Venom: Andross' vessel Monkey Mayhem roared into the atmosphere towards Venomia City.
"Ah home sweet home," said Andross leaning back in his chair.
"Welcome back Emperor," said Powell over the comm. Andross waved him off with his hand.
"Powell I simply don't have the time. I need immediate clearance to land at the University of Venomia," said Andross as the ship roared down through Venom's atmosphere.
"Yes sir you're cleared. Do you at least want the latest results from the invasion of the Beta Reticuli System?" asked Powell. Andross grumbled something before hitting the transmit button.
"Fine! Now leave me alone!" he shouted.
"Yes, Emperor," said Powell as the comm. switched off. Andross sighed and held his head. Finally he just held out his hands and shook his head very fast to clear the cobwebs.
"First thing's first. Bye, bye Krazoa Spirits, hello old life of invading systems," he said. A light bleeped and Andross pulled out a PDA with the invasion info on it just as the ship touched down in the middle of the beautiful college campus. The sun was shining, wind whistled through the green trees, birds chirped, and students went to their various classes oblivious to what was going on in Dinosaur Planet.
"And hopefully it will stay that way. This is what I am attempting to save by preventing Calhoun's resurrection," thought Andross. The troops put a large box around the cage and put it on a dolly and pushed it out of the bay and into the campus.
"Let's get this to Albatross Einstein," said Andross slapping the box as the troops hauled it off.
"Oh my God it's the Emperor!" someone shouted. Andross spun and saw a small group of college females and males running up to him. Andross sighed and shook his head in humility as they swarmed him.
"What brings you to our esteemed campus Emperor?" asked a student. Andross shrugged.
"Just checking up on the Lylat System's future. I only want the best for the UVCAF and if you go to this college then you would be among the best," said the Emperor truthfully. The small group of students seemed to beam at the complement. "I hate to leave so soon, but I have official business."
"Will you at least sign our yearbooks?" asked one of the students. The others nodded as well exuberantly. Andross held up his hand in defeat.
"Well if you insist," he said finally. Andross signed their yearbooks on the photo that showed him as founder of the university before dismissing them and catching up to the crate. The team finally hauled the crate into the biosciences building and through it onto a massive stage where Alby(Albatross Einstein's nickname) was teaching his students. He watched the Emperor come in, but Andross quickly made a gesture for him to finish up his class.
"So as you can see," said Alby pointing to the board. "With the right knowledge, it doesn't matter what you encounter among the stars, you will be able to deal with anything that comes up in the field. And speaking of being in the field, we have a very special observer today, our Emperor of the UVCAF forces, Andross!"
Andross waved his hand to the student body and was going to leave it at that when they started chanting for him to speak. Andross shrugged and walked up to the podium where as soon as he reached it the chanting stopped.
"So you want me to speak? Well, I guess I can't argue with that. After all, I don't know if I'll be able to speak at graduation this year with so much going on at the moment," said Andross as a series of boos erupted from the crowd to this last statement. "Yes, I know I'm sorry. But you shouldn't be. We're in a series of rapid expansion, but territorially and scientifically. We're learning new things all the time with each world we conquer, knowledge that will go to benefit us all. I'm sorry I don't have anything prepared at the moment; so I'll just speak openly and honestly. I want you all to know, that you're in a very interesting and exciting field. Biology is a fascinating subject and will be one of the things that the UVCAF will be looking to expand its current knowledge of. It's not just for conquest but also for genuine knowledge. After all, what is the importance of knowledge?"
"Knowledge is power!" the crowd chanted over and over again until Andross silenced them.
