Dark Angel (Part 4)
By Edward" winter" Weldon
Chapter 16
The rumble from the main drives made the launch deck of Great Fox shake. But Slippy
didn't care. He was too busy admiring the Angel.
As an engineer and a pilot he appreciated fine workmanship in a ship. And this was some
of the finest workmanship he had ever seen. The Angel's sleek lines and imposing dagger
shape was a beautiful sight to look at. But it was her systems that he drooled over.
The engines alone were the stuff of a mechanic's dreams. Slippy had gone over the
maintenance simulations almost fifty times in the last hour. Just to see the flawless reheat
system power up from frozen, with out a single part-scorch.
The Angel's computer on the other hand was another matter. Slippy was an expert with
engineering, not computers. He could maintain them but they were really Falco's forte.
Despite his rash attitude and short temper, Falco was actually a pretty good hacker. All
the same Slippy had never seen such a complex system as this. How anything this
complicated could work without an army of techs was a mystery to him.
Then Slippy nearly jumped out of his skin when a shadow loomed over him. "She's a
beauty isn't she?" Came a calm English voice from above. Slippy breathed a sigh of
relief as he looked up to see the handsome, black furred features of Cameron Winter.
His long black coat and fatigues had been replaced with a black body suit that seemed to
literally fit like a second skin, with rigid plates affixed to its surface like some kind of
armour and a long combat knife strapped to his calf.
The suit was matt black; in fact, it seemed to absorb light. It was like looking for a black
light that lit up in black on a black background in a dark room.
The only thing that offset the black was the gold pommel and guard of the katana on his
back, still in its ornamental redstar wood scabbard. His twin assassin's blasters were still
strapped to the back of his waist. They were black too.
The mysterious young fox had some how got up onto the Angel's wing unnoticed and
was crouched down looking down at him. Even with his attention drawn to the Angel's
engineering perfection, Slippy would have at least heard the clump of Cameron's
jackboots on the deck. Then Slippy noticed that he wasn't wearing his jackboots. The suit
was a seamless one piece with a high collar and attached gloves.
Of course this wasn't the first time. In the past four days since he came onboard over
Fortuna, he must have done this at least three dozen times, to just about everyone on the
ship.
"Oh yeah, she's a marvel. Where did you get this ship? Prototype?" Slippy asked trying
to hide his surprise.
"Sort of, you see my grandfather and I built it based on an old design he had from about
eighty years ago," Cameron replied as he back flipped off the wing and stood next to
Slippy.
"Huh? How could a ship that old be this advanced?" Slippy asked in even greater
surprise. Cameron frowned a little "I said it was based on an old design, not that it was an
old design. We used the basic hull design and weapons array but the rest, I don't know
where it came from, my grandfather never told me," he explained.
Slippy turned to face him and was about to ask another question but Cameron had already
vanished just as silent and shadow like as he had come in.
"How the hell does he do that?" Slippy asked himself out loud.
On the bridge Fox was on the com-link to General Pepper. And the tidings were not
good.
"Hmmm, so you think we may have a spy on our hands?" The old hound asked. It was
more of a rhetorical question as it had been suspected since the asteroid engagement.
"Well that's Cameron's theory. Of course he also says that it's more than possible that we
have multiple spies to deal with here," Fox replied, as he stood half to attention.
It was a habit of his. He had the greatest of respect for the general but as a mercenary he
was not bound by normal military rules of conduct. The result was that when addressing
the general he had a kind of half-and-half stance.
The general nodded and said, "Hmmm, well at least now we know who Cameron Winter
is and what his intentions are. If he is who he says he is we may have gained a powerful
ally, but keep an eye on him all the same."
Fox half-smiled "Yes sir. Our expected ETA is about two days. Mcloud out," With that
he closed the line and turned to leave. Bill was there, leaning against the door.
"The general has a point. How do we know this guy's for real? You saw what happened
when he came aboard. What if he had just decided to pull his trigger? Fara would be dead
then us soon after," He said, running his hand across the livid bruise that still marked his
jaw where Cameron had kicked him. Fox looked at his old friend.
