Disclaimer: See the Prologue
Chapter 9 – Assault
The Great Fox approached the barren world of Cython IV, which was brown all over, and with it slime-green oceans. All vegetation was all gone, eaten way by hundreds of years of pollution and neglect.
Now all that was left was abandoned industrial plants, toxic-lakes and mountain ranges. It's atmosphere was barely breathable. All that said on ROB's readout of the planet.
"I smell something worse than a hundred years worth of garbage," Falco complained, "And that's a set-up."
"It's always is a set-up, Falco," Fox said, "All the more to dive right in. Why would they waste so much just to go after a single human?"
Jacques was leaning against the wall, boltgun over one shoulder and chainsword propped around the back. He was doing a lot of thinking of his own.
"How should we do this, Fox?" Krystal asked.
"We capture the guy who's running this whole operation and we'll wring some answers out of him," Fox said, "But still…"
A holographic image of the planet appeared.
"We're going to have to play it smart."
Peppy then spoke up.
"There's a Venomian encampment located on a elevated plateau, right next to this acidic lake…"
An overhead of the large walled base appeared, right next to a massive green lake of acid. The edge of the plateau could barely be seen.
"True to that chimp's word," Peppy continued, "That cruiser's docked there as well."
A shot of the cruiser near a spaceport was also seen on the holographic projector.
"There's bound to be air defences scatted around that fort," Fox said, "So I'll be going in using the Landmaster…"
He then turned to Jacques.
"With you riding shotgun."
"I will be delighted," Jacques smiled, "If I may make a suggestion…"
He stepped forward.
"…we should deploy the tank some distance away from the Venomian base," he continued, "It will be a long trek across the plains, though."
Fox nodded, agreeing with him, "Sounds like a plan. Let's do it."
The Great Fox slowly begun to descend through the planet's breathable atmosphere. Peppy and ROB stayed on the bridge.
"We have the element of surprise," ROB announced, "I am not detecting any signs of radar-tracking."
"That's good to hear," Peppy said from behind his terminal.
The others were at the hangar, where Fox and Jacques were before the Landmaster. The Space Marine was visibly impressed with the Lylatian-produced tank, with his hand rubbing his chin.
"From the look and size of it," Jacques began, "It is easily capable of both speed and power."
Fox looked over at Jacques, amused.
"You know your tanks?" Fox asked.
"I have ridden on more than dozen in my lifetime."
"I see," Fox replied.
Fox's communicator once again rang. And Fox once again answered it.
"Yeah?"
We're near the surface of the planet, Peppy announced, 20 miles west of the Venomian fort. You should deploy now.
"Affirmative," Fox said, "Prepare for insertion."
He then turned to Jacques.
"I don't know who to say this," Fox sighed, "But I don't see any room for you in the tank."
"No consequence," Jacques said, "I'll ride on top."
All eyes turned to him, especially Krystal.
"The gases in the atmosphere will smother you," Slippy cried, almost panicked, "You won't last 5 minutes."
"I have my third lung," Jacques pointed out, "It'll filter out the poisons in the atmosphere and I can still breathe easy."
Krystal knew about this and relaxed. Falco wasn't the least bit worried.
Nevertheless, the avian thought, 'Crazy man. Just pure insane.'
"I have ridden on top of vehicles before," Jacques said, "This will be no different."
Slippy stepped forwards.
"Jacques…"
Jacques turned his way suddenly, looking down at the Frog
"You might want this."
Slippy presented him with a microphone and earpiece.
"Just so you can communicate with Fox on top of the tank," Slippy explained, smiling.
Jacques took the communicator and attached it to his ear.
"Thank you," Jacques said.
An alarm went off, signalling they were past re-entry of the planet.
"Well, better climb on then," Fox said, shrugging slightly.
The canopy of the tank opened and Fox jumped in. Jacques carefully climbed on top, where he sat right next to the main cannon. He put his right arm over it. He held his boltgun in the other hand.
Krystal stepped forward towards the Landmaster.
"Fox, Jacques."
Both heads snapped towards her.
"Be careful, will you guys?" she asked.
"We will," both said in unison.
They suddenly looked at one another questioningly. They then shook their heads slightly and Fox closed his canopy.
