Chapter 10: Hidden Feelings
Fox's thoughts were interrupted as he heard Krystal's Arwing land on the metal floor of the docking bay. He quickly opened his cockpit window and jumped out. He approached Krystal's Arwing and waited patiently for her to disembark. Her cockpit window opened, but nothing else happened. He stood for a while, but she didn't seem to be making any movements inside her fighter. He climbed up the small stepladder that extended from the side of the ship and looked into the cockpit. Krystal was busily looking around the Arwing's consol for something. Fox asked as he reached the top step on the ladder, "Are you gonna sit in here all day." Krystal looked over at Fox and replied, "Oh, it's nothing...I was just seeing how bad some of these cuts were, but they don't look too bad." She raised her arm to her mouth and began to lick one of the cuts on forearm. "Don't do that...it doesn't help it, the cut can't close up if you do that," Fox warned. Krystal looked up at Fox, confused, "But that's how we treated injuries like this on Cerinia." Fox smiled and replied, "Ya, but now we have better stuff for cuts like that. Let's go down to the medical center and I'll show you."
Fox climbed down the stepladder and allowed Krystal to make her way out. As she climbed out, Fox raised his hand to help her down. She graciously took his hand and jumped down from a few steps up. She landed on the hard metal flooring without almost any sound. Krystal never released his hand as they walked out of the docking bay together and headed down to the medical center. They walked through many different corridors inside the hull of the Great Fox. During their walk, they passed Katt, who was leaning against a wall watching TV in the Rec. room. She looked up slowly as she saw Fox and Krystal pass by. Katt stopped them and said, "Looks like this mission is goin' public, take a look at this report." Fox looked up at the TV to see a clip of he and the team walking up to the Corneria Docking Bay after they received their mission.
The reporter on the TV announced, "Yesterday, the famous team Star Fox departed on a dangerous mission from General Pepper of the Cornerian Army Base, detailed reports of this mission are not yet available, but our sources are telling us that some kind of mind control is involved. But as you can see here, team Star Fox seems ready to take the challenge. That's not the only interesting story unfolding here my friends. You can see here that popular Star Fox member Falco is nowhere to be seen. It seems that he has left for undisclosed reasons. He is apparently being replaced by the freelance pilot Katt Monroe and a new recruit known only as Krystal. Our sources are also telling us that this recruit managed to ace the entry test, only the second person since Fox's father James McCloud to accomplish this. Now this is pure speculation here on our part, but as you can see from our video footage here..." The image of Krystal running up to Fox and grabbing his hand is played repeatedly. "It seems that perhaps Fox McCloud is taking his first steps into a relationship? Again, this is pure speculation on our part. Stay tuned to CBN for our up to the minute updates and..."
Fox stood staring off into the TV, but he was not paying attention to what was happening on the screen. Now all of Corneria knew about him and Krystal. Great, that's just what I need...and it's not like it's even serious yet...everyone has to blow this thing way out of proportion...Fox's thoughts were broken as he felt Katt nudge his side with her elbow. "Heh, looks like everyone knows now loverboy. Are you gonna blush like you always do?" Fox couldn't help but do exactly what Katt predicted. He blushed hard and looked away from Katt. "Heh, I knew it..." Fox looked up at her abruptly and replied, trying to speak without anger, "I guess your right, I knew that this would eventually have to get out...but still...why is it such a big deal! Is this so unusual that everyone has to point it out!?" Katt replied smugly, "Heh, well, shoulda thought of that before all this happened, eh Foxboy?" Fox wanted to explode at Katt, give her a piece of his mind...but he saw there was no point in arguing now...so he just let it go. "Ok Krystal, I think it's time we got to the medical center..." They turned and walked off together down the hall. Fox could hear Katt's voice trail off as they walked, "Don't get carried away down there McCloud." Fox clenched his fingers into his palm, opposite of the one that occupied Krystal's hand, and let the anger flow through his fist. He wanted to slam the wall with it and let all the irritation flow out. But he was somehow able to compose himself as they continued walking deeper into the Great Fox.
