Wow...It has been over a year since I updated this story. Holy crap, so sorry to those who read this. So Long story short if you guys haven't seen my Update in Destinies, Promoted, now an Assistant Manager, so Free time = Zero. Money = lots. Also, looking to move as well. So yeah, distracted.

Anyway, been working on this chapter for a long time, it took a bit, but I do hope you enjoy some of the revelations and what have you that are inside.

- | - SF War Saga: The ReArmed Conflict - | -Chapter 13: Darkness in the Light - | -

- | - Corneria: Cornerian Military Command Building G - | -

Major General Rain stood up from his computer, having just completed his check in with his man inside Star Fox. He closed his eyes for a moment as he took in a breath, centering himself for what was about to happen. This meeting had been a long time in coming, years really, a plan that he never thought would have to be used when he first enrolled in the Cornerian Military over thirty years ago. He had made friends in that time, people who had saved his life, and those he had lost. The thought that he was now getting ready to betray somebody he considered a close friend was almost...sicking.

"It's for Corneria, just remember that." He used his own voice to banish the thoughts in his head as he turned around and headed for the door that would lead out to the hallway. He stopped by a full length mirror, glancing at himself and at the medals on his chest before he turned to the door and waved his hand over the control pad, unlocking the door so that he could leave his room.

Like all the other Major Generals and Generals who made the big decisions here on Corneria, he had a nice house in the city, but on days where meetings ran late, they all had quarters here for them to sleep in. Major General Faust Rain took a moment to lock the door behind him before he turned and strode with a purpose to the strategy room where today's meeting was taking place. It didn't take him long to navigate to the room and briefly hold his paw up the sensor pad by the door. The pad took a quick scan of the pads before displaying his full rank and name on a small screen above the pad and unlocking the door. "Command Major General Faust S. Rain: Level 9 clearance granted"

While everybody referred to him as Major General, his rank was actually one higher then that, and although he didn't oversee all of the military operations like the General Major he had a fair bit of control when he and his fellow Generals all worked together. Just like they were today. The four other Generals who had joined with him were already sitting at the circular table around the holographic display in the center of the room. The room itself wasn't very big and it didn't take Faust long to reach his seat. While he sat down he started talking.

"So, it appears that the time has come to start the next stage of the plan. How has everything gone on your ends?"

First General Damion cleared his throat quietly before he spoke up. The large panda was a soft spoken creature, but he had earned a reputation on the battlefield in his younger days as a beast who showed no mercy to those he considered enemies. His black and white frame towered over the table, and his form was made more imposing by the scar that ran across his neck, just visible over his dress clothes. "We have made sure that we'll have the majority in the upcoming vote, there are still a few left here and there that could pose a threat in the long term, but for right now there is little they can do to stop us."

Major General Akira, a rare black lion from the desert of Katina was the next to speak, his voice carrying through the room. "Those few that are on the fence will either be swayed today during your case, or will be of little value in the final vote." His tail twitched behind him, a sign of his anger. "Although I still find it hard to believe that this plan has come so far in such a short time."

Faust softened his face as he replied. "I know it hurts to do this to somebody that we all consider a friend, but remember, this is all for the better of Corneria, even if were the only ones who can see it." He glanced at the last two Generals in the room. "What about you two, did everything go according to plan?"

Master General Felicity, a calico feline whose patchwork fur color of black and browns caught the attention of more then one man, was sitting next to Master General Shepard, a brown horned owl who had just recently been elevated to his rank to better give him access to what he needed.

Felicity spoke up first. "The pieces are in place for the program to go into effect, and we have selected those from our ranks that are the most qualified for their positions." She glanced at Shepard, who took over. "Thanks to the seeding that we have been doing among the ranks, many of those enlisted currently are either thinking of leaving, or are ready for a change, so we have the bulk of the military behind us as we go forward."

Faust nodded. "Good, then everything is ready." He glanced at clock that was on display on the wall. "Just in time as well."

Right on the tail end of his words, the door behind him opened again and the other seven Generals walked in, six of them spreading out on either side of Faust to find their seats while the last one stopped behind him, tapping her foot as he turned around.

The ferret behind him was not tall, in fact she was a full foot shorter then he was, but she was also the only other General who shared his same rank, and therefore could shut him down if he didn't gain control of the situation quickly. Her black fur was sleek and almost seemed to shin while her eyes glared at him through her small glasses that she wore. "Early as usual I see Faust, what are you five plotting in this room all the time?"

