Chapter 15
My Old Kentucky Home
Roka was about tp leave the apartment when he heard a sharp knocking at the door. He could sense the malice coming from behind that lock. He unlocked the door, got behind the hinges and opened it. A stream of plasma from a blaster flew into the room. Roka came out from behind the door and put his polished and loaded trapper right in the assailants nose. The heavy octagon barrel gave him a nose bleed.
Roka: Pullin' a fast one ay?
??: You kill my father! Damn you!
Roka: His pride killed him not me!
??: What is that supposed to mean?
Roka: Your father would rather die than end up in the hands of the police force, so that's axactly what he did. I did shoot him, but I did not kill him.
In the end he shot himself. He died a bitter man.
??: My name is Carlos, I am the son of Rodriguez Alvarez. He was a powerful drug lord. It is because of him I ended up in this drug ring. I didn't want to, but I was anyway. He may have been a bad person but I still loved him as my father.
Roka: I'm sorry to hear that.
Carlos: Sorry? Ha! You kill most of my friends and put the rest in jail. You are not sorry.
Roka: I will let you live if you get lost!
Carlos: Is that a joke? You will just kill me too!
Bang!
Roka fire the huge single-shot near Carlos' head, but missing him deliberately. He was now in a state of fear.
Roka: I'm going to give you three seconds to give up. one...two...
Carlos: Ok! I give up!
Police showed up at the apartment complex. Someone had made a call because the sound if gunshots could be heard.
Roka: Get Lost.
Carlos looked at him with fear and respect. This child was a foe not to be reckoned with. He ran off into the complex looking for a way out but was eventually caught. Police came upstairs and found Roka holding the smoking gun.
Officer: Hands in the air!
Roka put his trapper on the floor and raised his hands. He was arrested. The police took him downtown. He was taken to the chief of police for questioning.
Police Chief: You better have a good explanation kid. Firing a gun in an apartment complex isn't exactly the best practical joke to play.
Roka: Roka Embers sir. A man by the name of Carlos Alvarez fired apon me. I returned fire, but I think he escaped.
Police Chief: Roka Embers? The kid from the Star Fox team? What were you doing in an apartment complex?
Roka: I was staying the night in the apartment of Fox McCloud. He let me use it while I was here.
Police Chief: So, you are the one who helped us apprehend all of those dealers. I'm sorry for troubling you. Men, release him.
Roka: Thank you sir. Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to be taken back to the apartment.
Police Chief: As you wish.
Roka was escorted back to the apartment complex. By that time the place was covered in a familiar yellow tape. He stepped under the tape and grabbed some things, threw on his coat which had a nice big hole in it and a blood stain. He walked under the tape and walked up to his trusty XR 200. He rode back to the airbase, got in his arwing, and flew through the atmosphere and landed in the docking bay of the Great Fox. He entered the bridge, but it was empty, so he decided to head off to the commons room. Fox and Falco were playing a round of 9-ball.
Roka: Hey guys, I'm hoooooome!
Falco: Where have you been? I need a home cooked meal!
Roka: Knock it off Falco, My shoulder is burning like fire and I need some rest.
The two then actually took a good look at Roka, they had been busy playing pool and didn't really see the hole in his coat.
Fox: What happened to you? You look terrible. What kind of mission did General Pepper give you? Your ok, right?
Roka: Too many questions! First of all, I was in a pickle with some gang members, and one of those idiots shot a hole in my nice coat. This coat was expensive! Grrrr. And secondly, as you could have guessed, the General wanted to test my abilities, so he sent me after the Red River gang and to find their huge stash of powda'. And yes, I'm fine. It's not life threatning. Uhh, Fox?
Fox: Yeah?
Roka: You don't mind me staying in you apartment right?
Fox: Ofcourse not, I had it so I wouldn't have to deal with hotels and the popparazzis.
Roka: Well, there was a bit of a problem there too.
Fox: Oh boy, what happenned?
Roka: Uhhhhh... How do I say this? There was a bit of a gunfight and someone put plasma rounds through your TV. A guy tried to shoot me when I opened the door, but the police eventually got him and I made it out ok. Don't look at me that way Fox... It wasn't my fault, cut me some slack!
Fox: You let somebody destroy my flat screen TV?! I'm going to kill you!
Roka: Run away! Run away!
Fox: Get back here!
Roka: (running) Don't you even care that somebody shot me?!
Fox: -pant-pant-.. NO!!
Roka: AHHHHHH!!
Falco: Oh boy...
--
The next day...
Roka: Good morning all!
Fox, Krystal, Peppy, Slippy, and Falco: Good morning.
Roka: Wow, so he gang's all here eh?
Fox: Hey Roka, you got some mail.
Roka: Really? What about? Lemme see it?
