ThornTail Hollow the following morning: The shift changed as the night patrol went into The Mantia 01 to sleep as they were replaced by the day shift. In one of the mess halls, the Starfox Team, Hammer, Bill and Sanders, and Andross all got their breakfast and sat down at a table among the other soldiers. Andross believed that if the Emperor put himself too high above his subordinates, they'd rebel quicker so this was one way to alleviate that problem.
"So what's on today's agenda?" asked Bill. Andross had made it explicit the night before that there would no mentioning of Calhoun at any time in public. Andross drank out of his water bottle along with some aspirin. He rubbed his weary eyes and put the bottle down.
"Okay here's your orders for the time being. Fox, I want you and your team to join up with Jerry Mingham and DPAF15. They are currently in the Great Dino Desert and by now they should've heard at least something about these Fremen, regardless of how private they are. You'll have to have a transport take you there because frequent sandstorms cause problems for any aerial support so they aren't equipped refuel your fighters as needed. Once you find the Fremen, find out what we need to know from them," said Andross before turning to Bill and Sanders. "I want you to take DPAF1 and conduct bombing raids over Moon Mountain Pass. I want a smooth and straight path through that area with no resistance whatsoever. Then try and locate the Warpstone on foot. Once you find it, you are not to make any contact with it whatsoever. I don't want that thing to know we're onto it until the last possible moment when we confront it."
"What will you be doing in the meantime?" asked Hammer. Andross turned to him.
"I'm returning to the Lylat System for the time being. I need to contact someone there about ways to eliminate a Krazoa Spirit. I'll also be taking most of the fleet with me, they're needed elsewhere. The invasion is just about over, the occupation is what comes next and that's what the Seventh Fleet is for so they'll show up and do just that. Hammer, you're in charge until I get back," said Andross. Hammer nodded in affirmation.
"Very well. But how do you intend on finding a way to kill it? I mean you couldn't possible have," began Hammer before Andross cut him off.
"One of the my black ops teams captured a Krazoa Spirit last night in a special containment grid and right now it's being escorted back to the Lylat System. I intend to meet up with it at Venom and go from there," said Andross rising to leave.
"So how many capital ships will be left?" asked Hammer.
"I'll leave three Dorisby's and two Grazan's in orbit. Plus there are Harlock's here and there all over the surface of the planet. Just access the troop manifest and the exact amount as well as where they're located will pop up. Oh yeah, The Mantia 01 will be here as well. It's still a decent fleet for an already conquered planet," said Andross grabbing his leather jacket and shades.
"Still though, is there no way you could leave a Zeram behind as well?" asked Hammer. Andross shook his head.
"I can't, they're all needed for the taking of the Beta Reticula System. Once that's over with, I'll swing one your way. We're in the midst of some rapid expansion Hammer it's really exciting. Plus it's helping cover up what's happening here," said Andross turning to leave.
"Just out of curiosity, who is leading that invasion?" asked Hammer.
"General Tauros of couse," said Andross with a smirk. The group groaned, Tauros had been the bull on Titania who'd almost had them arrested after a bar fight with a group of Octopi. Since then the Starfox Team and Hammer had been having a somewhat friendly competition about who could conquer more systems for the UVCAF forces. If Tauros could take the system, it would put him slightly in the lead of the group.
"We'll catch up with him somehow," said Fox. Andross shrugged.
"Have fun," he said and left for his personal ship and the fleet above. Hammer sighed and leaned back in his chair with his hands behind him.
"Well, we all have our missions. Get to them by 0900 hours," he said before taking his meal and depositing it in the garbage and leaving.
"Why is he taking off to work so soon?" asked Leon. Fox laughed.
"I heard him and Andross discussing it in the hallway. He has to keep close tabs on Anklor and the Red Hammer or they might do something stupid if left alone," said Fox. The team all winced at hearing Anklor's name mentioned.
"Remember during the Lylat Wars he invaded Macbeth on his own and wound up detonating that weapons facility?" asked Sanders. Bill shuddered at the mention of that incident.
