Chapter 14: Assembly
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Fox glanced out the window of the contemporary civil center overlooking the terrain as
the occasional hover car zipped by the gigantic curved glass pane. It provided a
magnificent view of a mining quarry that spanned several miles to the horizon with
moderately tall apartment buildings and skyscrapers to the east. Turning around, he
glanced at Wolf who was intently listening to Bill speak.
"I'm glad you guys arrived. While you were on your way I've been talking to the leader
of the planet, Dordon Prole, he says that there was previously a Cornerian representative
stationed here to oversee trading. Fortunately he has defected so we can count on him for
further assistance..."
As Bill continued to talk, Fox took notice of Katt and Falco who were standing idly next
to each other, secretly pawing each other's hands caringly, but their faces held dead pan
expressions as though aware of the seriousness of the situation.
"By Prole's estimates we have two days to convert Macbeth's civil cargo fleet into battle
capable ships, not only that, but at the same time we have to train the people to fly those
ships..."
"Bill I'm going to interrupt," started Fox as he snapped back to reality, "Do you have any
idea how much work this is going to require, I mean I can't even being to imagine the..."
"It can be done," countered Slippy as he looked up from the floor, "It's going to require
everyone's effort, but it can be done..."
Falco let go of Katt and approached the center of the circular room, "This is all insane,
even if we can get a makeshift fleet going, Pepper is just going to wipe it out with his
own fleet which, ahem, consists of multiple battle ships and of course planetary defense
lasers..."
"Well, that's where I was hoping Slippy could come in," added Bill, "I've read his
research works on anti-orbital defense weapons and thought that something like that
could be implemented here."
Slippy cocked an eyebrow as he folded his arms. "Bill I'm afraid to say all the research
work was only in theory," he sputtered, "Even so it would require an incredible amount
of energy to power such a device."
"Which can be provided," came a voice from the shadows.
Bill swerved around catching the formally adorned mole with his eyes, "Ah, Viceroy
Prole, this is the Star Fox team. They will be helping you in our efforts against General
Pepper."
Fox eyed the short mole as he looked around at everyone smiling with a hint of grim
futility.
"Ah yes, I'm so glad that I could finally meet all of you..." Prole's demeanor changed to
a sadder expression while he tugged at his neatly pressed uniform, "I heard of what
happened to Calar Troikas and the Zonessian capitol. I can only say that I'm deeply
disturbed by all that has been happening these past few weeks...these are not the actions
of a dignified leader..."
"Definitely not," cut in Falco, "Pepper, as any dolt can notice, has literally gone rabid.
Not sure if you know, but his political agenda wasn't always so presumptuous..."
"I'm aware of the changes that have occurred in Corneria's political structure Mr.
Lombardi is it? Our trade guilds have often been the Cornerian army's largest goods
supplier in Lylat..."
Wolf who was overhearing the conversation intensively turned around with a thoughtful
glance, "What did the Macbethian government do during the Andross take over eight
years ago?"
"I was only a statesman at the time, but we merely bent our backs and waited
submissively for Cornerian forces to save us. Of course I remember the Star Fox team
being our liberators"
"Under orders from Pepper…" added Fox softly.
"...Pepper...yes..." nodded Prole.
As everyone hushed in reverence the doors boomed open with a dark brown fox trotting
through the archways. He gracefully skipped towards the group with a clipboard in one
hand and a communicator device in the other that he was folding into his gray colored
coat which had a small ID tag on it with unreadable letters. He was slightly shorter than
Wolf and somewhat fit, the definition of a slight build peeking through the visible shirt
under his open coat.
"I'm sorry I'm late Dordon, I tried to get here as fast as I could when I heard the Star Fox
team was coming." He panted as he ran a paw through his shortly cut hair which had
blonde colored highlights. An unusual trait which made Fox wonder whether it was a
natural occurrence or not.
He turned toward Fox with a smile showing off two earrings in his left ear, "Forgive me,
I'm Nicholas Ivanfox."
"The Cornerian defector I mentioned to you earlier," added Prole. "Don't worry Mr.
Ivanfox, the delay is quite alright. Mr. Grey had only begun briefing the Star Fox team on
the situational standpoint here on Macbeth."
Fox reached out his paw towards the deeply brown colored fox in a friendly gesture
which was taken graciously, "Mr. Ivanfox we're all glad here that you're on our side."
"Oh don't mention it," replied Nicholas. "Just think of me as a civil worker with a
conscience."
