Last chapter, I put in two videogame references. They are fairly close to each other and are both from the same game. Hint: they are when Kevin receives his new armor.

Further updates are on the blog sciencefictionstories. weebly. com.

On with the story…

Chapter 11: Wolf's Final Line of Defense

I awoke with a startle; it was yet another nightmare in which I witness death. My entire body was sweating greatly. I looked around the large empty room and noticed that it was still dark; the team was even still sleeping. I shook my head and stood up; once I did, I looked over at my armor that was standing in the nearby corner. It was still in shape and was unscathed. I then grabbed my pistol and went to stand outside for some air. It was the second night being there at the base. The day before, we rejuvenated and got all the rest we could; Krystal was still in pain and unable to move. As I neared the large doors, I heard one of the others move around.

"I must have woken someone." I thought to myself.

A female voice replied, "I know you didn't mean to."

I was a bit startled at the sudden response, but nonetheless, I looked back and saw Krystal sitting up by herself. At the sight, I was filled with relief and joy. I ran over to her and gave her a hug.

"Thank god you're okay." I said quietly.

She grunted at the sudden force on her body, "I'm glad that you're fine as well." She replied.

I released her and moved back a bit, "How do you feel?" I asked.

She shook her head slightly, "Just a headache."

I sighed, "Damn, you heal pretty fast." I then lowered my head, "I should have seen that move coming right from when I started to run at him. I fi wouldn't have let my guard down, you wouldn't be like this."

Krystal sighed back, "It's not your fault. You couldn't do anything about the fact that he was a telepath."

I shook my head, "I know... I still can't believe that part. I thought telepaths were Cerinians; like only your race could naturally learn it."

Krystal nodded, "It's true; we're the only known race to learn telepathy as we age."

I was a bit baffled at what she had just said. Cerinians were, in fact, the only race to learn and master telepathy as they age, I wasn't wrong; this is what baffled me the most.

"Wait, so, how did he have such great skill?" I asked.

Krystal shook her head, "I know exactly why, and I wish it weren't true."

I stared at Krystal, "What is it?"

She shook her head once more, "His thought patterns were… so familiar." She sighed, "They were very similar to those of a Cerinian."

I was shocked at this, "So… he WAS a Cerinian?"

She nodded, "I wish it weren't true, but yes… he was." Her voice was getting shaky.

I instantly felt a guilty feeling emerge. I knew that Krystal was of the last of her race, and I just killed another survivor.

"Oh…my god, Krystal… I'm so sorry." I said in shock.

She shook her head, "Don't be; he got what he deserved." A tear rolled down her eye.

"Krystal?" I asked softly.

She then started to cry. I felt that something was greatly wrong, as if she had lost something.

"Krystal, what's wrong?" I asked again.

She sniffled, and after a minute of silence she spoke… "I knew him…"

Those words were a complete surprise that I had not, even in a million years, would have expected.

"U- what?" I asked in denial. I didn't want to believe that she knew this monster.

She nodded slowly, "Yes; me and him… we knew each other on Cerinia." Tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Krystal knew this psychotic man!

I shook my head in disbelief, "Were you two… friends?"

She ignored my question. "I wish it wasn't him. I wish it could have been someone else."

Krystal was really having trouble now; she just lost her childhood friend to Wolf and to me. I could tell for a fact that she was completely devastated by the loss, even if he was evil.

I lowered my head, "Was he, you know, good back then?"

She looked up at me, "He was the nicest and most calm Cerinian I knew besides the leaders. I always thought that he would go on and do great things for the planet." She started to regain herself.

I shook my head with complete disbelief and shame, "I'm… so sorry Krystal. If I would have known, I would have at least injured him."

Krystal disagreed, "No… I sensed his honor. He didn't plan on quitting, even though he knew it was me."

"Damn…" I said quietly, "… that's… that's pretty bad what Wolf did to him."

Krystal wiped her eyes, "It doesn't matter anyway; he sealed his fate when he decided to go with Wolf. You couldn't do anything to change him." She looked up at me, "Go do what you were planning on."

"I was going to get some air." I got up and looked down at Krystal, "You could use some air as well."

She smiled, "I would like that; this room is too stuffed up even though it's empty." She said as she attempted to get up. She fell down back down and placed her hand on her head as soon as she tried to move.

"Here" I said as I lowered down, "Let me help." I then scooped her up carefully and steadily stood her up, "Put your arm around and neck, you'll need the support."

