Fox trotted into the hanger, shifting Bill's heavy blaster on his shoulder. Bill was packing a large, belt fed Gatling gun with a tripod, and a blaster carbine, so Fox was borrowing it to fill his role. He glanced around the room, instantly realizing just how much more intimidating the group was. Krystal had dropped her normal machinegun, using a small specialized weapon, firing large low velocity rounds, so it could be silenced without losing too much power. She also had a hand made combat rig on her chest, holding magazine pouches and two blaster pistols. Her staff was slung over her shoulder. Mira was now wearing Hawkins Pilot vest, stripped of its magazine pouches. She also had a blaster carbine, and a small assault pack. Everyone in the room had a pistol somewhere on them. Only Hawkins seemed no different from his normal armor and weapons. Each of them now had a small eyepiece, much like Falco's HUD rig. Hawkins tossed him one as he trotted closer.
"That eyepiece is already linked to our battle net. Drone is coming with." He nodded as they waited for Peppy and Slippy to arrive. They were going to be piloting the shuttle and watching it. The
+whole group seemed to shift nervously, especially Mira. Peppy and Slippy finally arrived and Fox followed them onto the shuttle. The door closed as the shuttle was lifted into the air. Slippy grace fully guided the ship around the Freighter and out into space. Titania loomed in the viewport as Peppy spoke.
"I did a last minute check, and I found the Pathfinders vessel. It's landed here, nearby these ruins. It looks abandoned." Fox watched as Hawkins racked the bolt on his rifle. The others glanced around, all nervous.
"Look, everyone. These are just pirates. They will not have the equipment the UEC has. Or the organization, or the training. We will be fine. Just stay down, do as I say, and we make it home in one piece. No heroes, got it?" Fox nodded with the rest of the group. Hawkins slammed his helmet onto his head as the craft began to violently shake and whine. Flame rose up in the view port ahead of them. The shaking came to a stop as they entered the atmosphere. The craft gently set down on the sand and sunlight blared in as the rear hatch dropped. Hawkins was the first out, followed by Fox. They had landed just meters away from the Pathfinders ship, almost buried in the shifting sand. Hawkins lowered his weapon, facing away from the ship. Fox turned to face the same way as him. They were facing a large rectangular entrance way, large enough for a land master to comfortable enter.
"I'd bet every dime I have ever made that the Pathfinders went down there." Fox smirked as Peppy shouted to them.
"The ship is empty, no weapons, rations, nothing. They had enough to last at least three months on board only been out here maybe, four weeks?" Fox glanced at Hawkins as he turned and spoke to the group at large.
"Alright, Peppy, Slippy, find out what you can about that ship. Everyone else, down the hole!" he trotted into the ruin, his rifle light flicking on the second he entered it. Fox turned his own on, all eight flashlights brightly illuminating the dark passageway. They kept trotting for what seemed like almost an hour until they finally came up on a fork in the tunnel. There were four other passageways in front of them. Hawkins stared at them for a second before dropping something on the ground. It suddenly popped as he stared at his wrist computer. "These paths wind around after about twenty meters. We should split up. I'll drop a beacon here so we can find our way back." Fox lowered the weapon as he faced the group. "Alright, Fox and bill, you two take a tunnel. Mira, Lucy, you got another. Falco, Katt, don't kill each other. Krystal, you're with me. Move out!" Fox glanced at Krystal as they raised their weapons and moved down one of the hallways. Bill tapped his shoulder and Fox followed him down the passageway.
"Hey Fox, you alright? You've seemed out of it since, well, you know." Fox sighed as they continued down the passageway.
"I'm Fine Bill. Just focus on the mission. You can interrogate me about Krystal later." Bill grunted as they made another turn, going deeper into the ruins. Bill had thrown on Cornerian infantry armor, rather than his normal flight suit. He was the only other person to be wearing a helmet. They came around another bend and found themselves at the end of a long hallway. Fox's fur stood on end as they moved deeper in. an object loomed ahead of them, propped up against the wall. Fox could barely make out the shape of the soldier as they approached him. Fox crouched at the corpse, seeing the Pathfinder insignia on his chest plate.
"One of ours?" Fox nodded as he stood and faced Bill. A clean hole had been punched through the pathfinder's chest, not being instantly fatal.
