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CHAPTER 33
Deeper
As Fox stared at the live feed on his wrist communicator, Stan retook the podium, putting his glasses back on.
"So...with all that out of the way, the mission..." The goat turned to the members of Star Fox. "I've given you a big sheet of blanks. You need to help fill it in. The staff, Thaal-Ja, Thaljistani tech, how Nail was created, and so on and so forth. We need to learn more about all of this, what it all can do, how we can counter it, and how we can take the best parts of these things and reverse engineer them for ourselves. Data is good, but actual examples like what you've brought today are even better. The end game is to ensure Corneria's technological dominance over all potential rivals, so that none may challenge us."
Fox noticed a conspicuous omission in that list of objectives. "But...what about the war?"
"What of it?" Stan appeared clueless about why Fox was asking.
Fox already regretted asking. "Are we also there to support the Separatists? You know, help them win?"
That question caught Stan by surprise. He fumbled to respond. "Umm...it would be...preferable for them to win as opposed to the Royalists, but that's not the ultimate objective."
Behind Fox, a small stir went around his teammates. He could feel their eyes upon the back of his head, and on Peppy. The hare shuffled some papers behind his desk, trying to not meet their eyes.
"Mind you..." Stan hurried to add, "we still want you to put on a good show for the Separatists. Earn their trust. Make it to where you're indispensable to them. That way, you'll get more involved in their war effort, and more intel about the situation should come our way...things we couldn't otherwise learn. Also, you need to create some good optics for the Separatist public. I want their citizens talking about you the same way everyone in Lylat talks about you. It'll be good PR for you, and for Corneria. Make it harder for the Separatists to push you aside." The goat smiled.
Optics? PR? Fox raised an eyebrow. Were they at a corporate meeting discussing a marketing campaign now? "But...we're not actually there to help them?"
Stan's eyebrow twitched. "It's okay to support them as long as it's beneficial for us." He appeared to be straining himself to not give Fox a tongue-lashing. "But whatever happens, this mission is about what Corneria has to gain."
"I don't like this..." Fox grimaced.
Stan ran out of patience. "I want to make this very clear, Fox." He stared straight at the vulpine. "In the end, your loyalty is to us. If...pardon my Fortunan...the doo doo hits the fan, and the Thaljistani situation gets out of control, you protect Cornerian assets first. All Separatist assets are of secondary concern. If you have to choose one or the other, you always pick us, got it?" He leaned forward on the podium, the lights reflecting off his glasses. "We are the ones bankrolling you, after all."
Stan's words hung in the air for a long time, everyone still looking to Fox. Fara had a grim look on her face. Peppy seemed restless, shifting around in his chair. Falco and Slippy looked at each other, waiting to see how Fox would reply. Katt didn't seem so happy anymore about this job, nor did Rachel.
As for Fox himself? He slumped his shoulders, casting down his eyes "Okay, got it."
"May I move on, Fox?" Stan asked.
Fox raised his head just enough to look Stan in the eye. I might have to throw an ally under the bus to complete my mission...but I still have to go along with this if I want to find Krystal. The only way forward is deeper into this mess. It may be selfish, but I can't live with myself not knowing what's happened to her.
Fox gave a final look at Peppy, before returning to Stan. "Sure, go ahead."
"Okay then." Stan smiled. "It's time to talk about what individual tasks I have for you. Slippy!"
Slippy's head shot up, surprised he was called on first of all people.
"You're going to be important on this mission. There are OIC agents within the Separatist military's R&D department, plus the agents in Gerrant, all doing everything they can to get their hands on Thaljistani tech. They're going to pass along some of it to you. I want you to look it over...give us your professional opinion about how this stuff is made and how we could recreate it and mass produce it. Make sure the OIC agents over on Thaljista get all of your data and notes. With your engineering genius, you'll be a big help." Stan still had that huge grin on.
Slippy smiled back, but he didn't look comfortable with the goat's big smile. "Uh...sure, okay."
The next person Stan turned to was another big surprise. "Katt!"
She too wasn't ready to be called on, her cat irises briefly dilating to their full sizes. "Y-yes?"
"We didn't hire you up just because you're friends with Star Fox. It's also your species."
"My...species?" she pointed at herself, giving him a bit of stink eye.
"Forgive me if I sounded speciesist, but we need Cornerian-friendly cats on Thaljista. We have many Lylatian-born cats as spies within the Royalists. They open a lot of doors that would otherwise remain shut. You won't be doing anything like that, but I'm sure you've already heard about how xenophobic native Thaljistanis can be."
Katt still had an uncomfortable look on her face. "Uh...okay. So, what does that have to do with me?"