She did, along the way she limped slightly to dull the headache.

We reached the door and walked out. I found a good spot to set Krystal down and gently placed her in the spot. I released her and walked out a bit further.

"Ah, fresh air." I said louder than earlier.

The cool air was nice. I felt the wind blow softly as the scattered clouds above were illuminated by the moonlight. I looked around and saw the same scene we saw when we arrived; an abandoned base with hardly any buildings and no troops. The Arwings were landed not far from me; about a few yards away.

"This planet… it's so beautiful." Krystal said softly.

I looked back at her and saw her looking up at the night sky.

I chuckled, "It may be beautiful, but we have our weaknesses."

The wind blew a bit harder as I looked back up in the sky.

"How so?" Krystal asked.

I continued looking up at the white dotted sky, "Humans just have that nature to argue. Life here is not as easy as it is on Corneria or in Lylat."

"Hmm" Krystal replied.

I sighed at the sky, "My life, however, was a little easy up until high school. I was always picked on and bullied for being as skinny as I was..." I looked down at myself, "…but that's all in the past now."

I felt Krystal reach into my mind; I didn't reject her. After a minute of silence, she spoke. "I see how you feel. Life does seem harder here."

I chuckled, "I don't think Earth will be the same after this war." I inhaled greatly, "The again, I could be wrong."

I watched the few clouds slowly move through the sky in front of the stars and moon. The wind was very chilly and was dying down a bit. As the wind blew in my face once more, I heard the door open. I looked back and saw Falco walking out.

"For an empty room, it gets uncomfortable in there." He said as he stretched.

I laughed at his attitude.

He smiled, "You two have the right idea."

I looked back into the sky, "Well, it's nice and cool out here. I needed this air so badly."

I heard Falco yawn, "Yeah, you kept makin noises while you were asleep."

I sighed in disgust and looked back at Falco, "Oh shit… really?" I asked sheepishly.

He nodded at me, "Damn… sorry about that then."

I looked down at my communicator and saw that it was about 3:30 in the morning. I was a bit surprised to see that I had woken up so early; last time I woke from the nightmare at around 8.

"Only 3?" I asked softly.

Falco replied, "What's up, Kev?"

I looked back, "Oh… I said that it's only 3."

I then headed back for the door. I walked past Krystal and offered her a lift.

"No thanks, I'm going to stay out here for a bit longer." She replied.

I nodded, "Okay, I'll be inside if you need help."

Falco followed behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. I looked over at him as we entered the building.

"You two are good friends." He said.

I chuckled, "I did save Fox's life." I argued, "Aren't those two like in love or something?"

Falco laughed, "Yeah, but Fox doesn't want to show it." He whispered after he finished laughing.

I looked over at Fox, who was still fast asleep, "He does know that Krystal is a telepath, right?"

Falco just laughed.

"Seriously" I said against his laughter.

The two of us then walked over to our little circle that we made. In the middle was all of our gear placed so that we could easily get them at any moment's notice. I walked over and sat down where I was originally sleeping; Falco did the same and sat in his spot.

I started to think of what to do next. Should we go for the final two bases or straight for Wolf? I pondered over the idea; Wolf wouldn't expect us to go for him so quickly, however he would be ready if we did. After my think session, I came up with the good answer; limit his army ability by destroying the final bases.

"I think we should get ready now." I finally said.

Falco looked at me, "Why?"

"Well, if we move now, we can catch the bases by surprise and ultimately destroy them." I explained, "It's far better than going when everyone is awake at the bases."

Falco nodded, "That's true."

Suddenly, I felt Krystal reach into my mind, "I need a little help getting up." She thought to me.

I got up from my spot, "I'll be right back." I then walked over to the door and exited the room. Krystal was still sitting in the spot I had placed her; she was looking at the sky.

"You needed help?" I asked.

She looked back at me, "Mhm" she said as she smiled.

I walked over to her and placed her arm around my shoulder. The two of us stood up carefully and walked back to the door slowly. When we entered the room, we saw that Fox and Slippy were awake. Fox was the first to see us however.

"Oh god… Krystal?" Fox said in shock.

She smiled, "Hi, Fox"

Fox seemed a bit speechless, "Yo-… you're walking!"

I intervened, "Just about"

Krystal nodded, "I just have this major headache that really keeps me from doing anything. I should be able to fly at least with the G-Diffuser."

