Chapter -49-
More Pieces of the Puzzle

Lylat…

Panther Caruso's eyes fluttered open, wide, with his heart racing. He looked around the room as if not recognizing where he was. Once he saw that he was in the little stone sanctuary, where they found a Krazoa spirit, his expression relaxed; his heartrate calmed a bit.

Miyu put her paws on her hips and bent at the waist. "Whoa. You went from looking calm and peaceful to looking like you woke up from a nightmare. You okay, big cat?"

Panther eased off his knees, where he was sitting, to half-propped up on his right hip, as though he'd fallen. He still seemed a bit disoriented. His eyes glowed with a marbled purple hue. He rolled over, onto all fours, and slowly got to his feet. His stance changed as equilibrium returned. "Uno memento, por favor." His voice was a near whisper.

Miyu studied his face and posture. She took a step back. "Something's different about you."

"Sí … tienes razón, mi amor. We are back in the temple of the Krazoan device?"

"We are, Panther; I never left. And … wow, hon, you're using the language you were raised on. Not Cornerian, and not the archaic Fichinian you try to pass off as the 'language of love' or whatever."

"Mm…"

Miyu reached out and cupped his face. "Your eyes are glowing. Whatever is going on, it sounds serious."

Panther cleared his throat into his left paw. He reached for her bicep and forearm to keep himself stabilized. "Panther was…" He cleared his throat, once more, with a frown and said, "I was … found unworthy by the Krazoa spirit. But due to the importance of stopping the Locusts, the spirit decided to take pity on me."

"How so?"

"I … have not been honest with myself in a very long time. He said he could help me become the hero I craved to become. All this time, all these years, I never craved money … only fame. Never recognition, only validation. I simply never knew how to achieve greatness. Not the perceived greatness I thought I wanted … but actual real importance. I have … suffered from being cast out of my family. I suppose I have sought the comfort of a woman's arms because I really wanted to be told by women that they are proud of me … and the spirit seems to think it is because I subconsciously want my mother's approval."

"Deep, but that sounds about right. So, you got a free therapist out of this?"

"Funny, Miyu, but … yes. I apparently did. I asked to be made worthy of being a warrior for the Krazoa … to be worthy of helping to save Lylat. I was so desperate for it, I agreed to allow the spirit to make changes to what he called neurological connections and pathways in my brain. I'm … I'm seeing things in a different light for the first time. It's honestly terrifying."

"What's terrifying?"

"…How I've behaved in the past, Miyu. You and I had a one-night-stand in the past. And to think … when we met again, so recently, I didn't even recognize you, even though I was never terribly as popular with women as I claimed to be, which makes it even more horrifying that I'd have forgotten our tryst, or, rather, more importantly, your face when first we began speaking again. But … I want something more with you, now. More on that later, though."

"More … on that later?"

"Yes, Miyu. I need a moment until my head is right. Everything must be one step at a time."

"But you want a genuine relationtip with me?"

Panther nodded firmly. "I do. If it's meant to be, I will cherish it; if not … I will understand your rejection of the notion."

"You certainly never got over Krystal dumping you."

"I did not consider, nor did I respect, the history and her love of Fox."

"Yeah. I've done that … I didn't respect the history or love Fox had for Fara Phoenix thirty years ago."

"Mm. But you learned, later. I never did. Not until this spirit had to force maturity upon me. Back to the now, the persona I fashioned for myself … it was embarrassing and childish."

"You were good at your job, though."

"I never cared about my raw talent, just my reputation. But now … Lylat is in danger, and I asked the spirit to reforge me into something useful."

Miyu's eyes widened. "Okay, so … you're serious. I thought you were having a weird joke at my expense at first, but … no, you're serious. You asked this thing to give you something more than an epiphany, and to help you make the most of it, didn't you? And it worked, didn't it?"

"I am; I did, and yes, it did. I'm sorry at the way I've behaved in the past."

"I was just keeping you around as a boy-toy because you're a good-looking guy. I was dealing with … I was ignoring your lame BS and the childishness. But … you're saying that's all gone now?"

