Star Fox: Providence

Chapter 2: Reunion

Sheppard SD - First of all, thank you for all the praise. Legitimately! Secondly, fair points, all around; I have revised both the Prologue and Chapter 1 to remove all instances of 'would' from the story.

Marcus stared outside the window of his room, lost in thought. It's been awhile since he met his dad- Intentionally, too. He made a promise with himself that, the next time he saw his dad, he would be a great captain of a force, just like he was. A brave hero, who could look at death in the face and not even flinch once! Because, hell, that's what his dad was. Multiple times, he faced down an opponent who was so much more powerful than he was. And yet, he always defeated them, and escaped without any trouble. It was a lot to live up to, Marcus would admit. It felt like, no matter where he went, people were almost expecting him to do something amazing. And, if he didn't, then he would be labeled as a disappointment or something. Maybe he was crazy for thinking that, but he just couldn't shake that feeling. And of course, adding to this weight of expectation, his mother just also happened to be an ace pilot as well, almost as good as his father. And she only had a few months of Arwing training! … Or so he heard. The fox obviously had an affinity for flying and piloting, that much was obvious from his childhood. And, I mean, how could he not? His father and his mother were both heroic pilots that stopped three wars from destroying the entire system, for the gods sake!

Shaking his head, the Fox sat back up from the bed he was laying on to get a clearer view of the stars outside. Seeing the stars close up wasn't actually as exciting as the Cornerian expected. It just kind of looked like the night sky, but all around him. While he supposed he could see more than if he were on Corneria, like the nebulas and other planets, it had lost its luster after the 3rd day of being on the Foxhunt. Besides, he had other stuff to take care of. Namely, making sure his crew wouldn't tear the place apart. He could trust Slick to not do that, but Janet and Zachary? Those two were the ones he kept an eye on, mostly because if he didn't, they'd reduce the Foxhunt to slag within a week. And, with the fact that, aside from them, no other organic life forms were aboard the ship made it very isolating. It was mainly attended to by U-ROBs- Upgraded-Robotic Operating Buddies. The newest model, able to practically do anything you can program into them, they essentially run the entire ship by themselves. From piloting, to engine maintenance, even down to the medical bay. And, credit where it's due, they were pretty competent at it. It's just unfortunate that in terms of conversation, they could not hold one, ever. Not that it was a surprise, but it still added to that lonely feeling he had. Doesn't help that none of his crewmates had rooms that were close, anyhow. And a lot of them had hobbies that he didn't exactly indulge in himself. Zachary was usually more about working out with weights that don't seem healthy to lift, Janet was more about reading books about tech, and Slick was usually watching Television on the console. The only person he really felt like he had a solid connection with was their mentor, Falco Lombardi. But, every conversation had a 90% chance of leading back to his father, the last person he'd want to talk about. So, small talk was sparse.

And now, here he was. About to go on a mission that would reunite him with his dad, and he barely has any control over his own team. A pit formed in the bottom of his stomach, giving it a terrible empty feeling. What would he say? Would he be disappointed? Angry? Indifferent? Each one felt worse than the last, somehow. His entire life has been dedicated to making his dad proud of him, and the thought of disappointment almost tortures him. He'd be disappointing his hero, one that he knew ever since childbirth! He's had trouble sleeping since the day Falco announced it. It just eats away at him when he tries to sleep, and he tosses and turns, and just keeps thinking of the day. It couldn't be that bad, right…?

Eventually, the day of reckoning had come. Rising bright and early, the crew began their usual morning rituals: Bathroom, Coffee, Preparing uniforms, so on. Nothing out of the ordinary, save for the fact that Zachary threw in a few more exercises in his usual repertoire, such as 50 chin ups and 40 more push-ups. Eventually, the crew assembled in the control tower, where Falco himself was waiting. Giving a quick head count, he'd nod, before bringing up the Holo-Call to the Great Fox. In an instant, the Ambassador of Corneria would appear; A decorated Sergeant from the Corneria-Anglar Wars, one Joshua Inu.

"Ah, hello, Neo Star Fox. I can only assume that you have called to announce your departure to the Great Fox?" The hound asked, raising a salute up to his forehead. From his tone to his attitude, this guy seemed enraptured by the fact that he's speaking to the new Star Fox team. Maybe he was a fan back when Star Fox was still a thing? Whatever the possibility may be, the falcon would give him a quick nod.

"Yep. I will be accompanying Marcus McCloud, Zachary, and Janet Hare on their short trip over to the Great Fox. Daniel Toad will be staying behind and giving strategic advice and providing help over comms." The confirmation made the toad slump in his posture. Seems he wasn't over missing his spot in the spotlight, but Marcus couldn't help but feel bad for him. Giving the toad a pat on the back, Slick returned the favor by giving him a thumbs up, as if to wish him luck. A smile formed on his lips, before Falco would sign off the Holo-Call.