Slippy agreed, "With the medication, you should feel no pain at all."

Fox looked at me, "Kevin, head down and tell Victor and Daniel that we'll be leaving soon."

I nodded and gave Krystal over to him. Once he had her, I walked over to my armor that was standing in the same corner and activated it. The chest plate slid up and the arms and legs opened. I stepped in and closed the armor up; the locks engaged and movement was enabled.

"That armor is wicked." Falco said as he admired the suit.

I nodded, "Hell yeah it is." My helmet then activated from my thoughts, "Connected to my brain patterns for hands free control."

Slippy got up, "When we're done, I'll take a look at the armor tech and see if we can get more for the rest of the team."

I smiled from inside my helmet, "Awesome" I then headed for the elevator and called it up.

"Don't take too long." Falco said from behind.

The elevator door then opened; I stepped inside and turned around. "I won't" I yelled as the doors slid closed.

The elevator started to move downward, I decided to use this time to practice my voice.

"I'm doing quite fine." I said in the Estuary accent. "Nothing is wrong." "Leave me" I practiced.

The elevator doors opened and revealed the empty core room. I walked out of the elevator and headed for the door. I exited the room and found multiple scientists walking around the hallways. As one neared me, I stopped him.

"You there" I said, "Where are Victor Garnez and Daniel Howard?"

The scientist shook his head, "I'm not sure, sir. They may be in the mess hall." The scientist then continued his walk.

I thought to myself, "Well damn" I had no idea where the mess hall would even be located. I decided to make up the same fib I had told two days before, the day I killed Austin.

I grabbed another scientist, "You, my memory is not well today. Where is the damn mess hall?" I asked.

The scientist pointed down the hall, "Just take the first right and there will be two doors at the end, in there is the mess hall."

I nodded, "Thank you"

The scientist then stopped me, "What do you mean by your memory?"

I shook my head, "My brain is succumbing to my abilities. I have no control over my memory span now due to the corruption I have encountered." I fibbed. I then thought to myself, "Where the hell did that come from?"

The scientist nodded, "Very well." He then continued walking.

I looked down the hall and found the adjacent path I was supposed to take. I walked down to it and made the right, sure enough there were a pair of doors with a sign over it that read 'Mess hall'. I headed through the doors and was met by a great surprise. I entered the room and found a huge amount of guards all enjoying a meal. The surprise was when one of them yelled over in my direction.

"CAPTAIN ON DECK!" He yelled then snapped to attention.

My heart dropped when the rest of the guards did the same. The sudden actions were really messing with me.

"At ease!" I yelled. The guards all then sat back down and continued eating. Once they did so, I scanned the room and looked for a leopard and tiger. I quickly found two familiar faces and headed for their table.

I reached the table and sat right next to Victor, whom was still eating his food.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he ate. Daniel then looked over at me.

I cleared my throat, "Nothing is wrong." I then leaned over and whispered into his ear, "We're leaving now before any guards are sent out."

He nodded, "Better to do so now since everyone is down here."

One of the other guards looked over at us, "Sir"

I looked over at him, "What is it, I'm busy."

"Exactly, why are you wearing your helmet?" He asked.

My heart started to race, "Um…" I looked for an answer, "…the… tech is… uh new."

The guard nodded at me, "So you can't give it a rest?" He then started to laugh, "Seriously, no one is gonna be offended by you showing your face."

"Fuck…" I thought to myself.

Victor leaned over, "Leave… now" he whispered.

I then got up and walked away. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" The guard asked.

I started to walk a little faster, "Don't look back…" I told myself.

As I neared the door, a hand grabbed my shoulder. I was spun around and met face to face with that same guard: a human male that looked to be about 28 with black hair.

"Stand down" I barked. I then activated the holster for my pistol and grabbed it; I then slowly brought it up to the guards under chin. His eyes closed at the touch of the barrel.

"Stand down, or else." I said slowly.

The guard then stepped back slowly while looking at me intently; all of the other guards were staring as well. Fear ran through my body as I tried to pick out actions that wouldn't get me killed.

As the guard stepped back, I replaced my pistol into its holster and closed it. I then turned around and exited the mess hall. In the hall, the scientists were looking at me.

I deactivated the voice processor and contacted Fox.

"Fox here" He answered.

I was quick, "Fox, get everyone prepped to leave now!" I said quietly so the scientists wouldn't hear the faint voice.

