Chapter 7

"Have you ever heard of the codename Leviathan?" Dmitry asked.

"I've heard the name back when I was with Cornerian Command," Kursed replied. "But not much else."

"Leviathan was the name of a failed experiment created by Andross during the Lylat Wars," Dmitry explained. "He had it deployed on Zoness but… something went wrong. The bioweapon, instead of attacking, went dormant and is said to have gone to the bottom of the ocean, wherever that is. I think you know where I'm going with this."

"Our friends are trying to bring a bioweapon back to life and destroy everything on Zoness," Kursed replied. "They really are anarchists if they're willing to go this far."

"It seems that is what Eclipse's plans are."

"Eclipse? Is that what they're calling themselves?" Kursed asked. "Surely they don't have cheesy motto following that title?"

"Not that I know of, but they finally decided to surface and claim responsibility on Macbeth," Dmitry replied. "Oddly, Corneria has yet to respond."

"I know…k new Peppy well and he wouldn't let any political bullshit get in his way," she thought. "General Hare is probably going to embark on a witch hunt for these guys. Anyway, Dmitry, before I head to Zoness I need to take care of a few things, make a few calls. It's important."

"I understand, do what you have to do," Dmitry replied. He ended the transmission right after.

Kursed stopped slightly, pondering her next decision. She then put in a transmission code that she hadn't used for over two years. "I hope she's still there…"

She didn't have to wait long before a voice responded to her call. "This is Simmons."

Kursed smiled. "Hey Nicki, it's been a while hasn't it?"

There was a pause and she heard something drop in the background. "Krystal, is that you!?" The volume in her voice suggested she was whispering now.

"Yeah…" Funny how someone could say your old name and you could hardly recognize it. "Sorry it's been a while but I need a favor from you."

"I…sure, no problem Krys, you know you can always ask us for help. Once a Cornerian pilot, always a Cornerian pilot."

Kursed grinned, remembering the motto most of the pilots used. After her removal from the Star Fox team four years ago, she had little choice at the time of where to go and decided to enlist as a pilot for the Cornerian Air Force. The group she worked with took her in without question and were like a second family to her. Of course, this was before Panther had reached out to her and offered her a spot as part of Star Wolf. That was of course months after she joined but even now she regretted that decision, for it completely tainted her image, inside and out of the military.

"Still happen to have my ship?" she asked.

"Your ship?" Simmons asked. "Yes, it should still be on Katina on lockdown. You know, they'll never use that ship for spare parts but no one has been reassigned to it. Probably from all the upgrades you put to it."

"And it didn't cost me a fortune either," Kursed replied. "I need it for something important; don't worry it's short-term. Can I count on you to get it done?"

Simmons scoffed jokingly. "Please Krys, I have my way of bending the red tape around here. I can have someone at the base load it out for you and make sure it's primed and ready. I'm assuming you're keeping the Cloud Runner here as well."

"Short-term like I said, but tell your buddies not a scratch."

"Will do. I can even get you reinstated if you need it but whatever you have to do I'd do it quickly."

"You always were the smart one Nicki."

"Naturally." She then paused. "We do miss you though, and we could care less of the bullshit people are saying. You're still a hero no matter who you work with."

"Still a hero…" She'd love to think that but Kursed was someone different. Sure she still took care of bad people, but she would be willing to kill five people in order to save millions, if that were the scenario. Krystal would try to save everyone if she could. "I know. I'll… think about it perhaps. I just hope the group hasn't slacked off without me."

"Not at all."

"Good. Then I'll be heading to Katina right away… Krystal out." Kursed sat back and smiled. Veronica Simmons… you don't get many like her in the military.


(A/N: For this next part, the song I'm using is "Zoness" from Star Fox 64 3D.)


It felt strange being in another ship, especially one that she hadn't piloted for two years, but it still handled well and thankfully no one had taken anything out of it. It wasn't the Cloud Runner but it was still a good ship, one she was proud to call her own.

*As she made her descent into Zoness, it wasn't long before she was picked up by a patrol. Two other Cornerian fighters, which by now was a standard model of ship for most planets, flew behind her and soon she got an incoming transmission. "Pilot, what is your identification number?"

"ID number 4597921," Kursed replied.

There was a slight pause. "Alright that checks out, what brings you out here? You were stationed out at Katina?"

"Recently transferred to this part of the universe," Kursed explained. "It's probably not on file yet."

"Fair enough. You've been granted access to dock at Hanger C-18. Make sure you sign in at customs."

"Yeah, like that's going to happen," Kursed muttered after the transmission ended. The two other ships flew off and Kursed was treated to seeing the crisp blue ocean that covered all of Zoness. Years ago she remembered being told Zoness had been turned into a dump and it looked as if the planet would be doomed. However, Cornerian and Zoness officials worked diligently to clean up the pollutions and their efforts were rewarded.

