Torzan, Kew
Wolf slowly opened his eye and found himself gazing at Carmen's sleeping form. For reasons the lupine couldn't quite explain, seeing the dingo asleep gave him peace.
It was then that Wolf noticed one of his hands was resting on the burn scar that adorned Carmen's upper back. His gaze then fell to the ones on her tail. All of them were likely so severe that fur transplants wouldn't take.
"Poor girl. She'll have those for the rest of her life."
The lupine's thoughts were interrupted by Carmen stirring awake. As her brown eyes half-opened, Wolf whispered "Rise and shine."
Chuckling in response, Carmen leaned forward and kissed Wolf.
Sometime later, the two of them were getting dressed. As Wolf pulled on his flight jacket, a question burned at the back of his mind.
Glancing behind him, Wolf saw Carmen putting on her tank top and cleared his throat.
"Hey, uh. You're not gonna toss a pregnancy test at me in a couple of days, are you?"
The dingo turned around, and for a moment, Wolf was afraid that he had reopened her old wound.
"Not likely." she replied, "Seeing as I have a Viracon."
Noticing that Wolf was staring at her like she had three heads, Carmen elaborated "A viral contraceptive. I can't get pregnant until I take the antidote."
"Never heard of it."
"I'm not surprised." the dingo said with a shrug, "They're still top secret."
Wolf was about to say more when his ears detected the sounds of someone typing on the front door keypad. Carmen seemed to notice too.
"Damn, I was hoping we could explain this a little later."
"Don't worry, those two won't say or do anything. Not if I have my way."
The sounds of additional and familiar voices caused Wolf's smile to disappear.
"Wolf.." Carmen began, but he was already headed out the door.
Out on the ground floor, Wolf fixed his one-eyed glare on the door as his teammates and the members of Star Fox filed into the safehouse.
The appearance of Carmen behind the lupine drew looks of surprise and shock from the group, particularly Leon, Panther, Fox, and Fara.
"I thought I smelled something." growled the lupine.
Fox let out a frustrated huff.
"Wolf, we know about Koates. If you help us take him down, I can put in a good word with the General."
"Like you did last time?" Wolf snarled, "No deal, pup."
Peppy stepped forward, hoping that he could get through to Wolf.
"Wolf, whatever differences you and Fox have are not important right now. If Koates isn't stopped, we could be faced with another war…"
Wolf wasn't listening.
"After all they've done, they have the audacity to ask me for help?!"
His rage finally boiled over.
"Fuck You Pup! Fuck You Old Man! Fuck all of you! None of you goody two-shoes have a fucking clue what it's like to live with a price on your head! I swear, my neck is actually fucking sore from keeping my head on a swivel! Cause for all I know, everybody on this whole damn planet is on that fucking nine band's payroll…"
Unknown to Wolf, his rant had landed on a certain vixen's last nerve. Muzzle curled back into a snarl, Krystal pushed past Fox and Peppy.
"Shut Up Wolf!" she screamed before decking the lupine.
Glaring at the Cerinian and rubbing his jaw, the lupine hissed "The hell you want, kid?"
Standing her ground under Wolf's stare, Krystal retorted "You fucking idiot! You're the one who knows nothing! I know exactly what it's like to live with a price on my head. My parents and I did it for nine fucking years! So don't think that this only happens to you, Wolf, cause that's all you ever think of, you stupid bastard!"
The tension that fell over the room could be cut with a knife. It was Wolf who finally broke the silence.
Tilting his head at the cobalt vixen, the lupine said "Kid, I may not come out and say it, but I care about my team. And as much as it shocks me, I've grown to care about Carmen."
After sharing a glance with the dingo, Wolf's tone turned more somber.
"This is about Cerinia, isn't it?"
Krystal sadly nodded as she began to tear up. Reaching out with her powers, the cobalt vixen showed everyone her memories.
"My family escaped Cerinia; One step ahead of Andross' death squads. Everyone else was not so lucky."
"Don't look, sweetheart."
But despite her mother's attempts at shielding her daughter from the terrible sight happening in Cerinia's orbit, the kit could still see it through the minds of her parents.
The Venomian weapon's outer shell opened up in three prongs, much like a poisonous flower on Macbeth that Krystal had read about.
The Gorgan.
A bright light began to gather in the centre of the weapon, growing in intensity before a pink laser beam was unleashed. It impacted onto the planet's surface, penetrating all the way to the core. Cerinia turned a bright red, it's oceans evaporating and landmasses blackening under the intense heat.
