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.

Chapter 2

Introductions and Planning

Sector 1 Satellite 88:

Of all the sectors of the Lylat system none struck fear in the hearts of civilians and solders alike than that of Sector 1. Even if a soul was brave enough to enter, he surely had not the courage to even look in the direction of Satellite 88. This was the notorious lawless state were laws and government had no authority. A state in which all occupants lived by one simple rule: the strong dominate the weak. The appeal of this environment attracted the worst of the worst of Lylat society. Outlaws, murderers, enemies of the state, and even mercenaries called this place home. So when a small black starfighter entered the fly zone of the satellite, it immediately attracted interest.

In the cockpit of the fighter, the message board lit up and all alarms went haywire. The pilot smiled and pressed the com button. "Yah what do you want?"

The voice on the other end began to chuckle. "You are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid to come that close to this satellite. Do you have a death wish or something?"

Under the fighters helmet the pilot grinned. "Personally I don't, but I have a list of people I wish death on."

"Your attitude is right for this sector but you better have a good reason for your approach." the com link registered.

"I'm here to find a group of mercenaries."

"We gots a lot of that here kid, you better be more specific."

"I'm looking for THE mercenaries."

There was a pause on the com link. "You damn well better have the balls to back yourself up if your talking about who I think you are."

The pilot's grin increased. "I am, and I do."

"Give me minuet to ask the boss what he thinks. Sat 88 out."

Back in the cockpit the com link shut off leaving the pilot alone to smile. "If he's like dad said he was, he's gong to make me earn my way in."

Deep within Satellite 88:

In a sub level of the satellite near the ship hangers sat a lone figure in his compartment. The darkness was cut by a red blinking light indicating someone wanted to contact him. He slowly reached out with his paw and pressed the receive button.

"I'm hear." he growled.

The image of the communications officer paled slightly when he had to speak. "Commander, I have a vessel on radar and a pilot who wishes to speak with you."

The commander's eyes narrowed. "What's he want?"

"He's looking for mercenaries sir."

"Tell him to look elsewhere, there's plenty to chose from."

"No sir, he wants YOUR mercenaries."

In the darkness the commander cracked a grin. "Really? What's this guy piloting?"

"Just a moment sir." On the bridge the com officer pressed a few buttons to determine the make and model of the approaching fighter. When he was finished his jaw hit the floor. "Sir, it appears to be an Arwing!"

"A what?" the commander growled as his eyes shot wide and his fangs protruded from his snarl. "I swear to God if you've let Fox McCloud and his dip-shit cronies enter my air space I will personally come up there and rip your eyes out!"

On the other end of the line the com officer swallowed hard. "Sir, it's not Star Fox. The fighters signature is different."

"Put this fucker on the line and transfer it to me now!"

"Ai sir."

In his chair the commander relaxed somewhat knowing now that it wasn't Fox. Slowly but surely his smile came back. "Hell of a day this is turning out to be."

Back in the Arwing:

The pilot settled back in the seat as he slowly drifted toward the satellite. All at once his com link lit back up. When he answered it there happened to be one very pissed com officer on the other end.

"Alright shitbag, the boss wants a word with you!"

Smiling the pilot replied in a cocky, taunting voice. "Thanks so much for help and have a good day."

"Fuck off!"

A few moments later the communication board switched to a different channel and produced a hologram of a older gray and white wolf.

"This is Wolf O'Donnell, what's your business?"

The pilot took a moment to collect himself. It had been a number of years since he had seen Wolf and the sheer sight of him made him feel nostalgic. "This is Red-Wolf One, nice to see you Commander O'Donnell."

Wolf was taken aback by this pilots formality, especially under the circumstances. He took a moment to look him over in the hologram in front of his chair. He couldn't see much of the pilot due to his helmet and visor but he could make out that he was talking to a young, gray wolf.

"Should I know you pup? Wolf asked.

"You used to, but that was a lifetime ago. Shall we talk business."

"Hold on pup, your jumping the gun. I haven't even agreed to here you out, let alone talk about work."

The pilot smiled. "Very well. We will discuss this in person Wolf. I'm on my way in."

"Now see there's another thing we have to clear up. I don't know your name or when I met you and you just think your going to just waltz in the front door of my satellite? Not gonna happen pup. You're gonna have to show me you can get in here." Wolf smiled.