Everything seemed calm but Leviathan was done there somewhere. If anyone went down beneath the ocean, deep enough to transmit a signal, that is all what was needed to wake the bioweapon up. She was then given coordinates to the hangar and soon landed.

While she had been on Katina, Kursed was also able to get her old uniform and equipment back as well. But before she had landed, she had to make a few alterations to her appearance, which included cutting her hair back to her original length and taking out her contact lenses. She was starting to look like Krystal again…


(A/N: For this next part, the song I'm using is "Manaan (Ahto City) from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.)


*She then opened her canopy and got out. Her uniform and helmet felt almost new to her, but it gave her a comfortable feeling. She had no regrets being in the Cornerian military and for once, she didn't feel like a bounty hunter but instead an actual soldier.

She made her way into the city which to no surprise was bumbling with activity. All of the cities and ports on Zoness were established above water and because of the city's size, the only modes of transportation were buses and shuttles to leave the planet. As big as the city was, one was able to get around easily by foot.

Many of the people who passed by her either tipped their hat or bowed their head slightly in respect. Kursed had other things on her mind than walking the streets or going shopping. "Alright Dmitry, I'm here so where to start first?"

"North of your position there's a base that goes underwater, that'll be where they have the subs, but access is highly restricted," Dmitry responded.

"However, I can hack into the system and cause a momentary glitch that'll unlock the entire system," Lewis replied. "Just give me the word when."

"There is one other thing," Dmitry added. "There's someone you need to meet, although actually you met her briefly on the ship. You remember Catherine?"

She did remember Catherine. To be honest, her first impression of her reminded her of Lucy, although Catherine was somewhat younger. Unfortunately, the comparison made her feel a bit of guilt. "Yeah I remember Catherine all too well."

"It's good to see you again too Kursed," Catherine replied, taking over the channel. "But really, Kursed? Couldn't you have picked a name that doesn't make people cringe?"

Kursed rolled her eyes. "That's the idea Cat. So what do you need?"

"Well, Dmitry has assigned me to look over you, in this case anything that would pose a risk to you out in the battlefield. You do realize your stress levels are rather high, don't you?"

"It's my mind's way of keeping me alert. Not to mention dodging explosives can do that to you."

"And you do realize it could hamper your reflexes? Not to mention if you get shot your heart will beat more blood out of you."

Kursed groaned. "I am aware of all that but I'll be fine. You want me to take yoga or something?"

"I'm just trying to help you out," Catherine replied. "You'll probably thank me someday… but yes yoga could help."

Now that she thought about it, it had been a while since she meditated. "What about meditation?"

"Now we're talking." It was agreed then, but after this mission. She had forgotten that in less than a day she had almost been blown up twice. A nice day's sleep will cure that for sure.

After about ten minutes she finally made it to the base. There were no guards but there was a console at the door, no doubt asking for identification. "Alright, I'm here."

"Just give me a few seconds…" Lewis replied as he made his way into the military's systems. "And to think I could've done some good if Corneria had hired me… There. It'll only last a few seconds and hopefully no one will pick up on it."

Kursed then walked to the door and it opened automatically for her. She was in, but getting down to the bottom floor would be a slight challenge. At least if she was spotted she could pass off as security. She walked down the hallway but it was empty, which was rather strange. In fact, other than the slight hum of the air conditioning unit, she couldn't hear anything else. She then pulled out her blaster and opened one of the nearby doors.

There was slight blood splatter on the walls and two bodies on the ground, male and female, both in uniform. "Shit. Dmitry, they beat me here. They didn't want to leave any witnesses and I don't think anyone knows what happened."

"Alright, send them a message and proceed carefully. They could a full team down there."

Kursed didn't bother checking the other rooms. She was feeling pain and anger at the same time. This wasn't a firefight, it was assassination. Terrorism. Whoever this Eclipse was, they had no regard for preventing deaths. They weren't anarchists, they were terrorists.

She was near the elevators when something caught her eye. One of the guards apparently didn't go down without a fight and he took one of their comrades with him. As she expected, same military attire. She saw the 12-gauge shotgun lying next to him and went over to pick it up. She checked the chamber. At least eight shells were in there. She then took the ammo he had sticking out of his pocket and cocked the gun, an empty shell flying out. "I'll put this to good use, I promise."

She then pushed the button nearby and the elevator doors opened. She then entered before the doors closed and then the elevator plunged down below sea level.


(A/N: Hey guys, surprised to see me so soon? Probably not. I actually started and finished this today because for once I had the drive to do it so yay for me. I hope this as well as the next few chapters make up for before, but I doubt you guys really care, which is fine too. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you guys again soon. Also, I'll try to work on Digimon but right now that's a secondary story I'm doing, just so you know.)

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