Enemy Within
The Planet Zoness was a terrible place. Once a flourishing beautiful planet now turned into a toxic wasteland due to Andross' presence. But even now years after his death the battle was still a stink hole. And in this desolate area all different manner of scum from around the Lylat System and beyond would meet. It was the last place Fox McCloud ever planned to be.
He walked into a bar, a rundown old place that smelt worse than it looked. But worse of all was the crowd. Crooks and ruffians of all kinds filled the place thickening the room with their cigar smoke and beer breath.
Fox was dressed in a red sweater with a brown cap and pants with steel toed boots. As he made his way around the bar he kept his hands in his pockets and his head low, covering his face with his cap.
In the corner there was Zako a bounty hunter/mercenary like himself. He was a hammerhead shark and was just as mean as he looked. Wanted on multiple planets for crimes such as thief and murder, which is exactly the reason that brought Fox here. He has been tasked by his old friend Bill Grey to bring the criminal to Justice.
Fox wasn't given the full details only that Zako had some top-secret information that if in the wrong hands could endanger the entire lylat system.
It would be too hard to send the an entire army to the planet, instead they decided to send an expendable asset. It was a 1/10 chance he wouldn't come back from this mission. But Fox had never failed before.
He made his way across the bar and stood before the table Zako was at. But he wasn't alone, two other men sat with him. One was an Anglar fish named Zazan and the other was Octoman, a duo of notorious criminals who were once part of the Anglar Empire. Their sudden tie-in with Zako could make things even more dangerous.
Currently trio were engaged in a game of poker. Zako was the first to notice Fox standing there and he scanned him from head to toe.
"What do you want?" He asked gruffly. Fox glanced down at the table. It would be to blunt to simply tell him his reasoning for being there, so instead he'd have to play coy.
"Mind if I join you?" He pointed to the cards on the table. Quick glances were exchanged around the table before Zako pointed Fox to the vacant seat." Much Obliged." He said sitting himself down.
Zazan dealt out the cards and the game had begun.
"So new guy?" asked Zako from across the table." Where are you from?" Fox poked his heads over his cards to see the trio glaring at him. Zako poked at his teeth with a toothpick while waiting for his answer.
"Me?" Fox replied." Oh I'm from –uh- Corneria." He answered but cursed himself for doing so. He didn't mean to say his real home world but it just came out.
"Oh yea? Then what are you doing all the way out here?" Zako asked. He took a more careful look at Fox." Say you look very familiar." Fox gulped down a breath as Zazan and Octoman looked at him more as well.
"Familiar?" Fox said trying to regain control of the situation." I don't see how we've never met." He was careful but nervous, reaching his hand slowly towards the blaster on his belt.
"No wait!" Zako exclaimed." I know who you are." Fox gulped down another breath." Your StarWolf!" Suddenly it was all quiet in the room." Yea that's right, you're Wolf O'Donnell." He reached over to the wall where there just so happened to be a wanted sign of the very person." Zako held the picture up against Fox's face and compared the two.
The trio looked over the difference in fur but did notice the mechanical eye.
"Say what happened to your eye?" Octoman spoke up poking toward's Fox's real one.
"Well uh." Fox stammered." That's-That's not me." The trio turned and compared Fox and the picture once more. This time they seemed to believe him, and they sat back in their seats.
"Alright you're not StarWolf." Said Zako crumbling the paper up and tossing it onto the floor." Then who are you?" Fox prepared to answer but the rest of the group was suddenly distracted by something. Fox turned around and saw for himself.
A girl hand just walked into the room. A vixen with blue fur but with a thick purple fur coat and hat on her head. She walked over and stood before the four. Once she stood before them Fox's jaw dropped in shock.
"Excuse me." She said in an exotic accent." But could one of you fine gentlemen show me where I am. I'm a bit lost you see." All at once Zako, Zazan and Octoman jumped up. But Zako was the first to speak.
"I'd love to." He said in a slimy voice. Then to eliminate the competition he and the vixen moved outside the bar leaving the other three behind. But Zazan and Octoman wouldn't be outdone and quickly followed after the retreating pair.