They soon arrived at the medical center and opened the large sliding doors, which led into the small facility. Fox walked in ahead of Krystal and stopped in front of a short padded table in the middle of the room. "Sit here for a second, I'll try and find some of that stuff I mentioned earlier." Krystal did as she was directed and took a seat on the small table. As she sat, dust from the years filtered into the air. She let out a slight cough as the light particles floated into her mouth and nose. Meanwhile across the room, Fox was busy filtering through a large medicine cabinet on the wall. He pulled a bottle of alcohol and some gauze, along some medical tape from the dusty cabinet. He closed the cabinet with his shoulder and sneezed as the wind from the cabinet door sent thousands of dust particles into his face. He slowly walked through the rising dust and approached the table Krystal was sitting on. Fox smirked and said, "I guess we don't really use this facility much, as I'm sure you've noticed all the dust. Let's move out into one of the seating areas and we can do this there, unless you appreciate all this dust in your face." Krystal giggled quietly and replied, "That sounds like a good idea."
Fox led Krystal outside the dust infested medical center and through a few hallways until they reached the closest seating area. Krystal sat down on a large couch and waited for Fox to explain what he was about to do. Fox set all his medical items on a nearby coffee table and pointed each of the items out. "This bottle contains a liquid called alcohol, it helps disinfect the wound. This soft tape is called gauze; I'll wrap this around some of your larger sores. Then I'll finish with this medical tape, which will keep the gauze from falling of, and it will also apply some pressure to the cut so it will stop bleeding." Krystal seemed fascinated even with simple items such as these. Fox picked up the bottle of alcohol and a cotton ball and asked, "So where should I start?" Krystal raised her arm to reveal a cut that was easily the largest on her body. "This is the one you were licking at earlier, wasn't it?" Krystal nodded. "This is gonna sting a little more than the treatment you're used to, so you might want to..." Fox stopped as he felt Krystal grab his free hand. He smirked and replied, "I guess that'll work too. Ok, this will hurt at first, but it wont last for too long."
Krystal's heart began to beat a little faster as Fox brought the strange liquid closer to her cut. She saw the fluid run over her arm and cringed, bracing for the pain. And like Fox warned, the alcohol sent a sharp pain through her arm that seemed to completely numb the right side of her body. She let out a small yelp and tightened her grip on Fox's hand. Fox quickly responded by dabbing the cotton ball against the sore to soak up some of the access alcohol. This seemed to dull the pain a little, but it was still strong. Fox managed to unwrap a piece of gauze with his one free hand and wrapped it tightly against the sore and soon after bound it securely with the medical tape. The pain and numbness slowly faded as Fox worked, and her grip on Fox's hand became slightly softer. Krystal face became more relaxed as the pain faded from her body. Fox looked up from the cut and asked, "How did that feel?" Krystal looked down at him and responded, "You were certainly right about the pain...You're sure this is actually helping my sore? It feels like it's now on fire." Fox smiled and replied, "Ya, I'm sure, I've had to use this lots of times. That cut will be fine by tomorrow." Krystal smiled and responded, "I guess I will have to take your word for it."
Fox again brought the bottle of alcohol in front of her. "Do you want any more anywhere else? I've got plenty more for ya." Fox said with a smile. Krystal grinned and replied, "There's one on my shoulder, I actually haven't seen that one yet." Fox looked over to her left shoulder where her gray vest had been torn open and traces of blood were seeping through. Fox pulled the vest off of her left shoulder and looked at the deep gash that was revealed to him through a large hole in her light blue undershirt. Fox himself actually cringed as he saw it. Krystal saw the face Fox made when he looked at the wound and asked, "What is it Fox, how bad is it?" Fox hesitated and spoke into a small comm system on his forearm. "ROB, I need you in the medical center now. Please proceed to the medical center." A monotone voice rang over the small speaker on his arm, "Affirmative, proceeding to medical center." Krystal's look became more worried. Fox took Krystal's right shoulder in his hand and said, "The cut on your left shoulder is to big for just the alcohol to heal, and we're going to have to stitch it together." Krystal grimaced, not liking the sound off that word. Fox stood up and said, "You need to head over to the medical center, I'm going to have to find some supplies for this operation, I'll be over there in a minute, ROB should be waiting for you there." After he finished speaking, Fox ran down the hallway and disappeared behind the walls of the Great Fox. Krystal was left standing there, with no idea what was about to happen.
Krystal followed Fox's advice and walked slowly back to the medical center. As she walked, she studied the large bandage on her arm. She felt the fabric surrounding the wound. It was soft and pliable, while the tape that surrounded it was rough and hard. She couldn't see if Fox's treatment was actually working, but she knew that she would trust him with anything. She eventually arrived back at the medical center where ROB was busy cleaning out the rest of the dust in the room. She could now see that this room was almost entirely white and filled with different types of containers and had assorted graphs and charts scattered on its walls.