The hangar doors opened which revealed the brown earth. Fox drove towards the tank forward, hitting the jet boosters near the edge of the hangar.
"Here we go," Fox said softly.
They flew out of the Great Fox. Jacques holding tightly onto the cannon, closing his eyes in a silent prayer.
'Emperor watch over me and my companions as I once again step back into the brutality and glory of battle.'
The Landmaster landed with a thud and Jacques watched the Great Fox ascend back into the clouds.
All right, we've landed, Fox's voice came over Jacque's earpiece, You ok up there?
"I am alright," Jacques replied.
It's gonna be a long drive from here on out, Fox pointed out, So try no to fall off the tank.
"I'll see to it," Jacques replied, smiling.
The Landmaster begun it's trek across the plains, passing mountains and rocks, which at one time had grass growing on it.
Fox sighed in the driver's seat. This would take a while.
"Jacques?"Fox begun.
Yes, McCloud? The Marine replied over Fox's com.
"How come you are so willing to fight against Venom?" he asked, "I'm just curious."
The Venomians are partly the cause of Cerinia's demise, Jacques answered, I made a vow to my fallen battle-brothers, human and Cerinian alike, to avenge them. Even if it would mean my blood, but hopefully…He paused for a second…
I only hope to spill my enemy's blood.
"That's another thing I wanna talk about," Fox said, frowing slightly, "You call Venomians 'aliens' and 'xenos' whole you show respect towards me and the other guys."
You are associates of Princess Krystal, Jacques said, Her compatriots are my compatriots. And that you are a leader, and I respect individuals who lead their peoples to prominence.
Fox's eyes widened, and couldn't help but smile. This guy would definitely have been accepted into Star Fox under his dad, James. The team back then definitely needed somebody of that calibre, even if he were a human.
Jacques was completely unaffected by the slight toxic oddities in the air as he sat on top of the tank. His third lung saw to that. His eyes were closed in deep focus, even though Fox still spoke to him through his earpiece.
One more thing, Fox said, Once this is all done, how are you going to get back home?
Jacques' eyes shot open upon mention of that word.
"Home?"
Uh-huh, Fox confirmed.
"Cerinia was my base of operations," Jacques replied, his eyes then downcast.
Surely you lived somewhere else before Cerinia, Fox asked.
Jacques thought about his home planet, his least favourite subject.
"I do not wish to talk about that," Jacques said, frowning slightly
Oh, Fox said, surprised, I'm sorry.
"Do not be," Jacques said, "Just do not press further on that subject."
An hour later, they approached the large rock cliff of the plateau, where situated on it was the fortress. Jacques looked up at the steep cliff.
You still with me, Marine? Fox asked.
"I am," Jacques replied.
He then hopped off the tank and walked over to the cliff, looking up.
What are you doing? Fox asked, alarmed.
"I will scout ahead," Jacques replied, slinging his boltgun over his shoulder.
Fox could only watch incredulous as Jacques slowly grabbed hold of the nearest rock and begun to slowly scale the cliff.
'Where can we get more guys like him?' he thought smartly.
Meanwhile outside the fortress walls, near an AA station, two Venomians wore oxygen masks as they stood ground; a chimpanzee and a lemur.
"God this planet stinks," the lemur complained, "The fumes are sneaking into my mask."
"Damn right," the chimp agreed.
They then heard a sharp whistle near the edge of the cliff. They gripped their blaster rifles protectively.
"What was that?"
Rifles in hand, they walked over to the edge and looked down…where a chained-blade swung upwards and tore it's way through the chimp's head, splattering blood and brains everywhere.
"Hell!" the lemur cried.
Jacques then tore up and grabbed the lemurs rifle, flinging the Venomian above his head, which he then begun plummeting down the cliff.
Fox looked up from his tank.
'It's been twenty minutes,' he thought, 'What…THE HELL!'
A lemur monkey splattered on the ground before his tank. Then Jacque's voice was heard over the coms.
Do not come up yet, Jacques said, The West Side air defences are still on-line. I will need at least ten minutes.
"Right," Fox replied smirking, "Take your time."
Jacques stood near the edge of the plateau, looking up at the massive wall. He wondered why the defences were not tight here on this rather unsettling planet. He shrugged that thought out of his head and sneaked towards the AA bunker, where the only sounds from his was the creaking of his armour.
