DK Island: The Kongs were in Cranky's Cabin at Kongo Jungle eating while deciding what to do when several explosions were heard. The Kongs ran out onto the beach and witnessed several fountains of water erupting from the surface of the water.
"Looks like it's about to start. Are you sure there are no other forces incoming?" asked DK. Cranky shook his head.
"Based on our primitive radar, there are no fighters approaching. And our sonar reports only that one sub. It must be an envoy of some sort," said Cranky.
"If it's not, we're in trouble," said DK. Cranky turned to face him.
"But if it is then we'd be in trouble by destroying them," he said. DK nodded.
"Yeah, but if this mines off them then we're doomed anyway," said DK. Cranky shook his head.
"No, the mines aren't our fault they've been there for years. It's the captain's fault for steering into a minefield," said Cranky.
"They could still use that against us," said Diddy. Cranky nodded.
"Yes, hence why we've been prepping for an invasion. Now come, let's meet our guests," said Cranky as the Blue Marine tore through the surface of the water and crawled onto the beach with it's deployable treads. It moved onto the center of the beach and stopped. Inside, Dan and Andrew sat watching the Kongs slowly approach.
"And now we wait," said Dan reclining the chair and twiddling his fingers.
Five miles down the beach: Fox, Leon, and the Shogun Warrior emerged from the water and ran for the trees where Fox and Leon get out of their wetsuits with their combat uniforms underneath. Fox quickly glanced at his chronometer as Leon checked all the weapons and the Shogun Warrior's circuitry.
"We've got four hours to get up that mountain and plant the explosives. Let's move!" Fox said, quickly moving into the jungle.
"Sir, would it not make more easier for me to fly up to the industrial complex and take it out now?" asked the Shogun.
"Yes but we can't have the risk of you being spotted. I think a flying robot might stand out on this mostly primitive island," said Fox continuing to move on through the jungle.
"Fox?" Dan asked after awhile over the comlink. Fox held up his hand for the group to stop.
"Yeah?"
"The Kongs are camped out in front of the sub and they're sporting some mean artillery. Looks like two archaic Taim&Bach B9 Blaster Rifles. But that's probably just a coincidence, it probably doesn't even fire lasers for all I know. But damn if it isn't a good facsimile. Coincidences, coincidences," said Dan.
"What's your question? I want to keep this line clear for as much as possible. I don't want to risk a trace," said Fox.
"Yeah I hear you. Anyway, my question is this: how long should we hole up in here?" asked Dan. Fox glanced at his chronometer, fifteen minutes had passed since he'd last looked at it.
"Half-hour more. Unless they start becoming fidgety then earlier," said Fox shutting off the link. He motioned his fingers forward and the team continued on through the jungle.
Passageway outside of LightFoot Village: Anklor and the Red Hammer forces traveled through the tight passageway on their way to the Walled City by way of Cape Claw. Anklor moved at the head of the convoy along with several other soldiers. They soon passed a gate on the sidewall.
"What do you make of this?" asked Samson. Anklor shrugged.
"It's of no concern to us now, only the mission," he responded. And with that the convoy rumbled forward past the gate where several LightFoot watched from beyond it. The Chief made a motion with his hand and several LightFoot bounded up the wall and walked along the top of it holding their stun rods waiting to pounce on the enemy. The convoy trundled forward oblivious to the oncoming attack and approached a golden scarab on a pedestal. The front Landmaster rumbled to a halt in front of the scarab as Anklor approached it.
"You cannot pass unless you pay 60 scarabs," said the Scarab.
"Oh really?" asked Anklor bemused. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," said the scarab. Anklor grinned heavily.
"Last chance. Are you sure you won't change your mind?" asked Anklor.
"Positive. I need the money. Nothing you can do will change my mind," said the scarab. Anklor cocked his head and moved to the side as the Landmaster barrel lowered until it pointed directly at the scarab. Anklor returned and stepped next to the barrel.
"Nothing?" he asked again with a big grin. If the scarab could've shuddered it would have.
"I-I was w-wrong. P-please, go ahead. No charge! Yeah, no charge!" said the scarab as the gate began to life. Anklor leaned forward.