ROB finished his cleaning and announced, "Subject: Krystal...please assume seat on the operation table." Krystal walked back to the table she was on before they left the room and waited for more directions. ROB wheeled over to her and said, "Please indicate area of injury." Krystal pointed to her left shoulder where her vest was pulled back from her arm. A small scanner appeared from out of the metal frame of ROB and it inspected her wound. After a second of calculations, ROB told her, "Injury deemed to large for regular treatment. Required procedure: Stitching, approximately 14 stitches required. Estimated procedure time: 15 minutes." ROB again wheeled off to the cabinet where Fox had retrieved the alcohol and the robot pulled out a small needle and many small pieces of string-like material. He came back to the table where Krystal was sitting and said, "Insufficient material acquired. Missing material: Anesthetic injections."
At that moment Fox burst into door and announced between breaths, "I got the injections ROB...are you ready to start? Is everything ready?" ROB replied with no emotion, "Affirmative, all materials acquired. Do you wish to begin procedure?" Fox hesitated and walked next to the table where Krystal was sitting. He sat down next to her and told her, "What ROB is about to do will probably be pretty painful..." Krystal cut him off, "As painful as the alcohol you used earlier?" Fox hesitated, not wanting to tell her that it may even hurt a little more, but he replied, "It will hurt at least that much, but don't worry, it won't last that long. You'll be fine." Krystal looked over at ROB and said, "Fine then, I'm ready, give me your worst."
ROB took the anesthetic filled needle and gently pushed it inside of Krystal's gash. She let out a loud yelp as the needle penetrated her skin and seemed to pierce her to the bone. She took her right hand and placed it on Fox's upper leg, which surprised Fox almost as much as the pain surprised Krystal. He disregarded this awkward feeling and put one of his hands on top of the one she had placed on his leg and used the other to stroke the hair on her arm. ROB continued injecting the solution into her cut; each one seemed more painful than the last. As ROB finished, her whole body began to feel numb as the anesthetic began to flow into her shoulder and arm. ROB then retrieved the stitches from a tray that was setting on the table and also grabbed a smaller needle and thread the string-like material through it. Krystal cringed as she saw the needle penetrate her skin, but to her surprise, no pain came from this procedure. She figured that the liquid they so painfully injected into her saved her from even more pain. The robot skillfully thread the open wound together, as Krystal began to watch in fascination instead of fear.
A few minutes later, ROB withdrew from his operation and reported, "Procedure complete, wound successfully repaired. Now returning to programmed duties on the Great Fox bridge. The robot quickly left the room and closed the door behind him. Krystal hesitated for a moment, studying the closed over wound and the dried blood that had gotten into her blue fur. She slowly ran her hand over it, feeling each individual stitch as she went. Fox leaned over and looked at the closed injury and remarked, "Well, he did a good job, I'm glad we have ROB around to help us out." Krystal nodded silently while still studying her wound. Fox looked up at a still slightly dusty clock hanging from the wall. Fox spoke while letting out a yawn, "10:30? Time for me to get to bed, we have to be ready all day tomorrow in case Pepper calls us." Krystal didn't respond, she was still busily studying her wound. Fox slowly rose from the table without disturbing her and headed for the door. Before the door closed, he heard Krystal call for him. He stopped and waited for Krystal. She rose from the padded table and hurried to Fox's side.
They exited the medical center and made their way back to their rooms. On their way, they passed the kitchen. Fox stopped and asked, "Hey, are you hungry at all? I haven't had anything to eat since this morning." Krystal nodded and replied happily, "Me neither, I guess it's easy to forget your hungry when your saving a planet." They entered the kitchen and flicked on the lights, which exposed the emptiness of the room. Fox walked over to the food closet in the far corner of the room and opened it to see what they had. To his surprise, its shelves were filled with all kinds of different foods and provisions for their mission. "Wow, they really stocked us up, I've never seen this much food on the Great Fox before. I could make just about anything." Fox entered further into the small closet and allowed Krystal to look at all the food they had received from Corneria. She looked around the closet in amazement, "I didn't know this many types of food existed...I can't possibly chose one..." Fox smiled as he placed his hands on each of Krystal's arms and turned her body out towards the kitchen. "Since you can't make up your mind, I'll make it a surprise. Just go sit down at the table and I'll get it all ready." Krystal cheerfully played along and patiently sat down at the table while Fox gathered a few ingredients from the closet and headed for the backroom of the kitchen.