"And I also remember what he said. If he wanted to kill any of us we would be dust and
ice crystals by now. From what I've seen these last few days I believe him on that," Fox
said coolly.
"So he hasn't decided to kill us yet, I still don't trust him." Bill turned to leave. "Just so
you know, I'm keeping an armed blaster to hand as long as he's on this ship," Bill said
with menace as he walked away.
Crouched in an alcove, a system tap hooked into the security recorders, Cameron watched
and listened with intent to Fox and Bill's conversation. He reached to his behind his back
and checked the power cell on his customised assassin's pistols, making sure that the
blast suppressers were firmly attached.
"Mental note: Keep an eye on Commander Grey. If it becomes necessary, remove target,"
He thought to himself. The long barrelled, silenced pistols gave out a short, rising hum as
the firing chambers charged.
Cameron would be ready for what ever came his way in the next few days.
Chapter 17
The piercing bleep of the internal com-link woke Wolf, cursing and just about ready to
strangle some one for it.
If not for his violent, sociopathic nature, Wolf would have been a prize catch for any
young lady. In his mid thirties with a tall, well built frame and silvery grey fur he was
certainly athletic.
He was very handsome as well despite the patch over his ruined right eye. His remaining
eye was a glittering blue colour that seemed to shine like a sapphire and he had a white
stripe running up his head from the end of his muzzle right down the length of his tail.
Both were features he shared with his sister Angela.
Presently he was groggy and very annoyed. A quick glance at the chronometer on the
table by his bunk only added to his fury.
Storming over to the com-panel still wearing only his eye patch and boxer shorts, he
thumped the answer button.
The bright light from the screen hurt his eye so Wolf kept it half closed. On the screen he
could just make out the face of Leon Powalski, his trusted second in command.
"This had better be good Leon," Wolf groaned angrily. "I really must apologise for
waking you sir but this is urgent. Operative zero-one has just confirmed that General
Pepper is aware of his activities and those of his fellow agents," Leon said, his shifting
between Wolf and the data-pad he was holding.
Wolf looked unconcerned "Do they know who our agents are?" He said in an emotionless
tone. Leon shook his head "He doesn't think so, not yet at least. But they do know where
to start looking to find them," He continued.
"Then tell him to carry out directive A1 and I'll go over the report over breakfast," Wolf
said unfazed as he reached for the off button.
"Oh and Leon, disturb me again tonight and I may just have to add some lizard skin boots
to my wardrobe," He said with menace and then hit the off button.
Despite his threat, Wolf would never actually try to kill Leon. Leon had been his best
friend for nearly ten years. The two of them had saved each other's lives more times than
they could count. But wolf had an image to maintain and who could tell who was
listening in on their conversation.
Now in the semidarkness of his quarters Wolf tiredly walked back to his bunk. He'd had
a long day and his working hours seemed to be increasing as the Venomian military was
increasingly dependant on the Star Wolf team.
With Andross apparently gone the war with Corneria had continued simply because no
order to stop had been issued. Andross's generals were not exactly known for their
freethinking. Wolf the Star wolf team had stayed because of Wolf's undying hatred of
Fox Mcloud. And the Venomian military had stayed together primarily out of fear of
Wolf.
So long as Fox Mcloud stayed in this system Wolf would stay. So long as Wolf stayed
the war would continue. And as long as the war continued Fox would stay. It was a self-
perpetuating circle that would end with the death of either Wolf or Fox or maybe both.
But now this Cameron Winter had entered the equation the cycle would be altered. In
what way no one could predict. Either way something big was coming. The game just got
interesting.
Chapter 18
Scramble alarms sounded all over Great Fox. Everyone aboard rushed to the bridge to
find out what was going on.
Fox and Peppy reached the bridge first. "Rob, what's the alert?" Fox shouted. "We have
just received a distress call from a civilian ship in our vicinity," the robot droned.
"Put it through on the speakers," Peppy ordered. The message was barely audible under
the static and the explosions. "This is the trader ship, Sierra Madre, we are under attack,
to any…" the transmission was cut short by white noise and static. Cameron, Angela and
Falco had arrived as the message was playing. "Did we get a fix on the position?" Falco
asked hurriedly.
