Chapter 2: Old Friends
"I'm bored."
"Me too."
"Not so loud! Fox is trying to get some sleep, he's had a long day," Krystal snapped as she thwacked Falco Lombardi over the head with her staff, which she happened to be polishing at the moment. She then commenced with furiously rubbing the area that she had touched Falco with. Bloody bird. Probably had lice…
Falco carefully rubbed his head. "Hey, not so hard! That's a metal rod you're hitting people with."
"Oh, please. Your skull is thick enough to withstand the punishment," Krystal retorted with a sneer.
Slippy Toad looked a bit thoughtful before adding, "You know, she is right…"
"I know," Falco said, "I have a very thick skull."
"Then you shouldn't mind me whacking it again." Once more the staff came down on Falco's feather pate with a satisfying KABONG.
"Ow! I've had a long day too, you know…gimme' a break!"
The three of them were gathered around a small card table, trying to whittle the time away. Slippy was resting his big green head on the table, a bunch of spare parts littering his personal space and a forgotten screw driver in his hand. Falco, dressed in his snazzy black leathers, feet on the table threatening to knock over the small pile of mechanical parts, passed the time by staring at the ceiling and playing with his black headband. His strategy wasn't very effective considering the ceiling got boring after a while and there was only so much one could do with a headband. Krystal just polished her staff and hummed the occasional song, clad in her typical attire; a gold and white bikini top coupled with a flowing loin cloth and bits of gold armor and jewelry. Occasionally she would gripe at the other two with her distinctly English accent. It was all very exciting. Right.
"Speaking of you being involved in work, I hope this "friend" of yours is reliable. I think I'm going to go insane if I stay up here doing nothing for much longer," Krystal said, breaking the silence. Falco took his feet off the table and rested his head on his arms…wings…things…
"Ooo…wouldn't want that now, would we?"
Krystal slammed her staff down on her knees, "Are you begging for it or what?!"
"Hey, hey! C'mon you two, knock it off!" Slippy said, "Ya'll know better."
Peppy Hare moved his spectacles higher on his graying nose and contemplatively watched the rest of the team's nattering from a distance, comfortably situated on a cushioned spinning chair. They were on the littered main deck of the Great Fox, hanging in space above the planet Nusella, awaiting confirmation from "control" that it was safe for them to dock somewhere. The panorama from the deck's main view port offered a spectacular view of the planet in all its purple-brown glory, a clay crescent amid a shower of sparks. They were here to pick up a tip from an old contact of Falco's, and had been assured a private "air strip" somewhere down there.
Peppy momentarily wondered what was taking so long. Though the Great Fox was shiny and new from repairs made possible by the Dino Planet job, it could by no means orbit up here forever. Not to mention everyone would get really bored really fast. He had already seen an example of the team's antics. He made a mental note of avoiding Krystal's wrath.
Peppy sighed and thought to himself, we are a team, aren't we?
One year after the escapade on Dinosaur Planet, (Fox had noted that the name was a little…uncreative), the Star Fox team had come back together and was, in a sense, renewed; the excitement and adventure was back, the arwings no longer neglected. The team even included a new member, a blue she fox named Krystal, the first female on the Star Fox team. There was also ROB, long time maintenance worker of the Great Fox. ROB was a robot driven by artificial intelligence, lovingly constructed by Slippy with spare parts and rare chip work. The living machine had a life of its very own, and was beloved by the team.
There was one other official member, but the Prince Tricky didn't count…
Peppy sighed again. It was a good feeling. The Great Fox was back in commission. Fox had a lady-friend. Fox, the closest thing he had ever had to a son. Things were finally coming together. Now, if only they would stay that way.
As if on cue, a startling crash coupled with a shout came from the living quarters.
From Fox's room.
…I'm not going in.
Of course not…
Who are you? A laugh like a gentle breeze invaded Fox's mind. It stirred the purple mist that surrounded him…or was it smoke? He couldn't tell, it didn't want him to know. It had a life of its own.
Who are you?
Don't you know? Fox's blood ran cold and, naturally, he began to run. Since when was there ground here?
Don't you…want to know?
No! And there was no more ground.