That left Fox all alone, still with his jaw down and bewilderment written all over his face. But then he was suddenly snapped back to reality and with a kick of his legs and a wild swing of his arms he ran after them.
Zako and the vixen walked out into the streets. She seemingly unaware that he was hovering off her, his hands ready to paw at her.
"Now tell me." He said causing her to turn back and looked at him." Where do you want directions to?" But then in one swift motion the woman pulled something from her pocket and when it touched the mercenary it zapped him with 50,000 volts of electricity.
Zako shook and then suddenly fell back onto the ground. When he collapsed she saw that Zazan and Octoman had seen the whole thing and looked on in shock.
"Hey!" Zazan shouted as they approached her. "What do you-" But then suddenly they two were jumped from behind. Fox sprung himself at them and with one good hit each to the back of the head he knocked them to the ground where they laid out cold.
Fox stood to his feet and saw the vixen standing there. A smirk on her face and the tazer in her hands.
"Krystal. "He said to her." I thought I told you not to come here."
"I know darling, I know. But as you can see I got things done quicker."
"I hand everything perfectly under control."
"What would you have done? Asked them to come along quietly. Darling you know criminals don't give in so easily." Fox took in a deep breath as she took a punch at his moral code." Now we'd best get back to base." She reached down and prepared to drag Zako back by his arm. However to save her the trouble and Zako the injury he stepped up.
"Allow me." He said. Then he picked Zako up and lifted him over his shoulder. Easy enough when it was one guy, but Fox had to carry two more. He managed to fit Octoman on his back but ended up dragging Zazan on his butt. And they had a long way to go.
Once they arrived in Great Fox, Fox stumbled over and landed in a pile with his passed out prisoners. He leaned against the wall catching his breath seeing his team looking at him concerned.
"R-Rob." Fox panted. He pushed against the wall and rose to his feet."Take them, take them to the brig." The Machine did as he was told without question and carried the three off much easier than Fox had.
"Come on." Said Krystal helping Fox to his feet." Let's get underway."
"Yea, yea." Said Fox still trying to catch his breath. Together the two walked past Falco. The bird casually standing by, most likely the same way he'd done on this whole mission. "Good to have you around." Fox said.
"Glad to be here." Falco smiled with a cigarette in his mouth as he lit his match on the wall.
So with that the Star Fox team took off and headed back to the Cornerian Army base on Planet Titania.
When they touched down they expected to be greeted by Bill Grey the one who they originally joined up with for this operation, however that was not the case.
As they walked down the ramp and into the loading bay they were approached by your standard looking Cornerian Army Soldiers. They stood in two lines as their Commanding Officer Approached. These soldiers did not look so out of the ordinary however the Officer was a stranger to Star Fox.
He was dressed in the standard green dress uniform with gold shoulder boards, several medals across his chest and two silver bars on his collar, he was a hound dog just like General Pepper. He had a stern look on his face and a coldness in his eyes, the kind you'd expect from a military man.
"Captain Shears of the Cornerian Air Force." He said clicking his heels together as he stood before the team of Mercenaries.
"Good Morning, Captain." Fox said straightening himself out as if he was back at the Academy." Is Lieutenant Bill Grey here, I was-"
"Lieutenant Grey is not here." The Captain answered." He was called away on other matters, I am here as his replacement." This confused Fox for a moment but before he had time to say anything else Shears spoke again." And I understand you have some dangerous criminals in your custody."
"That's right." Fox nodded." Their on my ship." He pointed over his shoulder. Shears gave a nod to his men who quickly stormed onto StarFox." Their-"
"Thank you for your help Fox McCloud. "Shears said with a nod. "And to you as well Star Fox team." He nodded to the others." You've assisted in the capture of some dangerous fugitives." At that very moment the three were pushed and shoved off of the ship with Zako in the lead." Speak of the devil." Shears said stepping aside and standing before him. He looked the hammerhead shark up and down, looking as if the sight disgusted him." Take them away!" He ordered to his men. And with more pushing and shoving the trio were taken away. Shears was prepared to follow after them but was stopped by the sudden sound of Falco clearing his throat, in an obnoxious fashion." Yes?" He said with a raised brow.