Faust grinned at her as he tipped his hat. "We're just wondering how we can get the rest of you to show up on time Valeria."

Valeria Owens narrowed her eyes at him. "Two minutes late is not that big of a deal, no matter how important you say this meeting is." She frowned and went silent for a moment. "You never did tell us why this is so critical."

Faust gestured to the seat next to him. "Well, if you would take your seat, I would be glad to inform you."

Valeria waited a moment before she sighed and sat down next to him. "Very well. Shall we wait for-"

Faust shook his head. "He won't be coming to this meeting."

Valeria blinked in shock before looking at Faust. "But we-"

Faust cut her off again. "Actually the two of us acting together can serve as his replacement. Its very clearly stated in the operational manual. If the General Major does not show up for his duties, it falls to the next rank of Generals to act in his stead." He pointed at her. "You and me."

Valeria chewed on her lip for a moment before she nodded. "Alright." She turned back to the table of Generals. "I now officially call this meeting into order." She glanced at the clock. "Time is 1405 standard Cornerian." She turned to look at Faust. "Command Major General Rain, you have gathered us all here for a 'matter that strikes at the very heart of Corneria'. What exactly is the issue that you have discovered?"

Faust closed his eyes for a moment, starting to talk without opening them. "My fellow Generals, a terrible weakness has come to my attention of late. It began years ago after the Lylat Wars, and has continued to grow worse over the following years, becoming even more obvious to me during the Aparoid Threat." Faust knew that somewhere there was a computer recording everything he was saying for later. He opened his eyes and locked gazes with each of the Generals around the table, letting each one of them see the seriousness in them. "We have begun to rely too heavily on non military forces to keep us safe, hiring Mercenaries, and Bounty Hunters, and in general, the scum of the system to fight for us, when they should be running from our forces, and obeying the rules, not running bases and outposts. Outposts like the Sargasso base that Wolf O'Donnell runs his Ruffians from. Wolf has a force at his hands that dwarfs our own, and yet, he is free to come and go as he pleases from Corneria and take whatever jobs he wants. Even if its for an enemy of the state. I know I don't need to remind you all of the side he took in the Lylat Wars. How many of our comrades did he shoot down?" Faust stood up suddenly, starting to walk around the table.

"Wolf and his Ruffians were just the start of it. Panther Caroso and his Legion came into power recently, and that's not to mention the scattering of other Mercenary groups: The Black Novas, the Dark Warps, the Red Lights, The Brigade, The Hex..." Faust continued on, each time he called out a name, a file showed up in the middle of the room, showing the leaders of each group and their estimated numbers. By the time he finished, over fifty files were rotating in the beams of light, and he had made a full pass around the table. He took a moment to let it all sink in before he gestured to them and continued. "And these are just the groups that we know of! There could be hundreds more out there! Meanwhile, how many groups aside from Star Fox can you list that you know will always fight on our side, no matter how much money they are offered?" Faust fell silent as he waited for an answer, when a full minute passed in silence he started up again. "Exactly, Star Fox is the one constant that we have in our defense, the team that we always turn to when we need saving." He stopped walking and turned to lock eyes with each of the Generals again. "What happens when Star Fox is gone, or worse, if they lose? What do we as a military force do?" He paused. "We die." Several of the Generals started muttering to each other.

Faust didn't give them time to talk. "Look at recent events! These Remnants show up and suddenly we're playing catch up. Here is a group that have been operating in the dark since the Lylat Wars, with far more advanced technology then anything we have. Look at Macbeth! How many ships, how many lives were lost in that embarrassment of a military campaign? Before that even, the Remnants have been attacking our bases and killing our men without any repercussions." He paused. "At least, not from us." He let the silence build for a moment before he continued talking, files and expenses replacing the files on display. "For every single advance the Remnants have made on our bases, have we responded at all? No, we have sent in a Mercenary Team, or a Bounty Hunter squad, somebody that we paid to do our job. This dependence has left our Military force in a catastrophic state of disrepair, something I seek to fix."

He stopped where he was, staring across the table at Valeria. "This will take time, as I'm sure you're aware, but the plans have been laid out, files are waiting in each of your emails with full details. All that is needed is approval."