Everyone around the room chuckled in relief, as laughing was something hard to come by
in the recent days.
"No more time for introductions we can get to those later," cut in Bill. "As for now we
need to implement a plan of action going to prepare Macbeth for an attack. Slippy I need
you to put together a team with the local scientists here on building an anti-orbital
defense laser. A weapon of such a sort will be imperative in our defense."
Slippy nodded, he had argued before of the near impossibility of such a task, but it
seemed only prudent to comply with a weak smile and a nod.
"You might want to meet with the Corodus team, I have a feeling they'll be able to work
something out with you also," commented Nicholas with a thoughtful tone.
"The Corodus?"
Viceroy Prole adjusted his coat a bit, scratching his head absently. "Yes, the Corodus is
the largest laser drill in use here on Macbeth. I think Mr. Ivanfox may be suggesting the
possibility of converting it into a defensive weapon. I'm not entirely sure, but you should
definitely look into it Mr. Toad."
Slippy brightened up as he realized that creating a massive defensive weapon for the
planet in two days might be a possible goal with this supposed laser drill. The next few
hours were going to be critical and tiring he thought as he looked around the room.
"You can speak with the Corodus team on this channel," added the Viceroy as he handed
Slippy a small digital tablet. He nodded as Slippy exited the room quickly almost in
excitement.
"Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Grey and Mr. Hare, perhaps now would be a good time to start
assembling the construction groups to work on manufacturing weapons for our cargo
fleets," continued Prole as he flipped through a number of papers on the table in front of
him.
Falco grumbled while walking out the door with Bill and Peppy. He knew that he was in
for a lot of work that he already thought was futile in the first place, but for the sake of
keeping the group together and hopes up, he too complied with a smile and a nod.
Fox watched his blue feathered friend exit before turning around again, "It's about time I
saw a government leader actually do some of the planning on his own," he commented
with a smirk.
"Mr. McCloud I take pride in my home and my people, the least I can do is be a good
leader for them."
Fox nodded as he looked over at Wolf who was now standing close by his side leaving
Katt alone, who no longer had a hand to hold in her paw.
"As for you three," started Prole. "You will go with Mr. Ivanfox and deal with the task of
training the cargo fleet pilots on combat readiness as I know the three of you are all
skilled pilots."
"Some more than others," winked Katt.
The group of four exited the room together leaving Dordon Prole to look out the window
and view the hustle bustle of the urban landscape and hover cars zipping by. In his usual
nervous habit he tugged on his coat pins, contemplating what would happen in the next
48 hours.
"This is ours Pepper...you cannot take this from us," he murmured out to the terrain.
*********************************************
The General stood in the completely pitch black room as a holographic projection of the
Lylat System fizzled in around him. He looked around smugly as the planets began to
orbit across the room in circular paths while he brushed his uniform. As he continued
brushing, the grayish planet of Macbeth caught his eyes...his brushing turned into more
vigorous thrusts as his eyes locked on the floating orb.
"Fox cannot stop me from taking what's mine."
His obsessive petting of his coat had turned into clenching tears that tore the seams on the
arm cuff of his red colored uniform.
"Computer, select Macbeth, full spread view," he snarled with clenched teeth.
The holo-images of the other planets and Solar faded away while Macbeth enlarged
filling the room.
"Yes...this is where I will get you Fox…and this is where I will show you my true plans
for Lylat..."
The holoroom clicked off as Pepper faded into the darkness...
*********************************************
Slippy watched as dozens of moles hurried around the catwalks in the gigantic wide open
cave which held the Corodus drill laser. He had been put in the charge by the team to
convert the laser beam drill into a weapon capable of targeting and hitting spacecraft in
orbit of Macbeth. An arduous task indeed, but his new leadership role in the whole
situation built confidence inside of him as he watched scientists in lab coats pour over
data. He felt a swell of pride as he also watched mechanical workers pry open
compartments and flaps on the massive body of the drill to poke around its wires and
assorted internal components. Although he would have liked to do the poking around
himself he was much too busy with scientists querying on what to do in certain areas.
As each scientist approached Slippy, he either nodded to them or shook his head over the
data and information they presented. Each covering different plans of pointing the laser,
powering it, housing it…the flood of information overwhelmed Slippy but with a firm
grip on the situation, he handled it without breaking a sweat. He had built and engineered
many devices and vehicles before, but none so big, and none that required a team of more
than ten people.