Falco continued to clear his throat but gave Fox a push forward. Fox gave a glance back at his friend before speaking to the Captain.
"We" Fox said pointing his hand to his team." We're wondering now, when do we get paid."
"I will see to it myself." Shears answered." As soon as I have finished with these criminals personally."
"And how long-"
"Soon." Shears replied quickly. Then before anything else could be said he turned and walked away. So as it would seem the StarFox team would just have to wait this out.
So with time to kill they all turned and re-entered their ship. Slippy entered first followed by Fox with Falco and Krystal in the back.
"So how did it go?" asked Peppy as he turned towards the approaching group.
"We've been jibbed out of our money." Falco commented casually."Ow!" He let out as Fox gave him a quick elbow to the ribs.
"What Falco means is that it might be a while before we get our payment." Krystal was coming in behind all of them. But as she brought her left foot forward she felt her foot knock against something, and saw it slid under a nearby table.
Curious she bent down to see what it was. She reached her hand under the table and brought it towards her face so she could see it. In her hands was a small box, small enough to fit in the palm of one hand.
"Krystal!" Fox called getting her attention.
"Yes." She said looking up at him.
"We're going to put in a movie, care to join us."
"Of course." Krystal said. She pocketed the small item whatever it was and joined the rest of the group.
Captain Shears on the other hand was ready to deal with the criminals he'd just received. He walked into a dimly lit room where Zako was under guard.
"Leave us." The Officer said with a wave of his hands. The Soldiers also confused did as they were ordered and left the room.
With his boots stomping against the ground Shears approached Zako, standing across the table from him. He took off his hat and place it on the table, grabbed the top of the chair opposite him and pulled it out before sitting himself down.
"Zako." He said with a straight back as he interlocked his hands on his stomach." Wanted for crimes of Assault, Assault with a deadly weapon, Grand Theft, attempted murder, and Manslaughter." With each words Zako only squinted his eyes and grinded his teeth more.
"Is that it?" Zako asked in a fierce voice." Are you just going to talk all night or are you going to go somewhere with this?" Shears sat back and strangely enough he smiled.
"No." He said leaning forward." I have something better in mind." Zako raised an eyebrow at him." You are in possession of a very important item, aren't you?" Zako leaned forward in his chair.
"What's it to you?"
"That item would be extremely dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands." He paused for a second and looked Zako over." So how about we make a deal?"
"A deal?" He questioned.
"Give me the item and I will set you free." And that was all Zako needed to hear in order to comply. Shears sat back with a smile knowing he'd get what he wanted. Zako reached into his jacket pocket but paused with a cold fear when he didn't feel it." Something wrong?" Shears questioned.
"I-I don't have it."
"What?" Shears growled.
"I don't have it!" Zako searched his other pockets but still found nothing." I must have dropped it." Shears slapped his hand onto his face in disappointed anger." It must still be on StarFox's ship." Feeling his chances of freedom slipping away Zako would say anything, and lucky for him that statement seemed to work with Shears.
The Captain turned and looked out the window seeing the ship in question still in the docking bay. With a new objective in mind Shears returned his hat to his head and quickly headed for the door.
"But wait-" Zako shouted after him. "What about me?" Shears had just walked through the door were the two guards stood.
"Lock him up." He ordered to them. He turned and left while the guards grabbed Zako.
The StarFox team however was continuing to kill time and wait for their money by watching a movie. However the darkness of the room and sound effects from the movie were suddenly ringing with the sound of loud banging.
"What the heck?" Peppy exclaimed turning around. Everyone turned to the source of the banging, the hanger door.
Fox jumped up and went to the door, opening it to see Captain Shears behind him nearly two dozen soldiers armed to the teeth.
"What's going on here?" Fox asked.