Valeria cleared her throat and spoke up. "Which we would need from the General Major." She paused for a moment, as her sharp mind put the pieces together. "Command Major General Rain, I have been thinking about what you have said, and over some past events, the first step of your plan wouldn't happen to be..."

Faust nodded as Valeria trailed off, he spoke up, making sure everybody could hear him, his eyes never leaving Valeria's "I call for a vote of no confidence in General Major Pepper, his actions have left us dependent on outside sources, and made Corneria vulnerable."

Valeria stared at him with wide eyes as he finished, the muttering in the room from the Generals erupting into cries of disbelief. All except for six of the Generals. This went on for several moments before Faust spoke up again, his voice cutting through the noise. "No matter what you think of me for this, the vote has been called. But before you vote, ask yourselves this? Has General Major Pepper been making sounds decisions of late?" Faust paused. "I have proof; proof that he had no idea that a fleet had been deployed to to blockade Macbeth. How does the General Major in charge of all fleet movements claim to have no knowledge of a fleet? Especially one that ended up being crippled like it was?" Reports from the Macbeth attack started flashing into existence in the middle of the room. "If you need more then that, think about this as well: Star Fox just had the repairs on their cruiser completed in record time. Not by any civilian mechanic team, but by the top mechanical team inside the Cornerian Military, and he footed the bill for all of it!" He paused again as more evidence appeared in the middle of the room. "There is also one last thing, as I'm sure you are all aware, we have been planning on raiding Wolf's Sargasso base for some time now, not too long ago however, General Major Pepper sent Star Fox in. The commotion they caused had Wolf wiping all of his data, and withdrawing from his base to that super ship he has hidden somewhere." Faust locked eyes with Valeria again. "I have found that lately, I doubt any decision made by the General Major. They are lacking in thought, and in a desire to protect Corneria, which goes against the oaths he swore. Now that all the evidence is in the air before us...Command Major General Owens, do I have sufficient right to make the call?"

Valeria was silent for almost a full minute before she nodded, standing up. "Generals, A vote of No Confidence has been called, please take a few minutes to review all the information you have been given, then place your vote." She sat down slowly, tapping on the table in front of her and causing the holographic projector inside to kick into life, spinning the files in front of her.

Less then ten minutes later, all the votes had been cast, and Valeria glanced at Faust as he awaited the results with her. She turned back to center of the room as the result appeared hovering in the middle of the room. She blinked as she read through the results. "In the vote of No Confidence as put forward by Commander Major General Rains...the result is..."

- | - Defiant Space Station - | - Lower Hub - | -

Falco jumped in before Lucy could say anything else. "Why couldn't the old man make it?"

Lucy sighed and leaned forward on the table, the others copying her motion. "Dad couldn't make it because he was making arrangements with...less then honest people to get General Pepper off planet."

Fox frowned. "Why would he need to get the General off planet?"

Lucy looked around for a monitor before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small one, setting it in the middle of the table. "If my dad was right, we should be finding out right about now." Lucy reached forward and tapped the monitor on. "It's set to start whenever a breaking news story comes on." She leaned back a bit. "In the mean time, I got the information you wanted from my father. He says that General Pepper did outline plans to take out Star Fox should the need arise-"

"What?!" Falco shocked voice barely echoed away from their table, but the noise was still enough to attract some attention. He calmed down a bit before he continued. "How dare that dirty-"

Lucy cut him off before he could continue. "But! But, he never told anybody about the plans except for my Dad. He said something about a drunk dare or something that the two of them did long ago, before any of us were even born."

Fox raised a finger. "While that does sound like something I could see the two of them doing, the plans had detailed notes on how to evade Krystal's telepathy and how to neutralize her, so somebody had to be making changes to these plans."

Lucy nodded. "I won't deny that, but you've known for a while that Pepper was worried somebody was faking his signature. Do you think something like that just started a few months ago? Both my dad and Pepper are worried that this has been in the works for years." Lucy sighed, her face weary. "Pepper thinks its some convoluted revenge plan against him. Meanwhile my dad fears that this may be the climax of some master back up plan Andross had set up to cripple Corneria."

Slippy spoke up from his seat. "What do you think about this?"

Lucy glanced up before she answered. "I think we've only started to scratch the surface. Things are only going to get much worse from here."