"Affirmative," Rob droned. "Then lets saddle up, lock, load and kick some arse,"
Cameron shouted.
Within minutes the team and their allies were sprinting down to the flight deck. Kat, Bill
and Slippy joined them on the way. Angela had stayed on the bridge to assist Rob if they
needed to call down fire support.
When they reached the launch bay, Fara was already there in a flight suit. Although Fara
was an accomplished pilot, her role as ships medic meant that she rarely saw combat.
Besides, Fox was way too protective of her.
"Fara? What are you doing down here? I need you up in sick bay in case one of us is
injured," Fox said. "Wrong Fox, you need me along to take care of the wounded on that
ship. If that ship was hit as badly as we think, we may not have time to get them back
here for medical care. I'm talk deck plate surgery here," Fara replied in a level assured
tone.
Cameron whistled over to them. "Yo, you can ride shotgun with me, I'm the only one
with a back seat anyway," He called out as he climbed into the Angel's cockpit. Fara ran
over and vaulted into the back seat, blowing Fox a kiss as he climbed into his own
Arwing.
The seven fighters launched in two pairs and a trio. Catapult launches were one of
Cameron's favourite things about space combat. The sudden acceleration pushed him
back into his padded seat. Behind him Fara checked her medical kit. After launch they
settled into a flying claw formation with Fox at the center.
"I got sensor contact on the Sierra Madre, twenty-five clicks and closing," Bill shouted.
Then they saw it. The Sierra Madre was a heavy cargo freighter. Almost the length of a
football field, it was basically a big frame for cargo pods with a crew section and an
engine at either end. The crew section was about big enough for six decks and a small
shuttle bay.
The freighter was in the middle of a cloud of fighters; they looked like invader threes, not
much on their own but in groups they could take down even an Arwing. About a
kilometre off the starboard bow hovered a Volga class carrier like the one Cameron had
destroyed almost two weeks ago.
"There they are," Falco shouted. "That's funny, I don't see any escort ships," Slippy
chipped in. "Yeah, well I see plenty of fighters," Falco replied. His tone was almost one
of excitement at being in combat after almost eight months of relative peace.
Fox smiled "Then split up and kick their ass's," He shouted as he hit his burners.
Cameron slipped his Sharon Apple CD into the player and the wild rhythm of "Info
High" surged through his nerves. "Oh and Cameron," Fox said, "If any thing happens to
Fara, I'm going to use you as my personal tooth pick, GEDDIT," he added with menace.
"Don't worry, If any thing happens to her, I won't be around to regret it either," Cameron
replied unfazed.
The seven ships spit up. Kat and Falco headed for the Madre to protect it from further
attack; Cameron boosted off to engage the carrier and the rest of them surged ahead,
scything through the fighters.
As a fighter exploded in front of him, Falco punched the air as he shot right through the
fireball. Kat's Arrow class interceptor knocked down two more. "This is what life is all
about," She yelled.
For Fox, Bill, Peppy and Slippy this was a turkey shoot. Invader threes depended on
getting you alone and pinning you down. The Star Fox pilots had grown so accustomed to
each others flying styles that they could predict each other like telepathy. If one picked up
a tail then a squad mate would be there almost instantly to blow it to dust.
A wing of ten Invaders interposed themselves between Cameron and the carrier. "A
nightmare scenario, with a low probability of survival," He sang. Fara joined in "Cause
I'm a weapon baby," "A weapon of mass destruction, " They both sang together, as
Cameron pulled the trigger on his joystick. All ten fighters were the shredded by the
smooth bore shells from the Angel's twin rapid-fire mass drivers.
Little bits of hull metal pinged off the Angel's shields, making them flare white for a
moment. As Cameron lined up on the carrier's flight deck he turned round and looked at
Fara again. "Hey Fara, you like fireworks?" He asked. Fara nodded. With that, an evil
smirk crossed Cameron's face.
Flipping the cover off the bomb launch trigger on his joystick, Cameron fired a nova
missile right down the carrier's throat just like the one in the asteroids. Just before the
missile detonated, a large turret on the top of the carrier fired a shimmering white bolt of
energy. The bolt just missed the Angel, as Cameron had already pulled up to avoid the
blast of the carrier going critical. But they weren't its target.
