I got my hands on the StarFox64 strategy guide so I can finally give things names instead of descriptions.
Macbeth: The stolen freighter had made a couple of detours to throw off anyone following them before finally emerging warp above Macbeth.
"Where's your base of operations?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"Our main base is located on a monastery on one of Macbeth's moons. However we have a couple of subsidiary bases on other planets and our main spaceport is actually located above Corneria," said Anklor.
"You're joking," said A.I.ndrew.
"We have a legitimate shipping business that provides our income. We also have a shipyard above Corneria where the ships are repaired and new ones are built. However some of those ships just happen to be some of our battleships," said Anklor.
"I assume that you've lost that shipyard after the failed attempt to conquer Corneria," said A.I.ndrew.
"Actually no. We completely revamp every ship at another facility so they can't be traced back to the original shipyard. It's an effective strategy that we've used before to success," said Porpoise.
"In that case I assume that you have to fire on your own shipyards then when invading Corneria," said A.I.ndrew.
"Not if you approach the planet from the other side of the shipyards," responded Samson.
"True," conceded A.I.ndrew. The ship plunged into the atmosphere of Macbeth's sixth moon. Then it approached a monastery in the distance and a portion of the mountain it was located above pulled away to reveal a large tunnel passageway. The ship entered it and flew forward before finally setting down in a large bay. All around the bay were monks who were carrying about their business with no concern about the Red Hammer and their actions.
"This is original. A monastery. How do you get the monks to not report you?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"The monks need money to keep their monastery working. We simply pay them and they leave us alone. It's all quite simple. If you'll come with me to my office I can hook you up with a terminal. After you've read through the information we can discuss battle plans," said Anklor. The two walked through the bay that contained a various assortment of ships ranging from freighters to fighters to warships. They entered into Anklor's office and Andrew sat down at the terminal located to the left of Anklor's desk. Anklor activated it and set it to the information unit.
"It'll probably take a few hours to fully read the information so I'll see you then," said Anklor. A.I.ndrew raised up a hand.
"You forget that I'm a hologram," he said. Suddenly the screens of information flew by at an amazing rate and within three minutes he was done.
"Come. Let us check on the progress of the virus to its storage site," said A.I.ndrew. The virus was being pushed through the bay with Samson leading the team when A.I.ndrew and Anklor caught up with them.
"We're taking it to storage room 12. It's going to have a maximum-security lock on it so it can't accidentally be accessed," explained Samson. Anklor nodded.
"A.I.ndrew, do we need more vaccines for the rest of my men?" asked Anklor pointing to the dozens of engineers working on the ships in the bay.
"No. As long as you keep close tabs on it and the virus isn't released in an area with your workers, they should be fine," responded A.I.ndrew.
"Okay, keep moving but be careful," commanded Anklor. The team moved out.
"Where should we discuss tactics?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"We have a café up on the top level of the bay. We'll go there and discuss our plans," said Anklor. The entered into an elevator that immediately took them to the top level of the bay. When they emerged they walked along a few catwalks before finally arriving at the café. The two entered and Anklor made his selection while A.I.ndrew sat down at a table. Anklor then joined him holding a latte.
"Do you have any questions off the bat?" Anklor asked.
"Yeah. Who controls the largest remnants of the Venom units from the Lylat Wars?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"The main group is known as the Lizard's Pride and they're led by your old buddy Leon Powalski. Since he's a lizard, he's lived a very long life, but his group hasn't had a major military offensive for the better part of fifty years. He claims to be bidding his time, but I've heard rumors that he's planning to surrender to the CDF," said Anklor. Andrew slammed his hand on the table causing several pilots to look at them. However, when the noticed Anklor sitting at the table, they returned their attention to what they were doing.
"Over my dead holographic generator! I need you to set up a meeting between him and me, but don't say who I am. I won't allow Venom forces to surrender to the evil CDF. I'm going to convince him to join the Red Hammer and stop holding back his forces from outright attacking Corneria," said A.I.ndrew.
"And if he refuses and says he's going to surrender anyway?" asked Anklor. An evil grin spread across the hologram's face.
"Then he's no longer capable of leading any Venom forces. I'll tell him to give the forces control to you and if he still refuses then he must be taken out. If that means his death than the end justifies the means. X-7," said A.I.ndrew. Anklor held up his cup.
"Cheers," he said before downing it in one gulp.
Corneria: "Tell me again. How does a deadly virus designed by the CDF constantly fall in the hands of the enemy?" asked Jeff clearly frustrated.