Krystal glanced over her shoulder suddenly, her gaze locked onto an empty table on the other side of the plaza. Fox rotated in his chair to see what had grabbed her attention. When he didn't see anything out of place, he faced his fiance. "Whats wrong?"

Krystal shook her head before she turned back to face their table. "Nothing, I just thought for a moment..."

Fox frowned and shared a look with Falco before turning back to Lucy. Falco raised a finger. "Hey, Lucy, I feel like we've come into the middle of this, you said your dad was trying to make arrangements to get Pepper off world. How come?"

Lucy glanced at the monitor that still had a black screen before she answered. "Do you guys remember the last time you talked to General Pepper?"

Fox nodded. "Of course, we've sent him a couple of repor-"

Lucy cut him off. "No, I mean talked to him, face to face?"

Fox glanced at Krystal. "Katina. Why?"

Lucy frowned. "Because, General Pepper has been under house arrest for the last month."

Falco blinked. "Wait, what? How can he be under house arrest? Shouldn't something like that make the news?"

Lucy shook her head. "Whenever somebody from the outside asks, they get a canned response: 'The General is not feeling well as of late and will be doing his paperwork from home.'" Lucy scoffed. "If you try to approach his home, there are two guards on each door. I tried to see him, but I was driven off by gun point after I refused to leave at first. My dad asked around with some of his old army buddies, and those that knew anything all told him the same thing. 'Something bad is going down.'" Lucy glanced down at her monitor again. "Whatever that bad thing is, I'm afraid we're going to find out about it soon."

As if magic, the monitor in the middle of the table jumped to life, with a special report flashing repeatedly for a few seconds. When the icon faded, they were treated to the site of a brown ferret who was already in the middle of talking.

"For those who are just joining us, we're standing out in front of the main building of the military complex here in downtown Corneria." The ferret gestured behind him. "In case you don't know, there was an emergency meeting called today by a Command Major General. The meeting started late this afternoon, and has just finished, we're about to find out what the results of that meeting were." The Ferret glanced behind him and turned back to the camera quickly. "Here comes the Command Major Generals now."

The camera panned off of the ferret and focused on the top of the stair way the lead up to the grand entrance of the military complex. The large pillars reached up, each twice as big as an ape holding the overhang that kept the top of the stairs shaded. Behind them set in the wall were the big thick metal doors that could be sealed with the rest of the building to withstand direct orbital bombardment. Approaching the podium were two people, a heavy built Lynx and a smaller Ferret. Their names appeared a moment later along the bottom of the screen.

Valeria was the first one to speak up. "Citizens of Corneria, I have some troubling news to report today." She paused and looked down at the podium for a moment. "It has come to the attention of the Generals Council that there has been gross misuse of power by General Major Pepper. Which is why late this afternoon, an emergency Generals Council was called to review his case. After reviewing the evidence, The Council has passed a vote of No Confidence on the General Major. This has stripped him of his ability to order troops and requisition supplies. It has also limited his access to our plans and network.

"Further more, it has come to light that he has repeatedly wasted funds that were to be used for the Military and the People that has been used for other purposes. Such purposes include, but are not limited to, Retrofitting Mercenary Aircraft with advanced technologies. Pardoning said Mercenary groups of their crimes with out reviewing the case files. Paying for non military dreadnaughts and their retrofits." Valeria paused again. "These are just a few of the uses of funds that he has deemed more important then the safety of Corneria or her people. He has also been neglecting his duties in overseeing various military operations. That is why..." Valeria trailed off and glanced behind her at Faust who nodded slightly. She turned back to the podium with disbelief on her face. "That is why...The Generals Council has decided to press charges on the former General Major, the most serious of which could lead to a death sentence."

Valeria paused as the crowd below erupted into noise. She glanced around in shock, while a good majority of the crowd was calling out in anger, or disbelief...there was also a large part that were cheering, cheering her and Faust. They truly saw in her an end to the chaos of the endless battles. She closed her eyes for a moment before she continued. "Until such time that a new General Major can be selected from a closed pool of candidates, the day to day operations of the military shall be run by Major General Rain and myself." Valeria glanced once more at the podium before she stepped back from it.

Faust stepped up next. "Picking up where Major General Owens left off, one of the first steps we are implementing to bring the Lylat system back under control. Is the formation of a new unit inside of Cornerian Military, this squad, dubbed the CEF Unit will recruit the best of the best from through out the entire army. Together they will form a series of large squads that will strike out against our enemies in place of the Mercenary Squads that the former General Major favored. Already these summons area already being sent out to the qualified soldiers."

