XVIII

In the meeting room, everyone took chairs around the circular table. Tigris spoke first.

"So, you're alright then, Fox?"

"Never been better."

"Good. We've gone over the camera data from your Ar-wing, and found something… not good."

"Not good? What level of not good?"

"You'll have to see for yourself." Tigris hit a button for the holo-projector in the middle of the table. A gray shape appeared over it, hovering slightly. It looked like a stubby oval with pieces missing. "This is what the demons are building. It's about two times as big as this ship, and they've been building about twelve of them. We believe they're transports."

"Ah. That's not good."

"I told you."

Krystal cut in. "I think I see a bit of Aparoid technology,"

"Yes," confirmed Tigris, "They've taken technology from the Aparoids to enhance their technological abilities."

"There are holes all over the ship," Fox said. "I assume they're not finished."

"We don't believe so. That's good, or else we'd probably be dead."

"They've got weapons systems?"

"Look here." He used a laser pointer to point out a spot on the ship.

"That," said Slippy, "Looks like some sort of missile launcher."

"Bingo." He sat back in his chair. "I guess we haven't told you how our ships were destroyed…" That thought struck Fox, and he wondered why he didn't think of that earlier…

"When we evacuated the planet, about a fourth of the population was left. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough ships for everyone…" He stopped for a moment, emotion breaking his stride. "We loaded the planetary representative onto the ship, along with myself and many others. When we got into orbit, huge asteroids hit the ships, coming from the planet… we didn't get the time to find out why it happened." He sighed regretfully. "Most of my people, my friends, died. Leaving them on-planet resigned them to death or capture, and taking them with us got them shot down…" He put his face in his hands, close to tears.

"Tigris," said Fox, "You did the right thing. There was nothing you could have done to save those people. The important thing is to get back those who were captured, and destroy them, blowing up the planet if we have to. You with me, here?"

Tigris took his slightly damp face out of his hands, face determined, eyes averted. He nodded.

"Good. We've been planning on leading an air attack inside the volcano. That's where they came from, right?" Another nod.

"What about the demons? They don't show up on radar, and we can't risk another one ripping apart one of our Ar-wings," Krystal said. Fox looked her in the eye, seeing concern, not just for the team.

"Well," he said, "We've got information from Corneria Autopsy. They've sent us info on how to track demon blood. They've even sent us the chemical data. Hopefully, they've got similar blood." Krystal nodded.

Fox looked around toward the others. "So, we're going to get a good night's sleep tonight, and tomorrow, we lead the air attack. Here's what we're going to do…"

Krystal looked out the bridge view port, wondering how she got into this situation. First, she'd been trapped in a crystal on Sauria, and was saved by Fox. Next, she'd joined the Star Fox team, and went through the war with the Aparoids. Now, she was engulfed in a planetary crisis involving demons and mass murder by them. She thought about this, the demons, her team, Fox…

Fox walked up next to her and looked out of the view port in the same direction she was, but said nothing for awhile. After a minute or so, he spoke.

"You still having those bad dreams?" he asked.

"No. I'm not sure why," she told him. "I'm a bit worried about the upcoming assault on the volcano, and what we'll find their…"

"You think it'll be what you saw?"

"I hope not." She looked away from the starry abyss outside the view port wall. "I didn't like it."

"I can tell." Fox looked at her. "You going to be alright?"

"Yes." She leaned against him slightly, and he put his arm around her waist, drawing her a bit closer. They just stood there for awhile, content with the presence and feel of each other.

That's the end of chapter XVIII. Correct me if my Roman Numerals are wrong at any time. Also, I reloaded chapter 8, fixing a few things. Thanks all for your kind reviews so far. More would be appreciated. Also, anonymous reviewer Siege-Master, I'd like to say thank you for pointing that out, and yes, that is part of where I got the idea from. But trust me; the story lines will not be in the least the same, so it's not a cross-over. One last thing, know that whatever happens, this will remain a T-rated story. Thanks.

Black Footman342