Chapter Seven: Briefing

I don't own Star Fox, but I own my characters. Using my characters means you have to ask permission from me and giving me credit. I would be delighted then when you do! This is probably one of my long-running stories, so bear with it!

A few moments later…

"This is really nice," Katt happily smiled as she takes a bite out from a sandwich, "I never knew there was another team outside Lylat. I mean, I know there are other star systems in the universe, but I never knew they also have heroes like Star Fox! I wonder what the mercs in other systems would look like."

"I guess Terra and Lylat are the same after all," Peppy remarked as he nibbles his meal, "and I guess we won't be having too much trouble now, especially because Andross is gone. If we compare that simian's terrorism to the case Fox, Wulf, and Wolf are into, that'll be just a small obstacle." He then forgot to introduce to the Galaxy Wulf gang, so he then said, "Oh, sorry for the manners. My name is Peppy Hare."

Wulf then smiled, "Don't worry! We haven't introduced ourselves either." He then acquainted each of the team, from himself, Lupina, Eagle, Garou, and to Bark. Then, the others also introduced themselves, and afterwards, they complemented the skills of the Galaxy Wulf team.

"Fox is also here," Falco added as he points the sick bay, "he's just injured so we took him to the clinic."

Everyone then noticed Wolf, who's pretty much silent on his seat. He tried not to stare towards the other people, but that doesn't make him ignorable.

"Hello there, Star Wolf," Peppy greeted the lupine with an eye-patch, "it's been a while, eh? I guess you're willing to come because you miss the fun times. I know what you feel, an ex-pilot who doesn't want to stay on the ground forever…" The wolf just glanced at him, smiled, and then looked back to his laps again.

"Um, excuse my friend there," Leon replied as he pats Wolf's shoulders with his hands, "he's just uh… in deep though…"

"There's no time to be sentimental!" Bark declared as he shows them today's paper. Everyone looked at him keenly; ready to listen to what he's going to say, "Check this out. According to the news, night-shift guards who were assigned to patrol the dam suddenly disappeared. While the place doesn't seem to be infiltrated, and nothing was stolen, it was a strange that only the guards were missing."

"I have a question…" Eagle asked to the group, "How's that connected to what we're looking for?"

Wulf grabbed the paper, and then he examined the detail. He concluded with a smile, "Oh, this has a relation… You see, the dam where the guards were kidnapped was the same dam that was infiltrated weeks ago. Don't you think that the criminals are up to something with the dam?"

"But why would they want to have a dam?" Falco wondered while taking a sip at a glass of coca, "I mean... there's nothing's so special about that shit. In fact, their previous attack to that place didn't really mean a thing. They only showed up to the dam and left!"

Slippy, who tired to put the pieces together, answered, "Maybe they're doing something in the dam, or maybe they have a hidden base in the dam." Everyone looked at them, and they seemed to be astonished to the toad.

"Slipster, you said it!" Fara smiled while she stands up, "Those crooks must be using the dam as their hideout!"

"So it's settled," Wulf nodded while pushing a button, showing a hologram, "we'll have to think of a plan." Everyone, except for Galaxy Wulf, got surprised to see a machine in a dining place.

"It's resourceful," Bark laughed with ease, "because it would be annoying if you have to carry your plate to the bridge just for a mission briefing!" Everyone laughed from that comment.

Suddenly, Fox entered the dining room while limping. "Why's everyone doing here?" he asked and he wondered.

"Take him there," a stern character commanded to the soldiers carrying a male raccoon, helpless and unarmed, to a contraption with shackles for the arms and legs. The poor coon dons a uniform, and by that clue, he could be one of those guards or something related to that.

The soldiers secured him to the contraption. He was laid down, and he was pinioned there. Each soldier made sure that his restraints are perfectly tight and inescapable. They then tore off his uniform, pulled his shoes and pants, and was left only with minimal clothing. They then placed a strange device resembling a collar to his neck, making sure that it was loose yet irremovable except for a card key. The two soldiers turned back and saluted to the distinct commander, and after a reply of salutation, the soldiers left.

This commander walked towards the coon and replied, "How do you feel? Don't tell me you're scared! Be honored that you'll be the first to feel the evolution."

"W-what are you talking about?" the person replied with nervousness. "Why won't you just take me back to the top?! I haven't done anything to you! In fact, my group was wondering why you kidnapped us! We are just guards and we aren't rich!"

"Silly fool," the commander smiled as he walks towards the console. "We don't want money. That's only a fool's woe! We want to help people like you! Can't you see? This is better than guarding this dam! You'll thank me later, especially after I have evolved you. Don't worry, you're friends will have the same treatment!"

"This dam?"

"Yes, this dam! We've been using the dam for our base!" he replied with a grim. "While you foolish people work above, we work in the inner, obscured parts, since the time we've infiltrated this place!" He then flickers a switch, making a glass capsule slowly drop to cover the contraption. Then, large amounts of water were showered to the raccoon, and a gas-mask-like device was pushed to his snout, with water streaming through it. "Now, feel the water that will change the flow of your life!"

At first, the raccoon seemed to feel like he was forced to drink water. But afterwards, as the mask was released from his mouth, he suddenly feels his body in a strange state. He screamed wildly, as he feels pain inside of him. His nails started to grow, a part of the evolution. His body started to grow, his muscles increased in size, and so as his fangs. His bushy tail transformed to a mace-like flail, with his fur stiff to make spikes. The evolution stopped from its climax, and the evolved raccoon is now present.

"Wonderful! Just simply wonderful!" the commander applauded as soldiers escorted the raccoon to his quarters.

"This… this ultimate strength! Yes, you're right! I like it!" the evolved one growled with gratitude. "I'll work for you! I don't care about money anymore! With this, everyone will fear me!"

"I told you so!" he replied with a grin, but then, a soldier panted and heaved, taking his attention.

"Sir," the soldier reported, "we have spotted an aircraft patrolling the dam. I think we have been suspected!"

"Oh, those meddling goody-good-shoes!" he thought. "Anyway, they won't be a problem. I believe Lombardi is with them, and I can easily say that he'll take care of his friends… quickly…"