"Why?" He replied.

"They're onto us." I said.

Fox sighed, "Those two guards must have told."

I slightly shook my head, "No, both of them seem just as frightened as me."

Fox cursed under his breath, "Get back here now. We'll leave when you get outside."

"Roger" I cut the transmission and re activated the voice processor.

I quickly reached the door that lead into the core room. I entered the room and noticed that two armed guards were following me. The doors closed behind me and instantly re opened.

"Stop right there." One of them said.

I looked back and saw the two beings all suited up from head to toe. They had unusual looking rifles in their hands.

"Can I help you two?" I asked harshly.

They started to walk towards me, "You are under arrest."

I was incredibly frightened but tried to hide it. I stepped back, "Under what circumstances?"

They continued walking towards me slowly, "The murder of Austin."

I chuckled and quickly calmed myself. I realized how unprepared the two were; they looked as though they were going to collapse.

I chuckled, "You picked a fight with the wrong person then."

The two raised their rifles even higher. I looked to my left and saw that the mangled core was rather close. I faced the guards and dove towards the core; they immediately opened fire upon me. As soon as I sat up from the dive, I grabbed my pistol and ran back out. As I left my spot, I fired at the two guards. They dove out of the way and continued firing.

"FOX, TAKE OFF NOW!" I yelled as I opened another com line.

Fox seemed startled, "Whoa, what's happening?"

I ran behind a pillar that supported the roof. "They know"

"Shit, where are you?" he asked.

I looked behind me and saw the elevator, "Right next to the elevator, I can't get to it because of these two guards."

Suddenly, the door burst open and in came a rush of guards. They all kneeled and stood pointing their rifles to the pillar I was at. I peeked around and saw the line.

"Make that all the guards."

Fox cursed again, "Get your ass up here. We have to go!"

I cut the comm.

"Get out from behind there and we'll take you in rather than kill you." One of the guards yelled from the line.

I looked back at the elevator and saw that it had a key card slot. Seeing this, I activated the infrared visor and scanned the lock. It called the elevator for me.

"No thanks" I yelled back. I then reached from out of the cover and fired blindly into the line of guards. I peered around and saw that they all dove away from the lasers. I went back into the cover and saw the elevator waiting with the door open.

"Wait" I thought to myself.

The doors then started to close. At this, I darted for them and dove into the elevator. I stayed on the ground as laser fire ran through the open space above me. The lasers stopped when the elevator started to move. Once it did, I got back up.

"Son of a bitch." I said to myself.

The doors opened and revealed the large empty room. I ran out and exited the building. The Arwings were already started up and were ready to take off. Fox looked at me through the canopy and yelled something.

"What?" I asked when I opened the team wide comm line.

"BEHIND YOU!" He yelled.

I turned around and a blue light race towards me. It grew larger and larger with milliseconds only passing. In what seemed like an instance, my head was knocked back, and then I was knocked back to the ground. I was hit twice. Pain was surging through my face and my upper body. I quickly tried to get up, but stumbled as I did so. I looked back and saw the guards already running towards me. I grabbed my pistol and quickly fired at them.

"DIE!" I yelled.

The HUD was struggling to stay active; however I wasn't really using it. As I fired and dropped guards, a ray of large blue lasers came from behind. I quickly looked back and saw Fox hovering overhead and firing into the building.

"GO!" He yelled over the comm.

I got back up and ran for my jet. I quickly jumped into it and started to systems. The G-Diffusers warmed up and the engine started to whir. As soon as the remaining systems were ready, I lifted off and flew towards the rest of the team. I looked back and saw Fox following closely.

"We have to get to the next base quickly." Fox said.

I nodded, "Let's go then."

Slippy spoke up, "I sent the coordinates to your radars." The team then accelerated and headed for the next base. I then pushed the throttle to the max and followed after them.

"The minute you see the base, attack." Fox said.

I tightened my grip on the control stick, "It's almost over" I quietly said to myself.

Slippy suddenly spoke up, "According to the radar images and intel, the last two bases are connected and located in the same spot."

Falco chuckled, "This is too easy."

After a minute, I picked up a transmission that the computer recognized.

"Wait, I have something coming through the comms." I said.

Fox looked confused, "Is it known?"

I nodded, "Yeah, the computer reads it as old but known."

Slippy spoke up, "Can you patch it through?" he asked.