"Right! You know what this means. ROB, deactivate Gravity in the docking bay. We're about to take off." Falco yelled to the head U-ROB, who gave a curt nod in response. After hearing the clicks of keyboard keys being pressed, the feed of the hangar would show the stray nuts and bolts left on the ground begin to float off in various directions.

"Well? What're we waiting for. Neo Star Fox, move out!" Falco commanded, before Neo Star Fox, save for Slick, began to run towards the Hangar. Sprinting towards their Arsuits, Falco couldn't help but remember the first time he and his crew first deployed. All of them running down the hallway towards the hangar to get in their Arwings, all of them talking about what was going on… A smile broke out across his face. Eventually, the crew hopped into the hangar, their bodies floating in the zero-grav environment. Attached to cables from the ceiling hung their Arsuits; Zachary's AR-LUPUS, made for Hit-and-Run Tactics, had a varied arsenal but limited armor plating, which also gave it great agility. Next was the AR-VULPES, Marcus' Arsuit. A sort of a basic frame made it neither good in any sort of category: An all-rounder, as it were. Next was the AR-RAPTOR, Falco's personal Arsuit of choice. Due to its heavy plating and giant wing-like structures, it was only viable in space/zero-grav environments, as gravity would hinder its movement severely. With a familiar hiss, each Arsuit would open up, revealing the cockpits within. True to his word, each cockpit was about big enough to fit two people… If they were careful about where they were placed: Specifically, behind the seat. Zachary, with about as much sarcastic venom and genteel-ness, would bow, before motioning both his hands to the cockpit.

"After you, Madam." He practically growled, as Janet scoffed, before pushing Zachary's face out of the way. Hopping behind the seat, Janet tried to get as comfortable as she could, before looking to Zachary, who hopped into his pilot's seat. Of course, as soon as he did, he had to deal with the fact that Janet, in an attempt to be comfortable, leaned forward. As soon as she did, her ears flopped over her face, and into Zachary's eyes.

"CAN YOU PLEASE GET YOUR EARS OUT OF THE WAY, JANET!?"

"DO IT YOURSELF, DICKHEAD!"

"OH MY FUCKING GODS!" Zachary yelled, before batting the ears out of the way. Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at his misfortune, even if it was the wrong thing to do. After flipping a few switches, the cockpit to his Arsuit closed, before the Visual Aid screen flared to life. With a lurch, his Arsuit was eventually angled towards the Hangar doors, before they opened with a bit of a groan. It was at this moment that Marcus realized that if he wasn't in the Arsuit, he would've suffocated… He silently thanked the oxygen tanks installed within them, before focusing back at the task at hand. Activating comms, Falco and Zachary's comms would crop up on the screen, before Slick's face would pop up as well.

"Right, team. This is our first serious mission, and I want to make 100% sure we are ready for this. Marcus?"

"Ready whenever you are, Falco."

"Alright. Slick?"

"Gotcha whenever, pardner,"

"Good to hear your cowboy accent's back. Janet? Zachary?"

"Augh, it's filthy in here… Is this a candy bar wrapper? From a year ago…?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"And is this a half-eaten sandwich?"

"I snack on it from time-to-time,"

"AHEM." Falco cleared his throat, getting the attention of his crew almost instantly.

"Are you two ready to go or are you going to continue to argue?" The Mentor inquired, eyebrow cocked. Almost instantly, Zachary scratched at the back of his neck, embarrassed, as Janet gave off a silent nod.

"Yeah, Yeah, we're good," Zachary responded, before Falco chuckled in response.

"Well, with that out of the way… This is Neo Star Fox! Deploying!" Falco announced, before the cables would release the Arsuits. As soon as the falcon announced their deployment, Marcus and the crew activated the thrusters on their Arsuits, before they blasted off into Space. Almost instantly, a blueprint of the Great Fox appeared on their screens.

"Obviously, this is the Great Fox." Slick then drew various points around the Class-V Freighter: One at the front, where the Bridge is, one near the right side, between the dual-pronged wings, and another spot near the opposite side of the wings. "And these will be the spots that you'll be keeping look out on. I've chosen them to give you guys optimum visual reference for the area. You can obviously debate which one amongst yourself can take which spot, just as long as you stay close to the area." He boasted, a prideful smile on his face. Looking it over, Falco was the first to speak up.

"I'll take the front. You guys can take the back; The Radicals would probably be more likely to attack the bridge, anyhow." He'd state, before looking to the others for their choices.

"I'll take the left side- It's my dominant hand, after all." Zachary declared, before Janet would give him a curious glance.

"You're left handed…?"

"Yeah, so what of it?"

"Nothing, It's just- I didn't know that. Huh."

