Remastered 28/07/2014
"Slippy to Beriul." Slippy growled at the comm in his Bullfrog. "So help me Jack if we have to try this one more time!" Amanda sighed as she watched Jackie's face appear on her display screen.
"Slippy this is Jackie. Mr. Beriul is out on business at the moment. He wants me to forward your message to him." Jackie looked like she hadn't slept in a week. Her hair was a mess and you could almost see stress lines on the young receptionist.
"Jackie you've certainly looked better." Amanda watched Jackie rub her temples.
"Where did he go Jackie?" Slippy snapped. "You know what? I don't care. Tell Beriul that we've got Lucy."
"Right." Jackie muttered. "Look it's fucking swamped here. I've got a million things to do. So if that's everything good-bye." With that Jackie's face disappeared from their screens. Amanda looked over to Slippy as they hurried towards Corneria.
"Lucy? Lucy this is your Father." Amanda nearly jumped out of her Arwing at the sound of Peppy's voice. "Ok. Second ring That means you're teaching. Alright."
'I wouldn't say that.' Amanda thought. She concentrated on flying as Peppy continued his message.
"Lucy. You need to know about something that's been happening back home. This is top-secret information I'm trusting you with. Our current president Jack Beriul kept me hostage for a few days. His plan was to use me to begin destroying Star Fox from the inside out. Pepper and his assets busted me out. Now Jack is going to try to get me to sign some order to launch a full frontal assault on Star Fox. He's going to use everything he can to get me to sign that. I need you to contact me as soon as you can. Please be safe."
Amanda frowned as the message ended. She knew she should tell Slippy what happened. At the same time however, she knew she could keep it a secret. It pained her to have to hide something from her love. In her mind she knew he had changed for the worse since their dealings with Jack. 'Maybe I can fix this.' Without as much as a second thought Amanda dialled Peppy's comm.
"Lucy?" Peppy answered.
"No, it's Amanda. We've got her, Peppy."
"So, I know basically everyone here aside for you." Fox said as he sat down on the couch beside Tyronos. "And from what Katt told me, the less I know the better."
"Well, I used to say something like that." Tyronos grinned. "I'd explain myself but you wouldn't believe me if I told you everything."
"I should call you out on that sometime." Fox patted Tyronos on the shoulder before gripping it slightly. "Look, I'm not normally a paranoid person but I have to know for sure. Can I trust you?"
"Fox, you don't deserve the pain you've gone through. One man's wish shouldn't shatter a team. I'm always sent to fix things and I'm here to help with your problem. You can trust me and I'll let Krystal read every thought in my head if need be. But for the sake of your sanity stop placing mistrust on everyone." Tyronos mimicked Fox's grip. "If things went my way things already be back to normal. None of this would have happened."
"Yo Ty, I thought I said to stop blaming yourself!" Katt yelled at the two vulpine.
Tyronos looked back at Katt shaking his head. "You should get a game going or something we've got some time to kill before we get to Corneria."
"I still don't like we should be heading back to Corneria." Krystal said more to herself. She moved to sit across from Fox. "I feel like we should be getting as far away from Beriul as possible."
"Krys." Fox finally removed his grip from Tyronos.
"I think she's right." Tyronos crossed his arms and relaxed into the couch. "But I've also seen Beriul before and believe me his bark is worse than his bite."
"Even if Beriul could hurt him." Krystal continued. "I still don't think going to Corneria is a wise plan."
"Hey." Fox whispered motioning for her to sit on his lap. Krystal sighed and did as he asked, nuzzling herself into his chest. "We've got the team back now. Well most of it. But we can take care of things now."
"Promise her you won't go into the fight unless we need you." Tyronos looked over at the couple. "She's worried about you Fox for your safety. Much like you were when that incident occurred. Surely you can understand that level of concern. So when the time comes to face Beriul be sure to watch the battle from here unless we call for you."
Fox looked over at Tyronos, wondering how he knew about Star Fox's temporary leave. He looked back at Krystal who only pleaded with him with her eyes. "Asking me to watch someone fight my battle is a lot to ask. But I'll think about it ok?"
We've got a bit of time for you to think it over." Falco tapped Fox's shoulder. "C'mon, let's go for a walk." Fox helped Krystal up before following the avian out of the game room. They walked until Falco knew they were out of earshot and Krystal's telepathy.
"What's up?" Fox asked, breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen on them.
"Fox." Falco started. "About well, everything that has happened with Beriul." Falco walked a little further ahead before turning back to his best friend. "I'm sorry man."
"You're sorry?" Fox laughed. "I don't really understand what has got my team against me or so I thought. But from what Krystal told me he has some serious blackmail on everyone."
"He threaten Katt. He had her arrested! What else could I have done?" Falco blurted. "I had a choice. Between you and her!"
"Calm down Falco." Fox smiled. While part of him wanted Falco to admit to everything the other half just wanted his friend back. "I know the choice you had to make. If I was in your shoes and he had Krystal, I'd do anything."
"Heh... look at us, two battle hardened mercenaries brought down because we've got women." Falco ran his fingers through his hair.
"Yeah, but... I love my girl. I'm glad I could find someone in this type of business." Fox smiled.
"You'd need someone as crazy as her to keep you from being a total ass." Falco laughed. "She's a telepath, so you can't do shit without her knowing."
"Well, I don't have anything to hide from her. She's the crazy one anyway." Fox earned a playful hit for that. He was happy the he could trust Falco again. Now, they could pretend that nothing had happened. "Falco, you're like the brother I wish I had, but most of the time I'm glad we aren't related."
