Some time later, in another corner of the Lylat system.
The first thing that Fox noticed when he woke up was a bad taste in his mouth. It wasn't a specific taste, such as the aftermath of a strong meal, but rather an overpowering sensation of uncleanliness: The result of days of personal neglect.
Fox, still lying in bed, coughed and licked his lips, trying to somehow rid his mouth of the vile taste, but to little avail. He tried to clean his teeth manually, brushing the sharp fangs with the tip of his tongue in an attempt to wipe the filth off, but he might as well have been trying to clean a garbage cruiser with a sponge.
After some time, Fox could take no more of the sensation gripping his tongue. Begrudgingly, he came to only one conclusion: He would have to get out of bed.
With a sigh, he slowly rolled over, and pushed his legs out of the covers, until they were hanging out over the floor. Rubbing his eyes with two fingers, he sat on the edge of his bed for a moment, still trying to work up the conviction to stand up.
What time is it? He thought, looking up at the clock on the metal wall. It was 11:30, in Corneria City at least. When traveling through space, one's body has to adjust to the lack of the day cycle, and the time of day never did really matter. Even still, Fox liked to see, even if to imagine what it was like at his home at the moment.
Of course, even if Fox wasn't flying through the depths of space, on his father's ship, the Great Fox, he still would have found it difficult to slink out of bed most "mornings." With the lack of any meaningful work the past few years, Fox and his team had been down in the dumps in more way than one. Everybody was being affected by the boredom in one way or another. Except of course for…
"Fox?" A series of knocks suddenly sounded on the door of Fox's room. "Are you up yet?"
Fox sighed, with a smile tugging at the edge of his lips. Speak of the devil.
"Yes, Peppy. I am." He answered.
"Well then get your furry butt out here! We're wasting daylight!"
Fox could hear the old rabbit chuckling to himself at his little joke, before he spoke up again.
"Come on, son! You've got a lot of work to do today, and you're not gonna do any of it by lying asleep in bed."
Fox rolled his eyes. Work. Of course. Check the nav-charts, keep an eye on reactor stability, scan news reports and bounty lists, and watch as ROB did all the work that might have actually kept Fox engaged, albeit only slightly. Fox was starting to think that he could have stayed in bed all day, and the Great Fox would run along just as smoothly. Well, as smoothly as it had been running lately.
Even still, he sighed and slowly crawled out of bed, stretching and letting out a great yawn.
Who knows? He thought, as he began to get himself ready. Maybe something will actually happen today.
He sincerely doubted it.
Some time later, he was sitting aboard the captain's chair on the Great Fox's bridge, pouring over recent bounty lists, crime reports, and criminal investigations. He didn't really know why, as there hadn't been any major events in weeks, but he still studied the list with a wistful eye, hoping that something would pop up that needed his and his team's specialized skills.
He wasn't alone on the bridge. Both Peppy and Slippy were each absorbed in their own endeavors. Peppy was sitting at a console, likely updating a log, or scanning the ship's systems; while Slippy was tinkering with ROB's inner workings. The robot was hunched over, deactivated, while the short toad poked around with the gears, wires, and joints inside. There was nothing really wrong with ROB, Slippy just needed something to do as desperately as Fox did, and there was nothing he liked more than playing around with machines.
"Found anything, Fox?" He called out, poking his head out from behind the copper bot.
"No," Fox sighed. "Not yet. Nothing's happening, just like yesterday, the day before…"
"Okay, okay!" Slippy said quickly. "I was just asking." He quickly got back to his work with ROB.
"Well," Peppy said, spinning around in his chair and facing the vulpine and amphibian. "I for one like the quiet. These past few years, we've been doing nothing but chasing bandits, and catching common criminals. It's nice to have a bit of peace for once."
Fox sighed. "Peppy, it's been weeks since we've had work. We haven't chased bandits or caught criminals since that little raid out on MacBeth. If there's anymore peace, we're going to go bankrupt."
