Disclaimer:Star Fox characters, names and game are not my creation, nor do I harbor any illusion that they are. They belong to the wonderful people at Nintendo and RAREWARE. Basically this is my 'please don't sue me' speech. However, all original characters and plot devices ARE my creation. So don't use them in your Fan Fic (not that you would want to anyway) unless I have given you permission. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
Prologue:
Cornaria 16 years ago:
The court room was bare and dark, save of course for the patrons, desk, benches and a single lumanesiant bulb that was suspended some ten feet above. All in all it added to the mood of the room. Not a single patron was happy to spend his or her time in this setting, much less for the situations that all were gathered to witness. All were silent. All were observant. All were apprehensive.
A lone figure bathed in darkness and shadow stood before his peers. He, like the rest of the room was completely silent. Beside him stood two military police, one on each side. They were the tenders of the many shackles and chains that bound him to the steel plate imbedded in the floor. His heavy combat boots sported ankle chains in the event he might make a run for it. This was however a impossibility. It was not in his nature to run from situations, however heavy the gravity of it may have been.
He, like most members of the courtroom wore a Cornaria military issued uniform. His however, was one of only three pilot suits in the room. He had taken the time to look around the room to identify the other pilots on his way in. He slowly turned his head forward to await a sentence which he knew hung on the lips of his once superior officer.
The figure on the bench thus began to speak.
"Baron Von Wulf, this court-martial comity, after lengthy deliberation has arrived at a verdict."
The figure before the bench opened his mouth to speak. "Get on with it Pepper, I haven't got all day."
"A smart ass to the end aren't you. I wish it hadn't come to this Baron but I am left with no choice."
"Enough with the sappy emotional monologue Pepper. I know damn well you love this, hell you'll probably get a promotion to General for this little song and dance. So cut the shit and give it to me."
Despite the low visibility in the room, Pepper visibly reddened with anger at that comment much to the delight of Baron.
"So be it Wulf. This comity finds you guilty of murder in the first degree." the old hound growled.
"Under what proof do you convict me?" Baron asked as he began to show his fangs. The malice in his voice made it clear he was not at all buying the verdict.
Pepper smiled. "We arrived at this verdict under the testimony of pilot McCloud."
"You don't say?" Baron spat as he turned his head to stare at the fox in the first row. "Well I guess your finally happy. Under this little ruling you get to finally be number one. How does it feel McCloud? How does it feel to achieve that title after you ratted out your superior officer under the bull shit guise of truth?"
The fox in the front row stood to meet the gaze, but could not look directly into the eyes of the wolf before him. With a heavy sigh which portrayed a large hurt, he spoke.
"Baron, there was no lie in my testimony. In battle, people die. But the manner in which you killed that family was not heroic nor was it humane."
"First of all, take off those fucking sunglasses, second don't speak to me of 'humane' procedure McCloud. Those bastards took off a section of my wing with a surface to air missile. I don't find that grounds for sympathy." Baron growled as he recalled the incident.
"Nor do I, but you strayed from the path of a solder and began one of a murderer when you broke protocol and followed those men to there home. They were not solders Baron, they were civilians who thought they were helping their country's soldiers by they themselves participating. We were under orders not to fire upon them, only the enemy."
Baron's eyes narrowed and his hair rose on the back of his neck. "Fire only upon the enemy?" he spoke in a low voice. "I see no difference between a person of uniform and one of civilian clothing when they fire a fucking missile at me! You my friend, would have let them go. Not I." Baron cleared his throat and stared long and hard at the fox. "You are to soft hearted to be a solider McCloud, and one day you'll die because of it."
The fox stared back defiantly and offered a reply. "I see nothing wrong with compassion on the field of battle Baron, but you did not take their lives on that field, you….you", the fox struggled to find words. "For Christ sake Baron, one was a child."
Baron cracked a sadistic grin. "What's the matter McCloud? Is your stomach as week as your heart? Perhaps I should fill in the gaps you are to weak to voice. Lets relive them together shall we? After all, you were standing next to me when it happened." Baron's grin widened. "I caught the bastards at there home during their dinner. The two who shot down my plane were enjoying a meal that the lady of the house had prepared. Turns out that the lady was mother to one and husband to the other. It was a father son duo that took a shot at me McCloud, but you knew this already."
"Watch it Baron." the fox cautioned as he slowly began to anger.
"But McCloud, I'm getting to the good part." he laughed. "I shot the son first and as I recall, I spray painted the wall with his brains. His old man jumped up and bull rushed but only got half way before I put a bullet in his leg. While he was on the floor, his wife ran to his side and began to beg for her husbands life. Do you remember the look on that dogs face when I took his wife by the hair and put a bullet through her head?"
"I'm warning you Baron, stop it!" McCloud growled as his own hair stood on his neck.
"Oh but the best had to be when I took his second son from his high chair and promptly snapped his neck right before his eyes. Come to think about it, he was about the same age as your son McCloud. I wonder what it felt like to see his son die right in front of him before I put the last bullet in my gun between his eyes."
"Enough!" the fox screamed as he jumped the bench and headed for Baron. The wolf smiled as McCloud closed the distance. He had been counting on this. Right when the fox was about to make contact with Baron, the wolf swung a chain and wrapped it around the fox's neck.
Even with the help of the two guards, the chain wouldn't loosen. Baron then leaned down to whisper in McCloud's ear.
