Yes, RedBay, Fay's visions are a bit strange. But are they based upon the near future, or far later in Fox's life? As I say way too often - you'll have to keep reading to find out.
Anyway, now to find out the Starfox team's final mission will be. It may not look like it some days, but this fic is finally starting to come to an end. Oh, and thanks for the 100+ reviews! Never thought I'd reach that point when I started this.
Chapter 45: The Plan
I may have trusted whatever Fay said in the past, but these visions of hers simply can't be true. But…if they are…I'm ready to stop them. I'll make sure of that. – Fara
Such a strange look that canine gave me earlier. And what she said was freaky as well. I wonder if it meant anything. – Fox
"I hope you slept well, Starfox team."
"Not a bit, sir."
It was currently a few minutes after 7am, and it took only a single glance among the assembled team to see that Fox's words rang true. While it was mostly to blame because of their worry about Slippy, some had their own issues haunting their consciousness.
Pepper looked among the pilots, worried about their condition. By his eyes, the team was in no state to wage any further battles. However, he also promised Fox that he'd be told as soon as he found out any information. He didn't want to keep anything hidden. Not now that they've won. "As far as I'm concerned, you should all be back in bed. But, I have the information from yesterday."
"Good to hear," said Fox. As tired as he was, he had no intention on waiting at all to rescue his teammate. He'd sleep in his Arwing if he had to. "Where?"
"The signal in question was sent to two different locations as originally assumed. The first was sent to Venom, aimed at the remains of Andross' base."
"Which would be a waste of time to search through again."
"That's correct. We have transports moving in to make sure there's nothing left of the main base, covered with whatever military ships we could scrounge up to send over, just to make sure." Pepper sighed. "Actually, I wish it was there, as the location of the second transmission is far from a cakewalk."
"Fortuna," said Fara suddenly.
"Yes, the planet—" His head snapped over to the pilot in surprise. "How did you know that? Were you—"
"No, no," she interrupted as she brought her paws up to get him to stop. "It's just a…guess, based on where the team has and has not gone. They never visited Fortuna."
Pepper seemed to accept that answer as he brought his gaze back to the team in general. "A good point, Fara. And for a good reason – Fortuna, also known as Dinosaur Planet by the original explorers to that world, is deemed off-limits to the citizens of the system."
"Dinosaur Planet?" asked Falco. "What, is the place guarded by some giant reptilian freaks?"
The canine shook his head as he looked for his remote for the monitor behind him, giving Peppy time to say what he knew. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Fortuna was blocked off due to a descendant of the lizard race on Venom being found there. Same reason why we never colonized Venom either – both were already occupied planets."
"You are correct," said Pepper as he found what he was looking for. The monitor quickly powered up and displayed the planet from one of the probes in the system. "As already said, Fortuna is inhabited by natives of the planet in a pre-technological era. At last check more than five years ago, the lizard species there hardly had mastery of fire."
"Not a threat to us at all then," said Falco.
"A sharpened spear hurts just as much as a blaster," commented Peppy. "If not more so."
"And I take it the natives were less than friendly?" asked Fox.
"Very much so," replied Pepper as the image behind him changed. It now showed what looked to be two warring clans from far above, easily differentiated due to their different skin tone and animal skins, battling amongst themselves. "This shot was taken not too long after the explorers left. We don't even know if they have a language that we can communicate by."
"Any other threats on the planet?" asked Fara.
"Plenty." The image changed again and highlighted some of the species found while on the world. "The lizards, while the dominant species on that world, are far from the only hostiles. The location you'll be headed towards is best described as a swamp environment. Snakes, alligators, piranhas, and more. Basically like our own native wetlands here on Corneria."
"Just where I wanted to take my vacation," said Falco sarcastically.
Fox smiled over his teammate's comments as he asked, "What's the planetary conditions in general?"
"Fortuna's atmosphere is a bit richer in oxygen content compared to Corneria. The medics say that there will be no ill effects, short of being able to push yourself a bit further than usual. Gravity is .92 of Cornerian standard as well, so watch yourselves until you get used to it."
