A/N – Sorry these are such short chapters. I promise the next one will be long. Someday... when I get a webpage up, I'll upload some pictures of awards and pilot bios. I know this is a little late in the story, but here is the rooster of Bulldog and Red (soon to be Husky) Squadrons. For Bill's species... I'm gonna go with a gray hound. Makes sense, right? Use the roosters for reference. To warn you, I will be using both first and last names, but mostly first.
Oh yeah, I forgot on the last chapter, but about Keeve, I made up his character like 3 years ago. I don't follow basketball, so he has nothing to do with Koby Bryant. Just a strange coincidence, huh?
Bulldog
Commander Peter Klein (male jackal)
Flight Officer Haydri Chatookah (male dolphin)
Flight Officer Deanna Kulli (female dalmatian)
Flight Officer Chase Halloway (male malamute)
Red
Commander William Grey (male gray hound)
Major Keeve Bryant (male bobcat)
1st Lieutenant Daphne Weber (female husky)
1st Lieutenant Alexander Tainer (male lynx)
1st Lieutenant Mya Tainer (female lynx)
Flight Officer Jenzalah Roberts (female rabbit)
Flight Officer Aika Muyo (female calico)
Flight Officer Kim Motter (male tree frog)
Major James Harvey (male salamander)
Flight Officer Gyver Brinker (male bulldog)
Flight Officer Gregory Mitchell (male golden retriever)
Flight Officer Depoli Derr (male snow tiger)
Katina Squadrons
Chapter 4 – Welcoming Party
One week later found twelve pilots in new Arwings Type 7*, readying their systems for take off. As each pilot called his systems good, Bill tried to memorize each voice. Com units generally distorted voices enough to make it unrecognizable, which could be a good thing or a bad thing in combat.
*Ah, a little note: Type 7 is the current military model used, Star Fox uses Type 5 Modified.
"Tower, this is Red Leader, we are ready to go," Bill called.
A double click acknowledged their clearance and one by one, the twelve pilots lifted off and nosed towards the sky. The support shuttle containing supplies, crew, and personnel followed shortly behind the squadron.
The base doesn't have a combat shuttle; they didn't need one with only four pilots. I guess with twelve more pilots the brass didn't want to 'waste' valuable resources, Bill thought.
After settling into autopilot, Bill pulled up the pilots bios. He looked through the files of furs who had already been promoted to officers, and noticed one rare award.
"The Flying Diamond," he murmured, "That's not one you see everyday. Lt. Mya Tainer... no explanation."
He scratched his ear and thought back to when he had the pilots introduce themselves. Mya had complained about being assigned to the same squadron as her twin brother, but there was nothing Bill could do. She hadn't explained much about herself and he didn't recall seeing the red and blue pin on her dress uniform.
"Now that is very odd," he frowned, "That means she either thinks she doesn't deserve it or doesn't want it. But she's obviously got to be a good pilot to earn that award as a lieutenant."
He moved on and read about the other pilots. Most were fresh from the academy with no combat experience. Bill sighed. It was going to be a long two weeks before going operational.
Red Squadron's arrival was greeted with a banner in the main hanger stating, "Welcome New Squadron." 'New' was crossed out and written above, in red, was 'Red.'
"Nice," he smirked, "At least I know they're pilots."
One by one, each pilot landed and went through shut down procedures. Mechanics and flight assistants scrambled around placing ladders on the sides of the jets. Bill climbed out of his cockpit and was greeted by the commander of Bulldog Squadron and the commander of Tagger Air Base.
"Welcome Commander Grey," Peter Klein smiled.
Peter was a medium sized jackal with lively green eyes. He shook Bill's paw with a grip surprising to his size. The commander of Tagger Air Base also shook his paw. Commander Duncan Bates was a grim husky who looked much older than he probably was.
"I regret I cannot stay long to chat," the towering husky rumbled in his deep voice, "But perhaps we will meet up later in the officer's lounge."
The commander made his leave, and Bill was left with Peter.
"I'm sure you've seen the layout of this base," Peter said, "It's a little confusing at first, but you get used to it."
"The first and second levels deal directly with the fighters and cargo bays, correct?"
Peter nodded.
"The third thru tenth layer is everything else."
"You got it. I'll show you to your quarters, but only after you promise to come to the pilot's lounge in your civies before the night is over."
The gleam in Peter's eyes made Bill laugh as he agreed.
"Good, now grab your duffels and let's go," the jackal said.