"Fox! FOX! Wake up before I clout you over the head!" Krystal yelled straight into Fox's big furry ear. Falco , standing in the doorway, muttered, "Hypocrite…"
Krystal scowled at him, "Stop griping and help me get him back into his bunk." She was crouched beside Fox, who was sprawled on the floor next to his bed. The clap-on-clap-off light in the room was bright as day, newly installed.
Krystal grabbed Fox's shoulder while Falco got his feet. "Ok, on count of three. One…two…three-- HEAVE!" And Fox was jostled awake by landing on his rumpled bed, which protested with a wiry creak. Krystal dusted off her hands, "There. He wasn't that heavy." Fox just lay their looking dazed and confused, blinking in the bright lights. Not one to wear pajamas, he was still dressed in his green, sleeve-less jump-suite and white vest. His lucky red bandana was tied around his neck.
Peppy's sandy voice echoed down the darkened hallway, Peppy himself making his way slowly to their location with the help of Slippy. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, pokey! Everything's great!" Falco yelled back, then he turned to Fox. "Hey, buddy, you alright?" Fox, still dazed, nodded, "Yeah, could you tone down the lights?"
"Sure." Falco clapped once and the lights dimmed to a less harsh wattage.
Krystal scowled at Falco, then morphed into concerned mode and leaned in close, "Really, Fox. Is everything okay? You look a little worse for wear."
"I said I'm okay, REALLY…could you guys let me get up?" The faces of Krystal and Falco filled whatever vision he had left.
"That's right, let the boy get some air," Peppy ambled into the room, supported by Slippy. Fox growled.
"Ugh, c'mon people I'm not made of glass! It was just a bad dream that's all. Nothing more, nothing less. Happy?" Fox sat up as Peppy sighed and pulled up a chair.
"We're sorry Fox, it's just that you've been the most excitement we've had all day…" Peppy took off his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. Krystal snorted.
"Heh. I was half hoping something had boarded the ship, then we could kill it and have ourselves some fun," she sat cross legged next to Peppy, staff in hand.
Fox winced. "Wow, you guys must really be bored out of your brains for Krystal to be that, well, that bloodthirsty..."
"Tell me about it!" Falco blurted out, "We've been up here for hours and I've had to endure her the entire time! ENTIRE TIME! Polish, thwack the bird, polish, thwack the bird, polish, insult the bird--"
Krystal got halfway up and looked at him with murder in mind, "You're complaining! It's your contact!"
"SETTLE DOWN! Criton..." Fox sighed heavily, stood up and stretched, then turned his attention back to the rest of the crew, "C'mon, let's get back on the main deck. Falco's contact could have beeped us by now…where's ROB?" Everyone suddenly turned to Slippy.
"Uh…I don't know…isn't he on the main deck..? That's where I saw him last," Slippy replied haltingly. "He…is usually with us. I'm surprised he's not down here by now."
"Well, let's get going up to him then," Peppy used his cane to lift himself into a stand, "C'mere, Slip, and give me a hand to the lift."
The little red light on the arm of Fox's command chair blinked on and off in a soundless rhythm, the only kinetic movement on the darkened main deck. Someone had sent a transmission and Fox was perplexed. Where had ROB gone? He should have answered it by now, or at least informed the rest of them that there was a message. This could prove a problem, but he couldn't worry about just yet.
"Fox, hit the button!" Falco was literally bouncing from foot to foot in anticipation.
"Alright alright! Yeeee…I am the leader you know-!" And Fox sailed through the air, his target, the button, slapping it before Falco could.
Falco protested, "Hey! No fair!"
"Who cares! Message!"
The holographic transmitter buzzed to life and filled the room with electric light. What showed up was the desperate face of a young man…but something was different about him. None of them could place what it was. The sound finally kicked in and he spoke.
"Falco! It's your old bro, Jacabo. Where are you? Look, I'm sorry about the parking space…I ran into a bit of a complication, which is why I'm going to have to cut this real short." The speaker's forehead was dotted by a sheen of sweat. He paused, took a breath, then went on, "Anyway, you know there's a price on my head! That's why I know you'll be understanding about the wait. Okay now, there is a nice, discreet drop point a good eight miles from the main city where I am, hidden in the rocks. Nobody should know of your presence, we're by-passing the landing monitors. Be quick. We'll have to meet somewhere different than the usual. Try the Ur-Jax. Jacobo out." And the transmission fizzed out of existence.
...To be continued...