A while later Fox returned with a few platefuls full of food. He had somehow managed to carry two plates in each hand and two more were balanced on his arms. About halfway to the table, Fox began to waver and food began to drop off the plates. Krystal jumped up and supported Fox's arms until he could regain his balance. He smirked and said, "Thanks, That's probably why I never do any of the cooking around here." Krystal smiled with him and cautiously took the two plates off his arms to lighten his already large load of food. They walked back over to the large round table in the middle of the room and set the plates down. Fox sighed, "Think this'll be enough food?" Krystal looked over the plate-filled table and replied, "I think there may even be enough for the whole team to finish in the morning." Fox smirked and replied, "That's good, that means I won't have to do this again in the morning." He looked over to Krystal and added, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd rather start eating it instead of starin' at it." Krystal nodded with a smile and sat down at the table. Fox retrieved a chair on the other side of the table and sat down next to Krystal, who was busily filling her empty plate, making sure she got a little of everything that Fox had prepared. Fox politely waited for her to fill her plate and then he began to do the same.
They ate quietly for a few moments, enjoying the food Fox had prepared. Fox quickly swallowed a bite of meat and broke the silence in the room. "So how does your shoulder feel?" Krystal responded in between bites, "It's hard to say, my whole arm is still numb from the operation." Fox reached over to her shoulder and ran his hand over the stitching and replied with a smile, "It feels weird. I've actually never had any stitches. I've never had an injury like that..." Fox suddenly had a brief flashback...He was standing on top of the machine...he felt a pain in his...left shoulder...then he heard Krystal scream.
Fox continued gently rubbing her shoulder as he said, "Ya know, It's weird, but back on Kymach...I felt a strange pain in the same shoulder you have your stitches...I didn't get hit by anything, but it was there...what do you think about that?" Krystal set her fork down for a moment, trying to recall something she had heard before. The thought re-appeared in her head and she replied, "You feel each other's pain...when one is hurting, the other feels it also...Isn't that what my Mother said...during that vision?" Fox thought for a second and responded, "Is that what she meant? I thought that would only mean..." Krystal finished his sentence for him as she swallowed a bite of meat, "Emotionally? That was what I thought also, but if what you say is true...it must be physical also...and it may not even stop there..." Fox popped a bite of food into his mouth and replied sarcastically, "This is gettin' a little weird...So if I hit you in the arm, I'd feel it too?" Krystal smiled and replied, "Not now, It's so numb, I wouldn't be able to feel it...so you wouldn't either." Fox playfully gave Krystal a light jab to her left arm that sent her body backwards slightly in her chair. Fox said with a smile, "Your right...nothing." Krystal smiled and gave Fox a playful push as lighthearted retaliation. Fox and Krystal laughed together and continued eating their food.
Fox opened his mouth to continue the conversation, but suddenly, the door to the kitchen slid open and a light pink figure entered reluctantly. "Did I smell food in here...oh, heh, sorry Fox...I see you're busy right now. I'll just leave you alone." Fox felt the irritation being built up in him again. Katt walked back out of the room and said to someone behind the door, "Sorry Slippy, kitchens closed." Fox saw Slippy slump over and walk past the door with a sad expression on his face. Why does Katt keep doing this to me? Maybe if Falco was here, she could bug him instead of me...whoa, that's the first time I remember myself thinking I actually wanted Falco on board...I must be gettin' desperate.
Krystal bent her head down below Fox's to see the slightly angry expression on his face. She placed her hand on his back and asked, "Does that irritate you Fox...I'm sure she's just joking..." Fox looked up at her and replied, "I know she is...but...I mean...she never lets up...and it just gets me angry. It's like everyone thinks I shouldn't be seen around you..." Krystal began to scratch Fox's back through his vest, "Do you have any idea why she would do that?" Fox looked out towards the door where Katt had stood seconds before and replied, "I don't know for sure, but I think it has something to do with her not being with Falco. But it's weird, even when they are together, all they ever do is argue. I guess that's how they communicate...they don't want to show their real feelings...maybe they think it'll ruin they loner images. Maybe she's just doing it because...inside herself...she misses Falco...but she doesn't think she can come out and say it...so she does this to me instead..." Krystal responded, "Why would someone want to hide their feelings...that would only cause more pain..." Fox replied, "I don't know, that's just how they are...I don't really get..."