"Yes, knowledge is power. But you have to understand that too much knowledge is a bad thing because power can corrupt even the brightest individual. Now why am I mentioning this? It's simple. I want to anticipate a problem that you are probably worried about right now. You're worried about the UVCAF seizing your research for various reasons. I know it's disappointing, but ultimately it has to be done. We have to protect the masses; that's what's important. Some knowledge is ultimately too dangerous for public use. Now we don't seize a lot of information, believe me you'll know when you've gone too far and that's when we seize it. But know this," said Andross firmly with the crowd on the edge of their seats. "We might take you information from you, but we will never pass it off as our own. Your research that you publish is your own, nobody else's. For the UVCAF to say it was their idea is thievery and I cannot and will not allow that. Now when you go out into society or the UVCAF, I want you to always remember one statement. Ask not what the UVCAF can do for you, but ask what you can do for the UVCAF! Because in the end any knowledge that you pump into the UVCAF will benefit not only you but everyone!"
And with that the room erupted into a standing ovation with cheers and heavy clapping. Andross smiled and waved at the audience before walking over to Alby.
"Inside that box is a Krazoa Spirit. I want it dead within the week. Do whatever research you want along the way but your primary directive is to make that thing cease to exist," said Andross. Alby nodded, shook Andross' hand, and both parted ways.
Great Dino Desert: The wind blew across the sand in the face of the cloudless blue day. A group of Fremen was enjoying a meal next to their jetbikes.
"What a beautiful day. No sandstorms in sight," said one of them.
"Yes, absolutely perfect," said another one helping himself to some noodles in a central pot. A small puff of smoke was seen in the distance just above the sand.
"What was that?" asked one of the Fremen.
"I dunno, probably nothing," said another. Then a whistling noise was heard.
"Damn my ears are ringing!" shouted one of them.
"Mine too," yelled another. A small object arced through the air before smashing down into the pot and embedding in the ground.
"The hell is that?" asked the youngest of the group. The eldest looked over the device before hearing the whirring and realizing what it was.
"Oh my God it's a," said the creature running away but that's all that it got out as the device exploded blasting the Fremen group to pieces as more explosions rang out around the encampment while a dozen miles away, the Landmaster convoy made its way across the desert towards the small camp.
"Excellent shot," said Jerry. "Excellent shot."
Fox slammed the periscope up into the tank ceiling.
"It's just simple physics or in the case shooting fish in a barrel," he said. The Landmasters around them began firing more blasts at the encampment as two creatures tried desperately to start a damaged jetbike.
"Physics or no physics, to get that timed bomb to slam down in the middle of their embankment was pure skill. You ever consider joining the commandos?" asked Jerry. Fox laughed.
"Not a chance. I only have one mistress and that's the air. I only use the ground when I have to," said Fox. Jerry laughed.
"Get your head out of the clouds McCloud, the ground is where it's at. History is written on the land, not in the skies," said Jerry.
"You gotta stop leaving in two-dimensions. Three dimensions is where it's at," said Fox.
"I'll show you three dimensions," said Jerry. He pressed a couple of buttons and the Landmaster shot into the sky giving a wider view of the desert before settling down again.
"Besides, three dimensions means more ways to be attacked. Two dimensions is much more safe," said Jerry.
"To each their own," said Fox. "To each their own."
"I'll live with that," said Jerry nodding. "You'll always love the sky and I'll always love the land. They both have their dangers and their rewards."
"True, true. I'll drink to that. If we make it to the Fremen HQ in one piece," said Fox. Jerry nodded.
"Yes, I've been a little bit troubled by the lack of outposts just a day and a half from their base. I hope we're moving towards the right target," said Jerry pressing a couple buttons on his tank.
"Yeah, either that or they're complete idiots or they have no idea that we're coming," said Fox.
"If we haven't seen anything major by tomorrow morning I'm going to risk it and call in a reconnaissance bird even if it gets downed by a storm. I don't like lack of response, it troubles me," said Jerry.
"Yeah," said Fox when the radar started beeping. "Looks like we've got another encampment about twenty miles away at about twenty degrees to our north. This one looks larger than the rest."
"Excellent, maybe now we'll get some real action," said Jerry gunning the engine and kicking the tank forward along with the rest of the convoy.