"I didn't think you were that stupid McCloud but you always were predictable. And I'll be damned if I'm going to let you live for your treachery. They may be sending me to hell, but I intend to bring company." he laughed. "Now say goodbye to this world and say hello to Satan." And with that the wolf tightened the chain.
Cornel Pepper who had been silent since the beginning of the two's conversation jumped to his feet and barked orders.
"For Christ sake subdue the bastard!"
A guard in the back of the room leapt forward with a stun gun and promptly shot a couple thousand volts through the wolf. Baron dropped to his knees and inadvertently released the fox. McCloud back peddled a few feet then fell on his hind quarters gasping for air.
Having regained his court room, Pepper continued with sentencing.
"Lutiniant Baron Von Wulf, having found you guilty of all charges I herby sentence you to death in accordance with the Cornaria Military laws. You will be put before a firing squad and shot. This execution will take place tomorrow afternoon at twelve p.m. This concludes these matters. May God have mercy on your soul."
"Don't do me any favors you old fuck." Baron wheezed out before being dragged to his feet by the guards. Before he left the fox's earshot, the wolf left a parting note. "Remember McCloud, compassion in battle is always a weakness. I only regret that I wont be there to see you done in by it."
McCloud stood shakily to respond. "I don't see that happening Baron, so I'll play the game by my rules till then." then promptly fell back to the floor.
"Pussy." Baron uttered as he was led out.
Before he reached the back of the courtroom he paused to speak to the only other pilot that had been present. The pilot stood to meet him on his way out.
"Thanks for showing up." Baron said. "Its nice to see you still acknowledge me."
The other wolf smiled. "Are you going soft on me in your final days Baron?" he asked.
"Hardly, but I would like to ask a favor of you."
The wolf nodded. "Name it."
Baron cleared his throat. "Relay the information to my wife, and try to console her. I wouldn't have anyone else deliver the news."
The wolf's smile faded and he nodded. "Its done."
Baron smiled then let it fade as he prepared to ask one more thing of his old friend. He then reached to his chest and removed something. His voice dropped a few more octaves from its already deep low rumble as he spoke his final request.
"One more thing Wolf."
"Yah?" he asked slowly.
"Please give this to my son." Baron then handed the wings from his jacket over to the wolf. "And tell him I'm sorry, but I wont make it for his fifth birthday party tomorrow."
"It will be taken care of Baron, you have my word."
"Thanks, now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with the devil. Good bye old friend, try not to let your piloting skills go to shit in my absence."
The wolf smiled. "They wont. You can count on it."
Baron smiled then turned his attention back to the guards. "All right bitches, lets get going." and with that the doors closed behind him.
The wolf looked after Baron for a few more moments. He then turned his gaze to the pilot wings in his hand and spoke softly to himself.
"That little pup of yours will be happy to have this. I don't think you knew how much he respected you. Pity that he'll never see his old man fly again."
"What did that bastard have to say?" McCloud asked as he slowly made his way to the door, absently rubbing his neck.
"Nothing that concerns you McCloud." the wolf snarled and turned to leave.
"Wait!" the fox yelled causing the wolf to pause.
"Look, I know this is unfortunate, but we still have missions to fly. And with Baron gone we need to find a replacement."
The wolf turned slowly and bared his fangs as he spoke.
"You don't seem to be too terribly burdened by it McCloud. And I wonder if you haven't been eyeing that position since day one. Be advised McCloud the day you take over the squad is the day I quit!" he snarled and then spit on the fox's boot.
McCloud sighed then began again.
"I'm sorry about the situation Wolf, but we have to move on. The squad is now mine so pack your shit and lets hit the sky."
"Your taking to the sky without me this time McCloud. As of this moment I'm out. You can call the squad 'Star Fox' for all I care, seeing as how you're two wolves shy. You and Peppy can have it, but I wont fly with a gutless sellout."
McCloud lowered his head.
"Sorry to hear that Wolf."
"No your not. I may not fly with you fox but I'll be damned if it keeps me out of the sky. I'll pull my own crew and fly as a mercenary. But be advised, the next time I see you or your crew in my section of the clouds your ass is mine."
The wolf turned to leave then doubled back to face the fox.
"Oh, one more thing McCloud."
"What?"
The wolf cracked a grin.
"You know Barons son Blitz is just like his old man. Id watch my back if I were you. You never know what that pup might do when he matures. I know I wouldn't see the man who sold my dad out as a friend. Or his family for that matter. Id keep an eye on your wife and son McCloud."
Having said his mind, the wolf walked away.
McCloud stood there for a good while rolling what the wolf had said over in his mind. It wasn't until Cornel Pepper touched his shoulder that he broke the trance.
"You all right McCloud?" the hound asked.
"I will be with a little time."
"Don't let the wolf get you down my boy. I've seen arrogant pilots come and go in my day but I'll say this about those two: they aren't the type of creatures you want to fuck with." the old dog paused when he got a good look at McCloud's face then switched topics. "Why don't you take a little R&R and go see your wife and son. That should help knock you out of this funk."
McCloud smiled.
"It has been a while since I saw Fox and his mother. Think I'll take you up on that Pepper."
"See that you do, and have somebody take a look at your neck. That bastard did a number on it."
As Pepper exited McCloud found himself alone with his thoughts once again.
"I hope that Barons son can find it in him to forgive. For my sake as well as my family's."
With that, he grabbed his jacket and sunglasses and made his way home.