"Thank you," he said mockingly. Then he stepped back, rolled his eyes, and made a quick slice across his throat. A moment later the Landmaster fired blasting the scarab to pieces before the barrel raised and fired at the gate blasting it and a large portion of the far wall with it. Anklor stepped through the smoke with a large cigar in his mouth smiling.
"I love the smell of plasma in the morning. Let's move!" shouted Anklor. Greg, Samson, and Porpoise all watched him as they loaded some shoulder mounted rocket launchers.
"10:1 says we're all dead before we reach the Walled City," said Porpoise. He brought out a box and they all put money into it.
"Whoever survives this gets the earnings," said Greg. The others nodded and Greg put the box into a holding place in the Landmaster right next to them. Porpoise pulled out a rifle, put a couple of shells into it, and snapped it shut.
"Let's move," he said as they started walking. Up above the convoy, the Lightfoot grasped their staffs prepping for the attack. The Chief LightFoot was just about to motion for the group to attack when laser blasts rained down from above ripping through several LightFeet and taking out portions of the wall they were standing on. The Chief fell off the wall and landed in a tree with third degree burns as he searched for the attacker. Moments later he saw it, two UVCAF fighters who continued blasting the LighFeet who tried to escape. The Chief struggled to get up and escape the inferno when a final chunk of shrapnel zoomed fell towards the Chief and moments later everything went dark. The convoy meanwhile was utterly confused as to the laser blasts until the bodies began raining down and the two UVCAF fighters roared by overhead.
"Thanks friends," said Anklor. The two fighters moved forward and then hovered above the convoy.
"You should always keep your eyes on the sky Anklor; you might not have two guardian angels the next time," said the pilot.
"You're no angel Bill," said Anklor.
"Ain't that the truth," said Sanders in the other fighter. Bill's fighter pointed towards the ground and fired blowing up large chunks of dirt around Anklor.
"That's for insubordination soldier," said Bill laughing. He then cut the repulsors and hit the main engine. "Later Anklor."
"Bye Bill," said Anklor as the two fighters took off. He then hit the Landmaster and the convoy moved off.
ThornTail Hollow: Andross walked out of the bay of the ship and walked towards his personal ship, which was receiving last minute checks. As he put on his driving gloves, an aide came bounding down the ramp after him.
"Sir, who will take over in your absence? Warlord Hammer is still a couple days away so whose it gonna be?" asked the aide. Andross stood back and thought about that question. Luckily the answer came a moment later when an UVCAF hover transport, heavily damaged and leaking smoke lurched it's way into the Hollow and immediately crashed to the ground and fell apart immediately. Out of the smoke filled interior came Shabunga and the rest of his troops and technicians.
"Well there's your eight hours of work!" shouted one of the technicians a little grumpy.
"Eight hours of worked wasted!" said another technician beginning to cry. Shabunga shrugged.
"Who cares? We got here in one piece didn't we?" he said.
"I wouldn't call that ride 'getting here in one piece'," said the troop leader.
"Whatever," said Shabunga. Andross quickly walked up to him.
"Emperor," said Shabunga saluting. "What's up?"
"I have pressing business elsewhere and I need you to step in and lead the invasion. Most everything is planned out for the invasion. In the event that I'm not back in a couple days, Hammer will show up with his fleet and take over," said Andross. Shabunga nodded.
"Can I ask where you're going?" asked Shabunga. Andross shook his head.
"No, security purposes. But don't worry I won't be gone long," said Andross. He was just about to board his craft when a technician ran up to him out of breath.
"Yes?" Andross asked. The technician leaned over a moment before straightening up.
"Sir, we have two fighters inbound. One of them is Commander Grey and he requests to urgently speak to you in person. He refused to say what it was over an open channel, but he says it is a matter of life or death. What should we tell him? After all, you were just leaving," said the technician. Andross quickly hoisted himself into his ship, closed the door, and activated the comm. system.
"Bill?" he said.
"Yes Emperor, we need to speak with you," said Bill.
"Who's we?" asked Andross.
"Sanders and myself. He was the one who first brought this…discrepancy to my attention and I couldn't not bring him along," said Bill.
"Grammar, commander. Anyway, who else knows about this discrepancy?" asked Andross.