Then the core overheated and exploded outwards, taking the surface with it. Krystal and her parents saw the fireball and the debris being blown outwards.
The spectacle only lasted a few seconds, for their personal shuttle made the jump into hyperspace.
As the distant stars became white streaks in the viewport, Krystal finally looked up at her mother, a white furred vixen. Both were in tears at what they had just witnessed: Cerinia and all of it's inhabitants vaporized by the Venomian Empire.
Their attention was drawn as the door to their quarters opened. In walked a blue furred fox wearing a red dress shirt and black pants, as befitting a Cerinian prime minister.
"Marcus." Krystal's mother spoke through her tears, "Where are we going?"
The vulpine sadly shook his head.
"I made a blind jump, Corrine. If we don't know where we're going, neither will the Venomians."
The vulpine then embraced his wife and daughter, all of them letting their tears flow freely for their now-deceased homeworld. Two individuals dominated Krystal's thoughts.
"Sabre. Randorn."
"Lucky for us, Father's jump put us near Eladard. For the next nine years, that's where we hid out, under assumed names and always looking over our shoulders. It wasn't anything like our life on Cerinia, but at least we had each other."
"I even got somewhat used to living on Eladard. I graduated high school and got accepted into college. Until my world was torn apart again."
The teenaged vixen ran up the hall of her apartment building. She was unable to sense her mother's presence, but she could feel that her father was barely clinging to life.
Charging through the busted down door, Krystal saw that her family's apartment had been ransacked. Not to mention the blood on the floor.
Wasting no time, the cobalt vixen ran into the living room, finding both her mother's lifeless body and her father tied to chairs. As tears gathered in her eyes, Krystal ran up to them.
"Father!"
No response. Reaching up and placing her hand on his temple, Krystal began sorting through her father's disjointed thoughts.
Though she could not make out the killer's species, she could hear his words.
"Where is she, prime minister? Tell me, and I can make your end that much quicker."
"No!"
Another memory came up, this time, the killer seemed to be speaking over a commlink to someone whose voice was distorted by distance and encryption.
"The girl will turn up sooner or later. Come to Sauria and receive your payment."
"As you wish."
Krystal was shocked when her father spoke.
"Krystal. Avenge us."
The blue furred vulpine coughed up some blood.
"Avenge Cerinia."
His head slumped and his breathing became more shallow.
"Father? Father!"
But he was gone. After crying for a bit, Krystal balled her hands into fists and stormed into her bedroom. Pushing aside the dresser revealed a trap door.
The cobalt vixen opened it and took out the staff that had once belonged to her father and was gifted to her on her sixteenth birthday.
"The only thing keeping me going was finding my parents' killer and whoever hired them. I was going to make them suffer for what they had done, but I was too late."
Krystal slammed her staff into the ground and let out a sorrowful scream that echoed off the mountains. The vixen was angry at the fact that the people responsible for killing her parents had gotten away and angry at herself for arriving too late to take revenge.
"I burned up most of my fuel getting to Sauria. So I made the decision to spend the rest of my days there."
Setting her ship down in a tropical hollow, Krystal walked out into the muggy heat.
"I'm going to need some better clothes." she thought while tugging at her shirt collar.
Using her telepathy, the vixen was able to get a feel for the Saurian language from the local Thorntails. She also picked up the location of a nearby shop and the fact that Scarabs served as the currency on this planet.
Extending her staff, Krystal went up to a rock and used the sharp end to lift it up. She saw several of the red and gold insects scuttling about, but one in particular caught her eye.
A platinum coloured scarab dashed out from the swarm. Thinking quickly, Krystal threw herself towards the insect and grasped it in her hands.
"An amazing accomplishment, especially for an offworlder. Nobody's caught a platinum scarab in years."
Krystal turned towards the booming voice and gazed upon a Thorntail regarding her with a kindly stare.
"I guess today's my lucky day, Zahn. Good thing for the shopkeeper, all I want are some clothes." she replied.
The dinosaur's gaze flicked to the staff on her back.
"You're a Cerinian, aren't you?"
"I am. My name is Krystal."
The Thorntail inclined his head.
"I am pleased to meet you, Krystal."
Wiping the sweat from her brow, the vixen said " I'd love to stay and keep chatting with you, Zahn, but if I don't get some new clothes soon, I'm going to get heatstroke."
