Fall Of A Hero
-chapter two-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-by l77ercenary-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Keep an eye open, guys." Fox spoke over the Arwing's communication system. "We can't let anything get by."
It was the day that the supposed trial run of the Wolfen IIIs was to take place. Star Fox had been patrolling the space around Corneria since 6:00 that morning. It was now nearly 12:00 pm.
"I wonder what the Wolfen IIIs will look like?" asked Slippy.
"They'll look like scrap metal when I'm done with 'em!" Falco piped in.
"Just keep your eyes open, Falco." Peppy's voice broke through the transmission. "We have to find them first."
"Yeah, yeah..." grumbled the avian.
"We need to cover more area." Fox interrupted. "I'll keep patrolling this area. Falco, head for Fortuna. Slippy and Peppy'll go to Katina. If either of you find anything, signal the others with an emergency signal."
After a series of affirmative replies, the team split out of formation and headed in three different directions..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approaching a Cornerian base on Katina, four Wolfen IIIs flew in perfect formation, each of them looking like machines not to be reckoned with. They looked exactly like the Wolfen IIs of the past, painted in the same way.
"We got her in record time!" Andrew whooped.
"This'll be easy!" Pigma laughed.
"I just hope Star Fox shows up." Wolf said, a smirk crossing his muzzle. "I want to test this jet on Fox..."
"You may get your chance...if we cause enough damage." Leon commented as the base came into view.
The emergency air raid alarm sounded all throughout the base, a red flashing light illuminating every hall and room. Every pilot able got into their jets and took off. Soon the air space around the base was buzzing with Corneria Fighters. Bill Grey, still squadron leader of Katina's Frontline Base, turned his fighter jet so that he was facing and flying toward the oncoming Wolfen IIIs. Star Wolf was coming in fast, sending in a few stray shots of laser fire as well.
"That's the Wolfen IIIs?" Bill asked himself. He hadn't known what to expect. He guessed he did now. He piped up the communicator and spoke to the entire squadron. "They're coming in fast! Stand by to attack!"
The Wolfen IIIs barrel rolled as they came into the fray, deflecting any laser fire. Each member of Star Wolf began marking the Cornerian pilots and commenced firing. As soon as the battle started, it was evident who had the advantage. Even with as large a number of Cornerians as there were, it looked as if Bill's squadron didn't stand a chance. In about two minutes, nearly twenty Husky/Bulldog units had been shot down or destroyed.
"Whoa! I need some help here!" A husky shouted over the communicator.
"I'm on my way!" Bill shouted back as he brought his jet around and up behind the Wolfen III that was hot on the husky's tail.
As simple as it would be to swat a fly, Wolf pulled the Wolfen III into a somersault and was behind Bill, his target in his sights. In only a matter of seconds, Bill found himself spiraling out of control toward the ground. He braced himself for impact. The ejection system had been damaged earlier in the battle. Bill was thrown into the controls in front of him as the ship crashed nose first, plowing up ground. As soon as the jet had stopped sliding, Bill found the strength to pup the jet's canopy and pull himself out, his right arm and forehead bleeding from his new wounds.
"Hey, Peppy, look!" Slippy exclaimed as he pointed his Arwing toward the battle.
Peppy could see what Slippy was shouting about. Dead ahead they could see a huge aerial dogfight going on between what appeared to be Star Wolf and the Husky/Bulldog units. Downed and damaged fighters lay on the ground, their pilots either dead or wounded. There were a few lucky ones, Peppy noticed, that had been able to eject in time. Those luck ones were on the ground trying to help the injured, but weren't making too much progress, Peppy guessed.
"I see it, Slip'! Let's go help!" Peppy answered back. Before going into battle, though, he remembered to send out an emergency beacon to Falco and Fox. He only hoped that they'd get it in time. Hopefully.
"Looks like you got your wish, Wolf." commented Leon as two Arwings flew into view.
"But there's only two of them!" Pigma squealed. "It's Peppy and that frog."
"Where are the other two?" Andrew asked.
"Does it matter? Shoot them down!" Wolf ordered.
It wasn't long before Pigma had come around behind Peppy's Arwing. Andrew had done the same with Slippy. Peppy avoided the oncoming laser fire by barrel rolling, then attempted to do a somersault to get the pig off his tail. Nothing worked. Pigma stayed right behind him.
"You can't beat me!" Pigma laughed into Peppy's radio. "My ship is better than yours!"
"We'll see about that!" Peppy pulled on the brakes, causing Pigma shoot straight past him.
Meanwhile, Slippy wasn't having as much luck. Andrew had already gotten in some good hits. Slippy's Arwing was faltering bad in flight. It wasn't long, he knew, before he'd either crash or lose a wing.
"Stick to the pond, froggy!" Andrew taunted.
"Will you ever come up with some new lines?" Slippy fought to shake off his opponent to no advail. "Ahhh!"
Peppy could do nothing but watch as Slippy's Arwing was shot down. Peppy thought he saw Slippy eject just before the Arwing crashed. He could only hope the little guy would be alright. Peppy had far greater problems at the time.
It wasn't long before Peppy, too, found himself ejecting from his Arwing.
The two Star Fox pilots could only watch as Star Wolf thinned out what remained of the Husky/Bulldog units. Some of the Cornerian jets escaped as fast as they could from the battle, while others fought to the death. Some still waited uneasily on the ground, watching as their comrades met their fates.