Man, it's been FOREVER since I've even visited this site. I may be getting back into the writing groove, I've had some ideas bumping around inside my head...I've changed my name, my apologies if it throws anyone for a mo'. Give me some time to dig around for my notes, and I'll try to post chapter VI soon.

sigh...I also apologize for the false update, it seems my fiddling with the chapters has prompted the site to bump my story to the top of the list. The only things that changed are some minor grammatical errors (I'm using Word now), and the addition of my version of a Starfox timeline.

V

"So...you guys are cousins?"

"Yes. Second cousins, or step-cousins, or cousins once removed, I've never been quite sure...I've never been particularly strong on genealogy, a fact which annoyed our relatives to no end." Peppy had shown them an old piece of paper with a section of the Hare family tree. The entire tree would have been large enough to provide wallpaper for the entire ship, so it was subdivided into slightly more convenient 3'x3' squares. As he pointed out, his mother had been cousin to the Professor's mother, so they were definitely related somehow.

"We Hares are very fond of genealogy, having such large families as we do." The Professor explained, as they sauntered down the corridor towards the living quarters.

"Yeah, I can understand that." Isis was in front, and therefore stuck with the duty of conversing with the two nostalgic Hares. She had also been shown the full, unabridged version of the family tree - it occupied an entire file cabinet in the ship's library (which was really nothing more than a converted officers' lounge next to the bridge, across from the main entrance).

"Salty and I were sort of the 'runts', if you will. Perhaps that's why our parents named us in such poor taste..."

"I was wondering about that - what the heck kind of name is Salty?"

"A very poor pun: Peppy, Salty. Get it?" Sparrow explained; he was apparently listening to their every word, even from the back of the room.

"Ahem." Peppy cleared his throat before continuing. "As I was saying, we were the two who went our own way, being the 'nonconformists'. Salty became a teacher, myself a pilot, and everyone else that I can think of joined the Corps. of Engineers for some reason."

"So, how did a well-to-do professional such as yourself come to be associated with these mercs?" Isis asked, her tone of voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ah, that is a story." The aged Hare stopped walking, and began.

"I was raised in a neighborhood just North of Corneria City, away from all the hustle and bustle. Most of my relatives lived in the main city, closer to their work, so I never really had anyone to talk to or play with as I was growing up. Then one day, when I was about eight, a family - family, mind you - moved in across the street. My parents went to greet them and help with the unpacking, and I was left sitting on the front step like so many other children, who were only good at getting in the way. What I didn't expect, was that I was going to be joined by their son, who was about my age - only a few months younger, in fact. His name was James McCloud."

Isis almost did a double-take. This guy knew James McCloud! She had made a point of familiarizing herself with every detail in his file, especially his piloting. He was legend among pilots in the system, and she was determined to change that - there was no second place in her mind.

"James and I got along fine. We saw each other at school, after school, and spent half the nights at the other's house for whatever reasons we could concoct. When we reached our 16th birthday - we often celebrated them on the same day for convenience - we decided to enroll in the Space Flight Academy together - the very same academy as you go to today, though I'm sure it has changed over the years. James was an amazing student and pilot, surpassing everyone else of our age and becoming a near legend among even the combat aces of our time..." A shuffle from Sparrow jolted him from his reverie. "Ah, but I digress. we can speak of his prowess another time."

"When we graduated, at the ripe age of 21, James was valedictorian - an honor in more than just name. The class valedictorian gets to begin his military career as an officer in charge of a team of three, and he gets to choose his wingmen from his graduating class. James chose me and the next best pilot, Pigma Dengar. Dengar was a pig in both race and creed, and was about 80 pounds overweight - a real slob. Nevertheless, he knew how to fly.

"Shortly after naming our team, 'Starfox', James fell enamored with Vixy Reinard, a recently-graduated doctor about his age. They were married within six months, and had a son soon after. They named him Fox James McCloud, and he now commands the team."

Isis interrupted. "So, why did Fox take over from his father, and how did the team go from Space Corps to Mercenary?" Isis was dying to find out how the McCloud family went from military legend to mercenaries, and the Hare's partial explanation to her initial question only deepened her anxiety.