"When that happens, you need to be the team's representative." He put on a playful smirk. "Heck, might even help more if you pretended to be the leader of Star Fox sometimes. Maybe you could rename it to Star Katt in that case...perhaps design a new logo, even."
Fox rubbed his face. Was Stan serious right now?
Katt looked like she was struggling to not laugh, but soon let out a small chuckle. "Come on, you're joking."
"No, I'm not. Well, maybe about the new logo and name, but otherwise no." Stan still had a big smile on her face. "Anyway, you being the spokesperson would go over very well with the locals. Don't be afraid to be the one who does the talking instead of Fox."
Katt's smile soon faded, as she realized Stan was serious. "But...uh...you know I'm not exactly known for being a diplomat, right?"
She's the last person who should be a diplomat. Fox looked at Katt, recalling all his prior memories of her. Sometimes she can't speak without flirting and teasing everyone around her, not to mention being hot-headed and short tempered at times. That won't go over well in the middle of a war zone.
"You'll have plenty of time to cultivate those skills while you're en route to Thaljista." He looked around at the group. "Maybe the rest of you could help her along with that."
Everyone looked at each other and then at Katt, not sure at all about how that would work. Rachel had an intrigued look on her face though.
Stan was already moving on though. "We already know what Patricia and Rachel will be doing." He gave them a glance, before turning to Fox, Fara and Falco. "So that leaves us with you three. Your job is mostly to do what Star Fox would normally do...fly around and shoot down bad guys."
"Eh?" Fox narrowed his eyes. Thought it'd be more complicated than that...
"Albeit..." Stan raised a finger. "It's not entirely that simple. You're doing this in order to impress this man."
Stan clicked around on his mouse, bringing up a new image on the screen. It showed a picture of another sand cat, again similar to Giichi but older in appearance. He wore a green general's uniform, complete with an officer cap. Despite his small size, he didn't look like someone to be screwed with. Fox was reminded of the way Azer looked when he executed that lion warlord in the historical reel.
"This is Razir Azer, thirty-eight years old, leader of the Separatists, elder brother of Giichi, and twin brother of Queen Kula. After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, Queen Kula became the ruler of the Azerian kingdom as she was the oldest by a few minutes. Razir...didn't take that well. The fact that mere minutes kept him from becoming king has tormented him his entire life."
Stan changed the picture to show an official royal portrait of the three Azer siblings as children. Little baby Giichi sat on a red velvet chair in the middle of the picture, happily smiling at the camera in his infant-sized court clothes. Razir and Kula flanked the chair in the background, wearing a green robe and blue dress respectively. Kula had a soft smile on her face. But even in such an innocent-looking picture, a slight frown marred Razir's face. Despite having his face towards the viewer, his eyes appeared to look at Kula with envy.
"He might look angry, but believe me. He's our greatest ally on this planet, and he is in full support of allowing non-cats to continue to live on Thaljista. I don't think it'll be a problem working with him, even with his jealous streak. We're officially working towards the same goal, anyway and—"
"I read up on this guy," Peppy interrupted, looking at his notes. "Even though the Azerian kingdom's been wracked by civil war, deep down many people think Razir has no regrets about starting it, because now he's got the chance to take what he believes is rightfully his." The hare looked up from his notes, putting aside his spectacles. "I'd take the story about Azer as a warning when it comes to dealing with him. He sees his ancestor as an example to live up to, and his levels of ambition and ruthlessness are about the same."
So Azer goes around killing lions by the dozen and drops statues on them too. Razir sees that and he thinks 'yeah, I wanna be like him.' And I have to impress this guy. He rubbed his face. Oh boy...
Stan noticed Fox's discomfort, hurrying to add more of his piece. "That being said... He doesn't have much of a choice but to rely on us anyway, considering what he's up against. I suggest you use that as leverage over him. He may want to be Azer, but he doesn't enjoy the same technological advantages over his enemies. I don't think you'll have much trouble keeping him under control."
"True," Fara said. "But we've underestimated the Azers before, haven't we?"
Stan didn't have a reply for that, quickly changing the subject. "Now...the Azerian kingdom had many scientists working on its unique technology. When the civil war began, most of them chose to remain with the Royalists rather than defect. So whatever the Separatists send out into the field of battle, expect the Royalists to have a better version of it. I hate to say it, but you may be sent on missions by Razir where you'll have no idea what kind of crazy weapons you'll be up against. But then again, that's how things were with Andross in the Lylat Wars, and you still defeated him." He gave an encouraging smile. "I think you'll be up to the challenge."
The members of Star Fox all looked at each other. Stan did have a point, although their role in this conflict left them unsettled.