"Mr. Toad, the Viceroy will want a progress report within the next hour."
God in hell, he thought as he clenched his eyes shut.
*********************************************
"Have you people never dealt with vehicular weapons before?!" screamed Falco as he
waved away a short stoutly mole who waddled away quickly from the hot-headed avian.
"Falco cool your jets man, you got to remember these folks have only dealt with mining
equipment and transportation...not weapons. Cut them some slack, they'll learn," said
Bill coolly as he watched hundreds of moles rush around the assembly mine, ducking
from the occasional robotic arm that would swoop down to weld on a laser cannon or
missile launcher to a plainly coated vehicle hull.
"Yea but I mean come on, that guy didn't know a thing about power allotment for beam
weapons, it's annoying the hell out of me when I have to explain what adjustments need
to be made."
"No one said this job was easy Falco, alright?" snapped Bill, sounding more annoyed.
Falco took the clue to hush up, and merely grumbled as more moles ran up to him to ask
what information and data was needed to input into the assembly computers.
"I don't know about you guys, but I love these people," smiled Peppy as he handed
another mole a data tablet. "They're very diligent, and I can see that Macbeth isn't
prosperous just because of its resources."
Falco growled under his beak as a female mole handed him a tablet asking for input on
how much power should be allocated to beam weapons. It was the same tablet that was
presented to him by the mole who he shooed away...
*********************************************
Wolf watched Katt and Fox contemptuously as they helped out moles with the fighter
simulations. He couldn't help but notice how god-damned flirty she was with Fox. His
eyes wandered away as he couldn't watch her playfully paw with the hair on the back of
his head. Fox would merely chuckle and lightheartedly punch her jacket as they
continued to lean over simulators together and analyze the moles as they blasted away
through the fighting sims.
But why was he angry? A good question that played in his thoughts…
"Wolf?" came Nicholas' smooth voice. "What are you doing? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine..." he grumbled as he pulled his jacket collar up around his neck.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced, I'm Ni..."
"I know who you are ok? Just...don't worry about it, I'm fine..."
Wolf turned away from Nicholas and leaned against the wall in the dimly lit room. The
sound of simulated lasers and explosions poured through his head as his eyes turned
again towards Katt and Fox who were still closely next to each other. He knew what type
of girl she was. He had seen how close she was with Falco earlier when talking with the
Viceroy, and now he was witnessing her giving the same affection to Fox. He knew
exactly what she was, and he hated seeing Fox give into it, encouraging it. It sickened
him...
"Listen Wolf I know you probably think that the plans the Viceroy are giving are futile,
but there is always a chance when there is hope, in fact..."
"No! It's not about that, I said scram ok?!" snapped Wolf as he swung around toward the
tired looking brown fox.
Nicholas took a step back from the shouting, but no one else took notice as they were too
enraptured in the fighting simulators while the sounds of laser blasts choked out Wolf's
voice before it could reach Fox or Katt's ears.
There was a silence between the too, only the bustle of the fighting sims resonated
through walls as Wolf looked away from Nicholas, feeling guilty for taking his anger out
on him.
"What happened to your eye?"
The anger quickly surged back.
"I ripped it out and put it back in, NOW BEAT IT!"
The final shout got Fox and Katt's attention as they swerved around to see where the
angry voice came from. Wolf saw that they had heard and stormed out of the room
quickly as Nicholas blinked a few times, frozen in his stance.
With cautious steps, Fox stepped over towards the stunned brown fox, who was still
standing still until he came to his side.
"What happened Nick?"
"I don't exactly know," he replied as he continued to blink.
Great, now I look like an idiot screamed Wolf in his thoughts as he stormed down the
corridor of the science building. I just yelled at some guy who I don't even know, and
now he's probably telling Fox how I was a bastard. God but why do I care what Fox
thinks so much? Why? The question continued to burn...
**********************************
Everyone sat around the long four sided table in the room that they had all originally
come together in when they first got to Macbeth. The Viceroy sat at the head of the table
with Nicholas sitting beside him. Falco, Bill and Peppy sat on one side together with Fox,
Wolf and Katt on the other. Slippy sat at the opposite head of the table with two scientists
standing beside him, poking through digital tablets.
Wolf made sure to sit between Fox and Katt, the reasoning that went through his head
when he made that choice was blurry to him, he just knew he didn't want Katt next to
Fox. Unfortunately as a result he had to watch Katt play a nice round of footsy with Falco
who sat opposite to her. They exchanged their playful smirks while Dordon Prole began
to speak.
