Torzan, Kew
Wolf's ears perked up as the beeping of the keypad reached them.
"Bout damn time."
The lupine kept his hand near his blaster as Carmen entered the safe house.
"Gee, I thought you guys would have knocked off by now."
The dingo turned around after locking the door behind her.
"Kay, what are you all looking at me like that for?"
Leon responded by holding up the communicator and displaying the image of Remnant troopers.
"Care to explain?" the lizard hissed.
Carmen narrowed her eyes.
"It wasn't my decision, you guys…."
"You know what, I am so damn tired of being fucked around by people!" Wolf interrupted.
He stomped over to Carmen and grabbed her by the jacket.
"Get your hands off me." she growled.
"God damn it, woman! What the fuck are you doing this for?! And why'd you have to drag us into it? Honestly, if people thought you were dead, why didn't you just fucking disappear?! You don't seem like you had anyone tying you down!"
A pained expression similar to the one from earlier passed over Carmen's face before her features contorted into rage.
"I said…"
She stomped on Wolf's foot, causing him to release his grip. The dingo then delivered a right hook that knocked the lupine to the floor.
"Get Off!"
Leon and Panther promptly drew and aimed their blasters. Carmen merely regarded them with a snarl.
"Alright, you boys wanna know the truth?! Fine. I wasn't kidding when I said that pursuing that lead cost me a lot."
She gestured to the burn scars on her tail.
"I've got a bigger one on my back, not that I'd show it to you creeps! Koates must have figured out that I was onto him, because some people came in the night and grenaded my house. As you all know, I didn't fucking die!"
Tears began gathering in the wild dog's eyes.
"Sometimes, I wish had though, cause at least I'd be with my husband and my son!"
That statement caught Star Wolf off guard. Carmen stormed past Leon and Panther.
"Fucking Assholes!" she screamed before going out onto the deck and slamming the door behind her.
While Leon's expression remained unchanged, Panther and Wolf both developed regretful looks.
"Fuck." the latter said as he got up from the floor, rubbing his jaw.
Leon crossed his arms.
"Well Boss, what now?"
"My thoughts exactly." Panther put in.
Wolf looked between his two teammates and sighed.
"She said it herself, we're marked men. And as long as that nine-band still breathes, we always will be."
"So we're staying?" Leon snorted.
"Yeah, Leon, we are."
Panther put a hand on his chin.
"In that case, I'd better go talk to her."
Just as he started walking towards the door, Wolf reached out and clamped a hand down his shoulder.
"Nice try, Panther."
Seeing the jungle cat's bewildered expression, Wolf elaborated.
"I know you mean well, but seeing as I'm the one who did that, I should be the one to undo it."
Panther raised an eyebrow.
"As you say, Wolf."
With a nod, Wolf walked past Panther and went out to the deck. After he was gone, Leon glanced at Panther.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say the Boss was smitten."
The wildcat shook his head.
"I don't expect you to know much about romance, Leon. But, you may have a point."
Out on the deck, Wolf found Carmen leaning on the railing. He could both see and hear that she was crying. To his own bewilderment, Wolf found himself unsure of what to say.
"Damn, I can plan out jobs and dodge lasers in my Wolfen. But this is new territory."
He cleared his throat.
"I guess things got a little heated in there."
Even as the words left his mouth, Wolf realized that they weren't the right ones for this situation.
"Idiot."
Indeed, the glare Carmen gave him pretty much screamed "Fuck off!" The lupine was shocked by her tear-streaked face.
"I uh, well I, I'm….."
Finding himself at a loss for words, Wolf called on what he considered to be the most important piece of advice Uncle Mike had ever given him.
"When the time comes, don't hesitate. Just act."
"Carmen, I'm sorry. I really am."
Her expression softened.
"Thanks, Wolf."
The lupine walked up to her.
"May I?" he asked.
"I don't see anyone else here." Carmen replied with a shrug.
For a few minutes, the two canines stared out across the bay as dawn broke on the horizon. Carmen eventually turned to Wolf.
"Who did you lose?"
"Hmh?" Wolf replied in surprise.
"I know that look, Wolf. All too well."
The lupine considered that and figured that he probably did owe her an explanation.
"My parents. And my uncle."
The dingo was quiet for a moment.
"I guess it's my turn to say I'm sorry."
Wolf looked back out across the bay. The only people he had ever spoken with about his past were Leon and Panther. In the latter case, alcohol had been a factor.