I entered the command and patched the signal through to the team's comm lines. My onboard computer told me that their computers knew it as well.

"It's an old comm line. How do the ships know the source?" I asked.

Slippy went to work to identify the source. As we neared the base, it came into view.

"Hold it!" Fox yelled.

I pulled the throttle back and came to a complete stop along with the rest of the team. The base was off to the distance; however there were explosions and lasers flying everywhere.

"What the hell" I said in awe.

I looked down at my computer and saw that the source had been located. It was none other than Wood's comm signature.

"WHAT!?" I yelled as I read the name.

The team seemed startled at the sudden yell.

"What is it?" Fox asked.

I looked up at the display, "It's Woods!"

Fox's eyes grew wide.

Falco's jaw dropped, "He's fighting the base? By himself?"

I looked back down as Slippy started to speak, "No, he has the entire army with him!"

Fox was absolutely stunned by the discovery, "How the hell did they get here?"

I looked back up and saw a group of Venomian Class fighters approaching us, "We've got company"

I then pushed the throttle forwards and opened fire on the small group of three. Two were shot down in my barrage while one pulled out of the line of fire.

"Let's go" Fox said over the comm.

I chased after the third fighter, "I'll take this and catch up with you guys."

Fox nodded, "All right, just don't take too long with this one."

I locked the sights onto the enemy fighter and fired multiple times at him; the enemy went down and was torn apart as it spun out of control. When the remains exploded, I turned around and headed for the base. As I raced to the location, I opened a comm line to Woods.

"Woods, what the hell are you doing here!?" I yelled.

Woods came back a bit surprised, "What? You could really use help."

I shook my head, "NO!" I yelled, "The point of us leaving was so the population wouldn't decrease any further!"

Woods didn't answer.

"We left so we could have SOME humans left over after this damned war!" I continued, "You may not know, but I had a secret meeting with the generals; the intel from the now deceased troops said that bunkers were raided and anyone in them was killed!"

About a month ago…

I entered the base and went to the main elevator. I had just come back from the horrible mission that went wrong. As soon as I entered the war room, Reyes and Johnson eyes grew wide.

"Holy shit… you made it?" Reyes said.

I nodded, "Not only me, Woods as well."

I looked back and Woods enter the room.

Reyes looked relieved, "Thank god you made it."

Suddenly, Cruz came up from the lower floor and looked over at me.

"Kevin" he said, "I need to speak with you privately."

I nodded and followed after General Cruz. I looked back and saw Johnson following me. The three of us headed down to the main floor and into a room that off to the side. It looked like an interrogation room; inside was Brooks sitting at the table and holding a stack of papers. The three of us entered.

Brooks turned around and saw us walk in, "Please sit" he said in a calm voice.

I walked around to the other side of the table and took a seat in the extra chair. Reyes, Johnson, and Brooks were looking at me.

"What can I help you with?" I asked as I sat back.

Brooks lowered his head, "What I am about to tell you… does not leave this room."

I nodded in agreement, "Sure thing"

Brooks looked back up, "We just received intel from the ground troops spread out about America. Before their comm line died, we received the files. According to them…" he stopped.

I was really confused as to why they were sharing intel with me and not Fox. It kind of got me worried that they would tell me and not Fox; was I the only one capable of hearing it?

"… the files…" He stopped again, "… stated that bunkers were raided."

My eyes grew wide, "Wait…"

Brooks cut me off, "All bunkers in large cities… were raided… and flushed out."

I stood up, "No…" I didn't believe what they were telling me.

Johnson continued for Brooks, "I'm afraid so… scientists estimate that 67% of the current Earth wide population has been extinguished."

I shook my head, "Stop lying!"

Cruz then stepped forward, "Kevin, we're not lying. What we said is true; we wouldn't lie about something like this."

My heart dropped as I took the truth in, "…no…"

Brooks stood up, "What we're trying to do is have you think of what to do. In war, you need to make sudden decisions to sudden news. You're in command right now, so what are your orders?"

I was still trying to take in the sudden news and realization of the now endangered species; humans. The sentence didn't fit right in my mind; humans are now an endangered species being exterminated like pests.

I calmed myself a bit and worked the urge to speak, "What are the remaining troop's current orders?"

"Full retreat" Cruz said.

I shook my head, "For now, wait and see."

Back to present time…

"We're at 40 % our normal population, Woods!" I yelled.