"Alright, it has been 9 hours since we first convened here and I'm sure you are all
exhausted..."
Wolf nodded taking notice of his fatigue as he felt his eyelids go heavy, even on his
scarred eye. As he glanced around it looked as though everyone was struggling to keep
theirs open too.
"But it is important to record our progress as we are on such a short timetable...Mr. Toad
you may begin with the Corodus conversion team's progress."
Slippy perked up, widening his eyes as the scientists around him paused in their tablet
poking to listen.
"Well..." he coughed a bit before continuing. "We have completed repositioning the drill
to face in the opposite trajectory it held before...which was downward...into the...the
crust," he stuttered. "But now...it is...pointing up...yes..."
"Mr. Toad..."
"AH! But we have ALSO modified the optical enhancer to increase its power making the
beam capable of extending past the atmosphere!" shot Slippy, interrupting Prole's
disappointment.
Prole's face changed from an upset look to a pleased one as he nodded. "That's very
good, I'm glad to hear of your progress. Cargo fleet modifications, how about your
group?"
Slippy sighed deeply as the focus moved away from him and onto Bill's group as they
spoke among each other. It had not been the first time he had received a pleased comment
from a leader, but in such dire times any good word built confidence, especially his own.
He needed it more than ever.
As Bill finished his comments, Prole turned towards Fox with a warm smile, "And how is
combat training coming along."
"Just great..." grumbled Wolf.
"I'm sorry what was that Mr. O'Donnell?" questioned Prole with a confused tone.
Fox glared at Wolf with a sharp glint in his eye, one that he had not seen before since
over a comm channel eight years ago during a dog fight...
"I'm sorry Viceroy, what my friend means is that things are going great. I feel that most
of the cargo fleet is space combat capable and they have my full confidence in battle."
Prole nodded at Fox with another pleased smile glancing back at Wolf quickly who was
holding his head down, twiddling with his jacket zipper. What the hell is his problem
growled Fox in his thoughts as he looked back towards Wolf...
************************************************
"I was just tired ok?" yapped Wolf as he turned away from Fox to fumble through the
cabinets in his quarters on the Great Fox.
"Just tired? You nearly embarrassed me in front of everyone, Nicholas included! Who, by
the way, is very upset about what you said to him."
Wolf slammed the cabinet shut holding a clean black shirt he had just retrieved. "Oh boo
hoo, I'm so sorry. I'll send him a card."
"Wolf! This is serious," stammered Fox who was now shouting. "We are all working so
hard right now ok? The last thing I need right now is for you to be upset about whatever
the hell it is your upset about!"
"That's right, you don't even know what I'm upset about!" sneered Wolf as he turned
around and struggled with pulling his shirt off.
Fox jerked his head away in annoyance at how his friend was acting, "Then why don't
you tell me! Ok?"
He tossed his shirt onto the bed, his back still turned towards the upset fox behind him. In
silence he lowered his head as Fox stood hushed, taking a step closer to him to listen
intently. Wolf didn't want to answer him, but before he could make up his mind, he
realized he didn't know how to answer. What was the problem? Why was he upset?
"Is this about Katt?" started Fox quietly.
Wolf screamed in his thoughts, the personal howl reverberating through his conscience...
"I don't know," he replied, turning his head to the side but still not able to meet Fox's
eyes.
"Listen, I know what Katt is like, I know what kind of girl she is, and I know that if I ever
gave into her charms that I'd be screwing my friendship with Falco…which is delicate
enough as it is..."
Was that the reason why? questioned Wolf in his mind. Was that why I'm upset? I'm
worried about Fox's friend?
"I'm sorry Fox," started Wolf with a sigh. "I'm sorry I'm upset, I'm just...I guess I really
am tired" he said with a fatigued gasp.
"Hey hey, don't worry about it Wolf, we've all been working too. I'm glad that you care
for my integrity though, in fact...that makes you a real friend...to know that you worry
about my well being."
Wolf looked straight ahead as he felt a paw placed on his bare shoulder. He had just
realized that he was exposed from the waist up and it made him feel somewhat vulnerable.
He quickly moved to put on the black shirt he had retrieved earlier. After pulling it over
his head he turned around towards Fox and smiled softly.
"I guess it does make me a real friend, doesn't it."
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Finally got to finish this chapter after being on vacation! =) As I usually say, the next
chapter [15] will be on its way.
