Checks in the Mail
"Disrupting my plans, you have quite the talent meat." Scales hook dragged slowly along the wall as he moved towards Fox, "I've had enough of you dogs meddling with my future."
Fox backed away from the large reptile, staff held out defensively as he eyed the generals scimitar. "I'll do a lot more than disrupt your plans if you don't surrender!"
Scales laughed loudly, slamming the blade into the wall beside him, metal sparking on rock as it cleaved its way through stone. "Boy, you've a lot of nerve, bringing that little toy up against me, I'll wear your hide!"
Leaping skywards, a trail of sparks following behind the sword as it scraped along the ceiling, Scales came down upon the vulpine with a lethal greeting.
"Damn," Fox whispered to himself; he dashed forward, weaving between foe and weapon alike, the staffs tip clattering along the ground. His fur ruffled as the impact of the scimitar caused the ground to tremble.
Scales spun on his heels, the momentum of his tail helping to increase his speed as he swung the sword around, a sharp clang of metal upon metal echoed as the sword met the staff in a flurry of sparks, the generals brute strength forced the vulpine off his feet, rolling a few meters before standing again.
Hugging the staff close to his chest, Fox began to focus his mind, feeling the energy pull from his body as fire began to fill the air, quickly he shifted his arms, weaving the torrent of flame and casting it towards Scales. The impact drew a furious roar from the grizzled reptile who turned with malice, smoke rising from the burns on his body. His counterattack was brutal, a blur of green scales, he dashed towards Fox, striking out and drawing blood from Fox's arms as the blade flickered around him. With a hefty backhand, the generals hook connected with the kits face sending him spiraling into the wall.
Fox groaned in pain as the impact rattled his body, chest heaving with fire. His face not the better as blood began to slowly seep from his nose. Warily he stood to his feet, hefting the staff, the spear tip facing the general. With a yowl, he dashed forward, the tip flashing out towards Scales only to bounce harmlessly off the generals armor.
Scales turned, swiping his tail out and tripping the vulpine, followed by the pommel driving itself deeply into the his stomach. Fox retched as he rebounded off the wall again, falling to all fours as his stomach flushed its contents from his body. Blinking away tears, he stood up again, rubbing the bile away from his lips.
"Come at me boy, I had expected a lot more of the famous mercenary, I feel rather insulted by this pathetic and feeble effort." His hook dug into the wall beside him, tearing out stone and masonry and hefting it towards Fox.
In a flurry of orange fur, the kit rolled away, barely avoiding being crushed as he scampered on all four towards the reptile. The staff shrunk in his hand and he slid across the ground, digging its tip deeply into Scales leg.
A loud roar of pain echoed within the temple as blood spilled down onto the vulpine. Scales swung his hook quickly knocking the fox head over heels.
"I would have made things quick and easy for you pup," he growled, taking a step and wincing. "You think that such a play would finish me." Scales turned, a joyful expression upon his face, slowly moving towards the young kit, sparks emanating from his blade as he dragged it along the ground.
"You've made your mark, if you could even call it that, a pity it was so weak," he spat, "And so a poor fur's execution, only fitting for a pathetic slag of meat."
Fox watched as the blade lifted slowly into the air, slowly taking a breath as he allowed instincts to take over. The staff extended into the reptiles gut sharply, even with the armor, it was enough to knock him back. Then Slamming the tip into the wall, the staff glowed brilliantly as he called upon the last of his reserves, with a blast he rocketed towards Scales, flipping the spear tip towards him.
A sickening crunch followed as the staff buried through the generals armor, his reptilian eyes were wide with shock as he mouthed aghast at what had happened. Metal met stone as the staff buried into the wall behind him, pinning him off the ground.
Fox grinned, though his body groaned with the effort of standing away from the general. "You, have a cocky attitude, you know that right!"
He moved over to pick up the generals sword, dragging it with both arms, "You, think I didn't have a plan for this, you think I would allow something as simple and back watered as you to best me, sure I didn't have the brute strength, but it don't mean I'm helpless."
Scales spat, a trickle of green beginning to dribble from his lips, "You, you haven't stopped me, not in the slightest."
He gripped the staff, tugging it slowly as he tried to pry it from the wall, inch by inch till finally it gave way.
It was a sickening crunch as his body dropped off the wall, a look of utter shock etched upon the reptiles face as he slowly looked down at the vulpine, the hilt of his own sword sticking out from under him.
"You should have never messed with the people here, I have no pity for a beast like yourself." Fox's paws gripped the staff tightly, and with a sharp tug, freed it from the generals body. The gaping hole in his chest bleeding a sickening green.
"Never," gasped the dying reptile, "Never, never, I was promised glory, I was to be given my war."
His body began to convulse, causing the fox to step away wearily, a glow shined brilliantly from within the reptiles body as a Krozoa spirit began to take shape, slowly pulling itself from the confines of the fleshy prison. It hovered for a few moments, observing the vulpine with a mild curiosity before flashing through him.
Fox gasped, feeling his body lift into the air as the final spirit drove through him. Moments later he found himself propped up against the wall, his breathing ragged. The spirit within him felt odd, almost uninviting, but he knew that he needed it, without its help the planet will never come together, and she would never be freed.
