Fox sat and faced his comrades. The recent attack on the attacking Romulan War bird had raised the morale of the Star Fox team, but at what cost? For all they knew, they were getting in over their heads. After all, they were facing an unknown enemy in an unknown region of space.
"They're hailing us, Fox." Said Slippy.
"Put them through." Replied Fox. He was expecting the defeated Romulans to hail them again. The thing he wasn't sure of was what their reaction would be. He was beginning to think his actions were too aggressive. Even if they did attack first, it may not have been the wisest decision to cripple their craft. The main view port of the GreatFox was suddenly filled with the menacing visage of the Romulan from before, presumably the captain of the craft.
"This indignation will not be soon forgotten. I do not know what manner of weapon you used that could disable our engines so easily, or what sort of one-man craft could carry a weapon of such power, for that matter. However, know that I am not intimidated. Your little ploy has bought you a moment's respite from my wrath. Enjoy it while you can, because I will not hold back next time we meet." The image of the Romulan captain disappeared from the screen.
"Their shields are back online. I'm not seeing any weapon activity… They're probably not going to attack again until their engines are back online too." Said Falco. He had been bored from the lack of activity and would readily welcome combat if the opportunity arose, but now it appeared that most of the fighting was finished. Peppy looked intently at his monitor, as though searching for a way to refute Falco's statement.
"I wouldn't count them out of the fight just yet. Just because their engines are destroyed doesn't mean they aren't planning a counter-attack." Fox held up a hand to stall any further argument.
"That may be so, Peppy, but that's not a reason to hesitate. We have an advantage; we've got to press it. Slippy, what's the status of the Warp Drive?" Slippy keyed in a few commands on his keyboard, bringing up the diagnostics of the GreatFox on his monitor. He scanned over them and then shook his viridian tinted head in dismay.
"That last warp really wreaked havoc with the Warp Drive's energy cells. They're completely fried, every last one of them. I'll need time and supplies to repair the Drive properly." Fox growled, not at all pleased with the situation. They were stranded in unknown space with engines that could give out at any moment and a completely useless Warp Drive. As much as he hated to admit it, they needed help.
"Krystal. Sweep the area for minds that might be willing to help outsiders. If we're going to survive, we'll need the assistance of the locals." Said Fox. Krystal nodded and lightly touched her index fingers to her temples. She closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment and soon, everyone on board the GreatFox could feel her presence in their mind as she reached out, searching for someone, anyone, who would help them. After a few moments, she opened her eyes. An expression of alarm painted her lovely features.
"There's someone behind us…. I believe they are intent on attacking us." She said, trying to remain calm. Her words were soon proven to be true as the ship rumbled violently under an assault of weapon fire. The usually invisible shields that protected the craft shimmered and flickered, teetering on the verge of going out entirely. The Star Fox team was instantly prepared for battle.
"Our shields weren't back at full strength when they attacked, so they wont hold for long. I'll do what I can to stabilize them, but I can't work miracles. You need to do something, quick!" Croaked Slippy, frantically typing to try and keep what little shielding they had active.
"I agree with Slippy. I don't know how these jerks snuck up behind us like that, but it doesn't matter. I'm gonna go out there and put an end to this." Said Falco. He got up and headed for the elevator that would take him from the Bridge to the Docking Bay, but stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hold it, Falco. We don't need to deploy individual Arwings anymore; the plasma cannons are back online. No one else is leaving the ship, it's far too dangerous." Said Fox sternly. Falco shrugged his hand off his shoulder.
"Those cannons are all well and good for destroying enemies. But you said we needed information. If we shoot those guys until they blow up or retreat, we'll have learned nothing and probably gained the attention of the local government. But, I'm guessing that ship has a Docking Bay, so if I can infiltrate the ship from there, I'll be able to take these guys out from the inside, and probably get some information while I'm at it."
"How do you intend to do that? Even on the off chance that the ship does have a Docking Bay, what makes you think it wont be guarded?" Asked Fox, narrowing his eyes.
"If you can keep them distracted by attacking them with every weapon available, I'm pretty sure the guards will have higher priority worries than guarding a Docking Bay. As long as you keep them on the offensive, they wont notice I've entered their ship until it's too late." Fox sighed, frustrated. Falco's plan was feasible, and it was true that if he succeeded, they'd likely glean some valuable knowledge.
"This is insane. I must be the biggest idiot in Lylat." He sighed again, not quite believing he was about to do this. "Alright, go. We'll keep them distracted. But for the sake of the Gods, be careful." Falco chuckled a little.
"I've faced tougher missions than this before. Our little trip to the Aparoid Homeworld makes this seem like I'm back at the academy again." He turned from Fox and started for the elevator again. He stepped inside and pressed the down button.
"If I don't make it back, you'd better avenge me." He said, just as the doors closed. Fox could not tell if Falco was joking or if he really thought there was a chance he would die during this mission.
Fox returned to the Bridge just in time to see Falco shooting out of the Docking Bay on one of the many surveillance screens. He took his seat, determined to see his friend alive again.
"Alright, team. We've got to do everything we can to cover Falco as he infiltrates that ship. Power up the plasma cannons and load up every Nova Bomb we've got in storage. We're going to throw everything we've got at these guys." As soon as the words left his mouth, his teammates were on it, each doing their part to carry out Fox's orders. Slippy left the Bridge for the Engine Room, where he could better monitor the shields and load the Nova Bombs. Peppy took up Falco's station, taking hold of the plasma cannon and laser turret controls. Krystal entered a soundproof room in the back of the ship, where she could use her telepathy to monitor the thoughts of their enemies and transfer their plans to Fox via comm.-link. Fox opened the communications frequency to Falco's Arwing.
"Are you guys ready up there?" Falco crackled in.
"As we'll ever be. Let's do this." Replied Fox, cracking his fingers in anticipation.