"Before it was an accident. The virus was released on a prison colony and since we assumed it killed everyone in the prison we figured that we could just close it off and the virus would be contained. We had no idea that Andrew, who was on the prison, would resurface and contaminate Corneria!" exclaimed Pepper.
"So what happened after that?" asked Jennifer calmly.
"Andrew retreated to the prison colony and a small commando team lead by Jake Whitacre, Lara Jade, and Bill Gray managed to stop the release of even more of the plague by blowing up the prison facility. Andrew died on the prison and there's no way he could have survived. I can't even explain how X-7 managed to survive the thermonuclear detonation that destroyed the prison. I'm simply at a loss of words," said Pepper.
"Okay. Let's look at this from a different P.O.V. Let's assume that before the explosion, Andrew transferred several canister of X-7 to an alternate site that was far enough away from the explosion so they weren't destroyed. The canisters survived all this time because they weren't discovered. Then the Red Hammer stumble upon the site where they're located, steal several canisters of the plague and take it with them," said Karrie.
"That doesn't explain why they aren't dead. If you discovered several canisters of white powder, wouldn't your first impulse be to pop open the canisters and smell them? Somehow Andrew survived the explosion on the prison and has been hiding at this alternate facility for the past several years. But that's impossible. It's a paradox," said Pepper.
"Let's assume he didn't survive. Could it be possible that the robed figure wasn't Andrew? I mean it's hard to draw any conclusions from a creature's whose face you can't see," said Jerry.
"It's got to be Andrew. No one else would have the knowledge about that virus than he would. I just can't explain he survived all these years," said Pepper. Jennifer was looking through several pictures of the figure when she snapped her fingers.
"What if it's both Andrew and not Andrew at the same time," she suggested. She got a few weird looks from the team and Pepper.
"Look at this photo. The robed figure has been struck by a laser bolt and still managed to leave at full speed. It could be possible that this figure is nothing more than a hologram of Andrew. That explains his knowledge of the virus and the fact that he survived all these years," said Jennifer.
"I suppose it does, but that's still fairly circumstantial reasoning. I mean how do we know he isn't wearing protective gear underneath those robes?" asked Jeff.
"I guess we'll have to wait until this figure reappears," said Karrie.
"Yeah but if he does, the X-7 will follow and hundreds if not thousands would be dead by that point," said Pepper.
"They say you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs," laughed Jerry.
"Those eggs you refer to you are people's lives! You can't shrug off the deaths of thousands just to capture someone! How would you feel if you were the one dying!" growled Pepper.
"Calm down Pepper! It was just a joke," said Jerry.
"It wasn't funny. I lost a dear friend to that virus and I don't want to see any more die because of it," said Pepper.
"Do you have a vaccine?" asked Jennifer.
"Thankfully a couple of particles were discovered on the canister and a new vaccine is being made as we speak but it can't be properly field tested. If you receive it, you can't be sure of its effectiveness," said Pepper.
"Okay. Now let's just all calm down," said Jeff.
Lizard's Pride main base, location unknown: A lone ship entered into the base as it floated somewhere in deep space. The door opened to reveal a lone figure who then walked down the boarding ramp towards several armed guards.
"I have an appointment with Leon Powalski," said A.I.ndrew. The guard(a dog) slammed the butt of his gun into A.I.ndrew causing him to kneel over.
"You will refer to him as Lord Leon or his eminence, never Leon Powalski," said the guard walking off. A.I.ndrew stood back up and brushed off some of the dust on his robe.
"You'll pay for that. It's a good thing that I can't feel pain," said A.I.ndrew. The hologram followed the guards down several corridors, some without lights, before finally reaching Leon's office. A.I.ndrew was searched thoroughly for weapons before finally being let it. When A.I.ndrew entered he saw a virtually bare office with a view into space, there was a desk with a chair turned away from him in front of the window. On some of the walls were pictures of the various battles. One picture had the StarWolf team on it smiling and posing for the camera. A.I.ndrew lifted it off the wall and placed his hand on the image.
"Put it back," a voice growled. A.I.ndrew watched as the chair swiveled around to reveal a moderately aged Leon Powalski. A.I.ndrew hung the picture back up on the wall and faced him.
"What do want from the great Powalski?" boomed Leon.
"Leon what's happened to you? We were once great and now you've disgraced the Venomian name," said A.I.ndrew.
"Who are you?" demanded the lizard.
"It's me your old buddy Andrew Oikonny," said A.I.ndrew. To prove the point, A.I.ndrew pulled back his hood revealing his face. Leon pushed himself back into his chair like he'd seen a ghost.