"Mr. McCloud." Captain Shears said stepping forward and into Great Fox." We have reason to believe that you conspired with the criminals you brought here to bring dangerous cargo into our base. You are under arrest!"
"What?" Fox said confused looking around. The Soldiers began to enter the ship." Wait! You can't do this!" The air suddenly became tense as the dog soldiers pointed their loaded weapons at the team while Captain Shears looked on with a cold stare.
"Mr. McCloud if you are innocent as you say, then you have no need to fear. Simply come with us and we will sort this out." Fox glanced back to see his team looking to him for guidance. But with loaded guns pointed at him from every angle there wasn't much he could do.
"Fine." He said." We have nothing to fear, we've done nothing wrong." He said more to his crew than to Shears.
"Very well." The Captain said." My men will escort you to the interrogation room." So Fox complied with them and therefore his team did as well. But this wasn't one of these simple misunderstandings where they could talk it out, something else was going on here.
But there was no cause for alarm, at least not yet. Shears soldiers went to work quick on turning Great Fox upside down. Even Rob was dismantled and taken apart. They'd return every view minutes with a new item and every time Shears turned them away.
In truth they hardly had any idea what they were looking for, only Captain Shears with what Zako had told him knew what the container looked like.
But even Shears had his limits and when one soldier came and reported they'd found nothing he tried a different approach.
"That's it!" He commanded. He marched into the interrogation room where Fox was being kept." Search him!" He roared pointing to Fox. Without a moment's notice Fox was flung against the walls with his arms and legs spread out. Then he was very roughly patted down, pockets searched, even emptied his shoes. But still they found nothing.
"Is this really necessary." Said Fox as he sat there in nothing but a white undershirt, underwear and socks. Shears looked on with an angry face.
"Keep him here!" He ordered. Then stormed out the door and headed to inspect the other prisoners. And in the next room over there was Krystal." Search her!" He said in the same manner he had said it with Fox. And the soldiers turned to Krystal and prepared to do as ordered, however they hesitated slightly." Get on with it!" Shears yelled out.
And his outburst riled his soldiers up and they did as they were told. Delicately they picked Krystal up by her shoulders and put her against the wall. Shears rolled his eyes as they carefully patted her down, but didn't get carried away with it. But finally they found it.
The Dog soldier reached into Krystal pocket and pulled out the small box.
"Sir." He said handing it off to Shears. The Captain took item in his hand and then very carefully opened it up. Inside there was a single gray strand of hair. With a malicious smirk Shears closed the small box." Sir." Said the soldier getting his superior's attention." What'll we do now?"
"Get rid of them." He answered.
"In-In here?"
"No you idiot!" Shears growled."Take them out back." Then without another word he marched out the door and returned to his office. The Star Fox team was reunited, seeing each other as they were each pushed outside of their Individual cell. The together they were marched outside and lined up.
"I suddenly have a bad feeling about all this." Said Falco looking over his shoulder. And when he saw the soldiers cock their guns he gulped his fear." Yep should have known."
"Fox what's going on here?" Peppy said.
"I don't know." Fox shook his head." He turned and looked up into one of the nearby windows were he saw Captain Shears walking along." But I intend to find out."
"You have a plan?" Krystal whispered over to him.
"Maybe." Fox said looking over his shoulder. The soldiers all marched over and stood behind the Star Fox team.
"Face the wall." They ordered.
"Follow my lead." Fox said. In one swift motion he turned around and grabbed onto the soldier's machine gun and held it into the air. Then with his free hand punched him in the face and then in the throat. With his left leg he kick the soldier before Peppy in the chest, knocking him onto the ground.
The other soldiers were attacked by the rest of Star Fox. And the sudden surprise attack caught the soldiers off guard and they were easily subdued. Falco tackled one to the ground and wrestled the gun away from him. Krystal kicked the legs out from under one sending him onto his back. And Slippy who was being overpowered had to be helped by Fox, who came up behind the aggressive soldier and trapped him in a headlock. After a few seconds a brief amount of gunfire it was over.
