Only 116 more days until the release of the next Star Fox game! Only a little more than 3 months away! And guess what...I still don't know jack about the storyline...Argh! I hate this...Nintendo just won't let out any new info about this game...Oh well, I guess it's better for it to be a surprise...if that means I can somehow compromise my sanity...Whatever. BTW, I'll be taking an extended leave of absence during the course of August 11-16...Which means no story's durin' that timeframe...I'll be working on me laptop of course...So, I'll try to get one more chapter in before then, and if I don't, You'll be sure to see one on August 17, I swear it! Well, whatever, here's a new chap for ya...read up!
Chapter 13: Sleepless Night
This place...it seems so familiar...where is this? Fox looked around the room, noticing a large raised platform in the middle of the large room. Strange blue torches lit the far corners of the room, giving off a feint sapphire glow throughout the otherwise dark chamber. He curiously walked over to the left side of the platform and climbed up a small ladder that led the top of the somehow familiar platform. As he walked to the middle of the platform, he noticed a soft white light leaking in from a decorated sky roof high above. He looked behind him to see a large reflective mirror on the wall. Its mysterious surface seemed to ripple for no particular reason. Fox quickly turned his attention away from this ambiguity as he heard soft footsteps approaching from behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he realized that it was only Krystal. She spoke softly, Fox...where are we? What are we doing here? Fox replied as he scanned the room once more, I don't know...This might be another one of those dreams... Krystal walked over next to Fox, but was quickly stopped as she heard a quiet thump from behind them. They turned their heads in unison and saw the strange hooded figure lingering behind them. Fox jumped in front of Krystal and placed his arms back behind him. You're the one from the vision, aren't you...Who are you...what is this? The figure spoke from behind the shadow that the hood of his cloak provided, You already have gone to far...If you do not put an end to this foolish escapade, You will become like those on that planet...that planet of dreamers...and become no longer... Fox took and aggressive step forward, What are you talking about!? The mysterious figure remained silent. Fox shouted, Answer me now! Krystal took a silent gasp from behind Fox, Cerinia...Is he talking about...no... The dark figure spoke in response to Krystal, What will you do if I told you...that you are right, my dear girl? Krystal tried to hold back the tears and refused to answer. Fox yelled, Stop this right now! There's no way we will stop our journey to save those planets... The dark figure revealed a large, curved sword from within his cloak. Just as I thought...You still don't understand the true power...now you will pay for your incompetence! With one swift motion, the sword penetrated the bodies of both foxes. They fell to the ground silently, neither one made a sound, but the terrified expressions on their faces more than compensated for it. The cloaked figure let out a booming, maniacal laugh, The energy you hold is nothing compared to mine...and now you realize your true destiny...but you've come to understand too late to change anything... Fox looked up from the floor and saw the huge open cut across his stomach. It seared with pain and was bleeding torrentially across the cold, stone floor. He looked across the floor at Krystal, who seemed to have given up all hope of recovery. She gave Fox one last look of desperation before her eyes silently fell closed. Fox's head dropped back to the floor, his eyes began to waver. His sight was leaving him; the intense pain from the slash engulfed his entire body. He allowed his eyes to close and let his life leave him.
Fox felt strong heat surging through his body and sweat was coming from every pore. He felt the salty sting of the sweat enter his eyes. He quickly opened his eyelids and wiped them furiously with his hand. He looked all around him, but there was nothing to see. Everything was dark. He felt around the area next to him. He felt a soft fabric that was supporting his weight from underneath himself. He found and grabbed a piece of cloth that lay on top of his body. He quickly threw it off and felt a slight breeze hitting his hot, sweaty fur from above. He could hear the slight hum of the air conditioner running quietly above him. He leaned his legs over what he now identified as his bed and placed his head in his hands. He quickly glanced up at the small clock next to his bed as it shone the numbers 03:48.
What the heck was that? Was that another dream? Man, with enough of those, I'll probably never be able to sleep again...Who the heck is that cloaked guy...His voice sounded so familiar...I know I've heard it somewhere he be the one that is utilizing the mass mind controls? And what is this "greater power" that he keeps talking about...This is way to much to absorb...especially since I don't have any frickin' clue about what the heck it all means...