The pilot nodded. "Very well I'll make you a deal. When I make it in I'll tell you my name and then we will take it from there. How's that sound?"

Wolf scratched his chin. "I don't think you know what your getting into pup but if and when you take down a few of my fighters we'll talk. This isn't going to be a cake walk either."

"I expect nothing less of Star Wolf. Red-Wolf One out."

As the hologram dissipated Wolf found himself back in the dark. "The kid's got balls. I respect that." he finished with a smile. Something else was on the wolfs mind as well. For some reason, he could have sworn that he had heard the pilots voice before.

Aboard the Great Fox:

After receiving a few more hours sleep Fox McCloud found himself walking back to the conference with his crew in tow for the second meeting with General Pepper.

"Alright Fox, explain to me again what you've gotten us all in to." Falco grumbled as he tailed the fox.

Fox rolled his eyes for what must have been the tenth time in the short walk from the mess hall to the conference room. "As I said earlier, the old man wasn't completely clear on the details at the time. But he needs us to bring down some bank robber in a souped up fighter. What's the malfunction?"

"The problem Fox, is that we are running on limited information. And on top of that you ordered the ship take rout to Cornaria without informing the crew." Peppy pointed out.

The fox sighed heavily. "Look, that's what this second meeting is for. Pepper said that there has been new info brought to light and he's keeping us abreast of the situation. Plus, we have to pass Cornaria on our way to Sector One. What's got you guys so spooked? This is a ace pilot I get to go up against. I'm freaking stoked."

"What's got us 'spooked' so to say is that we have no clue as to the capabilities of our adversary." a females voice chimed in from around the corner.

Fox grinned as a slender, sexy, blue vixen stepped out from the side hall and began walking with the group.

"I thought your were still asleep Krystal. What's got you up and going?"

The vixen smiled and batted her eyelashes. "What? Stay asleep and miss out on your little boys only party? Think again honey."

The group began to snicker at the sight of a slightly blushing Fox McCloud.

He leaned over slightly to speak to her. "I thought we discussed what not to call me around the guys

Krystal."

The vixen merely smiled and winked as she entered the conference room.

Peppy leaned over to Falco. "Seems to be trouble in paradise." he said just loud enough for Fox to hear. "I wouldn't mind her calling me honey."

"Alright Peppy you just cashed in your 'I'm an old man so you can't smack me' coupon. Now take a seat and lets get down to business." Fox growled.

General Peppers hologram was already floating above the table by the time the crew had assembled. He wasted no time in getting to the point. "Gentlemen, and lady." he bowed slightly to acknowledge Krystal.

I've already spoken with Fox about this matter earlier this morning. I trust he's brought you all up to speed?"

A collective 'yes' from the group prompted the old hound to continue. "Good, here is what new information we have at this time. We have been able to determine the model of the aircraft used in the robbery." Pepper was silent for a moment as the group before him awaited a response. "It was an Arwing."

The group was stunned. Only Peppy had a train of thought that was useful. "In some ways fellows this is good news."

The looks on the others faces could only be read as 'what do you mean?'

"Are you crazy old man? That's a freeking Arwing with a murderous pilot on board. How in the name of Christ is that good news?" Slippy shrieked.

The old hare began again. "Think about it guys there are only twelve Arwings in the galaxy. We have four of them. So that narrows our search to eight." Smiling he focused on Pepper. "Was this a Star Wolf instance?"

Pepper shook his head. "No."

Something about Pepper's attitude and mannerism was making Peppy nervous.

The rest of the group didn't seem to notice. "Alright then that limits our search to four. Who's got them Pepper?"

The general looked directly at the hare. The next three words out of his mouth made the old hare shudder.

"Steel Wing Academy."

Fox took his turn. "Steel Wing? Isn't that were my dad trained to fly? This is perfect. All we do is call this place and figure out who took one Arwing off the base.

"Its not that easy Fox."

"Why not Peppy? These guys have got to notice that an Arwing is missing."

"I'm sure they would if it were still there."

"Huh?"

The hare cleared his throat. "Steel Wing was obliterated in an attack five years ago."

Fox looked around at a sea of dumbfounded faces. "Why haven't I ever heard of the attack?"

Pepper and Peppy exchanged glances, worried ones at that, before speaking.

General Pepper came to the idea to end the meeting early. "That's a story for another time, now if you'll excuse me lady and gentlemen, I'd like a few words alone with Peppy."