"I'm saying I was cured of … whatever was broken in my head that kept me locked into that mindset. I also learned there is one last piece of the Krazoan device on a planet in the system with the world known as Kew. We have to go there and retrieve it. Will you accompany me?"

"Yes."

Panther smiled softly, a genuine smile of appreciation. Then it faded, and he said, "I need to tender a resignation to Star Wolf. Por favor, ven conmigo, Miyu." He offered his paw.

"I'll come with you." She took his paw and pulled upward, helping him to his feet. "Up, big guy. Grab the device and let's get moving."

"Ah, the device … gracias." He rose to his feet and approached an alter behind him. He picked up a device sitting on the granite surface and gave it a slow twirl. "Such balance and precision." He studied it for a moment, again, then turned to face Miyu. "It is surprisingly similar to the Cerinian-made battle staff, don't you think?"

"It was considerate not to mention her name. All right. C'mon, you. Let's get moving."

Panther carried the device like a walking stick and fell into step with Miyu. "I'll send the proper communiqué to Wolf and McCloud. I have the coordinates in my head. Do you have everything you'll need to accompany me there, now?"

"I do."

"Then let's get moving immediately. We will need a small craft with docking capabilities for two fighters. I know just who to contact. We'll dock to the small ship, I'll reach out to my contacts and have the Jump Gate send us to Kew, and we will retrieve this second device. Before leaving, I'll have the first device transferred to Marcus McCloud or one of his teammates."

"That's a good idea. Best not to make ourselves a target by keeping it close."

"Precisely. Wow, Caruso, you really have grown up since waking up from that trance."

Panther nodded. "Thank you for saying so." The two continued to their ships, parked outside of the shrine.

X

X

Savyon, Titania…

Fara Phoenix's Arwing settled onto a helipad atop the beautiful three-story house. She opened the canopy, waited for it to move, took a deep breath, and unclasped her safety harness. She placed her paws on the siding rails and stood up from her seat.

Fara peered down from her cockpit and saw Kelly Phoenix, the pig daughter of Bosworth. She took another deep breath and eyed the pink-skinned woman, then she eased her feet over the side of the canopy and slid down the angled hull of the Arwing.

Fara dropped the rest of the way to the helipad, landed in a crouch, paws between her knees. She stood up slowly and offered a tired smile to Kelly.

"Fara…"

Fara replied in kind. "Kelly."

"Are … your eyes glowing purple?"

"Yeah, it's a long story. Suffice to say, I've opted not to use eyedrops this time."

"Fara, I know we haven't spoken in a while, but if you're going to try and buy out my share of Phoenix Enterprises…"

Fara frowned. "Kelly…"

"I knew it. You are, aren't you? You didn't ask me about buying Space Dynamics. The fact it has become a money maker again … doesn't matter one way or another. You've thrown so much money into this AI project, and you never consulted with me on anything. I'm not upset you did it, I just felt disrespected as Phoenix Enterprise's CEO. You went around me, you went around the board, and you never explained yourself. You just did it."

Fara lifted her paws, holding up both defensively. "I'm not here to argue. I'm here to apologize and ask for your help."

"You know, you have a lot to learn, Fara. You've been a terrible stepsister. Now you're only giving me an apology because you think it will lead to me helping you?"

Fara reached her right arm over for her left arm, so that her right forearm was across her belly in a protective way. Her eyes lowered to the helipad and her ears drooped a bit. "I, uh … let me start by saying … thank you for clearing the helipad so I could land here. It's important. Like, really important."

"Look, Fara, I had such high hopes for us. I know it's weird that our dads both married one another in their grief for their losses of their wives. You and I? We both lost our mother. We were raised together. We were given this company – I worked my way to the face of the company, and you retained fifty-once percent of the company's stocks and ownership. You even flexed that muscle when you bought Space Dynamics, which was operating at a loss at the time. But you've made it profitable, and I have to admit … it was a good business choice. But coming here without explaining why…"

"It's complicated. Let me start by saying … I really need a sister right now."

Kelly approached Fara with caution. "Need a sister … why?"

Fara bit her lower lip and lowered her paws. "I … had a miscarriage and it's … like a hole in my heart."

