Radeon: Hell's Gate
"Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being."
-Kahlil Gibran, "The Voice of the Poet"
Chapter 1
"Nothing on scanners," a voice said, "making second pass." His voice was replaced with a loud mechanical whir, interrupted only by a clunk. A large, bipedal metal monstrosity, a Radeon, entered the view of the monitor. A loud beeping was heard.
"Incoming enemy SRM! Evade! Evade!" An explosion knocked the Radeon off balance.
"Damn! My sensors are shot! How many are there?" A triplet of crimson beams burned in to the Radeon, melting the armor, exposing the titanium endoskeleton.
"I'm not picking up anything on my sensors, sir! Wait. I see- zzzzz" Static buzzed through the air.
"Tesqu, come in. Tes." The sentence ended as a chartreuse beam ripped through the Radeon, setting off a small explosion.
The thought of being in that thing while it collapsed around me made the fur on the back of my neck stand up. The display screen rose as an aged hound dog wearing a commander's uniform walked in front of it. A small scar below his eye gave him a stern and demanding look, even if he was just sleeping. General Pepper shook his head in sadness.
"That was the footage from a patrol team on Venom in Sector 87 of the Char continent. A few hours later, a group by the name of The Triads claimed responsibility for the attack. Apparently, they control the continent."
"Which, of course, explains the loss of communications to the colony there." I stated.
"Exactly. Now, that area has many defense systems that we don't know about, so none of our guys want to risk it."
Now I became worried. "So, you're sending us to Venom to take out this. terrorist threat?"
"On your own? No," he said, matter-of-factly. "Look, I don't have time for your lolly-gagging around. If it weren't for your recommendation, I wouldn't even be talking to you right now. So I arranged for a 'baby-sitter'. You will have air support from the Star Fox team. From what I understand, you and Fox are old friends."
Yeah, I thought. It's been a long time. 12 years now.
"You will meet him in Docking Bay 5 at 2200 hours."
I raised an eyebrow. "Kinda late, ain't it?"
"You know, Captain Starfyre, you have a loud mouth for a cat."
I grinned. "Only when I want something." I started to walk out of the room.
"Wait!" Pepper said. "What do you want?"
"I want a sim match."
"Sim match. Dezu, you hardly have time to-"
"I have all the time in the world."
Pepper gave an annoyed sigh. "Fine. But I'm warning you now; I'm undefeated."
I walked to one of the pods in the room. Hitting a button, I said, "Hah! Let me show you why I was recommended to you! What craft are you using?"
"A Cornerian Mark IV Interceptor."
"Ohhh! A challenge? Bring it!"
I sat in one of the pods; the canopy sliding shut overhead. A flicker and three screens lit up. I punched a few buttons and brought up a control panel for a Radeon. I gripped the twin control sticks and pulled the left trigger.
"A-16 Jehuty simulation program activated. Zelot-class Radeon simulation selected. Switching to combat mode." A feminine voice stated.
I pressed both sticks forward to ease the Radeon forward. A humming and buzzing of the "motor" filled the cockpit. I pressed the weapon select button.
"Pulse laser selected."
I looked at my radar. Where is he? He should be- My thought was cut off as lasers strafed around my cockpit and narrowly missed my sensory output. I hit two buttons on top of the sticks and fired up the boosters. The Radeon raised up in the air as I hit the weapon select button.
"STINGER Long-Range Missile selected. Locked on."
I got you now! I pulled the trigger, sending the missiles flying into the air. After a few seconds, a blast was heard.
"Target hit. Target in critical condition. WARNING: LOCK-ON DECTECTED!"
Damn! Laser bombs! I forgot about those. Quickly, I released the booster buttons and violently jerked the control sticks to the left. The Radeon hit the ground and rolled to the side. I switched to my pulse lasers and fired a few awkward shots towards the fleeing fighter. A beep was heard and the speaker came on.
"Target destroyed. End simulation."
The screens faded to black as the canopy slid open. I hopped out of the pod with a smirk on my face. Pepper went out of his, with a baffled look on his face.
"H-h-h-how did you do that?! I can even take down the Star Fox team in these simulators, and I had a distinct advantage over you. How?"
"Cause me and my team are the best in Radeons. Ground-to-air combat is something you need to survive the hell of battle. Now, explain to me why you doubt me."