"Yeah." They were quiet until a click drew his attention. "What was that?" Bill shrugged as they faced either way down the passage. Fox tentatively took a few more steps forward when he felt the floor suddenly give way beneath him. He screamed as he plummeted a short distance, landing in a heap at the bottom.
"Fox! You alright down there!?" Fox got to his feet, seeing the almost nine meter shaft above him.
"Yeah, I'm fine! Just keep moving, we'll regroup later!" Fox scanned around him as Bill hollered into the shaft.
"Rodger that! Be careful!" he gave Bill a thumbs up before choosing a direction in the passageway and marching down it. Minutes seemed to drag by until he heard another faint click. He cautiously looked around, trying to figure out what the next trap could be. Nothing happened, so he cautiously inched forward. He shrugged and started trotting along the tunnel again.
Krystal marched on in the dark hallway. She had given up on being cautious as they moved through the passage, letting her weapon balance loosely in her hands. Hawkins on the other hand, stayed weapon raised and ready for a fight. She rolled her eyes at him as a faint click echoed in the hallway. Not half a second later, Hawkins rifle light exploded, plunging them into darkness. The blue diamond that was on her HUD disappeared at the same time, her entire HUD disappearing.
"Damn it, EMP." The hallway lit up as he fired a single silvery bolt into the wall. "Well, at least our weapons aren't down." She sighed as she tried to squint through the darkness. "We need light, ideas?" she slung her rifle and grabbed the staff on her back. It stayed compressed as she held it out in front of her. The bulbous end split open, a blue flame erupting from it and illuminating the passage. "Hmm, nifty. Where did you get that thing anyway?" she glanced at him as she spoke.
"My mother, back on Cerinia. It's the only thing I have left of them." He stopped for a second, staring at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up." She shrugged as they started to move again. He kept glancing at her as they marched through the hallway.
"I never really got to know my mother. She was always busy with something. I had actually run away when Cerinia was destroyed." Tears started to well into her eyes as she remembered the fight with her parents. "I was only sixteen then." He stopped her as he forced her to face her.
"Hey, don't get me wrong, I am very interested in continuing this conversation, but this aint the time." Krystal nodded, wiping the traces of moisture that had formed there. They walked on in silence, the eerie blue light being their only guide. They reached a fork in the path and Hawkins instantly spoke.
"Let's split up." He was already moving toward one of the passageways, one hand reaching for a pouch at the small of his back.
"Wait, you have no way to see!" he smirked as he pulled a pair of goggles out. He attached them onto a rail on his helmet and slid them over his visor.
"Night vision. And IR and Magnetic. EMP shielded." He looked bug eyed with the goggles down, but she guessed if it worked, it didn't really matter what he looked like.
"Alright. Be careful okay?" he shrugged and turned down the passage, quickly disappearing. She smiled for a second before heading off down her passageway. She held her staff high above her head as she walked, one of her blaster pistols loosely in her hand. It felt like time simply dragged longer and longer on as the path twisted and coiled around. She suddenly felt life not far ahead of her and she broke into a trot, her weapons raised. A figure loomed in front of her, curled up on the floor of the passage. Her light slowly illuminated the soldier as she drew closer, and the light stirred him awake. He shot to his feet, a sword already swinging at Krystal. She extended the staff and deflected the blow just in time. His armor was stripped and battered, but he was clearly one of the pathfinders. He moved to swing again as Krystal shouted.
"Whoa there, I'm a friend." His blood shot green eyes stared at her, disbelieving. "My name is Krystal. What about you?" he slid against the wall, slowly collapsing. He had small injuries all across his body, including a cut along the top of his muzzle that dried blood had sealed over. He was a lupine with deep brown fur. His face and muzzle was the lightest shade, and his fur growing darker the further away from his face you looked.
"Saber." She felt mesmerized by him. His sleeveless green uniform seem to fit him perfectly.
"Where's the rest of your unit Saber." He couldn't look at her as he spoke, his eyes cast into his lap.
"I think I'm the only one left. There are traps all over this place." She offered him a hand up and he accepted it, keeping his sword in hand. The edges of the blade seemed to glow an eerie blue, as if it was alive. His blaster carbine was dangling on his back, on top of the assault pack.
"What unit are you with?" he was looking up and down her, taking in every inch of her non-standard gear.
"I'm a member of the Star Fox team. Now, did you find the pirates?" he nodded as the sword seemed to stop glowing. He slid it into a partial sheathe on his back as he spoke.