"They were bandits, not exactly people you would call saints. But they were still my family."
The lupine gazed downwards.
"My parents were killed when the Katinese Planetary Guard raided our encampment. Both shot to bits with a tank cannon. My uncle got me out of there."
A teenaged lupine fired the last shot in his blaster charge at a target.
"Good shooting, kid."
The teen turned his one-eyed gaze to a black-furred lupine.
"Targets don't shoot back. You said it yourself, Uncle Mike."
The older wolf smiled.
"Well, I guess some of what I've taught you has stuck, hasn't it, Wolf?"
He walked up and put a hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"If nothing else, Wolf, always remember this; When the time comes, don't hesitate. Just act."
"Yes sir."
"He made me who I am today. Of course, I lost him too."
The two lupines pressed themselves against the alley wall, the older one with a hand clamped over a wound in his side.
Michael O'Donnell glanced at his nephew.
"Go on, kid."
"But….."
"No buts, Wolf! Any way you slice it, I'm gonna die. You stand a better chance without me. Remember what I taught you."
"Yes." the younger lupine replied as tears fell from his eye.
"Don't hesitate. Just act."
With that, Wolf got up and ran down the alleyway. After scaling a fence, he heard a blaster shot.
And realized that he was now well and truly alone in the universe.
"After that, I joined a pirate gang."
The Komodo Dragon leered down at Wolf.
"Anyone can talk the talk, kid. The real question is, can you walk the walk?"
Wolf's gaze remained unwavering.
"Just give me that chance, Captain."
The Komodo pirate grinned.
"You've got enthusiasm, kid. I'll give you that."
He signalled for a chameleon around Wolf's age to come over.
"Powalski, meet your new bunkmate. What'd you say your name was again, kid?"
"O'Donnell." Wolf answered and then met Powalski's gaze.
"The rest, you might say, is history."
Wolf turned back to Carmen.
"Having said that, what happened to you, I wouldn't wish on anyone."
Carmen let out a sigh.
"You asked me why I'm doing this. I suppose I should show you."
She reached into her pocket and took out a photograph. After staring at it for a moment, she turned it so Wolf could see.
It showed three canine figures, one of whom he recognized as Carmen. The other was a black-furred German Shepherd. They were both kneeling down and had their arms wrapped around a boy of about three.
The son primarily resembled the father, though he had the same brown eyes as his mother. Wolf once again found himself at a loss for words.
"Uh, good looking kid."
"Yeah, he was." Carmen replied as she put the photo away.
She fixed her gaze on Wolf.
"That was taken a few months before…. Well, before it happened."
The dingo started to tear up again.
"Oh God, I was gonna be out after that job. Me, Richard, and Ryan were finally going to be a normal family."
She started sobbing again. Wolf once again acted on his uncle's advice.
"Hey." he said and pulled Carmen into a hug.
The lupine wasn't sure how long he stood there holding her and letting her cry onto his shoulder. He just knew that it felt oddly right.
Eventually, they parted, neither seeming sure what to say or do. The two wild dogs broke their stare when they heard the door opening and saw Panther and Leon come out and join them.
Carmen put her hands in her jacket pockets and glanced around at Star Wolf.
"I'm sorry if I wasn't upfront with you guys, but my superior figured that, after what happened to you at the end of the Aparoid invasion, you wouldn't want to help Corneria in any way."
"Well, for what it's worth." Panther replied. "The Venomians would have probably come after us sooner or later even if you didn't get us involved."
Carmen nodded.
"In any case, we figure that Koates is planning to do on Kew what he very likely did on Eladard. Put a friendly regime in power."
"No offence." Wolf put in. "But don't you have anyone else to help you sabotage his plan?"
The dingo shook her head.
"There are operatives all across Lylat, though I have no idea who they are, what they look like, or what their part of the mission is."
"I see."
Carmen looked about the group again.
"You boys will be paid for this, I promise."
Leon responded by crossing his arms and tilting his head.
"Money's not as important to me as knowing who to trust. And quite frankly, I still don't entirely trust you."
Carmen met his glare with one of her own.
"I can live with that."
After a tense silence, the canine continued.
"My superior contacted me when I was coming back here. It seems our activities have attracted Cornerian attention. Star Fox has been dispatched to Kew."
Hearing that name caused Wolf to narrow his eye. He turned to the railing and dug his claws into it.
"Son of a bitch, son of a bitch. Can't they ever let us be?" the lupine growled.