Isis could see the Hare's complexion change to a much more solemn tone, and a twinkle in his eye. "That is something you will have to ask Fox." For once, the Hare didn't elaborate. Sensing the Raven's next question, he added, "You'll find him in the Mess Hall. I believe he is explaining something similar to his own 'Vixy'." Peppy grinned, and showed them the door to their quarters. "You'll have to excuse the clutter, Slippy is a first-rate engineer, but rather eccentric." Electronic parts and mechanical gizmos were strewn across the floor, covering it wall-to-wall in a carpet of plastic and steel.

"Holy schmidt, I can hardly walk in here!" Whiskers lamented.

"Also, you will have to work out sleeping arrangements, as there is only one bed. However, there is a cot hiding in the corner..." Peppy motioned to a comfy-looking recliner disguising itself with part of a jet turbine.

"Dibs on the bed!" Whiskers dove headfirst into a pile of pillows, only to be plucked forth by his tail, and facing a slightly miffed Raven.

"I'm used to making do with whatever, so I'll take the floor." Sparrow began clearing a spot next to the wall, facing the door. "Plus, that bed's more than big enough for two - I vote for Isis and the Professor, since he's just a petty thief, and really should be in the brig." He glared at Whiskers, who returned the look with relish.

"Just so long as you guys don't kill each other, and don't break anything." There was a (conveniently-timed) loud sproing. Whiskers shuffled something behind his back and began whistling innocently. Peppy just shook his head and sighed. "If anybody needs me, my quarters are the next door to your left as you exit. Good night, y'all."

Isis followed him out, and headed for the Mess. She shut the door on a heated argument of "did not, did to" between Whiskers and Sparrow, silently wishing her blaster could do more than just stun.

Fox was indeed in the Mess Hall, sitting at a corner table across from Krystal. Isis entered quietly through the open door and waited in a corner, listening.

"So, what's all this talk about you getting expelled from the Academy? I thought you were a Captain."

"I am. General Pepper gave me the position during the War, so nobody would complain when I led our team against Andross. As for the Academy, it's kinda complicated." Fox scratched behind his ear nervously.

"Well, we have plenty of time before we hit Fortuna, so I want to hear the whole story." Krystal leaned forward eagerly and swished her tail.

Fox sighed and resolved himself - she was right, they had plenty of time and very little to do. "Alright, here goes...

"I guess it started with my father, James McCloud. He was the best pilot in the system, and everybody knew it. He was also quite the family man - not a common combination. When I was four years old, on Christmas Eve, he came home a different person. He didn't smile or play games, he just sat down and held me. He explained later that evening...sigh...my mother had been killed. Someone had rigged a bomb to the car, and she died instantly on her way home from work. That's why I don't really enjoy Christmas - not an easily forgotten memory.

"About a week later, police reported that they had traced the bombing to a crazy old scientist named Andross. Turns out the perverted Ape was in love with my mother, and set up the car bomb in a poorly-executed attempt to get my father out of the picture. Police uncovered a whole bunch of other stuff Andross had been involved in - biological warfare, cloning, mind control - if it was dirty science, he had a stake in it. As his sentence they kicked him offworld, exiling him to Venom - the largest and most inhospitable planet in the system.

"At the base, my father became very quiet and reserved, and always wore a pair of dark glasses to mask his emotions - being the leader of a task force, he didn't want people to see how much the event shook him. At home, however, he played and laughed even more. On a couple occasions, he would manage to fit me inside his fighter, and take me for a ride - that's where I got my love for flight. Since I was about eight, I wanted to be a pilot like him - and he never passed up an opportunity to teach me something new.

"The only other person I had to play with was a kid next door, named William - but to this day, he insists on being called Bill. Bill and I have been best friends as long as I can remember. When I was 16, I met an Avian on the street, desperately trying to repair a hoverbike he wrecked trying some stunt. I convinced him to ditch his bike gang and enroll in the Space Flight Academy, and that's how Falco came onto the scene. I know it seems like I ought to regret that day, but he really does have redeeming qualities - I have entrusted me very life to him, and he's always pulled through. That guy won't lose to anyone, not even himself.