"Indeed, I'll be here when you're done,Krystal."
From there, Krystal entered the cave that served as Thorntail Hollow's store. Within, she was greeted by a ghostly looking dinosaur in purple robes.
"Ah, an offworlder. Haven't seen one of you in eons. You do know that Scarabs are the currency of this planet, right?"
"I do." Krystal said before producing the platinum scarab.
The Shopkeeper's eyes practically bugged out of his head at the sight.
"Oh my! I can't remember the last time I saw one of those! What would you like to buy, young lady?"
"Just some clothes, preferably something practical for this climate."
The Shopkeeper nodded.
"Ah, I see. Well, as it happens I may have something for you, though I can't say that it's very modest."
True to the Shopkeeper's word, the clothes Krystal bought were anything but modest, consisting of a brassiere, loincloth, wrist bracers, anklets, shoulder armour, and sandals.
Of course, given the tropical climate, Krystal couldn't care less.
"Four months after I arrived, the Saurian Crisis began."
Krystal and Zahn stared up at the sky as pieces of Sauria floated upwards.
"By the Krazoa!" exclaimed the Thorntail, "Someone has taken the Spellstones from the Force Point Temples."
Krystal meanwhile, had a look of conviction on her face, something that her friend took notice of.
"You aim to do something about this?"
"I've already lost one home, Zahn. I won't lose another."
After letting out a grunt, the Thorntail replied "Well, seeing as I know you won't take no for an answer, I'll give you a hand."
Zahn lifted his head and let out a call. A short time later, wing beats could be heard, and a Cloudrunner landed in the hollow.
"Oh Zahn, it's terrible. General Scales has stolen the Krazoa spirits."
"Than things are worse than we thought." the Thorntail remarked before glancing at the vixen.
"Kyte, this is Krystal. She wants to help."
Kyte regarded the vixen before saying "If you're a friend of Zahn's, than you're a friend of mine."
The Cloudrunner lowered her head.
"Hop on, I'll take you to the General."
"Thank you, Kyte."
"I had no idea of the adventure that awaited me."
Krystal dashed across the deck of the floating galleon, staff in hand and eyes glowing purple from the Krazoa spirit in her body.
From the stern, General Scales called out "Stop that fox!"
A bunch of Sharpclaws attempted to block the cobalt vixen's path. Smiling, Krystal jumped into the air and brought her staff down into a quake slam, sending the reptile's flying backwards and over the sides of the galleon.
As she recovered, Krystal sensed Scales landing behind her and brought up her staff to block an overhead swing from his bladed prosthetic hand. She then knocked him back with a kick before turning and running.
Sensing that Kyte was just below, Krystal leapt over the galleon's side and landed on her new friend's back. From there they flew underneath the galleon and out of sight.
Sensing Scales scoff "So much for a challenge." Krystal mentally signalled to Kyte, "Let's give the General a surprise."
"I agree."
Once she sensed that Scales wasn't looking, Krystal had Kyte fly back up beside the galleon.
"Here's your challenge, General!"
Scales whipped around.
"What the…"
His sentence was cut off by Krystal whacking him in the head, knocking him unconscious.
Krystal and Kyte's moment of triumph was interrupted by cannonballs cracking past them.
"Let's get out of here!" the Cloudrunner exclaimed.
"I also had no idea of who I would meet."
After returning the spirit to the temple, Krystal was walking through the jungle when a sound reached her ears. A sound she had not heard since that harrowing escape from Cerinia.
Blaster fire.
The cobalt vixen quickened her pace and took cover behind a fern. Peering out, Krystal caught sight of an orange and white furred vulpine engaged in combat with Sharpclaws.
Including one creeping up behind him with an axe.
"Oh no you don't."
Krystal aimed her staff and shot a fireball, cutting the Sharpclaw down. She then charged into the clearing and went back to back with the vulpine. He was surprised, but nonetheless, they cooperated against the Sharpclaws.
As the dinos retreated, the two foxes turned and faced each other. The male holstered his blaster while Krystal collapsed her staff and slung it across her back.
"Well, thanks for the assist, uh…" the orange fox said while scratching the back of his head.
"Krystal. My name's Krystal."
"Okay. I didn't know there was a fox tribe on Sauria."
Krystal rolled her eyes at the statement.
"I'm not a tribeswoman."