As the rest of the group filed out, McCloud shot one questioning look over his shoulder to the two old men before closing the door behind him.

Now alone, Peppy removed his glasses and took a deep breath "What aren't you telling me Pepper?"

The hound took a while to respond. "I contacted Star Fox because I thought we were dealing with a small time, hot shot pilot. If that were the case, it would be no problem for Fox to take him down. However, we pulled a letter off a guard from the bank this morning. The killer left it for us to find."

"What was in it?"

"The letter simply said this: 'For sixteen years of torment on behalf of the Cornarian Military, the day has finally come for retribution. The first payment has now been collected. The second payment shall be paid in blood.'"

"Grizzly letter. But what do you make of it Pepper?"

The hound sighed. "It isn't the letter that bothers me so much. Its what the guard had to say when he woke up." The General locked eyes with Peppy. "The guard said the pilot was wearing dog-tags. One of them sported the last name 'Wulf'."

Peppy was stunned. It took a long while for him to respond. "I'll try to talk Fox out of this mission. Because if its who I think it is, we are in a world of shit."

Satellite 88:

"Three down, two to go! Come on you bastards, you've got to have more skill than this."

Wolf had made good on his word that this would not be as easy as the pilot had thought. The commander had sent a squad of five decent pilots in heavy armed star fighters to intercept. Now the pilot of the Arwing found himself in a vicious dog fight with the remaining two.

"Alright, enough games. Lets end this."

The Arwing rolled heavy to the right narrowly evading the second ship. As he executed the cross, he taped a button on the joystick to release a small bomb right under the opposing pilots cockpit. It was an extremely difficult move asking the pilot to endure more than nine G's for almost twenty seconds. But his opponents had hit the nail on the head when they had called him an ace.

His performance had not gone unnoticed. On the bridge of the satellite, Commander O'Donnell had watched the battle from the begging. "The kid's good." he mouthed for the fourth time in the eight minuets of combat.

"Sir, what kind of piloting style is that?"

The wolf regarded the panther behind him. "It's a variation of the Steel Wing Academy's Red Fire maneuver."

Panther came closer. "Have you ever seen skill like this before sir?"

The wolf smiled and scratched his chin. "Yah, I've seen this style and level of excellence only one other time in a pilot. But he's been dead for sixteen years." The wolf then turned to leave.

"Sir you're not going to watch the rest of the dogfight?"

"Don't need to. The battle's already over. The other pilot just doesn't know it yet."

Outside, the defending pilot screamed in agony for a split second before his fighter exploded.

On his way to his office down below Wolf pressed the stop button on his stopwatch. "Ten minuets exactly. That's either his ghost out there, or a carbon copy. Either way I look forward to seeing this guy."

Ten Minuets Later:

The victorious pilot of the Arwing walked behind Panther to the corridor of Commander O'Donnell. Neither said a word to other until they paused in front of a large metal door.

"This is it kid." the doors began to open and Panther walked on down the hall leaving the young wolf looking on into a pitch black room.

Once inside the doors closed behind him. All that was visible in the room was a single red light, beside which the pilot could vaguely make out the face of an older wolf.

"Hell of a job out there kid. Where did you learn that level of skill?"

The pilot smiled. "Some of it runs in the family. And some it was learned while I was enrolled in Steel Wing. I believe you are familiar with the institution."

Wolf grinned. "Yah, I was a graduate. Not to mention a Sky Cross winner." the wolf made it a point to display the award that hung from around his neck proudly.

"Well that makes you one of only four."

Wolf cocked his head to the side. "Four? I'm only aware of three."

The pilot smiled a little bigger. "That was until I won it. Making me the fourth."

"The only pilots I'm aware of that won the Sky Cross were me, James McCloud, and Baron Von Wulf."

At this moment Wolf flipped the switch turning the lights on in the room and when they did, he was speechless. There standing before him was a young wolf who looked inch for inch like his old friend. Even wore the same uniform.

Wolf found it hard to find his voice. "Baron?"

The younger wolf smiled. "No, your thinking of my dad."

Then it all fell into place. The voice, the skill, the Arwing. Wolf stood and walked over to the younger pilot and reached out with his right hand and tilted the younger wolf's face down some and stared into his green eyes.

"Blitz? Is that you?"

Blitz nodded. "Nice to see you again Wolf."

End Chapter 2