Ship: Keira's alarm went off in her cabin as the inhabitant groggily got up.
"Man is it suddenly warm in here or is just me?" she asked to her empty room. Still stumbling around with her eyes closed she went into the bathroom to face a misted over mirror.
"May as well face the music sometime," she thought, already beginning to laugh at how she'd probably look with sleep in her eyes and her hair all mussed up. But as she wiped off the mirror an entirely new face was visible in its tint.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" she shouted.
Bride: "What the hell was that?" asked Zoda bewildered from the pilot seat as outside the blue tunnel of hyperspace could be seen.
"Uh-oh," said Neva Kee with dread.
"Wonderful," said Zoda, already beginning to move towards the exit. But before he could exit the room, the door flung open to reveal Keira.
"What the hell happened to me?" she demanded.
"Holy Shi-!" began Zoda as his jaw dropped.
"Zoda!" Neva Kee snapped. Zoda's mouth clamped shut as he just stared at Keira bewildered. Instead of seeing a twenty-some year old female human facing them, instead he was facing a twenty-something year old human/fox hybrid.
"What happened to me?" demanded Keira.
"It's your hair right?" asked Zoda. "It looks great!"
Keira growled at him causing Zoda to jump back.
"Umm…you evolved?" he asked for his second guess.
"In one night?" shouted Keira. Zoda seemed to ponder over this one.
"Stranger things have happened," offered Zoda lamely in his defense.
"Sorry Keira this is my fault," said Neva Kee. Keira looked at him confused.
"You?" she asked. "But you're not one for practical jokes."
"It's not a practical joke, believe me. Last night I slipped in a genetic re-sequencer into your food during dinner last night. I honestly meant to tell you about it as we were eating but someone put a metal pot into the microwave causing the whole kitchen to burst into flames as the microwave exploded and I kind of forgot to tell you about it in the ensuing melee to spray out the flames," said Neva Kee looking at Zoda.
"It was Kirby!" Zoda protested.
"Kirby's back on Dreamland!" Neva Kee shot back.
Silence.
"It was his ghost!"
"Anyway, the point is I'm sorry," said Neva Kee.
"It's okay I guess," said Keira not wanting to be angry for an innocent mistake. "At least I have a tail; I've always wondered what one felt like. But why did you change me into this…thing?"
"Because we're going to place populated by humanoid animals and they have an intense dislike of humans for unknown reasons. Granted that hatred has slowly diminished but I'm not willing to take any chances," said Neva Kee.
"But they were never human, correct?" asked Keira.
"Not as far as I can tell though whether or not they have any link to humans at some point in time I don't know," responded the diplomat truthfully.
"But this is just a temporary fix right?" Keira confirmed. Neva Kee shook his head.
"Absolutely, the change was just to make it possible for you to be able to leave the ship and not be cooped up on it while Zoda and I went exploring. In 48 hours the re-sequencers will restore you to being a fully fledged human," said Neva Kee. Keira nodded and turned to leave.
"Hey Keira?" asked Zoda mischeviously.
"What?" she asked.
"Did anybody ever tell you, you look like a Fox? Ah, ha, ha, ha," said Zoda laughing.
THUD
"Ow my foot!" said Zoda hopping up and down on his left foot as Keira had slammed hers on top of Zoda's right.
"Maybe this will be amusing after all," she said and with that she was gone.
"Smooth Z, smooth," said Neva Kee adjusting something on a nearby control panel.
"Oh c'mon you thought it was funny," said Zoda taking his seat.
"Studat Clonkie Pistoya," was the only response he got out of the diplomat in an alien dialect.
"Huh?" asked Zoda confused.
"Forget it," said Neva Kee defeated as he pulled back on the hyperspace lever and the ship roared out of hyperspace. A planetary system appeared with eight planets, three nebulas, a star, and an asteroid belt.
"Welcome to the Lylat System," said Neva Kee with false grandiose as the craft soared towards the fourth planet of the system. As soon as they got within range of it on their scanners, the radio blared to life.