"Impossible! You were captured and killed a century ago," said Leon.
"Wrong! I survived for another twelve years alone in solitude. You abandoned me on that rock known as Venom and left me there to die. How could you?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"We thought you were dead. All pirated information said that you were a casualty of a virus on a prison colony and it was subsequently shut off from the rest of the system. What a minute! What do you mean you survived for another twelve years? What are you?" demanded Leon. A.I.ndrew sighed.
"I'm a holographic representation of Andrew," he said simply. Leon started laughing.
"Then that means that you've no hold over me! I'm truly the last surviving member of the StarWolf team! Pigma was captured and died fifty-three years ago. I now can claim full control over the entire fleet! Ha, ha, ha," laughed Leon. A.I.ndrew merely shook his head in disbelief.
"What you miserable piece of hardware? What?" Leon demanded.
"You're a disgrace to my uncle, the StarWolf team, and Venomian's everywhere. However, I'll be generous. I want you to surrender all your forces to the Red Hammer and just step away from the spotlight," said A.I.ndrew.
"Wrong! I'll show my loyalty to the CDF by conquering the Red Hammer and then they'll be more reasonable to accept my surrender terms," said Leon.
"Than you've truly turned traitor. I'm afraid that I can't allow you to go about on your business any further," said A.I.ndrew.
"What're you going to do? You don't have any weapons and I could easily defeat you in armed combat or I could call in my guards. So what're you going to do?" asked Leon.
"You forget that I'm a hologram," said A.I.ndrew. A.I.ndrew plunged his left hand into his right arm and pulled a canister of X-7 out of it.
"You're sand isn't frightening me," said Leon.
"Leon, you've been my friend for a long time. I beg you, give up your forces to the Red Hammer and disappear forever," said A.I.ndrew.
"Never. I think that I'll erase your memory and program a new personality and image," said Leon.
"Then my friend is truly dead. At least it makes this somewhat easier," said A.I.ndrew. The hologram popped the can open and threw the contents directly at Leon. Leon merely sat there.
"That was a bust," Leon said. A minute later he collapsed into spasms and died when his body dissolved.
"A shame," said A.I.ndrew. A.I.ndrew then sat down at Leon's desk and activated the comm. system.
"This is your leader, and I'd like to inform you that I've decided to take a leave of absence. Your new leader will be Anklor of the Red Hammer until I get back. Thank you," said A.I.ndrew using Leon's voice. A.I.ndrew looked at a few screens that showed various sections of the base. The reaction from everyone was nothing more than a shrug. Apparently most people on the base didn't have any control over what happened anyway so it didn't matter to them.
"Anklor, it's done," said A.I.ndrew over a hidden comm. device he had also stored in his holographic arms. At the ship, Anklor exited the ship and the guards bowed to him. Anklor shrugged and the guards escorted him to Leon's office. When the doors closed behind him, Anklor was all smiles.
"Worked like a charm," said Anklor.
"Yeah, I only wish Leon hadn't been so stubborn," said A.I.ndrew.
"Those who can't adapt have to be left behind," said Anklor.
"True. Let's get started shall we," said A.I.ndrew.
Corneria: A folder arrived for General Pepper, which read: For Your Eyes Only. Even though the StarFox team was there Pepper opened it anyway. Inside was a single scrap of paper and a photo. Pepper read the piece of paper and his eyes widened.
"What?" Jeff asked
"According to this, the Lizard's Pride, who had decided to surrender to the CDF, just sided with the Red Hammer. All of their supplies and everything are now under Anklor's control. That isn't so good," said Pepper. Pepper took out the photo, glanced at it and started to go into shock.
"General! Snap out if!" yelled Karrie. Pepper looked at her wide-eyed and left the room.
"Karrie go follow him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," said Jennifer. Karrie nodded and left following Pepper. Jeff picked up the photo and glanced at it. The photo showed the robed figure with his hood down. The face of the character was revealed to be a simian creature.
"I guess that's Andrew," said Jerry.
"Yeah. I wish this wasn't affecting Pepper so hard. His original experience with the X-7 and Andrew must have been extremely traumatic for him," said Jennifer. Pepper re-entered the office followed by Karrie.
"We need to go speak to the president," said Pepper. The group left the room headed for the president's office located in Coastal City.
Former Lizard's Pride base, now called Anklor's Fist: "Choices," said Anklor. He and A.I.ndrew were reading through the items manifest of the Lizard's Pride.
"I say we make a public demonstration of the older version of the X-7 over the Cornerian Emergency Broadcast channel. We then tell them that unless they surrender or we'll release the new X-7 on them," said A.I.ndrew.