A small groan came from behind Fox, which broke his train of thought. He looked back to see Krystal leaning up against the wall behind Fox's bed. She was panting heavily and held her arms tight against her furry stomach. Fox hesitated to speak, but could not stand to see Krystal is such pain. He crawled over to her side of the bed and sat next to her. They both remained silent, neither of them knowing what to say. Krystal leaned the side of her head against Fox's shoulder and continued to pant lightly. Fox took a small breath as he prepared to speak, but Krystal stopped him before he could say anything. "Fox, Some things...are hard to understand...and some times...It's better not to try and understand them. It would be pointless for us to worry about something we know so little about." Fox nodded and replied, "So we just move on and hope that we can find answers along the way?" Krystal replied quietly, "I believe that's all we can do. We obviously still have a long way to go if we wish to save Cerinia...even if what that masked figure was saying was true...We still can't give up, even if there is some greater power that exists...all we can do is believe in the scroll and trust that we will persevere..." Krystal lifted her head off his shoulder and saw Fox giving her a smirk. She asked, "What is it? Do you disagree?" Fox let out a soft chuckle, "No, not at all. I was just thinking about how much stronger you've gotten since you came aboard the ship." Krystal asked modestly, "What do you mean by that?" Fox answered, "A few days ago, It sounded like you had almost no faith in that scroll. You were afraid that it might be wrong or something...But now, with what your saying and how I hear you say it...It just seems to me that somehow you've acquired a new determination for this mission. It doesn't seem like your afraid to face these dangers anymore. It's really easy to see that you've become a lot stronger." Krystal smiled, "Now that I stop and think about it...I suppose I have, but it was not all my own doing Fox. I think most of it has to do with the determination you have shown me...and I thank you for that..." Krystal gingerly moved her body against Fox's side and leaned her head against his. Fox took his left hand and quietly placed it at the base of her neck just below Krystal's golden choker. He began to softly massage her shoulder as he replied, "I'm the one that should be thanking you...If it wouldn't have been for you...I still wouldn't know if there was any meaning to my life...or what I would have to do to accomplish it...You're the one that made me realize that I did have something greater to strive for besides money and fame...And most importantly...I... " Fox suddenly stopped as he felt a warm breath of air hit his neck. He readjusted his eyes slightly and saw Krystal with her eyes closed, still leaning against Fox's head. "Krystal?" Fox was answered only with the sound of Krystal's quiet snoring. Krystal... Fox allowed his eyes to close as well, Heh, I guess I must be a really boring speaker... Fox cut off all thoughts from his mind and let Krystal's slow breathing and the feeling of her warm body against his coax himself into a peaceful sleep.
(In one of the Great Fox seating rooms)
Silence and darkness filled the hallways of the Great Fox. No one was walking the corridors of the ship; everyone was sleeping calmly in their own rooms. That was something Falco did not have, he no longer had the feeling of his own bed under his body in his own room. The one he had left to find only a few days before now occupied it. He laid on his back with his eyes facing the ceiling. It seemed like so much had happened when he was gone. Everyone he had known from eight years ago seemed to have drastically changed, and he had no idea why.
He rubbed his tired eyes, which were still unable to close even after several attempts. The couch he had been laying on was firm and uncomfortable, due to the fact that many of the Great Fox's seating areas were rarely ever used. He slowly got up from his back and walked over to a window that was located only a few steps away. He watched impatiently as the Great Fox seemed to slowly creep across the endless galaxy. He leaned forward slightly, trying to see if their destination was in sight. This was going to be his first mission he had been assigned to in over eight years. He remembered back to those days. Back then, he felt like he belonged on the team. The team had a close friendship with one another, they all shared the same feelings of loss and victory...but now it all seemed to have disappeared. Falco let his mind wonder as he stared aimlessly out the large, clear window.
When I left to find Katt a few days ago, I thought when I found her, I would finally open up to her and say what I feel...but why do I still hide all that from her...She never seems glad to see me any more...not since that day...eight years ago...I don't even think I've ever seen her smile since then...I don't know what happened to make her so upset...Maybe I was being a little forward...but I mean...Can't she forgive me after all these years? Maybe I should just give up on her...Maybe she's not the one for me after all...Even after all the time we spent together back at the Academy...Those were the best days of my life...until I had to ask her that...stupid question...I don't know who I'm tryin' to kid here...It's all my fault...If I could just apologize...everything would be the way it was back then...but...I don't know...I'll just wait and see what happens as we go...maybe she'll open up to me first...Heh, but I can't depend on that...That's for sure...