"Attention unidentified vessel, submit your flight plan as well as crew and cargo manifests," said a voice.
"Transmitting," said Neva Kee. The craft flew onwards as Keira appeared back in the cockpit.
"So where are we?" she asked as she sat down before immediately jerking back up and setting her tail to the side and then sitting back down.
"We're in The Lylat System, headed for Corneria, the fourth planet of this system. The evil Andross turned this once thriving system into a wasteland of near extinction. General Pepper barely succeeded in exiling this maniacal menace to the barren deserted world, Venom. A few years back Andross tried to take it over once more and was summarily defeated by the Star Fox team. Zoda and I have been here a couple times in the past and they've been adventures in themselves to say the least," said Neva Kee lightly.
"Ha, ha those were some terrific battles," said Zoda happily.
"Hopefully we've arrived at a quiet time, though to be honest…I doubt it," said Neva Kee.
"You are cleared to proceed," came a voice over the radio.
"Roger that," said Neva Kee. The ship plunged into the atmosphere and roared over a large ocean as a city appeared in the distance.
"Remember, have not been nor have ever been a human," Neva Kee reminded Keira.
"I didn't forget," said Keira. Neva Kee nodded as smoke was seen rising from the city.
"Oh man, it looks we missed quite a party," said Zoda. The ship flew low over Corneria City as a few Landmaster tanks were seen moving down the various streets.
"Action, a few blocks to the northeast," said Keira. Explosions could be seen nearby and Neva Kee glided his ship in that direction. They soon emerged over the city center where a couple of Desert Rovers and several commandos were hammering it out with a giant scorpion.
"Wow," said Keira. "They sure come big here."
"Yeah but not that big, it looks like someone did a little genetic engineering," said Neva Kee.
"Oh man, if we missed Andross coming back from the dead again I'm going to be pissed," said Zoda. One of the desert rovers exploded.
"Better power up the laser cannons and render an assist," suggested Neva Kee to Keira. She nodded and activated the cannons before scratching her fuzzy hands and pressed the automatic fire button. Laser fire rained down from the ship and soon the scorpion was ripped in half.
"Thanks for the assist," said a squad commander as his team approached the remains of the scorpion.
"No problem. But is it safe to land here?" asked Neva Kee doubtful.
"Not really. This place is still crawling with bioweapons left over from Mantia's assault just a few days ago and Corneria City is effectively a No Man's Land aside from those of us trying to clean up the remaining creatures and bugging out," responded the squad commander.
"Then where's the government holed up at?" asked Neva Kee.
"Coastal City," responded the leader confused. "You been under a rock or something?"
"No, we had a brush with Mantia and it fried our comm. array," lied Neva Kee.
"Oh, well there you go," said the leader.
"Thanks, moving on then," said Neva Kee shutting off the device.
"Scan the city," he then instructed Zoda. Zoda nodded and performed the scan.
"It looks like 85 to 90 percent of the city is either destroyed or in ruins. There's also countless bioweapons littered around along with various Corneria and Venomian Units," said Zoda. "You don't think Mantia had allies do you?"
"Impossible. I'm thinking we missed two separate fights, both of which occurred very recently," responded the diplomat.
"Damn you Kirby!" said Zoda upset. "Your stupid guilt trip cost us some entertainment."
"I'm heading for Coastal City and hopefully we'll get some stuff cleared up once we're there," said Neva Kee hitting the afterburners.
"Why bother? Let's just play through and get outta here," Zoda remarked.
"The balls aren't going to be here for another twelve hours so we'll have to do something either way. At least this is productive," said Neva Kee.
"I don't do the P-word," said Zoda crossing his arms.
"I've noticed," said Neva Kee. Coastal City appeared in the distance and soon their ship was on the ground at the landing field.
"Stick together and Keira if you get lost immediately head back for the ship because you don't want to be in a situation where you're out here and you're human," said Neva Kee.
"Is this place dangerous?" asked Keira.
"Not unless you're a human," began the diplomat.
"And then you're just screwed," finished the Jedi.
