Chapter 10:

For the Glory of the Empire

Corneria City, Corneria

A Few Days Later

Abraham's leg was itching. His stomach growled, and his trigger finger ached from slamming it into a stone wall. He hadn't eaten at all that day. For lunch yesterday he stole a loaf of garlic bread from a bakery. The baker yelled and waved his fists as Abraham sprinted, itchy leg and all, to his hiding spot underneath the Farrell Bridge.

He'd been in tough spots before, so this was no different. Poor Mom, she'd be so mad at me...he thought, drawing shapes in the dirt with a finger. So ashamed...poor Mom. I ought to visit her at least. But they might be looking for me there...wait, of course they wouldn't, they don't know who I really am! That was stupid. Unless they somehow taped my voice and had a trace...aww, what the hell.

Abraham crawled out of his space and sprinted across the highway (it was clear) and dashed into the trees. The emperor's nephew had to live nearby...in fact, Abe wouldn't be surprised if he was under scrutiny because of Andross and the fact that his uncle was controlling an empire over there. And yet, General Pepper might yet be oblivious to the fact that Andross might want his nephew as a potential heir. Then again, Andross could name anyone his heir...or the top general could declare himself or herself emperor. Easy as that.

As he trotted through the forest, Abe noticed the fog picking up again like it did in the morning. The clouds had been gray, but Corneria's usual highland fog was getting thick.

The Oikonny house was near the forest, he knew. He just prayed that he had waited long enough for the authorities to search elsewhere. Abraham squatted down by the clearing to search the backyards. He scanned the area—it looked peaceful and foggy.

Wet from the misty fog, Abe wiped his forehead with a hand and proceeded. "A man is judged by the company he keeps," his father once said to him. So he'd just have to find out what kind of person Andrew Oikonny was. The backyards all looked the same from there, but once Abe got in front, he could find the house. Stealthily he moved to the front of the large neighborhood and explored the area. Lemme see...1514 Pineridge Avenue...hm, that house? It looks respectable. I would have thought they lived in a trailer. Abraham smirked to himself as he gazed on the Oikonny house. The grass was green and neat, there were flowers arranged carefully in front, and the house was a two story with cleanliness written all over it. The place looked like an upper-middle class habitat.

Abraham mustered up everything and went up to ring the doorbell.

A middle-aged woman answered, looking tired. "Hello?"

"Uh...hi. Is Andrew there?"

"You're one of his friends, aren't you?"

"Yeah." Abe looked at her seriously.

She turned back to the interior and yelled, "ANDREW! YOUR FRIEND IS HERE!"

A few seconds later, a teenage likeness of Emperor Andross himself was standing in front of him. Mrs. Oikonny left.

"Do I know you?" Andrew asked, clearly perplexed.

"Not yet, but you will. Can we go somewhere secure?"

"Sure, the back porch is okay. It's getting really foggy anyway."

They moved to the back. Andrew wore baggy clothes that didn't seem to fit him, for he was short and stocky. As soon as they were seated, he said, "All right, what's this about?"

"Your uncle wants you."

Andrew frowned. "You want to be a little more specific?"

"Your uncle Andross. He wants you to go to Venom."

Andrew stared.

"Come on, don't look at me like that. I'm an agent sent by the emperor to collect you and bring you back, whether you like it or not. If I have to knock you out to do it, then I will."

Andrew shrugged. "I wasn't going to struggle. I don't like the pricks living here anyway. When can we go?"

"Soon. I need you to help me get to Fortuna or Katina or somewhere so we can get to Venom. My ship crashed and my partner was gunned down by soldiers about five miles away. If they catch me—"

Andrew broke in, "So you're like a convict? Cool!"

"Wha—no! I'm an agent. Hired by Emperor Andross."

"Wait, did you say emperor? Dude, my uncle is emperor of something!"