"Whatever you shoot down on these missions, please try to recover the wreckage if possible. Our OIC agents would love to have it for study. It'll go a long way towards helping us understand what kinds of war machines the Royalists are capable of fielding. They're what we're interested in most of all."
Made sense, although Fox didn't appreciate the motives behind why they were doing it. All the same, Krystal's fate was on the line, so he stayed quiet.
Stan checked his watch. "That's about everything. They should almost be done resupplying the Great Fox II now. I suggest you get on your way immediately. Once you're around Thaljista, make your way to the Separatist capital of Kinnor. Razir will be expecting you, and you'll also be making contact with our OIC agents. Good luck out there." He slammed his laptop closed and held it under his arm. "I've got other things to attend to now, so I'll be on my way. Hope we speak again soon!" And with that, he speed walked out the door, and he was gone.
"I'll be on my way too." Dr. Deberti said, leaving without another word.
Now that Stan and Dr. Deberti weren't around any longer, Fara stepped up from her desk and walked over to Peppy, putting her hands on his desk and glaring at him. "You really gonna let Stan push you around, Peppy? You're a general, for crying out loud!"
Peppy shook his head. "What happens with this mission isn't up to me. Stan's department in the OIC has the ear of numerous politicians in Corneria City, including the premier. They aren't interested in saving Thaljista, just its tech. I could be sidelined or fired if I stand up to them. Remember I've only got this post because I was a close friend of Pepper. He's still dealing with complications from being infected by the Aparoids, and we don't even know if he'll be alive a year or two years from now. He can't speak for me now like he used to, since his time is limited and everyone knows it. I may be a general, but I'm still an outsider to most of the top brass since I used to be a mercenary. They don't fully trust me to fill Pepper's boots, and Wolf infiltrating the Corneria City base under my watch doesn't help either. For now, all I can do is keep my head low and go with the flow. Remember that Star Fox's future is also at stake if I go down. I'm looking out for you guys, even though I'm catching heat for it from the media and other people in the capital."
"I suppose you're right, but..." Fara sighed. "Peppy, it's hard to see you like this. I mean, I remember you were a lot spunkier and didn't care as much about doing things by the book in Star Fox..." She turned to Fox, remembering he was there.
He'd remained seated at his desk the entire time, slumped at his seat, staring at the scratches in the desk before him.
"Hey Fox!" Fara said. "Don't you have anything to say about this?"
"Whuh?" Fox looked up.
"This whole thing!" she said. "Doesn't it bother you we're not really there to help?"
"Uh..." Fox stood up, sliding his chair back. "Well yeah, it bugs me, but we need the work..." Even Fox didn't sound convincing to himself.
"This isn't like you." She turned to face him. "What's wrong with you?"
All eyes in the room were upon him, Fox left standing there with his ears curled back and his tail tucked between his legs.
Fortunately, Peppy stepped in. "Sorry to say it, but the best thing you can do right now is just go along with what Stan wants. Otherwise we're all probably out of a job."
A silence fell over the room, Fara now glaring at both Fox and Peppy now. The hare was right though, and everyone seemed to know it. And it was the only way Krystal could be saved too. This situation sucked, but if he could have her back, he could overlook all of that.
"Sorry guys," Fox shook his head. "We'll just have to play along for now. That's all there is to it. I'll see y'all at the ship, okay? Don't be late."
He walked out of the room, hands in his jacket pockets with his head down. Everyone's eyes burned into the back of his head as he pushed the door open and closed it behind him.
~X~
"That concludes tonight's history lesson." Taraksh walked back to the middle of the dining hall where Panther sat. "It is almost time for you to go to sleep, but before then there's one more thing I'd like to show you. I trust you remember that boy who had his eye sliced open earlier this morning?"
Panther glared at him. Kind of hard to forget that. And how you reacted to it. Or rather, didn't.
The manul said, "When I said he'll be fine, I wasn't joking. He's been in our medical wing all day today, but he will make a full recovery. How about we go see him before you head off to bed? You may want to clean up first though."
He's okay? Really? Though Panther thought he might be in for an ugly sight, his curiosity got the best of him, as he gave a short nod.
Taraksh smiled at Panther accepting the invitation. After a short stop in a nearby shower and a fresh change of clothes, soon they were walking through the cavernous passages under the mountain again, the jungle cat soon losing track of all the twists and turns. He wondered how these people knew where they were going down here, though he supposed the twisting nature of this place was due to how long it had been around and added onto over the years.