"How reassuring," said Keira.
"Hey it's not like this place is any different from Coruscant or Kuat for that matter," responded Neva Kee as the trio exited the ship and headed into town.
"I still wish I knew more about this place," Keira responded.
"Just think about what animals eat and how humans behave and go from there," suggested the diplomat.
"Though try and not order anything aside from fish. I tried to order a burger on our first trip here and it didn't go too well, especially considering the cook was actually a humanoid bull," said Zoda shuddering. Keira began laughing.
"That's hilarious," she said shaking her head.
"It didn't seem so at the time," responded Zoda. A massive building loomed ahead of them.
"You know I think I'm going to head for Corneria City and see if I can't pick a fight with some of the remaining bioweapons," said Zoda walking off.
"Suit yourself," said Neva Kee as he and Keira entered into the front of the building and approached the secretary.
"Hi, I'm Neva Kee and I'm here to see the President," said the diplomat.
"Do you have an appointment?" asked the secretary doubtful.
"No," Neva confirmed. "But the president once assured me that I was to be granted an immediate audience with him no matter when I arrived and no matter the circumstances currently going on."
The secretary looked at him skeptically.
"Look you can either call him or I can go up there myself, either way I will see him," responded the diplomat forcefully. The secretary sighed and picked up the phone and pressed a button on it.
"Hello Mr. President. Yes I know you said you're busy and don't want to be disturbed. Yes I said I would only call you if it was important. Anyway, there's a Neva Kee here to see you sir," said the secretary. "Okay sir, thank you sir."
"Well?" asked Neva Kee as the secretary hung up her phone. The secretary repressed a scowl.
"Top Floor, he's waiting for you," said the secretary.
"Thank you. Let's go Keira," said Neva Kee heading for the elevator.
"You have that kind of pull around here?" asked Keira as the elevator doors closed.
"I have that kind of pull everywhere I just choose not to use it most of the time," responded the diplomat. The elevator surged upwards.
"So you could see the Supreme Chancellor then?" asked Keira.
"See him? I could legally usurp him if the right circumstances arose," responded Neva Kee.
"Wow," said Keira once again amazed by the tiny diminutive alien.
"But remember, absolute power corrupts absolutely, no exception. I don't exercise most of my power for the simple reason that to do so would corrupt who I am and what I stand for," the diplomat pointed out. "It's also because I have no desire of leading the masses."
"I don't think you could become corrupt," Keira assured him.
"Thanks, but I'd just as soon rather not take that chance," responded Neva Kee. The doors opened and they found themselves amid a large hustle and bustle as disaster recovery teams moved from place to place with large piles of paper and answering countless phones. Neva Kee and Keira pushed past them before approaching a pair of solid wooden doors and walking in to a conference room that was empty save for one humanoid barn owl at the end, deep in thought with his eyes closed.
"Busy day?" asked Neva Kee. The barn owl opened his eyes and looked at him.
"You could say that," he said with a grin. "Been a long diplomat."
"Not that long," said Neva Kee. "Although considering what you've been through, maybe it has."
The Barn Owl laughed.
"Keira Kiley, this is the President of Corneria and by extension the Lylat System," Neva Kee addressed.
"Hello," said Keira nervous.
"If she's with you, then that would likely make her…" began the President.
"I won't lie to you, yes. If you're uncomfortable I can ask her to leave," said Neva Kee.
"No, it's okay. I'm more tolerant to her species thanks to that brief trip you took me on to the 'known' part of the galaxy, but as I'm sure you're perfectly aware my sentiment is not shared by many though if you ask them, they won't know why. At any rate, what brings you to our fair system?" asked the President.
"Admittedly it was at first for recreational reasons but after seeing what's been going on I just want to know if I can help," offered Neva Kee.
"Yeah, take my job," said the President laughing. Neva Kee joined in before it immediately died down.
"No, I figure I'll be able to find something quick and easy for you to accomplish. How long you here for?" asked the President.
"The earliest I can leave is in twelve hours but I can stay for at least two days," said the diplomat.