"We were like the Three Musketeers - we did everything together, including enrolling in the Academy. While we were there, we met Slippy, a mechanic-to-be who generously offered to fix Falco's old hoverbike for recreational purposes. When we were nearing the end of our first semester, my father had to leave on an assignment to check some suspicious activity around Venom. He...never returned.

"He wasn't killed in combat, like you'd expect - like he should have. What happened, was Pigma sold out to Andross. That pig crippled his former teammates' fighters before they even had their shields up, and they were no match for Andross' planetary defenses. They were both captured, and locked up in a prison beneath the planet's surface. My father died in that cell, tortured to death so Andross could have his revenge.

"Peppy somehow escaped in one of their fighters, and after about two weeks in the infirmary, told me what had happened. I flipped out. I went to Falco, and we decided (in our infinite wisdom) to take Andross on. Bill was a bit more level-headed, and that's why he still works for Corneria. Peppy, Falco, Slippy, and I sneaked into the main hangar. Slip helped us hijack some fighters, and we were off.

"We never even made it out of the atmosphere. We were flagged down and 'escorted' to the academy equivalent of a court marshal, and this time our sentencewas exile - it was a popular option back then. Our citizenship was permanently revoked, and we were shipped off to the lonely desert world of Papetoon, where we spent the better part of 2 years raiding Venomian transports and living in a cave."

Isis had heard what she wanted. Fox continued recounting his story, but she slipped out the same way she came in. So that's how it happened. I'll have to talk to our host in the morning - this could be a very interesting trip.

"So, both your parents died when you were still a child?" Krystal finished.

"Yeah, but I've learned to cope. I guess that's one of the reasons I've made it this far as a merc - nothing fazes me much. I never even cried."

"You never cried? At your parents' deaths?" She was, needless to say, shocked. She had spent almost two days solid crying when Cerinia went down.

"Nope. Never have. I sometimes wonder if I even know how, but I figure I must - everyone does, right? It's programmed. Like breathing and eating."

"Yes, I suppose."

"And besides, I really wasn't much of a child - only a few years younger than you are now, right?" He grinned wryly.

"I've told you before, Cerinians age differently. We have shorter childhoods - we mature faster. I'm really about 24 by Cornerian standards, not 19." This didn't change the fact that she felt a little young to be having romantic feelings towards him, but still...

They got up and left, walking back to the living quarters for the night. Suddenly, Krystal remembered the other thing she had wanted to ask. "Is anything wrong? You've been sort of quiet today, and even during that little explanation you were very brief. I can't help but sense that you're somewhat...preoccupied." She had long ago told him about her semi-psychic sensing ability. It wasn't nearly strong enough to be considered mind-reading, but she could sense things too subtle for others - emotions, intent, sometimes she knew where things were that had gone missing. The ability came and went, and she had little control over it - but still, it wasn't really a hazard to anyone's privacy.

"Nah, it's nothing. I'm fine." She didn't have to be psychic to see right through that lie.

"You're not fine, and you're going to have to tell me what's wrong. You know I won't let you off the hook." She was smart enough to know when to be stubborn, and stubborn enough to get what she wanted - always.

"Well..." Fox sighed. "Alright. Today is...well, would have been...my parents' 27th anniversary. I just feel sort of weird when this time comes around each year, knowing there really isn't any point in remembering, but unable to forget."

"Well, I know this won't be comforting, but I don't think your parents would want to getting all bent out of shape over their anniversary. You can bet they don't bother remembering it." She smiled, and he returned it. She had managed to cheer him up a bit with her dry humor.

"Yeah, you're right. I've managed to move on in everything else, so why not this?" They had just reached Fox's quarters, and were now standing outside his door talking. "I guess I just need to realize that they're gone, and aren't going to come back. It happens, and I shouldn't begrudge the universe for making it happen to me." As he had this epiphany, he carefully destroyed the Stick-It note on his door, setting a mental reminder to talk to Falco in the morning. He tucked the crumpled note in his back pocket, hoping Krystal hadn't noticed. "You should get some sleep. I'm sure you'll be wanting to visit some old friends and places once we land, so you'll need the rest." Krystal nodded and smiled. They parted with a goodnight kiss, and went to their respective rooms for the night.