Falco turned away from the window and began walking up towards the bridge. As he walked, he passed by Fox's room. He hesitated for a moment, but soon decided to take a quick look inside. The door quietly slid open, letting a small ray of light in. He saw the two of them asleep together, both of them resting on each other's heads. Falco admired the scene in front of him, but soon after closed the door before they had a chance to wake up. Falco gained a new feeling towards Fox; one he had never before experienced...the feeling of jealousy. How can Fox meet this girl and instantly end up like they are now...I've known Katt for twelve years and we still can't even smile at each other. He sighed heavily as he reached the escalator and entered through the large metal doors a short while later. He walked across the bridge and sat down at his chair that was directly in front of Fox's and just in front of the bridge window. He spun the chair around to face the window in front of him. As he watched a small green planet approaching from a good distance away, he began to remember what he and this same team had done eight years ago.
It doesn't seem like that long ago since we saved the Lylat System from Andross...Weird, considering that nothing has really happened since then...I wonder if I'll be rusty at all...Since this in my first mission since that one eight years ago...Heh, Me? Rusty? Ya right...chances of that are worse than the chances of Slippy gettin' a date, Heh...It's strange though...how the crew has seemed to change during the few days I was gone...Fox is now a mindless drone that follows that blue girl around wherever she goes...Peppy has some kind of anger issue with Fox...I still can't believe what he told me yesterday...Thinkin' that Fox's slakin' off is affecting everyone's work...I'm not worried about that though...I mean, I'm here, aren't I? What more could anyone possibly want? I could hold this entire piece of junk by myself if...
Falco's thoughts were broken at the sound of the bridge door sliding open. He hid silently behind the chair and let the figure enter in a little further. "Is that green planet ahead of us Kaltar ROB?" I know that voice... ROB replied, "Affirmative, planet Kaltar will be reached in approximately 1 hour, 23 minutes." The voice responded, "Right, by the way ROB, Do you know anything about this planet?" The robot answered, "Kaltar is classified as a type IIII planet, little to no technology, but has a very large population. The planet is composed of many different grasslands, forests, and savannahs. The temperate climate allows for the growth of many exotic plants. Inhabitants of Kaltar are of the species..." The voice cut ROB off, "That's good enough ROB, I'm not in here for a geography lesson." ROB unemotionally replied, "Affirmative, discontinuing explanation of planet Kaltar, returning to regularly programmed navigational duty."
Falco took a quick look around the side of the chair and could see the silhouette of the figure that had been speaking with ROB. He didn't need to see who it was to know, by her voice alone, he knew it was Katt. He stood up without thinking what would happen and began to walk slowly over to Katt. She didn't seem to notice as Falco walked up directly behind her. She said to herself as she turned to exit the bridge, "I am so bored, I guess I'll just get to the kitchen and start making breakfast since where gonna be out there settin' up that M.C.D. thing pretty soon. At least it's a little cooler on this planet...I was sure I was gonna..." Katt stopped talking to herself as she ran into Falco's body. She looked up at his face, which was right next to hers. She hesitated for a moment, but then quickly jumped back away from him. "What the heck are you doing here!?" Falco responded with a grin, "Just listening to you whine..." Katt walked around ROB's computer and down the opposite stairs, "That's nice of you, but I'd appreciate if you'd just back off. I like some alone time too, not that you'd care..." Falco tried to reply with empathy, but it came out as sarcasm, "And what if I did care?" Katt rolled her eyes, "Oh please...You are really pathetic, ya know that, right?" Falco replied angrily, "Listen to you! At least I'm not whining about this mission! Jeez, you'd think big time freelance pilots like yourself could take these small missions without breakin' a sweat..." Katt stormed past Falco and into the doorway that led out of the bridge, "Well, I guess I just won't make you any breakfast..." Falco screamed at her as the door closed, "Oh man, not the breakfast! Anything but that! My life's over now!!" Falco could feel the anger building in him, and he could not stop it. ROB announced from behind his computer, "My sensors indicate that Falco's temperature is rising, are you ok Falco?" Falco let some of his anger out on the now closed door with a clenched fist. Shut up ROB...
(In the Great Fox kitchen)
Katt slammed the pots and pans she had gathered against the stove's metal burners. She stomped back over to the food closet and grabbed whatever was in her reach. Katt threw the door to the backroom open and angrily tossed all of the ingredients against the small countertop next to the stove. She soon stopped and took a deep breath as she tried to regain her composure. She grabbed a package of pancakes and began to gently and skillfully flip them around inside each of their separate pans. The activity seemed to calm her down, but her thoughts were still focused on him...