"I'll be contacting you shortly," said the President. Neva Kee nodded as he and Keira turned to go.
"Say, where's Zoda?" asked the President.
Corneria City: "Die bio-weapons, die!" shouted Zoda as he was piloting Neva Kee's ship and blowing up everything in his sight.
Office: "You don't want to know," said Neva Kee with a grin and with that he and Keira were gone. The President chuckled briefly before returning to his thoughts.
"So what now?" asked Keira.
"You're the disaster investigator, you go investigate," said Neva Kee.
"Ahem, that's an ex-disaster investigator," answered Keira.
"You've not been given your official pink slip yet and you haven't served your two weeks notice," Neva Kee pointed out. Keira's eyes widened.
"Oh crap," she said.
"Relax, Zoda and I tally up the amount of destruction we've done, it's a matter of pride. We'll give you everything once this game is over," said Neva Kee.
"Does that include the damage not caused by the game?" asked Keira hopeful.
"Of course, after all we're here because of it otherwise what damage would've been done?" said Neva Kee. "Thankfully Bernadelli doesn't insure anybody in the Unknown Territories yet."
"I dunno, I heard about this planet called Gun-," began Keira.
"Ambassador Kee is that you?" asked a voice. Neva Kee and Keira turned around to see another humanoid lupine right behind them.
"Hey Fox what's up?" asked the diplomat kindly.
"It has been too long," said the lupine bending down to grasp the ambassador's hand.
"Three years by my count," said Neva Kee. "Whatcha been up to?"
"A war a day keeps the bill collectors away," said Fox putting his hands in his pockets.
"I'm just about the complete opposite, I'm the one causing the wars and the bill collector's are chasing me down," said the ambassador. "Case in point this is Keira Kiley, she's an insurance agent and she's tallying up the damage Zoda and I cause."
"I thought I heard a little blurb on the radio about a y-shaped blue spaceship blasting Corneria City apart in search of bio-weapons. Go figure," said Fox before offering his hand to Keira. "I'm Fox McCloud of StarFox."
"A pleasure," said Keira shaking it.
"You gonna to be in town long?" asked Fox to Neva.
"I don't know, but I will try and help out for as long as I can," responded the diplomat.
"Ah I was hoping to show you around town so you could see what you've missed," said Fox defeated.
"Why don't you show Keira around?" Neva Kee suggested. "I'm going to be doing diplomatic work and that would just get boring for anyone not trained in it."
"I suppose," said Fox.
"Is that a good idea?" asked Keira a little hesitant.
"I trust Fox with my life," responded the diplomat.
"Does she think something's going to happen?" asked Fox confused.
"She just doesn't want me to do any damage and not be here to witness it," responded the diplomat lightly. Fox laughed.
"Well you'll be fine. We'll be back soon anyway I've got a few things to do myself," said Fox.
"Perhaps you could acquaint her with Katt afterwards. I think they'd hit it off," suggested the diplomat.
"I think she's on Katina helping out Bill, is that okay?" Fox asked.
"Yeah, Zoda I will pick her up on our way outta here," said Neva.
"Alright, let's role," said Keira hiding her nervousness.
"Cool, later," said Fox leaving with her.
"Neva?" asked the president opening his door. "We're in business."
"Coming," said the diplomat.
Elevator: "Known the Ambassador long?" asked Fox chewing some gum.
"I've been trailing him for awhile now," Keira confirmed.
"If it means anything to you, the ambassador is a good man," said Fox.
"Oh I don't doubt that," said Keira. "Zoda on the other hand…"
"He, he, that Zoda," said Fox laughing. "Yeah I hear that."
Corneria City: Neva Kee's ship crashed into a building as a massive Preying Mantis slammed down on it. The top hatch opened on the craft and Zoda emerged clutching a lightsaber.
"Let's roll big ugly!" he shouted igniting it. Laser blasts erupted as a pair of CDF fighters flew by overhead and the Mantis vanished in a flash of light.