Faust took a moment to glance over the crowd. "Furthermore, the Cornerian government will also be enacting strict rules and regulations for any and all Mercenary groups. This includes those that have refused to register their group with the Military. Those that have refused to register face the harshest punishments, if any mercenary unit does not register in the next month, they will be declared public enemies. Meaning they will not find a safe port on any of Lylat's planets.

"As for those that have registered already, you will have two months to cease all operations related to the government or the military. You will not receive anymore contracts from us, and if you wish to continue working with us, you must enlist in the military, if you pass the tests, you will be assigned to a CEF unit." Faust finished his speech and glanced behind him at Valeria who still looked unsure about all of this. He turned back to the podium. "I know some of what has been revealed today will come as a shock to a lot of you. Some of what I have laid out about the plans going forward will also seem extreme to some of you as well. But I promise you, we're doing this to secure Corneria's future." Faust stepped back from the podium and turned around, passing Valeria, who waited a moment before turning to follow him inside.

The view of the report cut back to the ferret from before. "There you have it citizens, the shocking news revealed just moments ago, and the solid sounding plans going forward. No doubt there is more to come, we promise to keep you all apprised of any future developments. In the mean time, I'm being told that if we have any questions..." The ferret droned on about contact information for a few moments before Lucy reached forward and tapped the pad.

The group at the table was quiet for almost a full minute before Falco spoke up. "So...that just happened."

Krystal looked down at her hand as Fox put his hand on top of hers. She looked up at his face to see his gaze locked with Lucy. "We'll do whatever we need to help get the General off world."

Lucy waved had hand through the air. "Don't bother wasting time with that. My Dad will have everything figured out by the time you guys could get there. He says your time is better spent in tracking down the Remnants. They're at the center of all of this, if we can remove them from play, we might still be able to pull the system from the edge that it rests on." Lucy frowned. "Now that I think about it, I bet the CEF is going to be filled with Remnant guys, I might have to dust off my old fighter and see about joining."

Fox opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when Krystal gasped softly. He looked at her sharply to see her with her eyes closed and a frown on her mouth. After a bit she opened her eyes again and locked gazes with Fox. "Typhoon. He's here. Close."

Fox frowned then glanced back at Lucy. "Alright, we'll head out for now, I'll see if we can dig up some more information on the Remnants. I know a few people who've been in contact with them for a while, they might be able to help. If you think you'll find some information inside the CEF, you might as well see if you can get in somehow. Just promise me one thing before we part ways Lucy."

Lucy grabbed her monitor, pocking it before she stood up. "Sure."

Fox stood up with Krystal as Falco moved away with his plate, and Slippy headed for an exit on the far side. "If you get in over your head, you get out and come find us. You dad would never forgive me if something happens to you and I could have prevented it."

Lucy grinned. "Yeah right, you're like a son to him. Dad knows I can take care of myself, he's probably more worried about what you might get up to."

Fox shook his head with a small grin. "Alright, fair enough." he turned around and walked off with Krystal walking beside him. As they headed for the entrance they came in from, Krystal reached out with her mind, searching...

"Fox, we've got company."

Fox frowned. "I figured. Can you tell where he is?"

Krystal shook her head slightly. "All I know is he's behind us."

Fox was quiet as they moved through the stalls. They approached a junction. "Alright, We'll split up here. It shouldn't matter now that the meeting is over, but the fact that he's trying to stay out of our sight and tail us bothers me."

Krystal nodded. "Alright, we'll meet up back at the club then. Do you think Jennifer will buy the story that we just got separated on the dance floor?"

Fox shook his head "I doubt it, we'll just say we stepped out for a moment if it comes up." he glanced at her with a grin. "We can always tell her we just needed some alone time."

Krystal was still chuckling when they parted ways at the junction, Krystal heading for the elevator that first brought them down. After they had been separated for a minute, she reached out with her mind and felt Typhoon draw further away.

Krystal sighed out-loud as she continued on her way. "Good, he followed Fox."

"Yeah, because you don't want him to see you arguing with the air."