My god! That Falco is such an idiot! First he sneaks up on me and almost gives me a heart attack and then he gives me all this crap about me whining all the time...How could he even say that? He hasn't even been on the ship for half a day...Maybe he really doesn't...
"What the...Ouch!" Katt looked down at the floor and saw that one of the pancakes that she had been cooking had been flipped out of the pan and onto her leg. She quickly and carefully peeled the soft, hot dough off her leg and tossed it into a nearby wastebasket. She scraped off some of the remaining bits of pancake that had become encrusted in her pink fur. Katt took a frustrated sigh and returned to preparing the breakfast.
Jeez, I just can't think straight lately...Ever since Falco has come back onboard...I've been thinking a lot about how close we used to be those many years ago...I could somehow see it coming all back just a little while ago...when I turned to leave the bridge...and I ran into Falco...I looked up into his face...his blue eyes...What? Oh god...what the heck is happening to me...I'll never go back to thinking that way about him...It doesn't matter what any one tells me...I just can't go back to the way it was those many years ago...Just get it out of your mind Katt, Don't think about it...Let's just focus on this mission and then I can leave...But for now...I'll just try and get the rest of this breakfast done without getting any more of it caked onto my fur...I'm gonna hate havin' to get all that crap off...
As she was busily working on the food, Katt heard the door behind her slowly open. She looked back to see Slippy standing in the doorway. "What do you want from me?" Katt asked in a slightly annoyed tone of voice. Slippy looked down at the floor and replied, "Oh, uh...I just wanted to know...how much longer until...you had the food ready..." Katt replied with a sigh as she turned back to her cooking, "About ten more minutes...can ya wait that long?" Slippy replied with a smile and a froggy giggle, "Heheh, Depends on how good the food is!" Katt rolled her eyes and responded, "Ya ok, you can just leave me alone until then...alright?" Slippy lost his grin and replied embarrassedly, "Oh...ok...uh...see ya in a little while then..." He quickly turned and left the backroom of the kitchen. Soon after the same door opened slightly and Slippy poked his head in. He added, "Are you...sure it's gonna take that long? I'm hungry now..." Katt sighed again and replied, "Just get outta here Slippy..." He let out a weak chortle and said, "Uh...s...sorry, Katt..." Katt heard the door quietly close behind her. Heh, and Falco thought I was whiney...
A few minutes later, Katt finished her preparations and began to carry out the many different plates that she had filled with various types of breakfast foods. She had to make several trips to get everything on the steadily shrinking surface of the kitchen table. She didn't know how much food would be enough for everyone on the ship, since she had never really made any amount of food for more than herself, but she figured that even if she did make too much, at least there would be some leftovers so she wouldn't have to cook again for a while. When Katt finished setting out all the food, she walked over to a small speaker on the wall next to the door of the kitchen. She activated the speaker and informally announced over the ship's intercom system, "There's some food down in the kitchen if anyone wants any. So everyone get your lazy butts outta bed and get down here before it gets cold." Katt deactivated the intercom just as the door to the kitchen flew open. Slippy stormed in and stared at the abundance of food. He said out loud, obviously forgetting that Katt was standing in the same room, "Yes! It's finally time to eat! Oh boy! First I'll start with those pancakes and then..." He quickly stopped talking as he saw Katt walk past him with her arms crossed. His face turned almost completely red as Katt said, "You can have all the food you want...just do us all a big favor and shut up, ok?" Slippy slowly inched towards the table and replied uneasily, "Uh...Ok..." He quickly turned from Katt and began gathering all the different foods he could get on his plate without spilling it all over the floor. Katt rolled her eyes and began to get her own plate of food ready.
