An Old Defector

As Coyote had said, Fox was fine in a few days. Upon recovery, he tried to make hunting Coyote top priority, but Peppy decided that first they should get Mantikis a ship that he would accept. Though using much of the same technology as the Arwing, Mantikis substituted a few of the key components with technology from his home world. The weapon system was completely foreign to the Star Fox team, yet they were able to build it with the Sectoid's directions. The engine was also foreign, and Mantikis had to actually step in to assist Slippy in its installment. The radar was very outdated, but that was how Mantikis preferred it: an infrared system. All in all, the ship looked somewhat like an Arwing, but was shorter and more blunt. It had two wings that were very short and primitive in shape, and two fins on the bottom that looked like Arwing wings. The weapon system consisted of four Vulcan laser cannons. They were fairly weak even when combined, but they homed in on their target to a great extent. Also, the ship ported a powerful laser cannon that mimicked a primitive infantry weapon known as a shotgun. The palette was a forest green with black armor protecting the engine systems. Mantikis dubbed it the "Jetstreak."

After the surprisingly cost-efficient venture, Fox convinced the others that their next priority was to locate and capture Coyote. The search was cold for a while, but eventually a lead came up about a raid on Macbeth. As the team arrived in Macbeth airspace, attempts at communications began.

"This is Star Fox," Peppy tried to signal to the Macbeth forces. "Do you read me? I repeat, this is Star Fox." …No response came. "This doesn't feel right, gang," he turned to the others. "I need you guys to skim the planet's surface for survivors, okay?"

"Finally!" Mantikis exclaimed in satisfaction. "A chance to test my new vessel!"

"…Sure, we'll do it," Fox agreed after a moment of pause.

"Thanks, gu-" Peppy stopped suddenly as Mantikis rushed off eagerly. Following his cue after an awkward pause, the others followed him. After they deployed, strange things began happening. For one, Mantikis flew around gleefully in a very out-of-character fashion.

"What are you doing?" Falco asked. Mantikis ignored him and continued to fly in awkward patterns, though they began to slow into a more steady, rigid path.

"He must be the younger brother," Krystal sighed almost admiringly.

"Huh?" Fox coughed suddenly. "Brother?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," Krystal mentioned. "The force coming to rescue him is being led by his brother. They don't seem to have a healthy relationship, though."

"What do you mean?" Fox asked.

"Don't ask," Mantikis sternly interjected.

"How long were you listening!" Fox shouted in alarm. "We didn't hear you enter the com channel!"

"Um," Mantikis retorted rudely, "telepath, remember?"

"Don't you have to be paying attention?" Krystal questioned him.

"I was," Mantikis replied without shame in his voice.

"Well, knock it off," Fox sighed. "You're creeping me out."

"Already lost interest," Mantikis whispered. Things fell silent after that for a bit. They flew over where the Venomian armory they had blown up was. Suddenly, Krystal felt something.

"I'm sensing some thought patterns!" Krystal shouted. "Follow me!" She veered off to the left, and all turned except Sally, who paused.

"You coming?" Falco asked her.

"I…" Sally paused. "I gotta do something. Something very impor-"

"Whatever," Falco interrupted uninterestedly. "Do as you please."

"I'll follow her," Mantikis offered.

"Fine, go do that," Falco sighed. "I don't care."

"Almost as snippy as Vincent," Mantikis muttered before his ship disappeared. He was off the radar.

"Yo, buggy," Falco called, "where'd ya go?"

I'm still here, idiot. Mantikis said via telepathy. Just act like I pulled a vanishing act and carry on. Your telepath will be none the wiser…

Again, whatever. Falco thought to Mantikis, knowing the Sectoid would hear it. Then, aloud, he said, "Looks like he vanished, Fox."

"Worry about him later," Fox ordered, unconcerned. "We have more important things to worry about." Suddenly, a very poor signal came in.

"Hello… Any- there? We- still -live. Abou- ifty surv-ors left. Need b-up im-di-ly. S- Wolf at-ked. L-ing for St- ox. Oi-y sent th- ere. An- ere?"

"Hello?" Krystal replied clearly. "This is Star Fox. We are here to help you. Do you understand me?"