"I nearly died that day. The ensuing explosions knocked my ship from the sky and forced me to fight my way through fifteen miles of enemy territory," said Bill.
"Yeah, that was probably partially me fault. I was with Anklor when he got that bright idea. 'Let's divert the supply train' he said 'It'll crash somewhere safely. It'll be easy!' That was the biggest load of crap I ever heard," said Fox.
"Nothing is ever easy with him," said Bill before looking at his chronometer. "Well Sanders and I must be off."
"Later," said Sanders. They both emptied their trays and left for the bay. Fox took another sip of his juice before standing up as well.
"C'mon guys the work's never done," said Fox walking off. Leon and Andrew fell into line behind him.
"Speak for yourself, I'm taking a vacation after this," said Andrew. Leon snorted.
"Yeah, right. Like your uncle would ever let you take time off," said the lizard.
"He might," said Andrew. Fox shook his head.
"Not until you pay him back for the transport you wrecked," Fox said.
"How was I supposed to know it was his?" Andrew exclaimed. Leon smacked him on the chest to stop him.
"Maybe if you'd listened to us when we said it was his then you wouldn't be in this predicament," said Leon as he continued walking. Andrew grumbled something but otherwise was silent. The team entered into the bay as Bill and Sander's fighters blasted by overhead and flew off into the morning sky. The team walked to the transport heading for the Great Dino Desert.
"I have two things to say," said the pilot powering up the various systems on the heap. "One is that you'd better buckle up. The second is that we might not survive the trip there. We've lost two transports bringing reinforcements and supplies into the area and a third that was on its way back after dropping off Jerry Mingham and his team. And just so you know, there have only been three trips into that area," said the pilot as he shut the door to the main cabin.
"Can they still be alive after three days in a desert with no reinforcements or new supplies?" asked Leon. Fox shrugged helplessly.
"Jerry and his Desert Commandos are known for being very nomadic at times. That's why they frequently patrolled Titania's deserts before the war and only invade planets that have a large desert. Andross knows to leave them alone; they're just about a fully autonomous group. They have their own ships and supplies, but Andross gives them new equipment as needed. There was a rumor that circulated around the UVCAF that just prior to the war, Jerry and his commandos crossed the entire Great Northern Desert on Titania in six months with only six Landmasters and no supplies beyond typical survival gear, and that's only supposed to last you for three weeks," said Fox. Leon whistled after hearing that.
"Damn," he said before straightening out. "So what are they, crazy or just that damn good?"
Fox shrugged. "No one knows, no one really tries to talk to them. Most communications are text messages because the team doesn't care visual communications, too much equipment they say."
"Then I'll guess we'll be the first to find out," said Andrew nervously. Leon leaned back his chair to sleep in it.
"Better rest up, in three hours who knows how much sleep we'll get," said the lizard. The others nodded and turned in also.
Cape Claw: "They're gone," said the captain.
"What do you mean gone?" demanded Hammer over the comm. The captain looked out over the Cape to the spot where the Red Hammer had been, but there were only a couple of charred pits next to some tracks leading to a massive hole in the jungle surrounding the cape.
"I mean they took off at the crack of dawn this morning before anyone noticed they were gone," said the captain.
"Great, just great. Now I'll never get in touch with them," said Hammer sighing.
"Let me guess, comm. silence right? Good ol' Anklor too predictable," said the captain. "Do you want us to chase after him?"
"No don't. Better that idiot kills himself than comes back to do more damage," said Hammer. "You didn't hear me say that."
"No, of course not," said the captain laughing. Fifteen miles south, Anklor and the Red Hammer crashed onward through the forest.
"Onward, the Walled City is about to become the flattened city," cackled Anklor maniacally. The rest of the Red Hammer sighed and continued on after him.
1½ Hours Later: Bill and Sanders fighters approached DPAF1. The team was currently holed up at Mobile Base 12 in Alkali Valley.