When it was done there were 5 unconscious soldiers on the ground.
"What'll we do now Fox?" Krystal said.
"I tell you what we do." Spoke up Falco." Let's get the hell out of here!"
"Falco!" said Krystal.
"No he's right." Said Fox." Get back to the ship and get everything ready."
"You sound as if you're not coming." Said Peppy.
"I'm not." Fox answered. He looked up where he had seen Captain Shears before.
"But Fox-" began Krystal.
"Something's happening here Krystal." He quickly said." Someone tried to kill us and I plan to learn why." Then without another word Fox turned and ran off.
"C'mon. "said Falco grabbing Krystal." Time to go!" Then the StarFox team took off. Fox made his way inside the building creeping along the walls and waiting as soldiers went about their business unaware of his presence.
Captain Shears meanwhile had returned to his office. And standing there all by himself he looked at the signal strand of hair once more and a devious smirk grew on his face. Suddenly he heard the door opening behind him. He quickly pocketed the item before turning around.
He expected to see a soldier there telling him Star Fox had been taken care of, thinking the gunfire he heard before was just that. What he got was the opposite.
"Ah!" He jumped in surprise at seeing Fox there." What are you-How did you?!" Fox closed the door and locked it behind him.
"What's going on here Captain?" Fox asked." What are you up to?" Shears took a nervous step back and bumped into his desk.
Just then Zuko jumped out from under the desk and on top of it frightening Shears even more than he already was. But he wasn't alone as Octoman appeared from behind the curtains and Zazan walked out from the closet. And they looked pissed.
"Well what do you know." Said Zuko noticing Fox for the first time." Two for the price of one." He cracked his knuckles and prepared to take Captain Shears down first.
"Now wait a minute." Shears pleaded but the thugs didn't seem to interest." We can talk about this." Then it suddenly hit him." Do you really think you'll get out of here alive if you kill me?!" That stopped them right in their tracks." That's right." He chuckled." But get rid of him!" He pointed over to Fox. "And I'll make sure you walk out of here, Free Men!" And that was good enough for the trio of crooks.
So they walked past Shears and surrounded Fox.
Zuko made the first move and lunged at Fox swinging his fist at his head. But Fox took a step back and shot his forearm up blocking the punch. Then Fox shot out his hand and open-palm struck Zuko in the chest knocking him back.
Zazan jumped at him from the side but Fox jumped back and dodged him. But he jumped back into Octoman who grabbed Fox from behind and began to bear-hug him. Fox struggled and kicked against him but noticed Zuko and Zazan coming right at him.
So Fox kicked out both his legs and hit the two knocking them back. Then he butted his head back and hit Octoman in the face causing him to let go. Once again Fox looked forward and saw Zazan running right at him. But instead of attacking him Fox just jumped out of the way so the Anglar Fish ran right into the Otopus and the two crashed into the wall, and they didn't look like they'd be getting back up. Two down one to go, but the most dangerous one was the last.
Fox turned around just as Zuko threw a chair right at him. Luckily he noticed in time to duck. The chair flew right over his head and broke as it smashed against the wall. When Fox stood back up Zuko punched him in the face, knocking him back into the wall.
"Yes!" cheered Shears." That's it! Get him!"
But when he swung another jab Fox ducked under his swing forcing him to hit the wall. Fox then gave a quick one, two to Zuko's ribs forcing him to nearly buckle over as they might have been bruised.
But Zuko quickly spun around and elbowed Fox in the face, knocking him back. Zuko swung at him with another jab. But Fox grabbed onto Zuko's wrist and elbow bending the two so Zuko was forced onto one knee, yelping in pain. Fox punched him in the face knocking him onto the ground, but he held him by his collar. Then he punched him a second time, a third, a forth. Finally he let Zuko crashed onto the ground. He groaned his pain and didn't look like he'd be getting up. Now Fox turned to the real reason why he'd come here, Captain Shears.
The Dog grumbled his annoyance as he turned his back to Fox, putting his hands on his desk.
