Mission 33 - Destiny
"You know the saying, 'A scientist should never fall in love with his theory?'" Zenotabi asked idly. Of course, the question was addressed to Cody, his newest test subject, and lab assistant. Although the former fighter pilot shouldn't waste his new life in Zenotabi's laboratory, the rodent had no idea where to place him.
"Not really." The gecko replied with honesty. He didn't understand what Zenotabi was talking about most of the time. Although some of his physical memories were definitely missing, the spiritual part of his mind carried more information that Zenotabi originally intended. In fact, everything that defined Cody's personality was revived.
"Well, I fell in love with my theory." Zenotabi chuckled, as he placed the final components of the artificial embryo into a large cylindrical machine. It was large enough to fit a full-grown person inside with ample room, and the vertically challenged rat had to stretch to reach the openings. Once done, the scientist typed furiously into a laptop computer that was linked to the machine. "And I achieved the unachievable."
"So . . . what exactly should I do around here?" Cody asked, a little puzzled by the ambitious doctor.
Zenotabi looked up from his computer and eyed the gecko intently, studying him from head to toe. "How much do you know about fighter planes?"
"I don't know how much I remember know, but I used to know my plane like the back of my hand." Cody said with a smile, "But then again, that was a long time ago."
"Hmm . . ." Zenotabi pondered to himself for a moment, "Would you like to design the newest fighter plane for the air force?"
Cody's eyes went wide, "Me? How can I? I fly them, I don't make them!"
"Well, would you like to help?" Zenotabi asked, "You can always be the test pilot for the next plane that comes out."
"But . . . am I certified for that?" The lizard's eyes gleamed with interest.
"For now, you are not certified for anything, because you are still technically dead." The scientist explained as he typed on his keyboard, "But when we get you a new identity, then life might get more interesting for you."
"So what am I going to be?" Cody asked. "And how are you going to do it? I hope it's nothing illegal."
"You are so innocent," Dr. Zenotabi chuckled, "Legal, illegal, what's the difference? We just need to make you a new birth certificate and a bunch of documents, and give you a plausible background story. Of course, we have to change your face up a little too."
"You are going to forge m-my whole history?" Cody said in a bewildered tone.
"Yes, forging, literally." Zenotabi patted the lizard on the shoulder, "Creating something out of nothing. The government does that all the time to preserve some very talented individuals who had some misfortunes in the past. It's more common than you think, so don't worry about it."
"So how much is this going to cost?" asked the lizard.
"Since you already died, that makes things much easier and cheaper too." Zenotabi said, paying more attention to his computer than to the gecko, "It's still going to take a big chunk out of my pocket, but it's not impossible. The only problem is I don't know what you are really good at."
"I am good at flying planes, shooting guns . . . everything an average soldier can do." Cody replied.
"Well, can you do something an average soldier can't do?" Zenotabi asked, raising an eyebrow, "The government only wants the best, not the average."
"If you give me time and practice, I am sure I could be a better pilot." Cody said with confidence.
"Hmm . . . Practice eh? Well, you have plenty of time." Zenotabi grinned, "Tomorrow I am sending you off to the best pilot in the Lylat System for some intense training. Do you think you can handle it? It sure is better than wasting your life away with me."
"I thought I need to be certified to become a pilot . . ." The gecko said, slightly surprised because of Zenotabi's offer. In fact, he was pretty much surprised by every single event since the moment he was resurrected. "It's fine with me. I don't mind getting some extra training with . . . the best pilot in the Lylat System."
"Captain Sirus Ares of the Star Fox team will be your instructor starting from tomorrow." Zenotabi stated, "You will be under his supervision at all times starting from tomorrow morning, is that clear?"
"Yes, Doctor." Cody replied with a grin.
"Are you kidding me?" A certain wolf protested as a file was handed to him, "Twenty-four hour supervision? Who is this kid?"
"He is one of my test subjects, Sirus." Zenotabi patted the young lizard behind the back, urging him to present himself to his new mentor, Captain Sirus Ares. "And he is one of the best fighter pilots on Corneria. However, I am not satisfied with title, "one of the best". I want him to be the best."
Cody blushed and smiled nervously at the compliment Zenotabi gave him. He dared not to look at "the best pilot" in the Lylat System in the eye. Although he was as tall as the lupine, he kept his neck down, his eyes trained on the ground.
"So how is this going to work Doc?" Sirus said with a barking tone, trying to intimidate the poor lizard more, "This twenty-four hour supervision thing?"
"You will go to work with him following you, go home with him following you, and live with him." Zenotabi said with a smile. Sirus was in no position to refute his requests, since the wolf was also one of Dr. Zenotabi's subjects. In fact, his whole life was the scientist's subject. "In other words, welcome your newest family member, Cody Tibet."