"Krystal," he mouthed softly, using the staff to help steady his balance as he made his way towards the stairs. The soft clatter of his footsteps echoing in the temple corridor as he climbed higher and higher. Soon the soft patter of rain met his face, the cool drops soothing his enflamed body, the pain of the weeks battle slowly catching up to him.
"Just a little further," he groaned, stepping towards the dais and dropping to his knees. He shivered at first, then threw back his head, letting loose a loud howl of pain as the Krozoa seemed to rip itself away from his body.
He stood feebly upon his feet and mounted the stairs, groaning with exertion as he finally stood before the giant crystal housing the vixen within. He watched with surprise as the spirits all began to circle around her, picking up speed while chanting began to fill the air.
"To live!"
The voice caused him to jump, fear crossing the vulpines face as the spirits began smashing into the crystal, his fist tightening as he felt anger rise within him.
"What have you done!" he stepped forward, "You were supposed to help me, you were supposed to save this planet, you are supposed to save her!"
"It is not what I have done, but what you've done to help me, and Fox, you have done well, just as well as this young vixen in bringing that which was lost to me, do not worry, for yours is a fate I truly hold dear to me."
Fox covered his ears, but it didn't matter, the voice seemed to echo powerfully within his mind, causing his vision to blur. It was familiar and it filled him with a tremendous sense of dread. Suddenly the sharp cracks like that of glass shattering filled his ears. He looked up and let out a loud howl of rage as he watched the crystal prison begin to shatter.
Krystal's prison vibrated and shimmered, slivers peeled into the air as it slowly began to fracture. Small lines dancing along the entirety of the prison. With a defiant roar, Fox dashed towards her, watching as the prison finally gave way, her body hovering dangerously over the temples pit. He grunted with effort as he drove his legs beyond their capacity, diving into the air as the last of the crystal shattered, peppering his body with shards of glass. His arms met the cool wet body of the vixen and he clutched her tightly to his chest, rolling as they both crashed down upon the temple floor.
"What did you do to her?" he growled menacingly at the spirit before him, holding the vixen carefully in his arms, her breathing labored.
"I have been in waiting, for a very long time. Patiently that is, to accomplish the impossible! Of course Scales was taking way to long, a pity, but then you did me quite a service removing him. As you can see, I needed the help of my brothers to become free, only with them combined would I be granted freedom, and who would think, that the pure of heart such as you two, would be here to help me!" it gave a devious grin, "I was worried, I'll be honest, I worried that you might not have come through for me, that you would have failed everything or even worse foiled my plans, so I allowed the girl to call out to you, in her feebly weak minded state, a pity, the Cerenian culture, to have been wasted away."
It hovered in the air for a moment, seemingly gathering up the energies around it, the other Krozoa spirits withering under its tainted might, one by one they faltered then fell to the ground, soft agonizing moans filling the air.
"Pity that I cannot stay much longer to converse with my brothers, for you see, I have a small obligation to fulfill with Corneria and the rest of Lylat, enjoy your lovely prize, I at least give you the small reward of savoring her taste until I come for you Fox." It laughed uproariously as it turned to face the sky, quickly propelling itself into the air.
"You won't be going anywhere!" Fox spat, then barked into his wrist com, "Peppy, do you read me!"
"Loud and clear Fox, why haven't you pulled the planet back together?"
"Doesn't matter, right now we have a crazed spirit who wishes to become one with the universe, and I'm going to give him exactly what he wants, send the arwing to my position now!"
"But wha-"
"Now Peppy!"
Peppey's face faded away, and soon the whistle of engines filled the air as the Arwing came over the horizon, hovering before Fox upon the temple roof. Fox gave one last fleeting look towards the Krozoa spirit before stepping up into his ship. He gave Krystal a gentle shake and frowned, knowing the temple was unsafe for her, with their leader dead, who knows how the sharp claw were reacting.
Gently running a paw through her hair, he settled upon his decision and slid into the cockpit seat, sliding it back, as he buckled the belt over himself and his new passenger he grunted uncomfortably, her body rubbed roughly against him, the unmistaken feeling of want threatening to distract him.
"Not now," he rebuked. No matter how sweet his passenger may be, this was going to prove to be a very harrowing flight, yet he couldn't help but smile at her, part of his job was complete, all that was left, was saving Sauria and now Lylat from an unknown fate. "Again, sheesh."
Flicking the boosters, the Arwing buckled and wined as it sailed through the air, cutting a path through the sky and clouds, closely gaining upon the malevolent spirit before him. The creatures shape somehow losing its transparency, the once ethereal being looking oddly alive and revolting.
"Peppy, we've got outgoing mail from the planet and I need you and Slip to track it."
"What am I looking for?"
"Just scan the planets exterior near my location, trust me, you'll find it, I need you to blockade its path with the Great Fox!"
"Big and ugly?" the hares face took on an expression of shock and disgust, "The hell am I looking at Fox?"
"Explanations later!" Fox replied sharply, "Right now I want that thing tacked and the spinal cannon lined up upon its position."