"…-ar Fox? H- uys, they- re! -s, we c-py. Do y- ave… -sion?"

"Yes, we have your position," Krystal replied. "We are coming for you. Try and get to open areas."

"Y-s ma-m! O-r -d out…" The team accelerated towards the signal's source. Krystal sensed that Fox seemed down.

"What's the matter, dear?" she asked him.

"Nothing," Fox groaned, "I'm just upset that our trail's gone cold again. Especially since this was Wolf's doing."

"Uh," Slippy interjected, "speaking of Wolf, here he comes!"

"What!" Fox gasped. He looked on his radar and saw four ships approaching. "Wolfens! …Wait a sec, there's four of them!"

"Wonder who the new guy is," Falco thought out loud.

"Fox!" Wolf exclaimed. "We meet again!"

"What's this I hear about Oikonny sending you?" Fox inquired with a sneer.

"He didn't send us," Leon interjected to correct him. "He hired us."

"Don't tell me you'd stoop so low, Wolf," Fox said with disgust.

"I know it's dirty work, McCloud," Wolf agreed, "but it pays good."

"Sorry to interrupt," Panther said insincerely, "but is that the lovely Krystal I see?"

"I'm married, Panther," Krystal reminded him, or so she thought.

"M-m-married!" Panther gasped. "You got married? To whom!"

"To Fox," she stated, then asked, "Didn't you get our invitation?"

"I-in-invitation?" Panther stammered in shock. "Wolf, we got an invitation?"

"It would've been unnecessary," Wolf sighed shamefully.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Panther objected.

"Because you'd be acting like you are now!" Wolf snapped. "So shut your mouth!"

"It would've been an interesting diversion," Leon chimed in. "A missed opportunity to pull off a few pranks… Oh well. At least I can mock the bird."

"What was that?" Falco snapped. "You and I are gonna scrap if you don't zip it!"

"Another interesting diversion," Leon snickered. "Fortunately, that's what this whole raid--and the mission, for that matter--is all about!"

"Uh, guys?" Slippy interjected.

"What?" Fox and Falco snapped at the same time, somewhat lost in their respective fervors.

"Eek!" Slippy yelped in response. "I just wanted to know who the new guy was!" Fox realized he was out of line.

"Slip, I'm sorry I-" Fox was interrupted.

"Ya know," Falco said with a grin, "you're right, Slippy. Who is the new guy?"

"Normally, he's so talkative," Leon groaned, "nagging at us for our inefficiencies, our inexperience, our arrogance-"

As Leon went on bitterly, Wolf shouted, "Hey, Jack! Say hello to our friends, will ya?"

"Fine," a deep, gruff voice replied. "Hello. There, I said it."

"What's with the moodiness all of a sudden?" Wolf growled.

"Coffee ain't givin' me the kick it usually does," 'Jack' grumbled.

"I don't get it," Slippy thought aloud. "Where's his visual?"

"Oh," Jack grumbled, "sorry 'bout that." A small click sound was heard on his end, followed by a face visual. It displayed an ape with black fur and skin; a gorilla. The eyes were black, with the pupils and corneas separated by yellow-or-very-light-brown irises. Small red vanes were visible in the eyes, showing that his eyes were bloodshot. The fur all around his head seemed wild and unkempt. "Name's Jack Silverback. Call me Jack; I don't like formalities."

"Don't be so modest, Jack," Leon bragged in his name. "He's the Father of Guerilla Warfare!"

"Wait a sec," Peppy interjected as the Great Fox arrived. "The Jack Silverback!"

"One an' only," the seemingly aged primate replied in a tired slur. "Why d'ya ask?"

"As in the Jack who teamed up with Coyote and Boulregard?" Peppy asked panickingly.

Jack let out a sigh and groaned, "Yes, that Jack. What, are you gonna criticize me for defectin'?"

"Defecting?" Fox repeated. "What does he mean by that, Peppy?"

"I'll give you the details later," Peppy replied, "but he's an old vet who defected to Venom long ago. He's Andross's brother and-"

"Don't tell me," Falco predicted. "He's Oikonny's dad?"

"Foster father," Peppy corrected. "Took the-"

"That's enough!" Wolf shouted. "We do this now!"