Conference Room
Grand Fox
Corneria / Lylat System
1238 Hours
True to his email, Bill Grey showed up at the shipyards about mid-morning the day following the Grand Fox's revelation. Fox had already announced that Star Fox was looking for potential recruits both as fighters and crew for the new carrier. Less than an hour later and the team were already up to their knees in applications and fan mail. Even with six people filtering through the paperwork It was obvious that it would be no easy task to find the ideal crew.
General Pepper's Office
Cornaria Defence Force HQ
Cornaria City / Cornaria / Lylat System
1238 Hours
The old general gave a small moan as he rested his eyes for a few minutes, his age and injury had done a number on him, but not enough to stop old Pepper from continuing to serve Lylat. It wasn't until his long time friend Peppy Hare entered holding two lunch trays that the hound sat back up.
While technically no more than a visitor, Peppy had become a sort of messenger for the general. Doing errands for his old friend and standing in if Rex's health didn't cooperate. Some of the lower ranked generals kept giving the retired mercenary glares and cold shoulders but for the most part, everyone else treated the hare like they did the general, trusting Pepper's judgement of character
"What's troubling you, Rex?".Peppy finally asked, noticing how slowly the general was eating.
"It's Oikanney," The hound finally replied, "It's just that as long as his nephew remains alive, Andross' terrible hold on our people remains constant. I had hoped that we ended that madman's legacy at Fortuna."
"Hm, even from beyond death, the Mad Scientist still haunts us." Peppy agreed, "But at least there is a silver lining Rex: Andross wasn't the only one who left behind such a legacy."
The General let out a soft chuckle as he grinned, he knew exactly who the old hare was referring to. "Yeah, James was the best pilot we ever had," the hound agreed remembering back to the old days when the fox was still around, such fond times.
"I think his son might object to that statement Rex," Peppy grinned, without the sunglasses, the two were almost identical both in appearance and personality. Fox was very much his father's son.
"Nah, it's just that kids get all the new stuff these days." Pepper jokingly dismissed the idea with his hand, causing both of the old-timers to share a good honest laugh.
"To old friends and fond memories." The general toasted with his water.
"Old friends and fond memories." Peppy agreed as the two touched their cups before continuing to eat lunch together, thinking over their long shared history. They both still remembered the day the three of them met clearly, over thirty-five years ago when young aces James McCloud and Preston "Peppy" Hare first met the then Major Rex Pepper in person.
The pleasant flashbacks ended when the General's secretary cracked open the door.
"General, Lieutenant Pepper is here to see you, sir." The secretary explained professionally, but still with a hint of amusement. With a soft chuckle, the hound gestured to let her in, causing the secretary to open the door the rest of the way as step aside, letting a Border Collie walk in.
The Collie promptly gave a salute to her superior officer as soon as the door was closed behind her, but in a rare case of disobeying protocol, the General did not return the salute. Instead, the old hound managed to get up out of his chair and offered an open hug.
Deciding it was safe to abandon protocol here on out, the Collie almost rushed ahead to accept the hug, careful not to squeeze the injured veteran too hard.
"Ah, it's good to see you again Cassie," The general greeted with a chuckle, "It's been too long."
"It's good to see you too Uncle, I've missed you." the niece replied continuing the embrace. Even though Rex had never married or had children, he became a sort of second father for his brother's little girl. Even with all of his responsibilities as a general, the hound made sure he kept a tight and lovingly relationship with his niece.
After a few more seconds of embrace, the two finally stepped back and sat down across from the other at the general's desk.
"I got your message Uncle, you wanted to see me for something?" Cassie finally asked getting down to business, silently hoping it wasn't going to be another promotion just because she was the general's niece.
"Cassie, I want to ask you to do something. Something that might cost your career in the Army." The general admitted with a sigh, "I want to ask you to retire from the Starfighter Cor-"
"Uncle what are you saying!" Cassie cut her relative off, "Why would I retire from the Starfighter Corps? That's where I can pursue my opportunities to serve the Lylat System! That's where I can keep our family name alive after you get replaced Uncle! Why would I give that up?"
"So you can better serve the people of Lylat from a better position." The general finished, "I fully respect your wishes to serve in the Cornarian Military Cassie, but times are changing again. I'm afraid that the Cornarian Army won't be what it once was much longer. The same with the leadership of the entire system. I don't want you to fly on some politician's orders Cassie, you're too good for that." The general explained.
"Team Starfox is expanding their ranks, Cassie. This is an opportunity I beg you to consider." The general pleaded, "They may just be a mercenary group, but they stand for everything we fight for: to defend the people of Lylat from any who seek to do it harm. If there is any squad that's as selfless and pure hearted as you Cassie, it's Starfox."
The nice sighed as she closed her eyes, mentally debating with herself over the decision. She had dreamed of a career in the Cornaria Military ever since she was a little puppy. It wouldn't be easy to turn her back on the one thing she idolized as she grew up, but her uncle was right. Times were changing, and as much as it hurt her feelings to admit, the Cornarian Military had a surplus of shifty officers and commanders. People who had no morals and were driven only by desire.
Maybe Starfox was the best opportunity for to continue serving to safeguard the Lylat System without risking becoming a pawn in some political game of chess. Cassie had never met the famous team in person, only hearing about them on the news and threw her Uncle, but she knew she could trust the latter source, and he said that they shared her morals and selflessness. Maybe they weren't just a bunch of hired guns, after all, there was a reason her Uncle trusted them with missions he wouldn't give to anyone else.
"Alright Uncle, I understand what it means to you." Cassie finally agreed, standing up before giving the hound another hug, a tear wetting the fur under her eye, "I promise I'll make you proud."
"I already am, and your father would be too." The general corrected as he too hugged his niece tightly. They both knew that the General's days were numbered, and every conversation may be their last.
"I love you, Uncle,"
"I know, I love you too Cassie."