"Yeah," Slippy agreed. "And the Great Fox hasn't been doing so well lately. I think she could afford a few repairs."
"Which we can't do, if we don't have any money." Fox huffed.
Peppy raised an eyebrow. "No money? In case you've forgotten, we did just close a very promising deal with Mr. and Mrs. O'Riley. They've offered a lot of money for our services."
"I know Peppy, but it's honestly just not the same. An escort mission for a pair of fat cats' private cruiser isn't what I had in mind."
Slippy nodded. "You know, I don't think they really need us for protection, I think they just want to show us off."
Fox grumbled in his throat, mocking the O'Rileys' thick, northern Cornerian accents. "Hmm, yes. We have acquired the heroes of the Lylat system, as our own personal escorts! Truly, we are the most important and dashingly extravagant persons, in all the system!"
Slippy burst out laughing. "That's great, Fox! You sound just like them!"
Peppy removed his glasses and scratched his nose. "I'll agree that their offer does seem a little… needless. But, to be frank, we need the money, Fox. We should be grateful we've been offered work at all."
"Peppy, I don't just want 'work.' If I did, I would disband the team, and get a job in some fast food place."
"Well then tell me, Fox; What do you want?"
"I…" Fox sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I don't know. Something more important. Something that would actually help people. I don't want to just sit around and rust."
With a great sigh, he stood up from his chair, and began to walk away.
"Fox?" Slippy called after him. "Where're you going?"
"Nowhere." He answered. "I'm just tired."
Peppy sighed as Fox exited the bridge, and began to walk back to his quarters. "He's too much like his father." He muttered.
"You say that a lot." Slippy said, smiling weakly.
Peppy chuckled. "It's because it's true. I can't tell you how many times James confided feelings of uselessness with me. Even when he was stopping hordes of criminals and saving countless lives, he always felt as though he wasn't doing enough. He never really felt satisfied with himself until… well…"
"What?"
"He met Fox's mother."
"Oh."
Peppy nodded. "I think that often the reason that people feel incomplete is because, well, they are incomplete. People need a partner, someone to confide in and trust completely. Two halves of a whole, as it was."
"So, you're saying Fox needs a girlfriend?"
Peppy grinned. "Maybe."
After a quick second of thought, he suddenly spun around in his chair to face the monitor again.
"But for now," he said. "I think there's something else we could do to help him."
With that, the old rabbit began to scan the databanks, searching for a way to contact an old friend.
Not long afterwards, Slippy was at the door of Fox's quarters, knocking furiously.
"Hey! Fox! Come out!"
"What is it?" He responded, looking up from a book, feeling somewhat irritated.
"There's a call for you!"
Fox sighed and shut the book. "Great…" He muttered. "I do hope it's important…"
Nevertheless, he set the book down onto a table, stood up, and walked to the door. With a hiss, the steel door opened to reveal Slippy's excited face.
"What is it?" Fox asked, crossing his arms.
"There's a message for you!" He said, almost hopping with excitement. "And it's from General Pepper!"
That caught his attention. "What? Really?"
"Yeah, he says he needs to speak with you, c'mon!"
With that, he spun around and began to sprint down the hallway, back to the bridge. With a sigh and a shrug, Fox began to follow the toad.
This'd better not be a prank, he thought.
Despite his doubts, as the two burst back into the bridge, Fox saw someone he hadn't seen for a very long time.
General Pepper, the grizzled old commander of the Cornerian Defense Force, was standing in the middle of the room. Or rather, a holographic projection of the old dog was waiting with his hands grasped behind his back, talking lightly with Peppy.
"General Pepper!" Fox exclaimed, a bit too loudly.
The old dog turned around and smiled as he caught sight of Fox. "Hello, Fox. It's been a long time."
"Y-yeah, it has." Remembering protocol, Fox gave the general a respectful salute. He suddenly felt a burst of self consciousness as he glanced down to his disheveled and all-too-casual clothing.