"Uhng..." Abraham rubbed his temple. This was going to be difficult. There was so much Andrew didn't know. He probably didn't even know that his uncle was alive and well in Venom because the army hadn't released information that Andross was behind the death of James McCloud and was in charge of a Venomian empire. "Okay, you know what? Go back in, tell your mom that Andross has summoned you and that I'm an agent of Venom. Tell her that it's important she tells everyone that you went to Fortuna to get some extra schooling there...at least, we need that cover up until we can get out of the Cornerian air space. Pack your things. We're leaving today. And let's pretend I'm your best friend George McNaughton, understand? Trust me, it's crucial, and we don't want me dead. And I can't have you dead. Because Emperor Andross will be very angry. And while we're traveling, don't ask me any questions. Your uncle can do that. He has more patience than I do, anyway."

Abe motioned for Andrew to go inside and tell his mother. He heard the sound of a plate splinter into a hundred pieces and a frightened woman—presumably Mrs. Oikonny—yelp.

"Going off to—no! You're not to go near that man, you understand? Nowhere near...if your father was alive, do you know what he'd say!"

"Mom—look, I have to go! Mr. McNaughton—erm, the agent out there—will die!"

"Oh, so now you have to risk yourself? Do I have to lose my husband and my son as well!"

"No...I'm okay Mom, really! Besides, you have Aunt Janice to talk to..."

Abraham swallowed hard as Andrew finally came back outside.

"I really don't know how you're going to do this, mister...?"

"Grissom. Just call me Abe."

"Okay, Abe, how are we going to get to Venom?"

Abe asked, "Do you have a CCT? A secure one?"

"Um, yeah...I'll go get it."

Andrew returned a minute later with the portable comlink channel-transmitter. "Up and running. Just put in the channel you want and that's it."

Abraham typed in Wolf's channel code and keyword. Wolf answered his through occasional bits of static.

"Abe, dude, you're alive—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I need a lift. I have Andrew with me and I need a way off of Corneria. Can you do it?"

Wolf smiled. "I'll be there."

The next morning they met Wolf by Woodfall City. It didn't take much for him to get into Corneria: he just shot everyone who got in his way. Wolf smiled as Abraham walked to him—still in dirty clothes, seeing as they'd slept in a wheat field nearby. Andrew was a few paces behind, quietly following.

"How many did you shoot down just to land here?" Abe asked.

"Five." Wolf turned his smile to a grin. "A few blew up in the sky, one crashed into the lake, and the other went straight to the ground. No doubt the army will have picked up this incident by now, so we need to leave. You ready?"

"Ready as ever. Let's get running."

Wolf helped them throw some of Andrew's things in the compartment area.

The Shangri-La parked in front of them was a fighter big enough to hold the pilot and two other passengers, so it was convienient. Not only that, but the fighter was extremely fast. They would have no trouble getting to Venom later on that day.

Wolf powered up the ship as Abe and Andrew climbed in and fastened themselves to the seat. He flicked a switch here and there, and soon the machine was screeching into the sunlight. There were no Cornerian ships in sight, and Abe figured there would be none, either.

"Make sure you're at top speed," said Abe nervously.

"Don't worry about it," Wolf replied. "Honest to God, I know what I'm doing. Just sit tight."

Abraham had always been restless when he thought of Wolf piloting a ship as that. The man only had one working eye! It was obvious that Wolf Marcus O'Donnell was a master of the sky, for no normal pilot could deal with vision only on one side.

Andrew seemed to have a similar idea.

"If you can see out of just one eye, how did they let you fly?" he inquired.

Wolf didn't turn to face him. "Who's 'they'?"

"Like, whoever's in charge."

"Your uncle? He doesn't give a damn. And frankly, if anyone ever told me I couldn't fly, I shot them." He laughed darkly. Abraham watched Andrew sink farther into his seat, as if shrinking away from Wolf. He went on, "No, bud, there isn't a soul on Venom who would oppose me. I'm something of a public hero." Wolf smiled at the thought. "The emperor and his regime are seen as heroes. You'd like to be a hero too, wouldn't you?"