The void of space caressed the arwing as it cut its way through the rubble and debris of the shattered planet. Trailing behind the gibbering beast ahead of it. Sapphire beams were released from the fighter, cutting a swath through the void, ripping into the creatures flank.
Fox felt a shear cry echo within his head, his vision blurred and his course faltered slightly as he lost his sense of control. A tentacle lashed out and slammed across the bow of the fighter, knocking it roughly aside and drumming the occupants within.
Hissing with pain, Fox gripped the yoke and pushed, causing the arwing to pitch and roll sharply away from the star spawns tentacles.
"Damn you McCloud!" his mind throbbed, "You, you and your father, always a pain!"
Fox gaped at the being, the voice, its malice, he knew it all too well. Soon its laughter began to echo within the ship, causing his ears to tense with pain. He strained to keep focus, pulling the ship into a sharp immelmen turn and facing the rampaging creature. More beams cut into the air, flashing across its face and drawing another cry of pain from it.
Its tentacles coiled together then lashed out, only with pure skill did Fox manage to pilot the arwing through the flurry of appendages, releasing more blaster fire. A defiant roar cut the void of space and the beasts face slowly began to burn. It recoiled and shook violently as two brilliant arcs of light slammed into its face.
Fox looked over his shoulder and grinned as he saw the Great Fox, its guns brought to bear upon the creature, unleashing its munitions with a deadly grace. Turning back to see the effort they put into his fight, a ghastly visage greeted his eyes.
It was all it needed, tentacles lashing out to coil around his ship, the cry of metal echoed within it as the frame groaned from the stress.
"Andross!" the vulpine roared, "You can't be-"
"Alive? But I am, I am more than alive! I will be ever living, immortal, once I am through with you!"
The arwing was flicked sharply from its grasp, slamming into the planetary debris. The glass seemed to fracture, and Fox took a sharp breathe, flicking the joy away and rolling the ship out of danger.
"Come on, just hold, please for the love of god hold!" he begged, patting the dash as the arwing whined defiantly against its maltreatment.
Krystal's body shivered against him and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her. He watched as the beast coiled its tentacles together, forming fist like appendages. He let his breathe out slowly as he guided the arwing, dodging the massive fists and letting loose more of the cobalt blasts, the beams meeting the eyes of the beast causing it to shriek in pain.
A soft light encircled Andross and he blinked away bloody tears, "You won't be playing that game again boy, not as long as I have the spirit of the Krozoa infused within me!"
The light shimmered brightly as the blasters did little to penetrate them, glancing feebly off its side.
"I could use some help here!" shouted Fox.
"Were trying, the ship is recharging its cannons, you have to try to stall for another minute!"
"Damn it Slip, I don't have another minute and don't say stall!"
"Ahh, the pup to busy playing games?" a new familiar voice joined in the fray.
The vulpine blinked, twisting the ship into a sharp barrel roll, narrowly avoiding the creatures fists.
"No it couldn't be!" he watched as the monster shrieked again, blaster fire smashing into its back causing it to swing wildly as another arwing crossed its path. "Falco!"
"Hey, I was just in the neighborhood when I heard a pups cry for the alpha fighter!" the avian jested.
"It'll be a cold day in hell before you hear me begging for help," he snarked, a grin on his face, "Lets finish this! You still have them bombs?"
"Full stock, you know how I love me some fireworks!"
"Good, than you'll know what to do next!"
His arwing sailed between Andross's fists, his attacks growing more wild and unpredictable. Slowly he began to inhale, pulling at the vulpines ship before releasing a torrent of solar wind, energy forming into twin cyclones that wracked both arwings violently.
"Sonofabitch!" cursed the avian as he jerked on his yoke, "What the hell was that?"
"Simian specialty, he's got hot air in him, and it needs to go somewhere don't it?"
Two more massive beams flashed into space, slamming into the mad simians face. It roared loudly as crimson began to spatter into space, crystallizing from the cold. Its maw opened in another attempt to inhale the fighters.
"Falco, feed him a number two!"
"Double number two coming right up!" turning his ship sharply, he let loose two of its heavy munitions, the smart bombs sailing slowly through the air and into the gibbering beasts maw.
"No," its cries echoed within Fox's mind, "I was so close."
Its head began to glow, parts of it began taking on putrid colors.
"He ain't looking so good is he?" The avian slapped his boosters on, rocketing away from the simians slowly bulging features.
"I'd like to stay and chat, but I gotta jet," the vulpine said with a malicious grin, his own ship trailing behind his wing mate.
A massive shockwave ripped into space, the low thumps reverberating along the arwings as the simians head tore at the very seams. The last remnants of Andross not but a mere pitiable cry for life. Soon silence followed as the glow dimmed, nothingness where once the monstrous face of the world's most hated mind existed.
It was a peaceful moment, Fox didn't feel like getting up, he wanted to just rest in his chair. His arms gently gripping his pillow softly against him and nuzzling its soft furry texture. Furry?