The bolt struck the Madre's crew section. A conduit on her side blew venting gas into
space, arcs of electricity played across the hull and then every window went black. "What
the hell?" Fox exclaimed. By this point there were only a few fighters left.
Fara tapped Cameron on the shoulder. "Get us over there, they may have lost life support
in that last hit," She shouted. Cameron nodded and hit his boosters.
Landing on the Madre's small flight deck the two of them climbed out of the Angels
cockpit. Almost immediately as they ventured into the hallway, Cameron's boot slipped
on something. It was dark, as all the lights had blown. Shining his torch down to see what
he had slipped on Cameron was almost sick at what he saw. Blood covered everything.
Every wall, bulkhead and door ran with it. It seeped out of the vents. And bones, there
were bones scattered every where across the deck. Fara looked on horrified "What in dear
gods name happened here?" She gasped. "I think I might know. I just pray that I'm
wrong this time," Cameron answered gravely.
Back aboard Great Fox everyone was gathered in the lab that Slippy used for testing new
parts and modifications. Cameron had set up a large melon on a stool and placed an
armour-glass shield round it.
Every one had the same sickened, mortified look on their faces. Thy had all seen the
decks of the Sierra Madre with their own eyes. Now Cameron was going to explain what
he thought had happened.
"Okay, we all saw that weapon the carrier fired at the Madre and we've all seen the
results," He said trying hard to sound calm and collected. "Yeah," Falco said "And I got
two questions: first of all, how could any one do this to those people? And second, HOW
could anyone do that to those people?" He asked, still nauseated from what he saw on the
freighter.
"Well for the answer to both questions, watch the melon," Cameron replied. He then
lifted a thumb detonator and pushed it. A high pitched whine sounded and suddenly the
melon exploded from the inside, splattering al over the shield.
"I believe that a microwave pulse generator weapon was used here. They were originally
conceived as a form of tight band communications system. But when the rather gruesome
effects on organic tissue were discovered it was developed as a weapon but then banned.
I rigged a small MPG mine under the melon and then ran an electromagnetic charge
through the shield to protect us out here," Cameron explained with distaste.
"I can see why they were banned," Peppy drawled, rubbing his throat as if he had been
strangled. "Oh that's only if you were lucky. The worst that can happen is that you can
survive the blast," Cameron replied.
"Why is that bad?" Slippy asked. "Because you'd be left writhing on the deck in
excruciating agony, your brains boiling, eyes bursting, flesh melted and fused and your
internal organs half roasted from inside. Basically Satan's greatest hits," Cameron
replied.
"So what does this mean in the long term," Fox asked. "In the long term I don't know,"
Cameron answered. Then Fara said, "In the short term this has the potential for a
massacre of cataclysmic proportions."
"I was able to protect us here under lab conditions because I knew the exact frequency of
the MPG being used. A weapon like this used on unshielded targets or dare I say it a
planet could be devastating," Cameron said gravely, indicating to the liquid melon for
emphasis. "So what now," Bill chipped in. "First we fix the holes in the defence net, then
we go hunting," Fox said with a snarl.
Chapter 19
Fox found Cameron sitting alone in the commissary with a data pad in one hand and a
shot glass in the other. A bottle of strong vodka stood on the table next to him.
Cameron had a gaunt, drawn look, like some one who hadn't slept in days. It had only
been a couple of hours since the demonstration in the lab but it felt like weeks. The
atmosphere of doom had hung round the whole ship since the discovery aboard the Sierra
Madre. But no one had been effected more than Cameron and Fara.
Fox knew that Fara was strong. She would get over even this, but Cameron he had only
just met. Just what was going through the mysterious young fox's mind?
"Hey, how you holding up," Fox said, carefully. Cameron looked up. His intense green
eyes, so full of power and mystique had some how lost their shine. Before he had seemed
unstoppable, as if he was like a wraith, coming and going like a shadow. But now he was
just a mortal, a mortal with a great weight on his shoulders.
"I've felt better," Cameron answered. A forced smile crossed his face. Fox sat down
across from Cameron. Cameron had set the data pad down to refill his glass. Fox picked
it up and studied it. The pad was a list of names, a crew manifest. It was the crew of the
Sierra Madre.
