Alright, here we go with chapter 7! Enjoy!
"You act as though you've never seen Corneria." Panther chuckled as Beast snapped his head away from the window of the limousine. The Lynx grinned.
"Not legally no."
Panther chuckled, remembering being in a similar situation some years prior. It was before Star Wolf had been named heroes. As he recalled it had been the single action that had led to the disappearance of one Fox McCloud. They had used him, and his flagship the Great Fox 2; it had even been Fox's old girlfriend Krystal's idea to do it.
Regrettably, but not completely surprising, the citizens of Corneria started calling Krystal a traitor. She survived as a vital part of Star Wolf for a few months before she suddenly and without warning vanished. Not even their new connections with the Cornerian Military could track the blue vixen. Panther had to admit, he had been smitten by Krystal, in a way he hadn't with any other woman before. He had legitimately felt something for her, but like all the others once she left he simply moved on to the next.
"You even listening to me?" Beast waved his cuffed hands in an attempt to get the jungle cat's attention.
"No, not really. What did you ask me?" Panther shook his head and looked at Beast. "And it had better not be about the damn cuffs again."
"I asked what kind of deal you think I'll get once I tell your general what I know." The lynx set his hands on his lap. "Besides, I'll be free of the damn things soon enough. I only asked early to see how smart you are." Panther glared at the lynx, and growled threateningly, causing Beast to throw his hands up in defence. "Don't worry big un' you passed."
Panther relaxed but kept his eye on the lynx. "I can't speak for General Hare."
Beast smirked and looked back outside, silently watching the people go about their lives. They had no idea how close they were to a very dangerous and feared lynx. "You think I'll get labelled a hero as well? I mean, you guys terrorized Corneria for at least a decade, and after a lucky break. Bam!" He snapped his fingers to emphasize. "Instant heroes."
"Despite how you put it, yes. That's practically how it happened. But what we did in the Anglar Blitz proved to the system that we could be everything Star Fox was." Panther turned his head. "What happened afterwards is regrettable; Lylat could use more people like Fox McCloud but Star Wolf had no part in his disappearance."
"I heard that he committed suicide just after selling his father's robot." Beast laughed. "But I'm sure as a highly respected mercenary like yourself; you already know everything the military could get their grubby hands on." He smirked as Panther continued to ignore him. "That's how they keep control you know. They buy up every piece of terrible news people like me make, and hide it inside their war rooms. I mean, shit, do you even know what the hell goes down on Kew? Shit that would make you cry yourself to sleep. Well, maybe not the old Star Wolf, but this new team."
"I know you had to get a new name because you were too scared to actually face someone better than you in a fight." Panther snapped. "And I know we may seem like this time of peace has made us rusty, but I ask you. Have you heard of anyone attacking Corneria since the Blitz? Have you heard of any planet in Lylat under Cornerian military protect ever being taken over? Have you ever, in your tiny little hole of a base, ever heard of how Star Wolf went up against the best Dash Bowman could offer without so much as an assist from General Peppy?"
Beast blinked a few times. "Heard it all. Doesn't really impress me."
Before Panther could reply there was a knock at the window behind him.
"We're here." He made his way to the door and opened it. "I'm not going to hold your hand, come on, out!"
The lynx shuffled towards the door; as he stepped out he tripped over Panther's boot, causing him to fall face first onto the cement sidewalk.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Here let me help you up." Panther chuckled pulling Beast to his feet and brushing him off. He leaned up close to the now furious lynx. "You know the main difference between us right now?" He whispered. "My bounty has been forgiven. And since we know one hunter is after you, just think of what fun they could have knowing you were locked up in a Cornerian prison."
"Panther, that's enough. I'll take him to the general myself." Wolf said walking towards them from the military headquarters. "Head back to the wolfens I have a feeling we won't be staying on Corneria long."
Panther nodded, pushing Beast towards Wolf, and heading back to the limousine.
Beast stared at the long black vehicle before getting pushed again; this time by Wolf. "That's some henchman you got there. Where did you find him anyway?"
"Local bar." Wolf replied simply leading him to the elevator. They spent the majority of their walk in silence. Wolf barely interacted with other military personal, either with a nod or a quick 'Hi'. To Beast, it seemed Wolf was either anti-social or getting increasingly annoyed.
"You don't talk too much huh?"