"No one. We erased all information regarding it so no one else would find out," said Bill. Andross nodded, even though the motion was pointless since Bill couldn't see him, and continued to power up his ship.
"Commander, I need an escort to where I'm going. Now I know you want to know the truth but be patient. Once we get to where we're going, you'll finally learn the truth. Now let's go," said Andross as his ship left the ground and proceeded out towards Cape Claw followed by Bill and Sanders in an escort formation.
Maze: Anklor and the Red Hammer stood in front of the maze entrance contemplating what to do. Greg, Porpoise, and Samson all stood by the entrance wondering whether or not to go in.
"You want to go in and find your way around the maze? It shouldn't take that long," said Porpoise.
"Yeah, but unfortunately it might not matter, the Landmasters can't fit through those passages very well and we don't know how long the maze lasts so to hovering over it might not be viable. What do you think Samson?" asked Greg. Samson eyed the maze curiously.
"Hell, I don't know," he said truthfully. The were still thinking about it a couple moments later when the front Landmaster roared to life and lurched forward with it's boost.
"Yaahh!" shouted Anklor who was driving the thing as Greg, Samson, and Porpoise all leapt to the side to avoid being crushed. The Landmaster noisily crashed through the first wall and proceeded to crash through all the others before winding up on the other side. Anklor leaned over the side to look back at the rest of the wide-eyed convoy.
"What're you waiting for? Onward!" shouted Anklor as his tank rumbled off only to fall down a well right beyond the maze.
"Looks like we're through with him," said Porpoise breathing a sigh of relief. A moment later the Landmaster lifted back into view with its hoverjets on full blast only to land on the other side.
"Damn, it's never easy," said Greg. The group sighed and moved on through the holes in the maze along with the rest of the convoy on the way to Cape Claw. Above them, Andross, Sanders, and Bill roared overhead on their way to the cape as well.
DK Island: Fox was staring at the industrial complex through a pair of binoculars.
"I don't see any defenses, but they're probably just hidden," said Fox.
"I don't believe so. My thermals are detecting no heat consistent with any type of weaponry," said the robot. Fox laughed.
"That's because there shouldn't be any. The weaponry here probably doesn't operate using lasers so there goes any heat. Projectile weapons don't use heat whatsoever. Just watch yourself we're moving in," said Fox as he stepped out into the brush and slowly made his way to the compound. Down at Cranky's Cabin in Kongo Jungle, Dan and Andrew sat with the Kongs eating some food.
"Thank you for your hospitality, it was a long trip," said Dan. Cranky leaned back in his chair.
"Yes it was. Now if you don't mind my asking; why are you here?"
"We're a peace envoy," said Dan shrugging, quickly scratching his right ear so Fox could hear their conversation. "We want to make peace with you."
"Why?" DK asked angrily. Dan raised the muscles above his right eyebrow in an approximation of an eyebrow raise since he didn't have eyebrows.
"Because it'd be mutually beneficial. We don't have to invade you and you don't have to worry about being eradicated," said Dan. DK angrily stood up and looked like he was about to throw the table. Cranky immediately slammed his cane into DK's chest to prevent him from lunging across the table. DK finally calmed down and sat.
"Why'd you do that? I could've taken him!" said DK. Cranky laughed.
"Possibly. But you'd never made it over the table. His partner had a blaster rifle trained on you the whole time underneath the table. If you'd leapt he'd have fired, taken off your head, and a large chunk of the table with it. That's technology for ya," laughed Cranky. DK just growled as Andrew hoisted the blaster rifle over the table and rested the barrel on it.
"What is that, a Taim&Bak B-12?" asked Cranky. "Surely they've reached that model number by now."
"Actually, it's a B-11, the B-12's are slated for release next month," said Dan wide-eyed. "How did you know that?"
Cranky laughed. "I'm not from this pitiful world. I came from another world, one where Taim&Bak supplied weaponry to."
"Then you know we mean business," said Dan. In the jungle Fox nodded approvingly.
"That's it, keep them talking for a little while longer," he said. He and his team slowly moved closer and closer to Kremkroc Industries.
"Oh I don't doubt that. But our alliance means business," said Cranky. Dan leaned back in his chair.
