I spared no detail when I told Hara everything that had happened at the party. I was even honest about the undeniable connection that I had with Falco. Whether he felt it too or not, I would never know. Somehow, I think I was okay with that. It wouldn't have done me any good to dwell on it.

A few days later, I was woken up one morning by an early phone call. As soon as I saw who it was, I immediately picked up.

"Kell," I answered.

"Good morning, Skye," replied my boss, Craig Masters. "Did you enjoy your few days off?"

"Man, do I have stories to tell you… You got a mission for me, Boss?"

"I got an order for Bill Grey. After the attack from Andross, Katina is in desperate need of parts to repair some of the outposts and many of their aircraft."

"Have my ship ready for me, Craig. I've definitely got this one."

"See you when you get here."

I hung up with him and got ready to leave. Hara had left early for work so I left a note letting her know I was on a mission. I left for the port to get my fighter then went on my way to Gilford Station that was floating in the middle of space.

My lion boss, Craig, has been a long-time friend of mine for many years. Right after I had dropped out from the academy, I got a call from him out of the blue and was offered a job. He made sure that any planet in the Lylat System got the supplies needed to keep up military outposts and such. He also sent emergency medical supplies to whoever needed them. How he procured these things for his clients, I couldn't tell you. For the most part, it was an honest operation.

Just to be clear, Craig Masters isn't his real name. He was once the notorious criminal, Cyrus Astaire. He gave up his pirate life to be with his beautiful wife, Melissa, who also happened to be a princess from a small planet. He changed his name to make sure his old enemies would never find him again. To better cover up his tracks, he had Gilford Station built and started his business. Needless to say, I'm the only one of his hundreds of employees that knows that about him. That shows you how much he trusts me.

I docked my fighter into the station and went to the deck that had my cargo ship. Craig was over-seeing it personally to make sure nothing went wrong.

As soon as he saw me, he grinned.

"So, these stories you were going to tell me," he teased.

"Oh right. I got shot down on the way home last time I was here."

"Wolf again?"

"Unfortunately. Anyway, got shot down, was rescued by Star Fox. Figured out the leader is my brother, Falco hates me-"

"Whoa wait," he interrupted. "Fox McCloud is your brother?"

"Yes, yes he is. Now, back to my story-"

"How do you even cope with that?" he teased some more. "I can only imagine how that conversation went."

"Craig."

"I'm sorry." He chuckled. "Go on."

"Fox and I caught up, I was invited to a party. It was a disaster. The end."

Craig laughed out loud. "None of that really made sense. Details would be great."

I sighed. "I'm sorry. I get flustered when I talk about it. So much had happened in such a short time. Not to mention my pride is so bruised over it all."

"Let's start with Fox then. If I understand this correctly, your name isn't Kell at all."

"That's right. When I was a kid, I was taken to a family friend that adopted me instead of living with my brother and father."

"You never told me your father was James McCloud."

"If it makes you feel any better, no one else knew. Well, except for Hara. I didn't tell her my story until a few years into our friendship."

He grinned. "You have your reasons I'm sure. I can only assume your father was trying to protect you. But, why not Fox?"

"He was the one to carry on dad's legacy. Simple as that. I was supposed to keep my hands clean, marry a good man and go on with my life."

Craig laughed again. "You are far from that, my friend. You're single and working for an ex-criminal. Something is seriously wrong with that picture."

"Your teasing is exhausting, Craig…"

"I can't help myself," he shrugged. "You're such an easy target. But I have a feeling you're not finished with your story. Who is Falco?"

"Falco is a member of Star Fox. He's Fox's best pilot. I have never met a more infuriating man."

Craig paused. "Yet there's a note of respect in your voice."

"Respect may be too strong a word…"

He gave me a sly look with a silly grin. "Oh… You like him don't you?"

"Not even! I barely know him for one. And two, he's SO NOT my type! He's arrogant, hot-headed, self-centered-"

"Alright, alright. I overstepped, I'm sorry."

"Are you teasing Skye again instead of paying attention to your workers packing her ship?" a feminine voice asked from behind us.

"Hey, Melissa," I greeted.

"Hello again, Skye. Is he bothering you?" the lioness asked as she approached us.

I laughed. "If he didn't tease me, I would be worried that he didn't like me anymore."

"True enough." She turned to Craig. "Where is she headed?"

"She's going to see Bill Grey. Don't worry, she'll be fine like she always is."

Melissa gave her husband a disbelieving look. "Obviously you haven't heard. Wolf O'Donnell and his gang of criminals have been out and about since Andross fell. I'm not okay with her going out without protection of some sort."

Craig crossed his arms. "What do you suggest?"

"Call in a favor from the military. Or Star Fox."

I groaned at the mention of Star Fox.

"I'd rather not have to deal with Star Fox if it makes any difference to you."

Craig laughed. "I can only imagine it."

Melissa looked between us. "What did I miss?"

"It would seem that our Skye is related to the leader of Star Fox," Craig told her.

Melissa's jaw dropped. "No way! You and Fox?"

"Unfortunately… Look, I really don't want to go through this story again. Do what you think is necessary and just keep me posted."

Melissa went off and did her thing. I stayed with Craig as his men finished packing my ship. Melissa came back to us as soon as my ship was done.

"Fox McCloud and Slippy Toad are on the way," she said. "They've promised to help you."

"Of course they did…"

"Be thankful," Craig said. "You're lucky that we got a reply so quickly. It doesn't always happen that way." He looked to his wife. "How much did you promise them?"

"The usual rate. Plus a little extra for when they get back." She winked.

Moments later, two arwings docked in one of the bays. Within a few minutes, Slippy and Fox walked through the door to meet us. Fox stopped as soon as he saw me.

"Hello, big brother."

"Skye!" Slippy cried. "It's good to see you again."

I smiled at the toad. Fox paused.

"We're here to escort you to Katina? I thought…" he trailed off and looked to Melissa. "Look, we've done plenty of escort missions for your company but, we may have to seriously think about this one."

"You don't have time to think about it," Melissa said in a hard tone. "Katina needs their supplies and they need them soon. You need to escort Skye to Katina safely in order to get paid. I will not have her shot down by the likes of Wolf O'Donnell."

Fox sighed then looked to me. "You attract all kinds of trouble, don't you?"

"If you count Falco as trouble, then yes, I suppose I do," I spat.

"Look, I spoke to Falco about the ball."

"Oh really? I can only imagine how that went." I feigned a male voice. "Oh Fox, I feel so awful. I only wanted to rub in her face how your father chose you instead of her."

"Skye, I wanted to talk to you about that too-"

"Save it. We have a mission to do. Katina needs their supplies. I'm not wasting any more time talking to you about ridiculous things."