"Normally, I only talk with people worth my time." Wolf stated before placing his hand on a scanner. "I'll have the absolute joy of guarding General Hare while you two get to talk." He removed his hand after the console beeped twice. "Keep in mind; I don't have to make it look like an accident here."
"To make what... oh." Beast had never been one to know fear, but he couldn't hide a shiver running up his spine as Wolf had so calmly threatened his life.
Wolf grinned, he loved how easy it was to intimidate crime lords. "As you know, I used to be like you. I already know your tells, but in case you think I'm bluffing go right ahead and try it. In fact, I want you to." He turned as the doors opened. "General, here is Beast. He's the one with the information concerning our Bounty Hunter issue."
Peppy didn't turn around.
"Sit." Beast made his way to the chair and sat down. "I wasn't taking to you."
Wolf pulled Beast up by his cuffs before moving the chair to a corner and sitting down.
"Now then." Peppy turned, tossing a thick folder down on his desk. "Beast is it? Kind of a weird name to take, but to each his own. That folder there contains everything we know about you, and believe me when I say we've taking the liberty of removing most of the black lines you have put in there." Peppy looked over at Wolf. "Help yourself to a drink if you want." Wolf waved it off, studying the movements of the lynx. "Suit yourself."
"Hmph. Since you seem to have all this knowledge, I don't see why you paid to have me brought here." Beast narrowed his eyes at Peppy.
"You recently survived a hit on Fortuna. In an abandoned Venom base. So my first question for you is this. Do you know who attacked you?"
"Which time?" Beast asked. Peppy gave him a confused look. "There was more than one attack on my life. Which one do you want to hear about?"
"Both."
"The first time was by a well-known hunter called Kursed. Normally, I'm told, she never fails a hit. Guess there is a first time for everything, because I'm still standing." He grinned. "But I'm sure you've got lots and lots of info on her."
"We've heard of Kursed, but she has kept away from planets under Cornerian Protection. She is a threat to us, but only if she provokes us. Her file isn't near as big as yours by the way." Peppy folded his hands behind his back. "Though I was curious as to why you happened to be the first one to survive. But I figure it's your paranoia and those blood gangs you've borrowed credits from that has funded your security." Beast shuffled uncomfortably. "And what of this second attempt?"
"It was a vulpine, rather unknown hunter. I never found out his name, but I know they both had the same employer." Beast shook his head. "You won't find information on him, but he's one of two people that know my real name."
"Three." Peppy grinned, tapping the file. "I'll keep it between us if you give me that name."
"You're bluffing." Beast snapped. He heard a blaster charge and turned his head only to feel the cool metal of Wolf's blaster on his head.
"I told you I knew your tells. I'd be quick about the name, we wouldn't want your gang friends to find out you helped Corneria."
Beast looked to Peppy, almost expecting a look of confusion. But all he saw was a blank emotionless face. "You'd let this... Mercenary kill me in cold blood in your office?" Peppy turned to face the window.
"If you are of no more use then why waste tax dollars putting you into a prison? All I have to do is say you attempted my life and that Wolf acted to save my life." Peppy looked over at Beast. "You give me that name and I'll see to it you get treated fairly."
Beast growled, he knew he had been beat. "I want immunity, and a ranking position in your army. I want to be able to defend myself for the hell that is sure to come."
"Of course." Peppy smiled gently. "For the name."
"I'm sure his real name is long since forgotten in this system, but he goes by Jay. That's all I've got, hell that's more than your military has on him for damn sure."
"Jay." Peppy rubbed his chin in thought. "I'll get my people on it. Wolf is Leon nearby?"
Wolf nodded. "Waiting outside, just in case we needed him." Wolf put a finger to his ear. "Leon, come inside."
A few moments later the green lizard walked into the office. "Yes, general?"
"Escort this convict to our military prison." Peppy ordered.
"WHAT?!" Beast yelled, struggling against Leon's grip. "WE HAD A DEAL!"
Peppy picked up the file and opened it, revealing nothing but a stack of blank papers. "Oh I'm sorry, but we'd have to have permission from people higher up than myself."
Beast roared as Leon dragged him out of the office. Wolf smirked, looking over at the old general. "I didn't think you'd pull that off." Peppy looked over at Wolf, forcing a grin. "Anything else for me General?"
"That will be all for now. We'll get a trace started on Kursed, see if she is still in Lylat. Should we get anything on her I'll send you."
"What about this 'Jay' guy?" Wolf asked.
