Another chapter of Part 2. I'am uploading everything as fast I possibly can. Hold on tight everyone!

Chapter 6: Marionettes of the Slain

A green gleam slowly disappears from the background of space as the Great Fox flies out the warp gate.

'We have reached Katina.' informs ROB.

'Wait, Space Dynamics was build on a small moon right? What are we doing here on Katina?' asks Falco.

'The moon is mobile. In fact, it can travel between Corneria and the Asteroid Belt within just ten days. It switches between surface circumstances depending on planets or nebula around. It is now in Katina's orbit, therefore it has become a desert.' informs ROB.

'I wonder what's going on there.' says Slippy as he looks out the right side window towards the desert moon.

'We all do Slip. Peppy, ready all Landmasters and the 4X4.'

'4X4? What the heck is that?' *God, I hate math!* states Falco.

'Listen Falco, when that drone crashed into Krystal's Landmaster, it was a wreck. A molten scrapheap. Repairing it is too expensive and consumes too much time we don't have. A armoured 4X4 is worthy replacement for the moment.'

'HMV-001 is ready for launch.' claims ROB.

'Krystal, will you drive? I'll cover us with the turret on top of it.'

'Alright Fox.'

'Everyone knows the plan?' verifies Fox.

'Just get in there and knock some good sense into those idiots!' says Falco.

Fox nods as the Great Fox descends towards the surface of the moon. The Landmasters and the 4X4 are all ready to be launched.

'Everybody, good luck out there.'

'Thanks Pep.'

The vehicles land on the surface as the Great Fox flies off. Fox is manning the turret on top of the HMV-001, armed with the same AT-HDMG on the Landmaster. The design is similar to a normal Humvee, only with extended armor plating and its color scheme is blue and white. The Starfox logo is painted on the sides in red.

Some time later, they enter SD ground. But SD is no more.

'Falco, I think someone knocked some incredible sense into them…' says Fox as the panorama around them confirms it: The once massive SD complex has been turned to ashes and rubble. Giant burn marks are all over; employers were no exception.

'This is horrible.' quotes Falco. 'Is there any building left standing?'

'Our scan shows only one building survived; the main building.' says Peppy.

'I just hope the survivors found refuge somewhere.' says Krystal.

'I hope so too Krystal…'

A mere minute later, they arrive at the only building left standing. It's a rotten looking, puke green building, a few storey's high. All windows are boarded up with wood and random junk. The team exits their vehicles and approach the door. It far from white as rust has practically engulfed it.

'Let me do the talking.' says Fox while holding up his paw.

'*knock* *knock* Carson? Open up.'

No reaction.

'*knock* *knock* Carson, it's me Fox. Open the door.'

Still no response.

'*sigh* ROB, scan the building. Thermal overlay on our wristpads.'

'Affirmative. Thermal overlay shows multiple unarmed heat signatures inside the building.'

Fox turns to the door again.

'*knock* *knock* Carson, open this door. We know you're in there.'

'*angers himself* Grrr. *bash* Carson, open this door now or I'll kick it in!' shouts Fox.

Locks are heard opening from behind the door as a second later, the door slowly opens, at long last. A small pair of frightful brown eyes peek around the gap as the sunlight borrows its way through the darkness inside the building. The eyes spring open as they see Fox. The door suddenly flies open and a small grey-black raccoon jumps at Fox, hugging his chest area tight.

'FOX!' yells Carson. 'Thank god you've come! Belissima! *notices the rest* Oh, yes and everyone else as well, of course. *slight shame*'

Carson lets them in. The building inside is as bad as it looked from the front. The dark simply hides the rubbish around. Only a few rays of sunlight find their way through the small grooves between the boards. The smell lingering around is like someone died, a week ago. The only advantage is that it is pretty cool in there.

'Sorry for the atmosphere.' apologizes Carson as he turns around to the disgusted Starfox team. 'But we've been living in fear for two days straight and well, cleaning this up is not a top priority right now.'

He looks at Fox. 'Aren't you gonna introduce me Fox?'

'Oh yeah, sure. Everyone, this is my friend Carson. He always gets my good discounts on SD products. He's the manager of this main installation. Carson, this is my team I told you about:

Falco, our cocky ace pilot.'

'Puh, at least I have a talent.' bites Falco.

'Our mechaninc Slippy.'

'Nice to meet you.'

'And, last best, our team telepath and my fiancée, Krystal!'

'Fiancée!?' shouts Carson happily shocked.

By hearing the word again, Fox realizes his sudden mistake. He looks speechless at Krystal who now knows that hiding it is no option any more. She reveals her ring to everyone.

'Holy shit Fox! You finally asked her?'

'That's why you two were so close and secretive.' claims Slippy.

'Argh! It was supposed to be surprise until this all flew over… Sorry Krystal.'

Krystal shrugs, don't minding the attention around her.

'Well, it certainly is Fox buddy. I was right, you are back to reality.' As Falco takes Fox for a walk and just won't shut up, Krystal and Slippy are proclaimed heroes by the employers hiding in the basement. Celebrations are brief however, as Carson is reminded of incoming danger:

*Radio*

Zzsshch… We're coming back again. Just sit tight… zhshc…

*Radio*

'Oh no, they're back…'

'Who's back?'