"So Bill, you get our orders yet?" asked Jimmy over the comm. from his repaired carrier.
"Yep, and it's our favorite profile. It's a bombing raid. I'm coming in so I'll explain it all in detail," said Bill. The two fighters roared over the camp and then landed nearby. Bill and Sanders ran to the base and explained their mission and in a half hour after refueling and rearming, they took off for Moon Mountain Pass.
3 Hours Later: "There they are," said the pilot. The team was in the cockpit looking out at the endless desert. They could finally make out a small camp with tents surrounded by sixteen landmasters and thirty desert rovers. A couple fire pits were visible as well as several creatures were seen visible moving from tent to tent.
"So far so good," said Fox. Two Landmasters turned from their current positions and pointed their barrels at the approaching transport.
"Quick, evasive maneuvers they're gonna fire!" shouted Andrew.
"Calm down," said the pilot. The Landmasters opened fire on the transport and flak began exploding all around them. The transport continued on its course until it landed on the ground.
"Standard Commando operating procedure. Open fire on anything that approaches. If they're enemy they'll take evasive maneuvers and as a result will hit the blasts, which aren't aimed at them anyway. They'll destroy themselves as a result. Irony, irony," said the pilot. He pressed a couple buttons and exited into the massive bay as the doors opened. Several members fully wrapped in cloth entered the bay and began removing the boxes and other crates. The pilot ran out after them.
"I need someone to sign for this stuff!" he shouted as the creatures moved in and out oblivious to his presence. Finally after the last box was removed, one creature walked up and made a giant red X through the page before walking off. The pilot looked at it before walking back into the ship.
"Well that's that. Have fun you guys," said the pilot as he boarded the ship. It blasted off moments later leaving the team alone with the desert commandos.
Andrew gulped. "I don't want to die!"
"You're not going to die. Remember, they're UVCAF just like we are. Let's go introduce ourselves," said Fox hefting his bag and walking towards the tents.
"I'm looking for Colonel Jerry Mingham," said Fox to the commandos who were doing their own stuff. They all looked at him through their fully covered bodies and pointed ominously at a single tent. The team slowly entered the tent and saw a single individual, also fully covered sitting cross-legged at a low table pointing directly at them.
"Enter," said the creature in a dark raspy voice. The team walked over and sat down in front of the table.
"Why have you entered our most sacred domain?" demanded the creature.
"Are you Colonel Jerry Mingham?" asked Fox. The creature nodded.
"I am,"
"We've come because there is a nomadic tribe. They're called The Fremen and we think that they might be around here," said Fox. The figure laughed.
"Then here's a shock. I'm not Jerry Mingham, he's been dead for two days. We killed him and his team when they entered our land," said the voice even more ominously.
"What are you saying?" asked Andrew nearly white.
"WE ARE THE FREMEN!" shouted the figure quickly standing up as Andrew promptly fainted dead away. The figure promptly threw back his robes to reveal a beaver underneath wearing a voice modulator on his face. The beaver promptly threw it off and stepped over the fainted Andrew.
"Funny, I would've expected more from the nephew of our beloved Emperor," said Jerry laughing. Fox and Leon laughed as well. Jerry promptly extended his hand to Fox and Leon.
"I really am Jerry Mingham," he said in a normal voice.
"I'm Fox McCloud and this is Leon Powalski," said Fox. Jerry shook both of their hands.
"It's an honor to meet you. Your exploits during the Lylat War were very impressive to say the least. You helped wrestle back control of the Lylat System from the vile General Pepper," said Jerry. Fox shrugged.
"Yeah but we never had to worry about invading Titania. We heard that you and your commandos managed to regain control of that planet back on your own with no reinforcements of any kind," said Fox. Jerry shrugged.
"Pepper didn't leave that much of an occupation force on this planet to being with, but yes that's ultimately true. We're nowhere near as bizarre as people think we are, we just put out that image. We don't like dealing with incompetent commanders so most just leave us alone. Andross and Hammer are the only really decent commanders in the UVCAF so we strictly try to deal with those two whenever possible," said Jerry walking out of the tent and into the blazing son. Jerry stood there watching the horizon before squatting down and looking at tiny whisps of sand blowing across the ground.