"Doubt you?" Pepper questioned. "I never doubted you or your ability. To be blunt, I don't trust you. I haven't ever trusted mercenaries."
"And yet, you trust the Star Fox team?"
"The only reason that I trust them is because I was friends with his father and he proved useful in preventing the total destruction of Cornaria City. He earned my trust. You, on the other hand, have worked for pirates, terrorists, and Venomanian forces dur-"
"That was eight years ago. You wouldn't understand."
"Wouldn't understand! You are not one of my allies, nor will you ever be. Besides, I have no reason to trust a feline anyway!"
"I'll do this mission, but only because I feel like helping out someone in need. If this was just to benefit you, I would have dropped this like a hot potato."
"Captain! You are dismissed! Get out of my sight, you dirty cat!" he said as I walked towards the door. I turned abruptly, catching my employer by surprise.
"And you go to hell, you bigot!" I stormed out of the room
I entered the docking bay in full dress regalia for my militia, which included a long blue tailcoat with silver buttons, a dark blue beret, black gloves, black slacks, and dark leather boots. Only eight members of the militia accompanied me due to lack of transportation. They followed in my wake as we walked towards a large, gray ship.
The Great Fox had been going through a preflight diagnostics check and was about ready to take off. The two large laser cannons on the front were being checked for obstruction and the other turrets were being activated. Repair droids were scuttling about the four wings, trying to get back to the interior of the ship. A small group waited for us in front of the lowered boarding ramp. A fox stood in front of the others, wearing a communications headset, watching our approach. Once we reached them, I stood at a complete attention. The fox did the same.
"Dezu Starfyre, Captain of the Defiler mercenary unit reporting to duty," I said, saluting. He returned my salute.
"I, Fox McCloud, Commander of the Star Fox team, welcome you aboard the Great Fox."
We stood there at a complete attention for about five seconds before I chuckled. Fox joined in, too. Within minutes, we were laughing our heads off. My troops and his wingmates gave us a strange look. We were quick into a friendly embrace.
"Damn, Dezu," Fox chuckled, grinning from ear to ear. "I almost took you seriously. Almost."
"Man, do I have stories to tell!" I said. "Maybe over a brew." I turned to my troops who were stifling laughs. "Ok, boys, the charade's up. Quit acting serious. This is Fox McCloud, a childhood friend of mine."
"Hey guys. Just in case you're wondering, you have complete access to the entire ship, I view everyone as my equal, and - here's the best part - all you can eat and drink for free!" A loud cheer from my comrades sounded. "Let me introduce my team. Slippy Toad, our engineering and intelligence frog." A toad in a jean jacket ant tan pants gave a wave. "Peppy Hare, a member of the original Star Fox team with my father." A gray hare in a tan overcoat and pants nodded to the men. "And Fara Phoenix, my fiancée." A vixen fox in a black jumpsuit gave a smile that could have taken anyone heart away.
"Fox," I said, under my breath, "where's Falco?"
"He left the team. He said he was heading to Macbeth to settle down for a while."
"You're kidding."
"No." Fox turned to the crowd. "Ok, everyone. Let's make like a tree and get the hell out of here!"
I shook my head in amusement. Fox never was good at remembering that saying.
I relaxed on my couch in my quarters aboard the Great Fox. I stared at the dull gray walls, thinking of the meeting with General Pepper. After all this time, I was still infuriated.
What the hell would he know? I thought to myself. The minute he found out that I worked for Andross for a short time, he didn't trust me. What would he do if his family and loved ones would be killed if he didn't work for someone? Even after a year, Andross banished her, sent her to work in the factory on Macbeth. He didn't fight through guards just to see. Jewels. Why bother grieving now? It was four years ago. If only he knew.
I was falling asleep when a buzz sounded in the room. I looked for the source, but never found it. I heard it again, followed by some metallic knocks.
"Dezu!" A muffled voice said. "It's Fox! Open up!"
I hit the open button on the control pad by the door. It slid up, and Fox walked through the opening. His face looked serious, and he held a disk in his hand.
"This message came a few minutes ago from Macbeth."
I gave him a quizzical look. "And. what the hell does this have to do with me?"
"It's Jewels."