"Noted. Where exactly are we going on the planet?"
Pepper pushed buttons until one revealed a distant overhead shot of some kind of metal covering. A small transport sat outside the building, both a harsh contrast to the oversized foliage nearby. "This is where the signal terminated. This shot in question was taken from one of our satellites in space about a half hour ago."
"Any defenses?"
"Unknown. Our only satellite in the area is giving us fits right now – most attempted shots taken at any level of detail are coming out greatly unfocused. We were lucky to get what few we have of the compound and the general area as it is."
"Understood." Fox looked around at his team. Despite their visible tiredness, it was clear they were ready to go. "What's the plan?"
He shook his head. "There isn't one, Junior. I'm leaving that entirely up to you. You want a transport or three for a direct military assault of that base? I can give it to you. Want to use the Arwings to attack the place directly? Granted. For all you've done, if it's within reason, I can authorize it."
Fox was afraid he'd hear that. However, he wanted full control of the operation anyway. "Team, what's our options?"
"I'd say go in guns blazing, but…" Falco shrugged. "We have no clue where Slippy is."
The team looked over in surprise. "I think that's the first sensible thing I've heard you say before," said Peppy with a smile.
"Rot in hell."
"No thanks." As the others quietly laughed amongst themselves, the hare debated on the best course of action. "Believe it or not, following Falco's general train of thought might not be that bad of an idea. We land with enough of a force to take whatever is inside that bunker by storm, as we simply have no idea what to expect. I think it would be safest on all sides."
If Fox was at all surprised by his friend's course of action, he didn't react at all. In reality he was, as he expected a calm and stealthy approach out of him. He turned over to Fara and was about to ask for her thoughts when she stopped him with a glance of her own. "I'm thinking."
"Okay. Just checking."
Fara remained quiet as she thought through the possibilities. Fay's visions intruded upon her thoughts and made constant reminders as to what might happen to Fox in the future. But were her visions from the upcoming days or from the distant future? Some of the things she was told were vague and might not have to do with Fortuna. Or were they all based on this forsaken planet? "Pepper, how much terrain around the base do you have mapped?"
The General seemed surprised to hear the question, as if he was deep within his own thoughts. "About a 10 to 15 mile radius, depending on detail level. Why?"
Fara pushed the last of Fay's warnings out of her mind as she told everyone her opinion. "Personally, I think we should make a nightfall landing about five miles or so outside the base. We'll walk the rest of the way there. We need a stealthy approach to this mission. Otherwise, we risk something happening to Slippy."
Fox sat back quietly in his chair and thought through the options presented to him. As much as he liked hearing everyone's choices in the past, he hated trying to pick one of them. He rarely came up with one of his own in these circumstances, as normally someone, if not multiple people, already agreed with his own thoughts. This time around though, they all made sense. And that worried him.
"Fara," he finally said, "your plan is the one I agree the most with. Although tromping around on a hostile planet in the middle of the night is something I do not want to be involved in. It would be a stealthier approach, yes, but nightfall is only safe for those doing the invading if you happen to know the terrain."
"That's an understatement," muttered Falco as he thought of days long past on Papetoon.
"It's not my fault we forgot the map."
"Oh, sure, just blame it on me like you always did."
Peppy smiled and kept out of the argument as Fara asked, "Do I even want to know?"
"No," was their simultaneous reply.
"Okay then."
"Anyway," said Fox as he tried to regain some control over this conversation, "we need a good landing site for the Arwings about five miles away. We'll foot it the rest of the way there. Pepper?"
The canine began flipping though the data he had as he asked, "What kind of military assistance are you looking for in this operation?"
Fox already had the answer to that question. "None. Just the four of us."
"What about Slippy?" asked Falco suddenly.
"Huh?"
"I mean, when we get him out of there. He probably won't be able to travel, and there's no way in hell I'm carrying him all the way back."
"I can answer that," said Fara. "The Arwings have a remote guidance system installed in them. In short, there's a device that can be used to call them to the user's location, or a location nearby. It can only be used once though for obvious security reasons."