Nighttime in RedEye Jungle(the jungle and the desert are far enough away that in one place it's day while in the other it's night): "I think they're sleeping," said Samson out of breath. Anklor was still shaking wide-eyed from the massive wall of RedEyes they'd just faced. Thirty-five dinos had attacked them and he'd lost three Landmasters and several troops, at least a third of his army was gone.
"So many teeth all ripping, gnashing, and gnarling," said Anklor in a daze. Porpoise rolled his eyes at him.
"What're we gonna do about him?" he asked. Greg laughed.
"I have an idea," he said. He produced Anklor's sword and smacked Anklor upside the head with the handle of it.
"Damn that was a hell of a fight, but we got through it and hopefully they'll think twice before engaging us tomorrow," said Anklor confidently. The others just shook their heads before either going to sleep. Anklor meanwhile began grinding his sword until it was razor sharp before finally turning in. Several miles away, the RedEyes were also snoozing, preparing for a massacre in the morning.
Moon Mountain Pass: DPAF1 had just finished setting up camp for the night when Jeff and Shabunga arrived.
"Ah Jeff, it's good to see you got your voucher. Welcome to the UVCAF," said Bill shaking Jeff's hand.
"Thanks it's an honor to finally be working officially with you guys," said Jeff. Bill nodded.
"So you two are our resident Warpstone experts. So what do you think? Can you find us a Warpstone tomorrow morning?" asked Bill with a smile.
"That's what we hope to accomplish," said Jeff also with a smile. Bill nodded.
"Good, good. You two had better turn in for the night, we want to make sure you have all your wits about tomorrow. Well, good night," said Bill. Shabunga and Jeff nodded before entering into a vacant tent and getting some sleep.
Venom: Andross sat at his private estate on the balcony reading the notes from the current invasion, which was proceeding exactly as planned. An aide walked up to him and handed him another PDA.
"Last report from Dinosaur Planet before The Mantia 01 slips into darkness," said the aide. Andross read it while sipping his Pina Colada before putting it away.
"So far, so good. Everything is going as planned," he thought before turning in to get some well deserved rest.
Great Dino Desert: A large explosion blasted a Landmaster away as the convoy continued advancing forward and firing at a well-armed fortress.
"Ah I love the smell of plasma in the morning! Units 5-9 cut away and circle behind them. This pincer movement will take them apart!" shouted Jerry over the comm. Fox continued to aim the cannon and fire charged plasma at the fortress, slowly but surely taking the gun emplacements offline.
"We can't keep this up much longer, we have to find a way inside those protective walls!" shouted Fox. The base had fifteen-foot high walls surrounding it with gun emplacements on top shooting at the commandos.
"Yeah," said Jerry toggling the comm. switch. "Attention all units, link your targeting computers to mine we're all going to aim at one section of the wall and blast it apart. Fox here will be leading commando groups three and four into that wall to eliminate the resistance inside."
"Works for me," said Fox pulling out his blaster rifle and checking the charge on it. "I'm good."
"I'm going to take the commandos piloting the Landmasters and conduct a ring of fire around this place. You just get in there and kill the power supply along with the Fremen in there," said Jerry. "Alright because here we go!"
The remaining Landmasters let loose with their ordnance at the wall, which stood up for a few moments before it finally collapsed. Fox snapped open the hatch and leapt off the moving Landmaster. He landed with a roll on the ground before picking himself up and running for the hole in the wall. Fox and the Commandos burst into the circular base firing at anything they saw.
"Find the power generator!" shouted Fox picking off a couple more Fremen. Inside the fortress was utter chaos. It was mostly just empty space inside with all the weaponry on the walls, but there were a couple small buildings along with some tents. Laser fire roared everywhere around them from all sides including the explosions hammering the base from outside. The Commandos spread out as Fox, Leon, and Andrew began searching the buildings for the generator while outside the Landmasters were doing barrel rolls around the base while continuing to fire at the gun emplacements.
"C'mon where the hell is that generator?" asked Fox about to enter into another building when a woman burst out carrying a child in her arms.
