The Stranger

During that meeting, it had been agreed that Star Fox would accompany Coyote Star as they scanned the asteroid fields for signs of the perpetrators. The team was out in full force near the Sargasso sector. Star Wolf had abandoned this area for a more secluded location to establish headquarters, but perhaps new outlaws had made roost here. Avoiding the asteroids was easy, as they were thin in this sector.

"Team," Peppy reported, "we've just received new data from the Cornerian investigational force. It seems they've gathered enough evidence to confirm two enemy fighters at Kantina. One appeared to be quite skilled despite its sluggish speed, and the other was reported to be 'everywhere at once'. Be on the lookout for anything matching that description."

"Thanks, Peppy," Fox returned gratefully.

"A sluggish ship and one that was 'everywhere'?" Sally said uneasily. "But that sounds like-"

"Two foreign vessels detected," Rob reported. "One is turning away, while the other is approaching quickly. Approaching vessel appears to be outdated in terms of technology. Threat level: poor. Unfamiliar life form detected within vessel; scanning archives… Vessel is within visibility range."

"Where?" Falco grouched. "I don't see it!"

"Maybe it'sss invissible," Cid suggested.

Acting brashly, Slippy said, "Come out and fight, you coward!"

"As you wish," an unfamiliar voice retorted. A ship came into view, but it could be seen through. It flew at Slippy at an incredible speed, with a trail of phantasms being left in its wake. The ship flew through Slippy's Arwing, and it turned off.

"Slippy!" Fox shouted, "Are you alright?" No response came. Sally flew close to see inside the cockpit. She saw Slippy mashing different buttons, none of which were effective.

"It seems the power in his vessel is gone," Sally reported.

"Slippy is really stressed out," Krystal gasped from an overload of emotion on Slippy's part. At that point, the ship became completely opaque.

"Who in tarnation are ya!" Coyote shouted bitterly.

"That voice…" the stranger remarked. "It couldn't be… The dog?"

"What're ya babblin' on about?" Coyote inquired.

"You are the one called Coyote," the stranger replied. "I never forget a voice."

"…Wha- How do you know that?" Coyote studdered.

"Yo, Krystal," Falco wondered, "what's this guy thinking?"

"…I don't know," Krystal admitted after a bit. "He seems to have mental defenses on the same level as Coyote's."

"I can read you like a book, however," the stranger replied cockily. "You are the mate of the commander Fox McCloud, as well as your team's newest addition. You are extremely docile yet will fight for what's right. You have a friend named Tricky and-"

"Stop doin' that!" Coyote shouted. "What are ye, some kinda telepath?"

"You read my mind," the stranger mocked. "I don't comprehend why I can't read your mind, Coyote, but I never could…"

"I'm tired of guessing games," Falco snapped. "Coyote, who the hell is this guy?"

" I don't know," Coyote grumbled.

"Let me explain it for you, then," the stranger offered. "Long ago, you encountered a Sectoid force led by two commanders. Both commanders escaped, but one of them got your name. And you got his."

"Mantikis…" Coyote growled. "Never thought I'd see yer sorry carapace again."

"Mantikis?" Peppy asked.

"The Sectoid commander during that invasion," Coyote said cockily. "I was just 14 then." He clapped his hands and continued. "Boys and girls, we got ourselves our little vandals!" Coyote's Howler—Coyote Star's standard vessel—accelerated at Mantikis's vessel, which vanished. Coyote fired a shot at nothing, it impacted with an unseen object, and the injured vessel appeared.

"Dude," Falco groaned, "down already?"

"The ship's outdated, remember?" Krystal reminded him.

"Let's bag this dirty criminal," Coyote ordered.

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Mantikis awoke and found himself in confinement. He was a horrific sight to behold. He resembled what you and I would call a mantis. His large, yellow eyes scanned his exposed green exoskeleton. Sharp spikes jutted from the undersides of his arms. He noticed his fingered hands were exposed, meaning that his melee weapons were stripped before putting him in the cell. He tried to teleport out, but he found his powers were non-functional. The female telepath he had encountered must've had this prison designed for him. He would have to compliment her foresight later. Her powers paled in comparison with his, however, and he had one power unaffected by this chamber of nullification. He was just about to decide upon it when some of his captors arrived.

"You're coming with us, buggy," Falco mocked. The cage opened, and Mantikis lunged at the bird and the fox. Falco immediately brought a pistol forth, and Mantikis halted. He knew now he wasn't going to be able to dodge a shot that came, so he cooperated. Mantikis didn't know why he never attempted to teleport during this trip, for he knew from his captors' minds that the walls were not restricting his ability. At last, they entered the control room of the Great Fox. He took an offer to sit in a chair before Peppy could say it. The hare was unshaken, however, and he began the inquisition.

"What is your name?" Peppy asked.

"Mantikis Tragaol," he answered casually.

"Where are you from?" the hare inquired of him.

"Planet Nephlia of the Zargon System," Mantikis replied.

"Why did you assault the Kantina Outpost?" Peppy asked.

"I know nothing of this assault," Mantikis replied calmly.

"You really think we're gonna believe that?" Falco retorted.

"Do you want the truth?" Mantikis questioned.

"Yes," Falco answered expectingly.

"Then you have my answer," Mantikis repeated. "I know nothing of this assault."

Signaling off Falco's rebuttal, Peppy asked, "Well, then why did you come to the Lylat System?"

Seeming happy to explain, Mantikis stated, "Recent observations show your system is constantly at war with itself. My fellow commander and I were sent to scout the system. You see, if you are weakened from civil strife or involved in such, then the Lylat System would be ripe for a hostile invasion. Our people are being forced out of our homes by some race related to the Aparoids in terms of ancestry, and we were just looking for some space."

"Why didn't you ask?" Peppy wondered. "Surely we would've let you stay."

"It's not our way," Mantikis replied with utmost seriousness.

"Well…" Fox asked, "would you help us find out who did attack Kantina, then?"

"Oh," Mantikis smirked, "I already know who did it."

"You do?" Peppy and Slippy blurted out.

"Tell us, then!" Tex demanded. "Don't keep us waiting!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Mantikis stated. "It would be unfair; telepath's advantage and all."

"What!" Falco shouted. "Whadaya mean you won't tell us!"

"You don't get a word out of me until you take care of them," Mantikis replied.

"What are you going on about?" Falco snapped.

"Hostile forces detected," Rob alerted the group. "Incoming message from Emperor Oikonny."

"You mean he's alive!" Fox gasped. "That's not possible!"

"Hello, Star Fox!" Andrew shouted as his face came upon the screen. "I want you to test out my latest toys!" As suddenly as the message came, it ended.

"Damn," Fox cursed. Then addressing the team, he ordered, "Move out!"