Disclaimer: See the Prologue
Chapter 2 – New Mission
Corneria, 4th planet of the Lylat System; as well as being the capital world of Lylat, it is one of the largest. A mix of green vegetation, technologically infused cities and highways, it is the home to Lylat's most strongest and formidable army and navy.
The planet's own capital city was the base location of the Cornerian Defence Force and General Pepper, it's Supreme Commander. General Pepper practically ruled over the planet, as the military was still in control following the return of the Venomian army, led by Andrew Oikonny; the nefarious Andross' nephew.
The war did not end with the destruction of the Aparoids, and they certainly did not kill Andrew…
"Are you certain, Outpost 32?" Pepper spoke into the phone in his office.
Yes general, the other line replied, An armada of Venomian cruisers has been spotted off MacBeth and is heading towards the outer edge of the system.
"Are they heading for Sauria?" Pepper asked.
No sir, the outpost commander replied, They're bearing down on Sector C.
Pepper's eyes widened, 'Sector C? Cerinia?'
Sir, the other line said, Shall we deploy any ships against the fleet? Husky and Bulldog units are standing by.
"Yes," Pepper replied, then ordered, "Inform Wing Commander Grey he's needed on the double. Pepper out."
He put the phone down and leaned back in his chair.
'The fragments of Cerinia?' he thought, 'Why would Oikonny send a fleet to that dead system.'
He then pushed the button on the intercom on his desk.
"Control?" he begun.
Yes sir?
"Patch me through to McCloud and Star Fox right away."
It was silence in the jungle, the night sky with it's moon shining down over it. The nocturnal beasts were out, filling the cool air with their chirps and their calls to one another. Moving slowly through the bush, his blue feathers brushing against the foliage, Falco Lombardi had his finger tight on the trigger as he gripped his blaster rifle. He was wearing camouflage gear and a headband.
'Come out come out wherever you are,' he thought, seeking out his mysterious enemy.
The avian then saw something move up ahead. Something with red-glowing eyes, dressed in a green hood with a mask on. Falco slowed his breathing and crouched deeper into the bush, trying not to attract the attention of the Ranger.
But by chance, the Ranger spun around, holding his long rifle. He saw Falco in the bushes behind him.
"Aw, nuts!" Falco cursed.
The Ranger then raised his rifle and fired. Falco spun out of the bush, dodging the shot, armed with his rifle. The Ranger pulled out a bigger blade, more like a sword.
Falco's pupils diluted upon seeing the finely crafted pearl handled sword. He then glared and charged.
The Ranger swung, which Falco managed to dodge and give a flying kick to his chest, sending him falling into a clearing.
Falco smiled, before launching himself into the air and coming down, rifle blazing. The Ranger quickly aimed his gun and fired, the bolt going though Falco's shoulder.
"ARGH!" Falco cried out in pain, before falling onto the grass where the Ranger used to be, who was now standing up, blade in hand.
He smiled painfully as the Ranger raised his blade, preparing to decapitate Falco. Suddenly, a kick to the ribs later the Ranger was sent flying into the nearest tree, with Fox breathing steadily. He was clad in white vest, red scarf and his green pants; hardly the appropriate attire to wear in the jungle.
"I almost had him," Falco said, then complained, "Why'd you do that?"
Fox smirked and helped his friend up, "Didn't know you wanted me to save you. Maybe next time I'll save only your corpse."
"Cheers!"
Suddenly, a massive explosion of energy tore away half the jungle as more mysterious being romped through the trees towards the clearing. Fox tore out his trademark blaster, while Falco picked up his rifle.
"What are we up against?" Fox queried.
"Dunno," Falco replied, "Slippy's keeping it a secret. It's so like the little frog!"
Energy shots then rang out from the trees, which Fox and Falco then begun firing back, aiming at where the shots came from. They were both quick with their melee training and were able to dodge the shots.
"MAN, THESE GUYS ARE FAST!" Fox cried.
"NO SHIT!" Falco replied, heated.
Suddenly another enemy charged from the bushes, armed only with a sword. It was tall, clad in armour and was female in shape. She swung her sword and Fox…
"WHOA!"
The Banshee swung again, which Fox then punched across the face and grabbed the handle of the sword, wrestling it away from her. The Banshee then pulled out another sword and swung again, with Fox stopping the blow with his own sword.
They then begun to engage in swordplay, as other Banshees ran into the clearing, swords drawn.
"Uh…Fox?" Falco begun, "Little help!"