"And what alliance is that?" he asked with a grin.
"The URVAC forces," said Crankly gleefully. Dan's, Andrew's, Fox's, Leon's, and even the Shogun's eyes went wide open.
"Holy shit," said Leon stopping abruptly. Fox yanked out his hand to silence his chatter.
"It's a coincidence nothing more. Do you hear me Dan?" Fox demanded. "Wait, don't respond to that! Shogun, take off and get back there now!"
The shogun warrior blasted into the sky and took off for the beach.
"So what does this 'URVAC' stand for? It doesn't sound threatening to me," said Dan nervously laughing. Cranky leaned forward with a maniacal grin on his face.
"It stands for the United Republic of Venom and Corneria. And I know you've heard about it if you really are from another world," said Cranky. Dan began laughing maniacally as well.
"I hate to break it to you, but the URVAC regime fell over forty years ago," he said. Cranky shook his head in pity.
"Nice try. But no one could possibly have defeated Emperor Calhoun," said Cranky. "He's too psychotic to go easily."
Fox smashed his fists together and yanked out a pair of heavy blasters.
"C'mon Leon we're going back," he said. Leon nodded and ran off with Fox back to the cliff they'd ascended to. Down in the cabin, the conversation continued.
"That butcher is dead. I saw him die, we all did," said Dan with rage. Cranky shook his head.
"Don't play that game with me. You're working for Calhoun and the URVAC forces and you've come to test my loyalty. Don't play those games with me!" shouted Cranky. Dan's eyes boiled red and he was just about ready to leap over the table. But then all of a sudden the Shogun Warrior crashed through the roof of the cabin and began shooting.
"Andrew cut and run!" shouted Fox rappelling down Monkey Cliff. Andrew began firing laser blasts and the whole cabin erupted with small arms fire. Andrew grabbed Dan and yanked him out of the cabin as the Shogun warrior was blown to pieces.
"Fox, what now!" shouted Andrew over the comm.
"Head for the Blue Marine we'll meet up with you there," said Fox as he reached the bottom of the cliff and released his harness attaching him to it. He quickly ran off into the jungle followed by Leon who was quickly loading his blaster. On the beach, fire erupted from the trees as Andrew and Dan ran out of the jungle with Andrew firing blindly back into it. They raced around the Blue Marine that stood between them and the jungle as various blasts hit the side of it. From another angle, Fox and Leon ran across the beach as large explosions went off from mines and mortar shells all around them. Finally they reached the Blue Marine and sat on the other side with Andrew and Dan against the tank tread on the sub.
"Way to go Dan. It looks like you got them agitated," said Fox loading his weapons he was carrying.
"Yeah, but now we can't reach the upper hatch," said Andrew pointing his gun upward and firing the shell in it so that it arced towards the jungle even as more explosions went off around them.
"If we don't get this thing into the water, they'll either get in a lucky shot or blast the Marine to pieces," said Leon.
"Thanks for the positive spin on things Leon," said Andrew.
"The truth is never positive, you know that," the lizard responded.
"Well boys, looks like we die fighting. On th-," began Fox when a loud whine was heard. They looked up to see a personal ship and two fighters fly by overhead. The team ran around the ship as it landed in front of the Blue Marine. Out of the ship emerged several laser guns that immediately fired stun bolts at everyone but Cranky.
"Yes that's right, be cowards!" shouted Cranky. The team ran around to the front of the ship and trained their weapons on the gorilla, which made no moves to escape. Behind them the door to the ship opened and a ramp descended. Out of the ramp came the Emperor of the Lylat System.
"No my old friend, we're not cowards," said Andross walking towards Cranky. "We're both just victims of a great misunderstanding."
"Andross, is it really you?" asked Cranky disbelieving his own eyes. Andross laughed.
"Yes, it's me old friend. Listen, do you have a place we can talk, it is time I revealed the truth to all of us," said Andross.
"Yes old friend, come with me. There's a place not to far from here," said Cranky moving off. Andross motioned his hand forward and a group of Shogun Robots emerged and hoisted the unconscious Kongs onto their shoulders and they set off into the jungle. Andross quickly spun around before entering it.