"Tibet huh, is that your real name?" Sirus said audibly. There was no one around to hear him, nor did it really matter.
"Yes Sir." Cody replied.
"Yes until further notice, that is." Zenotabi interrupted, "Since everyone who knows you is dead, you don't need too much of a name change. However, there are a few individuals which you must avoid at all costs. They are Captain Samuel Tintoretto and Lorenzo Harding. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Doctor Zenotabi." Cody answered. Although the words coming from Captain Ares and Doctor Zenotabi sound harsh, they felt almost normal. In fact, for the first time since he was resurrected, Cody felt like he was home.
Once the introduction was complete, Zenotabi took out a heavy brown folder under his coat and handed it to Ares. "That's everything you'll need to know about him, if you have more questions, you can ask Sam and Lorenzo, and of course, your brother. He'll be very interested with Cody, actually."
"I'll sure Obsidian gets to see Mr. Tibet after "school" today." Sirus said with a grin. Although he wasn't ready for a new visitor (permanent) in his house, he was itching to find a good pilot to teach. "I have a feeling we'll have a lot of fun."
"Well, I better go back to work." Zenotabi said with a quick nod to the two. The scientist entered a sleek white car, which was parked on the Ares' driveway. "And Sirus, you may tell Cody your true identity whenever you feel like it. He should know everything about you, Damon, or Obsidian for that matter. Good luck, both of you."
Cody watched the scientist's car creep out of the nicely paved driveway, wondering what his fate may be. Although he loved the military, and how his superiors shouted drills at him whenever they wanted, living with a superior personally may prove to be difficult.
"Alright Tibet, it's time to hit the runway." Sirus opened the garage door with a remote control, and behold – inside was a lethal looking aircraft in its full glory. It was the Wolfen II, modified by countless battles, trials and hardships. It was a sword with blood on its hilt. "Hop in."
"You fly a Wolfen?" Cody asked, bewildered at the exotic magnificence of the aircraft. It was a relic of the old, modified to fit the new. Turning to his new mentor, Cody's expressions turned to bewilderment. "Who are you?"
"You'll find out soon." Sirus said with a grin. Taking a deep breath, he barked, "ARE YOU DEAF TIBET? GET IN THE DAMN SHIP!"
"Nice timing, Fox!" Leon Powalski said with twisted enthusiasm. The lizard was lying on his bed, his robotic eye blinking profusely as information was transferred from one of Leon's slaves, specifically his newest specimen, number fourteen. However, "slave" did not describe Leon's mutuality relationship with the child. Unlike Damon, Leon treated Fourteen well, almost like a father. In return, the young hybrid served him wholeheartedly.
"Such adorable little children. . ." Leon said as he watched the McClouds enter their newly refurbished home, through the eyes of Fourteen. Although killing Fox's children would be the most satisfying revenge, biding his time was currently in his best interests. Besides, seeing his victims suffer was always more enjoyable. He let his malicious thoughts drift back to Andrew, the betrayal his once trusted comrade had performed. He giggled maliciously as he remembered the horrified look on the chimp's face. What little remorse he had retained for Andrew died at that moment. Leon took pleasure in gutting his former comrade. Plunging the knife inside while the monkey was still alive and conscious, writhing in agony as his own blood trickled out of him.
"Master…" A soft voice emanated in Leon's ear. His thoughts quickly focused back to the matter at hand. Fox and his family continued to arrange their house in the small video feed on his electronic eye. "Master…" Fourteen's voice permeated through the small radio in Leon's ear.
"Yes, what is it Fourteen?" Leon asked.
"What else would you have me do?" he timidly asked.
Leon smiled, "You have done well for this evening, return home at once, and make sure you are seen by no one."
"Yes Master…" Then the radio clicked off and died.
Leon sat idly, watching Fourteen's trek homeward. He waited patiently for his return. He thought about how well fourteen had turned out compared to his last specimen. Fourteen was in most ways equal to his predecessor; few things about him had been altered. His attitude was the determining factor, and the person he currently had to thank for that was Wolf. Thirteen had obeyed Wolf, merely because he had shown him "love." Using this technique he fixed his previous error, by showing Fourteen subtle forms of compassion and giving him tokens of appreciation, he found it easier to manipulate his prodigy. He could control him without any problem. He had created the servant he wanted, completely obedient, like a child to its parent. The door to the room opened, Leon watched from two perspectives as Fourteen entered the door. He turned off the video and stared at the boy. He was perfect, he stared into the youths eyes. The fear he had seen in Damon's eyes was replaced with that of respect. All was going according to his design.
