Several sectors away, in his flagship, Adek vented his rage. "Ji'can khret chominek!" he swore. "Lirell moné ke'nach!" He roared violently; an inhuman noise, and suddenly bolts of dark energy spewed from his hands, obliterating four Venmar standing nearby, while the rest ducked for cover. Scales also dove under a table while Adek voiced his fury. "What is Lirren doing here?" Adek thundered. "Everything was going flawlessly until he decided to stick that Terran nose of his into my plans."

Scales was about to say that they were his plans, too, then thought better of it. Adek was his financial backer in this venture, and had enough power to destroy him in a heartbeat if he so desired. Scales hoped that he didn't so desire.

Adek ran a hand over his face, exhaling mightily. "But no matter." As quickly as it had come, Adek's fit was over. "I nearly crushed that infinitesimal flea once...I can do it again!" He laughed maniacally, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of the assembled Venmar. Adek was a skilled commander, of that there was no doubt. What was in doubt, however, was his sanity. The Tivernessian had always been a little--unpredictable, but since he had first tangled with the leader of the Iri Felessar, Adek's temper was a bit shorter, and his mood swings were wilder.

With his flowing cape billowing behind him, Adek exited the navigation room and strode down the corridors to his private chambers. "Scales; come," he said as he left. Scales blinked in surprise, but followed as was ordered. He could see now that it would be very unwise to anger this man.

Once the pair had reached Adek's chambers, Adek seated himself on an ornate chair behind a smoothly polished desk, gesturing for Scales to sit across from him. Adek folded his hands and placed them primly on the desk, the tyrant of before having completely vanished, like fog into the sun. "I suppose I should let you in on a few things, Scales," he began, "if we are to be true partners in this venture. Especially now, considering the arrival of that pest, Lirren."

"Sir?" Scales asked.

Adek sighed, running a hand through his black hair. "I have a problem where before there was none. I was perfectly willing to help you build a stronghold and defeat team Starfox...it would help me in the end, as well; one less threat to my rise to power. Unfortunately, that idiotic hero Lirren Shentai and his band of fools have now begun to interfere in my affairs. This I cannot tolerate. However, where I have been unable to defeat them alone, we will be able to crush them, together!"

Despite his previous reservations, Scales smiled wickedly. This Adek was definitely someone he could associate with. Vile, cruel, and even a little unpredictable... "I will assist you in whatever you need, Evil One," Scales said, bowing.

Adek nodded briskly. "Good. Now then, where were we? Oh, yes. I was going to clear some things up for you...You see, Scales, I am in a war with a persistent pest, by the name of Lirren Shentai. He is a psion, as am I. That is the explanation for some of the--strange events you witnessed during our battle. It appears that the Princess is also psionic. No matter, with Ha'lar Marai doing its job, she will soon be out of the way."

Scales tilted his head. "Excuse me, Drach'na, but what exactly is a psion?"

"Ah, yes. Psions are one type of mage. There are, in total, four types of mages who can affect the world around them in different ways. Arcanes use verbal spells and incantations to accomplish magical feats; they have the widest range of power. Psychics can use telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, and transformation to achieve their goals; their power is more limited. More specialized still; the elementals. They control matter itself at its molecular form. For example, an elemental could call the stone from the earth and send it flying forth, or hurl shards of ice at an opponent. And finally...the psions." As Adek spoke, a sphere of white energy flashed into existence, hovering a few centimeters above the palm of his hand. "They can draw energy from the world around them and turn it into any shape...beautiful...or deadly." The ball of energy first changed into a fabulous white rose, then into a shard of crystalline power that was razor-sharp.

Scales blinked, then grinned. "With such power, we shall crush Starfox and this...pest of yours, Lirren."

Adek cackled malevolently. "Good, Scales! I'm glad you see things--my way." Adek leaned forward slightly and pressed a small button on the desk. "Sh'rov!" he barked.

A small screen rose from a hidden panel on the desk, and the face of a Reshetell commander appeared on it. The creature bowed deeply. "Yes, Dark One?"

"Prepare the ship! Set a course for the Lylat System!"

"Yes sir!"

Scales chuckled softly. 'Finally, I can have my revenge on Fox McCloud and Krystal!'

Suddenly, the screen that Adek had activated beeped, signifying an incoming message. A strange insignia appeared on-screen, one Scales did not recognize. It must have had some significance to Adek, however, for when he saw it, he gasped and he shakily pressed the button on the desk to receive the transmission. "Y-yes, Great Lord?" Adek stammered.

"ADEK!" a voice thundered. It sounded to Scales like it was altered, somehow. "Why have you allowed that infinitesimal flea to defeat you yet again?"

Adek bowed. "I apologize, my lord, but Taylor has grown stronger since our last encounter. However, I do have news to report," Adek said nervously.

"Yes?" the voice sounded annoyed.

"I have discovered the identity of the Cerinian Princess," Adek said.

A pair of glowing red eyes suddenly appeared on the screen. "The one born of Ice? Who?" demanded the voice.

"A vixen named K-Krystal, Great Lord," Adek stammered. "Krystal Devrec. She seems to have a strong connection with another fox now joined with the Iri Felessar."

"Then he is the One Born of Fire," the voice murmured, then suddenly resumed its thunderous tone. "You must stop him before his powers are fully developed! No one can stop me, except him!"

"Y--yes, lord," Adek stammered.

Suddenly a form stepped into a dim light on-screen, and Scales could now see the source of the voice. The red eyes belonged to a black-furred wolf with white fur markings. Scales could also see the tops of dark blue wings behind the 'morph. The wolf smiled gently. "Do not worry, Adek. Though Taylor has won this battle, the war will still be ours. There is no way that this fox can control his powers yet, and training him how to will take time. Before he can be trained, he will be killed. You have done well today, Adek."

"Thank you, lord!" Adek smiled, bowing low.

"I will take care of this pestilence...myself," the wolf sneered, baring rows of razor-sharp canines.