He struck the Banshee over the head and begun firing at the other charging attackers. He managed to blow away one more.
"Hold on, Falco!" Fox exclaimed.
He then sliced off the Banshee's sword hand, before kicking her across the head, knocking her out. He then ran over to Falco, swinging his sword. He sliced through the nearest Banshee, before launching a jump kick which sent the others flying.
'Wow!' Falco thought, 'We're did Fox learn that kind of footwork?'
Suddenly, something appeared in a massive blast of light, which blinded both Fox and Falco for a second. They covered their eyes, and when they opened them they saw a tall, female shaped entity, dressed in white body armour and was wearing a large mask with red eye slits. She was carrying a Staff and a plasma handgun.
"Enemies of our people," she begun, "Prepare to meet your makers."
"Bring it on!" Falco cried, blaster rifle ready.
The Farseer spun her Staff around, emitting a bluish-green light, before hoisting it above her head.
"OBLIVION AWAITS YOU!" she cried out, before striking the ground.
A massive blast of energy erupted from the ground, enveloping the pair. The both of them shielded their eyes, awaiting to be burned alive.
SIMULATION ENDEDSlowly the Farseer begun to fade away, as well as the jungle which gradually turned into a large room with an observation window to the side.
Fox sighed, "Slippy must have set the difficulty to Extreme again."
"Yeah!" Falco growled, "What is up with that little green…?"
Suddenly a voice over the speakers interrupted them.
Sorry you guys, Slippy said, visible from behind the window, I thought you wanted a challenge. I did set the safety parameters.
Falco looked over his shoulder to find it was healed. He wasn't convinced though.
"Didn't you include 'Extreme Pain Control?" Falco chimed, "Goddamn did that hurt!"
Slippy looked embarrassed, "Whoops."
"What were we fighting anyway, Slip?" Fox asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "We've never fought against these kind of simulants before."
"Eldar," Slippy replied, checking the terminal and what read on 'Current Simulants.'
"Come again?" Fox said, looking up at the window at the tech.
"I don't know what they are, either," Slippy said, scratching his head, "Their simulations came with the ship."
Fox and Falco looked at one another.
'Wha…?' Falco mouthed to Fox.
The vulpine on the other hand, shrugged. Jus then, Peppy Hare's image appeared in the room, holographically.
Hey guys, the senior hare begun, We've got a situation here. It seems Andrew is back.
"Andrew Oikonny?" Slippy begun, bewildered, "I thought the Aparoids blasted him."
"That's what we all thought, and wished," Fox said, then exclaimed, "Lets go!"
The trio entered the bridge, where they found Peppy, Krystal and the holographic projection of General Pepper waiting for them.
About time, Fox, Pepper said, roughly.
Fox smiled, "Nice to see you too, General," Fox said, then got serious, "What's up with Andrew now?"
A fleet of Venomian cruisers has been detected in Sector C, Pepper explained, We don't know that he wants with that dead system but he is there personally and this may be our best chance to intercept him.
"Obviously," Falco said, crossing his arms, "That place is shithole as well as a death trap."
He then noticed Krystal looking at him on the edge of his eye.
Husky and Bulldog units under Commander Grey have already engaged Oikonny and I was wondering if you can give them a hand, Peppy said hopefully.
"We'll do it," Fox said with hesitation.
Good decision, Pepper said, smiling, Pepper out!
Pepper's image disappeared, leaving Star Fox to ponder on their upcoming mission.
"Sector C?" Peppy begun, "Isn't that where Cerinia once existed?"
They all turned to Krystal, who nodded.
"That's correct," Krystal confirmed, "Cerinia."
"Why would monkey-boy want with that pile of rocks?" Falco queried.
He then noticed Krystal looking at him with a sullen look.
"…respectively," Falco added sheepishly.
"I don't know," Krystal replied, sitting down "But Sector C is a death zone. Meteors, wreckage, mines, everything."
Fox nodded, taking his command seat, "Alright let's do this. ROB?"
"Online," the robot replied, standing near a terminal.
"Set a course for Cerinia."
"Affirmative," ROB replied, punching in the coordinates to where Cerinia should be.
Everyone took a seat.
"Ha!" Falco chuckled, "Finally, another reason to kick some monkey-ass!"
Everyone else smiled at the comment, except Krystal.
Fox noticed her quiet behaviour. He had a sympathetic look on his face.
'Don't think she should be a part of this,' he thought, 'Seeing what's left of her home planet as a pile of floating rocks.'