Chapter 2

Following the defeat of Andross, the CDF moved into Venom, established a democratic government and built military bases around the major population centers. Deep inside one of these bases, intelligence agents were discussing the latest developments in a situation that was quickly extending beyond their control.

"…Yes, but if the fleet is bigger than what we expected, we could have some trouble containing it."

"Listen we'll let Pepper worry about that. Our job is to find out as much as we can about the fleet. Gerard, you've been talking for awhile on how difficult it'd be if the mystery fleet was larger than expected, well what can we do to determine the size of this fleet?"

"That's being efforted as we speak Commander Pontac, but no spy probes have ever made it close enough to do a good scan. One other option remains, we call the Star Fox team to investigate. Their combat record…"

"They are a last resort. Too expensive otherwise, and certainly out of the question at this stage."

"Commander Pontac, have they made any aggressive moves yet?"

The badger shook his head. "No, they're still there, hanging in space, as if they were waiting for something."

Silence fell across the room.

"Well then keep watching. Inform Pep and me if you find anything else new."

The speaker, a tall Badger, rose from the table, packed up a briefcase and departed the room, followed by others who weren't engaging in side conversations. Most dispersed to other parts of the base, but one followed to the elevator.

"Commander, we HAVE to call on Star Fox."

"Not now, Newton"

But the amphibian protested. "How else would we find out? Every probe we've shot in that direction has been destroyed! We're intelligence operatives dammit! It's our job to find out! Why don't you even recommend that course of action to General Pepper?"

"He wouldn't approve it."

The elevator doors opened, admitting the two creatures.

"Top Floor." Said Pontac. In response, the elevator doors closed and the elevator accelerated upwards, to the top floor.

"He approved the Star Fox team to a scouting mission before! Why don't you at least try it?! It's our best shot!"

"Are you being insubordinate, Sergeant?" Pontac sneered.

Newton was fuming. "No, Sir, but I think your handling of the situation is not as good as it could be. And the other agents back there, they'll agree, because they know what I'm talking about. You, on the other hand, you're not making sense at all!"

Pontac remained silent for a moment. The doors opened for the top floor, but he said "Basement." And the doors closed again.

"Sir?" Newton was beginning to have serious doubts about his Commander's sanity at this point.

"You know Newton, you're probably right." Said Pontac coldly. Then quicker than Newton could react, Pontac punched him right in the face, leaving him dazed. Pontac yanked Newton's sidearm from its holster and shot Newton three times in the chest. Then, as methodically as if it was drill, Pontac turned the blaster into his own shoulder and fired. He barely grunted as he felt the white-hot pain spread around his shoulder and down his arm. Pain was something he could take well. Pontac didn't need to worry about the elevator's computer; it didn't store any memory once its orders had been carried out, and it didn't record messages it did not recognize. He withdrew a small circular device from a breast pocket and pressed a protected red button on the elevator's wall. Within moments the elevator had stopped at the nearest floor, opening its doors to five security personnel gathered outside. "Commander Pontac! What happened here?! Are you all right?"

Pontac feigned great sadness, then looked at the five soldiers. "Newton ordered the elevator downstairs, he tried to jump me. I don't know why… I can't imagine why. I had to shoot him with his own gun."

One of the guards walked into the lift, bending over Sergeant Newton's still form.

"He's gone, sir."

"I know." Pontac said softly. "I found this on him." He tossed the little circular device he had been carrying to the soldiers outside the lift.

"A Venomian circuit jammer." Said one. "Looks like the elevator's security cameras are gonna be useless."

"We should never have enlisted a Venomian." Added another.

"I trusted him." Said Pontac. "I can't believe my trust could be so misplaced."

"We all make mistakes sir." The crouching soldier straightened up and signaled to a pair of medics arriving at the scene. "These guys'll take care of you now sir."

As Commander Pontac allowed the medics to lead him to the surgery, he almost grinned. A perfect execution to a dangerous opponent, a perfect execution.

Soon he wouldn't need to go about playing charades like this, soon he'd have much, much more. With the 'mystery' fleet in warp-space already, and High Command effectively under his web of deception, it was only a matter of time.

But for the moment, he let the medics fuss over him, believing him to be the loyal son of Corneria he pretended to be.