"Aww," said Zoda disappointed. Neva Kee appeared from the insides of the building and stepped on top of his ship as he approached Zoda.
"Let's roll Z," he said getting in.
"The balls are here already?" asked Zoda hopeful.
"No, we have a job to do on Macbeth," responded the diplomat entering into the cockpit and activating the engines.
"Macbeth? Why there?" asked Zoda. Neva Kee hit the reverse and the ship wrestled free of the building and spun away as it collapsed into dust.
"Because Space Dynamics Co. Ltd. needs our help and they've offered to finally fix my ship in payment," said Neva. The ship broke free of the atmosphere and rocketed off towards a planet on the other side of the sun.
Zoda opened his mouth.
"Not one word," said Neva. "You broke my ship remember?"
"I was just going to ask what the assignment was," said Zoda hurt.
"Sorry Z, I just hope Keira is going to be fine without us," said Neva.
"Where is she?" asked Zoda confused.
"With Fox McCloud, but I'm more worried about those re-sequencers crapping out early," said Neva Kee.
"You mean she'd permanently be that way?" asked Kirby fearful.
"No. If they died I could just insert more into her, I'm more worried about them turning her back prematurely," said Neva Kee.
"Whuh-oh," said Zoda. "Maybe I should've stayed behind."
"No, as long as we're back within 36 hours we'll be fine," said Neva.
"Conservative estimates my ass," said Zoda.
"Let's just focus on the mission at hand," said Neva Kee beginning to explain it to him.
Later in the day, Corneria: "What're they building here?" asked Keira looking at a new construction project.
"A restaurant/museum dedicated to the heroes who fought bravely against Mantia," said Fox.
"Oh," said Keira, still in the dark as to what 'Mantia' was. Fox growled deeply and rested his head against the chain link fence.
"You okay?" asked Keira.
"Sorry, it's just the last few days have been a bit trying," said Fox.
"Yeah, for me too," Keira admitted.
"Sorry, I shouldn't be letting my emotions get in the way of things," said Fox.
"It never hurts to let it out sometimes," said Keira. Fox nodded grimly.
"So where're you from?" asked Fox.
"Coruscant," said Keira without thinking.
"Where?" asked Fox.
"Oh it's a small town on the fifth planet," said Keira covering up her slip of the tongue.
"Ah, it's too bad what happened on Zoness during the war," said Fox.
"Oh right...with the…yeah," said Keira noncommittally. Fox nodded not really paying attention.
"I was too late to stop it you know," said Fox depressed. "I could've stopped it, but…didn't."
"Couldn't from what I heard," said Keira lying. "You can't blame yourself, you saved countless lives."
"Yeah but at what cost? Zoness is a mess, Macbeth's production facilities are primarily destroyed, Titania's still a no fly zone, and that's not even the half of it," began Fox.
"You can't look at the glass half-empty Fox. Focus on what you've done right, not what you've done wrong," said Keira.
"I know but it's tough," said Fox. "I was kind of hoping to talk to the Ambassador about it once I saw him, but he was busy."
"It's not like he gave you the brush off. I'm sure that once he gets back he'll be more than happy to sit down with you. It's not like we're in a hurry or anything," Keira assured him.
"Yeah you're right. Look I'm sorry to have put all of this on you it's just that seeing the ambassador today reminded me of when my father died trying to stop Andross. If it weren't for the ambassador I don't know what I would've done," said Fox. Keira nodded but said nothing.
"Have you had any defrauding experience in the insurance biz?" asked Fox out of the blue.
"It was covered in basic training, why?" asked Keira.
"I was just thinking…on Katina they're doing a lot of fraud monitoring thanks to the recent destruction of the business district and they could really use an extra hand," said Fox.
"I suppose I do deserve a break from all the madness," said Keira referring to putting around the galaxy with Zoda and Neva Kee. "I'll do it."
"Great," said Fox grateful for the distraction. "Let's just head for the spaceport and head out."
"I bet Zoda and Neva Kee feel this way all the time and cope with it by acting on opposite ends of the spectrum," Keira mused as they headed out.
