Marble Didymus, you brought up a very good point with your review. When I originally started this fic so very long ago, all I had was a vision. In the end, this vision turned out to be this absolutely giant fic you're looking at today. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that it would be so...big. Honestly, if I knew it would be so huge, I doubt I would have started it in the first place.

But now, I'm simply too far into this to quit. The good news is that this story is finally starting to wrap itself up. Far more chapters are behind than are in front of this point.

So, for those few readers I still have of this fic, it's time for me to stop blabbering and let you all read. Enjoy.


Chapter 37: Just Another Day

Where would I be without Peppy as my consular? He always somehow knows exactly what needs to be said, no matter the circumstances. – Fox

Oh, Fox, how I misjudged you. I thought you were nothing but a senseless jerk, but instead you turn out to be such a kind and caring person. – Fara

Much to the rest of the team's surprise, Fara was in a far better mood the next morning, sitting and chatting with everyone at breakfast. While Fox seemed shy around her for some reason, she was more than eager to listen to their adventures. Nobody was quite sure as to her sudden change in attitude however, but they didn't really care either at this point as they were just glad to see her back.

The team was in for another surprise when they arrived at Pepper's office later that day. Moments after walking in, he looked over the assembled team, noticed their exhausted faces, and knew exactly what he had to do. "Starfox team, as much as I'd like to do otherwise, it's clear to me that putting you into the skies again would be hazardous to your health."

He made shooing motions with his paws as he continued. "In other words, get out of here. Go relax, go do something fun, go do anything to get your mind off the war. You've done an outstanding job so far, and I don't want to risk that. I'll see you tomorrow at your usual time."

As the rest of the team stood up, Fox had one question on his mind. "If you don't mind me asking, what was our goal for today anyway?"

Pepper smiled. "I didn't tell you this, but your objective was the last target on the list – Venom itself."

The pilots smiled with glee, having not realized that they had almost made a full sweep of the system in such a short length of time. "Damn, we're good," said Falco as he rubbed his paws in excitement. "I can't believe we're almost done."

"Neither can I," said Fox as he looked over his team before he turned back towards the General. "See you tomorrow then."

Leaving the meeting room the conversation continued. To their surprise, Peppy said something rather unexpected as the door closed behind them. "And how many lives have we ruined in our conquests?"

"Oh for crying out loud," blared the avian as he moved to walk off. "I don't want to hear this."

"Falco, wait," ordered Fox. "Peppy, what made you say that?"

"Think about it for a minute. How many people have we killed in the past few weeks? Sure, it's for an excellent and needed cause, but why us?"

"Cause we're the best, that's why," said Falco. "Who cares how many damn lizards we kill that get in our way anyway?"

"A most interesting argument," commented Slippy. "At least if you think about it philosophically."

"So we kill a few hundred, but we save millions in the process," said Fara, still trying to figure out what was going on.

Falco nodded. "My point exactly."

"You've said it before, Peppy," said Fox as he walked up to his teammate in concern. "War is hell. Nothing we do is going to change that."

"We just get out there and do what we do best – kill things."

"It's only one more—"

Fox was interrupted as the door to Pepper's office opened up. The team quieted as he looked at them in concern, trying to figure out why they were still here. "Anything I can help you with?"

"No," replied the vulpine.

"I do have one request though," said Fara as an idea popped in her head. She knew what the team needed to do to get their mind off the war. At least for today, anyway.

"Name it."

"Permission to take the team off the base, General."

It took him only a moment before he responded with a nod. "Granted. Pick up some ID cards for them on the way out. You're responsible for them however, as a military ID only goes so far around here."

Fara smiled, knowing how true his comment was. Even though they were very well known around the system, without physical proof of them being a Cornerian citizen, their activities were going to be limited. "Yes, sir, I know."

"Good. Enjoy your day then. And be careful." Pepper turned and left, leaving them alone once more.

"Taking us out on a tour of the town?" questioned Fox, surprised at Fara's actions.