Kelly quickened her pace and wrapped her arms around Fara.

Fara relaxed in the woman's arms. She buried her face into Kelly's shoulder and sobbed softly.

Kelly placed a hand against the back of Fara's head. "I've always wanted to be a sow, myself, but I'm still a gilt, even after all these years with all this money. It's … weighed on me. I can't imagine what it would be like to think I'm finally going to become a mother, and then … not. My heart aches for you, Fara."

"It's probably for the best…"

"Oh, Fara, don't talk like that."

"I mean … yet. My team stumbled onto something serious. There's a new race of creatures in Lylat … but apparently our ancient ancestors have dealt with them many years ago. The Locusts. They came to take the resources of Lylat. All of them. Even the people."

"Even … the people? Like slave labor?"

"No. Worse. They want our base elements as part of their resources. It's what they do … they destroy everything in their wake and consume everything. I can't even get out of bed; the last two days I've just … slept. And then I got so angry at myself. The last thing I wanted to do was to get you involved in my dangerous life. But things are different now."

"How so?"

"If I were to have a child again … or try, at least, I would need to make sure Lylat is safe for my child. I would need to retire from this lifestyle. I'd teach on Corneria and continue to act as Space Dynamic's CEO."

"You're … not a business owner, Fara. That was never your goal in life. What makes you want to try, now?"

"Kelly, I'm not coming for Phoenix Enterprises. The company flourished under your leadership. I'd be willing to sell you some of my stocks until we're even, so that you're in a position to ensure Phoenix stays under your influence if that's what you want. And I'd want you to train me in how to be a more … active role … how to be … a proper CEO for Space Dynamics. I've been lucky to keep them afloat so far. But I don't know what I'm doing. And, worse, if I die in this war, I'd want you to take over, but I'm scared you'd sell it."

Kelly sighed softly. "Fara … I admit, at first, I was appalled you bought a company that makes war machines. I didn't want Phoenix Enterprises affiliated with that sort of clientele, but … Lylat loves it. It's made Phoenix Enterprises more popular. Not just with pilots, but with Lylat's travelers. So, no, I wouldn't sell it. Secondly, you're my sister. Step-or-otherwise, you are my sister. I was the one that checked on your stasis pod, came and talked to you, read books aloud to you. I've loved you as family for as long as I can remember."

Fara nodded and wrapped her arms around Kelly. "I know. And you brought that heart and dedication to Phoenix Enterprises when you became its CEO. I'm just … I needed your help. I'm here to apologize for being distant. You didn't deserve that snub. I stayed away because I didn't know how to process becoming a ward to the little girl I grew up with. Nothing made sense. But insofar as our dads getting married? It was perfect. They deserved happiness to finish out their lives. I only wish I could have been able to see the wedding in person with my own eyes."

Kelly placed her hands on Fara's arms and stepped back, until she was at arm-length. She eyed the fennec vixen and, in a very soft tone, said, "Fara, what brought you here, honey? How can I help you?"

"Okay, so … it's complicated. You know how Fox McCloud married that alien vixen with the blue fur?"

"Wait, that blue fur isn't dyed? Like, I heard she was an alien, but … the way you just said that … it's real?"

"Yeah, it's real. Anyway, it turns out she's a really wholesome person. We got along way better than two women involved with the same man ever should have. She's … sort of … become a future mother-in-law to me."

"Oh. That. I heard in the tabloids. You're dating the son of Fox McCloud, now. A little weird, don't you think?"

"Doesn't matter what anyone thinks. I have something with Marcus that I've never had with anyone else. Fox and I … things are still weird, there. But Marcus has been my anchor. I wanted so badly to make him the father of my child, but … I guess that will have to wait. But no, that's not where I was going by bringing up Krystal McCloud. It turns out there's a reason she and Fox are genetically compatible. We all come from the same genetics. It's weird, but … it's a thing. We were all created by the Krazoa. And the Krazoa created a device capable of repelling the incoming Locusts. Apparently, the ancestors of the Locusts have made an attempt on Lylat two or three times in the past. So it's always known that they would be back to try again. Long-story-short, the Krazoa prepared for it. They split up the device they used in the past and buried pieces on different worlds in Lylat, Cerinia, and Kew's neighboring planet. StarFox has teamed up with Star Wolf, Andross, of all people, and the original members of StarFox to try and find them all in time."