Next... Ch. 3: Intrigue and Oddities
"I'm bored."
"Me too."
"Not so loud! Fox is trying to get some sleep, he's had a long day," Krystal snapped as she thwacked Falco Lombardi over the head with her staff, which she happened to be polishing at the moment. She then commenced with furiously rubbing the area that she had touched Falco with. Bloody bird. Probably had lice…
Falco carefully rubbed his head. "Hey, not so hard! That's a metal rod you're hitting people with."
"Oh, please. Your skull is thick enough to withstand the punishment," Krystal retorted with a sneer.
Slippy Toad looked a bit thoughtful before adding, "You know, she is right…"
"I know," Falco said, "I have a very thick skull."
"Then you shouldn't mind me whacking it again." Once more the staff came down on Falco's feather pate with a satisfying KABONG.
"Ow! I've had a long day too, you know…gimme' a break!"
The three of them were gathered around a small card table, trying to whittle the time away. Slippy was resting his big green head on the table, a bunch of spare parts littering his personal space and a forgotten screw driver in his hand. Falco, dressed in his snazzy black leathers, feet on the table threatening to knock over the small pile of mechanical parts, passed the time by staring at the ceiling and playing with his black headband. His strategy wasn't very effective considering the ceiling got boring after a while and there was only so much one could do with a headband. Krystal just polished her staff and hummed the occasional song, clad in her typical attire; a gold and white bikini top coupled with a flowing loin cloth and bits of gold armor and jewelry. Occasionally she would gripe at the other two with her distinctly English accent. It was all very exciting. Right.
"Speaking of you being involved in work, I hope this "friend" of yours is reliable. I think I'm going to go insane if I stay up here doing nothing for much longer," Krystal said, breaking the silence. Falco took his feet off the table and rested his head on his arms…wings…things…
"Ooo…wouldn't want that now, would we?"
Krystal slammed her staff down on her knees, "Are you begging for it or what?!"
"Hey, hey! C'mon you two, knock it off!" Slippy said, "Ya'll know better."
Peppy Hare moved his spectacles higher on his graying nose and contemplatively watched the rest of the team's nattering from a distance, comfortably situated on a cushioned spinning chair. They were on the littered main deck of the Great Fox, hanging in space above the planet Nusella, awaiting confirmation from "control" that it was safe for them to dock somewhere. The panorama from the deck's main view port offered a spectacular view of the planet in all its purple-brown glory, a clay crescent amid a shower of sparks. They were here to pick up a tip from an old contact of Falco's, and had been assured a private "air strip" somewhere down there.
Peppy momentarily wondered what was taking so long. Though the Great Fox was shiny and new from repairs made possible by the Dino Planet job, it could by no means orbit up here forever. Not to mention everyone would get really bored really fast. He had already seen an example of the team's antics. He made a mental note of avoiding Krystal's wrath.
Peppy sighed and thought to himself, we are a team, aren't we?
One year after the escapade on Dinosaur Planet, (Fox had noted that the name was a little…uncreative), the Star Fox team had come back together and was, in a sense, renewed; the excitement and adventure was back, the arwings no longer neglected. The team even included a new member, a blue she fox named Krystal, the first female on the Star Fox team. There was also ROB, long time maintenance worker of the Great Fox. ROB was a robot driven by artificial intelligence, lovingly constructed by Slippy with spare parts and rare chip work. The living machine had a life of its very own, and was beloved by the team.
There was one other official member, but the Prince Tricky didn't count…
Peppy sighed again. It was a good feeling. The Great Fox was back in commission. Fox had a lady-friend. Fox, the closest thing he had ever had to a son. Things were finally coming together. Now, if only they would stay that way.
As if on cue, a startling crash coupled with a shout came from the living quarters.
From Fox's room.
…I'm not going in.
Of course not…
Who are you? A laugh like a gentle breeze invaded Fox's mind. It stirred the purple mist that surrounded him…or was it smoke? He couldn't tell, it didn't want him to know. It had a life of its own.
Who are you?
Don't you know? Fox's blood ran cold and, naturally, he began to run. Since when was there ground here?
Don't you…want to know?
No! And there was no more ground.
"Fox! FOX! Wake up before I clout you over the head!" Krystal yelled straight into Fox's big furry ear. Falco , standing in the doorway, muttered, "Hypocrite…"
Krystal scowled at him, "Stop griping and help me get him back into his bunk." She was crouched beside Fox, who was sprawled on the floor next to his bed. The clap-on-clap-off light in the room was bright as day, newly installed.