"Yup."

"Why?"

"Because you need it, you silly, that's why." She laughed. "Peppy over here is the perfect example." Ruffling the hare's headfur playfully, she continued. "You're putting too much thought into this war. It's not good for you, or any of us for that matter."

"But why you?" asked Falco.

She shot him a dirty look, responding before Fox could interfere. "What? You think that just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how to enjoy my off time? You're sorely mistaken."

"Well, I…" For once the usually mouthy avian was left speechless.

"Besides, who among us has a citizen ID card?" She smiled. "Or transportation?"

"Good points, Fara," said Fox. He realized that time off away from this war would do the team good, especially with their final battle staring them in the face. "Let's go, team. We're going to have some fun for once, and that's an order."

Wasting no further time, the group followed Fara downstairs to pick up some identification, and then proceeded to exit via the underground parking garage right next to the base. "Luckily for you guys I drive something economical," she commented as they piled into her stylish red hovercar convertible. "You wouldn't exactly fit if this was a two-seater."

The doors leading outside parted as she hit a button on a small remote hidden in her glove compartment. As soon as she had clearance, Fara punched the throttle. Smiling as she shot into the open air, she asked around for ideas and objectives for the day, answers that they were more than happy to give.

Knowing that most of the places suggested were closed for at least another half hour or so, she decided to take the team to one of the larger parks in the city, allowing them to simply enjoy the peace and serenity offered by being outside the base. She quickly scampered off into one of the larger trees while the rest of the team sat and soaked up the sunshine and the cool morning air.

From there they moved onward to Corneria's largest mall and simply wandered around, window shopping for the most part. While there weren't too many people populating the area this early in the morning, those that were noticed the team instantly and promoted them to near celebrity status. The attention was a good thing, as it boosted their morale and spirits, knowing how grateful the citizens were for their help. It was something not portrayed too well from their time watching the media reports on their excursions.

Afterwards, Fara took them to one of the high-rise restaurants, one where she knew the owner personally. It allowed them to get a private table away from the hustle of the other customers. It was a popular eatery, as the seating locations slowly rotated around the exterior of the restaurant, giving them an overall view of Corneria that few ever saw. As they finished their meal, Fara asked the team, "So, guys, you like this place?"

They nodded and mumbled their acceptance as Fox added, "This place is fantastic. Come here often?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Dad used to bring me up here all the time when I was younger."

Fox could sense something else that she wanted to say, something on the tip of her tongue, but she held back for some reason. He didn't want to press further, as this seemed like such a perfect day so far, one that he didn't want to ruin with a single question. He debated on talking to her on what he'd discussed with Peppy a few days earlier, but he just couldn't do it in front of the guys. Instead, he just tried to sneak in a look of her almost perfect self every chance he got.

Fara on the other hand continued to watch him, smiling inwardly every time she noticed his green eyes make a darting glance her way, hoping that she wouldn't notice. She enjoyed the attention, especially with Fay's suggestion as to his protectiveness earlier, but she wished deep down that he'd say something about it. She felt like talking to him, asking him about his reasons and thoughts, but she wanted to be alone with him to do so.

Finishing their meals, the five smiled and waved at the cheering patrons before driving to their next destination – a movie. It was little more than a mindless, nine month old action flick. It was popular when it was first released, but it was something that the team hadn't seen for obvious reasons. On top of that, there wasn't anything newer on the big screen due to the war, but it was a good way to spend the afternoon nonetheless.

In the end, it was an excellent day for the team. They felt fully relaxed and rejuvenated, something that they had not felt in quite some time. Their worries of the war had vanished for the moment, allowing them to feel like a normal Cornerian citizen for once.

That feeling was not to last.

They were walking back to Fara's vehicle, discussing the merits of watching such a brainless movie, when the unmistakable hiss of a laser weapon discharge impacted near their feet. "Get down!" yelled Fox as he instantly took command of the situation.