"Damn," said Jerry.
"What?" Fox asked looking at the sky. Jerry pulled out an airhorn and squeezed it letting loose a massive noise. The commandos immediately rushed out into the camp and began collapsing tents and putting out fires.
"We've got a sandstorm on the way. It's gonna be here in fifteen minutes and I want us packed up and in those Landmasters in seven. Fox, you'll be in mine so we can discuss the Fremen. Now let's move," said Jerry. They both ran off and began shoving tents into Landmasters. Seven minutes later the convoy moved off and eight minutes later the storm hit and began blasting the tanks.
"We'll be fine for now. There's an outcropping of rocks we'll reach in about fifteen minutes or so and we'll wait it out there," said Jerry piloting the tank. "Now tell me about your interest in these Fremen. They'd seem to fall beneath your radar as far as this invasion is concerned."
"Yeah well that was before we learned the truth about them," said Fox.
"Which is?" asked Jerry pressing a couple of buttons.
"That they're criminals from the Lylat System who escaped fifteen years ago and wound up here," said Fox. Jerry nodded.
"That would explain a few things," he said.
"Such as?" asked Fox. Jerry half turned to face him.
"We've had a couple of encounters with small pockets of them and they've attacked us with laser weaponry. We lost sixteen members during the first attack, but no more after that," said Jerry.
"Ah. But I didn't see you loading any caskets onto the ship to send home," said Fox.
"We didn't. You see, we leave the dead to the sands," said Jerry. Fox nodded.
"So what can you tell me about the Fremen?" he asked. Jerry pressed a couple buttons in the cockpit, which pulled up a holographic map with several dots on it.
"We were actually heading towards their main base of operations when you came upon us. It's here in this massive rock," said Jerry. The large bulbous dot indicating the Fremen base was quite away from the convoy.
"How long of a journey is that?" asked Fox. Jerry pressed a couple more buttons that traced a route between the convoy and the base.
"Three days," said Jimmy. Fox groaned.
"Three days?" he asked incredulously. Jerry huffed at him.
"You fighter jocks are all the same; you want to be there fast and now. Well too bad! When Titania was taken over by Pepper's goons my team had a fifty-day trek over the harshest desert in the entire universe. Do you think we complained? No we didn't because we didn't have a choice and it had to be done. Now three days is not a long time so back off!" said Jerry. Fox held up his hands in defeat.
"Alright, alright. You are being nice enough to transport us I'll give you that. Three days, yeesh," said Fox under his breath. A few minutes later the convoy pulled into a large cave underneath the massive rock and three Landmasters made a barricade against the outside forces while the commandos set up their camp again.
"Boy this is a treat, MRE's. I haven't had one of these since I was back in basic," said Fox after Jerry tossed them all a few bars before sitting down with them and the rest of the commandos around a giant light since a fire would produce too much smoke for the cave.
"Then you've been missing out. MRE's have come a long way since you were in basic," said Jerry. He took a bite and immediately cringed. "Now they only slightly taste like crap."
"Ah the miracles of technology," said Fox coughing heavily after eating the thing.
"So what were you guys up to prior to the invasion?" asked Fox.
"Vacation," said one of the troops. Leon laughed.
"No kidding. Where do you take vacations at?" he asked.
"Aquas for most of us," said Jerry. "It's nice to get away from the desert every so often."
"So it is," said Fox. "So it is."
"How long do you figure we'll be here?" asked a soldier to Fox.
"Until Andross pulls us out. Soon I would hope," said Fox. The soldiers nodded.
"Yeah. Invading planets is nice, but nothing beats home," said Jerry before looking at his watch. "Already, it's time to turn in. Fox, you and your team are required to take watches as well during the night. I hope you don't mind, commando policy."
"Not at all," said Fox shaking his head. "We're all UVCAF here, no one is above anyone else."