Andrew nodded. "I...I guess."

"Sure you would. We can help you there."

They cruised through space, passing Corneria's nearby moons. They traveled by way of Sector Y, since it was far safer to go through than the Asteroid Field. The sector of mysterious gases, like Sectors X and Z, was charted, but few Cornerian vessels bothered journey there. It was dangerous, they deemed. But as the three males viewed it, Sector Y was not a threat—it was beautiful. Swirls of yellow and green gases in several different shades curved and made pictures, like frost on a window. The great nebula appeared to sing to its visitors in the eerie silence.

"Makes you feel as if some spirit lives there, doesn't it?" Wolf whispered to them. "There is one living in there, in each of the other sectors, I suspect. I've met her..."

Neither Abraham nor Andrew had any idea of whether he was joking around or being serious. If he was serious, then the two didn't know what to make of him. Insanity? Madness?

But Wolf didn't go on. He cranked up the highest warp drive and set it to autopilot. "You two can catch some sleep."

"What are you gonna do?" asked Abe.

He didn't answer at first. "Write."

Two Days Later

November 12, 2671

Calan clicked his pen loudly.

"Do stop that racket, Captain. I must stay focused," Andross said to him telepathically. Calan set his pen down and impatiently breathed a sigh. Wolf and Abe were suppost to be returning with Andrew, and once they did, things would pick up more quickly.

"Sir," Leon began, "those prisoners I talked to you about are still missing. I was just thinking maybe we could...collect them?"

Andross eyed Leon. "If you had been more organized, they never would have escaped. I'm surprised to know you haven't found them yet—after all, there's only so long you can survive in the Venomian jungles and wastelands without supplies." He laughed. "I told you then to leave them and not worry. And I tell you the same now. There is nothing they can do against us."

"Your Grace, Captain O'Donnell has returned with Oikonny and Grissom."

"Send them to the throne room in exactly five minutes," Andross ordered.

"Yessir."

Andross rose. "Both of you come with me."

"If you don't mind, Lordship, might I inquire why this boy matters so much?" Premier Tucker asked quietly, as the top members of the cabinet gathered into the throne room.

"That's for me to know, and you to not ask about. Just do as you're told." Andross sat in his emperor's chair, facing the entrance.

The door slid open, and a trio of males walked in. Wolf O'Donnell, looking vigorous, escorted a dirty and tired-looking Abraham Grissom and a teenage ape. The young man gazed at the room in awe.

"I have your nephew in good health, Excellency. And the Shangri-La I took to get there. Well, maybe a few scratches on the side—I had a brawl with some army officials while breaking through the atmosphere, but I licked 'em." Wolf beckoned for Abe to follow him into a side hallway.

Andross stared at his nephew, as if communicating telepathically.

Tucker and Brizius exchanged looks. Calan only yawned.

Carnell scowled. "Sire, are we still needed here?"

"Have patience, Blaise." Andross gazed at his nephew. "So, you've been taking good care of your mother? She's had it hard, I gather."

"Since the accident." Andrew looked at his shoes.

"Since the accident," echoed Andross. "Tell me something. Would you join me if I told you that you would inherit part of my wealth and power?"

"Sure. What about my mother?"

"Oh, don't worry. When I rule all of Lylat, she will live wherever she likes." Andross rose. "I want you to be trained, Andrew, trained to fly a starfighter. Do you think you can handle that?"

"I believe so." Andrew smiled a little. "But how—"

"Captain O'Donnell will be your instructor. Wolf, you and Leon will need to be putting things together for your team. Two new members are two be added for the sake of our regime."

"Two, sir?" Wolf frowned a little. "Star Wolf has always been just me and Leon. Who else is to be added?"

"My nephew here, and Pigma Dengar. Luckily for you, Mr. Dengar has the experience. Don't worry, you can keep your post as leader and Captain of your team."