Krystal blinked and stopped where she was, turning her gaze to the right where a vixen was leaning up against one of the stalls. When Krystal met her eyes, the other Vixen raised her hand and wiggled her fingers. "That's right. You couldn't keep me locked up in your mind forever." Krystal said nothing, just turned back towards her goal and kept walking. The Vixen next to her matching her pace. "Ha, nice try Krystal, we know better then that. You can't just ignore me and I'll go away."

Krystal still said nothing as she approached the elevator, pushing the button to summon it. The Vixen leaned up next to the panel to wait with Krystal. As they stood there, Krystal closed her eyes and took a deep breath, focusing her energies. After a few seconds she heard the other Vixen growl.

"Damn it Krystal! Just give up! You've tried that twice already today. All it will buy you is a few minutes of peace if that. Whatever walls you throw up, I'll just knock down. I'm going to keep getting stronger, and one day, you won't be abl-"

Krystal opened her eyes as she exhaled. She glanced at the empty spot where the Vixen had stood before she sighed as the elevator doors opened. She stepped into the empty elevator, and waited for the doors to close before she collapsed against the side of the wall, breathing hard as she tried to recover from the headache that suddenly formed.

By the time the elevator reached the main deck, Krystal had recovered enough to not worry Fox when they met up with Jennifer outside the club. The husky seemed oddly relaxed for somebody who had been ditched, although she did try to push on them for answers on where they had been. Even without Telepathic abilities, Krystal could tell the Jennifer was embarrassed she asked when Fox told her. The three of them headed back towards the shuttle they had taken over, meeting with with Slippy and the twins.

They had just reached the hanger bay when Falco and Bill came running up. Fox frowned as Bill came to a stop in front of him, out of breath. "I've been...looking for you...guys everywhere. We got to go, something big is going down."

Fox glanced at Krystal before turning back to Bill. "Are you talking about General Pepper being removed from power?"

Bill looked up. "How did-" he paused and glanced around the hanger. "Oh, I bet you saw it somewhere here." He shook his head. "Anyway, that's part of it, but ROB sent me a message when he couldn't reach you guys. Both Fay and Miyu are on the Great Fox, and they need you guys. Fay says she found Fara."

Fox's eyes went wide and he shared a look with Slippy and Falco. He turned to Krystal and gestured towards the shuttle. "Come on, lets go."

Bill nodded and headed turned with the group towards the shuttle. As they got closer, Bill pointed over to the bay next to them. "Hey, isn't that ours?"

Fox nodded as he walked up to the shuttle. "Yeah, Krystal said she felt Typhoon's presence earlier." Fox punched in his code to unlock the door. "I wonder where he is now?"

Falco scoffed. "Don't know, but he better hurry up. If Fay has a lead on Fara, I want to get going as soon as we get back."

Krystal shook her head as the ramp lowered. "Falco, we aren't leaving-oh."

Krystal stopped as Danielle stood up quickly and Xena turned away from the entrance. Krystal looked away for a moment as Fox stopped and glanced up at her. "What's wrong?"

Krystal grinned and shrugged as Xena stood up and moved over to sit down across from where Danielle was standing. Krystal tapped her foot against the ramp. "I just caught my foot on the plating here, it surprised me is all." She glanced back up as Danielle moved up into the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot seat. Fox glanced at Krystal as she took a seat next to Xena, Bill and the rest quickly found seats, except for the twins and Jennifer who glanced at each other before heading back down the ramp.

Fox leaned around from the pilots seat. "You guys going to go looking for Typhoon?"

Jennifer called over her shoulder as they reached the bottom of the ramp. "Yeah, We'll go find him and bring him back for you."

Bill made to stand up. "Hang on, I'll come with you."

Jennifer shook her head as she turned back to face him. "Stay with them Sir, I know you have a personal interest in finding this Fara chick as well."

Bill frowned as he sat back down. "You sure?"

Jennifer nodded. "Yeah, We're good here. We'll see you back on the ship."

Fox gave her a thumbs up before he turned back and raised the ramp. He waited until the three Cornerian pilots were clear before lifting off the ground. As he exited the hanger of the station and turned towards the Great Fox, he glanced at Danielle next to him before he sighed.

Danielle frowned and glanced at him. "Whats wrong Fox?"

Fox waited until they were almost back to the Great Fox, before he brought the shuttle to a stop and turned to face her. "Danielle, I've got something to tell you." Fox moved back to the crew area, Danielle getting up to follow him. "In fact, we have something to tell the three of you."