Woods still didn't answer.

"But hey whatever, right? You came, so why not die along with humanity?" I said sarcastically.

Woods finally replied, "I'm not going to die."

"Whatever" I then cut the comm line and continued towards the fight.

I entered the engagement zone that Slippy has put up and saw the array of jets, Venomian fighters, and ground troops. They seemed like they were already almost done.

"Fox, how are these guys doing?" I asked as I followed after a lone fighter.

Fox quickly replied, "They told me that they have made great progress and that a battalion of Spec Ops troops have already infiltrated the main core building."

I was shocked, "Really?"

Fox nodded, "Wolf's army must be dwindling faster with the lack of power."

"Good" I said as I fired at the lone enemy. I was then caught off guard when he barrel rolled out of the way.

"Interesting" I fired again and saw him dodge once more. He then changed his course and headed for edge of the engagement zone. I followed after him and tried to take him down.

I fired multiple times, but was met with the same luck of either missing or him dodging. As we reached the edge of the zone, he sped up. When he did that, I fired and hit him directly in the engine. He spun out of control and crashed head first into the ground.

I sighed, "Finally got you"

I turned around and headed back for the engagement zone. When I reached the edge, two odd looking fighters zoomed passed from behind me. I was stuttered at the sudden appearance.

"Whoa" I said as they passed.

I looked ahead and the saw the two turn around. I stopped in mid-air and waited. The two stopped when they were a few hundred feet away from me.

"So, you're Kevin?" A voice said.

A more dark voice chuckled, "This guy's a human!"

I was very offended at the darker ones comment. The computer scanned the two fighters and gave me a feed for me to see them.

"And you're one ugly dog" I replied as I saw a burly canine appear.

He growled at me, but was quickly hushed by the feline pilot.

"Calm down, his insults won't do him any good." The feline said.

I examined the pilots and quickly figured it out; "You must be Karlos Fuentes" I looked at the brown feline. I then looked at the canine, "You must be Jeff."

Karlos answered first, "You're right."

I tightened my grip on the flight stick and took several deep breaths.

"Let's just skip the intros and end this." I said as I looked back up.

Karlos was in a black ship that resembled the Wolfen while Jeff was in a red and white ship with inverted wings; they faced forwards rather than backwards.

Jeff smiled, "That's a great plan."

I then pushed the throttle and fired upon Jeff's ship. I hit him several times as he barrel rolled to the left.

"Damn" he yelled as I hit him.

Karlos quickly spoke, "I got him!"

I looked back and saw the black Wolfen following after me. I pulled up and broke off the chase to perform a loop. The entire time, Karlos was following closely. I tried barrel rolling to the right, then to the left. To my dissatisfaction, I was unable to escape his sights. As I tried to perform another loop, I was hit multiple times by Karlos and Jeff together.

"Argh" I yelled as I shook violently.

"Shields at 60%." The computer said.

I lopped around and fired a smart bomb. Once I exited the loop, I detonated it and watched as Karlos and Jeff were hit by the explosion. As I looped once more, I saw the two fly out of explosion unharmed.

"Son of a bitch" I said to myself.

I looked back and saw the two still following after me. At this, I pulled the throttle back until I was barely moving; I then yanked the control stick back and flipped a full 360 degrees. When I leveled back out, the two fighters were back in front of me. I pushed the throttle and quickly closed in the two. I locked onto the black Wolfen and opened fire on it. I hit it multiple times.

"You little pest!" Karlos yelled.

I fired again when my sights lined up and hit him even more. His ship started to smoke.

"Asshole!" He yelled.

The two then performed barrel rolls separately from each other. I went left and followed after Jeff. My sights wobbled over his ship as I tried to keep them steady. Jeff kept pulling up, barrel rolling to the left, and even stopping.

"Not gonna help you!" I yelled as I opened fire. I hit his ship so many times that he erupted in flames.

He yelled, "SHIT!" Then I saw the large dog eject from the cockpit. Seeing as how he was defeated, I looked back and saw Karlos racing straight for me.

"Time for you to die!" He yelled.

I then killed my speed once more and did the same trick as before. He zoomed passed me as I faced down; when I leveled out, I pushed the throttle and opened fire on him. I hit him until he burst into flames.

"I'M NOT DIEING UNTIL YOU DIE!" He yelled manically.