He then kicked down the metal door, startling the technicians and guards inside it.
"Huh!"
"WHAT THE HELL…?"
He then fired up his chainsword, where he gripped the vibrating bladed weapon with one hand.
"HE'S GOT A BLADE!" a guard cried, raising his blaster rifle.
Jacques charged and swung forward, rendering him slowly in half as the other Venomians watched, horrified at the sight of a human warrior.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE GAWKING," one officer screamed, pulling out his blaster, "KILL IT!"
The guards begun firing at Jacques as he shielded his face with his arm as he charged forward. He tackled 2 guards, whose fingers were on the triggers and firing blaster bolts everywhere as they fell, before he swung his chainsword and sliced through more guards.
He then moved in on the officer, who was firing wildly at him.
"Not a single headshot, xenos!" Jacques smirked.
He then grabbed the ape's head and smashed it through the metal wall, pulverising his face. One tech took of for the radio, before feeling the armoured fist of the Space Marine, which knocked him down. He then smashed the radio.
Jacques pulled out his boltgun and begun firing off rocket-propelled lead, cutting through guard and technician alike, their blood spilt over the floor and terminals.
For his finale, Jacques stepped up to the nearest terminal and typed away.
WEST-SIDE AIR DEFENCE STATION #2 OFFLINE
He then put his fist through the terminal screen.
'One down,' he thought.
He then left the bunker as it is…blood-soaked to the brim.
Orbiting the planet was the Great Fox, where it's crew was standing around impatiently on the bridge. Falco was the most edgy.
"What's takin' McCloud and Mortensen, the Double M's?" he queried heated.
"Patience, Falco," Krystal said softly, "They're just making sure our jobs easier."
Peppy noticed she was slightly tense.
"Krystal?" Peppy begun.
She turned his way.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm sure Fox is ok," he reassured her, "If that is what you're worried about."
Krystal nodded appreciably, "I'm sure as well."
But it wasn't Fox she was worried about. Rather, it as her protector and saviour: The Space Marine known as Jacques.
She smiled when she thought of him, which was interrupted by Fox's voice over the coms.
Fox here. You guy's getting this?"Sure are?" Falco said, smiling at hearing his best friend's voice, "What's up?"
Jacques says he's already taken one AA site out, Fox reported, You better get yourselves ready if you plan to keep us alive down here.
"Sit tight, Fox," Falco said, "Death from above coming your way."
Fox's voice was silenced. Falco still smiled.
"Let's do this!" Falco exclaimed, running to the bridge door and stepping through it.
The others noted Falco's need to stay in the cockpit and his determination to complete this mission.
"I say it's boredom," Slippy remarked, "That's got to be it."
The others nodded as they followed Falco to the hangar.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the west wall, near the other AA bunker.
"What the hell's going on?" a reptilian guard demanded as he stepped out of the bunker equipping his gasmask, "We've lost contact with bunker #2."
"Probably the atmosphere," other reptile answered, "Thank God we'll be pulling out of this craphole of a…"
Suddenly, one of them was sent flying into the air as Jacques dove out of hiding and gave him a mighty kick, punting him over the edge. Before the other reptile could react, he received a blow to the face, sending his mask flying off and him unconscious.
He then walked into the bunker, boltgun ready. Two minutes later…
WEST-SIDE AIR DEFENCE STATION #1 OFFLINE
Jacques then touched his earpiece.
"McCloud," he begun, "The defences on this side have been shutdown. It is safe to come up."
Finally, Fox said on the other line, I'm on my way.
Fox activated the jet-boosters of the Landmaster and flew all the way to the top of the plateau, where Jay greeted him, stepping outside of the bunker.
"Take cover, Jacques," Fox said, aiming the cannon towards the way and loading up a bomb, "This is gonna make a lot of noise."
He then fired off a bomb, which blew a gaping hole in the wall, startling everything behind it.
In the control centre, the Commander sat, where he was still gleeful.
"They've fallen for the trap," he said to himself, before ordering, "Power it up."
"Yes sir," a technician replied, typing at his terminal.
The Commander smiled; he had them all right where he wanted.