"This … is a lot to take in, Fara. Um … how much do you need? What do you need?"

"One of the pieces is here, on Titania."

Kelly's eyes widened. "Oh. How can I help?"

"You help in any way you want. I'll leave that up to you. I could do this myself, but I wanted to apologize about how I've treated you. I didn't come here with any expectation. I came here to cry because I needed a sister. I needed a hug. I needed to process things. While I'm here, I'll try and find this device component."

Kelly nodded in understanding. "You have no idea what you need, you just needed to talk to someone with a womb, and not one of the boys on your team, huh?"

"Something like that. I feel like I'm making a mess of fixing things between us. I've barely made time for you since waking up a few years ago. I didn't avoid you out of anything but feelings of shame."

"What do you have to be ashamed of, Fara?"

"Because, Kelly, I'm better at shooting down Imperial scum and fighting soldiers with my paws than I am at being a sister. But after losing this little rice grain … I'm realizing that family … that blood or otherwise … is important. You're the only living family I have left. It doesn't matter that we're of two different species. I see you as a sister. I see you as a fantastic heir to daddy's legacy. And I thank you so much for taking care of it … and for taking care of me until I woke up. I mean, you called Peppy because you were too far away to be there for me when I woke up. You took care of every detail for me. You took care of the company so that, when I needed Arwings for my new team, and they didn't sell them to me, I was able to simply buy the company. You made that possible, and I appreciate it."

Kelly laughed. She put a hand to her forehead and turned from Fara, still laughing. After a moment to get at herself, she said, "You really bought Space Dynamics because they wouldn't sell you war machines, and you wanted Arwings for your team?"

"Yeah. You'll have to meet the AI we invented."

"Honey, Phoenix Enterprises footed half the bill and most of the servers for that project. I've met her. Then I had to sort out the litigation of her accusations against the dev-team members that created sexual artwork of her avatar, of your likeness, and repair that entire situation. I had to pay for the research team, an independent panel, mind you, to document to Cornerian courts … to make a case … that Farrah Fennecs is a living non-biological entity. I hope you know that she's trying to have herself a body made for her to live. Not just one body, but two, because she fancies your team's piloting droid."

Fara exhaled, eyes off to the far right. "Yeah. She's … pretty, uh … eccentric at times."

Kelly chuckled softly. "Her latest firmware update makes it possible for her to use solid-light constructs. She's figured out how to make holograms with a light wavelength that is completely solid. It's revolutionized the hologram industry around Lylat. Phoenix Enterprises was quick to patent it. Then she had a mobile emitter created. We patented that, too. And you know what it's used for?"

Fara tilted her head.

Kelly shook her own head and held her arms outward. "A sex industry is using it so people can experience sex with hard-light holographic women! It's so embarrassing, yet it's tripled our total profits for the last decade in just six weeks."

Fara opened her muzzle to reply but had no idea what to say.

"Yeah. I know. It's eight-five percent of the revenue stream for the technology."

"What's the other fifteen percent?"

Kelly waved for Fara to follow her into the house, turned for the doors to the top floor, and said, "Various things, my favorite two ventures are the medical field and bomb disposal VR avatars."

Fara fell into step with Kelly, opened the door for her, and said, "So surgeons are able to perform operations virtually or something?"

"No, that's the bomb disposal people. The medical field uses the tech to fashion tools for any occasion while doing their surgeries in person. It's completely revolutionized the medical field. A surgeon can now fashion a holographic tool for surgery that never needs to be cleaned, it just dissolves away, and a new sterile tool is fashioned for the next task. But those two ventures, alone, only make up four percent of that fifteen percent … the other eleven percent is the cleanup crew that's repairing and restoring the irradiated remains of the old Cornerian Capitol City."

"Oh, that's a really good use … it keeps people from having to go in there and getting irradiated, themselves."

