PROLOGUE: STARFOX RUN
The Star squads soared trough the blue skies of Corneria, each forming into there respecting groups. StarFox was in the middle of them, flying behind the other two squads that were to engage in combat shortly. Fox opened communication with his team as routine demanded, all before their fighters reached the cold vacuum of space.
"Fox McCloud here, everyone check your status."
"No problems here, Fox." Came a cheery reply from Slippy.
"I'm ready Fox." Falco Bombardi said in a gruff tone of voice.
"Ready to teach those Venomians a lesson they will never forget!" Peppi replied.
In time, other status quota from the rest of the squadrons wheezed by in Fox's helmet. Each checking positive checks on their Arwings. They reached the Asteroid belt shortly, which was all that remained between them and the Venomian Armada. Slippy turned his head around and caught a glimpse of the Great Eagle, hovering to the side of StarFox squad.
"Whoa...-ribbit- look at the size of that ship!" Slippy said, maneuvering his Arwing close to the Starfox team. Falco turned his eyes at the side of his window, catching a glimpse of three Arwings that looked anything but the models they were flying. They came from the top hatch of the Great Eagle, which started to move out of range as the new Arwings began their run towards the asteroid belt.
"Those must be the new Arwings General Pepper spoke of," Peppi said, while appearing on Falco's holo-screen "They seem kind of slow, but look at all that armament they are carrying..."
"Quit the chatter team, we are approaching the asteroid belt." Fox said, cutting off every other communication that was not related to the mission. Light turbulence met the heroes, followed by a screen full of asteroids that covered the entire radar in each Arwing. Each ship of the Star squadrons maneuvered around rock and debris that floated around in space carefully.
The Star Squadrons were careful not to touch the asteroids. Even if their fighters were covered with high-energy shields, the battle ahead would be a lot more difficult with their power reduced. Fox saw an opening on the end of the asteroid belt, and sped up his Arwing, signaling the rest of his group to follow him through it. Moments later, StarLion and StarRaven both followed suit, being glad that they came out in one piece.
Red alert was sound inside each Arwing fighter, buzzing as the radar picked up signals of Venom warships appearing everywhere. Soon, there were smaller craft coming from the Star carriers, speeding up to the Star squadron's location. The war had begun.
"I'm picking up bogeys at 12, at least 7 enemy ships with a leader on its front and on sets of 3 per squad." A pilot from StarRaven announced. Fox entered a code on the computer's keyboard of his ship, turning on the attack mode on the Arwing. Voices in his headset were heard, preparing for battle.
"All Star squads, this StarRaven, check in your status and prepare for battle, I repeat, state your status and stand by for battle. StarRaven, Arwing numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, standing by."
"StarLion, Arwings 5, 6, 7, and 8, standing by."
"StarCobra, Arwing fighters 12, 13, 14, and 15, all standing by."
"StarFox, Arwings 16, 17, 18, and 19, standing by. Team, align your ships in attack positions, get ready."
***
Fox McCloud flew in, his ship flying past a few Venomian aggressors, targeting them one by one, explosion after explosion of each successful shot. Falco, Peppy, and Slippy were behind him, covering his ship from any enemy fire. On the far end of the dogfight, stood the newly built ARM-16s in a squadron of three and lead by Jason Alexander Riley transferred Captain from the CDF. His eyes were focused on the battle, miles away near the asteroid belt. StarLion and StarRaven both stood side-by-side, stopping Venom from entering the Asteroid belt at any cost.
"This is Fox McCloud, we have engaged the Venomian starship, requesting backup to continue the assault, over." The fox's voice sounded cool and under control despite the sound of laser beams and explosions in the transmission.
"This is Admiral Corgan from Great Eagle, request denied, Starfox. We must wait until we can send in the bombers. Hang on until we can get close enough to the Venomian Armada, over."
"With all due respect sir, we are being chased around like prey. The Venomians will try to go trough despite our efforts to slow them down. We need that back up. Over."
"Understood, just hang on for a while longer, we will start moving on to aid you".
"Roger that, sir. Starfox out." His voice trailed off in an irritated tone inside Jason's headset. He moved his neck around slowly, cracking his bones and trying to relax while at the same time trying to stand still instead of leading the new squad to engage with the enemy. A few seconds later, he received a closed-circuited request transmission, he keyed in the passcode to let it trough, and a holo-screen with Martyr Desertfox's face appeared to his right.
"I say we go in despite what Admiral Corgan said. It's getting quite boring in here."
A second beep and a different holo-screen appeared, this time, with Wrangler Kardiak's face, a leopard, "I agree, our ships are heavily armored and we can take a large chunk of those venoscumbags. I say we go for it."