"Dan, you're services here have ended. Take the Blue Marine and go back to Cape Claw. Then make your way to ThornTail Hollow and if you want to return home, do so. You've done far too much on this mission and I fear staying here any longer will destroy your psyche," said Andross. Dan nodded.
"Thank you Emperor," said Dan running off as Bill and Sanders ran past him to join the group. Andross then quickly fell in tandem with Cranky who was shaking his head.
"Emperor, huh?" he asked incredulously. Andross nodded.
"That's correct," he said. Cranky nodded.
"Then we do have a lot to discuss," he said just as DK's tree house loomed into view.
Cape Claw: The troops already stationed there were setting up defensive shields around the Cape when suddenly loud music was heard. They all did quick sweeps trying to detect the extraneous sound when Anklor's Landmaster roared into view and descended towards the beach. On the tank was a loudspeaker playing as the convoy rolled onto the beach and came to a halt as the sun began to dip low on the horizon.
"Boys, set up camp!" shouted Anklor. The tanks and other vehicles set up a circle surrounding a central area and shut down along with the music. The Red Hammer quickly set up camp with a fire in the middle and brought out their rations. Down by the Harlock Cruiser still on the ground, the troop commander watched them with disgust.
"If those idiots compromise security here, I swear I'll kill them myself," said the leader. The captain of the Harlock nodded.
"Yeah, or we can just abandon them. Whatever, they're leaving tomorrow let's just be grateful for that," said the captain. The leader nodded and went off to join his troops as the sun finally set and nighttime fell on Dinosaur Planet.
DK Island: DK stood on one end of the table very grumpy at the whole ordeal as well as utterly confused by Cranky's refusal to attack the newcomers. Andross stood leaning up against the window as he watched the sunset.
"Beautiful. You're lucky here Cranky, don't forget that. Especially considering the bombshell I'm going to drop on everybody," said Andross to Cranky who was right next to him.
"Speaking of which," said Fox after clearing his throat. "How about telling us what that bombshell is."
Andross sighed before turning and sitting at the table. "Fine, prepare to be annihilated."
"Actually can I ask a question first?" asked Fox.
"Actually I want you all to tell me what you've found out so far. Then you can ask questions," said Andross.
"Fine I guess we'll go first," said Bill. "Roughly forty years or so ago, something happened on this planet that caused them to start producing fuel identical to ones currently used in vehicles in the Lylat System. Before that they didn't use fuel, at all. Thus something had to have happened around forty years ago that would account for this. I believe we all know what happened forty years ago so I won't repeat it."
"Our hosts don't," said Andross crossing his arms. Bill swallowed hard.
"Right. That was around the time that Calhoun," said Bill visibly cringing at the word. "was forced from power by our esteemed Emperor thus ending his reign of terror."
"So it was," said Andross. "Fox?"
Fox straightened up in his chair. "Well we've encountered a number of things. First is the fact that this planet has no real natural resources and isn't exactly on any travel route. That's two marks against the invasion prerequisite," began Fox.
"You have an invasion prerequisite? Ugh," said DK disgusted. Cranky and Andross both shot him a look.
"It's how things were done since before even my day. I'm glad to see it's still being used. Even if it doesn't apply to our planet," said Cranky.
"Anyway, then we have the DragonRock Facility. Okay admittedly I didn't have the chance of verifying this myself, but according to a BoneClaw at CloudRunner Fortress, it supposedly had defensive capabilities unmatched by anything on this planet. It had a massive hyperlaser to take out orbiting objects while missiles defended it from any short range attack," said Fox.
"And what do you think it was?" asked Andross. Fox shrugged.
"At the time I thought it was an experimental land based Gorgon. After all, one exists on Macbeth. But I dismissed it as fantasy because there was no way the dinos could've built it. But then the BoneClaw dropped a bombshell that I'm only beginning to comprehend now," said Fox.
"And that was?" said Andross. Fox turned to face him.
"Again, around forty years ago five ships came to this planet. They were refugees from another solar system, one where they had apparently fallen from power. Now if I recall correctly from history class, Calhoun's followers, after Andross eliminated Calhoun, all piled up into five ships and took off for the unknown. This planet might very well have been their first destination and quite possibly their last," said Fox.