"Yeah, Phoenix Enterprises was so embarrassed about the tech being used for sex that we had to package the technology to Corneria for using it to clean up the toxic waste dump caused by that bomb. It was more for our PR than anything. The idea came from Farrah, actually. It saved our reputation."

"Wait, my AI-baby saved Phoenix's rep?"

"We didn't want to be labeled by the public as a company that licenses expensive technology for people to screw, do you? Heh. Now we're known for providing the tech for Corneria to save itself. People have no idea it's only fifteen percent of our revenue with that tech, though." Kelly led Fara to a staircase and made her way down into the beautiful home.

"Hey, what happened to Daddy's mansion?"

"Oh, we still own it, but … after our fathers passed away, the place just … felt haunted to me. I was there a lot, mostly to spend time with them, but this has been my home for about eight years, now."

"How did I not know any of this?" Fara sighed softly, following Kelly down the steps. "I am a terrible sister."

Kelly chuckled softly in a good-natured way. "Yeah, you are. But you're here now. And you came here with your heart on your sleeve and your figurative beret in your paw."

"A beret, huh?"

"Oh, heavens yet, Fara. You'd look fantastic in a beret."

"I … would?"

"Oh, Fara. Yes, you'd look fantastic in one." Kelly was the first to the bottom floor. The staircase wrapped around a foyer hall that spanned all three floors. Kelly's heeled shoes tapped gently on the hardwood floor. "So, what's with the glowing purple eyes?"

"Shortly after I woke up, Peppy and I went to Sauria together. I took on a Krazoa spirit, and he's been with me for years. For a while, I used eye drops that stopped the purple glow. But I'm not using them today."

"The spirit … it's really a he?"

"Yeah. He was one of only a handful of warriors from their race. Most Krazoa were pacifists. I was a soldier in the military. I was trained to fight in a number of ways. It seemed like a natural fit for us to team up. But he's helped me through some of the most emotional moments of my life. He and I … we've become best friends. I wish I could explain it better than that."

"I see…"

"Anyway, he's the one that will help me find this hidden device. He was part of the team that last used the fully completed device to repel the Locusts. Anyhow, he's also the reason I have the motivation to get out of bed today and come here to find this thing."

"You have to know how weird that sounds, but … you have glowing purple eyes and there are videos of you on the subspace internet fighting a group of attackers. You've come a long way from fighting punks in the Phoenix Enterprises scrapyard … to fighting the way you used to before the days of … you know … your injury."

"I remember that … the scrapyard incident. Marcus and I went there to find a piece that could make the Great Fox lift off, I believe. Seems like forever ago. Pretty much anything that happened before Corneria was attacked with a nuke … seems like a lifetime ago."

"Good God, that's true. So, all those times you fought your way out of a situation with your paws and feet … you were relying on some ancient warrior spirit to keep you at your best?"

"Something like that. I leant my 'passenger,' which is what I call him, to my betrothed to help him lead the team more effectively. During that time, I fought the son of the man that took me hostage at gunpoint back when I was nineteen. And was so careful to keep him from hitting me in the stomach. But … I lost the baby anyhow. I was so upset with myself."

"Fara, have you ever considered the possibility that losing the baby wasn't your fault? It was just … destiny? Fate can be cruel. Or maybe it wasn't time yet. I'm not trying to make light of your loss, I swear … I'm just asking you to consider the possibility that maybe the universe wasn't yet ready for the next McCloud. But soon. However, I'm really hoping you're about to tell me that this man … the one you had to fight … I hope he's dead or a quadriplegic, now."

"No … my beloved AI baby … she freed the man from prison and she's using him to do her bidding. I'm told he's constantly tortured and is absolutely miserable … but I'm still a bit angry."

Kelly blinked. "Oh … oh my. You must feel so betrayed."

"Yes, but … she was very honest with me. She explained that … in order for her and ROB64 to become living … they need bodies, and that man had access to a section of Venom where the technology exists and has been used in the past, y'know, to create a living person. But … there's a part of me that is still angry … the man that killed my child is being freed to help create her into a real person? It's … not her fault, though, that I lost my child. And I get to hunt him down at my leisure when she's done using him. But do I want that? Do I want to hunt him?"

"You don't want him around to possibly harm your next child."