"This might not be a bad thing." Panther stated. "Lovely Krystal can read minds, she'll know we're telling the truth."
"And then what, Panther?!" Wolf snapped. "They get to go home to a hero's welcome while we get shafted again? Absolutely not!"
"Unfortunately, Wolf's right. We need to avoid them at all costs. If any of them get hurt or killed because of us, the Cornerians will be crawling all over this planet." said Carmen.
Wolf took a few breaths and calmed down.
"So, Carmen. What now?"
The dingo crossed her arms.
"Today, we rest up. Tomorrow, back to work."
The four of them went back inside to get some much needed sleep after their mission.
Teerts Station, Eladardian orbit
Within his office aboard the Venomian space station, Colonel Randall Burns was briefing his agents: King, a mole, Collins, a Tasmanian Devil, Rossington, a brown-furred vulpine, Powell, an alligator, and Varner, a black-furred German Shepherd with a scar between his eyes.
"I'm sure you've all heard, but nonetheless, here it is. Star Fox has been dispatched to Kew. Your assignment is to keep an eye on them."
The orangutan looked about the room before continuing.
"Suffice it to say, this is strictly an observation mission. No matter what happens to them on the planet, you are not to intervene. Any questions?"
When none came, Burns said "Your shuttle awaits, dismissed."
As the intelligence operatives filed out of the office, the ape called out to the canine.
"Varner, I need you to hang back a minute."
The German Shepherd raised an eyebrow, but still complied.
"Yes, sir?"
Burns took a breath.
"There's no easy way for me to say this, so I'm just gonna say it. Your wife's still alive."
Varner's hazel eyes widened.
"That can't be."
"See for yourself." Colonel Burns replied and pressed a button on his desk.
Varner stared in shock at the image of a female dingo aiming a rifle. A dingo he knew all too well.
"My God."
He locked eyes with his superior.
"Sir, I request to be removed from this mission and put on the hunt for her."
"No can do, Varner."
"But…"
"Sorry son, but that comes straight from the top."
Varner relented.
"I understand, sir."
Burns nodded.
"Very good. But I do need to ask, if it comes down to it, will eliminating her be a problem for you?"
The canine shook his head and snapped off a salute.
"No, sir. I serve the empire."
Burns returned the salute.
"Very well. Dismissed."
As he left the room, Varner's mind turned.
"Fuck, I should have just killed her myself, instead of leaving it to those incompetent Zimmermans."
Castillo Manor, Kew
Marshal Koates sat at his desk and stared up at a holographic display. At the moment, the nine-banded armadillo was preparing to conduct a conference call with the rest of the Venomian Remnant's commanders and their allies.
One by one, the squares on the display were filled in:
First was Grand Admiral Zoran Payne, a red-scaled salamander in the black and blue uniform and cap of the Venomian Imperial Navy. Once the commander of the dreaded Eleventh Fleet, and now the supreme commander of the entire Navy.
Next was General Nathan Hightower, a green-scaled crocodile. His uniform was dark grey much like Koates, though his collar tabs were red instead of gold. A man known to the Cornerians as "The Butcher of Barton".
After him was Dr. Edward Gaines, a black-furred rat in a grey dress shirt, spectacles, and a white lab coat. He was the man who had designed the Gorgan experimental weapon and was now the head of the Advanced Weapons and Technologies Division.
Following the rat was Admiral Waylon Kreiger, a Doberman Pinscher whose fur was entirely rust-coloured. He was dressed in the black and gold uniform of the Eladardian Navy. With help from the Remnant, he had been able to seize power on his homeworld.
Last, but not least was Aaron Vekman, the Kewian businessman who had decided to join the Venomian cause. The jackrabbit was clad in his usual black business suit and tie.
"Well, now that we're all here, I suppose we should get our first order of business out of the way."
"Indeed." commented Grand Admiral Payne. "The situation with Star Wolf and the recent development with Star Fox could very well disrupt our plans."
"Right you are. However, if we move carefully, this could be used to our advantage."
"How so?" asked Admiral Kreiger.
Koates laced his fingers.
"It's rather simple; Much like his father, Fox McCloud is persistent to a fault. He will not rest until he completes his mission. And whatever else can be said about Wolf O'Donnell, he is not wise enough to resist an opportunity to defeat his so-called rival."
The other leaders nodded in understanding, with the exception of General Hightower.
"There is one thing that could be a problem, sir. The Cerinian. Seeing as she can read minds, that could well lead to the two teams joining forces."