"And you think that this is why I ordered the invasion. To take out his followers," Andross reasoned. Fox shook his head.
"No," said Fox. Andross leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Why do you say that?" he asked. Fox leaned forward this time.
"Because if it was that simple you'd have simply sent in the Seals or possibly us to sneak in, find them, and then take them out. But you didn't. Something here requires your attention and you can't come here on your own it would be too suspicious and raise too many eyebrows even though you are the Emperor. So the only way you could be on this planet and not make it appear suspicious is if you ordered the invasion of this world. The Emperor can be present during invasions to lead them and nothing would appear out of the ordinary. That's why we invaded now the question is why are we here?" demanded Fox. Andross looked at him.
"You know why we're here," he said. Fox slowly nodded.
"Yes, I know why we're here. And I hate myself because I know," said Fox.
"So why are we here?" asked Leon. Fox spun to face him.
"We are here because Calhoun is here," said Fox adamantly. Silence filled the room after that statement.
"Just who is this Calhoun? I thought he was dead," said DK finally. Andross was about to respond to that question when Warlord Hammer entered the cabin.
"He is dead. As for who he is;" said Hammer setting down a holoprojector on the table that showed the billygoat with a typical sneer. "He is the one who was responsible for the deaths of over four billion individuals. That's how many we know about. He reigned for thirty years and single handedly brought down every accomplishment that had been achieved in the past two hundred years before that. The Lylat System entered the dark ages for the first time in countless millennia. If Andross hadn't stopped him when he did we'd all be dead and so would everything else in this galaxy," said Hammer sitting down.
"Who're you?" asked DK. Cranky leapt up and sneered.
"His name is Warlord Hammer and he's a menace to the Lylat System. What're you doing here Warlord? Come to gloat before you annihilate this house. I won't let you kill the Emperor!" said Cranky. Hammer began laughing along with Andross.
"Old friend, those days are behind him. Hammer is now second in command of the UVCAF empire and the commander of the UVCAF armed forces," said Andross.
"What? How could you do that?" said Cranky with disbelief.
"He's proven his loyalty time and time again," said Andross.
"How?" Cranky asked refusing to believe him.
"If not for Hammer, Calhoun would still be in power right now," said Andross simply. Cranky just grumbled.
"Speaking of which, why are you here Hammer?" Fox asked. Hammer shrugged.
"I heard Andross was about to drop the bombshell on you guys. And UVCAF law states that the Emperor cannot enter a conflict on his own," said Hammer.
"So you knew all along about why we're here," said Fox. Hammer nodded.
"Yes and that's why I didn't participate in your coming here. Andross considered me a possible security risk for the opening phase of this mission," said Hammer.
"Speaking of which, we've told you all we know, uncle can you fill in the rest?" asked Andrew. Andross sighed again.
"That's the problem with the truth, it's more complicated than a lie. I really don't know where to begin," said Andross.
"Start at the beginning, with Calhoun's death," said Fox. Andross nodded.
"Alright then. Forty years ago, with Hammer's help, I managed to set up a revolt outside of the Imperial Palace on Katina. Hammer provided the means and allowed me access to Calhoun's private conservatory where he was issuing his propaganda. From there I managed to shoot and kill him thus ending his reign of terror forever," said Andross.
"So Calhoun is dead," said Fox. Andross shrugged.
"That's what I thought at the time. But four years later I found old files talking about Dinosaur Planet with notes furiously scribbled on it talking about Krazoa Spirits. I shrugged it off as utter nonsense until recovered files indicated that Calhoun has discovered Dinosaur Planet when he was part of the previous emperor's army and had been stationed there for six months. He learned from the locals that it might be possible to entech your spirit," said Andross.
"Entech?" asked DK clearly confused.
"Remove your spirit by basically turning yourself into a Krazoa Spirit," said Andross.
"Oh,"
"But it doesn't really matter does it? After all, Calhoun's followers don't have his body right?" asked Bill. Andross remained silent and didn't say anything.
"Right?"
Andross sighed. "Unfortunately they do or did have his body," he finally admitted.
"How could you do that?" demanded Bill. Andross spun around and faced him.