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Fox glanced out the window of the contemporary civil center overlooking the terrain as
the occasional hover car zipped by the gigantic curved glass pane. It provided a
magnificent view of a mining quarry that spanned several miles to the horizon with
moderately tall apartment buildings and skyscrapers to the east. Turning around, he
glanced at Wolf who was intently listening to Bill speak.
"I'm glad you guys arrived. While you were on your way I've been talking to the leader
of the planet, Dordon Prole, he says that there was previously a Cornerian representative
stationed here to oversee trading. Fortunately he has defected so we can count on him for
further assistance..."
As Bill continued to talk, Fox took notice of Katt and Falco who were standing idly next
to each other, secretly pawing each other's hands caringly, but their faces held dead pan
expressions as though aware of the seriousness of the situation.
"By Prole's estimates we have two days to convert Macbeth's civil cargo fleet into battle
capable ships, not only that, but at the same time we have to train the people to fly those
ships..."
"Bill I'm going to interrupt," started Fox as he snapped back to reality, "Do you have any
idea how much work this is going to require, I mean I can't even being to imagine the..."
"It can be done," countered Slippy as he looked up from the floor, "It's going to require
everyone's effort, but it can be done..."
Falco let go of Katt and approached the center of the circular room, "This is all insane,
even if we can get a makeshift fleet going, Pepper is just going to wipe it out with his
own fleet which, ahem, consists of multiple battle ships and of course planetary defense
lasers..."
"Well, that's where I was hoping Slippy could come in," added Bill, "I've read his
research works on anti-orbital defense weapons and thought that something like that
could be implemented here."
Slippy cocked an eyebrow as he folded his arms. "Bill I'm afraid to say all the research
work was only in theory," he sputtered, "Even so it would require an incredible amount
of energy to power such a device."
"Which can be provided," came a voice from the shadows.
Bill swerved around catching the formally adorned mole with his eyes, "Ah, Viceroy
Prole, this is the Star Fox team. They will be helping you in our efforts against General
Pepper."
Fox eyed the short mole as he looked around at everyone smiling with a hint of grim
futility.
"Ah yes, I'm so glad that I could finally meet all of you..." Prole's demeanor changed to
a sadder expression while he tugged at his neatly pressed uniform, "I heard of what
happened to Calar Troikas and the Zonessian capitol. I can only say that I'm deeply
disturbed by all that has been happening these past few weeks...these are not the actions
of a dignified leader..."
"Definitely not," cut in Falco, "Pepper, as any dolt can notice, has literally gone rabid.
Not sure if you know, but his political agenda wasn't always so presumptuous..."
"I'm aware of the changes that have occurred in Corneria's political structure Mr.
Lombardi is it? Our trade guilds have often been the Cornerian army's largest goods
supplier in Lylat..."
Wolf who was overhearing the conversation intensively turned around with a thoughtful
glance, "What did the Macbethian government do during the Andross take over eight
years ago?"
"I was only a statesman at the time, but we merely bent our backs and waited
submissively for Cornerian forces to save us. Of course I remember the Star Fox team
being our liberators"
"Under orders from Pepper…" added Fox softly.
"...Pepper...yes..." nodded Prole.
As everyone hushed in reverence the doors boomed open with a dark brown fox trotting
through the archways. He gracefully skipped towards the group with a clipboard in one
hand and a communicator device in the other that he was folding into his gray colored
coat which had a small ID tag on it with unreadable letters. He was slightly shorter than
Wolf and somewhat fit, the definition of a slight build peeking through the visible shirt
under his open coat.
"I'm sorry I'm late Dordon, I tried to get here as fast as I could when I heard the Star Fox
team was coming." He panted as he ran a paw through his shortly cut hair which had
blonde colored highlights. An unusual trait which made Fox wonder whether it was a
natural occurrence or not.
He turned toward Fox with a smile showing off two earrings in his left ear, "Forgive me,
I'm Nicholas Ivanfox."
"The Cornerian defector I mentioned to you earlier," added Prole. "Don't worry Mr.
Ivanfox, the delay is quite alright. Mr. Grey had only begun briefing the Star Fox team on
the situational standpoint here on Macbeth."
Fox reached out his paw towards the deeply brown colored fox in a friendly gesture
which was taken graciously, "Mr. Ivanfox we're all glad here that you're on our side."
"Oh don't mention it," replied Nicholas. "Just think of me as a civil worker with a
conscience."