His eyes opened up, the sound of his com filling the arwing as he blinked away crimson from his eyes, a nasty cut along his forehead. Looking up he saw the mark upon the cockpit where he apparently had hit his brow, carefully looking down to his only other passenger, he gave a sigh of relief as he noted her pristine if rather frail conditioned had been unharmed during the violent fight, he froze for a moment, watching her breathe slowly.
"Fox!" the vulpine nearly jumped out of his skin as Peppy's voice continued to call out his name.
"I'm here Peppy, I'm fine, the blast just shook me up a little, that's all!" he leaned back, emitting a low groan as his body finally decided to remind him of the abuse it had been put through.
"I'm putting your ship on auto, just relax and well guide her onto the ship."
"Thanks, I appreciate it," his eyes shot wide open, "Wait, what of the planet?"
"She's fine," the hare replied warmly, "Were monitoring her situation right now, and she seems to be pulling herself together again, all across the board were getting thanks from the folks down there, seems much of the planet has decided to calm itself down."
"Thanks, give me a second, Falco, you there?"
"Like white on rice kid!"
"Seriously, I'm a few months older than you...whatever, Falco...It's nice to have you back."
"Ha, feels nice to be back, who else is gonna watch the teams back if I'm not around?"
Fox bit his tongue as he readied a snide comment, instead he offered a small smile, "Missed that attitude Falco, get the ship aboard and well talk history, after I've pulled a rip van winkle."
"I figured, Peppy gave me an update the other day when I contacted the ship, course you were so busy I was hoping to make it a surprise, talk about surprises though, is it me, or do you seem to have this uncanny ability to find the worst?"
"Tell me about it," groaned Fox, "Pepper is going to pay us double, if not triple for this!"
The loud whoosh of atmosphere resonated within the arwing as it entered the hanger of the Great Fox, shields keeping the oxygen contained within. Grappling arms extended outwards and gently clamped onto the arwings g-diffuser pylons, towing it safely onto its dock.
Fox gave himself a moment to just lean back, resting his eyes. His paw gently caressing the arm of the vixen upon his lap unintentionally.
"Heya Fox!" a fist hammered upon his cockpit glass, followed by a blue feathered face, "Fox you dead in...well, well! I must be seeing things, the hell did you pull a beauty like that?"
His fur flushed as he gently palmed his face, knowing full well the humiliation of the moment, he was more than willing to accept it, though it still twisted his gut.
With a loud hiss, the cockpit opened. He gathered the girl into his arms and carefully stepped out of the fighter. Carefully treading along the wing and hopping down onto the ground.
Falco paused in his mockery, eyeing the vulpine for a moment.
"You look like crap Fox." His statement of the obvious bringing a lazy eye in his direction, "Hey I'm not trying to make a crack just now, seriously, you look like you've gone through hell."
The vulpine figured he looked pretty ruffled, but as he looked himself over, he had to agree, singed fur from digestive acid, cuts and bruises from many beatings, and the smell of nature made him quite the unsettling sight.
More clatter of footsteps followed as Peppy and Slippy entered the hanger. They both froze in their steps as the ragged vulpine slowly trudged past them, carrying the cerulean vixen past them.
"Fox? What in Sol's name are."
Fox merely glanced at the hare silencing him with his fatigued gaze, turning back towards the ships lift and taking it up to the medical bay.
As the doors closed he heard Slippy shout "Pepper wants a full report asap, I'll have Rob assist you in the med center!"
Fox growled, cursing Pepper under his breath as the lift carried him upwards. He had hoped to relax, but sadly his job as the leader meant plenty of work, including paper work.
"I oughta start taking jobs in documentation, I do enough of it as it is," he chuckled, slowly stepping off the lift and entering the sterile chamber of the medical ward.
He lay the vixen down carefully onto one of the cots and pulled some covers over her. Leaning forward, he placed his ear close to her lips and listened, hearing her soft steady breathes. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he sat across from her, he punched in a series of panels and watched as a few lights began to trace along her sleeping figure. He tugged his pack off his back and settled it next to her, rubbing his shoulders.
"Malnourished, a little bruised, but otherwise fine." He read from the monitor, studying the display before turning to a series of drawers and extracting a few of the bags of electrolytes. Carefully he hooked them to the girl and monitored the drip bags progress for a moment.
He faced a mirror and frowned at his reflection, brushing his paw carefully along his muzzle, wincing slightly as the fresh wound still bled.
"I look like I just came out of a hockey match." He gathered up a few bandages, cool packs, and thread. He picked up a needle, feeling the frown on his face deepen as he threaded it. A soft hiss rose from his lips as he began stitching the gash over his brow. He examined his muzzle again and gently cleaned it with a damp towel.
He pressed a piece of gauze to his face and tapped it down, looking more like a grizzled soldier compared to the pristine pilot that he usually is.
The metallic clank of metal upon the floor took hold of his attention and he turned to greet the ships AI as it entered the room.
"Rob, keep the girl monitored till I get back, IV's are already in place, and I want her to be comfortable."
"Acknowledged."
He sighed, moving back to the lift. It hummed as it descended down to the next level. Minutes later he entered the bridge, feet knocking away boxes of food and bottles.
"You've let this place go haven't you?"
Fox turned to greet the avian behind him, "Nice to see you know your way around still."