I continued firing at him. I hit him once and caused him to spin out of control. When he started to lose it, I fired on him and finished him off.

"NOOO!" He yelled before silence filled the comm lines.

I smiled, "One down, one to go!"

I turned around and saw a plume of smoke originating from the crashed fighter of Jeff. I flew close to the ground and landed near the site. When I set down, I opened the canopy and jumped down onto the ground. I looked around and activated my helmet.

"Scan for bio signature" I thought.

"Scanning…" A message displayed.

I waited until it was finished.

"Bio signature confirmed." The message then said.

After I read it, I pulled out my new pistol and pointed it in the direction of the signature; it was originating from behind a small hill that erected from the ground with a steep slope. As I neared it, the computer warned me of a high threat level.

"Time to die, Jeff!" I yelled.

He replied, "NO!"

Suddenly, a large canine wielding two rifles jumped up onto the small hill. He growled at the sight of me, but he also stumbled from the pain he sustained from the fight and landing. As he growled, I raised my pistol and prepared to fire.

"Bye" I pulled the trigger and sent a bolt of red energy streaming to Jeff.

The bolt hit him directly in the chest. He was sent flying into the air from the great force and landed several feet from where he was standing. I walked up onto the hill and looked over at his body. He wasn't moving; a large hole also took the spot of skin on his chest.

I sighed with relief as I de activated my helmet, "Your time is near, Wolf." I said to myself.

I then turned around and headed back for my jet. I started to climb up when I looked back at the destroyed fighter. Once I finished watching the ship burn, I continued my climb and started the jet up. The engines quickly warmed up and the computer systems took no time to activate. Once I was ready, I took off into the sky and headed for the final base that was already being attacked. I re-entered the zone and found that all air troops were destroyed; all that was left were a few round troops that were surrounded by the spec ops team and army.

"Thank god…" I said to myself. We were so close to ending this war.

Woods spoke up, "I know what you all are thinking; you're going to get Wolf by yourself."

Fox replied, "That's exactly what our plan is."

Woods then suddenly yelled, "WRONG!"

Falco laughed, "Whoa there"

Krystal finally spoke, "That's not very nice at all."

Woods continued, "The air force is coming along with you."

Fox shook his head, "Absolutely not, Wolf will have the remains of his army there waiting. He'll kill every one of you!"

Suddenly, a random pilot spoke up, "Sir, I speak for everyone when we I say we are determined to kill this son of a bitch!"

"Where did he come from?" Slippy asked.

Suddenly another pilot spoke up, "You think that we're nothing; we've had more training than any of you. This is also OUR planet. We have full say in what we choose to do."

Fox didn't speak, instead he stayed silent.

"Fox?" I asked as I looked at his feed.

He shook his head, "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you!"

Slippy spoke up, "Follow us to the final area that Wolf has."

The five of us then turned around and sped towards the last base that Wolf was help up in. The war was literally hours from ending.

"We should be there in a few minutes." Woods said, "All units accelerate to max speeds."

I looked back and saw the incredibly large air force catch up to the team. We weren't going as fast as usual so the army could keep up.

I sighed and was filled with complete fear; I had a really bad feeling with this last attack, it was all too easy. What if a trap was waiting for us? What if an immensely large army is waiting?

I shook my head and had a sudden thought, "No… Krystal would sense the presence. She would tell us." I thought to myself.

I then asked Slippy a question, "Hey Slip" I said.

"Yeah Kevin?" He replied.

I took a deep breath, "Can you send me the intel on the base?"

Slippy nodded, "Sure thing"

Only a few seconds had passed when I received the files.

"Thanks Slip" I said.

"Why did you need them?" He asked.

I wanted to hide my plan from them for now, "Just to see if they would have a great defense."

That was not my intention at all. I opened the file and quickly found the location that Wolf was hiding. He was held in a command center with multiple guards that have the same training as the Marauders. In other words, it wouldn't be easy getting to him. My real plan was to enter that base and kill him with my own hands. This was my way of getting him for trying to kill off my home.

"I will kill you" I thought to myself.

To Be Continued…

ALMOST THERE! We're so close to the finale of Crossed Paths, it's gonna be awesome!

Anyway, sorry for such a short chapter; I needed it to be posted before my final week of school (finals, projects, etc. would cause me to hold the chapter back until Saturday). I will make up for it in the next and final chapter.

Remember to review and follow if you liked the story.

Until next time… for the final time…