"I've seen them, but that's all. I've just been running from place to place, just trying to stay alive." Krystal patted his shoulder and gestured down the passageway. He nodded and the two of them set off together down the passage. He kept glancing at her as they walked.
"What?" his eyes dropped to his feet as he spoke.
"Nothing. You just look familiar, that's all." She smiled slightly as she held the staff up between them, casting long shadows on the walls of the corridor.
"Really? Where from?" he shrugged as he grabbed the carbine off his back.
"My home world, Cerinia." She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at him.
"But, I thought I was the only survivor?" he chuckled as he spoke, staring off into the darkness, almost as if it was into the past.
"My dad was a Cornerian mercenary. Got hired to deal with pirates and fell in love with my mother. He had taken me with him to Corneria when Cerinia was destroyed." He finally looked at her again, staring intently at the staff in her hand. "That's where my sword comes from. It was a gift to dad, given you don't need to be a telepath to master it. Unlike those." she shook her head bewildered.
"huh. Well, I'm glad to find you, Saber." A weak smile splayed across his face as they marched deeper into the dark passageway.
Mira pounded on the thick stone wall now between her and Lucy, screaming.
"Lucy! Can you hear me! Lucy!" her voice came through the wall, heavily muffled.*
"I'm okay! Just keep moving! We can link back up later!" Mira shuddered as she slumped up against the heavy stone. She gasped for air, still trying to recover from the last trap they had encountered.
"Okay." Her voice felt unnatural to her as she shouted. Images of the massive boulder rolling after them, drawing closer and closer, flashed through her mind. She shuddered again and shakily stood up. They had to be under some sort of jamming field, because anytime Lucy had gone farther than two meters from her, her HUD would stop marking her. She startled as she heard footsteps approaching. She aimed toward the source of them, her light illuminating the hallway. A dark shape formed in her light just seconds before Hawkins familiar armor was lit up.
"Hey Mira. Couldn't tell who it was through the night vision." He was sliding the strange googles up onto his helmet as he spoke. She smiled as she trotted up to him.
"Hey Will. Me and Lucy just got separated." He simply shrugged and walked past her, still moving forward.
"Don't worry about it. As long as she is alive, then it doesn't really matter." Mira nodded, trotting to keep up. Will suddenly held his hand up. She could just barely hear more footsteps, but these were metallic in nature. He slid his goggles back down, giving his eyes a very bug like quality. He spun snapping his rifle up. "Down!" he slammed into her as red bolts ripped past overhead. She aimed and fired as silver bolts from Wills rifle lanced down the hall, illuminating the androids. They looked a lot like Rob, only covered in armor plating and with various weapons built into them. One of the mechs detonated as Will yanked her to her feet. "Run!" she needed no second invitation. The two of them slid around a corner as Will dropped something onto the ground.
"What was that?" he just shoved her forward and kept running. They slid to a stop in the sand as the Mechs rounded the corner behind them. Time came to a halt as Mira watched Will pull the trigger on a detonator in his hand. The entire hallway shook as dust and debris blasted past them. She was shocked as none of the fused bits of metal hit them.
"C4. Come on." she followed him through the hallways, being careful to not point her rifle at him. He had told her that if she ever pointed her weapon at a team mate, or 'flagged' them, as he said, that he would personally shoot her. She stopped as he raised a fist, staring at the floor. "Mines, step where I step." He started to gingerly step through the corridor. She couldn't discern how he could see where the mines were as she followed.
"Will, how do you know where these mines are?" he was quiet for a second before he jumped and began trotting normally.
"Magnetic detection vision, with a SONAR overlay. Anything that reacts to or puts out a magnetic field, I can see." She smirked as she made the same jump he did. She landed awkwardly and started to fall backward, her heart leaping into her throat. Will's hand shot out and grabbed her chest plate, instantly shouting. "Do not move your feet!" she gulped as he gently pulled her up right and away from the mines. She let out a sigh of relief when he finally let go of her armor.
"Thanks Will." He waved it off as they marched into a massive room. Two balconies ran on either side of the room, and each of the four corners had a tunnel leading into the room. They moved out of the corner, stepping around stone pyramids and columns filling the room, almost like it was set up as an arena. They reached the center, finding a small fort like structure with four pyramids as the corners and four columns laid down as walls.