"Hi," said Fox before firing, blasting the woman backwards. She fell back into the tent with her arms flailing before she finally died. Fox and the others walked into the tent where a dozen child sat wild eyed and scared about what was going on outside.
"Well, well. Future evildoers," said Leon shaking his head. Fox sighed.
"So young and yet so evil," he said. Andrew turned to face them.
"So what do we do about them?" he asked. Fox looked at him nonplussed.
"You know the rules, no enemy shall be left unharmed. Their parents and grandparents were among the worshippers of Calhoun. As such these kids are being raised on the glorification of that madman. They're too far gone already to be turned back," said Fox.
"How do you know they're Calhoun worshippers?" asked Andrew. Fox pointed his finger at a tapestry across the room, which depicted the billygoat as a massive creature with a sun behind and people bowing to it in worship.
"Oh," said Andrew. "Well that clears my conscience!"
"Good," said Fox. He pulled out a grenade and set it on the floor before exiting the tent.
"Andrew, I know we've had this talk before but it appears we need to have it again," said Fox as the tent exploded. "There are many things you can afford by being a member of the UVCAF, but one thing you can't afford is."
"A conscience. I know," said Andrew over the screams erupting from the burning tent.
"You've just got to be careful. We've…hold on a sec," said Fox. He aimed his blaster at the tent and fired a bolt silencing the scream. "We've lost a lot of good people to a conscience. A conscience in battle can corrupt you believe me I know. I almost succumbed to my conscience right before the war during the whole 'the dreamers' incident. It was a tough road, but ultimately I overcame it and pulled through in time to take the battle to General Pepper. You just need to be careful, I don't want to see you go insane or worse go rogue. That would make the Emperor look bad by having his nephew go crazy and I cannot and will not allow that."
"Yeah," said Andrew shaking his head. "Thanks Fox."
The team was subsequently knocked off their feet as a massive explosion caused the whole compound to shift. After a few moments the shaking subsided and the team managed to pick themselves off the floor.
"The Generator is now permanently offline," said a soldier over the comm. Fox swung up his blaster.
"Let's rock and roll!" he shouted before running off into the thick of battle between the UVCAF and Fremen as a couple Landmasters roared over the wall and opened fire inside the base. Laser blasts erupted from both sides for several more minutes until finally the battle was over. Fox and the commandos stood in the middle of the base with a fine mist of blood on them and rage in their eyes. Fifty Fremen were did and twelve commandos had perished in the fray. Jerry finally entered into the base with his Landmaster and parked next to the rest of the tanks. He exited and looked at Fox who was silent.
"What a waste," said Fox shaking his head at the commandos who had been laid out on the ground with sheets over them. "But at least they died taking the fight to the enemy, we should all be so lucky."
Jerry nodded looking at the pile of Fremen bodies that had just been tossed together.
"I guess we'd better prepare for a burial," said Jerry walking off to make the arrangements. Fox and Co. were sitting in a circle on some chairs a few minutes later watching the pile of Fremen burning, pouring smoke high into the sky when a soldier approached them.
"Sir, we have something to show you in the Fremen medical tent," said the soldier. Fox shrugged nonchalantly and followed him to the bay along with the team. Inside the tent they found it to be utterly empty except for one individual on a gurney hooked up to life support monitors. It was the blue Cerinian Krystal. Fox shook his head.
"Well, well, well. We meet again," said Fox taking a seat next to her along with the team.
"Colonel Mingham is busy elsewhere trying to rig up a temporary power supply for the base to protect us since we're staying the night so I figured I'd report this to you," said the soldier. Fox nodded.
"You made the right choice soldier. You can leave now," said Fox. The soldier cocked his head at them before exiting the bay. Fox propped his rifle up next to the gurney while the team took seats all around her. Leon rummaged through the tent's supplies before producing a syringe. He tapped it a few times before handing it to Fox who looked it over.
"A spinal suppressor. So they do have at least some current medical supplies," said Andrew.