Bill just scoffed. "Well, its about damn time, I was almost out of patience and getting ready to start bugging you."

Fox just grinned a bit and shook his head. "Yeah, sorry about that, I just wanted to make sure we had all our facts straight."

Bill leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Well? Wow me with this secret of yours."

Krystal was the one who started. "It's starts with the Remnants...and our mission to Fortuna..."

Fifteen minutes later found the second shuttle flying into the hanger to land next to the first one. Typhoon and the rest of First Flight stepped down and headed towards the small crowd of people on the other side of the hanger. The four of them reached the group in the middle of an argument.

"-I'm not saying that its not impossible, I'm just saying its suicidal!" Falco was busy shouting and pointing at Fay who had her arms crossed and a frown on her face. Fox and Krystal were standing next to each other while Miyu, Slippy, and Bill all watched from the sidelines.

Typhoon walked up next to Fox as Falco continued to shout at Fay. "What's going on?"

Before Fox could answer, Falco rounded on the eagle. "What's going on, is this crazy canine wants us to go back to Macbeth, to the most unlawful, and unregulated city in the system, to look for Fara!"

Fay finally snapped, raising her own voice at Falco. "Of course I don't want to go there! But when I received the bit of scrambled data from Fara, that's where she said she would be waiting!" She glanced at Fox. "I stopped by as a courtesy to tell you and ask for your help, but no matter what happens here. I'm going." She turned her gaze to Miyu who just nodded. Fay rounded back to Fox. "I thought you for sure would be willing to help."

Fox closed his eyes and sighed for a moment before he turned to Krystal. "Well?"

Krystal closed her eyes and Fay's widened. "You were right. Falco touched a nerve." She smiled and opened her eyes, locking gazes with Fay. "I say we go with her."

Fay glanced at Falco who no longer looked angry, in fact, he looked smug. "Wait...were you going to help from the start?"

Falco nodded. "Of course, there's no way we would leave one of our friends in danger like that."

Fox took over. "But I still wasn't sure if we could trust you, so I had Falco bait you, hoping it would lower your guard enough to allow Krystal to get a peak." Fox frowned. "Normally I wouldn't do something like that, but with everything going on, I'm being more careful then before."

Krystal stepped forward, "Fay..." The rest she continued sending the rest directly to her mind. "I saw what you're worried about it, Fox and I are worried about it too. Rest assured, we won't tell anybody. But you should also know that since I saw what's driving you, and shared that with him. Fox now trusts you one hundred percent, as do I." Out loud she finished "We will rescue Fara."

Fay paused for a moment before she nodded. "Okay."

Krystal smiled and turned back towards Typhoon. "I know how you feel about following us around. So We won't force you to come with us, although we would like the back up."

Typhoon folded his arms before he nodded over at Bill. "That's my commanding officer." He frowned. "That means, where he goes, I go." Bill grinned. "That doesn't meant I have to follow quietly though." Bill snorted and shook his head in response.

Jennifer stepped up. "Guess you're stuck with us still." She focused on Krystal and Fox. "As long as there are no nightclubs where we're going." Fox rubbed the back of his head before turning to face Bill.

Miyu stepped into the middle of the group. "So then, back to Macbeth? One last time?"

Fox nodded. "Macbeth, and to be specific, Isal, the City of No Rules, where we will find the missing Fara Phoenix, we will save her from whoever the Remnants may have sent after her. Then we'll all come back here and relax, celebrate our victory, then see what we can do about kicking the Remnants out of our system once and for all."

Falco shook his head. "Why do we just cure all sickness while we're at it? Since you made everything else sound so easy?"

Krystal walked up and placed an arm on Fox's shoulder, leaning against him. "Why not, it can't be too hard after all of this after all."

Falco scoffed and walked away, waving a hand through the air. "Whatever, just let me know when I can start shooting."

Krystal glanced over at Miyu, who was busy talking to Fay before she leaned her head next to Fox, who just reached up and took a grip on her hand as they watched their two friends bicker with Falco.

Oh the noes, Dark Plots, doppelgangers, and perhaps a secret that's not so secret anymore at the end?

Well, sound off, good, bad, just horrible? Please let me know, even just a few reviews let me know that people are still reading.

So, that's that for this update, see ya all next time.

- Emile