Cameron answered the question before Fox asked it, "I was just going over the
possibilities in my head. Maybe I could have done some thing different. Maybe if we had
been there sooner I could have stopped the carrier from firing. Maybe I could have taken
out her turrets, but then even if I knew she had an MPG, I wouldn't know which turret to
hit. And maybe, when the carrier fired, maybe I could have put myself in the way, maybe
I could have taken the hit and the hundred and five people aboard the Sierra Madre would
still be alive and I would be dead. But then, Fara would have died too, and an innocent
would have been lost just to satisfy my honour," Cameron voice was both sad and angry.
It reminded Fox of his own reaction to the news of his father's betrayal by Pigma Dengar
all those years ago.
"You can't blame your self or beat your self up over the past. I just got off the comm with
the general. He says that they just completed analysis of the wreckage of the carrier you
destroyed in the asteroid belt a couple of weeks back," Fox said consolingly. Cameron
looked up at him.
"According to the general, there is considerable evidence that the carrier you took out
also had an MPG weapon like the one used on the Madre. If it had reached Corneria, he
thinks they could have been looking at seven figure death tolls. You didn't fail a hundred
and five lives; you save billions of people. Twice now in fact," Fox said softly. Cameron
smiled again. This time, the smile was genuine and his eyes regained some of their
former shine.
Seeing the life return to the young man, Fox smiled as well. "So, what did you mean by
your honour and how do you know so much about a banned weapon?" Fox asked
tentatively. Cameron was by now feeling much better. "Well that would be from my
grandfather, Eric Winter," He said.
"Eric Winter? As in Sir Eric Winter?" Eric winter was a descendant of a long line of
Cornerian knights. Although on Corneria the institution of knighthood had been extinct
for almost two hundred years, he had kept the tradition alive. As the greatest among the
old knight families, the Winter family had retained its titles and duties. But despite their
former prestige, they were still seen as some thing of a relic at best, a joke at worst. And
Eric Winter, last of the family line, left Corneria and never came back. And here was his
grandson. Given his lineage, it explained the accent, the sword and his skill with it.
"Yes, after my disgrace of a father left my mother to be mercenary rather than take
responsibility for his actions, my grandfather took us in and taught me to be a knight,"
Cameron said. The rage at his father and the reverence he had for his grandfather were
clear. "And why were you so effected by what you saw on the Madre?" Fox asked
carefully. Cameron's face took on a serious look again.
"It was more to do with the timing. As you've probably heard by now, I was a corporate
mercenary. About two years ago, a big corporation hired me to deliver a package to a
research facility out in the middle of no-where. I didn't ask questions, I just took the
money and did the job. After dropping off the package, I stayed a couple of hours, had a
drink with the researchers and even flirted with an attractive lab assistant. Just after take
off when I left, some thing happened aboard the facility. Over the comm line, I could here
screaming. When I landed, there was blood every where, it was worse than on the Madre
because half of them were still alive. Half melted on the deck, clawing at me, begging me
to kill them. The package had been a small MPG war head, not powerful enough to kill
every one on the facility outright, but enough to slaughter them all the same. The facility
belonged to a company researching clean energy sources. The corporation that had hired
me was a mining conglomerate out to protect their profits. So that day I made two vows
on my honour. First of all that I would straiten up and live like a true knight, that I would
fight the good fight and not simply follow the almighty C-bill like my father. The second
was that I would never allow the atrocity that I had been a part of happen ever again. The
massacre of Farpoint station was two years ago today and its happening again," He
explained, a tear of sorrow ran down the sleek black fur of his cheek.
After a moment or two of silence, Cameron regained his voice. "It wasn't till that day that
I truly understood what my grandfather had taught me. I guess you could say, that was
the day I became a knight," He said with more than a little pride.
Fox smiled, "And so on that day, a new page began in history of the Winter family. The
ascension of the last of the Cornerian knights," He said, sounding like a history professor.
Cameron thought for a moment. "Well no, I'm not the last knight. My grandfather is still
alive and so are you. I mean you're technically a knight. You know being half brothers
and all," He replied.