"I wouldn't say that. Calhoun was notorious for using these on any interrogation. The subject couldn't move a muscle, much less run away, but they could still feel the terrible pain from the interrogation," said Fox. "Well, flip her over. I don't want her waking up and causing trouble."
Andrew and Leon undid her restraints and moved her onto her side and Fox jammed the thing into her spine and depressed the syringe. Andrew and Leon moved her back onto her back and reapplied the restraints while Fox went through her medical chart.
"I'm amazed she survived that fall," Leon said.
"She's a Cerinian. Together with their staff they're a dangerous combination. Not for the UVCAF, but any unsuspecting fool might be in for a surprise," said Fox tossing her chart onto a nearby desk.
"Well here's her staff," said Andrew holding up the mangled wreck of the thing. Fox looked it over before tossing it in a nearby garbage can.
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side," he said. Jerry walked into the tent with a clipboard and sat down at the foot of Krystal's bed.
"Who's this?" he asked pointing to Crystal while drinking some water from a canteen.
"Cerinian. We ran into her earlier at the start of the mission. We thought we killed her then but apparently not," said Fox. Jerry looked at the life support monitor then at the Cerinian then at Fox confused.
"She shot at us," said Fox explaining why they were still keeping her alive.
"Ah," said Jerry understanding.
"So what's up?" asked Fox. Jerry hefted his clipboard up with his knee before turning to Fox.
"We uncovered some disturbing facts about this group of criminals. They were Calhoun worshippers," said Jerry with disgust showing a tattered piece of cloth showing Calhoun standing above the people like a God.
"Yeah," said Fox nonchalantly, trying to show no sign of nervousness. "We encountered another tapestry in one of the tents."
"I could've sworn Andross killed them all but apparently not. Well at least this gives us a more legitimate reason to eliminate them all," said Jerry finishing off his water. "We'll be burying the commandos at 0800 and we'll be spending the night here. Don't worry we'll still reach the Fremen HQ in two more days, that's not a problem. It's just that this is the best defensible position for miles and we'll take whatever we can. Look, when you're done with the Cerinian, I need to talk with you about some intelligence we've obtained from this base regarding current Fremen locations."
With that, Jerry exited the tent into the midday sun. After he left, Fox turned back to the team.
"You didn't happen to find any adrenaline did you?" asked Fox. Leon nodded and produced a second syringe. Fox pointed and Leon injected it into a vein on her arm. Instantly Krystal's eyes opened.
"Remember us?" asked Fox. Krystal looked from him to Leon and finally to Andrew who waved.
"Howdy," Andrew said with a wave. Krystal sneered at all of them.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she demanded. Fox and Co. laughed.
"Want? We don't want anything! We order you to tell us what you're doing here," said Fox.
"I'll never tell you," she said before spitting at them. But since she was dehydrated nothing came out. Fox meanwhile poured a cup of water from his thermos and sat it on a desk right next to her.
"If you can pick this up we'll let you go," said Fox. He undid her restraints and laughed as she tried to move her arms but couldn't.
"Something wrong?" asked Leon laughing as Krystal's eyes almost turned red with rage.
"What've you done to me?" she demanded. Fox looked at her with mock confusion on his face.
"What're you talking about? We haven't done anything!" he said with mock surprise.
"Why are you torturing me?" she demanded. "What did I do to you?"
Fox yanked her up so they were face to face. "You fired on us and you lived. That is what you did."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" she said.
"Several days ago you opened fire on three UVCAF fighters, that was us!" shouted Fox before tossing her back down on the gurney. Krystal's eyes first had the look of shock on them before turning to anger.
"You killed Kyte! He was my best friend!" she said angrily with tears in her eyes.
"Save it for someone who cares," said Fox. "Now why are you here?"
"Krystal turned her head away from them but said nothing. Fox shrugged.
"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you. We have ways of obtaining information from you through torture. Leon set up," said Fox taking the cup of water and drinking from it. Leon meanwhile opened up his bag and pulled out an electric board with several wires from it. Leon tapped two of the wires together and they emitted a spark.