"So propaganda basically," said Anklor.
"Right," responded the hologram.
"I say we release the virus on Zoness and completely obliterate the population. It will be a joint virus/battlefleet operation. We'll show the Cornerians our military might and then release the virus. That way they'll be terrified into submission," said Anklor.
"I suppose that would eliminate the need to actually attempt to conquer the CEB system. I like it," said A.I.ndrew.
"So when should we attack?" asked Anklor.
"I want the chance to psych out Pepper first. So how about tomorrow?" asked A.I.ndrew.
"Tomorrow it is. Watch out Zoness, your day has ended," said Anklor to the air.
"I've got to go contact Pepper. I'm going to take a communications ship out beyond Titania and then contact Pepper. My presence will completely drive him insane," said A.I.ndrew.
"Excellent. See you around," said Anklor. A.I.ndrew nodded and left. A few minutes later the comm. ship blasted off into deep space. Anklor accessed a map and started deciding how to attack Zoness for maximum effect with little resources used or lost.
President's Office, Coastal City: Aging President Greg Parlow(yes, the one from my first fic, the intel operative) was being briefed by Pepper and the StarFox team.
"This is not good," said Greg.
"No it isn't," responded Pepper.
"What do you suggest we do?" asked Greg.
"I say we mobilize the entire fleet and obliterate the Red Hammer and Lizard's Pride once and for all," said Jeff.
"Without provocation or reason? I don't think so," answered Greg.
"Agreed," responded Pepper.
"Employ intel operatives to discover their plans?" suggested Karrie.
"Maybe, but I have a better idea. I want to employ the StarFox team as undercover operatives. We have operatives in positions of power that would allow you to come in undiscovered. After that you could employ whatever tactics necessary to discover the information. You would be paid generously of course," said Greg.
"We'll have to discuss it," said Jennifer.
"By all means," said Greg. A technician walked in.
"Sir, urgent message for General Pepper," said the technician.
"We'll leave you alone," said Greg. The StarFox team and the president left the room leaving Pepper by himself. Pepper accessed the comm., entered in his password, and wondered who was calling him. The image sprang up revealing a robed figure. Pepper fell back in a chair in shock before rage filled his eyes.
"Hello Pepper," said A.I.ndrew.
"I hate you with every fiber in my body," said Pepper.
"Yeah, I miss you too. Look, I just called to say hello. It's been a long time since we last met and I wanted to see how you are doing," said the hologram.
"How I am is no business of yours," growled Pepper.
"Hey, they always say keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Anyway, I just called to say that I'm back in the system and I'm once again in possession of the Viral Weapon X-7. Yes Pepper, it will be used and evil will once again be in control of the Lylat System," said A.I.ndrew.
"A hologram leading the people, I don't think so," said Pepper. This time A.I.ndrew growled.
"It makes no difference as to who leads the people, if Anklor is in control than I've won. Hologram or no hologram, the Lylat System will fall. Never forget what I did to your pal the president," said A.I.ndrew smiling.
"I will never forget it. Although you should never forget what I did to your uncle," responded Pepper slyly.
"Touché. Although I know something that you don't. I have unlimited access to X-7 and you know as well as I do that your stupid vaccine won't protect you this time around. I've finally won and there's nothing you can do about it. Together the combined forces of the Red Hammer and the Lizard's Pride will crush all opposition and not even you can stop us this time! Tremble before our wrath! You can never win!" yelled A.I.ndrew laughing. Pepper growled and slammed his hand through the viewscreen shattering it into a million pieces. Greg and the StarFox team ran back into the room after hearing the glass shatter.
"Who was it?" asked Greg.
"Andrew. He's a hologram after all and he's got X-7. We are doomed unless we stop him. Whether or not the StarFox is going undercover, I am. I will not allow Andrew to conquer the Lylat System. I'd rather die than see him succeed in his attempts," said Pepper.
"Well we've agreed to go undercover, but is it wise for you general? You're very old and you can't survive much longer. I don't think your health would support an undercover mission," said Karrie.
"I'm not going to stand by and do nothing. If I'm going to die than at least I'll die do something worthwhile and not just rotting away. I won't condemn myself to the same fate that the president went through. I won't rot away like my friend did. Mark my words, Andrew will pay for what he did, even if he's a hologram," said Pepper and with that he stormed out of the room.
"I'm worried about him," said Greg.
"We all are," said Jennifer.
"I'll make the arrangements for your stationing at the Lizard's Pride base," said Greg leaving the room.
"Is it wise to bring Pepper along with us? He'll just slow us down," said Jeff.