Jason sighed and shook his head, affixing the transmission and making sure no one else beside his own squadron was receiving the messages "We are not to engage combat until we are ordered to do so, team. We would be sitting ducks while trying to avoid heavy fire from the enemy cruisers. First, we need starship fighters to help us make this run. Be patient the lot of you".
A grunt from Martyr was heard as she closed her window, followed by a sigh from the leopard before closing his. A few moments that seemed like an eternity came to pass, making him even more uncomfortable than before. Still, he did not heard of any losses from Starfox's squadron. A fine pilot this fox was. The first run of the newly bomber class ships was to attack the main Venomian cruiser from the top of the ship, while Starfox's team infiltrated the ship, blasting the main reactors with smart bombs from the inside. All was planned while the Blue squadron would escort them safely, flying between the enemy cruiser and the other Cornerian ships, serving as both shields and a diversion for the three bombers that would make a successful run.
Jason was hailed from the Cornerian star cruiser this time; he opened the channel to answer it.
"This is Admiral Corgan to all units. Check in your numbers and start leading the bombers trough the blind spot designated. StarRaven, back Starfox up. StarFalchion, move out and stay within the reach of your protectors until you begin your run. Over and out."
Thank you for wishing us luck, sir. Jason thought, grimacing and opening his channel to the rest of the squad, "This is Jason Collins to bomber units, get ready to move out. Remember; do not get out the designated area. Good luck."
The roar of the heavyset bombers was ignited, following the smaller starships ahead of them. The bombers would fly around the Venomian armada, while Starfox's units along with the Blue Squadron would diverse enemy fire from their location.
As his ship was closing within battle range, Jason was starting to receive a clearer signal from all the Conerian ships engaged in battle. Sounds of metal clashing with missiles and lasers made a chaotic symphony in his ears.
"Get away from me, you fiend!" Peppy's voice was heard, having trouble shaking off a Venomian ship on his tail. Seconds later an explosion was heard, and Starfox's voice came out from the other end.
"Don't worry Peppy, I got your back. Moving into the Armada's star cruiser now." Fox hailed to all Star squads, Jason nodded.
"That's our cue, team." he said,"All units move in."
Jason's ship moved into one side of the Venomian armada. Moments later, the rest of the squadron followed close by. His headset picked up even more distress calls, many of them from Cornerians being shot down by the gigantic enemy cruiser. Jason grimaced; a lot of sacrifices were being made to get this mission done.
His group flew over the top of the Venomian ship unnoticed, and began the run. A small hatch started opening from the bottom of squadron's ships, revealing the ground bombs that were to be dropped above the cruiser. As the bombers flew on top of it, they began releasing the bombs on top, touching the haul heavily with enormous explosions that were seen miles away by both sides of the space battlefield. Soon after, rows of sheer flames began rising behind them.
"Keep those thrusters high, team. We have to get out before the big explosion occurs. Martyr, Wrangler, how are you holding up?"
"Steady and no problems here," Martyr replied "But I wish this damned turbulence would cease already".
"Wrangler?" Jason asked.
"I am alright, Jason. A bit shaky but I am making it."
Few moments after he received the reply, Jason noticed a small spark on the jaguar's left thruster. It soon began accumulating fire as the engine burst in flames. The ship soon began losing velocity, being gained upon quickly by the wave of flames behind it.
"Sir, I am losing velocity on my ship! I can't hold up much longer!"
"Wrangler, eject! Wrangler!"
"I can't! My ship's being-"
Wrangler's ship was quickly decimated as the flames finally gained on it. Martyr closed her eyes as the concurring chain of explosions kept gaining on the remaining bombers. Jason 's headset picked up nothing more than static from his fallen comrade.
The Venomian star cruiser blew up entirely, making a huge flash around space. Jason and Martyr managed to fly away from the explosion, turning away from the battle altogether. A new signal came on headsets shortly after.
"Admiral Corgan to all units. Report."
"This is Starfox, mission accomplished. We were able to escape the Venomian cruiser on time. My squadron is in good shape, over".
"This is StarRaven leader. We suffered a few causalities, but we have been able to chase the rest of the Venomian armada away. StarLion has been neutralized, over."
"This is StarFalchion leader. We suffered one causality as well. The run was a successful, over."
"Understood. StarRaven, report back to Corneria, StarFalchion, same. Starfox, continue with your mission, and Godspeed to you. Admiral Corgan, over and out".
"Roger Admiral, this is Starfox signing off."
Jason gritted his teeth as he and Martyr turned back to Corneria. The mission was successful, despite of losses being gained. The lost of Wrangler was deemed the worst, for he was his closest friend.
Thoughts of vengeance and hatred swirled in his mind, but for now, there would be nothing he could do about it other than obey orders to fall back.