"Guess that means the battery is working," Leon said nonchalantly. He attached the wires to Krystal's temples while Andrew attached restraints to her head so she couldn't move.
"Why are you here?" asked Fox.
"Die," said Krystal. Leon connected the circuit and several volts flowed through her body causing her to yell in pain. Finally after an entire minute of shocks, Leon disconnected the circuit.
"Five more shocks like that at a minute apiece and your heart will stop. Now you have five more chances of answering my question. Although keep in mind that after the fourth shock you will be a vegetable," said Fox. "Why are you here?'
"To defeat the UVCAF," she said with a smile. Fox smiled back and Leon shocked her again for another minute.
"That was the answer," she said as foam started to come out of her mouth and some of her muscles twitched involuntarily.
"No it wasn't," said Fox laughing. "You were here before we got here and Andross never reveals the planet he invades before it happens. Try again."
"No," she said. Fox sighed.
"Do you really have a death wish?" he asked curious. "Because if you do I'll just kill you right now so we can save on the battery charge."
Fox pulled out his blaster rifle and pointed it at Krystal's face.
"You won't shoot me," she said laughing. Fox nodded and lowered the rifle.
"You're right I won't," he said nodding his head. Fox then aimed his rifle and shot her in the arm. Krystal roared out in pain for the next few moments before the commando's resident doctor walked into the tent.
"Hello," he said ignoring Krystal's cries as he began rummaging through the cabinets taking whatever medical supplies he could while Krystal finally calmed down and just began weeping. The doctor continued rummaging through some more cabinets.
"There wasn't any adrenalin in here was there?" asked the doctor.
"Sorry doctor, I think we used up the last of it waking her up," said Fox pointing to their 'patient'. The doctor shrugged.
"I have enough for now, it's just that it wouldn't hurt to have some surplus supplies. When you fight in the desert you have to take everything you can get your hands on," said the doctor. Fox nodded.
"Yeah, we're really sorry about that," said Fox sincerely. "It won't happen again."
The doctor waved him off. "Don't worry about it. So, do you need any help with your patient?"
"No," said Fox. "But if anything happens we'll let you know."
"Works for me," said the doctor preparing to leave. On the way out he did a quick visual examination of Krystal.
"I'd be careful," he said pointing to Krystal's blaster wound. "That could develop into gangrene if not treated soon."
"Help me," said Krystal in a lot of pain and foam in her mouth. The doctor crossed his arms.
"I'd love to, but you're the enemy. Confess and I'll be able to treat you," said the doctor. He then placed a thermos on the counter next to her. "When you finally confess to whatever Commander McCloud wants to know, then drink this and you'll feel a lot better. Gentlemen."
And with that the Doctor exited the tent heading out to the rest of the team to treat their injuries.
"Well?" asked Fox. Krystal sighed, what choice did she have.
"Fine! But only if you promise to let me live," she said. Fox nodded.
"I promise," he said. "It's against the UVCAF law to lie while on duty."
"I came here because I received a distress call from this area. I landed and discovered the Fremen. They told me their master had to be found soon or evil forces would come and he would die. They wanted me to search Krazoa Palace to find him but you intercepted me before I got there. Anyway, I barely managed to save myself from dying but it cost me my staff as a result. The Fremen found me in a massive crater in the Great Dino Desert and they were attempting to nurse me back to health when you returned. But they told me that their master had visited them when I was gone so I didn't need to have gone after all. That's why I'm here and how I wound up here. Now take these things off me," said Krystal. Fox nodded.
"This master, did he have a name?" he asked unhooking the electrodes. Krystal attempted to shrug but couldn't.
"He did, but the Fremen never told me. It was some secret no foreigner should ever know," she said. Fox sighed.
"Well thank you. Now here's something to drink," said Fox pouring some of the liquid that was in the thermos that the doctor had left behind. He poured it into Krystal's mouth and she drank it before settling back to sleep. Fox and Co. watched her heart monitor fall flat before collecting the thermos and electroschocks.