"Yes, well then. I'm sorry for showing up so unexpectedly, but Peppy called me and informed me about your team's situation. I hear that you've been 'down in the dumps,' if you'll pardon the phrase."
"Well, uh…" The vulpine scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "A bit. We just haven't been too lucky when it comes to work."
"Indeed." The general responded. "Well, I think you'll be happy to know that you couldn't have contacted me at a better time. We've got an assignment that I think you and your team would be perfectly equipped to handle."
"Alright, give me the rundown."
"Well, let me begin." He cleared his throat again. "You have heard of the planet Sauria, correct?"
"Sauria?" Slippy repeated. "You mean that backwater planet covered in giant monsters?"
Pepper chuckled. "Sort of. I'm afraid I have quite a bit of explaining to do."
"Go ahead, General." Peppy said.
"Thank you." He coughed lightly to clear his throat once again. "Well to begin, some time ago, back when my predecessor still held my position, Cornerian scientists discovered a new planet on the edge of our system. Their initial scans provided no indication of any advanced technology, or technology of any kind really, but they could tell that the planet was teeming with life. So, the CDF organized a scouting group, tasked with exploring and analyzing the world."
"This is the group that got attacked by the beasts?" Fox asked.
"No." He responded. "Well, not exactly. See, the first thing you need to understand is that the rumors you have no doubt heard about Sauria's natives are extremely exaggerated. Fabricated in fact."
"What do you mean?" Slippy asked.
"The planet Sauria is not covered in ravenous, flesh-eating beasts like the system has been led to believe. Rather, it's inhabited by a collection of intelligent tribes, each one living with a veritable form of civilization, more or less."
"So, there's intelligent life on Sauria?" Fox asked, a little confused.
"Yes. Although the planet is passing through a very primitive era, and lacks any notable technology, there is no doubt that a number of the natives have the capacity for rational thought."
"So, why it is closed off to the public, and why all the rumors about it being a savage planet?" Peppy asked.
"Well, that has to do with the scouting party that was sent to the planet I'm afraid. You see, even though the planet's natives are intelligent for the most part, that doesn't necessarily mean they're all peaceful. As far as we can tell, the scouts were attacked by one such violent tribe."
"However," he continued. "Even though they were in hostile territory, at least one of them managed to send out a distress signal, asking to be rescued. The message was received by a nearby warship, under the command of… well, that doesn't matter."
Peppy raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
The general seemed to ignore him. "So, once the warship received their distress signal, they set course for Sauria with the intent to rescue the scouting party. Unfortunately, they arrived too late and discovered that the entire team had been wiped out."
Fox nodded, gesturing to the general for him to continue.
"Well, this is where the report gets a tad… unsightly. You see, the commander of the warship was rash and wasn't a fan of following protocol, So, when he and his squadron discovered the party's fate, they decided upon the course of retaliation. Unfortunately, they didn't bother to differentiate the aggressors from the innocents. So…" He scratched the bottom of his chin, obviously uncomfortable.
"They attacked peaceful natives?" Fox guessed.
"Yes, I'm afraid. The battalion, under said commander, launched a minor campaign against the planet, which resulted in a short but bloody war against the planet's inhabitants." He sighed. "Luckily, once word finally reached CDF central command, they were able to send another battalion to put a stop to the aggressive commander. After facing a rather nasty court martial, he was dishonorably discharged, and measures were taken to make peace with the planet's natives."
"So, why the secrecy?" Slippy asked.
"Yes." Peppy agreed. "I can understand why this would be kept under the radar initially, but why does no one still know about this?"
"Well, the main reason for that is that we made an agreement with the natives that we wouldn't set foot on their planet again. They had obviously and rightfully become distrustful of us, so this was their central demand in the peace talks. We respectfully agreed, and since then, the CDF has taken measures to make sure the general public doesn't wander onto the planet and start another conflict. That is where the rumors about the 'monstrous beasts' inhabiting the planet came from, as well as the small naval blockade surrounding that area to deter travelers and adventure seekers."