Everyone around the room chuckled in relief, as laughing was something hard to come by
in the recent days.
"No more time for introductions we can get to those later," cut in Bill. "As for now we
need to implement a plan of action going to prepare Macbeth for an attack. Slippy I need
you to put together a team with the local scientists here on building an anti-orbital
defense laser. A weapon of such a sort will be imperative in our defense."
Slippy nodded, he had argued before of the near impossibility of such a task, but it
seemed only prudent to comply with a weak smile and a nod.
"You might want to meet with the Corodus team, I have a feeling they'll be able to work
something out with you also," commented Nicholas with a thoughtful tone.
"The Corodus?"
Viceroy Prole adjusted his coat a bit, scratching his head absently. "Yes, the Corodus is
the largest laser drill in use here on Macbeth. I think Mr. Ivanfox may be suggesting the
possibility of converting it into a defensive weapon. I'm not entirely sure, but you should
definitely look into it Mr. Toad."
Slippy brightened up as he realized that creating a massive defensive weapon for the
planet in two days might be a possible goal with this supposed laser drill. The next few
hours were going to be critical and tiring he thought as he looked around the room.
"You can speak with the Corodus team on this channel," added the Viceroy as he handed
Slippy a small digital tablet. He nodded as Slippy exited the room quickly almost in
excitement.
"Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Grey and Mr. Hare, perhaps now would be a good time to start
assembling the construction groups to work on manufacturing weapons for our cargo
fleets," continued Prole as he flipped through a number of papers on the table in front of
him.
Falco grumbled while walking out the door with Bill and Peppy. He knew that he was in
for a lot of work that he already thought was futile in the first place, but for the sake of
keeping the group together and hopes up, he too complied with a smile and a nod.
Fox watched his blue feathered friend exit before turning around again, "It's about time I
saw a government leader actually do some of the planning on his own," he commented
with a smirk.
"Mr. McCloud I take pride in my home and my people, the least I can do is be a good
leader for them."
Fox nodded as he looked over at Wolf who was now standing close by his side leaving
Katt alone, who no longer had a hand to hold in her paw.
"As for you three," started Prole. "You will go with Mr. Ivanfox and deal with the task of
training the cargo fleet pilots on combat readiness as I know the three of you are all
skilled pilots."
"Some more than others," winked Katt.
The group of four exited the room together leaving Dordon Prole to look out the window
and view the hustle bustle of the urban landscape and hover cars zipping by. In his usual
nervous habit he tugged on his coat pins, contemplating what would happen in the next
48 hours.
"This is ours Pepper...you cannot take this from us," he murmured out to the terrain.
*********************************************
The General stood in the completely pitch black room as a holographic projection of the
Lylat System fizzled in around him. He looked around smugly as the planets began to
orbit across the room in circular paths while he brushed his uniform. As he continued
brushing, the grayish planet of Macbeth caught his eyes...his brushing turned into more
vigorous thrusts as his eyes locked on the floating orb.
"Fox cannot stop me from taking what's mine."
His obsessive petting of his coat had turned into clenching tears that tore the seams on the
arm cuff of his red colored uniform.
"Computer, select Macbeth, full spread view," he snarled with clenched teeth.
The holo-images of the other planets and Solar faded away while Macbeth enlarged
filling the room.
"Yes...this is where I will get you Fox…and this is where I will show you my true plans
for Lylat..."
The holoroom clicked off as Pepper faded into the darkness...
*********************************************
Slippy watched as dozens of moles hurried around the catwalks in the gigantic wide open
cave which held the Corodus drill laser. He had been put in the charge by the team to
convert the laser beam drill into a weapon capable of targeting and hitting spacecraft in
orbit of Macbeth. An arduous task indeed, but his new leadership role in the whole
situation built confidence inside of him as he watched scientists in lab coats pour over
data. He felt a swell of pride as he also watched mechanical workers pry open
compartments and flaps on the massive body of the drill to poke around its wires and
assorted internal components. Although he would have liked to do the poking around
himself he was much too busy with scientists querying on what to do in certain areas.
As each scientist approached Slippy, he either nodded to them or shook his head over the
data and information they presented. Each covering different plans of pointing the laser,
powering it, housing it…the flood of information overwhelmed Slippy but with a firm
grip on the situation, he handled it without breaking a sweat. He had built and engineered
many devices and vehicles before, but none so big, and none that required a team of more
than ten people.