"Well that's that," Fox said with a smirk. "We found out what we needed to know. Oh and Krystal one more thing. I said that we don't lie on duty. That's true, but I forgot to add that doesn't include lying to the enemy."
The team left the tent and walked over to the doctor. The doctor watched them with a grin.
"Is she feeling better?" he asked sitting on a crate. Fox nodded handing him back his thermos.
"Yeah she is. This is some strong stuff," Fox said.
"My own potent blend," said the doctor.
"What about the Hippocratic Oath?" asked Fox half-seriously. The doctor laughed.
"Please. You know the Hippocratic Oath doesn't apply to the enemy. Now if you have a moment Jerry wants to see you," said the doctor continuing to treat the troops. Fox nodded and walked off with Leon and Andrew. They found Jerry sitting at a table looking over some charts as he was making notes on them.
"Colonel what's up?" asked Fox. Jerry looked up at them.
"Did you find what you needed to know?" he asked. Fox nodded.
"Yep. So you have intel?" Fox asked. Jerry nodded turning the massive map around.
"What we have here is the location of their HQ and the two other bases like this one. Thankfully they're placed strategically enough that we won't have to worry about them. But the HQ, that's where the fun is. It's got mines, ditches, heavy weapons, and countless other goodies that would easily overwhelm what we currently possess," said Jerry.
"So is that it. Are we not going to invade?" asked Fox sitting back in his chair a little upset.
"Of course we are! I can't resist a challenge and neither can you," said Jerry. Fox looked at him like he was a little crazy.
"Challenge or no challenge. If we attack we will be killed regardless of how much skill we possess," said Fox. Jerry laughed.
"Yes but we have friends in high places," said Jerry. "More specifically a Grazan Class vessel in geo-synchronous orbit ready to unleash hell on any spot we choose."
"Impressive. I stand corrected. Now I feel prepared," said Fox.
"Good because we're actually attacking them tomorrow. The base is much closer than I originally thought and we'll reach it tomorrow afternoon," said Jerry.
"That's very good. But are you sure this map is authentic? It could be fake," said Fox. Jerry nodded.
"We already found the fake map and torched it. It was on a PDA and thankfully these geniuses simply don't have the time to fake more than one written map. They're operating on strategies forty years old," said Jerry rolling up the map. "Anyway, we're about to bury the bodies so let's go."
Jerry and the Starfox Team walked out of the gash in the wall and walked towards the unmarked graves in the desert. Jerry stood on a makeshift podium in front of the graves facing the commandos sitting on some steel folding chairs.
"Death, it's not something we enjoy facing but it's an ultimate fact of life. These men died in the heat of battle and that's the greatest honor a soldier can achieve. We all want to die one day in battle but until then we've got to give all we've got until we're bloody, sweaty, and tired beyond belief in the heat of battle. On that day, we will have achieved perfect bliss like these men did. Fox, will you please say something," said Jerry stepping off the podium. Fox nodded and walked up to it and face the troops.
"I didn't know these men for very long. I couldn't tell you their favorite color or who is in their families but that's not important. I fought alongside these men and that's good all I needed to know about them. They gave their lives in the service of the UVCAF and for that they are better than me, Fox McCloud. I will always remember their sacrifice and I promise you the Fremen will pay for what they did. None of them will survive this upcoming battle I promise you that! Those bastards are going to pay and I swear to you they will never forget the name UVCAF. Remember, our lives our forfeit to the Emperor and only in battle can they be redeemed. Tomorrow we are going to be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and when we're done no Fremen will be left unharmed. To the UVCAF! To victory!" shouted Fox raising his rifle over his head to the massive cheers of the troops.
"Salute!" Guns fired. "Salute!" Guns fired. "Salute!" Guns fired.
"And never forget," said Fox finally. "That risk is our business. Get a good night's sleep, tomorrow we unleash hell."