"Paint ball anyone?" Mira raised her eyebrow at him, confused. Red blaster shots started lancing through the arena and Will dragged her over one of the columns. She stopped trying to count how many androids she saw as she fired round after round at them. She ducked down and held the trigger, creating a charged shot. Her body moved of its own accord as she popped up and released the massive bolt. The red ball evaporated the chest of one mech, tearing the head off another. Silver bolts lanced out from beside her and her jaw dropped as the shots seemed to just tear through the mechs. They both dropped down, sitting on the sand as large volumes of red bolts shot over, heating the already scorching hot air.
"I think they have us out numbered will!" his shoulders dropped as he glared at her.
"Nah, I hadn't noticed! Just keep shooting, okay?" she grinned as she leaned up, firing into a mech advancing on them. The air was suddenly filled with an almighty crack as a red lance tore clean through a pair of androids. High pithed blasts filled the air as silvery blue bolts lanced out from the same balcony as the sniper rounds that were now raining down on the Mechs. She smirked as she recognized the silhouettes of Falco and Katt up on the balcony. The last of the androids fell, easily outmatched by the four of them. Falco's voice drifted down to them as he hollered.
"Hey guys, guess you owe us one!" Will smirked as he hollered back.
"Nah, we were fine! Keep moving, we'll link up later if we can!" Falco waved as he marched out, Katt following. Will motioned for her to follow as he marched over to the middle of one of the long walls. She hadn't noticed it when she walked in, but there was a steel door in the wall. Will grabbed out a block of what looked like clay and mashed it onto the metal. He tapped a few keys on the control pad and dropped behind a column. She stood behind him and nodded to him, showing herself as ready. He detonated the charge and rushed around the corner. He was through the doorway, already swathed in smoke and dust. She heard his rifle go off as she rushed in after him.
Bill heard a faint click and froze. Every trap he had encountered so far had been forewarned by that click. He heard a strange sprang and narrowly dodged the long metal shaft that shot through the air. He felt something tear into the side of his upper arm and he clutched the fresh wound. He moved his hand to look at the wound, realizing it was just a graze.
"Damn this hurts!" he clenched and unclenched his fists as he walked, trying to block out the pain. He turned the corner and walked right into Lucy. She fell onto her rump as he staggered slightly, still clutching the bleeding wound. "Oh crap, sorry Lucy." He extended his hand for the brown and grey furred woman and helped her to her feet. She smirked as she brushed dust off of her.
"It's alright bill. Wait what happened to your arm?" he grimaced as he stared at it for a second.
"Trap. It's not serious, just hurts like no one's business." Lucy grabbed out her first aid kit and put a simple bandage over his injury. Blood was slowly soaking the bandage, but at least he no longer had to hold it. "Thanks Lucy. She smiled at him as she repacked the kit.
"No problem. Come on, there is a passage back here I didn't try." Bill nodded and followed her, raising his carbine up to his shoulder. Fox had insisted that Slippy install the folding stock on his own carbine onto all of the weapons, and Bill definitely wasn't complaining. They darted through one dark passage after another until they heard what sounded like voices. They both stopped and crouched, straining their ears to listen.
"Well, someone was here alright. Blasted all the androids apart. Some sort of bomb. Better tell the boss." The other man sighed, clearly irritated with his partner.
"Damn it Burt, when are you gonna realize that we can't use our radios in the maze!? Boss doesn't want anyone able to call out." There was a shuffle of feet on sand as the two men started moving. Bill instantly flicked his light off, Lucy less than a second behind him.
"I know that. Damn, whoever this guy is, he is definitely good. Or just has a big ass gun." Two figures were illuminated by the helmet flash lights on their armor as they came around a bend. They paused, seeing a fork in the path, one leading toward Bill and Lucy, the other to an unknown area.
"Hold up, let me check my map. Why the hell did our boss want this damn maze anyway? Constantly having to dodge traps and crud, and damn near impossible to know where the hell you're going!" Bill tapped Lucy's shoulder and toke aim. He tapped out a count down on her shoulder, starting with three fingers, then two, then one, and finally, he fired. Both soldiers dropped and they flicked their lights on.
"Quick, get that map!" she nodded and plugged into their PDA. She downloaded the map and transferred it to him as she spoke.