"That isn't much to go on. But I'll get someone on it. I'll oversee it personally. You're dismissed Wolf." Wolf turned on his heel and left Peppy's office. The hare sat down at his desk, tossing the file into the trash.
Shattered slowly fly towards the Great Fox 2, his training kept his emotions in check, but his thoughts where anything but calm. Kursed obviously knew about Fox, otherwise she wouldn't have reacted as she had when he told her he was dead. But how well had she known Fox? He glanced over at the vixen; she hadn't left her seat since they first saw the Great Fox 2. 'Should I ask her to split up? What if she sees me and I'm acting like him? Just how well did she know Fox?'
Kursed fidgeted in her seat. The closer they got to the Great Fox, the harder it was to keep Krystal's thoughts suppressed. Memories hit her like rain hit a windshield, hundreds of thoughts combining into one before being wiped aside. Keeping her emotions in check especially when her thoughts drifted to Fox had become increasingly difficult after learning of the vulpine's death. She felt guilty, knowing in no small way, that she had a big part to play in his death. She knew going into that ship would be hell, but she was determined to see this through.
"Five minutes until dock. Scans show that most areas of the Great Fox 2 are currently inaccessible. The bridge, mess hall, and personal quarters are equipped with life support." Rob announced, startling the two bounty hunters.
"Thanks Rob."
"Why would those areas still have life support? That ship is barely together." Kursed thought out loud.
"They disassemble these ships in space to save room in dry docks." Shattered replied tapping a few keys before letting Rob take over for the final landing procedures. "They have to keep life support active so the engineers can take their time pulling apart circuit boards, nav systems, and important shit like that." He stood up, grabbing his helmet as he went. "The dock isn't going to be pressurized, so keep your helmet on until we get to the main elevator. The pressure should regulate once the doors close."
"I know how it works." Kursed replied, putting her helmet on before following the vulpine towards the ramp.
"Final boarding in progress."
"What all are we grabbing?" The vixen asked.
Shattered put on his helmet before replying. "Anything that has the logo for starters. After that I guess it's anything that seems to have..." He paused, trying to think of the right word.
"Sentimental value?" Shattered nodded and turned to the ramp as it began to descend.
"Depressurizing." A computer voice spoke, it was silent until the ramp fully extended, hitting the metal floor of the Great Fox. Shattered looked down at his comm link, it showed 2 hours of oxygen. He jumped, letting gravity take him towards the ceiling. He looked behind him to see Kursed doing the same.
"Rob we're clear, take off and blast the Star Fox logo a few times, I don't want looters to make a cent off this ship. Land the ship back in the hangar when you're done."
"Confirmed."
After a few minutes of tedious movements, and choice foul words, the pair made it to the elevator. "Pressurizing... Complete."
They removed their helmets. "Fuck me that was annoying." Shattered growled. "I figured our suits would weigh us down enough."
"We shouldn't have too much trouble going back. That said, why don't you just have Rob waiting for us closer to elevator. I mean, it's not like anything else is going to dock here anytime soon." Kursed leaned against the handlebar.
"Good point." The vulpine nodded. The elevator stopped, leading them to the bridge. For a moment, Shattered felt as though he was about to start a mission, the Star Fox team sat at their respective chairs. Waiting for the orders of their leader. Without noticing he had walked to his old command chair and sat down. His team looked up at him and smiled. He felt himself smile, for the first time in years.
"Shattered?"
He blinked, looking around for his team. It had been a memory; the bright grey had been replaced with a rusty brown. He looked at the chair Krystal should have been sitting in, but saw nothing. "Damn it." He stood up quickly and walked past Kursed. "I'm going to check out the mess hall."
Kursed watched him leave. Obviously Shattered had been lost in thought, because he moved as if he was on automatic pilot. She shrugged, and looked around. "They tore the hell out of this room. But I suppose it was the most advanced ship Corneria had at the time. Slippy was always tinkering with it to make it better." She took another look around, deciding that there was nothing here she wanted. She made her way towards the personal quarters.
She stopped as she reached Krystal's old room, placing her hand on the door. "This is where we spent our last night together. With a bit of an effort she managed to open the door, nearly expecting to see Fox sitting on the bed waiting for her. She quickly shook the thought out of her mind and looked around the room. Seemingly nothing had changed since she left. Minus most of her items that she had already taken from here. She sat down on the bed, sighing contently at the familiar comfort it gave. "I wish I could take this with me." She looked over at were her alarm clock used to be, but saw something else instead. She leaned over and grabbed the object. "A letter?" It was addressed to Krystal, and it was clearly Fox's handwriting. She unzipped her flight suit slightly and tucked the letter inside before zipping it back up. Promising herself to read it later, when she was alone.