"If you want something done right." He said reaching for something. Fox was almost right behind him now. Shears gripped something in his hands." You have to do it YOURSELF!" He yelled as he turned around and unsheathed his Officer's sword, slashing Fox across his stomach.
Lucky for him it didn't cut to deep but it bleed and hurt like hell. Fox held his side, looking up to see Shears with the tip of his sword bleeding.
Meanwhile with the rest of the Star Fox Team.
They'd managed to get back to their ship without much incident but now they were playing the waiting game.
"C'mon, C'mon." said Krystal looking back." What's taking you so long, Fox?"
"Uh guys." Said Falco." We've got a slight problem." Looking outside the windows they noticed a sudden large gathering of soldiers outside their ship. And to make matters even worse several new ships were just about to land.
Meanwhile Shears took another slash at Fox with his sword. But Fox jumped back and avoided his blade. Shears jumped forward and slashed again but Fox ducked under him causing the blade to rip into the wall.
Fox jumped forward and grabbed Shears by his wrist and hung his arm in the air, where the sword couldn't reach him. But Shears reached up and grabbed Fox by his shirt and the two began pushing and shoving against the other.
"What's all this about Shears?" Fox grunted. Shears pushed against Fox and knocked him back into the wall. Shears swung his sword out and pointed it at Fox while he prepared for whatever was coming at him.
But then suddenly the door was kicked open and a third member entered the confrontation.
"Bill?!" Fox said surprised. There was Lieutenant Bill grey having returned from his sudden assignment. In fact it was his ships that had just landed. And when he heard about what was happening to his old friend he quickly rushed into action.
"What's going on here?" Bill said with a voice of authority.
"Lieutenant." Captain Shears ordered." Arrest this man!" He pointed to Fox.
"On what charges?" Bill replied.
"You don't need to know the charges! You'll do as I tell you Lieutenant!"
"That's Captain now." Bill pointed to his new rank indicated on his collar." I won't be taking your orders anymore." Shears grinded his teeth together as he looked the two over." Now how about you drop the sword and we'll settle all this."
But in one swift move of defiance Shears tossed his sword forward and at Fox. And since he was to distracted dodging the sword there was no one to stop him. Or so he thought.
The sound of gunfire and the hole in the ground before him stopped him in his tracks before he began. Looking up he saw Bill had drawn his sidearm and was clearly ready to use it.
"Now let's try this again." Bill said taking a few steps forward and next to Fox." What's all this about?" Shears said nothing but stood there fidgeting, his right hand twitching over his pocket.
Fox noticed this and walked over to Shears. Placing his hand in his pocket and pulling out a small container. Curious he opened the container to see one small strand of gray hair in it. He thought nothing of it but looking up and seeing the fear in Shears eyes made him reconsider.
"What is this?"
"Hair. What does it look like?" Bill pointed his pistol at Shears.
"Answer the question." He ordered. Shears gulped down his fear as he looked back at Fox.
"Hair." He answered." Andross' Hair." Fox's eyes suddenly bugged open wide as he was shaken to the bottom of his soul at even the very name of his old enemy.
But it wasn't just the man himself Fox remembered he remembered everything that it did to his life. The murderer of his father, who later he killed. But there were so many fox himself had killed on that dark path of revenge. The fear and the rage reflected in his eyes and he pondered it all.
"It is the last trace of his DNA." Continued Shears." I was going to use it, to bring him back to life." Fox gripped the item in his hand tighter. Bill sat back in fear wondering what his old friend was thinking.
But Fox acted surprisingly calm as he walked over and looked out the window. Outside there was a dumpster full of garbage, just about to be picked up.
Fox looked at the item in his hand, the last DNA of the Greatest Threat to the Lylay System. Very casually Fox opened the window and tossed the small container out where it landed with the other garbage. It would next be transported to a spot where it would be grounded up and destroyed.
"The Last of his Dna." Fox said as he turned towards the door." Not anymore."
Then with the act finished Fox turned and walked out the door.