"What would have done in my position? His followers came in right after I killed him and told me that if I didn't give them the body, they'd revolt and cause countless headaches for me. I had to ensure stability in the Lylat System, we were in for it as it was. For four years after I overthrew Calhoun there was chaos until finally I wrestled back control of the system from the people," said Andross.
"Thanks again to my help and some carefully planned invasions," said Hammer. Cranky groaned.
"I can't believe this! You were never so nice when Calhoun was around!" shouted Calhoun. Hammer shrugged.
"I hated Calhoun, and annoying you was fun," said Hammer leaning back in his chair as he drank some of the wine that the Kongs had provided.
"Did you ever follow up on the enteching deal?" asked Sanders. Andross nodded.
"Yes, three years later I journeyed with a science team to Dinosaur Planet and we were just about to land on the planet and conduct a three month investigation when something came up that prevented us from landing," said Andross. Hammer groaned and got a sharp look from Cranky.
"What was that?" DK asked. Andross leaned back even farther into his chair.
"We were invaded. Or to be more precise, the Lylat System was," he said.
"Be whom?" asked Andrew. Andross said nothing but just pointed his index finger at Hammer who began laughing nervously while Cranky cackled with glee.
"I knew it!" he said quickly standing up and pointing at Hammer. "That's the Warlord I remember! Ha, ha, ha! Sweet redemption!"
Hammer just shook his head before straightening up and holding his hands in defeat.
"I make no excuses for what I did; I figured I could take him out. You were what Andross, 47?"
"46,"
"Right, and I was 32 at the time, I figured I could take you on. Course then I failed," said Hammer beginning to become insightful.
"Yes I did," said Andross nodding with superiority. "And defeated you. Then I made you think long and hard about what you'd done and then offered you a position as an UVCAF general. I haven't regretted it since," said the Emperor. Hammer nodded.
"Yes, but how did you know my tactics so well? You never told after all these years of asking," said Hammer. Andross shrugged.
"I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Truth be told, you were too much like your counterpart, 'the dreamers' told me his strategies and lo and behold yours were very similar," said Andross. Hammer nodded.
"Somehow I'm comforted by the fact that you didn't just outguess me. And let me also assume that what they told you about the other me convinced you not to kill me outright," asked Hammer. Andross nodded.
"Be grateful for that otherwise at the time I probably would've killed you outright," said Andross. Hammer nodded.
"I'd like to meet him someday," he said. Andross shrugged.
"Maybe one day you will," said Andross. Hammer quickly snapped up to look at him, but Andross snapped his hand to tell him to forget it. Hammer shrugged as well.
"Excuse me, but who are 'the dreamers'?" asked Cranky. Andross turned to face him.
"It's not important, maybe I'll tell you one day. Suffice to say, they helped bond the Lylat System together. Well that and Pepper revolted," said Andross. Cranky started forward.
"Pepper revolted against you?" he asked. Andross growled and leaned forward.
"Look can we just drop the damn history lesson for now! If you have any historical questions in the years you've been on this prison colony, consult the computers on board The Mantia01," said Andross. The group nodded.
"I still can't believe you gave away the body," said Andrew. Andross scowled.
"What would you have done in my place? Have open rebellion on top of the destabilizing society? Besides, how could I have known Calhoun would have a backup plan for his own death?" shouted Andross. Fox nodded.
"The Emperor's right, how could he have known? Besides, Calhoun hasn't come back and his death did make things a hell of a lot better for all of us," said Fox. Cranky nodded as well.
"I'm sure life for us would've been torture as well. Calhoun was killed a mere six months after he imprisoned myself and several other ape families here. Who knows how worse things would've gotten for us away from prying eyes had he survived?" he asked.
"Yes, we're all grateful. Now the question is, what do we do know? Andross and I were hoping something would've been discovered by now, but nothing's come up. Cranky, do you have any idea where we could find any leads?" asked Andross helplessly. Cranky leaned back in his chair some more and began thinking deeply about their situation. Finally he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
"Awhile back we heard rumors about a reclusive society based in the Great Dino Desert called the Fremen. They arrived on this planet several years ago and only requested that they be left alone. The dinos being the peace loving idiots that they are accepted the terms and they've lived in the desert for several years. That's the best I can give you. Now if you find out that Calhoun is now a Krazoa Spirit, the Warpstone is your best bet on finding him," said Cranky.