The two smiled and shook hands.
"I gotta admit, missed this place, feels like home again, ah ha!" Falco slid over to a chair, kicking a few boxes off and falling into it, "Ahh fur, nothing like custom seats."
The vulpine laughed then whimpered softly, rubbing his muzzle. He took a seat in his own chair, shifting slightly till he felt his tail reach the seats tail hatch.
Fox answered with a series of groans as he felt his muscles strain from the effort of just trying to relax. He shrugged, punching in keys as he began his debrief report for the general,
"Honestly, this job turned out to be more than I was expecting, did Slip mention anything about my arwings condition?"
"Totaled, it's a miracle you could still pilot that thing, cracked canopy, fractured engine," the avian spun around in his seat ticking each account off on his finger, "Hell, I thought you'd have picked up the new models by now, I take it the job market had been rather quite while I was gone?"
The vulpine paused in his staccato of clattering keys.
"To be honest, even if you were here, I think our position would have still been the same, probably worse, what with us rationing our supplies, hell the hydroponics garden has seen better days, were still footing the red, and most jobs aren't looking into employing such a small team of pilots."
"So much for fame eh?"
Fox groaned leaning forward into his monitor, "Ugh, maybe I should have taken up the advertising offer from K-nine News, least we could have used that publicity to give us somewhat of a liquid flow."
"Oh no, I'm not sticking around any parties just to be someone's show piece!"
'"Admit it, you love being in the center!"
"Of course, only on my terms, I'm not some monkey who's gonna let himself perform for the sake of someone else's wallet!"
"Give it a while, the moment we fully fade away, there isn't a single person out there whose going to stay true to the favors they owe us, hell not like many of them do it anyhow," the vulpine continued typing away chuckling at the birds ironic statement.
"So, what's the deal between you and the girl? I gotta say, if you are looking into replacements, you've got an odd sense of humor," the avian quipped snidely.
"Hardly anything to do with replacements, I don't even know the girl really, the most I know is a name, and that's about it, but."
"But? Alright spill it Fox!" the avian leaned forward.
"Well, call it a stupid hunch," Fox reached into his shirt and pulled out a small locket.
"I've seen that, wasn't it a gift from your mother?"
Fox nodded as he ran his finger along the side, opening a catch. It flipped open and an odd tune began to play, turning the locket towards the bird, he gestured to the photo in it.
Falco moved from his seat to get a better view, looking at the tiny blue kit held within.
"And, you think this is her? What, did you find a pair of red shoes while you were at it and say I wish I were home?"
"Ha ha Falco, no I didn't find a pair of red shoes, what I do note is the tattoos on her body."
"It has got to be a tribal thing, I mean, she doesn't exactly look like a native to Lylat now does she?"
Fox closed the locket and tucked it away, "I know, maybe it's true, but I remember mom talking about how each mark was distinct to the person who got it, it defined who they were."
"And she is?"
"No idea," the vulpine responded honestly.
The avian clucked disapprovingly, "Well then glorious leader, how say you go bouts dealing with her on board the ship? Lack of edibles, the bridge a sty to the likings of even Pigma."
"You may be back, but it won't keep me from giving you an early molting season," Fox growled, "It's been a tough week, I've been beaten, battered, bruised, stabbed, eaten, digested, stomped on, flopped on, and ran over, believe me, with the dinosaurs, I was half expecting to meet a thesaurus rex all for the sake of having every word to do with pain beaten into me."
"Big talk Fox," the avian smirked, "Seriously, wouldn't she have been fine on her own planet, what's the reason for bringing her here hmm? Is our little pup hoping to become an adult now?"
The vulpine glared at him, bearing fangs, "Falco, the last thing I need, is accusations against my conduct! I don't need any digs into the choices I make, not right now!"
Falco held up his hands in a gesture of peace, "Alright, alright, don't knot up your tail over a few jives!"
The bridge doors opened and they both turned to greet the hare and toad. They took their place within the bridge and all eyes turned towards Fox.
"So Fox, are you going to explain to any of us, why there is a young lady resting in the medical bay now?" Peppy asked.
A soft thud echoed in the chamber as Fox banged his head on his desk, groaning loudly.
"Look if you really want the details, it's simple. She was encased within the temple, a prison of some sorts erected by the spirits there, she was being used as a sort of catalyst, why I couldn't tell ya, but I can tell you this, she was there for as long as I was on the mission maybe longer," he leaned back rubbing his temples, "So in turn saving the planet also meant saving her, nothing juicy, no scandalous details for the media to enjoy, it was all part of what I had to do to save her and the world."
"Fox do you even know what she is?" Slippy asked, "I've never seen a blue fox before."
"She's Cerenian," he answered nonchalantly, "I'd be surprised if any of us saw another, apparently before the Lylat Wars, their planet got glassed during some of Andross's illegal weapons development, not much else I can say, but it seems survivors escaped with the help of trade ships that were evacuating form the planet."
"Cerenian? Didn't your mother do some work within their territory?" Peppy asked.
"Yeah, yeah she did," replied the fox, his ears lowering slightly, "That was a long time ago."