"I also don't want to become a murder. It's one thing to protect myself, or to fight the good fight. It's another to hunt down a man and murder him. I need to focus on being a mother."

"That is the most responsible and humane thing I've heard. And I completely agree, Fara. At the very least, can I call an excavation team to help with this … device? Will it be safe? Can I come with you? At the very least, I want to … I want to see what you've been up to, so to speak. Just not if it's dangerous."

"It's been buried for thousands of years. Over two thousand since its last use. There won't be any dangers, besides needing to have the air cleansed before we enter the shrine. Sure, you can come with me, Kelly. It'll be good to reconnect."

"When do we leave? Do you need a nap first?"

"I've slept for the last two days, Kelly. I need to distract myself and do something productive, else I'm going to lose…" Fara's voice began to crack. "…lose my shit, you know?" She cleared her throat firmly, took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and exhaled sharply. "Sorry. Still dealing with it, you know?"

"Are you going to be okay to do this?"

"I need to. I need this. And if you want to come, I really welcome it."

"I just need to change out of these shoes, and to switch over to some jeans and a shirt. And a different bra. Something comfortable."

Fara chuckled. "Good idea. And I hate to suggest it, but … you should call someone to document this. I'm not much of a business leader, but … it seems to me that saving the Lylat system from invaders together … it'd be great for sales."

Kelly laughed softly. "I'll call an excavation team, I'll call a freelance reporter with a video camera and a big heart, and I'll call a security team…"

"Actually, you don't need a security team. You have me. Let's make things look organic for the video. A bunch of hired guns wouldn't look as wholesome on video, especially since I'm a hired gun, heh."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure. Go change. Then we'll head out to help save Lylat together."

Kelly beamed. "I'll be right back. Make yourself at home."

"I will." Fara forced a weak grin. "I'll be in your kitchen, making myself something with loads of protein, so I'm not hungry later."

"Make enough for the class, I'll be down in fifteen minutes." Kelly turned and headed back for the stairs. "Kitchen is through the hallway on your left, go to the end, and then turn right. Can't miss it."

"Thanks. And thanks again for being my sister and forgiving me for being a cruddy one. I'll do better. You deserve that much from me. Thank you so much, Kelly."

Kelly offered a genuine smile in reply. "Be right back, Fara." As an afterthought, she added, "Apology accepted. It helps that it was a pretty good one. Inviting me to help you save Lylat … that was a nice touch." She made her way up the stairs with a clackity-clack of her low-cut kitten heels.

Fara watched her go, then turned and headed down the hall for the kitchen. She murmured softly to herself. "I wonder if … my Krazoa spirit's craving for protein would be sated with … soul food. There's a special comfort in eating soul food. I wonder if Kelly would even keep that kind of stuff in her kitchen…"

X

X

Venom...

Andross gestured for Wolf and Leon to guard the door and gestured for Garrick to follow him into the subterranean shrine. Andross stopped at the archway of the shrine's entrance, glanced back at the excavators that helped to tunnel out the area, then he turned back to the Venomian science team standing just inside the foyer. Andross placed his hands on his hips. "Report." Andross spoke in Venomian.

The head scientist in the room, of the team of four, approached Andross with an old fashion clipboard. "The shrine was remarkably preserved, but, furthermore, it was airtight, and there's no signs of bacteria, fungus, or any other potential breathing issues. Also, we've detected an energy signature within the last room, but the door is sealed. Do you have any suggestions on how to open it?"

"Did you find any markings that give a clue?"

The lead scientist checked his clipboard. "Yes. We were able to translate it from Saurian. It read, 'Find my kind, and if you're true, one of us will come here with you. We're the key to the final room, but come alone and meet your doom.' Catchy. I like that it rhymes in Saurian and in Venomian."

"Mm, it wouldn't rhyme in Venomeze or Cornerian, though."

"True, the word for 'true' and the word for 'doom' are so vastly different from Venomian. Those two words don't have many rhyming responses, let alone with the rest of the words in this phrasing, since several tenses conjugate with a nasal sounding noise." The scientist looked up from his clipboard and asked, "Do you have a Krazoa?"