It took a moment for sentence to reach Fox's brain. He just sat there with a dopey,
gormless look on his face. The only word to escape the wreck of his train of thought was
"Huh?"
Cameron was equally confused. But this was for a different reason. "Um, you know?
Same mother, different father?" He asked, Fox just maintained the same nonplussed
expression. Then realisation hit Cameron and a broad smile of impressively sharp looking
white teeth crossed his features. "You mean to tell me, that neither your father or our
mother told you that you had a brother?" Fox just nodded dumbly.
Cameron almost fell out of his chair laughing. Calming down a little Cameron reached to
the neck of his stealth-suit and produced a set of holographic dog tags that were engraved
with the image of a winged sword, just like the one on Cameron's ship. "What's that?"
Fox asked. "The proof," Cameron answered as he set the tags down on the table.
Tapping the edge of them on the table, Cameron activated the tiny projectors. The image
of a tall, scarred, old kit-fox with black fur and a beautiful, young fox with golden fur that
held a young cub with black fur in her arms. "That's my grandfather Eric, me and my
mother Rebecca," Cameron said, pointing to each figure in turn.
Fox however instantly recognised the woman. She was his mother, Rebecca Mcloud. It
was true, Cameron was his brother. The sheer power of this moment was overwhelming.
This was one of those life-changing moments, like the day his father died or the moment
he first met Fara. Neither him nor Cameron could find anything to say.
Then Falco could be heard shouting across the deck. He limped in cursing, wearing a pair
of black trousers, calf length boots and a shredded, yellow tunic with a Star Fleet patch
on it. He was carrying what appeared to be a hat-stand with the blade from a garden
weeder stuck onto one end. "Hey Fox, where's Fara? I think Kat broke my arm," He
grumbled. Then Kat walked in after him. She was wearing a leather basque and thigh
boots and had died her fur green. "Falco, stop being a little wuss. I whooped your ass
according to the rules so don't complain," She shouted at him.
"Might I ask?…" Cameron started. "No," Falco snapped as he limped away. Fox had just
buried his face in his palm. "This happens every time the two of them watch Star Trek
together," He said with dismay.
Chapter 20
Great Fox had finally reached Corneria. The whole crew had reconvened in the briefing
room on the flight deck. They were all sat round the holographic map table that was used
to out line the objectives for a mission.
Fox was the first to speak "Okay guys, we hit Cornerian orbit in twenty minutes. I think
our best course of action is to keep a low profile and put down at the CDF base here," He
said, indicating to a point in the mountains above Corneria City.
Cameron however shook his head and said, "I don't agree. I would suggest the main star
port in Corneria City as a landing point and that we make a big show of our presence."
Peppy nodded in agreement " He's right, the Venom military aren't stupid, they know
that an assault on Corneria with us present would be a waste of ships and time. If we
make a big enough noise, maybe we could dissuade them from making any moves yet,"
He said logically.
Then Falco chipped in "And besides, how often do we get the opportunity to bask in the
glory and adulation of a whole planet for business purposes?" He said with relish.
Then Fara added to the discussion " We show up, boosters at full and a mouth full of
white teeth, local moral is going to be on an all time high and we get show off our state of
the art hardware."
A wide, evil grin spread across Angela's lovely features "Great, I always wanted to be in
a Jane's day parade." Despite the almost universal disapproval of his plan, Fox wasn't
disappointed. It was the mark of a good leader that he could accept a good plan when he
heard it. Besides, When was the last time they got to bask in the glory and Adulation of a
whole planet for business purposes? "Sounds like a plan, lets do it people," Fox said,
grinning. "Let's kick the tires and light the fires," Cameron shouted, punching the air.
The only one in the room who seemed to disapprove was Bill. Bill was a rather typical
career officer. Although he was strict and disciplined, he was not entirely joyless, but still
not exactly the life of the party. But his main source of resistance was from the fact that
this was Cameron's idea.
Within twenty minutes Great Fox was entering Corneria's atmosphere. She had an
Arwing on each of her four wings, an Arrow class interceptor on her port flank, a Bulldog
space superiority fighter on her starboard flank and the dagger like Angel flying on point.