"Come on Fox, a little pep there, I didn't come back just to see you mope," said Falco.
He shrugged in response, looking towards his friends, "Not moping really, just tired, and with the general wanting the final debrief as soon as right now, I've got maybe a few hours before I can collapse, and that's only after I've checked on the girl."
"She's just fine, according to the onboard vitals, and with Rob watching over her, it's not like there's anything to worry about!" Slippy assured him.
"I need her to wake up, she's the only one who might know how and why Andross came back or if it was actually him to begin with, she didn't get tucked into that crystal just to be a fine piece of bait," he replied.
"Fine...piece of bait?"
"What I can't admit to the fact that I find her rather eye catching?"
"According to the ten minutes I spent trying to get your attention the first time you saw her, I'd say that was obvious," Peppy chipped in.
"Ten minutes, and on a mission! That's one for the tabloids!" Falco said excitedly.
"Uh, should we be alerting the press for you?" the toad squeaked.
"I hate you guys," Fox growled, shaking his head in disbelief, "Can't I have some dignity?"
"What, on this ship, with us as your crew? Fox didn't you know? It's in the contract, were all in the right to make hell of the situation!" croaked Slippy, giving Falco a fist bump as the two of them laughed.
"I wonder, just how much faster we can go if we jettisoned some cargo," the vulpine growled.
"Alright kids, enough!" the hare said sternly, "I think our leader could use a moments respite."
"Thanks Peppy."
The others stopped their jest as they faced the lapin, his arms crossed as he nodded reassuringly, "Hey it's what I do, long you don't hold the honeymoon on here!"
Laughter filled the bridge again as Fox found himself ready and almost willing to make some permanent vacancies on his team, but after the harsh week, he couldn't help but smile.
"You three sure are full of energy now aren't you?" he grinned maliciously, "Since you all are in on the pay for this mission, and might I remind you I had to slog the whole damn way on foot just to do it, I'd like you all to have this bridge sparkling like a glass mirror."
He slapped the console, a PDA extending out from a slot which he took.
"Oh by the way," he grinned at his teams exasperated look, "We have a guest aboard the ship, so while I go to make sure she is comfortable and complete this debrief, I'd like the rest of the ship ready, after all, we'll be making a stop before Corneria to get this old bucket a new paint job!"
They watched as he left the bridge, the soft hum of an upbeat tune echoing from the hallway.
"He's not serious is he?" asked Falco.
Peppy rubbed his muzzle, then tossed a sheet of paper to the avian who examined it, his eyes going wide.
"If you want your piece of the action, I think you should consider your nibble of this pie." The hare turned and dust off his console, removing a few scraps of carrot tops and chucking them into the waste bin.
Falco let forth a low whistle as he set the document aside, looking around the bridge and muttering, "Sure, sure, welcome back Falco, let's have a drink Falco, missed ya Falco, shoulda waited a few more days before returning."
"Shoulda coulda woulda."
"Shut it green!"
With a soft click, Fox closed the PDA, setting it on the medical bay's counter. It had been a few hours of work, but the report had finally been completed, sure enough he managed to work out some of the more intricate parts of the adventure, it was going to be hard enough to convince the general of everything that went down to begin with.
He looked over to the sleeping vixen and chuckled, "I figured there's not much you could do to help me explain any of this is there?"
He sighed, looking around the medical bay. It wasn't much to talk about at first glance. It had its uses, especially when it came to life and limb. IV packs were organized into the transparent shelves, along with other ointments and bandages. The Automated Medical Life Support System sat bolted in the corner, its parts in frail and poor condition from its lack of use.
"Rob?"
"Yes commander?"
"Set a course for Gradius and forward a message to Arspace Dynamics, were going to be coming in to settle accounts and I also want you to alert Slippy, I'd like him to itemize the ship and ready a log of expenses, he'll be in charge of detailing what we need."
"Roger."
The display vanished leaving the vulpine in the silence of the chamber. A soft beep emanating from the EKG meter strapped to the vixen.
"That's it," he said softly moving over to her and gently brushing her hair away from her eyes, "Just rest, I look forward to talking to you."
His face reddened as she turned, sheets folding away and giving his eyes a chance to detail her body. The armor or lack thereof and the tattoos all inquired his curiosity, but he abstained from any gutter less decisions.
"Guess I should collect some clothes, for you, who ever thought bikini armor was functional, had to have been some kind of nerd," he was finding it difficult to tear his eyes away from her figure. Carefully he pulled the sheets back over her and tucked her in before leaving the medical bay.
He made it to his room and entered his bathroom, the lights brightening up the room as he examined himself in the mirror. Bandages wrapped around his muzzle were brown with his dried blood. His chest ached and showed signs of bruising, but luck would have it that nothing was broken, though he promised himself to take it lightly for the next week or two.
"I can't believe any of that even worked," he tilted his head this way and that, making sure he wasn't missing anything else before deciding to clean and retire for the day.
Falco dropped the final stack of pizza boxes into the disposal chute and collapsed in his chair, spinning to kick on the casual quarters media center.