"The warpstone?" asked Andross confused. "Fox I don't recall you ever mentioning a warp stone before?"
Fox shrugged helplessly. "This is the first I've ever heard of it. It certainly wasn't in ThornTail Hollow when we landed and I didn't hear about it at Cape Claw or CloudRunner Fortress. I'm at a lost for words."
"I'm not surprised," said Cranky. "The Warpstone is probably the closest thing these primitive idiots have for a god. It's somehow linked to the Krazoa Spirits and can detect them. If Calhoun was a spirit, that thing would have to be able to locate it no matter where it was. It used to reside in ThornTail Hollow until a couple of years ago when it relocated to Moon Mountain Pass," said Cranky. Andross nodded.
"Thank you old friend. Now I have one last question to ask. What do you want us to do with you? Do you want to rejoin your brethren in the Lylat System, do you want to join the ranks of the UVCAF, what do you want?" asked Andross. Cranky sighed deeply before turning to the Emperor.
"If it's all the same to you, we'd like to be left in peace here on our island alone. As much as it pains me to say this, we've been left out of the loop too long. It would be too difficult to rejoin the proper UVCAF society. Would this work out somehow? I don't really know UVCAF policy, but I hope it will somehow," said Cranky. Andross put his elbows on the table and closed his hands together in front of his face as he contemplated what to do. Finally he reached an answer.
"I know what we'll do. You will be the UVCAF local garrison of this particular island. Your only mission is to make sure it's safe from influences that would present a threat to the UVCAF. If you need anything, just call," said Andross tossing a portable comm. system onto the table, crashing into the imager of Calhoun smashing it to pieces.
"Let's go," said Fox heading for the door.
"Hammer, can you take them back? I need to talk with Cranky," said Andross. Hammer raised the muscles above his right eye in the approximation of raising a non-existent eyebrow but just nodded.
"Alright let's go. Emperor, do you mind if I stick around? The fleet's still going to be here in three days, but it seems pointless to go back only to return," he said. Andross nodded.
"You can stay. Take over the invasion for now. I'll be back in a little bit," said Andross. The team filed out of the tree house, climbed down the ladder, and left down the path to the beach.
"What's the deal with those two?" asked Leon.
"You don't know?" asked Fox.
"No," admitted Leon.
"Hammer," prompted Fox. Hammer turned to them as he continued moving down the path.
"Cranky is Andross' uncle and former teacher at the URVAC academy. He taught him everything he knew and if not for his teachings, Andross might not have been able to overthrown Calhoun. Andross believed he was eliminated by Calhoun and that prompted him to get rid of Calhoun as soon as possible before anyone else was killed," said Hammer. The team nodded solmenly as they continued down the path to the ship.
Treehouse: Andross watched the three bright lights of Hammer's ship along with Bill and Sanders fighters roar off into the night sky leaving a jet stream behind them. The other Kongs meanwhile had filed out of the cabin leaving Cranky and Andross alone.
"It's good to see you again teacher," said Andross. Cranky snorted.
"It's good to see you as well student. I must admit, I'm impressed with what I've seen so far. I knew you'd come far, but this is extraordinary. Never did I suspect you'd overthrow that madman but thank God you did. I'm proud of you," said Cranky. Andross nodded.
'Thank you sir," said Andross. Cranky nodded and smiled.
"Now get out of here. You've got your empire and I have mine. Goodbye, Emperor," said Cranky. Andross nodded, saluted him in the old URVAC style and left. As he left, DK entered into the cabin and watched Andross walk off through the jungle.
"Who was that?" DK asked.
"My greatest success, my nephew," said Cranky with a tear in his eye as Andross finally vanished into the trees forever. Down on the beach Andross took one last look at the island from the hatch of his ship.
"Vaya Con Dios uncle, vaya con dios," said Andross as he boarded his ship and it blasted off into the night sky. Nearby, unseen, a Krazoa Spirit watched the ship fly off. It hovered there for a few moments more before flying off in a different direction, towards Moon Mountain Pass.