'The Slayers! They destroyed everything after the drone attack failed. Good for the targets, whoever they were…'

He swallows hard. 'Ohohohoooo, they probably want to know if Amrish's package arrived!'

'Amrish!?' shouts Fox. 'I… I don't understand.'

'Me neither. Something with plasma cloning or something…' says Carson panicked. 'But there's no time for explaining. When they find you here, we're all dead!'

'You're right Carson. We can't risk the life of the innocent. They are after us Krystal. If that drone attack was any indication. Carson, is there any secret way out of here?'

He nods; 'Yeah, an old silo nobody uses anymore. It's behind those boxes over there.' he claims as he points at a pile of boxes behind the two. 'Good luck…' he ends.

Outside, a tractor beam weapon picks up the HMV and throws it right through the barricaded windows. The sunlight breaks in as the employers run back into the basement. After rolling a few meters further, it stops on its left side. Smoke coming from under the hood, signals the cars demise.

'Great…' remarks Fox sarcastically. 'That was pretty expensive. Bah! Falco and Slippy, take care of the thugs outside with the Landmasters. Krystal and Carson, help me with those boxes.'

The boxes are quickly thrown away as Falco and Slippy fire their way through the approaching Slayers. With the boxes out of the way, an air vent has become visible. Fox blasts it and Krystal goes through first. Just as Fox wants to follow, Carson says: 'Fox, contact Hispanic 2 inside this moon. They'll know more about Slayer and SD's role in this all.'

'I thought Italians and Hispanics hated each other for whatever reason.' jokes Fox.

'Long time ago. Just contact them, they'll be happy to help.'

'Thanks Carson, good luck out here.'

'You too buddy…' ends Carson.

He closes the vent with another box, as the last of the employers hide in the basement. Carson however, goes up the stairs towards the top floors. With a firm kick, the lid at the end of the vent flies up in the air and lands somewhere else. Krystal climbs out and helps Fox out as well. The silo apparently fell on his side, as the only way out is right in front of them instead of above them. It's a ribbed tunnel, with bright light at the end indicating an exit. As they near the end, a shadowy figure falls from the ceiling. A slight reflection gives away that it is pointing a rifle at them, painted black for the occasion. The two stop.

'How's it going, Syxx?' asks the figure with a woman-like voice. She slowly takes aim through her iron sights. The red Slayer logo is painted close to it.

'K.. Ky..Kyla?' stumbles Fox.

'I prefer 2, if you don't mind Syxx.' she says as she pulls of her mask, showing her grey-black self. A modified metallic black MAWPAW is what she's holding in her hands.'

'What are you doing here Kyla?'

'2! And, I'm here to finish you Syxx.'

Unnecessary information about the 4.8X25 mm Hybrid round modification Spectre told her about, float around in her head. Not concentrated for just a split-second, she suddenly sees Fox's blaster pointed at her.

'You've gotten rusty Ky. And still using that piece of shit?' comments Fox. 'Even my contact had better.' he bites.

As the insult about the comparison between Slayer and Butcher is clear to 2, it only angers her. Both have their fingers on the trigger. An aiming assistant envelops from her helmet and places itself over her left eye. Fox simply trusts on good old self-precision.

Fox's ring is visible. Astonished, Kyla looks at Krystal, wearing a ring as well. Her precision turns vague and the assistant goes back again.

'Argh!' growls 2 as she drops the weapon. 'I can't kill a man who isn't himself. You're not Mister miserable Syxx, but married and happy ever after McCloud. *Shit*'

Fox returns his blaster back in his holster and signals Krystal that everything is fine. She nods and runs outside. 2 falls down on her knees in indecision. Fox kneels beside her and whispers: 'Thanks Kyla…' before running off as well.

He catches up with Krystal as the two exit the silo. The desert climate greets them as the flawless blue sky and Katina give a perfect background. A small, green dot in the form of a garbage truck is visible as smoke coming from an outpost of SD behind them slowly dies out. It was apparently attacked already. It quickly disappears as Fox doesn't mind it.

*Transmission*

Fox, Falco and Slippy made it back alive. How about you two?

We're on our way as we speak. Ready the Great Fox to pick us up.

*Transmission*

As Fox and Krystal are nearly out of sight, 2 steps out of the silo as well. She activates her com.

*Transmission*

Plan B, sir

B!? *sigh* Fine, hurry up *static*

*Transmission*

She reaches for one of her pockets and grabs a detonator with her right paw while holding her rifle in her left hand. Unnoticed to 2, the logo lights up on the weapon, unknowingly indicating a certain death.

'I'am sorry Syxx. I personally, can't kill you spot on while you're not yourself, but…'

She places her finger on the red button on the yellow-grey detonator. 'He can.' She presses the button.

What did 2 (Kyla) detonate? What will Starfox encounter on their way to stop the Slayers? Who is Hispanic 2? Find it out in the next chapters, soon to be uploaded.