"But…"
"I bought these clothes in Thorntail Hollow, Mr. McCloud. The climate didn't really leave me a choice."
Clearly taken aback, Fox said "Alright, Krystal. Where do you come from?"
"I came here from Eladard. But I was born and raised on Cerinia."
"Oh, so you escaped the asteroid collision?"
Fox's innocent question stunned Krystal.
"That's not what happened." she finally said and lowered her gaze.
Glancing up at Fox with a few tears falling from her eyes, Krystal explained "Cerinia was destroyed by the Gorgan."
Her telepathy picked up a memory from Fox of his teammate Falco Lombardi telling him to watch out and the vulpine barely managing to avoid being disintegrated by the Gorgan's laser.
The vulpine flattened his ears.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, you didn't know."
Changing the subject, Krystal said "The Cornerians sent you here to solve this crisis. Maybe we can help each other out."
Fox was dumbfounded.
"How do you know that? I haven't told you anything."
"I can read minds, Fox."
The vulpine blinked and shook his head in disbelief. But then, he came to a realization.
"Well, Krystal, you know this planet better than me. Tell you what, if you help me out, I'll cut you in on the reward."
The cobalt vixen thought on that for a moment and then extended her hand.
"It's a deal."
They shook on it.
"And the rest is history."
Krystal met Wolf's gaze as tears streamed down her face.
"So you see, Wolf. You're not the only one to lose everything to that monstrous armadillo."
The lupine let out a huff.
"Gee kid, I don't know what to say, other than I'm sorry."
"Thanks." Krystal said as she began to sob.
Fox reacted by walking up and giving his girlfriend a hug. After the vixen eventually calmed down, Wolf looked around at the Star Fox team.
"Well, whether we like it or not, we're all in this together. Can I assume that you've asked Pepper for backup?"
"The Venomians are jamming our interplanetary channels. We're on our own." Peppy replied.
The lupine put a hand on his chin.
"Of course, he wouldn't make it easy."
"Wolf, Leon, Panther." Krystal put in, "I would like to speak with you three in private."
Wolf raised an eyebrow at her.
"Sure, kid." he said and cocked his head towards the deck door.
As the four of them left, Carmen met Fox and Fara's gaze and smiled. They did the same before walking up and both giving her a hug.
Out on the deck, Krystal glared at Star Wolf.
"I'm only going to say this once, so please pay attention. If you ever insult or threaten me and my team again, I will fucking kill you."
The cobalt vixen cracked her knuckles to show that she was serious. Wolf responded by crossing his arms.
"Duly noted."
Back inside, Fox and Fara were catching up with their old friend.
"You and Wolf." the vulpine remarked, "I'm still trying to wrap my head around that."
"That makes two of us." Carmen replied.
"Guys, come here." Slippy called out.
Carmen and the rest of Star Fox gathered around the kitchen table, where the green toad was seated with a holoprojector.
"I had ROB scan the planet for major electronic signals. I think he's found our jammer."
Slippy brought up a topographic map on the projector, one that garnered Carmen's interest.
"The Dasypus Penninsula."
"What's so special about that?" Fay asked.
"It's the location of Castillo Manor." explained the dingo.
"I knew it." Carmen continued, "Janos Szalasi is in league with Koates."
"Janos Szalasi and Kalman Koates are one and the same." Krystal said from behind her.
Seeing everyone's eyes land on her, the cobalt vixen elaborated "He had supper with my family a few times during the Venomian occupation. Thanks to my gift, I knew even then that he was a bad man."
Krystal clenched her fist.
"Szalasi is his mother's maiden name."
After everyone processed that information, Fox said "We need a plan."
"As it happens." Wolf put in, "A lot of people on Kew owe me favours."
"We'll need to be careful, Boss." Leon said, "Not many people want to tangle with the Castillos."
A toothy grin creased Wolf's muzzle.
"I think I know someone who might."
Castillo Manor
Within his office, Marshal Koates downed the last of a glass of scotch and then glanced towards the bust of Andross. The armadillo walked out from behind his desk and removed his cap before going down on one knee in front of the bust and bowing his head, as he would have done when the Emperor was still alive.
Eleven years ago
Animus, the capital of Cerinia, lay in ruins, as did every other city on the planet. The result of shelling by Venomian artillery and bombardment from the air and from orbit.