"We've got to bring him with us. Our whole family has given their entire support to Pepper and I'm not about to break that bond now. Pepper comes," said Jennifer.
"Fine, but it's on your head if he gets us caught," said Jeff leaving the room.
Next Day: Alarms blared all over Zoness as dozens of enemy fighters zoomed overhead firing on the populous.
Corneria: Pepper awoke on the couch in his office to the sound of blaring sirens. Pepper ran to the comm. console and activated it to the president's private channel.
"What's up? A drill?" asked Pepper.
"No! Zoness is under attack by the Red Hammer!" exclaimed Greg.
"Is the fleet going to respond?" asked Pepper.
"What little fleet there is, most of our ships are having their engines overhauled while the rest are doing nebula maneuvers in Sector Y. We can only spare three cruisers and that's not going to be enough to stop the Red Hammer. Things aren't looking so good. We couldn't have anticipated this attack and it couldn't have come at a worse time. Here are some recon photos. I don't like the look of those ships in the background. According to our reports they're old ships that were designed for the release of fire retardant spray on forest fire's on Corneria and Katina. However, I'm thinking that they're carrying something other than fire retardant spray," said Greg.
"You're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting are you?" asked Pepper.
"Yes. I'm in a right mind to suggest that those ships are filled with Viral Weapon X-7. I believe that after the initial assault they're going to send in those ships and drop the virus on the people," said Greg.
"No. They're all dead then," said Pepper.
"I think that was the idea behind this attack. We're in trouble Pepper," said Greg.
Zoness: Wave 12 composing of a dozen of enemy fighters skimmed the waves as they flew underneath the CDF radar. Ahead several explosions rocked the close inhabited islands. The fighters then zoomed over a small village and dropped their bombs obliterating the town right off the map. Several enemy boats skimmed the waves below wave 12 and opened fire on the CDF and civilian boats everywhere.
"It feels good to be on the winning side for a change," said Anklor in a low flying warship.
"That it does. I wish I could be out flying with them but I'm too integral to the mission to risk death," said A.I.ndrew. Suddenly heavy laser blasts streaked from the sky as the orbiting battlefleet opened fire on the islands as well.
"How many losses?" asked Anklor.
"We've only lost six fighters and two boats. The odd part is that the fleet that contained the two boats claimed that a giant crab came to the surface and sank the two. This is unsubstantiated of course," said the technician. Anklor turned to A.I.ndrew.
"Could it be possible that a bio-weapon remains from
Andross' attempted capture of this planet?" asked Anklor.
"The ship probably hit a rock
that looked like a crab and sank.
There's no way a bio-weapon of my uncle's could have survived this
long. Besides, Andross didn't even
really used bio-weapons on this particular planet. True the Todora inhabits this planet but other than that I'd have
to say no," responded A.I.ndrew. Anklor
merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Sir, we've received confirmation that all primary targets have been destroyed," said the technician.
After several more explosions rocked the various islands dotting the surface of the water, Anklor turned to a comm. officer.
"Pull back all forces and prepare to drop the X-7 over the islands we chose for eradication," said Anklor. The officer nodded and set about making that happen. Within a half hour the forces had pulled back and the tankers had just begun flying over the populated settlements when three CDF cruisers arrived.
"Good, let them see our handiwork," said A.I.ndrew. The Red Hammer forces that were leaving gave the CDF a wide berth and the cruisers captured the images that would be broadcasted and etched into the minds of all the Cornerians who saw them. The freighters dropped their contents and then escaped with the rest of the fleet into warp. The cruisers received dozens of transmissions for help and watched helplessly as the victims of X-7 died a horrible and painful death.
Corneria: "I'm going to be sick," said Jennifer. The StarFox team, Pepper, and Greg watched the horrendous images captured by the CDF cruisers.
"I told them not to advance to the surface, it's too dangerous. According to our information, we're looking at 100% casualties, that's a little over two million deaths," said Greg. However while everyone else was feeling sick and horrible, the images only hardened Pepper's resolve.
"We need to infiltrate the Lizard's Pride base and discover where they're getting the X-7 from," said Pepper. Greg looked up.
"I'm giving you one standard week before I mobilize the entire fleet and we obliterate the Red Hammer once and for all!" yelled Greg leaving the room.
"Come, I've got the information regarding our infiltration of the base called Anklor's Fist. We'll need to have our appearances altered and then we'll still have to be careful about using our voices because everything can be traced. Let's go!" ordered Pepper. The team left the room headed for their eventual infiltration of Anklor's Fist.