The doors again slid open and Peppy slowly walked into the kitchen, wincing his eyes as the light of the kitchen entered into them. Peppy walked over in front of Katt and complained in a tired voice, "What are you doin' waking me up so early in the mornin'? It's barely past six o' clock..." Katt replied plainly, "I was just up on the bridge and ROB told me that we were gettin' close to Kaltar...so I figured that we should probably eat before we start on this next assignment." Peppy rubbed his eyes as they began to readjust to the light, "Kaltar? Already? Well...At least I get a meal out of it, huh? Heheh..." Katt responded with a polite smile, even though she found no humor in the old hare's comment. He continued, "It's nice to see you doing so much work around the ship for us. It makes me and Slip's job a lot easier..." Katt swallowed a bite of a piece of omelet and replied, "What about Fox? He's the big shot around here after all..." Peppy sat down across from Katt and answered with a sigh, "Well, He was always the one that did most of the work on the ship...but..." Katt continued his sentence, "Krystal came along...right?" Peppy nodded, "Yes, once that young lady came on board, Fox has left all the work to me and Slippy...and I really don't appreciate it at all." Katt smirked and replied, "Come on Peppy, how is Fox supposed to react? This is his first time around..." Peppy cut her off and mumbled, "A girl? Even if that is the case, Fox didn't join this team to cavort with pretty girls, he joined to follow in his Father's footsteps...and now he's letting all of it go to waste because of Krystal... I just wish I could make him realize what he's doing to his crew..." Katt placed her head on top of a closed fist and replied, "He didn't seem to have trouble on Kymach, did he? Maybe you're just overreacting...Have you considered that?" Peppy began to get angry with Katt, "So your sayin' that if he just does these ground missions and nothing else he can just relax all day on the ship?" Katt responded calmly, "Why not, He's not hurting anyone..." Peppy stood up from his chair, "And he can just let the ship's responsibilities fall into his crewmates hands? This is James' ship; he should at least treat it with some respect. When I was younger, I always admired James' hard work and determination...and that's what I used to see in Fox, but now..." Katt interrupted, "So what you're sayin' is that Fox should act and operate just like his dad?" Peppy hesitated for a moment and tried to compose himself. He slowly walked over to the door and leaned his hand against its frame. He looked back at Katt from over his shoulder and answered, "Yes, Right now...If James was here in place of Fox...I'd be much happier...
Another voice rang from outside the kitchen, "Hey Peppy, Did you eat already? We got a big day ahead of us ya know." Peppy dropped his serious expression and replaced it with an artificial smile, "Ya Fox, I'm gonna get up to the bridge and get the ship ready for orbit." Fox gave him a friendly pat on the back with his hand as he walked through the kitchen door with Krystal attached to the other, "Great, I'll be up there as soon as I get done." Peppy replied with undetected sarcasm and the same forced smile, "Just doing my job Fox."
"Well nice of you two to join us, I pretty much figured that Slippy was gonna finish all this food off..." Katt glanced over at Slippy, who was still scarfing down large amounts of food. Fox responded with a smirk, "Man Katt, you aren't kiddin'. We better eat some of that stuff now Krystal before Slippy gets all of it." Slippy suddenly stopped and said painfully, "Actually Fox...You can have the rest...I think I'm done..." Slippy slowly rose from his chair and waddled out of the kitchen, groaning with each step he took. Katt looked out the now empty door and commented, "Does he always act like that?" Fox replied with a chuckle, "Ya know, I couldn't really tell you...I don't know if anyone could figure out what that guy is thinking..."
Fox and Krystal walked up to the table and began to serve themselves. Katt took a quick look up at Krystal and noticed that she was back in her Star Fox uniform. Katt asked, "Hey Krystal, did you knit your uniform back up or what? It looks brand new." Krystal looked up from the food with a smile and replied, "No, ROB repaired it for me. I would have to agree that he did quite a good job on it." Katt looked over at Fox with a smirk and said, "Man, Is there anything that robot can't do Fox? He pilots and maintains the ship all day and night, and then he can do stitches and now your sayin' that he can knit too?" Fox took a seat opposite of Katt and responded, "I really don't know what all of his functions are. Slippy's always entering new programs into his mainframe..." Katt returned her attention back to the plate of food in front of her. Soon after, Krystal sat down next to Fox with her plate of food and began happily eating. Fox broke the short silence by asking Katt, "Have you seen Falco yet today? He's probably already finished his breakfast huh?" Katt shrugged and kept her eyes focused on her plate, "I dunno, haven't seen him yet...He hasn't been down here either, which is fine with me..." Fox and Krystal exchanged doubting glances, but decided not to press the issue. The rest of the breakfast went by in silence and the two Foxes tails were connected behind the table throughout the entire meal. Katt noticed how they acted towards each other...It almost reminded her of Falco and herself a long while ago...She dismissed the thought and announced as they all finished their breakfast, "We should be at Kaltar by now, Let's get up to the bridge, eh Fox?" Fox and Krystal stood up in unison and Fox nodded in response. They all exited the kitchen and headed up to the bridge, which was only a short walk away.