Next Day, the Planet Macbeth: "Face it, we're lost," said Neva Kee. He and Zoda were currently negotiating the underground sewer system underneath the massive industrial complexes on the surface.
"No I know exactly where we are," said Zoda holding the map in different directions.
"If you say we're lost I'm going to kill you," said Neva Kee shining his flashlight down another sewer pipe. Zoda opened his mouth but then shut it.
"De masie ma fu masta!" he said instead. Neva Kee rolled his eyes.
"I hate you," he said reaching for the map. "Now give me the map!"
"No!" Zoda protested tugging on it. "Mine or I will help you not!"
"You're no better than your uncle," said Neva. Zoda gasped.
"Insults!" he said.
"Screw you!" Neva Kee shouted.
"Freeze!" shouted a voice. Neva Kee and Zoda were surrounded by masked figures who aimed their laser guns at them.
"Hey maybe they know where we are," suggested Zoda.
"Can it," said Neva Kee.
"What are you doing down here?" demanded one of the individuals.
"Searching for buried treasure," explained Zoda.
"I'm telling you that no map that you paid five bucks for is going to yield treasure in the sewers!" said Neva.
"I didn't pay five bucks for this!" protested Zoda. "I stole it!"
"You stole a map from Space Dynamics Co. Ltd?" said Neva Kee incredulously. "Please!"
The group looked at each other nervously.
"Don't be jealous," said Zoda.
"Oh I am a lot of things but being jealous is not one of them," said Neva Kee crossing his arms. "That logo doesn't even look legit."
"Quit being anal!" shouted Zoda.
"Look," said Neva Kee grabbing a hold of him. "Let's just find this room so I can prove to you the treasure doesn't exist and then we can get out of here."
"But we're lost," said Zoda.
"I'm sure these fine people can give us directions," said Neva Kee.
"Wha-," began Zoda at realizing Neva Kee had worked his way around him. He growled angrily at him as Neva Kee turned to face the figures around them.
"You don't know where Junction A-14 is?" he asked hopeful. The others looked at each other nonplussed before entering into a heated argument.
"This is just too coincidental,"
"Yeah but no government agents are that stupid,"
"We stole one too remember,"
"Yeah but it's only part of a map,"
"Excuse me," said Neva Kee butting in. "If you could direct me to A-14, me and my buddy can leave to go find this non-existent treasure so we can leave and you can do whatever it is that you're doing down here. What is it you're doing down here anyway?"
"I know," said Zoda excitedly. The members tensed as their fingers fell on their blaster triggers.
"They're drinking sewer water for its high mineral and vitamin contents," said Zoda jumping up and down. The team looked at him disgusted.
"Not that theory again!" protested Neva Kee. "That's a complete and utter lie!"
"Drink it and find out how right I am," said Zoda stubbornly crossing his arms.
"You drink it!" said Neva Kee.
"No," said Zoda.
"Why not?" demanded Neva.
"I'm not thirsty," said Zoda simply. Neva Kee groaned as some of the team stifled a laugh.
"Oy," said Neva Kee holding his head in pain. "Where is A-14, somebody?"
"Two lefts and then a right," said the apparent leader of the bunch.
"Thank you," said Neva Kee grateful. "Let's go Zathura."
"It's going to be there, Enkidu, I just know it!" said Zoda tearing down the sewer system with Neva Kee in hot pursuit. Behind them, the mysterious team weighed their options and stealthily pursued them. Up ahead Neva Kee and Zoda were grinning evilly to each other.
"Hook, line, and sinker," said Zoda laughing softly. As they reached A-14, Neva Kee held out his hand and Neva Kee slapped his against it.
"Beautiful," said Neva Kee, though not referring to the intersection.
"Alright let's do this right this time," said Zoda as they advanced down a sewer pipe. They advanced down drain after drain until they finally reached a massive steel door with an access code next to it.
"I told you it existed!" said Zoda happily.
"This doesn't prove anything," said Neva Kee doubtful.