"Well that's useful as all hell. Come on, we want this fork." Bill followed her through the winding passageway, occasionally stopping to check the map. They stepped out onto a balcony of some sort. The air was filled with the smell of fused metal and acrid smoke. Bill coughed as he aimed his rifle below, seeing the mounds of destroyed androids.
"Damn, someone really tore them a new asshole. Where too?" Lucy pointed to the other side of the balcony and they trotted along, the ninety pounds of ammo and Gatling gun making him fight for air. They finally rounded a few downward stairwells and stopped, listening again. They could hear weapons fire somewhere close by. Bill took off running, following his ears. He could hear Lucy's own footsteps hot on his tail.
Fox staggered back to his feet, having just barely dodged a massive swinging axe blade. He looked back, shaking his head.
"What mad man designed this hell hole?" he leaned up against the wall, panting. He started hearing loud barks again and he cursed. The pirates had been releasing Canines at him since he had fallen down the shaft. Fox dropped the rifle, letting it dangle on the tactical sling. His shotgun slid out of its holster as he brought it in front of him. Cornerian Shotguns were projectile based, using a magnetic rail to sling the metal pellets at the target. Thus, requiring one to rack the weapon between shots. Human shot guns used the same Uranium based Plasma shots, only each pellet was coated in ceramic that burst on contact. Fox racked it as the first dog sprinted around the corner. The first shot gun blast dropped it as he ran down the hallway. Another dog came out of a side path, already leaping for Fox. He racked the weapon, brought it up and fired. The dog's corpse slammed into him, knocking him down. He was about to roll over when a third dog bit down on his arm. Fox managed to grab his blaster with his left hand and fired a pair of bolts into the animals gut. He shoved the dead animal off and sat up, staring at his right fore arm. The puncture marks on it stung like all hell, but were barely bleeding. He sighed as he got to his feet, replacing the blaster and Shotgun to their holsters. Fox was suddenly cast off his feet. His vision flashed as explosion after explosion rocked the hallway. Shrapnel tore into his body in more places than he could count. One piece had torn the skin just beneath his eye. The explosions stopped as he fought to his feet. His vision blurred and swam as he tried to keep moving.
Krystal, I hope you're listening. I need your help. Fox stumbled and fell to his knees. He tried to force himself back to his feet and kept moving. He heard a faint click and froze, hoping it wasn't another mine. There was a strange springing sounded just before a long shaft ripped through his gut. Fox gasped before he collapsed to the sand. he fought to keep his eyes open as a silhouette approached from down the hall.
"Fox?" the figure lifted Fox's arm and wrapped it over his shoulders. "Hang in there Fox. I'm getting you out of here." Fox stared at the familiar figure, trying to think past the cloud that had filled his brain. He could see the glass panel covering the cybernetic eye.
"Wolf? Wh- where did you come from?" Wolf grunted as he responded.
"I could say the same to you Fox." He gently set Fox down, leaning him up against the wall. "Listen, one of your team members is headed this way. I have to go draw the pirates away. Stay alive Fox, and remember pup, this war is not what it seems." Fox tried to grab him, to stop him.
"Wolf. Don't go. Please." Fox blinked and another silhouette was running toward him. It formed into two people as he heard one of them shout.
"Fox?! Oh no, Fox!" Krystal slid to a stop in the sand, her eyes flicking to each of the wounds. "Hang in there Fox, I'm getting you out." She was about to pull him to his feet as Fox spoke, his voice weak.
"Krystal." He tried to raise his hand to her, but it just dropped back into his lap. Red blaster bolts began to rip past as the second figure crossed into his vision, someone he didn't recognize. He felt hands that weren't Krystal's as silvery bolts of light shot past, followed by Hawkins.
"Mira, Krystal, haul him out! New guy, Suppressive fire!" Krystal pulled his arm over her shoulder, much as Wolf had just done, as Mira tried to tend to his stomach wound. More blaster bolts were ripping past as Falco and Katt ducked in and out of cover, firing on unseen enemies. His eyes snapped open as Krystal froze. There was a pirate blocking their path. He was suddenly sent sprawling by a pair of combat boots kicking the side of his head. Lucy sprang back to her feet as she shouted.
"Come on! This way! We found a map!" she led the way past Bill, who was busy setting up the massive Gatling gun in the hallway. A high pitched whine filled Fox's ears as the weapon started firing. His eyes shut again, and when they opened, he was lying flat on his back, inside the shuttle.