They arrived at a set of doors that automatically opened for them, revealing a stark white corridor that wouldn't look out of place in a modern hospital, though this time Panther was less surprised with what he'd seen in the library. They even had a reception desk, with one of the monks behind it in scrubs manning it. The cheetah seated there smiled as Taraksh entered, seeing Panther behind him.
"I had a feeling you'd bring him here, Taraksh," the cheetah said. "I'm sure you know where Niro is."
"Yes, thank you. Come along, Panther."
They walked past a number of rooms with lines of beds, many of them active in treating injuries from the boys and girls who'd been training throughout the day. Taraksh led Panther into one of them, past several more injured cubs. At the far end of the room, Panther spotted the child again. Small, tawny fur, with bold black stripes and spots. The boy was rolled over, looking away. Panther gave a little gulp, wondering what he would see when the boy turned around.
Taraksh confidently strode forward, giving the boy a gentle pat on the shoulder. The child rolled over, his face now in sight. Panther stopped in his tracks, taking a step back. It was not what he expected.
The cub had a functional, unharmed eye where Panther knew he'd seen that bobcat cub cut straight across the iris. There was a strange harness holding the eye in place, probably to let it set, but all the same he could see the eye following Taraksh's face. Like that bloody cut Panther had seen before never happened.
"Niro, I see you're doing all right," Taraksh said warmly, before looking at Panther. "Come on! Don't be shy!"
Niro turned to face Panther, the jungle cat getting that familiar blank stare he'd received from all the trainees today. This boy didn't seem to care about the injury he'd sustained, and didn't bother responding to Panther in any way other than regarding him in silence. Like he was an empty shell.
Panther approached, staring at the new eye. Its iris tracked his every movement, widening and closing to adjust to the light.
"We may be harsh on our trainees," Taraksh explained, "but they receive the best medical care Thaljista has to offer. As you can see, an eye is no trouble for us. Such is the advancements the Azer clan has delivered us, with the divine knowledge Thaal-Ja has blessed them with."
After such a long day training with these kids, Panther was surprised how caring Taraksh was about their health. Almost heartwarming.
Even so, his mind was running a million miles an hour upon seeing this triumph of medical science. I don't believe that tribals could learn to build space fighters within a couple decades, but I cannot ignore what I see before me. This truly is a miracle. And I've already seen other things like the Onyx, the city of Gerrant, plus this glove I wear on my hand. He looked at it one more time, again having forgotten this incredible weapon was even still on his arm. How could this feel so normal so quickly? It was like he'd always had this thing for his actual hand. He almost didn't miss his old hand now. I think Taraksh could very well be telling the truth about the Azer clan being divinely inspired.
"I presume medical technology in Lylat doesn't compare?" Taraksh asked.
"Well, no..." In spite of the boy's blank face, Panther couldn't stop staring at Niro. "If this were back in Lylat, he'd wear an eyepatch for the rest of his life, like Wolf..."
"Wolf?" Taraksh raised an eyebrow.
Panther looked up, glancing at the manul. "I used to work under him, in a mercenary group called Star Wolf. Bunch of ruffians. They kicked me out."
"Their loss is your gain. You probably felt like you never really belonged with them, did you?"
Panther shook his head. "They hired me as a replacement when they lost two of their best pilots. I was good enough to keep up with them, but I always felt like the odd one out. Wolf and Leon had flown together for years before I joined, so I was the outsider. They don't care about me. They're probably already found my replacement."
He let out a sigh. Even if I do make it back to Lylat, what will I do then? I can't go back to Star Wolf, and I know mercenary work's already thinning out over there as it is. It'll be hard running alone. Do I really want to go back there, start over, live out of my Wolfen, scrape by on canned food for months at a time? I don't even know if I'll be able to get back to Lylat with my Wolfen. I have no idea where it is right now.
I could defect to the Separatists on this world, but they're allies with the Cornerians. I wouldn't be surprised if those dogs pulled some kind of extradition treaty to take me back to Lylat in chains.
Is there no way good way out of this?
As if to answer his question, Taraksh said, "You are a Caruso, so I believe it was Thaal-Ja himself guiding you back here, Panther. To your true home." The monk's relaxed voice and honeyed words...they were like a warm blanket wrapped around him, while he was inside a cabin in front of a roaring fireplace as a snowstorm raged outside.
Panther couldn't help but smile at the manul's encouragement, although he felt shame about smiling too. Of course, the easiest option would be to play along with Sable and the Royalists, but at what cost? What about the things Giichi said before?
But given the other choices before Panther, he found it hard to resist Taraksh's words. He'd been a mercenary his entire adult life, thinking about little but the next paycheck or the next girl. Nothing tied him down, but did anyone actually care about him in the end? He'd never had a figure in his life like Taraksh. I've been missing out on something. Taraksh is like my surrogate father. Not like my biological father. What did Casimiro call that guy again? Atur, was it?