"Just admit that I was right for once," said Zoda.
"Open that door and then we'll see who is right," said Neva Kee tipping his head towards it.
"Fine, fine," said Zoda moving towards the keypad.
"Do you even know the combo?" asked Neva doubtfully.
"Of course," said Zoda. "Every single thing in this galaxy is governed by one number and that is what's on this keypad."
"One number?" said Neva Kee even more doubtful. "This isn't the movie Pi you know."
"That was an equation you bum. This will work," said Zoda pressing down the number 1138 on the keypad. The door opened.
"Tada!" said Zoda happily.
"Lucky guess," said Neva Kee not backing down.
"It was the Force!" said Zoda.
"You a Force user? Yeah right," said Neva Kee disbelieving him.
"Check this out," said Zoda. He pulled out a round disk with and zipped it out only for it to slap back into his hand.
"Impressed?" Zoda asked with a grin. Neva Kee grabbed the disc out his hand.
"This like you is a yo-yo!" Neva Kee responded, pulling out the thin metal string.
"Bah humbug!" said Zoda. "Now let's just get my treasure and leave."
"Hold it," said the leader as he and his fellow members appeared.
"What do you want?" demanded Zoda.
"That's our treasure," said the leader.
"Like hell it is," said Zoda not backing down as he took out his laser gun. "I stole this map fair and square!"
"And I'm stealing it from you fair and square," said the leader as he and his team aimed their blasters at them.
"Hold it!" said Neva Kee stepping between them. "Nobody fire!"
"Why not?" demanded the leader happily.
"In case you haven't noticed, this whole place is filled with methane fumes and if you fire this whole underground sewer system will explode," Neva Kee pointed out. "I for one do not want to die."
"That gives me added incentive to fire," Zoda remarked.
"You don't care at all for my safety?" asked Neva Kee incredulously.
"No!" said Zoda.
"Give me that blaster!" said Neva Kee tackling him into the sewer water. The two began going at it with kicks and punches as the mercenary team filed past them and into the room.
"Now where is this treasure from our good friends at Space Dynamics Co. Ltd?" asked the leader rubbing his hands. The door instantly clanged shut on them leaving the group surrounded in darkness.
"Ha, ha, ha," said Zoda happily. "Got 'em!"
"Later chumps," said Neva Kee as both got up and walked off. Inside the room, the team was instantly bathed in light and found themselves in a jail cell sans weapons.
"You wanted to know what our device was?" asked the President of Space Dynamics outside the cell. "It was a matter transporter. And I've got news for you, the assignment Wolf O'Donnell put you up to is officially moot, he failed over five days ago."
With that the President vanished in a flash of light.
Hanger: Neva Kee and Zoda walked into a hanger bay which showed Neva Kee's ship newly fixed and polished.
"Man it's about time. I've been trying to get this thing fixed since Sullust," remarked Neva Kee.
"You're just neglectful is what you are," said Zoda.
"Ah screw you," said Neva Kee as they boarded the ship. An instant later it took off headed for Katina.
"I hope Keira's okay," said Zoda. Neva Kee's watched beeped.
"Uh-oh," said Neva Kee worried.
Katina: "Oh crap," said Keira. The nanobots had kicked in and she had reverted to being a human. Thankfully she was alone in the public restroom as she immediately threw on her hooded sweatshirt and draped the hood low over her head before producing a pair of sunglasses and a hat and putting them on as well to cast as much darkness over her face as she could, before composing herself and leaving the restroom and out into the hallways of the CDF base.
"Hey Keira," said Katt Monroe, a humanoid feline, approaching her. "What's with the getup?"
"I'm just thinking I'll go for a walk," said Keira trying to remain calm but not choosing to face Katt. "And then hide until Neva Kee and Zoda show up."
"Oh okay," said Katt nodding. "You need any company?"
"No I'm okay. This base is the only thing for miles so I don't think I'll be getting lost," said Keira lightly. Katt nodded.