The group walked through the sliding doors that led to the Great Fox's bridge and gazed out the bridge window. They could now see the light green planet slowly rotating in front of them. Falco took a quick glance up from his computer at Katt, but ignored her and went back to his work. Katt noticed and let a quiet, uncaring grunt. She walked a little to the left of the bridge door and leaned up against the wall as she always did.
Fox and Krystal walked across the bridge to Fox's chair. Fox stepped behind the chair and motioned for Krystal to sit down. Krystal gave Fox a questioning smile as she accepted his seat. He leaned his head over the top of the chair and said with a smirk, "This way you can't fall over when I activate the Geo-synchronized orbit system..." Krystal tilted her head up to face Fox and raised an eyebrow, "You don't think I can stand up on my own?" Fox hesitated as Krystal stood up from the chair. She let go of the armrests and said with a playful smile, "Go ahead and activate it Fox. I won't even budge." Fox smirked and replied, "Ok, if you say so..." Fox walked over to the Great Fox's main computer and entered the access numbers. Soon after, ROB announced over the bridge, "Access number...873-642-916...sufficient data acquired, activation of geo-synchronized orbit is now on stand-by." Fox looked back at Krystal with a smile as he replied, "Alright ROB, begin countdown to Geo-synchronized orbit." ROB wheeled over to his computer and replied, "Activation of Geo-synchronized orbit will commence in 30 seconds...29...28." As ROB continued to countdown, Fox noticed Krystal readjusting her stance, making sure it was wider and more stable. ROB continued, "17...16...15..." Krystal said to herself under her breath as she prepared for the tremor, "Fox disengaged the ship's thrusters at about five seconds last time so I should..." Krystal's eyes opened wide in shock as the ship's engines were suddenly deactivated. She let out a small yelp as her back foot slipped out from under her, which caused her to tumble softly to the ground. Fox tried to stifle a laugh inside himself as he saw Krystal fall clumsily onto the ground. ROB finished his countdown, "3...2...1...Activate Geo-synchronized orbit." The ship shifted around again as it positioned itself over a point on the planet. Fox ignored Krystal for a moment as he announced, "Alright, we're above Kaltar, make sure you get your personal M.C.D. systems..." Katt interrupted, "Uhh...Captain? Have you noticed that there are more than four of us here? We don't have enough of those personal M.C.D. things to go around. We'll have to leave two crewmembers behind." Fox nodded, "Your right, any volunteers?" Peppy immediately stood up and replied, "Me and Slippy will stay on the ship, I need Slippy up here to work on the ship. As for me, I'm just gettin' to old for all this action..." Peppy removed the small M.C.D. system he had concealed in his jacket and weakly tossed it over to Falco. Falco grabbed it out of the air as he sat in his chair and asked impatiently, "What the heck is this thing?" Katt irately replied as she left the bridge, "Hook it on the inside of your vest and shut up, It'll take care of the rest...now let's get that M.C.D. system set up...It's about time we saw a little action around here." Falco stood up with a shrug and reluctantly followed Katt off the bridge and down towards the docking bay.
Fox walked over to Krystal, who was laying face down on the ground. Fox kneeled over to her side and said with a chuckle, "Krystal, are you ok?" There was no reply; she just began to make small breaths of air that made it sound like she was crying. Fox now looked at her with concern and asked, "Krystal, are you crying? Are you hurt?" Still Krystal did not reply, only the sound of her short, quick breaths could be heard. Fox began to wonder if she had really gotten hurt. Fox placed his hands on her side and slowly rolled her over onto her back. But as Fox looked into her face now, he could see a large smile and after her short breaths came playful laughter. Krystal looked into Fox's worried eyes and said, "I suppose you win...even though you had to cheat." Fox took a sigh of relief, seeing that she was not injured, and replied with a smile, "I didn't cheat, I just turned the engines off a little early." Fox lent her his hand and helped her back onto her feet once again. A small fit of laughter broke out after all of this. And after they had finished, they found themselves in each other's arms, a place that was becoming more familiar and comforting to them. Peppy spoke from behind them with a touch of anger, "You better hurry down to the docking bay, they're gonna need both of you down there." Fox nodded and the two of them separated from each other's arms and rejoined at the hand. They slowly walked off the bridge and back to the docking bay, knowing that they could face any challenge that any enemy could toss their way, as long as they were together...