Wolf was vexed, anyone could tell. The idea of working alongside a traitor like Pigma Dengar and some lanky teenager didn't sit well with him.

"Sir," he said through gritted teeth, "I don't think this will do well. Neither I nor Leon will be able to accommodate to this."

"You had better, O'Donnell, if you value your life." Andross' eyes were dangerous and flashing. "You will teach my nephew and you will teach him well. I don't want my heir to be a worthless idiot. Inform him, keep him up-to-date, and help him when he needs it. You're a master of this business, as am I, but I am far too busy to be coaching him. I have an army and an empire to run. Do you understand?"

Wolf stood there for a few seconds, silent.

Then, "Your will is mine."

Andross waved him out with a content nod.

Wolf turned on his heel and left.

November 28, 2671

Lupercalian Force Sigma Hangars

The air was humid, but it didn't stop Andrew Oikonny from walking down the filthy dirt trail to Hangar 4, where Star Wolf stored their ships and equipment. He was told that both O'Donnell and Powalski were all ready there, and that Dengar would be joining them later.

Andrew walked slowly, aware that his presence there was not going to be welcome. He understood their resentment, but if his uncle had ordered them to teach him, then they damn better well do it and respect him in the process. It occurred to Andrew that he was to be very important as the chief heir to his uncle and possibly the next emperor of Venom. All this would put him at prince status—however, he was not granted the title and it was never mentioned.

He wondered how his mother was doing all by herself, with no one to talk to. She was not a happy woman, with her husband dead from a mining accident and her being forced to testify at Andross' trial back in 2667, which was just four years ago. Her sister's husband had been killed in the massacre, so Andrew knew that seeing Aunt Petra in the prosecution side of the courtroom—along with all the other families of the three hundred victims—tore her apart. Aunt Petra did not blame her, of course, since none of it was her fault, but still Diana Oikonny was unhappy.

Guilt suddenly hung on Andrew as he got near the door. Leaving behind his mother, joining up with his murderous uncle—it all felt like a dream, a lustful dream in which only he would benefit.

He opened the door and shut it slowly. The hangar's lights were on, yet no one was in sight. Four ships glimmered in the dark lighting. They had to be the Wolfens, the pride and joy of Captain O'Donnell. Very much unlike the Shangri-La that had been used to pick he and Mr. Grissom up. In the back he could see a room—must be an office. Andrew went there. He noticed a keypad on the side. It was a password-required door.

Why in the galaxy the office door would only need a keypad and the door to the hangar entrance would not baffled Andrew. It seemed to him that the most worthy loot were the ships themselves. Unless the Wolfens themselves had idenfication requirements built into them.

Andrew knocked. No one answered. Only the sound of a starting rainstorm beating down on the hangar was heard.

Suddenly the entrance door slid up and two dark figures walked in. The smell of fresh rain blew in. "Captain O'Donnell?" he called.

"You're early," replied Wolf. He walked with a chameleon—Andrew assumed that was Leon Powalski.

"I thought I was late," Andrew answered back.

"I hope you didn't touch anything. There's nothing worse than a monkey traitor's fingerprints all over expensive titanium," Leon sneered.

Andrew scowled back. "Look here, mister, I don't want to be here any more than you do, so shove it. Uncle is forcing me to join your so-called 'elite' team."

"Damn right, your uncle is quite bent on making you a man—although it is all ready a failed attempt." Leon's dark eyes met Andrew's.

Wolf pushed into the middle. "Both of you shut up. We have work to do. And if this team is going to work, we'll have to find a way to get along. I know Dengar isn't going to be pleasant, either, but we all need to swallow our pride and get over it." To Andrew he asked, "Have you been to the flight modules? Do you have the training simulations over with?"

"Yeah. Yesterday was the last one. I scored okay."