Krystal grabbed Fox's shoulder while Falco got his feet. "Ok, on count of three. One…two…three-- HEAVE!" And Fox was jostled awake by landing on his rumpled bed, which protested with a wiry creak. Krystal dusted off her hands, "There. He wasn't that heavy." Fox just lay their looking dazed and confused, blinking in the bright lights. Not one to wear pajamas, he was still dressed in his green, sleeve-less jump-suite and white vest. His lucky red bandana was tied around his neck.
Peppy's sandy voice echoed down the darkened hallway, Peppy himself making his way slowly to their location with the help of Slippy. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, pokey! Everything's great!" Falco yelled back, then he turned to Fox. "Hey, buddy, you alright?" Fox, still dazed, nodded, "Yeah, could you tone down the lights?"
"Sure." Falco clapped once and the lights dimmed to a less harsh wattage.
Krystal scowled at Falco, then morphed into concerned mode and leaned in close, "Really, Fox. Is everything okay? You look a little worse for wear."
"I said I'm okay, REALLY…could you guys let me get up?" The faces of Krystal and Falco filled whatever vision he had left.
"That's right, let the boy get some air," Peppy ambled into the room, supported by Slippy. Fox growled.
"Ugh, c'mon people I'm not made of glass! It was just a bad dream that's all. Nothing more, nothing less. Happy?" Fox sat up as Peppy sighed and pulled up a chair.
"We're sorry Fox, it's just that you've been the most excitement we've had all day…" Peppy took off his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. Krystal snorted.
"Heh. I was half hoping something had boarded the ship, then we could kill it and have ourselves some fun," she sat cross legged next to Peppy, staff in hand.
Fox winced. "Wow, you guys must really be bored out of your brains for Krystal to be that, well, that bloodthirsty..."
"Tell me about it!" Falco blurted out, "We've been up here for hours and I've had to endure her the entire time! ENTIRE TIME! Polish, thwack the bird, polish, thwack the bird, polish, insult the bird--"
Krystal got halfway up and looked at him with murder in mind, "You're complaining! It's your contact!"
"SETTLE DOWN! Criton..." Fox sighed heavily, stood up and stretched, then turned his attention back to the rest of the crew, "C'mon, let's get back on the main deck. Falco's contact could have beeped us by now…where's ROB?" Everyone suddenly turned to Slippy.
"Uh…I don't know…isn't he on the main deck..? That's where I saw him last," Slippy replied haltingly. "He…is usually with us. I'm surprised he's not down here by now."
"Well, let's get going up to him then," Peppy used his cane to lift himself into a stand, "C'mere, Slip, and give me a hand to the lift."
The little red light on the arm of Fox's command chair blinked on and off in a soundless rhythm, the only kinetic movement on the darkened main deck. Someone had sent a transmission and Fox was perplexed. Where had ROB gone? He should have answered it by now, or at least informed the rest of them that there was a message. This could prove a problem, but he couldn't worry about just yet.
"Fox, hit the button!" Falco was literally bouncing from foot to foot in anticipation.
"Alright alright! Yeeee…I am the leader you know-!" And Fox sailed through the air, his target, the button, slapping it before Falco could.
Falco protested, "Hey! No fair!"
"Who cares! Message!"
The holographic transmitter buzzed to life and filled the room with electric light. What showed up was the desperate face of a young man…but something was different about him. None of them could place what it was. The sound finally kicked in and he spoke.
"Falco! It's your old bro, Jacabo. Where are you? Look, I'm sorry about the parking space…I ran into a bit of a complication, which is why I'm going to have to cut this real short." The speaker's forehead was dotted by a sheen of sweat. He paused, took a breath, then went on, "Anyway, you know there's a price on my head! That's why I know you'll be understanding about the wait. Okay now, there is a nice, discreet drop point a good eight miles from the main city where I am, hidden in the rocks. Nobody should know of your presence, we're by-passing the landing monitors. Be quick. We'll have to meet somewhere different than the usual. Try the Ur-Jax. Jacobo out." And the transmission fizzed out of existence.
...To be continued...
Next... Ch. 3: Intrigue and Oddities