"Well, maybe if you didn't argue with me all the damn time, you could learn more about me-"

"Well, maybe if you weren't such a prick, then-"

"So, Marcus," Falco talked over the argument, "I guess you'll take the right side. Any objections there?" The Falcon asked.

"I guess not…" He wasn't really in the mood for arguing with Zac, especially with how he had to deal with Janet. He knew that the two of them would look out for each other if push came to shove, but they almost have to put up this act of 'bitter rivals' to everyone. The fox wouldn't be surprised if, while no one looked, they were actually dating on the side or something. … Nah, probably not. With that out of the way, the crew eventually settled into their seats as they waited for the Great Fox to arrive on the horizon. Aside from a few remarks Janet would bring up, the trip was actually fairly peaceful.

"So, Cap." Zachary blurts, eliciting a curious 'hm?' from the fox, signaling for the wolf to continue.

"What's up with you and your dad? Whenever he's brought up, you, I dunno, shrivel up." Zachary questions, before the fox slumped in his chair. Of course, he had to bring it up. Marcus supposed he wasn't exactly being subtle about his fear of his father's disappointment, and, with a sigh, the Cornerian felt like it was the appropriate time, seeing as how they were to be dealing with him.

"Nothing bad, if that's what you're wondering, Zac. It's just… Y'know. My dad and mom are like, the 1% of the 1% of famous people. It's… A lot." He'd try to explain, shrugging his shoulders from what he felt like was a satisfactory explanation. Zachary stared at his captain with a fascinated look, before Janet finally chipped in.

"I get that, Marcus. I mean, hell, my grand dad was not only a member of the original Star Fox, but his great-great granduncle was from the O'Hare family, you know." That seemed to get a curious reaction from the pilots, even Falco. Though it seemed to make Slick a mite uncomfortable.

"What, like… The O'Hare family? The guys from that stupid Toad War from decades ago?" Zachary asks, which gets a nod from the rabbit. The group falls quiet, before Janet smacked the side of her head.

"Shit, sorry Marcus. I shouldn't have made that all about me-"

"You're fine, Janet." Marcus dismissively waved, trying not to rack up pity points from his own crew. The last thing he'd need is that.

"Well. Good luck with all of that." Zachary stared off into the middle distance after saying that. Marcus blinked; what was up with Zac? I mean, it's not like he was going to be terribly interested in this conversation, but… Wait.

"Oh, uh. Right. Sorry, Zac-"

"I don't care." Zachary shrugged, as Marcus would sigh. How could he forget? Zac was practically abandoned as a baby. Didn't really have any parents to talk about. It was a bit rude on Marcus part-

"Hold up, guys. The Star of the show is calling." Falco interrupted Marcus' train of thought, before he took a look at the screen. Sure enough, on the horizon lay the Great Fox; It was, obviously, kept in great condition. Almost as if it were brand new, with the logo on the side and everything. However, that wasn't the thing he was hung up on. The comms picked up an incoming call… From one Fox McCloud. Marcus's eyes widened as Falco would accept the call into the communications, and, sure enough, there sat his father. The fox would tap the screen, as if to make sure it was playing, before clearing his throat.

"Heya, Marcus. How's it going?" Fox gave off a big doofy smile, before Falco let out a chuckle. No matter how many years pass, some people never change, he figured.

"That's Captain Marcus McCloud there, Fox. Not just 'Marcus.' Come on." Falco jabbed at the cornerian, who chuckled back at the avian.

"Right, right. Sorry, Marcus," Fox shook his head, before finally taking a look around at the comms, stopping at Zachary. "Oh, it's you." His voice almost loses it's friendly tone, as Zachary crosses his arms and bares his teeth. Marcus nearly forgot that the two aren't exactly on good terms, especially when Fox was the one to argue for Zachary's sentence. Great, already, everything was falling apart. The captain began to shrink in his seat, as Zachary let out an indignant scoff.

"Surprised to see me again, old bastard?" Zachary questioned, leading to a glare from Fox.

"Listen, as long as you don't try and wreck shit anymore, what's in the past is in the past as far as I'm concerned, alright? So, just drop it." Fox sighed, before Zachary rolled his eyes. Janet then leaned forward again, covering the wolf's eyes again with her floppy ears. Giving a friendly wave and a smile, she caught his attention.

"Heya!" She greeted simply, before Fox's face lit up again with recognition. Man, has it already been that long? The fox could recount Janet when she was but a small baby being taken care of by Lucy. Crazy how times fly when peace is attained.

"Janet! Look at you, all grown up! How's Lucy? Heard she made it big after inventing the Gyroscope for the Arsuits."