The armadillo nodded towards the crocodile.
"I have considered that possibility, General. In any case, I have alerted our units on Thayern. No matter how things play out, none of those mercenaries must leave Kew alive."
Once again, the other leaders nodded in agreement.
"Now that we've taken care of that, on to other business. Grand Admiral Payne, you have the floor."
The salamander cleared his throat.
"Thank you, Marshal. I am pleased to report that we now have three battle-ready carrier groups, with a fourth due to be completed and outfitted by the end of the month. All compliments of Admiral Kreiger's shipyards."
"Excellent news, Grand Admiral. On to you, General Hightower."
The crocodile nodded.
"While it took longer than expected, our analysis of the Wolfen II wreckage recovered from Venom, combined with Colonel Burns' asset on Corneria obtaining a copy of that ship's plans, means we now have a fighter that could very well give us the edge over our enemies."
Hightower pressed a button off screen and brought up a holographic rendering of a star fighter. Said ship was shaped like a horizontal letter H, with three pods connected by narrow metal beams. The central pod housed the cockpit and had a laser cannon mounted under the nose. The other two pods also had a laser cannon.
"Gentlemen, I give you the Invader IV. Field tests show that this ship is far faster and more maneuverable than anything in the Cornerian arsenal. Hell, I'd even wager that it could go toe to toe with an Arwing or a Wolfen, even more so than its predecessor."
Hightower's image returned.
"About the only drawback to this new fighter is the fact that we don't have that many of them. Only a few squadrons worth to be exact. The Invader III will continue to be the workhorse of the Air Force for the foreseeable future."
"Very good to hear, General. I look forward to seeing them in action. Dr. Gaines, you're up."
The rat adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"My report is fairly brief. Project Wraith has made great strides, though we have yet to see success with objects of the size required for Operation Andross."
"What of Project Vindicator?" asked Koates.
Dr. Gaines put his hand on his chin.
"I had a feeling that you would ask about that, Marshal. Vindicator is halfway to completion. Assuming that Operation Kingmaker is a success, I estimate that it will be finished in three to five years."
"That long?" interjected Grand Admiral Payne.
"Grand Admiral, we've been waiting ten years to enact our revenge. I dare say we can wait a little longer." Koates stated.
"I meant no disrespect, Marshal. But every moment we delay is a moment the Cornerians have to recover from the Aparoids."
"Understandable, but some things cannot be rushed."
With that out of the way, Koates eyed up Admiral Kreiger.
"Admiral, are your forces prepared to move in support of Operation Kingmaker?"
"They are, Marshal. My troops have been drilling for this since the start. We won't let you down."
"I should hope not."
At last, the armadillo fixed his gaze on Vekman.
"Aaron, these recent developments may mean that we have to accelerate our timetable for Kingmaker. If it does come down to that, can your people be ready?"
The jackrabbit nodded.
"They will be ready, Kalman. I give you my word. I should also note that my mining operation on Zalbar Island is now running at full capacity."
Koates grinned.
"I would very much like to see it."
It was then that Koates noticed an incoming transmission from Colonel Burns.
"Well gentlemen, we had best hear what the Colonel has to say."
After Burns' image appeared on the display, the armadillo asked "So Colonel, what news do you have for us?"
"I just got a report from Agent Cyan." the orangutan replied. "As we suspected, Star Fox has been assigned to capture Star Wolf. We've also learned that Mr. Vekman has been named as a person of interest."
The jackrabbit stiffened at the mention of his name.
"Oh dear, I had best make myself scarce."
Koates shook his head.
"I must advise against that, Aaron. Skipping town may make Star Fox more suspicious than they already likely are."
The armadillo leaned back in his chair and thought about his enemy's next possible action.
"Given what we have just learned, I think it is very likely that, sooner rather than later, Star Fox will ask to meet with you, Aaron. Be that the case, you should agree to it, but you must keep it on your terms."
Koates took a sip of coffee.
"Above all else, you must not allow the Cerinian survivor to come anywhere near you. If that happens, I will have no choice, but to terminate Kingmaker."
Vekman nodded.
"I understand."
Marshal Koates glanced about the display.
"Well, if there's nothing else, gentlemen, I will adjourn this meeting."
The holograms disappeared, and Koates shut the display down. Standing up, the armadillo picked up his coffee and walked out of his office, eventually going out onto a balcony overlooking the ocean.
Koates sipped at his coffee and thought about his future plans.
"The time is coming for us to right the great wrong. Starting with the Emperor's killer."