"Mr. Toad, the Viceroy will want a progress report within the next hour."
God in hell, he thought as he clenched his eyes shut.
*********************************************
"Have you people never dealt with vehicular weapons before?!" screamed Falco as he
waved away a short stoutly mole who waddled away quickly from the hot-headed avian.
"Falco cool your jets man, you got to remember these folks have only dealt with mining
equipment and transportation...not weapons. Cut them some slack, they'll learn," said
Bill coolly as he watched hundreds of moles rush around the assembly mine, ducking
from the occasional robotic arm that would swoop down to weld on a laser cannon or
missile launcher to a plainly coated vehicle hull.
"Yea but I mean come on, that guy didn't know a thing about power allotment for beam
weapons, it's annoying the hell out of me when I have to explain what adjustments need
to be made."
"No one said this job was easy Falco, alright?" snapped Bill, sounding more annoyed.
Falco took the clue to hush up, and merely grumbled as more moles ran up to him to ask
what information and data was needed to input into the assembly computers.
"I don't know about you guys, but I love these people," smiled Peppy as he handed
another mole a data tablet. "They're very diligent, and I can see that Macbeth isn't
prosperous just because of its resources."
Falco growled under his beak as a female mole handed him a tablet asking for input on
how much power should be allocated to beam weapons. It was the same tablet that was
presented to him by the mole who he shooed away...
*********************************************
Wolf watched Katt and Fox contemptuously as they helped out moles with the fighter
simulations. He couldn't help but notice how god-damned flirty she was with Fox. His
eyes wandered away as he couldn't watch her playfully paw with the hair on the back of
his head. Fox would merely chuckle and lightheartedly punch her jacket as they
continued to lean over simulators together and analyze the moles as they blasted away
through the fighting sims.
But why was he angry? A good question that played in his thoughts…
"Wolf?" came Nicholas' smooth voice. "What are you doing? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine..." he grumbled as he pulled his jacket collar up around his neck.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced, I'm Ni..."
"I know who you are ok? Just...don't worry about it, I'm fine..."
Wolf turned away from Nicholas and leaned against the wall in the dimly lit room. The
sound of simulated lasers and explosions poured through his head as his eyes turned
again towards Katt and Fox who were still closely next to each other. He knew what type
of girl she was. He had seen how close she was with Falco earlier when talking with the
Viceroy, and now he was witnessing her giving the same affection to Fox. He knew
exactly what she was, and he hated seeing Fox give into it, encouraging it. It sickened
him...
"Listen Wolf I know you probably think that the plans the Viceroy are giving are futile,
but there is always a chance when there is hope, in fact..."
"No! It's not about that, I said scram ok?!" snapped Wolf as he swung around toward the
tired looking brown fox.
Nicholas took a step back from the shouting, but no one else took notice as they were too
enraptured in the fighting simulators while the sounds of laser blasts choked out Wolf's
voice before it could reach Fox or Katt's ears.
There was a silence between the too, only the bustle of the fighting sims resonated
through walls as Wolf looked away from Nicholas, feeling guilty for taking his anger out
on him.
"What happened to your eye?"
The anger quickly surged back.
"I ripped it out and put it back in, NOW BEAT IT!"
The final shout got Fox and Katt's attention as they swerved around to see where the
angry voice came from. Wolf saw that they had heard and stormed out of the room
quickly as Nicholas blinked a few times, frozen in his stance.
With cautious steps, Fox stepped over towards the stunned brown fox, who was still
standing still until he came to his side.
"What happened Nick?"
"I don't exactly know," he replied as he continued to blink.
Great, now I look like an idiot screamed Wolf in his thoughts as he stormed down the
corridor of the science building. I just yelled at some guy who I don't even know, and
now he's probably telling Fox how I was a bastard. God but why do I care what Fox
thinks so much? Why? The question continued to burn...
**********************************
Everyone sat around the long four sided table in the room that they had all originally
come together in when they first got to Macbeth. The Viceroy sat at the head of the table
with Nicholas sitting beside him. Falco, Bill and Peppy sat on one side together with Fox,
Wolf and Katt on the other. Slippy sat at the opposite head of the table with two scientists
standing beside him, poking through digital tablets.
Wolf made sure to sit between Fox and Katt, the reasoning that went through his head
when he made that choice was blurry to him, he just knew he didn't want Katt next to
Fox. Unfortunately as a result he had to watch Katt play a nice round of footsy with Falco
who sat opposite to her. They exchanged their playful smirks while Dordon Prole began
to speak.