"The newly christened Prides Joy of the Cornerian Fleet has been confirmed lost within the ship graveyard, many of the survivors reporting chaos and wreckage amassing from the nebulas powerful magnetic storms, General MacDonald Pepper refused to speak to the press today, sighting that the ship was not under his command, and that all questions should be directed to CMC, as it stands Cornerian Military Command has had little to say on the matter and only assure us that major investigations have been launched to investigate the loss of this brand new ship."
With a cluck of his tongue, the avian flicked through the channels.
"Bet Pepper is enjoying that!"
Falco turned and greeted Peppy, the hare dropping a bundle of papers into the chute.
"I don't know, what with the end of the war, all power being given to the council, I must admit, I don't envy the generals position, you know how he hates politics."
Peppy nodded, "True, but Mac has always had the ears of the public, if anything, we'd be out of a job if it weren't for him. At least this recent success will shed some good light on him."
"So, what's to be done with the girl?" asked Falco, brushing his head feathers back with his hands, "It's all fine and dandy that he saved her, but you know Fox, it's the aftermath he never considers, always the here and now!"
"I'd give him a little more credit than that, from the recent footage I've pulled from his wrist unit, he really didn't have a choice, what with the sharp claw infesting the temple, he decided to take the risk, at the chance of handicapping his own abilities."
"Betting he'll be lost in translation with her," he clucked again, "Don't get me wrong, I think its bout time, but seriously what are the odds?"
"Kinda like a novel isn't it," chuckled the hare. "What about you and Katt, how'd things go?"
"Oh that," the avian averted his eyes, "I'm pulling a small break from her, you know how overwhelming she gets."
"Last I remember, it's because she seems to fancy you something strong."
"I know, I thought she'd be over that, I mean it all started years ago before I ever became a pilot," he rubbed his beak in thought, "I admit she's made good with becoming quite the hunter, but every now and then I just feel like things are getting a bit stuffy with her around."
"Well kid, you either deal with it, or let it go, either way it's a choice only you can make."
"So what's on the agenda today?" asked the avian, the previous conversation becoming uncomfortable.
Peppy merely raised an eye at the bird before answering, "Were headed to the Gradius platform to have the Great Fox retrofitted, and if all goes right with the numbers, the arwings replaced, if we're lucky well finally be in the black."
"In other words, Fox actually gets to build up a savings account for once," Falco chuckled, "Man, I'm glad I'm not the business leader here, all the numbers would drive me batty ya know?"
"I try not to think about it, ever since Fox decided to hit up the business degree, it hasn't done much more than add to the bills, though he can at least translate the gov speak, it's still not a position I'd yearn for."
"So what have I missed then, it's been almost a year since I parted on my own."
"All in all, nothing much, I've been working on Startography charts for the navigation committee, and aside from this mission here, it's been all quiet on the front. I tell you this boy, once the military has been fully relieved by the council, corporate fights, raiders, and anything else in this system is going to have its turn at bearing their fangs," Peppy crossed his arms, "Least it'll give us plenty of work, I think Fox may have told you, but with the team being so small, it's hard to pull some of the larger jobs, from babysitting energy rigs, to dealing with some of the union riots."
"So, just waiting on Pandora's box to open then?" the avian rubbed his fingers together, "Speaking of unions, the situation with Titania has slowly began to boil, the miners don't seem to keen on all the raiders infesting their territories, its helped to be honest, me and Katt have been pulling shifts there. It's nothing to raise an eye at, but the pay kept us afloat and well fed, course things got a little hectic at one of the towns, the raiders had made a go at their mining platform and totaled it, some bad stuff, it was bout then me and Katt decided to take a break, so I told her I'd be joining back with you guys, she decided to check with a few of her contacts on varying jobs, so it'll be awhile till I hear from her again."
Peppy snatched up the remote, ignoring Falco's protest and flicked it back to the news, listening to the repeat of the earlier reports of the Prides Joy. Pulling a small stick of celery form his pocket, he chewed it while deep in thought.
"Call me crazy, but the news is being very quiet about this situation, losing a whole flag ship is nothing to laugh at," he rubbed his chin, "I have a feeling we might be getting a call from Mac to do a little recon for him, seeing how we've navigated through some tough storms out in the different sectors, its only reasonable that he'd trust us with that job."
"You think so? That's a lot of faith he's putting in us."
"So was saving Corneria and winning the Lylat wars."
Falco conceded to Peppy's point of view. The sound of footsteps drew both their attentions to the crews mechanic. He plopped himself onto his favorite bean bag and slipped out his PDA, ticking away at its contents.
"I take it, everything is ready?" asked Peppy.
"Definitely," he croaked, "The ships being put through a rigorous overall, and we have the new mark II's being supplied, all six in fact."
"Six?" Peppy batted an eye.
"Yeah, surprised me as well, but according to Fox's notations, he wanted a lot of expansion and the additional ships, here's the kicker, Pepper's footing the bill and using much of his power to write it off as a military expense, so the only thing Fox needs to worry about is the Great Fox herself."
Avian and hare both looked at each other in silence, finally Falco said, "Your intuition on the general pepper frightens me sometimes."