"What's the range?" asked Fox.
"About eight to ten miles, depending on planetary conditions. I tested it out in the forests nearby, and that's as far as the signal got out. One device can be used to summon all four Arwings as well."
"Sounds like we have our escape route then."
"And I've found your landing site," said Pepper.
"Let's hear it."
The monitor changed to display an overall view of the general area, the base occupying the right hand side of the screen, a marked clearing on the lower left. "This is the closest spot I could find, short of the base itself. It's about five miles distant, and it looks to be a relatively easy overland journey."
"Easy my ass knowing our luck," commented Falco.
Peppy ignored his teammate's usual sarcastic remarks as he asked, "General, what's this blue line crossing our path? I'm guessing that's water, but this image is anything but clear."
The canine nodded as he pointed out the location on the display. "You're correct. You'll cross over a small stream about a mile out. That's your only physical obstacle short of traveling through the jungle environment."
"Where does the stream lead?" asked Fara suddenly.
"Lead?" Pepper wasn't ready for the question as he had to adjust what was on the screen to answer it. "Let's see…here we go. Looks like the stream empties out into a mangrove swamp a couple miles away from your goal. Doesn't look like a good way to make your approach."
"Unless you enjoy stumbling around in the mud," added the avian.
"No, you idiot," snapped Fara. "It was just a question."
"Cut it out you two," said Fox. He could tell that they needed to leave as this meeting was going on for far longer than anyone expected. "Pepper, if we could have copies of this map, we'd appreciate it."
"Already done," he replied as he reached underneath the desk to one side. "As I said before, the satellite above is not working all that well, so pardon the visual quality of this data."
"Noted." Fox took the four copies and passed them to his team. "Anything else we need to know?"
"Nothing other than the obvious, Junior. Don't forget to take the emergency supplies that are in the Arwing already. Engineering has added a few things to that as well, so it's more vital than before." He quieted for a moment before adding one more thing. "Did Fara take you to see Miyu yet?"
Fox frowned as he thought back to his experience with Fay back in the lab. "Yes, she did. I'll be passing it out before we launch."
"Good. Any further questions?"
Falco looked like he was going to say something about Fox keeping stuff from him, but he kept quiet as Peppy asked, "I have a rather obvious one – do we have anything that can easily detect any other android clones that this base might have in store for us? And for that matter, do we have a way to defend ourselves against them short of relying on Fara's blaster?"
"No and yes," replied Pepper. "We don't have a portable way to detect any nearby androids. The only reason the medical bay was able to tell the difference is thanks to the computing power of their systems. Nothing you can carry with you though. And Fox already has the answer to your second question."
"I planned on making a daylight landing," said Fox, ignoring what Pepper said for now. "If we leave now, what time would it be there once we arrived?"
Pepper looked over at his own personal screen and read the data it contained. "Based on this, if you leave right now, you'll have roughly five Cornerian hours of light left once you land. Days and nights there are shorter than the Cornerian standard."
"Which will give us the option of making our final assault at night if we want." Fox closed his eyes and thought through anything else that could possibly come up while they were on the ground. Fara beat him to the punch though over what he was going to ask next.
"What happens if we, well, fail?"
"I already have that possibility planned, Fara," replied Pepper. "We'll keep watch from here on the Arwings. If they haven't left after a certain length of time…"
"One full Cornerian day," said Fox as he noticed the pause in the canine's answer.
"We'll come get you after that. That, I promise."
"Thank goodness for little favors," grumbled Falco.
Fox stood up and looked over his team. Would they find Slippy safe and sound? Would they all get out of this adventure alive? He had no answers to these questions. Worries began to mount in the back of his mind over their chances of survival. No matter what though, they would get back. He was going to make sure of that. "Okay, crew, let's go. We have a friend to save."
After spending a few minutes with Falco and Peppy, showing them how to use the upgraded blasters and headsets, they were off to engineering. Fara rejoined them on the trip down the elevator, having wandered off to her room for something as she already knew what Fox was talking about.