"You are here to help us fight Corneria," Taraksh said. "I can feel it."
Panther wanted to laugh, a grin crossing his face. "I've done that for years already."
Taraksh's heart almost seemed to be leaping for joy at those words. "So you're ready to continue your training tomorrow?"
The black cat's smile faltered. He knew many more days of training laid before him if he remained here. And yet he didn't entirely feel like leaving, even though he'd thought of escaping before. I only met him today, but I don't want to let Taraksh down. He's so happy I'm here. Besides, so far as I know right now, nothing good is waiting for me out there if I run. Maybe I can play along a little longer, and think about what I'll do in the meantime. Nothing wrong with that, right? It's just training.
To put on a show for Taraksh, Panther stood up tall, puffing out his chest and raising his head, doing his best to stand proud like he was ready for anything the old master could throw at him. "I am."
"Good then!" Taraksh bought the act. "Return to your quarters, Panther Caruso. Sleep well, eat hearty in the morning, and continue to train with all your might. The Royal Family is counting on you."
~X~
"Are you going to be okay so far from home?"
"It's okay Mom, I trained for this. I'm an army nurse now, just like you were."
Rachel walked down the hallway towards the Great Fox II, her phone in her hand, and her army ruck slung over her back. The hologram of an older ragdoll cat looked back, her fur darker than Rachel's, her faded blue eyes looking like they'd seen a lot more over. Her mother squeezed her hands together anxiously, her claws popping out "Well, I know, but you're still my little kitten, and after Tyler died and you ran around with...you-know-who, I don't want to lose you. Just be safe, okay? You had that big breakdown after coming back from the Aparoid homeworld."
"Yeah Rachel..." Her mother's hologram vanished, replaced by that of a spider monkey. That was George, a close friend of hers. "You were in quite a state."
Rachel's ears curled back. Men and women screaming. Flesh turning to purple and blue mounds of goop, dripping on the floor. Glowing hexagons across their skin... Ever since coming home, she'd been hiding a lot of anxiety about the things she'd seen aboard the HS Mercy, and wondering if she still wanted to be an army nurse, even though she'd only just officially graduated.
She now lived in the vicinity of Corneria City, and a big portion of the population had been infected by the Aparoids. When she got home after the war, she'd used up all her leave days staying home in her apartment, and George had gotten things like her groceries for her in the meantime. Even though there was no way to get infected anymore with Star Fox having destroyed the Aparoid Queen, she'd been afraid to wander the streets. It took George's support for her to get brave enough to stop living like a hermit.
"I think...I think maybe this time it won't be so bad." Rachel tried to sound brave, although her voice cracked. "It's not an alien plague this time at least."
"Honey," Mom said, "there were times when I felt like I was in hell during the Lylat Wars too. Andross' experiments were just as horrific. You have no idea what you're going to see until you're in the thick of it."
"Well...Star Fox saved the day during the Lylat Wars and the Aparoid invasion, didn't they?" She became excited again. "And now I'm going to be with them! It's such an honor to be working with them, and I can't think of a safer place to be than on the Great Fox II if things go bad."
"...you did see what happened to the first Great Fox at the Aparoid Homeworld?" Mom said. "You were in that battle."
"...oh, you're right." Her sudden burst of excitement popped like a balloon.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't go. I've got great respect for the Star Fox team too, and I will admit I'd rather have them watching over me than any Cornerian squadron. But be careful out there. Don't pretend you're fine. Anything can happen. The last couple wars are proof of that. A little fear is a good thing. It keeps you on your toes."
"She is right, Rachel," George added. "My life took a lot of unexpected turns too. You know that."
"Yeah..." Rachel sighed. "Okay, I'll stop pretending I'm okay when I'm really not."
"Good girl," Mom smiled. "Well, I hope you're not gone too long. I'd like to hear more about this planet that's supposedly full of cats like us. Hope you've got plenty of good stories to tell. But stay alert, stay safe, and let Star Fox know if things are getting to you. They're there for you as much as you are for them."
"All right." Rachel smiled. The passageway into the Great Fox II was soon before her. "I'm about to go aboard. Hope I'm not gone too long. I'll visit you both once I've made it back. Bye, ya'll!"
She hung up the phone, their holograms vanishing as she let out a sigh. It'd be a long time before she'd hear those familiar voices again...
"Hey Rachel!" There was the sound of footsteps behind her, Falco and Katt coming in closer.
Rachel smiled seeing them again. She already felt a little better, especially after remembering the two of them at that cosmetics store.