"Good enough to make it, I guess." Wolf pressed a few keys on the keypad and the door slid open. He disappeared behind the door again, inside his office. Andrew and Leon waited for about a minute before Wolf emerged. He handed Andrew a piece of paper.

"Your code number for your Wolfen. Mind you take good care of that paper until you've memorized the number. Burn it when you do. And please, do it quickly. We can't risk you losing it."

"Okay."

Wolf watched Leon head to his Wolfen. He looked back at Andrew and said, "Try to be nice. Leon will murder you in your sleep if you aren't careful." To that he laughed and the hangar force field slowly disappeared. Andrew stuffed the paper in his pocket and followed Wolf, feeling that he was getting more and more out-of-place with every footstep.

Andrew waited for the cockpit window to swoop up. He ran the drills through his head. Climb in, access the power key, check the gravity diffuser, watch all systems for abnormalities, be sure to levitate out of the hangar and into a suitable enviornment before soaring into the air... The list of steps went on and on in his mind. He waited for Leon to leave, and then Wolf. Now it was his turn. Feeling anxious, he flipped the power switch and checked all systems. Slowly he hovered his way on out of the hangar.

Over the radio Wolf coached, "Go on, go on, you're doing fine. Hurry up and get by me and Leon. Don't crash into us."

Andrew squinted. The rain made visibility worse than the haze of Corneria's early morning fog. Wolf and Leon were making fun of him, that was evident. Perhaps he might report their behavior to Uncle Andross...yes, His Majesty would fix them up with a stab or two, maybe a shot to the head...whatever suits him. Andrew smiled.

"Kid, you're stalling. What're you doing down there!" Wolf barked into the radio.

"Uh...I'm just re-checking things!"

"Well, stop checking so much! You don't trust my mechanic ability, is that it? Give it a rest and pull your ass up here." Wolf circled above, while Leon was off to the side.

Andrew thrust the throttle forward. The Wolfen flew with amazing speed and handling—there were no gimmicks. This he was thankful for. He flew low, trying to avoid Wolf and Leon.

"All right, we're finally going now. Fly higher and follow me. Leon will be right beside me, and you'll be after us with Dengar. That is our first formation. You always fly right after me, and Dengar goes after Leon. When we break away, you follow me, understand?"

"Yeah, okay."

"Good. Now, we're going to try that formation. See that big rock over there? We're going straight for it. Now all you have to do is follow me when we get close enough. If you fail, you die. This is the real deal. Get ready."

Andrew's hands were sweaty. He wiped them on his pants and held his breath as Wolf and Leon swerved left and right. He yanked the throttle left with all his might. It didn't require all his might, though. He ended up losing Wolf and going straight for another rock formation. His heart almost stopped. Andrew pulled it right again and narrowly dodged the rock.

"You almost broke a wing back there! Be more careful!" snarled Leon.

"S-sorry..." Andrew wiped off his hands again. "I p-panicked."

"Well, don't! And don't you dare piss your pants in my spare ship!" Leon flew higher.

Andrew struggled to see them through the rain. Their ships were like small birds in the big sky. He was getting sick of being treated like a clueless child. True, he was inexperienced and new, but they shouldn't beat him up like that. He was, after all, Andrew, Prince of Venom. No one could cross him. Prince Andrew. He liked the sound of it.

"Next formation is the vertical break. Normally we don't use this too often, only when the circumstances arise. Fly with us and get in the rear again." Wolf waited for him to come. When he did, Wolf continued, "All right, you're doing fine. I'm flying up, Leon is flying down. As the diagonal pilot to Leon, you'll go down and to the left. We always use this maneuver for space obstacles, when an enemy ship is coming straight for us and the only way to move is to use the vertical break around it. This time, be ready, and don't panic. We can't afford panicking pilots."

When Wolf and Leon broke, Andrew flew down, this time with more confidence. He kept his cool and heard some actual praise: "Good, good! 'Bout time, kid. You might have some hope after all."

Andrew thought he could hear Wolf smiling on the other side.