"Whatever man. C'mon, I got a game to kick your ass in." Falco grinned before racing towards the game room, Fox right behind him.
"I want every single part of this building covered! Do you hear me?" Jack yelled. An officer began shouting out commands. "Okay Pepper. Let's see what you've got planned."
"President Beriul!" An automated voice shouted. "Please proceed forward. Pepper is expecting you." As the voice stopped the front door opened. One lone guard stood at the doorway waving Jack forward.
"Alright, we'll play it your way." Jack muttered, walking towards the guard. As he got to the door he was stopped.
"Sorry sir everyone who enters here must be patted down. No exceptions." The guard went about patting down Jack, removing a small blaster and a wire. "You have anything else you might be hiding sir?"
"Do you know who signs your paychecks?" Jack spat. "I've got nothing else on me. Now take me to see Pepper. He's got something that belongs to me."
"Follow me Mr. President." The guard began leading the wolf towards the conference room. "Just before we get there sir. If we find any form of weapon on you it will be taken as a threat and we will defend Pepper with our lives. That goes for your friends outside as well."
"I didn't bring any guards." Jack lied hoping that this guy was just trying to fake him out.
"Right." The guard replied in a bored tone. "And we don't have snipers lining them up either." Jack wasn't pleased with Pepper's choice in staff. Yet another reason he'd have that hound's hide. "Pepper, the president is here."
"Come in Jack. That will be all." The guard saluted him, closing the door after Jack had entered. "So, dare I ask why my house is surrounded by your guards Jack?"
"You got some fucking nerve Pepper." Jack snarled getting up in Pepper's face. "Where is Peppy?"
"Peppy who?" Pepper laughed sliding a chair to Jack. "Sit down son, we've got some things to discuss."
"I'm not playing around." Jack growled refusing to move an inch.
"Neither am I." Pepper matched his growl, both of them locked eyes. "Now sit down." After a long minute Jack sat down, his gaze never leaving Pepper's. "You've got a lot of nerve Jack. Trying to send the Cornerian Army after Lylat's saviors."
"Fuck them." Jack said flatly as he crossed his arms. "Star Fox is just a bunch of hired guns. They get away with murder and get paid well to do it! You've paid them yourself!"
"They've saved Corneria and the Lylat system more times than you have had years of political experience." Pepper yelled. "You want don't want Star Fox out of the picture. Just Fox McCloud himself. Tricking his team into betraying him."
Jack gasped. 'How did he know that? Peppy must have told him.'
"Surprised Buriel?" Pepper laughed. "You think I'd simply let some kid become President and not keep tabs on him? My security easily cracked through your firewalls. I've heard almost everything you've said about Star Fox. But that wasn't near as bad as the what you say about Fox himself."
"You're lying." Jack smiled. "My server is much more secure than that."
"You sure about that? Maybe you've got a mole in your team." Pepper stood up walking closer to Jack. "Now listen up because I'm going to say this only once. I'll make all this go away. Your plan, and your Presidency if you push this. But if you tell me right now that you'll stop this and end your little vengeance. I'll make sure Fox doesn't come back to tear you apart."
"If you think your words intimidate me." Jack laughed. "You're more full of yourself then I thought. You're an old dog, I'd hoped you would learn your place by now. My guards surround your entire home. I can have you forgotten, and it will be like you never existed."
"I've got snipers on your guards." Pepper knew that this was turning for the worse, and had to choose his words wisely.
"They aren't going to stop me in time." Jack grabbed his concealed blaster and aiming it at Pepper's head.
"Go right ahead. Give the public a real reason to hate you. What's that going to do for you? More innocent blood on your hands? I'm just an old dog remember, what harm can I possibly do to you?"
"Really Pepper? You think I'm worried about the media?" Jack chuckled, charging the blast. "Where's General Hare?"
"Gone." Pepper smirked. "You could almost say he was never here."
"Then what good are you?" Jack began to laugh, slowly releasing the trigger.
"WAIT!" Jack looked up at the voice, instantly powering off his weapon. He heard Pepper let out a defeated sigh. "I don't think he needs to die. It's me you want to speak to."
"No, I didn't come here to speak with you. I came here to get you back in your office and sign an order to send everything we have at the Great Fox." Jack stated matter-of-factly.
"Where is she?" Peppy yelled, noticing Jack's confused look. "Where is my daughter? Where is Lucy?"
"Lucy? Teaching on Fichina last we knew." Jack yelled back.
"I know you got her somewhere! I'll do anything to get her back!" Peppy ran toward Jack, begging at his feet. "Please."
"Anything?" Jack grinned, looking up at Pepper. "Guess I don't need you anymore. Me and my General will be seeing you." Peppy thought as he followed Jack out of the conference room. He looked back at Pepper once, who simply nodded at him.
-1 hour later; Great Fox-
"Guys, we're getting a message from Peppy!" Fox said over the PA system. Within a few minutes everyone had gotten up to the bridge.
"What's up?" Falco asked, Fox patched Peppy through. Waiting until Peppy came up on their display.
"Star Fox. It is with great sadness that I issue this order." Peppy took a shaky breath. "As ordered by President Beriul, Star Fox is under arrest for crimes against Corneria and the Lylat system. The entire CDF fleet is coming to escort you back to Corneria where you will be arrested. Beriul has requested an old Military punishment that you will all be subject to."
"Peppy?" Krystal whispered.
"What the fuck?" Katt yelled. "You can't be serious!"
"I knew things were going to good." Tyronos growled as he pulled at his hair.
"Pep..." Fox couldn't believe the words coming from his father-figure. The one person he knew he could trust had just ordered his death.
"I am sorry."