"Sorry for overhearing, but you sounded kinda glum there. You wanna talk about it?" Katt asked.
"Mmm..." She sighed. "It was just me saying goodbye to my mom and one of my friends in Corneria City, that's all."
"Aww, I can see why you'd be that way. But don't worry!" Katt grinned. "You've got us! The best pilots in all of Lylat protecting you! I think we'll be great friends before long too! If you need someone to lean on, just let me know! I'll be here for you, girl! It's gonna be a month to Thaljista, so we're going to have a lot of time to get to know each other."
"It gets her off my back too, so I'm also okay with this." Falco smirked, folding his arms.
"What'd you say, little man?" Katt gave her a sideways smirk. "Gonna try to hide from me?"
Little man? Rachel raised an eyebrow.
Falco's confident smirk vanished.
He didn't have time for smart remarks, as the three of them heard frantic footsteps behind them. They were the clacking of dress shoes, so they couldn't be a soldier. The three turned to see Stan rushing towards them.
"Oh, thank goodness I caught you Katt!" He leaned on his knees, breathing hard.
Rachel, Katt, and Falco all looked at each other, none of them particularly feeling like talking to this guy again after the briefing.
Katt stepped up to the plate though. "Umm...what did you need?"
"I forgot to bring something up during the briefing." He paused, still trying to catch his breath. "That pink fur dye you bought?"
"Uh..." Katt's face went blank, though a sense of looming dread flew over her eyes. "What about it?"
"It's gotta go."
Katt froze. She blinked several times. "...Excuse me?"
"Yeah..." Stan stood up, straightening his messy tie. "Thaljista's a conservative place. The locals don't like it when you dye your fur. They see it as an insult to your parents, because you're covering up the color your parents gave you. Sorry, but you have to ditch the dye, Katt."
"You're kidding me!" Katt was on the verge of having a meltdown now, putting a hand to her forehead. "All those boxes I bought!"
"Well, look at it this way Katt." Stan tried to put a positive spin on it. "You'll have plenty of spare dye once you make it back here." Stan checked his watch. "That's all I had to say. Bye again!" He took off running to who knew where.
"No! No no no!" Tears came to her eyes as she watched the goat leave. "I have to be pink! I have to!"
Rachel put on a smile, gently putting her hands around her fellow feline's back. "Well Katt, I'm here for you too, girl," saying it with a hint of sarcasm.
"Not funny!" she cried back, though Rachel and Falco had a chuckle.
"Hey though, now it's my turn to help you!" Rachel put on an almost sadistic grin. "I can help you get in touch with your natural fur colors now."
Falco grinned, but the smile disappeared. "Say...what is your natural color anyway, Katt? I don't think I've ever seen it."
"I forgot..." She shook her head, tears dripping on the metal.
"You...forgot?" Falco's eyes widened. "How is that even possible?"
"I guess it'll be a fun surprise, once we find out!" Rachel gave a toothy grin.
Katt was still shell-shocked, not knowing how the hell to deal with the ordeal that was laying before her...even though it was an 'ordeal' most Lylatians endured every day.
"Come on Katt..." Falco patted her on the back, escorting her into the Great Fox II's entry port. "Let's go. We can mourn your pink fur together..."
Poor Katt, though Rachel still found it hard to keep a smile off her face as she watched this play out. Hmm...maybe this trip won't be so bad after all. If this is how Star Fox is before a big mission like this, then it's hard not to feel down. Almost feels like we're about to go on a party cruise. I'll be okay with these guys. With more of a spring in her step, she strode with more confidence into the team's ship.
~X~
Slippy looked around inside his workshop, running down his checklist one last time. Everything appeared to be in order, but nonetheless he double checked just to be sure. Couldn't be too careful. From what he'd heard in the briefing, Thaljista manufactured a lot of its own tech, so they likely didn't keep around spare parts for Lylatian machines. Thus, Star Fox probably wouldn't be able to find replacement parts for their equipment in the Diaspora system.
Also he needed a little peace and quiet after that argument at the briefing, and doing something mundane and rote like this helped calm him down. He hoped everyone wouldn't be this tense the entire trip...
It was then that he noticed the handle of something sticking out from under a box placed on a table. When he moved the box, he reflexively jumped back.
It was Tadao's machete.
Slippy trembled, sweat drops appearing on his face. Sure, it couldn't kill him if no one was wielding it, but he swore it was cursed. Like he could hear the spirits of its victims crying out from the old, rusty bloodstains on it.
Why'd Falco have to leave it here of all places?! What do I do with this thing? We're about to decouple from the station! There's no time to throw this out!