"This was Krystal's old room wasn't it?" Kursed jumped as she saw Shattered leaning against the doorway. "Didn't mean to startle you."
Kursed nodded. "It's fine, but you're right this was Krystal's old room."
Shattered looked around. "You didn't have to be a bounty hunter to hear what happened to her and Fox."
"I'm sure everyone in Lylat and the surrounding systems knew about their break up." Kursed scoffed. "The media loved prying into personal lives. Always sickened me to watch those damn reporters harass people for a story. They make us hunters look like saints when it comes to gathering information."
Shattered chuckled. "I think it's because we get paid for information whereas they're trying to get it for free."
Kursed grinned. "I guess I hadn't thought of it that way." She brushed her hand against her thigh. "You done here?"
"I've got one last place to check. Head for the elevator, I'll catch up."
"I'll stick around and wait, if it's alright with you."
Shattered shrugged. "Suit yourself."
He walked down the hallway a few doors, resting his hand on each that he passed. 'Falco, Slippy, I hope you're both doing well. I am sorry for the pain I caused you.' He stopped at Fox's old room, opening the door with ease. He had already picked this room clean before the ship had been put to rest. But he still felt a need to return. He quickly went to the bed and pulled it back a few feet, revealing a small wooden box. It was embroidered with the Star Fox logo and stained a dark amber. Gently he picked it up and sat down on the bed. He unlatched the clasp and opened it, grabbing the only photo inside it.
It was a photo taken on Fichina just after the Star Fox team had met up with Bill for his birthday. They had just finished a huge snowball fight and were all drinking coffee and relaxing inside the mess hall. It was one of the last team photos they had taken. While he had already taken most of the photos off the ship when he had left the first time, but he left this one here. He figured that the Great Fox would be put to rest eventually, and he had wanted to show anyone who happened to find this box to remember how the team was, and not what had happened to it at the end.
"Warning, thirty minutes of oxygen remaining." The automated voice announced. Shattered shook his head, how had an hour and a half passed so quickly?
"Shattered." The vulpine looked up at Kursed. "We need to go." He nodded and stood up, placing the photo back in the box and closing the lid. Kursed looked from him to the box and back. "It's just something I think the system will want to see eventually." Kursed motioned with her head towards the hallway.
They quickly made their way to the elevator, both feeling exhausted. They almost happily put on their helmets, glad that the other couldn't see their faces. Years of forgotten emotions ran through them, affecting both equally; yet neither of them knew how the other felt. 'I miss you Fox.'
Shattered looked around, seeing no one else but Kursed. "You say something?"
Kursed turned to him. "No, why?"
"Warning, depressurization imminent."
Kursed was thrilled to have a change in conversation. She calmed herself down and forced her abilities away once again. 'Damn telepathy flare. It must have been from visiting my old room... and from him...'
"Rob move the ship closer to the elevator. It was a damn hassle just to get here; I'd rather not do it again." Shattered took a few steps grabbing a hold of the elevator door to keep himself from floating to far up. Kursed followed his lead, both waiting for the ship to get close enough to float into.
Rob brought the ship as close as he could and waited until the two bounty hunters had made their way into the cargo hold. "Pressurizing... complete."
"Get us back to that assembly line Rob, I think I'm going to take the rest of the night off." Shattered pulled off his helmet and turned to Kursed who had just done the same. "Hey, ummm." The vixen locked eyes with him, catching him slightly off guard. "I... Miss him too." With that he walked towards his room, leaving Kursed alone.
"So, you did hear me. No one's been able to since Fox." She sighed and sat down on the cot. She unzipped her flight suit and pulled out the letter. She stared at it for a few minutes before putting it underneath her makeshift pillow. "I'm sorry Fox, but I just can't read this tonight." After a few moments she passed out, mentally exhausted.
What's going to happen next? Oh, I'm sure we'll find out soon.
In a reply too:
Blazehunter64 - We caught a glimpse of something in this chapter. But I'm not 100% certain when exactly they'll realize who is who.
bryan mccloud - That's actually a very good point. Would you mind terribly if I decided to use that?
H-T