"Slippy, go! That's all of us. We need doc Townsend in the hanger when we get there!" he didn't hear Slippy's response as Hawkins shoved Krystal aside as he pulled the wrapping off Fox's stomach. He grimaced as he looked Fox in the eye, speaking.
"Just hang in there McCloud, you're gonna be fine!" his voice sounded like it was coming from the end of a long tunnel as his vision darkened.
"Come on Fox! Please don't die on me!" Krystal's voice was so quiet and distant, that he almost thought he had imagined it. Within seconds, there was no light or sound in his mind anymore.
Wolf half ran onto the bridge of the wolfhound, instantly speaking to riley.
"I want you to hail the Great Fox, now!" Riley opened the sensor data, speaking as calmly as possible.
"This was from just two minutes ago. The Great Fox is long gone. She fired a few rounds planet side and jumped out." Wolf cursed as the com terminal suddenly lit up. He answered the call and Admiral Douglas appeared.
"O'Donnell, any luck planet side?" he shook his head as he moved to in front of the camera.
"I found Panther, but they wiped their own hard drives. They knew we were coming. And they know we are hunting for data." Douglas stared at his boots, as if he wasn't sure how to say what was on his mind.
"We have a bigger problem. Operational control of the invasion has been handed over to the Russian Prime minister. He explicitly stated that all reports home were to go through him. I have a hunch that if I were to even try to send any evidence back, he would stop it. Just my gut sayin so." Wolf nodded as he ordered a course to regroup with the Admiral's battle groups.
"Alright. I ran into Star Fox down there. Didn't get the chance to say anything to them. But, I think they won't be too keen on this war if they keep digging." The admiral stroked his chin as he turned away from the screen, clearly lost in though.
"Alright. See you at the fleet. Douglas out." The image Faded away as Wolf turned back to the other people on the bridge.
"Status, now!" Panther was instantly speaking, his normally smooth silky voice rough and dry.
"Bad. Haven't slept or eaten in days. Been surviving off dead path finders." Wolf turned his attention to Leon, who was busy on one of the consoles.
"Anything from Dash?" Leon held up a finger while he finished reading.
"Yes, the stupid kid found out some information about the public standing. A lot of the government is becoming unsure of the star fox teams loyalty, a few individuals in particular. He is going to try to hack into the galactic net and see what else he can find. Also has leads of members of the intelligence community that maybe crooked." Wolf started pacing back and forth as he spoke to the ships pilot.
"Riley, status?" the pilot didn't even look up from his screens as the primate spoke.
"Ship is adjusting course, re adjusting power flow for Warp jump. Engines are primed for the jump." Wolf stopped pacing as he dropped into his command chair.
"Panther, go get some food in you and rest. Riley, punch it." the ship vibrated violently as the cluster of main engines fired, pushing the ship to close to a tenth of the speed of light. The craft could attain a much higher velocity, but the gravity in the system drew enough micro particles together that made high speed space travel dangerous. The ship finally settled as riley spoke.
"Alright, should rendezvous in a few hours. You guys look exhausted. And no offense, don't smell too great either." Wolf grunted as he stood back up, resisting the urge to yawn and stretch.
"Riley, you have the bridge." Wolf stepped off the bridge and made for his cabin.
I stared through the window as Townsend treated Fox's injuries. Krystal was standing beside me, as well as the Pathfinder we had recovered, Saber. Saber kept glancing between Fox and Krystal, clearly mesmerized by Krystal, yet strangely concerned about Fox's welfare. Townsend finally set his tools down and stepped out of the medical bay, instantly speaking.
"Fox has lost a lot of blood. He isn't yet at the point in which he actually needs a blood transfusion to survive, but he is close. All of my O-negative was used up when Krystal was injured. Med supplies are still on back order. It will be a while before I'll let him fly again." I sighed as I glanced through the glass.
"Will human blood work?" Townsend looked me up and down, almost as if he was grading me.
"Under normal circumstances yes, but your medical file says you don't have the same as him. No one on the ship is O-neg, and that is all he can accept." Saber instantly stepped forward, his deep smooth voice breaking Krystal out of her trance.
"I'm O-neg doc. I can help him." Townsend clapped his shoulder and led him into the med bay as Krystal finally spoke.
"Do you think he is going to be alright?" I smiled at her in as much of a reassuring way as I could.