"Alright see you around then," she said leaving. Keira breathed a sigh of relief before hurriedly making a break for it. As Katt returned to the Operations Room she saw Bill Grey, a humanoid husky, looking at a computer monitor confused.
"It must be broken," he said to the technician sitting at the computer.
"What's wrong?" asked Katt.
"We're picking up a human life signature in this building," said Bill.
"Human?" asked Katt confused. "But there hasn't been a human sighting in millennia."
"Plus it wasn't there a moment ago," the technician pointed out.
"Nevertheless keep this sighting under wraps, we don't want to start a panic. Katt and I will go check it out," said Bill grabbing his blaster. Katt nodded and took out hers as well.
"Better hurry, it's taking the elevator to the ground floor," said the technician. Bill and Katt nodded as they raced down the hallway to a set of stairs and both tore down them.
"Fox, where are you?" asked Bill into his comlink.
"I was about to leave out the front of the base," said Fox.
"I need you to cover the elevator now!" said Bill.
"Why?" Fox asked confused.
"There's might be a human in there," said Bill.
"It's awfully late for jokes, Bill," said Fox after a moment's silence.
"It's not a joke, just do it," said Bill.
"Okay," said Fox. Down below Fox approached the elevator and aimed his blaster at it while inside Keira was waiting anxiously for the doors to open so she could escape. But as the doors opened, she found Fox aiming his gun at her.
"Don't move human," he said simply.
"Fox, this isn't what it looks like," said Keira.
"Keira?" asked Fox confused. "Why are the sensors registering you as a human?"
"I-I-I," she stuttered, cursing internally at herself.
"Just for peace of mind, could you remove your hood?" asked Fox still aiming his gun at her.
"Fox, things aren't always what they seem," said Keira.
"Please drop it before things get ugly," said Fox simply. Keira sighed and took off her hat and pulled back her hood. Fox sighed and slightly lowered his gun.
"Sorry," said Keira helplessly. Fox remained silent for several moments.
"Does the ambassador know?" asked Fox.
"What?" asked Keira confused.
"Ambassador Kee, does he know who you really are?" asked Fox twitching.
"Yes," said Keira nodding. "He temporarily made me like you and the others here so that I could blend in and experience your culture for myself."
Fox stood there in silence still shaking involuntarily.
"Are you going to kill me?" asked Keira.
"Fox, what's going on?" demanded Bill over the comm. Fox continued to stand there with his gun trained on her before dropping it completely.
"False alarm Bill, it's only Ms. Kiley," he said into it.
"Why would she be registering as a human?" asked Katt.
"Apparently her hooded sweatshirt was given to her by Neva Kee and it may have traces of human DNA on it. That's what the scanners are picking up," suggested Fox. Keira put her hood back on.
"Oh okay. Never mind then sorry about that," said Bill.
"No problem, just head on back to Ops," said Fox before shutting it off.
"Thanks," said Keira grateful. "But why?"
"I owe the Ambassador much more than you can possibly imagine," said Fox as Keira vanished in a flash of light.
Ship: "That was a close one!" said Keira as she entered into the cockpit. "What took you so long?"
"Well we had to tee off first," said Neva Kee at the pilot's seat.
"You nearly sacrificed my life for golf?" demanded Keira.
"Umm…no?" said Zoda guessing at what the right answer was.
"Sorry," said Neva Kee. "But we figured Fox wouldn't let you come to any harm, regardless of what you looked like."
"That's true," said Keira. "And speaking of Fox…"
Katina: Fox was underneath his fighter working on it and still having a waging war of emotions. As he was fumbling around for a socket wrench one slapped into his palm.
"I believe this is what you were looking for," said a voice. Fox smiled as he accepted the wrench and adjusted a bolt attaching his wing to the fuselage.
"You a mechanic now?" asked Fox bemused.
"I'm a lot of things," responded Neva Kee. "The question is what do you need me to be right now."
"A friend," responded Fox. Neva Kee nodded.
"Then friend what is it you want to do today?" asked Neva Kee.
"Just talk," said Fox and with that he began.