Fox stopped himself and he felt Krystal wrap her tail softly around his. Fox looked over at Krystal, who was eating her food, acting like nothing was happening. Fox played along and began to try and free his tail from Krystal's hold. He wriggled his tail away and began to chase after hers. She allowed him just enough time to feel the hair on her tail before she quickly pulled it away. Fox was having difficulty trying to do all this while still eating, and trying not to look back. After several of Fox's attempts failed, Krystal began to giggle softly, unable to keep it within her. Fox looked over and said in a frustrated voice, "Ugh...I can't do it...I quit." Krystal hesitated for a moment and forgot about her tail. She was about to respond, but Fox took the opportunity to clasp her tail with his. Krystal looked back in disbelief, "That was a neat little trick." Fox replied as he moved his tail up and down hers, "When you're a mercenary, ya gotta know the tricks of the trade." Krystal's tail fell limp as she replied with a soft look on her face, "You seem to know them all...don't you Fox?" She moved her head gingerly closer to his. Fox gently replied as he also moved closer, "I know a few..." Their muzzles were only centimeters apart when the door again slid open.
Fox and Krystal quickly looked up and saw Katt standing in the doorway, with the biggest smirk they'd ever seen. "Well, That's cute. Anyway, I just came to tell ya it's almost midnight and this light was buggin' the crap outta me. I'm sure you won't mind if I turn it off right? Then no one can see you..." Katt stopped herself. Fox had stood up from his chair, no longer able to hold onto the anger and irritation inside himself. He stormed up to Katt and said with his last ounce of patience, "Can you meet me outside for a minute?" Katt turned back to Krystal and told her, "I won't be long, you can finish what you were doin' in a second." Krystal couldn't understand why one of Fox's teammates would want to torment him like this. Krystal knew that Fox already felt pressure, now that he found out everyone in Corneria knew about Fox and herself. She almost made herself feel like it was somehow all her fault...
Fox yelled at Katt from deep in the hall so Krystal wouldn't be able to hear, "What the heck are you doing this to me for!? What have I done to deserve any of this!? Actually, you wouldn't even be here if General Pepper wouldn't have stationed you here! You should act a lot more respectful to me for even letting you on this ship!" Katt leaned against a wall and replied, "Actually, there was nothing you could've done, what Pepper says goes, and besides, I always get what I want." Fox retorted, "I could report you for crewmember misconduct! You'd never get to do missions like this again! Ever think about that!" Katt held her head down, unwavering in her words, "Big deal, It's not like I couldn't find some other planet to get missions." Fox replied angrily, "You could be banned from Corneria! I can do all of these things to you right now! What's it gonna be? Lose all hope for the future, or lay off me and Krystal?" Katt looked up and smirked, "You're kinda cute when you're angry." Fox's face turned red with rage, "Ok, ya know what...do whatever you want! I don't care cause when this is over, you're outta here! The General said so himself!" Katt replied sarcastically, "Oh no! I'll never get on this ship again! All my dreams will surely leave me! Woe is me, what a cruel, terrible world!" Fox walked past her towards the kitchen and said, "Just think about it..." Before he reached the kitchen door, he heard Katt whisper under her breath, "Sorry McCloud..." Fox turned slowly back to her and saw her head rise off her chest. She looked over at Fox and said quizzically while turning her head the other way, "What?" He smiled and entered the kitchen out of Katt's sight.
Fox looked over to the now empty table in the kitchen, but didn't see Krystal. He walked into the backroom and saw Krystal placing the dishes into a sink full of transparent, round soap bubbles. She turned around as she heard Fox approach from behind her and gave a small jump back in surprise. She looked him in the eyes and asked, "Is everything ok?" Fox sighed and replied, "Ya, I think so, she did apologize. I'd just forget about it and I think it'll all work out fine." Krystal smiled and responded, "That's good, I hate to see animals bickering like that." Fox yawned, "I'm about to pass out, I'll see you tomorrow, I'm off to bed." He tenderly scratched the hair behind Krystal's ear and quietly departed for his room.