The Star squads soared trough the blue skies of Corneria, each forming into there respecting groups. StarFox was in the middle of them, flying behind the other two squads that were to engage in combat shortly. Fox opened communication with his team as routine demanded, all before their fighters reached the cold vacuum of space.
"Fox McCloud here, everyone check your status."
"No problems here, Fox." Came a cheery reply from Slippy.
"I'm ready Fox." Falco Bombardi said in a gruff tone of voice.
"Ready to teach those Venomians a lesson they will never forget!" Peppi replied.
In time, other status quota from the rest of the squadrons wheezed by in Fox's helmet. Each checking positive checks on their Arwings. They reached the Asteroid belt shortly, which was all that remained between them and the Venomian Armada. Slippy turned his head around and caught a glimpse of the Great Eagle, hovering to the side of StarFox squad.
"Whoa...-ribbit- look at the size of that ship!" Slippy said, maneuvering his Arwing close to the Starfox team. Falco turned his eyes at the side of his window, catching a glimpse of three Arwings that looked anything but the models they were flying. They came from the top hatch of the Great Eagle, which started to move out of range as the new Arwings began their run towards the asteroid belt.
"Those must be the new Arwings General Pepper spoke of," Peppi said, while appearing on Falco's holo-screen "They seem kind of slow, but look at all that armament they are carrying..."
"Quit the chatter team, we are approaching the asteroid belt." Fox said, cutting off every other communication that was not related to the mission. Light turbulence met the heroes, followed by a screen full of asteroids that covered the entire radar in each Arwing. Each ship of the Star squadrons maneuvered around rock and debris that floated around in space carefully.
The Star Squadrons were careful not to touch the asteroids. Even if their fighters were covered with high-energy shields, the battle ahead would be a lot more difficult with their power reduced. Fox saw an opening on the end of the asteroid belt, and sped up his Arwing, signaling the rest of his group to follow him through it. Moments later, StarLion and StarRaven both followed suit, being glad that they came out in one piece.
Red alert was sound inside each Arwing fighter, buzzing as the radar picked up signals of Venom warships appearing everywhere. Soon, there were smaller craft coming from the Star carriers, speeding up to the Star squadron's location. The war had begun.
"I'm picking up bogeys at 12, at least 7 enemy ships with a leader on its front and on sets of 3 per squad." A pilot from StarRaven announced. Fox entered a code on the computer's keyboard of his ship, turning on the attack mode on the Arwing. Voices in his headset were heard, preparing for battle.
"All Star squads, this StarRaven, check in your status and prepare for battle, I repeat, state your status and stand by for battle. StarRaven, Arwing numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, standing by."
"StarLion, Arwings 5, 6, 7, and 8, standing by."
"StarCobra, Arwing fighters 12, 13, 14, and 15, all standing by."
"StarFox, Arwings 16, 17, 18, and 19, standing by. Team, align your ships in attack positions, get ready."
***
Fox McCloud flew in, his ship flying past a few Venomian aggressors, targeting them one by one, explosion after explosion of each successful shot. Falco, Peppy, and Slippy were behind him, covering his ship from any enemy fire. On the far end of the dogfight, stood the newly built ARM-16s in a squadron of three and lead by Jason Alexander Riley transferred Captain from the CDF. His eyes were focused on the battle, miles away near the asteroid belt. StarLion and StarRaven both stood side-by-side, stopping Venom from entering the Asteroid belt at any cost.
"This is Fox McCloud, we have engaged the Venomian starship, requesting backup to continue the assault, over." The fox's voice sounded cool and under control despite the sound of laser beams and explosions in the transmission.
"This is Admiral Corgan from Great Eagle, request denied, Starfox. We must wait until we can send in the bombers. Hang on until we can get close enough to the Venomian Armada, over."
"With all due respect sir, we are being chased around like prey. The Venomians will try to go trough despite our efforts to slow them down. We need that back up. Over."
"Understood, just hang on for a while longer, we will start moving on to aid you".
"Roger that, sir. Starfox out." His voice trailed off in an irritated tone inside Jason's headset. He moved his neck around slowly, cracking his bones and trying to relax while at the same time trying to stand still instead of leading the new squad to engage with the enemy. A few seconds later, he received a closed-circuited request transmission, he keyed in the passcode to let it trough, and a holo-screen with Martyr Desertfox's face appeared to his right.
"I say we go in despite what Admiral Corgan said. It's getting quite boring in here."
A second beep and a different holo-screen appeared, this time, with Wrangler Kardiak's face, a leopard, "I agree, our ships are heavily armored and we can take a large chunk of those venoscumbags. I say we go for it."