"Alright, it has been 9 hours since we first convened here and I'm sure you are all
exhausted..."
Wolf nodded taking notice of his fatigue as he felt his eyelids go heavy, even on his
scarred eye. As he glanced around it looked as though everyone was struggling to keep
theirs open too.
"But it is important to record our progress as we are on such a short timetable...Mr. Toad
you may begin with the Corodus conversion team's progress."
Slippy perked up, widening his eyes as the scientists around him paused in their tablet
poking to listen.
"Well..." he coughed a bit before continuing. "We have completed repositioning the drill
to face in the opposite trajectory it held before...which was downward...into the...the
crust," he stuttered. "But now...it is...pointing up...yes..."
"Mr. Toad..."
"AH! But we have ALSO modified the optical enhancer to increase its power making the
beam capable of extending past the atmosphere!" shot Slippy, interrupting Prole's
disappointment.
Prole's face changed from an upset look to a pleased one as he nodded. "That's very
good, I'm glad to hear of your progress. Cargo fleet modifications, how about your
group?"
Slippy sighed deeply as the focus moved away from him and onto Bill's group as they
spoke among each other. It had not been the first time he had received a pleased comment
from a leader, but in such dire times any good word built confidence, especially his own.
He needed it more than ever.
As Bill finished his comments, Prole turned towards Fox with a warm smile, "And how is
combat training coming along."
"Just great..." grumbled Wolf.
"I'm sorry what was that Mr. O'Donnell?" questioned Prole with a confused tone.
Fox glared at Wolf with a sharp glint in his eye, one that he had not seen before since
over a comm channel eight years ago during a dog fight...
"I'm sorry Viceroy, what my friend means is that things are going great. I feel that most
of the cargo fleet is space combat capable and they have my full confidence in battle."
Prole nodded at Fox with another pleased smile glancing back at Wolf quickly who was
holding his head down, twiddling with his jacket zipper. What the hell is his problem
growled Fox in his thoughts as he looked back towards Wolf...
************************************************
"I was just tired ok?" yapped Wolf as he turned away from Fox to fumble through the
cabinets in his quarters on the Great Fox.
"Just tired? You nearly embarrassed me in front of everyone, Nicholas included! Who, by
the way, is very upset about what you said to him."
Wolf slammed the cabinet shut holding a clean black shirt he had just retrieved. "Oh boo
hoo, I'm so sorry. I'll send him a card."
"Wolf! This is serious," stammered Fox who was now shouting. "We are all working so
hard right now ok? The last thing I need right now is for you to be upset about whatever
the hell it is your upset about!"
"That's right, you don't even know what I'm upset about!" sneered Wolf as he turned
around and struggled with pulling his shirt off.
Fox jerked his head away in annoyance at how his friend was acting, "Then why don't
you tell me! Ok?"
He tossed his shirt onto the bed, his back still turned towards the upset fox behind him. In
silence he lowered his head as Fox stood hushed, taking a step closer to him to listen
intently. Wolf didn't want to answer him, but before he could make up his mind, he
realized he didn't know how to answer. What was the problem? Why was he upset?
"Is this about Katt?" started Fox quietly.
Wolf screamed in his thoughts, the personal howl reverberating through his conscience...
"I don't know," he replied, turning his head to the side but still not able to meet Fox's
eyes.
"Listen, I know what Katt is like, I know what kind of girl she is, and I know that if I ever
gave into her charms that I'd be screwing my friendship with Falco…which is delicate
enough as it is..."
Was that the reason why? questioned Wolf in his mind. Was that why I'm upset? I'm
worried about Fox's friend?
"I'm sorry Fox," started Wolf with a sigh. "I'm sorry I'm upset, I'm just...I guess I really
am tired" he said with a fatigued gasp.
"Hey hey, don't worry about it Wolf, we've all been working too. I'm glad that you care
for my integrity though, in fact...that makes you a real friend...to know that you worry
about my well being."
Wolf looked straight ahead as he felt a paw placed on his bare shoulder. He had just
realized that he was exposed from the waist up and it made him feel somewhat vulnerable.
He quickly moved to put on the black shirt he had retrieved earlier. After pulling it over
his head he turned around towards Fox and smiled softly.
"I guess it does make me a real friend, doesn't it."
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Finally got to finish this chapter after being on vacation! =) As I usually say, the next
chapter [15] will be on its way.