The pilots rolled behind any nearby vehicles as a pair of lasers flew past where they stood just moments before. As the citizens scattered back inside the building, it became very clear that the team was the intended targets of the attack, as the weapons fire continued to focus upon them. "Where the hell are they?" hollered Falco, ducking as a car window nearby shattered from a stray shot.

Nobody had the time to formulate an answer as suddenly the attackers focused on a car nearby, causing it to explode into a brilliant ball of flame. At that point they all realized just how much trouble they were all in, as they knew that they were unarmed and had no place to hide that couldn't be destroyed in a few seconds. "Should we yield?" asked Peppy.

Fox shook his head as another vehicle detonated and showered the group with debris. He knew that surrendering would do nothing but sign their own death warrants, based upon the blatant lack of tact from the shooters, as they were attacking in broad daylight in a populated area. He hoped that the police would arrive in a matter of minutes, but he didn't know if they'd have anything to hide behind until that time.

Fara realized this as well, knowing that they were running out of options. However, she had an ace up her sleeve. "To my car!" she ordered as she pulled a small remote out of her jacket pocket.

"So it can blow up like the others?" shouted Falco. "Hell no!"

"Trust me!"

"Go!" yelled Fox. "I'll keep them busy, now go!"

Peppy's voice of reason spoke up over the resounding din. "Fox, are—"

"That's an order!" he interrupted loudly, knowing that his team wouldn't listen to his near suicidal demands unless he forced them to follow it. "Fara, get them to safety."

She took one look into his eyes and noticed his serious gaze, knowing that he'd give up everything just to make sure the rest of his team got away. She nodded, her expression turning to a wince as another vehicle became the target of their attacker's firepower. "Be careful."

"You too." He watched as the others slowly moved away, making sure they maintained a low profile. It didn't take them long before they ran out of cover, the theater not being all that crowded this early in the day. Looking at his team, hoping that it wouldn't be his last, he yelled as loud as he could, "We give up!" The shots quieted as quickly as they started, as if making sure as to what was said. "We give up!" he yelled once more.

The silence was broken by orders shouted by a male from a nearby grove of trees. "Put your paws up into the air and come out where I can see you!"

That statement surprised Fox, expecting what he thought were multiple assailants to use the term we instead of I. He did as ordered and moved wearily into sight. He knew that while his reaction time was quick, there was little chance that he could dodge a laser blast without already being in motion. The voice didn't like what he was seeing though. "All of you!"

His mind raced as he tried to find a suitable response. "Your chaotic shooting injured two of my teammates. Give them a minute to get to their feet." He hoped that the others were already on their way to safety, as he knew that he couldn't hold their attention for much longer.

What he thought was a decent plan began to very quickly unravel. "Look over there!" shouted somebody else from the trees. "That red car!"

Fox froze, not sure if his life was going to be snuffed out at that instant or not. He turned and looked for his friends, wanting his last moments to be on them, knowing that they got away. Try as he might however, he wasn't able to see where they parked from where he was, but he could see the weapons fire littering the area.

They were leaving him alone for the moment, finding a more attractive target in his friends. He just hoped he gave them enough of a head start to escape. "Please be—"

His hopes were shattered as a vehicle in that area of the lot came to an explosive end, flames shooting into the afternoon sky. Not knowing whose car that was, and no longer caring for his safety anymore, Fox charged through the parking lot and tried to find out the answer.

He never heard the order to resume attacking, but fire upon him they did, laser blasts pelting him on all sides. He ducked and weaved as he ran, never pausing longer than a moment behind the temporary cover of a vehicle. He had to find out what happened to his team. Nothing else mattered.

As he neared his goal, the shots whizzed even closer as the attackers learned his dodge maneuvers. He knew it would take only a single clean hit to bring him down. But he didn't care. His team was more important.

Suddenly, the high-pitched whine of a hovercar filled his ears, drowning out the weapons fire as it passed right over his head. It came to a halt a few feet in front of him, its back left door popping open as it stopped.