Jason sighed and shook his head, affixing the transmission and making sure no one else beside his own squadron was receiving the messages "We are not to engage combat until we are ordered to do so, team. We would be sitting ducks while trying to avoid heavy fire from the enemy cruisers. First, we need starship fighters to help us make this run. Be patient the lot of you".
A grunt from Martyr was heard as she closed her window, followed by a sigh from the leopard before closing his. A few moments that seemed like an eternity came to pass, making him even more uncomfortable than before. Still, he did not heard of any losses from Starfox's squadron. A fine pilot this fox was. The first run of the newly bomber class ships was to attack the main Venomian cruiser from the top of the ship, while Starfox's team infiltrated the ship, blasting the main reactors with smart bombs from the inside. All was planned while the Blue squadron would escort them safely, flying between the enemy cruiser and the other Cornerian ships, serving as both shields and a diversion for the three bombers that would make a successful run.
Jason was hailed from the Cornerian star cruiser this time; he opened the channel to answer it.
"This is Admiral Corgan to all units. Check in your numbers and start leading the bombers trough the blind spot designated. StarRaven, back Starfox up. StarFalchion, move out and stay within the reach of your protectors until you begin your run. Over and out."
Thank you for wishing us luck, sir. Jason thought, grimacing and opening his channel to the rest of the squad, "This is Jason Collins to bomber units, get ready to move out. Remember; do not get out the designated area. Good luck."
The roar of the heavyset bombers was ignited, following the smaller starships ahead of them. The bombers would fly around the Venomian armada, while Starfox's units along with the Blue Squadron would diverse enemy fire from their location.
As his ship was closing within battle range, Jason was starting to receive a clearer signal from all the Conerian ships engaged in battle. Sounds of metal clashing with missiles and lasers made a chaotic symphony in his ears.
"Get away from me, you fiend!" Peppy's voice was heard, having trouble shaking off a Venomian ship on his tail. Seconds later an explosion was heard, and Starfox's voice came out from the other end.
"Don't worry Peppy, I got your back. Moving into the Armada's star cruiser now." Fox hailed to all Star squads, Jason nodded.
"That's our cue, team." he said,"All units move in."
Jason's ship moved into one side of the Venomian armada. Moments later, the rest of the squadron followed close by. His headset picked up even more distress calls, many of them from Cornerians being shot down by the gigantic enemy cruiser. Jason grimaced; a lot of sacrifices were being made to get this mission done.
His group flew over the top of the Venomian ship unnoticed, and began the run. A small hatch started opening from the bottom of squadron's ships, revealing the ground bombs that were to be dropped above the cruiser. As the bombers flew on top of it, they began releasing the bombs on top, touching the haul heavily with enormous explosions that were seen miles away by both sides of the space battlefield. Soon after, rows of sheer flames began rising behind them.
"Keep those thrusters high, team. We have to get out before the big explosion occurs. Martyr, Wrangler, how are you holding up?"
"Steady and no problems here," Martyr replied "But I wish this damned turbulence would cease already".
"Wrangler?" Jason asked.
"I am alright, Jason. A bit shaky but I am making it."
Few moments after he received the reply, Jason noticed a small spark on the jaguar's left thruster. It soon began accumulating fire as the engine burst in flames. The ship soon began losing velocity, being gained upon quickly by the wave of flames behind it.
"Sir, I am losing velocity on my ship! I can't hold up much longer!"
"Wrangler, eject! Wrangler!"
"I can't! My ship's being-"
Wrangler's ship was quickly decimated as the flames finally gained on it. Martyr closed her eyes as the concurring chain of explosions kept gaining on the remaining bombers. Jason 's headset picked up nothing more than static from his fallen comrade.
The Venomian star cruiser blew up entirely, making a huge flash around space. Jason and Martyr managed to fly away from the explosion, turning away from the battle altogether. A new signal came on headsets shortly after.
"Admiral Corgan to all units. Report."
"This is Starfox, mission accomplished. We were able to escape the Venomian cruiser on time. My squadron is in good shape, over".
"This is StarRaven leader. We suffered a few causalities, but we have been able to chase the rest of the Venomian armada away. StarLion has been neutralized, over."
"This is StarFalchion leader. We suffered one causality as well. The run was a successful, over."
"Understood. StarRaven, report back to Corneria, StarFalchion, same. Starfox, continue with your mission, and Godspeed to you. Admiral Corgan, over and out".
"Roger Admiral, this is Starfox signing off."
Jason gritted his teeth as he and Martyr turned back to Corneria. The mission was successful, despite of losses being gained. The lost of Wrangler was deemed the worst, for he was his closest friend.
Thoughts of vengeance and hatred swirled in his mind, but for now, there would be nothing he could do about it other than obey orders to fall back.