Kewian orbit
Within orbit, space seemed to ripple in on itself, and the Great Fox II zoomed into view. On the bridge, Fox sat in the command chair and looked down at the greyish planet and it's moon.
The vulpine let out a sigh and brought up a hologram of Torzan. Somewhere in that city, his rival was hiding out. Yet, Fox did not feel the same as he had during the Lylat War, when Star Wolf had been on Andross' payroll, or even the early part of the Aparoid invasion, when the vulpine had mistakenly believed that Pigma Dengar was still part of the team.
The beeping of the communicator brought Fox out of his thoughts. He answered and was greeted with the image of a grizzly bear.
"Greetings, Mr. McCloud. I am Mr. Vekman's head of security."
Fox nodded.
"I presume that you got our message."
"We did. Mr. Vekman has set aside some time for you tomorrow. Only you, that is."
"I see." the vulpine replied in a neutral tone.
The ursine grinned in response.
"In that case, we'll see you at Vekman Industries' head office in Torzan tomorrow. Take care, Mr. McCloud."
The call ended and Fox was left perplexed.
"Only me? Well that's odd." he said as he looked up the location of Vekman Industries' head office.
"I'll say."
Fox looked over his shoulder and saw Fara standing in the doorway.
"Am I interrupting anything?" the Fennec asked.
Fox shook his head and got out of the command chair.
"Not at all."
Fara walked into the bridge, a nervous expression on her face.
"Look, don't take this the wrong way, Fox. But, I know that you're not keen on this mission."
"What makes you say that?" the vulpine replied with a raised eyebrow.
Fara shook her head at her old boyfriend.
"I could see it in your face after the briefing. And also, Falco and Peppy told me about Wolf saving you in Corneria City."
Fox let out a sigh and turned away from her.
"Yeah, he saved me, even though he would very much like to see me dead or defeated. He also stuck around and helped defend the orbital gate from the Aparoids. And in spite of nobody asking him to, he followed us through the gate and drew off a bunch of the bugs so we could get to the Queen. And how did Corneria reward him? By raiding his base in Sargasso."
Fox turned around.
"I've never looked forward to seeing Wolf and his crew. Even less so now, they'd probably want to plug me full of laser bolts."
"But it wasn't your fault." Fara responded.
Fox shook his head.
"Doesn't matter. The point is, they probably think it is my fault."
After a bit of silence, Fox continued.
"On the other hand, I'm very curious as to who hired them for the bombings. That, and Fay, Miyu, and Amanda probably really need the money."
Fara crossed her arms.
"And what about me?"
A mischievous grin creased Fox's muzzle.
"You never were good at sitting idle."
Fara attempted to look furious, but soon ended up smiling and laughing along with her ex-boyfriend.
In another part of the ship, Krystal knocked on the door of someone's quarters.
"Come in." Peppy's voice sounded.
Krystal pressed the open button and walked into the hare's quarters. He shut off the holographic map that he was looking at and turned his chair to face her. Krystal could sense his concern.
"What seems to be the problem?"
The cobalt vixen let out a sigh.
"When we were on our way to battle the Aparoid Queen, I heard Marshal Koates' voice. I thought it might have been a trick, but now that I think about it, he seemed to have been fighting against the hive mind."
She cast her gaze downwards before meeting Peppy's eyes again.
"And then, last night, I saw him. I don't know whether to call it a dream or a vision, but he looked older. He looked like he had been infected, l…."
Krystal stopped mid-sentence as she sensed that she had unwittingly dredged up a memory from Peppy's past.
A very painful memory.
Thirteen years ago
Venom
Peppy watched as Marshal Koates practically turned red as Pigma Dengar pestered him about his so-called reward. If nothing else, it provided a welcome distraction from what was happening to his friend and leader James McCloud on the other side of the one-way window.
"Now listen, Marshal. I…"
Koates promptly turned around and grabbed the swine by his jacket collar.
"One more word about your reward, Dengar, and I will personally throw you into the incinerator!"
Pigma's eyes widened.
"Y-You can't do that!"
The armadillo tilted his head.
"Try me, Dengar. Try me."
He let go of the traitorous Star Fox member and pointed at the door.
"Get out of my sight."
Pigma did just that, followed by Peppy remarking "An incinerator would be far too kind for him."
Koates shot a glare at the leporine and then delivered a backhand that would have knocked him to the floor if there hadn't been two burly guards holding him in place.