Kalman Koates stood within the commander's turret of an Ocelot tank, scanning about with the mounted machine gun, just as he had done when he had served in the Katinese Planetary Guard. The infantry may have cleared this district out, but there was still the possibility of stragglers.
"As you see, Sergeant Capaldi, you and Lieutenant Warren were right to launch your mutiny."
"Agreed sir." replied the hyena beside Koates, "Too bad it was all for nothing."
"Yes." chimed in a black furred jackal, "All because long ago, a monarch thought it would be a good idea to isolate our planet from the rest of Lylat."
His contempt was audible even over the tank engines. Sparing a quick glance over his shoulder, Koates replied "I agree, Lieutenant Warren."
Soon, the tank pulled up to the Royal Palace, or what was left of it. All around it were Venomian soldiers, Ocelots, Silverback heavy tanks, and Saru anti-air tanks. Koates, Valen, and Warren dismounted, VAR-77C carbines at the ready, and were greeted by a Southern Longnose armadillo with hazel eyes.
"Report, General Nalchik." Koates ordered.
"The palace is secure and Colonel Hightower has captured the Royal Family."
A seemingly pained look passed over the officer's face before he went on.
"However, Prime Minister Burrell, Grand Mage Glidewell, and their families remain unaccounted for."
Koates put his hand on his chin.
"It doesn't matter." he stated, "They'll never make it past the fleet."
The four of them walked up the palace steps, past the corpses of Venomian troops and Cerinian Royal Guards, the latter outnumbering the former.
After signalling for the two Cerinians to hang back, Koates whispered to Nalchik "You seem troubled, Nikos."
The other armadillo looked about before answering.
"This isn't exactly what I signed up for, Kalman."
"We have our orders, Nikos. From Emperor Andross himself, no less."
As the quartet walked through the palace halls, Koates mused "You were always a squeamish one, my old friend."
Soon, they came upon a group of Venomian soldiers, a tall crocodile standing out among them, pointing guns at a family of lions in regal clothes.
Smiling up at the crocodile, Koates said "Excellent work, Colonel Hightower. Your career is certainly on an upward trajectory."
"Thank you, sir. All in a day's work." the reptile replied.
Turning to the Royal Family, Koates locked eyes with the father, Cerinia's king.
"Not for much longer." thought the armadillo.
"Mathias." Koates said with a shake of his head.
"I risk my standing with Emperor Andross convincing him to give your planet protectorate status instead of outright annexation, and this is how you repay me?"
The Marshal gestured towards a balcony overlooking the ruins of Animus.
"Better to die a hero than to live on your knees." the lion retorted.
"Dead heroes can't help anyone. Just ask James McCloud." Koates sneered.
"History will not judge you kindly, Marshal."
That earned King Mathias a scoff from the armadillo.
"Winners write the history, Mathias. When they talk of Cerinia after today, all they will speak of is how she was tragically destroyed by an asteroid collision. You should have never backed the uprising."
The Marshal then looked about at his men.
"First, we kill the subversives. Then their supporters, then the timid, and then the apathetic."
As Koates stepped back, Colonel Hightower caught the eyes of Valen and Warren.
"Come on you two. Prove your loyalty to Emperor Andross."
The two wild dogs joined the line of Venomian troops, earning a contemptuous glare from King Mathias.
"I should never have knighted you, Capaldi."
"Blame your father for thinking I was too young to remember Randorn exiling my Uncle Cain."
Mathias then met Warren's gaze.
"Charles, of all the people."
The jackal's snout curled back into a snarl.
"Don't be so surprised, Your Highness. I have never agreed with our isolationist policy. And now, you and everyone else are going to pay the price for it."
Warren lifted his carbine.
His finger was the first to tighten around a trigger.
For his part, Marshal Koates grinned wickedly as the sounds of blaster fire filled the palace halls.
Later
VIS Iconoclast
Within the bridge of the Venomian battleship, Koates, Nalchik, Hightower, Valen, and Warren were gathered, along with Admiral Zoran Payne and Dr. Edward Gaines.
The rat scientist took note of a Cerinian cruiser, one of the few still left after the Eleventh Fleet had pulled back to a safe distance from Cerinia, making a suicide run for his pride and joy.
"Oh no you don't. Activate the Reality Phaser."
"Activating Reality Phaser." relayed a technician.
"Just what the hell is a Reality Phaser?" inquired Colonel Hightower.
"Well, Colonel. In layman's terms, it is a device that slips the Gorgan out of this dimension and back in, naturally in a different spot."