The staff downstairs quickly went over what additional supplies were in their emergency kits. Little was added, short of the remotes to summon the Arwings and additional food and water, but the knowledge of everything that was included in such a small space was reassuring to the pilots.
"We have everything?" asked Fox as he closed up his kit. Based on his experience on Papetoon, it looked like everything he'd need for a few days was there, but he wanted to make sure.
"Three days worth of the essentials," said Peppy as he looked through the supplies.
"Ready to eat meals," added Falco as he grimaced at the food. "Yummy."
Fox huffed. "We almost lived on these things on Papetoon you know."
"Yeah, yeah. It's why I never want to eat one again."
"You can always forage," suggested Fara with a grin. "We won't stop you."
"Har har."
Shaking his head at the attempt of humor, Fox climbed up his Arwing and deposited his bag inside. He paused only a moment before dropping to the ground below. The rest of his team watched, as if they expected him to say something. He didn't disappoint in that regard. "Team, I want to let you know that I'm not forcing any of you to—"
"Shut up, Fox," interrupted Fara. She was as tired of hearing the vulpine being so protective as she was of telling him to can it. "We're going even if you don't want us to come."
"Nobody takes our teammate and gets away with it," said Falco as he nodded in appreciation over Fara's interruption. At least he didn't have to do it himself for once. "Even if it is the ever annoying Slippy."
Fox rolled his eyes as he wished that his team wasn't so blunt some days. Noticing Peppy's silence, he asked, "No comments from you, old friend?"
"They said everything I wanted to say," he replied with a smile.
"Can we cut with the crap and head out?" asked Falco as he gestured towards the Arwings.
Wasting no further time, Fox turned and climbed aboard his craft once more. The team quickly followed, all eager to see their current crisis solved.
"Fara, you have a minute?"
Fox was sitting back in the confines of his Arwing, looking out among the stars as they slowly moved by in the distance. Despite his best efforts otherwise, he had been unable to get any rest, an order he had passed to the rest of his team just after they launched. Fara's strange questions and the way she somehow knew of their destination ahead of time continued to worry him, preventing any sleep on his part. He just hoped she was still awake. "Fara?"
She sounded ticked off as she quietly mumbled, "What, Fox?"
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
Her tone softened over his apparent concern. "No, you didn't. What's up?"
"You seemed…I don't know, like you knew something back at the meeting. Anything you want to tell me about our upcoming destination?"
Fara stayed quiet as she considered her options. Should she tell him what she knew? Would the knowledge of what Fay had told her affect them coming true? Was she worrying about nothing? She sighed softly as she simply had no idea. "There's nothing I know about Fortuna short of what we already know."
The delay in her response made Fox wonder if she had something to hide. But why would she hide anything from him? "What about how you knew where we were going?"
"As I told Pepper, it was just a guess. It's just our luck that Andross had a secondary base built on the only planet we didn't visit."
"Andross is dead."
"Well, duh." He had better be anyway, she thought. The last thing she wanted was for somebody to dig through her mind once again. "I was there with you, remember?"
"Yeah."
Fara took one last look at the stars and closed her eyes with a sigh. As much as she'd like to chat with Fox, she desperately needed the rest that he suggested earlier. So did he as far as she was concerned. "Fox, is there a point to this? I'm tired."
His intuition told him that there was something wrong, something she was keeping from him. He just didn't know what. Or why. Or was he just being paranoid about their next goal for some reason? "No, not really. Sorry for bugging you."
"No problem. Wake me up when we get to Fortuna, okay?"
"Don't worry, I will."
"All right. Fara, out."
Left with little else to do, Fox glanced at his chronometer. Noticing the indicator, he hoped that they didn't get into a battle at their destination. They had a little over a two hour flight, and the Arwings only held enough fuel and supplies for about five hours of flying time. More if they used the FTL fuel.
Pushing the thoughts of the mission ahead out of his mind best he could, he closed his eyes and attempted to get some rest.