"Yeah, he will. I've seen people come home and make a full recover after much worse. Just could be a slow road." She smiled weakly as she stared through the glass.
"I still care about him. I don't know if I ever won't." I rested one of my hands on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"So? Embrace it. You don't have to be dating someone to care about them. Look at me and Mira." She laughed, stiffly, but still genuinely.
"I don't think you two make a good example there Will. I know what your dreams are." I playfully punched her shoulder.
"Yeah, well, I tried. Come on, you look like you could use a bite." She nodded and followed as I led the way to the galley. Savannah was serving a Cornerian version of a cheeseburger, made from animals I had never heard of before. Mira slid into the seat next to Krystal as we all sat in one of the corners.
"Hey Will, Krystal. How's Fox?" Krystal tried to smile as she spoke, clearly fighting the urge to cry.
"Townsend thinks he will be fine. He's getting a blood transfusion as we speak." Mira smiled as I bit into the food, trying my best to be polite about it.
"That's really good. I hope he's alright." Krystal smiled at Mira, this time much more genuinely.
"Yeah, it is. Hey, I've been meaning to ask, but didn't you go on a date before we left? How'd it go?" Mira seemed to shrivel, her tail flicking madly behind her.
"Um, yeah, it went well. We're planning on reconnecting if we both survive this war. He is actually a squadron commander already, was just given a command when we left Corneria." Krystal smiled and hugged Mira, seeming much happier than when she was outside the med bay. Mira glanced at me, her voice filled with sarcasm. "Hungry Will? I got another sandwich here if you need it." I had already finished my burger while they chatted.
"nah I'm good Mira. I might steel those French fries though." She chuckled, a new voice drawing our attention.
"Do you guys mind if I join you?" the foot soldier from the ground had a tray of food in his hands, looking at us expectantly.
"Sure, Saber, right? My name's Will." He nodded and shook my hand as Mira snaked her own in front of Krystal. He shook hers as I spoke for her. "And this is Mira." He nodded to her as he turned his attention toward me.
"I have to ask, but how the hell did a human get on Star Fox?" I rolled my eyes as Krystal spoke.
"Because he was good enough. And he watched Cicero happen." Saber nodded, evidently content with this answer as he dug into his food. He was moaning softly with each bite until both Mira and myself could not help but laugh.
"What!? You would be savoring every bite if you had been living off protein nibs for weeks too!" I smirked as I remembered my days in field training with the military.
"Well, I do understand. I was stuck on a primitive world for almost two weeks what, four and a half years ago?" I half glared at her, knowing exactly what she was talking about.
"Oh come on, you were in a stasis crystal for all but what, twelve hours?" she laughed as she spoke to me directly.
"You didn't see how I ate afterwards. It was most… Unladylike. Even Saber here is eating much more pleasantly." Mira looked smug as she responded to Krystal.
"Well, clearly someone didn't get put off by it!" Krystal's face darkened as I kicked Mira's shin, glaring at her. She looked at me with a pained expression until she understood what she had said. She made an Oh! expression with her mouth as I spoke.
"I'm sure it was quite the scene Krystal." She stared at me for the barest trace of a second before her voice floated through my mind.
I know your trying to help, but don't push it. Her voice came out strained as she spoke aloud.
"Well, I'm not really hungry. I think I'm going to go catch some sleep. Good night. Or day, whatever." She slid her untouched tray toward Saber before she stood and marched out of the cafeteria.
Krystal swung and countered against an invisible enemy, her staff feeling more like a friend than a weapon. She finished a rapid flurry of combos as a voice spoke, making her jump.
"That's some pretty smooth work there. Want to go a few rounds, you look like you could use a sparring buddy." She smiled at saber as he stepped onto the training mat, his hand already pulling the sword off his back.
"Alright, fine. Hope that thing is dull." Saber grinned as he gracefully twirled the weapon.
"That's the funny thing about Cerinian weapons. They are only as sharp as you want them to be." He suddenly lunged forward, thrusting the blade at her chest. She barely managed to deflect it just before swinging the bulbous end of her staff at him. The sparing match went on like this, eternally locked in an almost dance with one another, neither one gaining the advantage. He suddenly backed off far enough for them to speak.
"You're really good Krystal." Her tail flicked as she felt blood rushing to her cheeks.