He turned a few corners in the hallways of the Great Fox and quickly arrived back at his room. The door slid open and he eagerly fell back onto his large bed. He kicked the boots off his furry feet and they quickly fell to the floor. His thoughts wandered as he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. Is that really the last time Katt will do that to me...I feel kinda bad for her...I ate her out pretty good...But it really is her own fault...I wonder how me and Krystal can feel each other's pain...that seems impossible, and Krystal said that might even include physical and emotional pain...she even mentioned another shared pain...but...what other kind of pain is there to experience? Fox looked up to the ceiling and noticed to air conditioner above him was no longer blowing cold air. Guess Slippy finally fixed it, bout' time, I've been freezing my butt off in here.
The darkness in the room was disrupted as the door to his room quietly slid open and the small lights in the Great Fox's hallway leaked into the room. The silhouette of the figure was tall and slender. A tail was waving slowly behind it. Fox sat up in his bed and knew immediately that it was Krystal. She sat on the bed next to him and asked, "You don't mind if I rest with you again tonight, do you?" Fox shook his head and replied, "Of course not, unless you're gonna snore really loud." Krystal giggled as she slid her feet out of her long, sapphire colored boots. "I don't think that will be a problem." She carefully shed her torn vest and cuddled up next to Fox. He brought her close with his arms and she laid her head on his chest, gently nuzzling the hair underneath his chin. "Good night," Fox said quietly as he closed his eyes and began to stroke Krystal soft, furry head. Together, they slowly faded off into a peaceful slumber.
(The next morning)
Fox's eye's slowly slipped open as the sun shone through the small window in his room and hit his face. His vision was blurred, but after a few quick blinks, he could again see clearly. He glanced over to the clock next to his bed and it read the numbers 8:49. He turned back over in his bed to see that Krystal had already woken up, her spot next to him instead replaced by a pulled back bed sheet. Fox then noticed the sound of quickly running water coming from the room that was connected to his bedroom by a small metal door, which was slightly cracked open. The noise suddenly stopped and Fox could see the shadow of a figure walking back and forth across the floor that was hidden behind the door. The door suddenly slid open and the figure of Krystal emerged from inside the room. Her body was carefully wrapped in a yellow towel and she also had another, smaller towel wrapped around the hair on her head. She began to walk towards the bed as Fox propped himself up against the wall behind him. Krystal stopped quickly and took a surprised step back. "Oh Fox, I didn't expect you to be awake this early." Fox smiled and replied with a yawn, "Me neither...maybe I'll just go back to bed. Oh, wait...Pepper's callin' us today, huh? Eh, I guess eight hours of sleep is ok..." Krystal smiled as she walked up next to the bed and bent over to pick up her boots and vest. She looked at Fox through a hole in the vest and asked, "Do I still have to wear this?" Fox thought for a second and responded, "I guess you could wear your other cloths for today. I wouldn't want to wear that thing if I was you. I'll get ROB to repair it and clean it off. I think it's fine if you don't wear it for today." Krystal smiled and responded, "That's a relief, I wasn't looking forward to wearing this bloody mess. I'll just go back to my room and change. Thank you Fox." Fox nodded and replied, "No problem...Hey, you wanna meet up in kitchen for a little breakfast?" Krystal looked back just as she arrived at the door and answered with a smile, "Of course Fox. I'll be up in just a little bit. See you then."
Krystal exited the room and walked down the hallway back to her room. On her way towards her room, she passed Katt. Katt stopped and looked back at Krystal and noticed she was only dressed with a bath towel and was carrying all her other cloths in her arms. Katt turned back around with a raised eyebrow and entered Fox's bedroom. She opened the door and saw Fox sitting on the edge of his bed staring distractedly out the window on the wall. Katt's mind pondered exactly what had just transpired in this room, and of all the things she could say to Fox right now. But this time, she decided to dismiss it and respect Fox's privacy. Something about what he said to her last night made her feel slightly guilty inside, but there was no way she was going to tell that to anyone. She said only, "Hey Fox, We're getting a weak signal on the bridge, it might be Pepper. You better get up there fast." Fox turned and saw Katt standing in the doorway, surprised to hear no sarcastic remarks from her. He did not point it out though, he simply replied, "Thanks, I'll be up in just a second." Katt quickly exited the room and Fox stayed seated on the edge of bed. Wow, did my talk with Katt actually straighten her out? That's the first time I've heard her speak without a trace of sarcasm in a long time...which is great...maybe she'll lay of completely...heh, but I can't expect that from her...