"Yes, I have the key inside of me. Do you wish to observe or record my interactions with the Krazoa waiting inside the shrine?"

"I would be honored to observe and record for science, Doctor."

Andross curled two fingers, gesturing for the man and his team to fall into step with him and Garrick.

The six made their way down into the bowels of the shrine.

Andross looked around with a frown. "There's a lack of puzzles or other challenges here. What a shame."

The lead scientist, recording with his personal communicator, said, "Sir, perhaps heading to Sauria to retrieve a Krazoa spirit was the challenge."

"Mm, your hypothesis has merit, young man." Andross and his entourage stopped in front of the final door at the end of a long hallway full of carvings and statues. Andross approached the door and pushed it open with a mere touch.

Within, there was a Krazoa spirit floating at the center of the room. It became animated when seeing the door slid open.

Andross approached it and spoke in his native Cornerian tongue. "I did not pass your test of purity, but the Locusts have come to Lylat and all your creations have banded together to stop them."

The Krazoa spirit at the center of the room brought its tendrils out.

Tentacles of light emerged from Andross' back, curled around, and met those of the spirit at the center of the room. The two spirits communicated, seemingly by touch, in this fashion.

After a moment, the spirit at the middle of the room replied in Cornerian. "I understand. My counterpart has shown me that you have been on a crusade to stop their kind for many decades. You have devoted a large portion of your life to saving Lylat, the patron goddess of your ancestors for which they have named the system's star. Despite your corrupted and darkened aura, your intentions are pure; you truly wish to save the star system, and all those who dwell within, from the Locusts."

"I do."

"It is fortuitous for you to come to me, Doctor Andross Bowman-Oikonny. It has always been my believe that an evil man can, when provided with the proper variables, in the right situation, act in the name of righteousness."

"I do not believe in good or evil. I do not believe in wickedness or righteousness. There is law and lawless. There is intent to heal or help, and there is intent to do harm. There are those who act out of the interest of the galaxy, and there are those who seek to do harm. In my case, I was interested in helping Lylat, but could not do so until the system was united. At least … that was my belief at the time. Now I know better. I only require the assistance of some of the people. Those that possess that which the archaic Fichinians call 'Je ne sais quoi.' The indescribable special feature that goes beyond just talent and skill. I enlisted the talent that managed to defeat me in the past. I carefully engineered their desire to be involved. Now that they have come to learn of my involvement, I was pleasantly surprised to learn they accept it."

"Fascinating," said the spirit. "Very well, Doctor. There is no nobler reason for rivals to put aside their differences than the living's intrinsic imperative to survive."

"I could not have said it better myself. I have come for the device that repels the Locusts. I seek to use it to corral them and use a chain of gravity bombs to send them to a universe adjacent … one void of life or resources. It is either at the end of its lifespan, and has collapsed, or its Big Bang has yet to happen. There is only void."

"A temporary measure … a … stopgap, I believe is the Cornerian phrase."

"Indeed it is. This will provide time to find a proper solution to the destruction of their kind. But they will be imprisoned in a way that keeps them from harming other galaxies … other innocent peoples."

"Despite your lack of empathy for individuals, you show respectable and redeeming qualities in your desire to protect the masses."

Andross nodded. "I am incapable of empathizing with individuals."

"You were," said the spirit. "My compatriot has been working on realigning your neurological pathways."

Andross eyed the spirit for a moment then, in a soft voice, asked, "They are remapping my brain?"

"He feels you are capable of compassion and emotion. The brain lobe that is responsible for emotion is not damaged, only the pathways connecting to that lobe … but the damage is being repaired."

Andross grimaced. "Emotion is a luxury for some, a curse for others. For me, it would cause distraction."

"You will learn how not to be distracted by it in time. You will learn how to stow your emotions. You will learn there is a time and place for displaying them."

"I do not have time for distraction. At least not until after the Locusts are defeated."

"You cannot truly cherish victory until you look to a mother with child, at which time you see, with your own eyes, that your victory was worth fighting for … because it means the survival of one's race. That is what motivates me to guard this device."

"Emotions are a waste of time."