What drew Fox's attention was the red coloring of the car and the license plate on the back. While the convertible's top was pulled tightly shut, protecting the passengers inside, he would have recognized the vehicle anywhere.

It was Fara's car.

Falco poked his head and arms out the doorway and reached towards the vulpine. "Grab on!"

Fox needed no further prompting. Relieved that his team was okay, he summoned his strength and leaped into the avian's grasp. The car listed dangerously to one side as they struggled to get in, the owner not ready for the additional weight. Sure of his hold, and knowing that they wouldn't last long as the lasers began to target their craft, Falco yelled, "I got him! Punch it!"

Fara threw the throttle forward and sent the hovercar into the sky. With one final tug, Fox clambered into the vehicle and tumbled into Falco in the process. Making sure they were clear, Peppy hit a button on his armrest in the front seat, closing and locking the door behind them. He continued to look out the rear window as he asked, "Are you okay, Fox?"

Fox nodded and panted as he tried to catch his breath. "Yeah. Thanks…for coming back."

Swerving suddenly as she pulled into the traffic lanes, Fara said, "No way were we leaving—"

"Incoming!" interrupted Slippy as he spotted another vehicle speeding up behind them. They'd noticed a car partially hidden behind some trees when they rescued Fox, and had figured it belonged to their attackers. This looked to be the same vehicle.

"Don't you have any guns on this thing?" asked Falco.

"Shields aren't exactly standard, mister," said Fara, changing lanes and directions to try to shake her pursuer. "And a turret is simply impossible. Be glad with what I have."

Any further attempts at normal conversation were cut off as the other craft began firing upon them. "Then we're all screwed," muttered the avian, keeping his eyes behind him.

She countered by dropping about 100 feet, narrowly missing a pair of vehicles in the process. "Not yet. Peppy, there's a blaster in my glove compartment. Pass it to Fox."

"Roger."

"Fox, you'll be unshielded as soon as soon as you stick your head outside, so watch yourself."

"Okay."

Desperately, Fara changed directions once again and found another side street to turn into. The hail of lasers paused, but only for a moment. It was long enough though for Fox to get his borrowed weapon pointed outside, allowing him to fire back.

Missed shots struck buildings on both sides of the narrow street, shattered windows and other pieces of debris raining upon any unfortunate citizen walking below. As a pair of hostile blasts found their target on the back of her car, the shields pulsing a dull red from the damage, she yelled into her communicator, "Corneria Base, where the hell is my assistance?"

Celine responded to her demands for help once more, amazingly calm despite Fara's near panicked state when she first called only a short while ago. "Don't worry; they're on their way and tracking you via your homing signal."

Turning off her headset, she cursed loudly and changed streets once more, tossing her passengers against their restraints. She didn't get around the corner quickly enough however, as with one final hit her shields collapsed, a dull tone emanating from her console as a reminder. Killing the noise, she heard a momentary cheer from the pilots in the back seat. "We got one!" exclaimed Slippy.

Fox never got the chance to shoot again as he suddenly yelped and twisted back into his seat empty handed. "They hit the gun," he muttered as he shook his paw in pain. "Lucky shot."

Falco slumped back best he could in his seat and tried not to be tossed around thanks to Fara's erratic flying. "We're fucked."

"We're not done yet, flyboy." Desperately the vixen looked around, constantly weaving and diving past cars, trying to find some place to keep out of the line of fire of their attackers. While she normally loved how straight Corneria was as far as its city design went, it was going to be their undoing. Finding another side street, she cut her engine for a moment and shot into it. A vehicle she was trailing failed to dodge as quickly, its rear bursting into flame from the shots that missed them as they turned.

"On the other hand…maybe we are." Her side street was little more than another very narrow street, giving her no room to maneuver short of vertically. On top of that, she couldn't see any escape routes, short of the street itself coming to an end a mile distant, allowing access back to the main ways through town. "Fuck."