True to Gaines' word, the Gorgan seemed to swirl out of existence, before reappearing further back from the cruiser and swatting it to bits with it's metal tentacles.
"That device could do wonders for our ballistic missile program." Koates remarked, "There would be no predicting where and when they would strike."
"I'm more interested in the laser." Admiral Payne put in, "If it does what you say it can, than a ship-based variant could be a fleet killer as well as a planet killer."
"Both very valid points. And both things that Advanced Weapons is looking into."
Glancing out at the weapon, the rat remarked "But for now, our main goal is getting the Gorgan out of the prototype phase."
"Indeed." Koates said, "Now might we wrap up this operation? The Emperor is awaiting my report."
"As you say, Marshal. Begin charging the laser."
"Charging laser."
Out in space, the Gorgan's outer shell opened up in three prongs, much like the poisonous flower it was named after. Even from behind, the Venomian officers and bridge crew could still see the light from the laser charging.
As the front viewports dimmed to reduce the glare, the technician called out, "Laser fully charged."
Turning to Koates, Dr. Gaines remarked "You're the ranking officer of the Special Expeditionary Force, Marshal."
Sparing a glance at Cerinia, Koates gave the order.
"Fire."
The Venomians watched as the Gorgan's pink laser impacted onto Cerinia's surface. From there, the planet turned a bright red before it's core overheated and exploded, taking the surface with it.
Cerinia was no more. It's rebellion had been well and truly snuffed out.
Behind Koates, Colonel Hightower could be heard laughing at the sight.
"Heh hah ha ha! Nobody crosses Emperor Andross."
"I'm glad you think that destroying a planet is a joke." General Nalchik snidely remarked.
Turning around, Marshal Koates interjected, "That's enough, both of you."
With the situation calmed down, the armadillo decided to take his leave of the bridge.
"Admiral, take us home. I will speak with the Emperor."
From there, Koates left the bridge and took the lift to the deck of the Iconoclast that contained his assigned quarters. Entering and closing the door behind him, the armadillo seated himself at a desk.
Removing his cap, Koates activated a holoprojector and waited for a connection to be established. Upon being greeted by the image of an ape seated on a throne, the Marshal lowered his head in deference.
"Yes?"
Raising his head and meeting Andross' gaze, Koates explained "My Emperor, I am pleased to report that the special military operation is a complete success. The target is destroyed."
Andross laced his fingers.
"Good. Good. And now, Marshal Koates, I have a new task for you. You are to assume command of the Fourth Army upon your return to Venom. The time is coming for us to live up to the name of the First Planet of Lylat."
"It shall be done, My Emperor." Koates replied before lowering his head again.
After Andross' hologram dissipated, Koates cracked a smile.
"At last, we will make those fools pay. At last, Lylat can become the empire it was always meant to be."
Opening a drawer on his desk, the armadillo took out a bottle of scotch and poured himself a glass. He had just taken a sip when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The door slid aside and in walked General Nalchik. As the door shut, Koates put another glass on the desk.
"Drink up, I…"
He was interrupted by the other armadillo roughly tossing something onto the desk. Looking downwards, Koates saw that it was Nalchik's General's Bars.
"Nikos, what is this?"
"That, Kalman, is my resignation."
Koates raised an eyebrow at his old friend.
"Nikos, in war, you must be prepared to do anything to achieve victory."
The Southern Longnose threw up his hands in disgust.
"Spare me the lecture, Kalman. What happened back there was not war. It was murder."
The two armadillos stared each other down.
Shaking his head, Nikos said "You know, Kalman, I thought there was still some good in you. But now I see that it died with Molly."
That last sentence caused Koates to shoot up from his chair and go for his sidearm, though he didn't draw.
After another stare down, the Marshal growled "Careful, Nikos. You're treading on dangerous ground."
Seeming to take his meaning, Nikos spread his hands and shrugged.
"I accept the consequences."
"I won't give you the pleasure."
Moving his hand away from his weapon and crossing his arms, Koates stated "Alright, Nikos. You want out? Very well, I'll put in the paperwork for you. I will also secure you passage off of Venom. Things with my signature on them tend to move quicker."
Nikos blinked rapidly, clearly not expecting this from his friend.
"Well, I'd best go pack." he finally said.
As the now-former General was reaching for the door button, Koates called out to him.