Slippy looked around the room, until his eyes settled on a container full of scrap metal pieces in the back of the room, taken from various sources. Star Fox had to recycle metal considering their tight budget and often not being able to get the fresh stuff.
Taking a deep breath, Slippy picked up the machete by the handle with a dirty rag from a nearby table, throwing the blade into the pile of trash metal. He'd just recycle it along with the rest of the metal, and that'd be the end of it. After that, he finished the rest of his check in a hurry, not wanting to spend any more time in the room with that thing than necessary. He'd do an early recycle day the next chance he got...banish that thing from this universe as soon as he could. Less time that cursed thing existed on this ship, the better.
"Slippy, hurry up!" Fox called out over the ship's PA system. "We're about to go through the gate."
"Okay, Fox, I'm on the way," he replied on his comms.
Wiping the sweat off his brow and taking one final look at the blade in the pile of metal, Slippy hurried out of the room, shutting off the lights and closing the door behind him.
~X~
Fox sat alone on the bridge of the Great Fox II, making some final checks on the systems before they went through the portal. For now, the others were off doing their own things to get ready. This room usually made him feel lonely, since he'd spent many days alone here without any crew, at least until now. But right now though he didn't desire anyone's company, not after that briefing. He needed a little time to recharge...
"Fox..." Fara called out from the door.
He looked up, annoyed by her presence. She wasn't happy either, striding over with a frown on her face.
"What's up?" he asked.
"That Stan guy..." she winced. "He feels so...scummy. Like everything he touches is going to get covered in filth. That includes us. Do we really want to work for the OIC instead of the military?"
"But aren't the OIC and the military working towards the same goal, protecting Corneria?"
"I dunno... You're probably gonna regret working for this guy. It feels like we're about to continue perpetuating terrible things that Corneria's been doing to Thaljista for centuries, doesn't it? Do you want Star Fox to be a part of that too?"
Fox knew she was right. But Krystal... "There may not be a Star Fox soon if we don't do this. We need the work."
"But wouldn't you rather end your mercenary career as a hero instead of in disgrace?"
Fox curled his lip. "You don't know that's how it's gonna end."
"I don't. But remember you built your reputation upon only taking the 'good' jobs, unlike a lot of other mercenary teams. Is that still important to you? Anyway, if you still want to do this, I'll stick by you. I think you need someone like me keeping an eye on you anyway. To stop you from making a terrible mistake."
He bared a hint of his fangs upon those words. He—Fox McCloud—making a mistake? Oh, except for killing off Andross, drying up all the work in the system afterwards, leading to Star Fox going broke multiple times, so most of your team left you until recently, and...ugh. Okay, I guess my judgment has been flawed in the past. But whatever! I know this time it isn't a mistake! It kills two birds with one stone...money and Krystal, right when I most need both.
"Well..." Fox said with some sarcasm. "Thank you for your concern, Fara. I appreciate it."
She gave him a dark glare, taking a seat off to the side. Meanwhile, Fox went back to the captain's chair, getting settled in. The rest of the group soon filed in afterwards. Rachel, Dr. Deberti, Slippy, Fara, and Katt. Most of them gave him a small greeting, as he nodded back in return, but little else was exchanged between them. Nobody seemed to be in much of a talking mood, between how he'd acted in the briefing, plus the fact that they'd be leaving Lylat soon. Many of the others were looking hard at Corneria through the viewport, none of them knowing when they'd be back to see it again.
After about fifteen or so minutes, the comms crackled to life, breaking the quiet.
"Great Fox II, Orbital OTC with you on 114.7, copy?" the traffic controller droned over the comms.
"Good copy, Orbital, Great Fox II," Fox replied, slipping into the same tone by reflex.
"Great Fox II, you are good to detach from the station."
"Detaching now, Great Fox II." Fox turned to R.O.B. "R.O.B., take us away."
"Understood, Fox."
A large vibration ran through the entire ship, everyone stirring in their chairs. The ship drifted away from its docking port, the world around them slanting for a moment as they got into position. R.O.B. pushed them towards the massive portal that would be sending them away to Thaljista. Fox spared a glance downwards, taking one more look at the sparkling sapphire world of Corneria down below. Even if it was home, he didn't get to see it very often anymore. Work was always keeping him away from this place. So he was used to only seeing Corneria every once in a while. All the same, his work had him running circles all over Lylat, so the entire system felt familiar enough to him that he didn't feel that homesick regardless.
This time though... He was headed for the Diaspora system with his team, a place he'd only heard vague mentions of a few times. Even with all of his years of living in space, Fox found himself a little unsure of what he was getting into here. He was like a fish moving from a pond into the great big ocean.