In a false accident, Fox had broadcast the news of their arrival over a civilian channel.
The result was a massive crowd gathering at the star port they were due to arrive at. Falco
was the first to notice the heaving throng below. "Hey Fox, check it out. Looks like our
whole fan club is down there," He said, looking over at his commander.
Fox smiled "Let's have some fun." With that all seven fighters broke formation. Joined
by Bill, the main Star Fox team flew together in formation. Flying in a wedge, they
looped rolled and dived in perfect synchronisation.
Kat and Cameron however flew much more wildly. Screaming low to the ground,
Cameron pulled the Angel's nose up in a tight climb so that she flipped right over in a
360 loop with out even changing direction. Kat's Arrow barrel rolled as she shot right
through a freighter hanger. Then the two of them formed up, flying with their wings
almost touching. Suddenly they banked away from each other, then crossed each other's
flight paths in a narrow scissors pass, each fighter missing the other by just inches.
Finally all seven ships formed up into X formation with Fox at the center. Smoke
canisters attached to the hull of each fighter ignited as they made a 360 roll and diving C-
turn and firing display charges, rigged to detonate like fireworks.
Settling back into a line abreast formation, the squadron landed together to the sounds of
cheering animality. As excited as the crowd was during the display, as the canopy's
opened to reveal Corneria's greatest heroes, they seemed on the edge of spontaneous
combustion.
Cameron somersaulted out of his cockpit and high-fived with Fox, the sunshine glinting
on the pommel and scabbard of his prized katana, still sheathed on his back. More than
ever Cameron displayed a frightening power and confidence. It seemed that it was
catching, as Fox also seemed to be more active than usual.
The seven pilots strode together, laughing and high-fiveing as they went. There was an
almost tangible aura of confidence about them. This had been the most fun any of them
had had in months. Even Bill, who had disapproved of the whole thing, had to admit he'd
had a damn good time out there today.
Soon Great Fox landed. Fara and Angela leapt down from the ramp before it had finished
lowering. The two of them sprinted across the concrete to join the others. As soon as she
reached him, Angela threw her arms around Cameron's neck and kissed him
passionately. There was an almost universal jaw-drop among the crew. As soon as
Angela had released her death grip on Cameron's face, he looked at the rest of the crew
and said "What?"
Fox just smiled, took his cue from his newfound brother and gave Fara a Fred Astair,
bowing kiss. "Is it me or are those two getting more and more alike every time we see
them together," Peppy drawled, looking in turn at Fox and Cameron.
General Pepper soon arrived in a CDF staff car, escorted by a lance of combat bikes from
the CDF scout corps. The whole group saluted as one as the General got out of the
hovering grav-car. "Fox, its good to see you in person again," The old general said
warmly.
Fox nodded and replied "General, I'd like to introduce Cameron Winter, a Cornerian
knight, man of profound honour and my half brother." "Your what?" The General
spluttered, taken by surprise by Fox's words. "Long story," Cameron chipped in lightly.
The General then turned to Angela. " And who is this lovely young woman?" He asked,
regaining his composure. Angela smiled and shook his hand "I'm Angela, just Angela.
I'm Cameron's navigator and business partner. I handle the brain work, he blows things
up."
"Hmm, well I'm very pleased to meet both of you. Particularly in the light of the
revelation of what that Carrier group you destroyed could have done," The General said.
Turning to Fox the General's face took on a more serious look "Fox I'm sure you'd like
to get strait down to business. If you and Mr Winter could accompany me we can get
started right away." "Yes sir. You guys gonna be okay?" Fox said turning back to the rest
of the crew.
"Oh sure, I'm quite certain we can amuse our selves for a few hours Fox," Peppy
chuckled. "Okay then, we'll meet up back at the ship at 1600 hours," Fox replied.
"I'll come too. Four heads are better than three," Bill added. "Good thinking man. We'll
see you guys later," Fox said as he, the General and Cameron all got into the Staff car.
The real reason Bill wanted to come was simply because he trusted Cameron about as he
could throw Great Fox and there wasn't any way in hell he was leaving him alone with
the General and his best friend.
To be continued…