The spirit replied, "Those who have defeated you in the past fought with their heart. Emotions can provide the motivation for true success. It will help you in the end."

"If you say so."

"I know so. I have spoken with the spirit within you. You have tried with all that you are to be successful in your past endeavors. But you never tried fighting with your heart. Very soon, you will be able to do just that. It will help to ensure your success."

Andross frowned. He took a deep breath and exhaled softly. "With all due respect, if your people put such stock into fighting from the heart, why are the Krazoa now extinct?"

"We are not. We have left the system and found a new home among the stars. Our descendants have moved on to ensure their survival. You have simply not come into contact with the modern Krazoan issues. Perhaps you will, but they have settled in a remote corner of the known cosmos."

"Known by your kind, apparently not by mine."

"Yet, give it time."

Andross nodded. "Very well. For now, let's focus on what we can do … and that is to assemble the device created by your people."

"I wish to be returned to my kind. Is there anyone among you pure enough to take me to the portal atop the Krazoa Palace?"

Andross looked back at his group with him. "Any volunteers?"

Garrick lifted a hand. "I will ensure his return to Sauria, but first, I could use his assistance in starting a governing body for Venom's people."

The spirit approached Garrick. "I would be pleased to assist you in helping your kind find stability." The spirit turned about and settled into Garrick, tendrils first, until it disappeared inside of his body.

Garrick held his hands outward to maintain balance. His eyes took on a familiar purple glow.

Andross placed his hands behind his back. "How does it feel?"

Garrick cleared his throat. "Oddly calming. Like all my anxieties have been muted, and only confidence remains."

"Mm." Andross walked to the back wall of the shrine and pushed on it. The rear wall slid apart, revealing a secret room beyond.

At the center was a device sitting on an altar of stone.

Andross picked up the device, a rectangular object with indentations on either end for connecting to the other pieces. He turned to the science team and offered it to them to document. "This is why you must help us. I know the four of you work for Anezka Vacek, but the situation coming to Lylat is larger than fighting for an ancient and angry Krazoan hybrid experiment."

The lead scientist gaped. "How … how did you know?"

Andross scoffed. "A scientist would jump at the chance to experience possession for themselves. But you did not wish for your duplicity to be brought to light. You have looked upon me with trepidation. I may not have access to the bulk of my emotions, but I know a look of worry and fear when I see one. It does not matter."

Garrick approached the reptilian scientist and clasped the man's shoulders with his hands. "Anezka seeks conquest. She wants power, but she has little or no concern for the Locusts. Yet she is the reason they came far sooner than they should have. So, are you loyal to the next powerful creature to come along, or are you loyal to your species? Are you loyal to a Lylat System that has a symbiosis with all its races, including Venom?"

The scientist glanced at a team.

The other three looked back at their leader.

The head scientist could see the emotions in their eyes. They mirrored his own expression. He licked his lips and looked between Andross and Garrick.

Garrick glanced back at Andross and said, "They will not betray us. They have families and want to survive."

Andross nodded in agreement. "The fear and disgust in their eyes … it's faded after your little speech. You'll make a fine leader … one that Venom deserves."

Garrick brightened a bit. "Thank you for the praise, Doctor."

Andross put the rectangular device over his left shoulder. "I should take this to StarFox, to connect it with the other pieces available. I will leave Leon Powalski in your service, Mr. Garrick. He will keep you safe in case anyone wishes to bring harm to you."

"Thank you, Doctor."

Andross left the altar room, walked down the hallway, and exited the shrine. "O'Donnell. With me. Powalski, keep Garrick alive. The four scientists we brought … they were working with Anezka Vacek, but that has changed, now. Garrick was successful in persuading them to be loyal to Venom."

Powalski nodded and headed into the shrine and down the hall.

Andross side-nodded across the large recently bored tunnel that led to the surface. "Mr. O'Donnell. With me. We have a great deal to accomplish today."

Wolf shrugged and fell into step behind Andross. "Sure thing, Doc."

X

X

Author's Note: So, we're almost done this final book, but I still need to finish Reflections of Regret and Reflections of StarFox.

Now our characters are acquiring all the pieces to assemble the Krazoan Device. Yay.