soldiers' uniforms. That's never been done before, no one will suspect a thing!" Falco's voice was overflowing with sarcasm as they approached the base dressed in Beljar military guise.

"Shut it, Falco," snapped Faye. This surprised yet pleased Miyu. She didn't know Faye very well yet, but outside of combat she came off as friendly but almost prissy. Katt had assured Miyu and Star Fox that Faye was brave, with a natural grace and clear-headedness that was necessary in battles. And being disguised as a burly and dirty male soldier, no one could describe Faye as prissy right now. Miyu and Katt were also disguised as men. Hawkeye had been elected to stay behind at the camp, as he would be most efficient deploying ships or whatever was needed from the Falcon.

"Yes Falco, your plan of ambushing the base from our ships was much more subtle," Fox rolled his eyes.

"It would have been effective."

"Until you accidentally blasted the main computer…"

"Knock it off!" all three girls hissed.

They arrived at the main entrance and scanned their badges. Fox figured this would draw the least attention to them. The heavy doors slid open without an issue.

"Piece of cake," said Fox in a low voice. "Follow me. Act natural, but keep your guard up. When we get to the main computer center, I need Katt and Faye to stand guard while Miyu and Falco take out the security systems."

They filed through the main courtyard of the base, making sure they looked as if they knew where they were headed. Luckily, Fox had studied the base's layout beforehand, so he did have a good idea of where to go. It was easy to tell Pigma's soldiers from those that were under his control. Pigma's soldiers were large and brutish, with evil gleams in their eyes as they poked and prodded others with their weapons. The remaining Beljar soldiers had a vacant, robotic look to their faces and movements. Fox made a note to himself to try and not mortally wound the Beljar soldiers. Falco was thinking the exact same thing.

They crowded onto an elevator. "Camera in the corner. Try to keep your faces out of view," Fox said under his breath. They kept their heads bowed low until the elevator reached the computer center sub-level. The door slid open, revealing a room full of various computer systems, however, it was surprisingly almost empty except for two bored looking soldiers. Fox and Falco drew their stun guns and knocked them out. Katt and Faye positioned themselves on either side of the elevator door.

"Okay, Miyu and Falco, start blasting those security cameras and shut down the rest of the security controls, they should be on that computer over there. I'm going to try and get those files from the main."

"Not so fast," came a cold female voice. The voice was unfamiliar to everyone except Fox. He knew that voice all too well. He drew his blaster and turned to look into the eyes of Kursed, the bounty hunter who haunted his dreams.

"I wouldn't shoot those cameras. One is rigged up to an alarm that will set off an alert to the entire base and shut down power to the elevator, leaving you as sitting ducks," she said, not overly concerned with that possibility.

"Thanks for the tip," Falco said dryly. "I suppose you know which one?"

"Of course."

"And I suppose you're not going to tell us which one?"

"Maybe," she said, circling them like prey.

"What do you want with me? With us?" Fox asked. She stared him straight in the eyes.

"Where is Star Wolf?" Her voice was not expressionless anymore. Oh no, it was full of menace.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I'd been tipped off that team Star Wolf would be arriving at the Brea Defense Base. You see, we were going to have a little meeting," she smiled slowly. "They may be hometown heroes in Lylat, but here, they're still worth more dead," she coolly appraised the crew. "They wanted what you're after here, so maybe we could still work something out, hmm?"

Fox was confused. "I don't get it. Haven't your authorities heard? Star Wolf is already dead."

"What?!" Her eyes flashed at this news.

" The Beljar military sent out a call for help from the CDF, and when Star Wolf set out on mission, their ships exploded before they even got out of Corneria. Sabotage. Pigma Dengar wanted them dead," Fox said, eyeing her carefully. Her eyes flashed again and this time Fox caught it- a quick flash of emotion that completely transformed her features. He lowered his blaster.

"Krystal?" he whispered, stepping towards her. But her face had already turned back to its hardened mask as she backed away, drawing her own blaster.

"Wrong!" she said dully. "Krystal is dead. I should know. I killed her."

She went over to the elevator, opening the door. "Oh, and by the way, it's that camera over there." She blasted it away and escaped up into the elevator shaft as an ear-piercing siren and flashing red lights filled the room.

"SECURITY BREACH ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! SECURITY BREACH ALERT!"