"Nikos. This stand-off with Corneria is likely to turn into a shooting war sooner rather than later. If you should turn up in occupied territory, I will not be able to protect you."
Without turning around, Nikos replied "Goodbye, Kalman."
He opened the door and walked out. After it closed, Koates picked up his scotch and took a sip, the liquid tasting like ash in his mouth.
"Damn him! Why did he have to bring her up?"
Glancing down at the General's Bars on his desk, the Marshal picked them up and put them in his pocket. Downing the rest of his drink, Koates thought to himself "I should go find Colonel Hightower. He's certainly up for a promotion."
The present
"As I served you then, My Emperor, I serve you now."
Marshal Koates brought his gaze up towards the bust.
"Today, I make Star Wolf pay for their betrayal."
The armadillo stood up and put his cap back on.
"And today, I, Kalman Ferenc Koates, will do what you could not. I will crush the Star Fox team."
He tightened his fist for emphasis.
"This, I swear to you, My Emperor."
Torzan
Wolf smiled as the blueprints for Castillo Manor were downloaded onto Slippy's holoprojector.
"Thanks again, Mr. Wainwright."
"It's the least I can do, O'Donnell. You just be sure to take that trust fund brat Szalasi down a few pegs."
"Will do."
After cutting the line, Wolf began studying the hologram of the mansion's blueprints.
"ROB, run a thermal scan on the Dasypus Peninsula." Fox ordered.
"Affirmative."
A short time later, the robot said "Scan complete. Sending results now. There also appears to be an energy shield around the perimeter."
"Well, that rules out an air attack or an orbital bombardment." Wolf mused.
Slippy pressed a button on the projector and showed suspected enemy positions in and around the mansion. The mercenaries were awestruck by the sheer amount.
"He knows we're on to him." Peppy said worriedly.
"Yeah." Wolf replied. "He does. But he still doesn't know when or how we'll be coming."
The lupine scanned over the blueprints and began forming a plan in his head.
"Alright, here's the deal. Most of us will crash the gate and draw Koates' goons to the front of the house. Meanwhile, four of us will sneak in the back."
Thinking quickly about who should go, Wolf continued "Carmen, Slippy. I want you two to find and take out that jammer. The second you do, get Pepper on the horn and tell him to send everything he's got."
From there, Wolf glanced at his rival.
"Fox, you and I are going after Koates."
"I want to go with you." Krystal interjected.
Meeting her gaze, Wolf replied, "Kid, I get where you're coming from, I really do. But you know as well as I do that the Venomians have got some new toys. And seeing as we're not dealing with run of the mill thugs, we may need that staff of yours to give everyone else cover."
Krystal frowned and balled her hands into fists.
"I don't like it, but I understand. Just let me be the one to finish off that bastard."
The cobalt vixen then turned away from the group and went out onto the deck. Fox, a concerned expression on his face, went to follow, only for Carmen to put a hand on his forearm.
"I'll talk to her."
As the dingo followed after Krystal, Miyu wondered aloud.
"Even if we take that asshole alive, getting him back to Corneria isn't going to be easy, even with the military's help. The Remnant will probably stop at nothing to free him."
"I'll say." Panther agreed, "Bet you a million credits that they'll hire every pirate and thug from here to Titania to help them."
Miyu met the jungle cat's gaze and grinned.
"I might just take you up on that."
Meanwhile, out on the deck, Carmen found Krystal leaning on the railing. Standing beside her, the dingo asked "May I?"
"I don't see anyone else here." the vixen replied.
Carmen joined Krystal in looking out at the ocean.
"Revenge has a limit, you know."she finally said.
Letting out a huff, the Cerinian replied, "I haven't reached mine yet."
Carmen cautiously reached out and set her hand on Krystal's shoulder.
"Look, I get why you want him dead. I do too. So do Fox, Peppy, and Wolf. But even if we succeed here today, it's not going to bring back anybody we've lost."
Krystal shrugged out of the dingo's grip.
"I Know That!" she screamed, "I want to make the bastard suffer, damn it! When I get my hands on him, he'll pay! He'll pay for everything that he's done! If it's the last thing I do, he'll die a slow, painful death!"
At a loss for words, Carmen gave the younger vixen a hug.
"We'll take him down together, Krystal. I swear it."
After they parted, Krystal fixed her gaze on the dingo.
"Thank you, Carmen. Now let's go get ready."
The two girls went back inside.