"Good, alright folks let's turn in," said Jerry. "They'll wake you when it's your turn."
And with that, the commandos and the team went to sleep as the storm continued raging outside and night began to fall for them.
Moon Mountain Pass: The silence of the Pass was shattered by the whine of dozens of fighters and two attack carriers. The units of DPAF1 opened fire on the ground with the fighters approaching first and tearing up any creatures that were on the ground while the bombers came by next leveling the pass flat.
"Well that's that," said Bill.
"Not quite, we've got hostiles about fifteen miles south of us. It looks like they're arming some building for a last stand," said Jimmy from the Attack Carrier above.
"Alright then, Husky, Bulldog units, let's take 'em out. Pitbull Unit, do some more sweeps and then join up with us," said Bill. The two fighter units then blasted off towards the base.
Base: Several dinos were setting up a pair of cannons on the roof of the building while others were tossing barrels down the valley leading to the fort.
"Now they'll never get to us," said Garunda Te.
"I don't know father, it seems to simple," said Belinda Te. Garunda shrugged.
"All the best plans are," he said continuing to watch the valley. For that exact second it was silent, but that silence was soon shattered by engine whine and blaster roar.
"Some fort," said Bill as his fighter flew overhead.
"It just goes to show how ill equipped these dinos were for our invasion. After Dragon Rock and CloudRunner Fortress fell, they were left defenseless. These small bases are the best they can come up with and they're pretty shoddy at that. A couple days tops and this world is ours," said Sanders. Two plumes of smoke were seen on the roof of the base and a second later two cannonballs were seen.
"Evasive maneuvers!" shouted Bill. The two fighters barrel roared apart as the two cannonballs soared past and smashed into Attack Carrier 1. The ensuing explosion managed to wipe out two fighters nearby, but the Attack Carrier was only burnt.
"Well I guess there's no real point in holding back is there?" Bill asked.
"Nope," said Sanders. "All units open fire!" shouted Sanders. The twenty-two remaining fighters roared over the base and tore it to pieces while the Attack Carriers unleashed a missile barrage that vaporized the base and sent smoke billowing upwards partially obscuring Volcano Force Point Temple beyond it.
"We've got runners!" said Jimmy looking at his HUD displaying several body signs moving towards the temple. Bill pressed a couple buttons in his cockpit and hit the boosters; roaring to the temple.
"Let's pick 'em off! No enemy can be left unharmed to continue the fight!" he said. His fighter along with Sanders roared overhead and began picking off the dinos who were running to the temple. Several Lightfoot and BoneClaw's were all mowed down on the way to the temple as several fighters descended like vultures on the runners. As they ran over the bridge, Sanders' fighter moved alongside plowing down a pair of EarthWalkers, but still several managed to reach sanctuary in the Temple including the two SnowHorns.
"Damn. All fighters land, we're going in there on foot," said Bill. The remaining fighters landed and the pilots exited their craft and checked their weapons.
"Let's move!" shouted Bill as he made his way over the bridge above the lava while the two Attack Carriers landed behind them with a massive roar and shut down. Bill and his team entered into the temple and quickly ran down various corridors trying to locate the dinos inside the temple, but all they got were fleeting glimpses of them. After fifteen minutes of nothing, Bill finally decided to give up.
"Ah to hell with this!" he said finally. "If they want to stay here, then they can stay here! Let's go I'm not wasting another minute here!"
The pilots filed out of the temple and the dinos watched them go.
"Ha, free at last. This is how we'll do things from now on, hide and survive," said Garunda.
Twenty minutes later: Bill and the pilots exited the temple as Pitbull Unit began landing as well. Bill and Sanders were the last ones to leave the temple as Jimmy ran up to them.
"Is that it? Are you going to let them stay indefinitely?" he asked incredulously. Bill looked at him as if that was the stupidest question ever.