"You tried your best," said Fox, desperately searching around for an avenue of escape. There had to be something he could do. It just couldn't end this way. "You sure you don't have any other weapons handy?"

"I'm sure."

A laser blast connected and took out one of the rear lights. A second later, the rear windshield shattered as it took a hit as well. "We're gonna die!" cried Slippy as he cowered in the corner as best he could.

"Life is nothing but a set of experiences," stated Peppy, "filled with good and bad memories. I for one would like to say that it's been a good one."

"Will you shut the fuck up?" yelled Falco, unable to believe the last thing he was going to hear was one of Peppy's witticisms.

Another shot struck the underside of the car, all five passengers wincing as they felt the impact. Amazingly, the vehicle held together, but they knew that it would only take one good shot before they too became a fiery wreck. Fara refused to give up, but she knew that the odds were just stacked too much against her. "Nice knowing you guys."

Any further thoughts of their demise were cut off as the radio shot to life. "Fara! Hit the deck!"

Recognizing the voice, the vixen pushed the car into a dive, another shot glancing off the rear as she did so. At that same moment, three of the base's patrol craft rounded the corner in front of them and fired as soon as they had a shot. The bolts of energy whizzed past where Fara's own craft had just been and streaked towards their target.

Now in the same situation that she'd been in before, the attackers had nowhere to run. Desperately they dodged best they could, but they simply didn't have a chance against the trained pilots. Blaster shot after blaster shot struck home, knocking the craft around, before one finally hit the vehicle's engine and caused it to explode into a flaming ruin.

The five let out the breaths they'd been holding, unbelievably grateful for their good luck. "We made it," said Fox as he collapsed back into his seat.

"That we did," said Fara as she slowed down the car and watched as the patrol craft came into formation above her.

Falco looked around the vehicle, amazed that it hadn't become their grave. "I have to admit, that was some fancy flying."

She smiled as she realized that was as much of a compliment that she was going to get from the avian. "Thanks."

Reaching the end of the street, two of the patrol craft veered off and moved behind her to inspect the wreckage. The other continued to follow her as the pilot said, "Fara Phoenix, this is Patrol One. Everyone okay in there?"

"We are, thanks to you. What the hell took you so long?"

"There was a great deal on doughnuts we saw on the way over here that we couldn't pass up. Sorry."

Fara looked up at the craft as her face scrunched in anger. Then she figured out that it was nothing but a joke as her passengers started laughing. "Very funny. I'll get you for that."

"Sure you will. I'd like—" He quieted suddenly, listening in on another conversation from the other pilots on his team. "General Pepper demands your immediate return."

Now it was Fara's turn to laugh as she merged with traffic, this time at a much more leisured pace. "Well, duh. Mind if you keep watch overhead? I don't know if this car will hold together. I'm also not exactly street legal anymore."

"I noticed. We've been ordered to keep pace with you actually. Take a look at the next intersection."

The team glanced forward and noticed another patrol craft hovering above the traffic. "I see it," said Fara. "Thanks."

"Just doing my job, ma'am. Patrol One, out."

Still in shock over their survival, the pilots worked their way back to the base. While it was much more boring, when they weren't on missions anyway, it was a much safer place overall. A feeling they desperately needed right now.


"What the hell happened out there today?"

"Sir, I can explain."

"You'd better explain, Ms. Phoenix! I left you responsible for the rest of the team. Look at what happened!"

"Sir, we—"

"There are three civilians dead out there, eight injured, and one of those is not expected to live through the night. There are also no less than a half-dozen vehicles that'll never fly again."

"General, if—"

"I have the local police breathing down my neck. I have the planetary government trying to figure out what happened. I even have my military supporters asking questions. Why?"

The five pilots were currently assembled inside Pepper's office, his second in command standing idly nearby as usual as the General bombarded Fara with questions. It was at this point that Falco grew sick and tired of watching his teammate get verbally assaulted and decided to do something about it. "If you would shut—"

"This doesn't involve—"

He slammed his wings onto the desk in front of him. "You better believe it does! Now if you'd just shut your damn trap for a minute, and let her explain what the hell happened, you might actually get an answer!"