Roka had three letters, one from General Pepper, one from some relatives, and the other was unmarked. He opened the check, then the unmarked one, it read:
Hey kid, we hear that you took care of the Red River gang for us, and for that we are quite greatful. We also heard that Alvarez is dead, good work. You did us a big favor. We are in you debt, from now on you are under our protection, we will be your eyes and ears.
-The Blue Creek Mafia
Roka had an eerie feeling about this, but hey, they were on his side. He opened the next letter:
Roka,
It's been too long! We haven't see you in almost two years. You need to come down to visit us. I hope you have been getting along alright with the path you chose. always remember courage, honesty, and self sacrifice with a smile.
-Grampa.
Roka: Well lookie'here. A letter from the relatives. I haven't heard from them in along while.
Fox: You have relatives?
Roka: Well doesn't everybody? I know you have a few.
Fox: I guess your right. Whose it from?
Roka: Old man Embers, he wants me to come back down south for a while.
Falco: you mean a bunch of hicks?
Roka: That how I learned to cook moron, cooking was invented in the south! Looks like I'm takin' a trip to Calavaris County!!
Oh I wish I were in the land of cotton...
Krystal: I'm happy for you Roka.
Roka: Thanks, well I guess I need to get packin'.
Peppy: Think you can handly it?
Roka: Yeah, the blaster that guy had was a cheap one. It didn't too deep. By tomorrow it shoul be a lot better.
The excited little vulpine packed some clothes, amd his trusty sidearms. He gave the team a farewell and took a vacation to the south. The southern mountains were so beautiful. It would be great to visit his old home. He spent a lot of years in the south after his parents died. The arwing pierced the atmosphere and he was back in Cornerian territory. Roka set the coordinates on the map and guided him straight to Calavaris County: His home away from home. He landed his arwing righ in the the front yard of his grandparent's farm.
Grandpa Embers: What is this?! So youv'e gone and become a pilot, just like your daddy. It's good to see you again Roka.
Roka: Grandpa! Grandma! It's been too long!
Roka was so happy to see his grandparents again, he was no longer the hardened mercenary, he was a child again, his young innocence had returned, even if for only a little while. Grampa Embers guided his way into the big log cabin. Nothing had changed, everything was set in a traditional layout. It was a beautiful house, set right in a valley foreshadowed by an imposing mountain. It was picture perfect. As Roka entered the large living room, he saw his childhood friend and mentor, a stocky old cock with a black feathery tail sitting in a chair smoking a pipe. It was old Rooster Cogburn.
Rooster: It's been a long time boy. I've been waitin' fer ya'.
Roka: Good to see you.
Rooster: I need to speak to you after dinner, alone.
Roka knew what was coming, it was the moment he had been waiting for his whole life.
Grandma Embers: Come on boys, time for Grandma's special pot roast.
Grandpa Embers: Woman! You have been makin' that for years!
Roka: It still doens't get old.
Grandpa Embers: I still can't believe you are a pilot. Who do you work for?
Roka: General Pepper.
Rooster: You work for who?! Pepper? That grumpy old hound dog? I used to peel pataters with that son of a gun! Tell him I said Hi when you go back ok?
Roka: Sure.
The family sat down and had themselves a great big southern dinner. But not before saying grace. After dinner, Rooster took Roka outside and gave him a man-to-man talk.
Rooster: Boy, I been waitin' a long time to give you this, but your not quite ready yet. I'm gonna put you to work around here on the old farm. You're gonna cut corn and split logs, you're gonna work till think yer ready. I believe that after a good week or so, you'll be prepared.
Roka began work the next morning. His wound had healed up pretty quickly and he knew he could handle it. Old Rooster had him plow a field, the hard way. He strapped him to a plow and made him pull it while he directed it. Roka was on all fours all week pulling that plow. Ofter the thirty field had been tilled, it was time to plant the seeds. This took all day and the old bird made sure that Roka did it right. After nine days of plowing and seeding, it was time to split the lumber. Rooster didn't allow him to use a mechanical splitter, he had to do it with an iron splitting maul. The old sharpened blade was still ready for action after years of use. Rooster hauled in a truck-load of logs that need to be split for firewood. The young vulpine was swining that iron maul for two days straight. After that he had to stack each piece of wood into a nice firewood pile. Three days total it took to finish all the lumber work. It wasn't over yet. Rooster wanted Roka to take the final test before the orientation. He had to stomach a shot of moonshine. The old bird knew that all of the young men that he went through didn't survive the final test on the first try. He went into the tool shed and pulled out an old clay poy. It had a white body with a brown top. It was the ancient moonshine jar that had been passed down through the generations. It was filled with a clean pint and was accompanied by two shot glasses.
Rooster: Come with me Roka, before you take my orientaion, we must see if you can pass the final test. You have showed me strength and endurance, now you need the will, and a stomach of iron. Then you will get what's commin'.
Rooster led Roka to the small bar in his grandparents house. He put the old jar and the two shot glasses on the table.