"Yes," he said shaking his head and walking off with Sanders. Jimmy looked at them utterly confused before turning to look at the temple. The exact second he did, the temple exploded flinging debris everywhere and Jimmy went flying backwards due to the blast. Smoke and fire began to pour out of the temple as it and the canyon wall it was built into collapsed. Sanders and Bill ran back and helped the shell shocked Jimmy to his feet.
"You okay?" asked Sanders with a smile. Jimmy just looked at the destruction wide-eyed.
"What the hell was that!" exclaimed Jimmy. Bill stood there contemplating the ruined temple before turning around.
"Smart Bomb I think," said Bill.
"Smart Bomb?" asked Jimmy. Sanders came up behind him.
"Oh yeah. Smart Bombs frequent this area and are known for their most vicious attack, urban renewal," said Sanders. Jimmy just shook his head.
"You're both crazy. So what now? Where's this Warpstone we're supposed to find?" Jimmy asked. Bill looked around the valley but could find nothing of note.
"I have no idea," he said pondering their situation.
Forest: Several birds took to the sky as a tree came crashing down followed by a Landmaster flattening it as the Red Hammer army pressed on to the Walled City.
"Another mile passed, another mile closer," said Anklor. They continued rumbling through the jungle when suddenly the Landmaster began shaking every so often.
"That's odd, must be the clutch. All units power down!" shouted Anklor. The convoy shut down, but the shaking still continued.
"Odd, very odd," said Anklor finally. Then a roar was heard over the trees and more birds took to the sky. Suddenly a RedEye poked its head over the trees.
"Aaaahhhh!" shouted Anklor and the team as the RedEye charged. The barrel of one of the Landmasters raised and fired at the RedEye blasting its head off while spraying the team with a mist of blood.
"It charged us, you all saw that!" shouted Anklor wide-eyed. Suddenly more roars pierced the otherwise quiet afternoon.
"Oh…shit!" shouted Porpoise as the ground really started rumbling.
"Run for it!" shouted Greg as several RedEye poked their heads over the trees and roared at the convoy, which quickly boosted off just staying one step ahead of the T-Rex wolfpack.
ThornTail Hollow: Shabunga and Jeff both walked into Hammer's office on board The Mantia 01.
"What's up?" asked Shabunga taking a seat. Hammer had a large dossier on his desk that he had just stopped rummaging through.
"We are about to engage in the long and complex process of obtaining Jeff a voucher for entry into the UVCAF," said Hammer.
"I'll vouch for him," said Shabunga. Hammer slammed the dossier shut.
"Good. Well that's that," he said putting the folder away.
"Is that it?" asked Jeff incredulously. Hammer shook his head.
"No," said Hammer.
"Phew," said Jeff.
"I need you and Shabunga to head down to Moon Mountain Pass to try and help DPAF1 locate the Warpstone," said Hammer. Jeff's eyes went wide-open.
"So that literally is all to the voucher process?" asked Jeff. Hammer nodded.
"Yes," he said. Jeff moved his head back and forth in confusion before slamming his fist on the table.
"Works for me. Shabunga let's go find us a Warpstone," said Jeff turning to leave.
"Oh one more thing," said Hammer. "Don't interact with it, Andross just wants to know where it is. He'll talk to it on his own terms and doesn't want that 'thing' taking off anywhere."
"Okay," said Shabunga and Jeff heading off for the bay. Hammer pressed a button and a holographic Andross popped up.
"Everything's going as planned," he said to the hologram. Andross nodded.
"Excellent. Hopefully within a week, the Warpstone will be found, the Fremen will be dead, and he will be a distant memory," said Andross.
"To success," said Hammer.
"To success. To the death of Calhoun," said Andross. And with that the transmission ended and Andross ship roared into the Lylat System. Andross then walked into the back where the Krazoa Spirit was trapped in a cage. Andross leaned at it and looked at the Spirit.
"Are you ready, because it's time for you to die. I wish things didn't have to be this way, but in order to make sure Calhoun doesn't come back we all have to make sacrifices. Thank you for allowing us to make yours," said Andross as the ship continued on to Venom.