Fox nodded, pretty sure he was following so far. "Alright, I think I get it. But what does this have to do with us?"
"Well, ever since our peace agreement, there have been no more incidents involving the world or its natives. However, recent patrols who are tasked with monitoring the planet have picked up some unusual readings. As far as we can guess, Sauria has come into contact with some unusually advanced technology."
Fox shrugged. "Maybe the Saurians have been busy since you left them alone."
Pepper shook his head. "Inconceivable. From my understanding, we're talking about a planet who hadn't yet discovered electricity just a few cycles ago. But our most recent scans have shown evidence of fusion reactors, teleportation systems, laser-based weaponry, and even the possible capacity for space travel. No civilization could ever have evolved so quickly…"
"Without help." Slippy finished.
"Indeed." The general affirmed. "And that is the mission we are offering Mr. McCloud: Go to the planet of Sauria, scout out its population, and figure out how it is they came into contact with their new toys, while also determining if they could potentially be a threat to the rest of the system. And if needs be, eliminate that threat."
"Threat?" Fox repeated. "I don't see how they could be a threat, even with their new technology."
The general smiled sadly. "New technology can go a long way. Venom wasn't a threat to our system, before Andross came along."
Fox nodded. "Alright. Fair enough. But why do you need me to do it?"
"Well, as we've already discovered, the planet's inhabitants do possess the capacity for violence. Sending a larger scouting party would break the pact we made with them, and likely provoke them against us. No, it would be best to send a single individual, who not only is disconnected from the CDF, but is also more than equipped to handle himself in the field."
"Alone?" Fox questioned. "No backup?"
"Well, if Peppy and Mr. Toad would like to accompany you..."
"No!" Slippy said quickly. "That's okay, we can stay on the ship."
Fox turned to the toad and raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, Fox." Slippy shrugged. "You know I'm no good at field work."
Peppy chuckled. "And I'm a bit too old to hack my way through a jungle. I doubt I'd be any help to you down there."
"Well then." Pepper said. "I suppose there really is no other option. Unless… I assume that Mr. Lombardi is still on his leave?"
Fox felt his heart sink. "Yeah... yeah we still don't know where Falco is."
Pepper nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. In that case, I believe that you should prepare to handle this mission yourself."
"Understood."
"Very good." He coughed lightly. "Well then, in any case, I believe that's all you need to know at the moment. Contact me once you've made orbit around Sauria, and I'll give you one final briefing."
"Yes sir." He responded with a salute.
Pepper smiled. "It really is good to see you again, Fox. It's been far too long."
"You too, sir."
"Well then. If that's all, I think I'll take my leave. Pepper out." And with that, the projection disappeared, leaving the three members of Star Fox alone on the bridge.
Fox wasted no time. "Slippy." He said. "Go down and prep an Arwing. I want it ready by the time we arrive."
"Already done, Fox." The toad said, jumping up and running down to the hanger.
"Peppy." Fox said, turning to the rabbit. "Set course for Sauria. I want to get there as soon as possible."
"You got it, Fox." He responded, spinning around in his chair to face the control console.
"And Peppy?"
The rabbit cast his eyes back to his young friend. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
Peppy smiled. "Anytime, Fox."
The vulpine smiled back, before turning around and walking out of the bridge towards his quarters. He needed to prepare himself for his upcoming mission.
Author's Note: Casper, take it away.
Casper: "Exposition, Exposition. Hash it out, ASAP!"
Yeah, I know that considering how long I made you all wait, this chapter probably isn't all that exciting. But I guess it is kinda necessary. Hopefully it isn't all that bad, and you ended up enjoying it.
Anyway, that's all I really have to say. Thank you all for viewing and reviewing, and I'll see you later.
Yours Truly, Ultimate Supreme Executive Chairman.