Rooster: You sure you wanna do this?
Roka: I'm ready.
Rooster filled the two shot glasses. He drank the first and handed the second to Roka. He stared at the glass for five long minutes, the slowly picked it up and downed it. He grit his teeth and looked at Rooster, who had a grim smile on his face.
Rooster: Lets see how long you last, boy.
He filled both shot glasses and downed his second fill, this is the part where all of his "students" had failed. Roka wearily took the glass and drank it. His eyes watered but he stayed upright on the bar stool. He sat there for five mines looking into the eyes of his mentor. By the time ten minutes had past, Roka fell out of the bar stool.
Rooster: Hmmmm, (looks at his watch) Ten minutes and one second. He passed, just barely but he passed. On the first try too. He's no ordinary boy.
Roka was out cold, he finaly awoke the next morning with a bad headache. Rooster was still sitting on that same ar stool smiling.
Rooster: Not bad boy, you're the first one to pass. All the others had to try gain and again, but you made it. I'm mighty proud of you Roka. Now that you are awake, you get to fight me. This is the way of the south.
Rooster picked up Roka off of the floor in that bar and gave him a nice big hay-maker, Roka regained composure and returned the favor. Then rooster nailed him in the gut, Roka got up and gave him the same. It was a gentleman's fight. One hit at a time until the other colapses. After two long hours both of the warriors were getting weary. Both were panting and were all sweaty and blody.
Rooster: It ain't over yet you little runt. You still haven't beaten me!
Roka: You just wait old man.
Rooster nailed Roka in the nose, giving him a horribly dizzy spell, he fell to the ground.
Rooster: Looks like you ain't got what it takes boy.
Roka: What did you say?! Yahhhh!
The enraged vulpine picked himself up and pulled his right arm back and thrust in into the avian's face. He fell to the floor, finally he was out cold.
Roka: Huh,huh,huh,huh. I guess I do have what it takes you old bird.
Rooster: Help me up.
Roka pulled the old cock to his feet. Rooster looked him in the eye and held out his hand. Roka took it and gave it a firm shake.
Rooster: Well son, you did it. You have passed the orientation. You are a man. Now you must travel your own path, choose wisely.
Roka: I will.
The two fighters left the bar and went to the living room where his grandparents were patiently. The stocky old vulpine and vixen sttod up and loked at Roka.
Grandpa Embers: Tell me Rooster, did he make it?
Rooster: Yeah he did, but I think I let him off too easy. (giving the old fox a wink)
Grandma Embers: Your father was the only one to pass untill now. Rooster, you didn't tell him did you?
Rooster: I kept it a secret. Ahahaha! It was good to see you again Roka. Tell you friends the Rooster says. Ay.
Roka: You know it.
Roka hopped inot his Arwing and flew off into the sky. He was different now, perhaps a bit wiser. Roka made it home and greeted his friends. He told them about the big adventure he had. But there was one thing he wanted to do.
Roka: Where's Wold O'Donnel. I wanna' see him
Fox: Why?
Roka: I have a challenge for him. Get me the communications.
Wolf: Wolf O'Donnel, oh, it's the stupid little runt. What do you want?
Roka: I have a challenge for you Wolf, I want to see if you are a real man, or would that be too tough for you?
Wolf: I'll be right over. I wont lose to some kid!
Wolf flew his wolfen right into the docking bay. The Star Fox team was ready for blast him, but Roka told them to leave the situation to him and him alone.
Wolf: You were questioning my manhood, I don't take kindly to insults you little brat.
Roka: Come with me.
The two walked to the kitchen and they sat down at the table. Roka pulled out his clay jar and two shny shot glasses.
Roka: Think you can handle it boy?
Wolf: I've downed more beers than you could ever imagine. If you think that a runtt like you could beat me at drinkin', you have another thing comin!
Roka: Fair enough.
He poured the shiny clear lquid into the shot glasses. Roka took the first drink. He gave wolf a menacing smile that even made him uncomfortable. Wolf drank the moonshine and gabbed hs throat. The burn was terrible. Roka just sat there smiling. Wolf gave it his all to keep his composure. To his dismay, he filled the shot glassed again, but he was too proud to lose to some kid.
Roka: Cheers!
They tapped glasses and threw it down the hatch. By this timw the lupines throat was bleeding. Roka just tilted his head and smiled and he filled the shot glasses again.
Wolf: NO MORE! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!
Fox: Hahaha, I guess he isn't a real man! What a wimp.
Roka: Fox, you're next.
Fox: Oh look! Its a message from General Pepper! Gotta go!
Roka: Wow, you are a lot tougher than I had anticipated. I congratulate you.
Wolf: COUGH!! Ahhh! Where did you get such a strong stomach?
Roka: I'm from the south, I was born with one.
Wolf looked up at Roka, teary-eyed and dizzy. He fell to the floor.
-End of Chapter 13