Fox rose from his bed and walked out of his room. He sauntered a little way down the hall until he arrived at Krystal's room. The small metal door slid open and he poked his head in the doorway. Krystal came out from behind the door that led to her private bathroom. She had on her old cloths from Cerinia and was carefully combing the knots out of her hair. Krystal looked over from a mirror and asked, "What is it Fox? I said I'd meet you in the kitchen..." Fox entered the room and put his hand behind his neck. "I know, but our plans have changed, seems like we're picking up weak signals from someone. We figure it's Pepper, so we need to get up there and fix the reception." Krystal looked away from the mirror and set the comb down, "Oh, that's ok Fox, I've actually been looking forward to this." Krystal said with a smile. Fox smiled back at her and replied, "We better get up there fast, I don't want Pepper to think I'm screwin' off." Krystal carefully placed the white barrette in hair and joined Fox as they began making their way to the bridge.
(Meanwhile, on the bridge)
Peppy and Slippy were working furiously to try and improve the signal strength, but with only the two of them working, it made the job two times tougher. Peppy muttered as he worked with a computer near ROB's workstation, "That Fox...does he think he can sleep the day away while we do all his work for him? He knows we have to be ready for Pepper at anytime...What happened to the Fox I knew...ever since that that Krystal girl come along...he hasn't been doing anything..." He stopped talking to himself and yelled over at Slippy, "Did you get the transmitters signal workin' over there Slip?" Slippy ran furiously across the bridge to check a monitor. "No, we still have a transmission percentage of...17 percent. Looks like something's wrong with the wiring. Gee...this is hard work with just the two of us, huh Peppy?" Peppy didn't seem to hear as he continued talking to himself, "Maybe Fox thinks I was joking when I said I'd leave the team if he started slakin' off...I wasn't...If I don't see some improvement around here..." Peppy's thoughts stopped momentarily as the door to the bridge door slid open and Katt walked in. Peppy looked up at her and gruffly asked, "So what was he doing? Sleeping?" Katt looked away, not really sure what she could tell him in response...she was pretty sure Fox wouldn't like it if she started spreading rumors, especially about things as extreme as...that. But from what she had seen, it seemed like that's really what might've been going on. She dismissed the thought and calmly answered, "Ya, I think so. He should be coming soon." Peppy looked back at his computer and didn't give a response. Katt strode over to a wall next to the bridge door and waited for Fox to arrive.
The bridge door again slid open and Fox and Krystal entered the room. Fox asked to no one in particular, "Do we have a signal yet?" Slippy looked over at Fox briefly and responded, "I think we can get a good enough signal to last for about ten minutes right now, but I don't know if that's long enough, what do you think Fox?" Fox smirked and replied, "That's probably enough, and besides, It'll keep him from lecturing us for hours." Slippy let out a slight chuckle and stopped his work. Fox walked over to his chair in the middle of the bridge and sat down in his chair. Krystal followed him and stood next to him by the chair. Fox set his left arm on the armrest and used the other to open a communication channel with his laptop. As Fox typed, he felt Krystal lay her arm on top of his and she held the top of his hand. He flipped his arm around so that her hand was now squarely in his as he continued to work on his laptop with the other. Slippy announced from behind him, "All right Fox, we have as much power as we're gonna get right now." Fox nodded and announced, "Thanks Slippy, opening channel now." The holographic screen appeared in the middle of the bridge, but the channel still seemed to be inoperative. Fox worked on his laptop, trying to get the channel open. A voice rang over the bridge, "General Pepper here. Come in...do you read?" Fox worked furiously on his laptop, trying to further open the channel. Suddenly, the picture came into perfect view and General Pepper's face showed clearly. Fox scanned the rest of the room and noticed a familiar figure standing in the corner of the screen...a familiar blue bird...standing next to the General's desk. No way...It can't be...is that...Falco!?
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AUTHORS NOTES: I just wanted to say a few things about this chapter. I'm sure you've noticed the lack of any kind of action and the increase in emotion. While I was writing this, I kept thinking how much of a filler this chapter seemed. I don't know if you thought so, but if you did think this chapter was pointless, let me just say this. This is setting up character developments and some mixed feelings on the Great Fox that will greatly affect the story later. This may actually be one of the more important parts in the story as it is revealed. So if you feel asleep reading this chapter, I'm sorry, but I had to get this out of the way eventually...