For once, Fox decided to stay out of this argument. He knew that there were times to interrupt, to fight for one's side, but this was clearly not one of them. Not yet. And as team leader, there were things that he just couldn't say, as he was expected to be the rational one on the team. He just shook his head and hoped for the best.

Pepper stared long and hard at the avian before saying, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't toss you into the brig and destroy the key!"

"Because you need us, that's why. You don't stand a chance in winning this war without us, and you know it."

Closing his eyes in anger, the General attempted to calm the seething rage building inside him. He knew that while he had every right to be upset, it should be Andross he was directing his hate towards, not the team. Slowly regaining control, he took a deep breath and asked far more quietly, "Fara, what happened?"

"We were attacked," came her blunt response.

He shook his head. "No, all of it. The whole day, in detail."

Noticing how calm and collective Pepper seemed to be all of a sudden, she lowered her own defenses and reverted to her friendly self. The last thing she wanted to do was take the chance at angering him again. Wasting no further time in thought, she delved into their experiences as requested.

The rest of the team kept quiet the entire time, as Fara had a surprisingly exact recollection. It wasn't until she was done did anybody else speak up, with the General asking questions as expected. "Did you happen to see your attackers?"

"No," she replied. "Nor did I hear them."

"I did," interrupted Fox. "Well, two of them at least. Both males, about middle-aged."

Gary looked up from the datapad he'd been reading, the device holding the information gathered so far on the investigation. "For your ears only – the vehicle that was chasing you had some kind of explosives in it. There's basically nothing left of the car or its passengers."

"Suicide bombers," muttered Falco. "Lovely."

"Or they had aims on planting them on our transportation," commented Peppy.

"When did you first see them?" asked Pepper, trying to find more answers than the ones he had.

"When they started shooting at us," answered Fara.

He waited for the others to make any comments, but they remained quiet. "Did any of you happen to see them at that point?" The pilots responded in the negative. "Not what I wanted to hear. Gary, is there any chance at an identification of the remains?"

"Not likely. However, we've been able to determine that they were not natives of Venom."

As everyone else in the room gasped in shock, Fox only sighed in dismay. His worries and fears had come true – there really were those on Corneria and probably the other worlds who didn't want them to succeed. The fact that they were willing to commit acts of terrorism against what was technically their own people was extremely disheartening.

It was clear that their lives had changed forever based on their choice to end the war. He just hoped that he wouldn't have to look over his shoulder every moment for the rest of his life because of it. Any further thoughts of his were stopped as Falco bluntly said, "So there are some assholes out there. They're not gonna stop us though."

"A very good point," said Pepper as he tried to boost everyone's spirits. "You have only one more mission in front of you. Afterwards, you're done. You've won."

"You're right," said Fox. "We are just one step away from victory."

"Exactly. Starfox team, you are dismissed. I'll see you all here tomorrow morning as usual. Just do your best to forget this incident."

"All right crew, let's go." The pilots stood up and left, not wanting to delve on today's events any more than they had to.

"I can't believe this happened," muttered Pepper quietly not long after the others left. "They weren't even Venomian. Why?"

"Money and power influences people in strange ways, General," replied Gary. "Although it's still rather surprising."

"That it is. I believed in the people of Corneria. I guess my beliefs were misplaced." The canine sighed as he stood up, getting ready to leave the confines of the briefing room. "But I won't be surprised again. Gary, I want at least one patrol craft in the skies around the base at all times, starting now."

He seemed surprised to hear this, but only for a moment as he thought the proposition through. "May I ask why?"

"Andross just tipped his paw as to his involvement here on Corneria. That was his best chance at subterfuge. Any other attempts will be far more direct if I had to make a guess. And keep me informed upon the results of your investigation."

"I will."