"I did not give you leave to speak, prisoner."
The armadillo fixed his gaze back on the window, as did Peppy. They could see that Emperor Andross had finally finished with James. Blood covered the ape's lab coat and forearms, while the vulpine was only held up by the restraints on the operating table. It was clear to everyone that the leader of Star Fox was not long for this world.
A beeping sounded from Koates wristcom. The armadillo glanced down at it and then left the room. A short time later, the door in the torture chamber opened and the Marshal entered, giving a small bow towards his emperor.
"He's dead weight." Andross said while gesturing towards James.
"Finish him off, and get rid of the body."
"It shall be done, my Emperor."
With that, Andross left the room, while Koates walked in front of James.
"No doubt you realize that the penalty for espionage is death, McCloud."
The armadillo let out a small chuckle.
"However, before your execution, I have a small parting gift."
Koates walked up to James and began whispering in his ear. Peppy strained to hear, but couldn't make out what was being said.
However, whatever it was must have really angered James, because he spat in the armadillo's face. Koates was caught off guard, but soon curled a hand into a fist and delivered a right hook to the dying vulpine.
"Any last words, McCloud?" Koates snarled as he drew his sidearm.
James fixed his gaze on the Marshal.
"He will avenge us." the vulpine said weakly.
Koates scoffed.
"Not bloody likely."
He pulled the trigger.
"NOOOO!" Peppy screamed as the blaster screeched and James went limp.
Koates meanwhile, turned to the two guards at the torture chamber's door.
"Get that down to the incinerator."
One of the guards with Peppy received a message on their wristcom.
"Alright prisoner, move it."
Peppy felt numb as the two guards muscled him through the hallways of the prison, soon coming upon the Marshal, who greeted the hare with a wicked smile.
"And now, prisoner, you may say whatever you like, for however long you like."
Peppy glared daggers at the armadillo.
"History will not look kindly on you, Koates."
Koates simply smirked.
"Oh, I think it rather will. I intend to be the one writing it after all."
Peppy kept his hateful glare on the Marshal as he waved his hand.
"Take him back to his cell."
The present
Krystal stood stunned at the revelation, her turquoise eyes fixed on the hare's sad expression.
"Peppy." she said slowly. "You need to tell Fox."
The leporine shook his head.
"Krystal, I'm sure we can both agree that this is hardly the time for that."
The vixen was taken aback.
"But, you were his father's best friend. You raised Fox as your own, you owe it to him."
Peppy stood from his desk and walked over to Krystal, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't get me wrong, I probably should tell Fox, but not while we're on mission."
Krystal nodded.
"Alright, Peppy. I know Koates caused you a lot of pain and that you were glad to hear that he'd been killed."
The hare nodded.
"Not to take away from what happened to you, Krystal, but it doesn't do to chase after a ghost."
The cobalt vixen sighed.
"I hope you're right about that, Peppy. But I'm afraid that you may not be."
With that the vixen left the room. As she was walking away, Krystal picked up on Peppy's thoughts.
"Damn, that motherfucker better not still be alive. Because if he is, all of Lylat could be in danger."
On the way back to her and Fox's quarters, the cobalt vixen mused about Koates.
"Peppy's right, if Koates is alive and involved with the Remnant, he'll start another war. A war that Corneria isn't prepared for."
Krystal sensed Fara coming the other way and looked up.
"Hey ya, Krystal."
"Hey Fara."
The Fennec raised an eyebrow, but soon came to a realization.
"It does seem odd that Vekman only wants to meet with Fox."
Krystal nodded in response.
"Very odd." she replied while thinking to herself "There's something very strange about this."
"Well." Fara continued. "No point in worrying about it until morning. Goodnight Krystal."
"Goodnight Fara."
Krystal continued on to the quarters that she shared with Fox. After entering, the cobalt vixen sat on the edge of the bed, pondering what she had learned.
"Why would Vekman only want to meet with Fox? Maybe he's hiding something. And what has Star Wolf got to do with all this?"
Her train of thought was interrupted by the door opening and Fox walking in. The vulpine met her gaze.
"I take it you've heard." he said as he sat down next to her.
Krystal reached out and took Fox's hand.
"Fox, this isn't just odd. I've got a very nasty feeling that we're about to get caught up in something sinister."
The vulpine nodded.
"The only way we're gonna know for sure, is to get planetside and find out."
Fox put an arm around Krystal and she rested her head on his shoulder. Both were mentally preparing themselves for their upcoming mission.