"Well, you heard right! Hell, it's what got me into the Engineer's course in the flight academy. Though, while it seems great and all upon first viewing, what they don't tell you about is the fact that you're going to have to learn every part of the Arsuit. I swear, I had to take a test about what types of nuts and bolts the damn things were made from! They're made with Type-Alpha 20" bolts, by the by." Janet described, eliciting a heartfelt chuckle from the ex-captain. Sounded about right to him! Then again, it would probably be important if they knew every single minute detail, because, after all, what if they needed to work on repairing the arm of an Arsuit, and they needed to know what types of bolts they'd use? Then again, it probably wasn't best to get into that conversation. And, finally, there was Slick, who would wave to Fox placidly.

"Heard you weren't able to make it. Sucks to hear, but, tell your old man that I said hi, alright?" Fox smiled, as Slick nodded. Seems like Slick was at least happy to talk to the ex-captain.

"Well, this was a great conversation and all, but we need to get into position. Any last words there, Fox?" The avian asks, before the pilot nodded. After a contemplative pause, Fox finally began to speak.

"Thanks. And, Marcus? You're doing real good, kid." Fox smiled, before the comms were cut off. Those 5 words instantly made the fox shift back up onto his chair. He was… Doing good? With the little ragtag team he had? Well, needless to say, that definitely raised his spirits, even if it was a lie. At least he made his dad have some semblance of pride, right? With a content smile, Marcus would steer his Arwing over to the right side of the Great Fox, a smile plastered across his face. At least he wasn't letting him down.

His watch began with little to no excitement. Nothing but stars, exhaust from the ship, and the occasional planet he could spot in the distance. Horribly boring, as one would expect, but at least he was keeping the Great Fox, and his father, safe. He supposed he could talk to one of his team mates-

"H-Hey! Stop shifting around so much back there! I can feel your… You know-"

"My what? Come on, Mr. Ace Pilot, what's got your tongue so tied, huh?"

"Nothing."

… Alright, what about Slick-

"Yeehaw… No, that's not right. Yeeeeeeehaw! Nah. That's not right either. How do they do it so easily in those movies…?"

Falco..?

"Yo, Marcus. You see anything yet?" Falco asked, before Marcus was brought back to reality. Oh, right. Looking at the horizon… Largely nothing yet. Marcus was about to report an 'all clear' on his end when something caught his eye. It almost looked like this strange distortion in space, floating past him. Squinting to get a better view, the fox only realized the situation until it was too late, as a metal hand seemingly appeared from nowhere, slamming into his Arsuit's head. Knocking it back towards the steel exterior of the Great Fox, Marcus felt his head slam into the back of the cockpit, and, for a second, the world was replaced by a blank, white, ringing void for what felt like hours, before he came back to the world of the living. Reaching down, he felt something wet under his nose. Looking at his fingertips, he saw the sanguine liquid dripping off, before he eventually sat up straight to take the situation in. Apparently, he was only out for a few seconds, as he saw that a Arsuit pulled a Plasma Repeater on the Captain, and aimed it right at his Cockpit.

As if instinctively, Marcus went to sweep the legs out from under the Arsuit, disorientating it for a few seconds before he took a look at the comms.

"Marcus, what the hell-!?" Zachary began to yell out, before his Arsuit would seem to be ravaged by a similar impact. His head slammed forward onto the console with a sickening 'crunch,' before his head flailed back, limp. Janet, too, seemed to be flailed about inside the cockpit, though not as badly as Zachary thanks to her position. Falco, seeing this happen, immediately went on the defensive. And not a moment sooner, as a cloaked Arsuit went for the kill on his Cockpit with a Plasma Blade, only for the avian to block it with one of his wings.

"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! REPEAT, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! Neo Star Fox, report in, dammit…!" Falco yelled at the top of his lungs, as Marcus would hop backwards in his Arsuit.

"I-I'm… Alright…" Marcus grunted out, the ringing in his ears seemingly not stopping any time soon.

"So, these are the radicals, huh? 'Course they'd use the cloaks; Probably some disgruntled workers from the Gorgon Project, huh. Zachary! How are you lookin'?!" Falco asks, as Janet leans forward.

"He's out like a lamp-" She moves him to the side, before hopping into the seat- "I'll take care of the enemies. Hopefully, his arsuit isn't anything complex…" She mutters, before the comms shut down immediately.

"Dammit…! They must have a signal jammer!" Marcus yelled out, before a Plasma Round discharged right beside his Arsuit head.

"You must be stupider than you look to think that the proud nation of Venom would want this prissy bullshit, kid. Our great leader would have shot this damn thing down as soon as it made its way to Titania! You don't know a thing!" The Arsuit Pilot in front of him would join the comms, revealing a Reptilian Venomian.

"I'll make sure to give you Cornerians a ceremony to remember… After I blow you and your embassy sky high!"

A/N: A cliffhanger? Ain't I a stinker! Not a very action heavy chapter, but that's because the next chapter will be. Again, thank you for reading, and reviews are heavily appreciated!