"So are you, Saber. Are you a telepath?" he shook his head smiling as they circled each other like vultures.
"No. well, scientifically speaking, I'm an empath, meaning I can sense people's emotions and intentions. But not thoughts. So you can't lie to me, but I won't know the truth either." She smirked as she lunged forward, swinging toward him. He narrowly deflected it as she darted back.
"So, you didn't see that coming?" his grin expanded as he shook his head at her. They both jumped as a third voice joined them.
"That's pretty damn good there Saber. She mopped the ring with my ass." She glanced up to see Will leaning against the wall, watching them.
"You were stuck with a staff Will. It isn't exactly your specialty." He shrugged as he moved onto the training mat.
"Yeah, good point. Hey saber, one on one, you with your pointy thing, me with mine." Will's knife slide out of it's sheathe, being easily flipped into an upright grip. Saber shrugged as he stood in front of Will, Krystal politely stepping out of the way.
"Alright, ladies first Will." Will simply assumed his combative stance, flicking the knife back into a reverse grip. Saber suddenly sent his blade in a fast overhead strike. His blade was just a flash of light, but Hawkins was somehow faster, deflecting the blade away from him with the tiny knife. As Saber staggered from the missed blow, Will slammed his fist into Saber's wrist, knocking the sword from his hands, then stepped closer and spun, slamming his elbow into Saber's back. Before Saber could stagger away, Will had snaked the knife around his neck and held the dull backside of the blade onto Saber's throat.
"Never underestimate a knife. The second you do is the second you lose." Saber grinned and shook Will's hand.
"I have to ask, but how'd you get hand to hand classes?" Will smirked as he responded.
"Back home, on earth. Again?" he shook his head as he rubbed his shoulder blade and moved to Krystal. Saber was sweating profusely as he sat down beside her. She suddenly realized that she was doing the same.
"That was pretty impressive Hawkins." He shrugged at the sound of her voice, plopping down on the other side of Saber.
"Knifes are just something infantry need to know their way around. I'm better with a knife than anything else." Krystal grunted as she collapsed her staff, dropping it into her lap. Hawkins suddenly stood up, speaking. "I'm going to go see if there is anything close to a flight simulator on this ship. See ya around." Krystal glanced nervously at Saber after he left, the room suddenly felt almost awkward. Silence stretched between them before Saber finally spoke.
"So, you and Fox eh?" Krystal laughed as she responded.
"No. not anymore." Saber grunted, a smirk appearing on his face. He stood and offered her a hand up. She smiled as she accepted it, easily being pulled to her feet.
"Any way, I should go find that room I'm to be sleeping in. I think the name was Bill or something?" Krystal followed him through the doorway, her voice rising a few octaves.
"So Will moved back in with Mira! That's good. I'll show you the way." He smiled to her as they stepped into the elevator.
"Thanks Krystal. And no, it's only temporary until I'm off the ship. Apparently, he likes sleeping in Bill's room. Says him and Bill are always swapping stories." She smirked as the elevator stopped.
"Mira and Will are wing mates. And our two newest pilots. And here we are!" she stopped facing Saber with her hands resting on her hips.
"Well, thanks. I'll see ya around." He knocked on the door as she spoke to him, unable to stop smiling.
"Oh you can count on that." Krystal trotted off down the hall. She suddenly stopped as she heard voices coming from Mira and Will's open door.
"Peppy says Fox will be out of action for a while. Wants me to lead the team until he recovers." Krystal got as close as she dared as Mira responded.
"Well, that's good, isn't it?" she heard Hawkins sigh before he continued.
"No it's not Mira. The last time I commanded anyone, I lost almost all of them. If I'm in charge, then it's just going to happen again." Krystal suddenly decided to join the conversation and stepped into the doorway, leaning on the frame.
"Will, you'll do fine. Half the plans we have gone into battle with have been your invention. You can do this." Both of them jumped as she spoke. Will faced her, looking terrified.
"oh, we didn't know the door was open. I guess, but thinking of a plan and executing it are two totally different things." Krystal smiled at him and stepped into the room, gently squeezing his arm.
"You'll do fine Will. Quit worrying." A yellow light flicked on as Rob's voice penetrated the air.
"All Pilots, report to the Bridge. Repeat." Krystal smirked as she stepped out of the room, beckoning them.
"And here's the chance to prove it to yourself."