"Great Fox II, hold short at Gate Range II and await clearance."
"Holding short range II, Great Fox II."
Ahead of the Great Fox II, ships outfitted with flashing blue lights flew ahead, herding all of the traffic queued up at the gate's mouth out of the way, like they were parting the sea for them. What a beautiful sight. Normally the traffic could get backed up here for hours, with how popular gate travel had gotten since this place opened up a year ago. Fox appreciated seeing this in front of him.
"Great Fox II, while you are waiting, someone would like to speak to you."
"Hmm?"
There was the sound of a headset being handed over.
"Hey Fox, it's Peppy! I'm watching you right now! Look over here!"
Fox turned his head to the nearby control tower, faintly spotting someone waving their hand, Peppy's red general outfit making him easier to spot. "Just wanted to give you one last goodbye before you left. Have a good trip!"
"I appreciate it, Peppy." Fox smiled, waving back to him. Sure, the circumstances under which this mission was taking place could be better, but he appreciated the hare's gesture nonetheless. They savored the moment together, knowing it wouldn't be much longer now.
"You better get going. Looks like they're ready now." There was the sound of fumbling with the headset, Peppy's voice much fainter with the microphone away from his face. "Here you go, thanks boys."
"Great Fox II," the traffic controller's voice returned. "Cleared to proceed Orbital Gate Transit, squawk 1300, good luck Star Fox."
As the last of the vessels were herded out of the way, R.O.B. pushed the Great Fox II through the gap, moving towards the gate.
"Roger clear to proceed squawk 1300, Great Fox II, and thank you."
Ahead of the ship, a blue glow filled the Great Fox II's bridge as the gate charged up, building energy to slingshot them to the Diaspora system. Everyone waited with anticipation, nervous and uncertain as they were all about to leave their home behind.
R.O.B. initiated a countdown. "Gate activation in three...two...one..."
A bright flash of light filled the bridge, and then the Great Fox II was gone from Lylat.
~X~
"And there they go..." Peppy said from the gate's control tower, having stood up there to watch Star Fox off.
Nothing but a black void filled the space where the Great Fox II had once been, the constant hum of activity in the tower continuing around him like nothing had changed. One month there, one month back, so at least two and a half or three months out of system, possibly longer. Peppy did hope they didn't get dragged too far into the Thaljistani quagmire. No easy or quick solutions to what was going on over there, if everything Stan said was to be believed.
But if Star Fox could come out on top in the Lylat Wars, the Saurian Crisis, and the Aparoid Invasion, things would be in good hands if Fox was at the helm. Who knew, maybe Fox would fix all their problems inside a week. Wouldn't that be a pleasant turn of events? Peppy smirked.
A door slammed open behind Peppy, footsteps hurrying towards him. "Ah, General!" A lieutenant was there, saluting him. He seemed out of breath.
"What is it?" Peppy asked.
"That Venomian! The one we were about to take to Corneria for his rehab program...he's gone!"
"Gone?" Peppy went wide eyed, his long ears jumping up in surprise. "What do you mean...gone?!"
"Tadao never showed up for his shuttle ride to Corneria. The two agents with him didn't either. We found them tied up and gagged in a dumpster in the utility corridors. Don't worry, they're alive but...we don't know where Tadao is."
Peppy's jaw dropped. Oh my god, Tadao...he's on the loose!
"Lock down the concourse immediately! Get all the civilians out! We've got to find him ASAP!"
"Yes sir!" The lieutenant rushed off.
Peppy ran a hand over his brow, sweat soon forming there. This was a bad omen, if there was already trouble with Star Fox gone...
~X~
Aboard the Great Fox II, in Slippy's darkened workshop, there was a soft snick. Silently, an air vent opened in the back of the room, feet appearing through the hole and stepping on a stack of boxes beneath the vent. Tadao climbed down the boxes as quiet as a spider, his feet touching the floor. He moved towards the scrap pile in the back of the room. He reached inside the scrap, moving aside the pieces until what he was after was revealed. The machete laid bare in the pile, just as how he'd remembered it seeing it last. A smile crept onto his face.
Wolf betrayed me, and now Fox. The iguana picked up the machete, feeling its familiar weight and balance in his hand once more, taking a few swings with it. Just like how he'd left it. He grinned, taking a good look at the weapon. But at least you never will, right? You've been my best friend for ten years. I need you now, more than ever.
Tadao climbed back up the boxes and into the air vent, shutting it behind him with little but the soft snick of the cover's latch. As he squeezed himself through the air ducts, creeping along like a snake, he grinned.
Let's find a place to settle in. It's going to be a long trip...