Peppy chuckled, "I told you, I was expecting something like this to happen, seems were going to be putting in work soon."
Slippy cocked his head slightly in confusion, "What are you guys on about? This is all being supplied by the General for Sauria! Isn't it?"
Peppy gestured to the telecast, as it repeated its news. Comprehension dawning on the toads face as he realized what was going on.
"I really don't think Fox had any idea about this, last I looked he settled everything from his account," he held up the PDA and examined it, sliding through its list, "Oh, here, the CMD have rescinded his payment on the fighters and have supplied their own, I didn't even notice that."
"Well don't tell him now, he's probably sleeping, and I bet he won't be in the mood to hear this, specially all of this being done behind his back," said Falco, "So what's the meat on the new fighters?"
"Were looking at a new class of modular ships, from light, medium, to heavy configurations, as well, I did put in for an experimental package myself, just a few small favors, as they do owe me for the work I've put in to their research!" he tossed the pad over to Falco who snatched it gracefully from the air. "The recon model has some impressive speed at the cost of armor and weapons, but it has the ability to slip under the radar of any ship, the medium class fighter is rather standard, from single blasters to double, its more or less the cream of the crop, and finally."
"The heavy," Falco cut in as he tapped the PDA, "Has the heaviest armor and weaponry, a bomber class fighter, not exactly my kind of fluff to be honest, what about this experimental? I don't see it on here!"
Slippy grinned, "Oh, it's because its experimental, all the documentation for it was sent to my personal email, and I'll tell ya, its kinda cool!"
Falco tapped his foot impatiently, Slippy shrugged continuing "It's not exactly useful at its current state, it boasts the highest speed and the sharpest turns, more or less it'll give me something to study and play around with, possibilities of modification are there, but I could say less about the weapons, it houses a single plasma cannon and energy blades that follow along the wings, obviously a bit suicidal."
He rolled off his chair and squatted next to Falco, tapping the PDA and bringing up the ships specs, "It's called the blade-wing, equipped with vector engines, and plenty of boosters, this thing out classes the recon ship in terms of speed, but if you ask me, the weaponry is a bit lacking, and the turn radius quite lethal, I'm talking neck breaking!"
"Hey, it's your toy, you have fun with it!" said Falco.
"Darn right, and don't forget it!" he gave a small croak, "I look forward to being able to play with it!"
Peppy moved over to Falco, holding a hand out quietly and taking the tablet. He looked over the ships specs, rubbing his ear.
Arwing MKII Prototype Multi-mission/Fighter/Space - 2A
Role: Variable Space Superiority Fighter
Manufacturer: Arspace Industries, Cornerian Defense Committee, Space & Security
First flight: 27 July 30XX
Introduction: 9 January 30XX
Status: Active
Primary users: Cornerian Recon Teams, Katina Air SDF
Number built: AMKII A/B/C/D/J/DJ: 1,198[1]
Unit cost AMKII/S/F/M: CD$27.9 Credits (30XX)
AMKII S/F/B: CD$29.4 million (30XX) AMKII S/F/O: CD$24.3 million (30XX) AMKII S/F/X: CD$29.9 million (30XX)
Variants: Arspace A-MKII S/F/M Striker
Cornerian A-MKII S/F/O Ghost
Katina A-MKII S/F/B Phantom Lights
Arspace A-MKII X Blade Wing
Peppy took a sit as he began skimming the information, "Arspace won the CDOD competition, though the council was skeptical, prototypes proved valuable during the war by us of course," he chuckled at the idea, "Fella's, ever notice how we seem to be the jockey's for their prototypes?"
"I ain't complainin!" said Falco.
Slippy nodded in reply, "Check the lower panel on the improvements and design changes, compared to the previous version, this is a whole new design!"
The hare swiped along the tablet, browsing the details, "I see, triple engine, still has the variable wing geometry, mach two in atmosphere and mach four in the void."
"Mach four, I don't envy a hard turn in that," said Falco holding his hands up, slowly he brought them out in a sharp twist and hissed, "Splat, just paste in a cockpit, doesn't sound comfortable."
"True, but that's what the newer G-Diffusers are for, lets cruise at supersonic levels without overheating the engine, besides that, the engines have thrust vectoring nozzles which will allow our crafts to perform extremely high alpha maneuvers," croaked the toad, "The ships avionics and glass cockpit have been improved tenfold since the last time we piloted them, you could say, thanks to yours truly in some ways."
"No kidding?" Falco clapped his hands, "Well I gotta admit, congrats on putting in a good word, I can't wait to see how the new birds handle!"
"Kids," muttered the hare, "New toys and all, it's like Christmas came early!"
"Hey, to me, it did!"
Peppy tossed the tablet back to Falco, as he did, a thought came to him, "What about the Great Fox? Aside from the cosmetic changes, is there anything more being added to her?"
"Well, Fox has put in for a few extensions, from the rooms, to the hanger, were still a three floor facility, other than that, it's going to be a basic systems overhaul, and boy do we need it!" Slippy looked over to Rob who sparked as if on cue, "Really, really need it."
"That'll be nice to have the array's up to date, it'll make my Startography easier for those slow days."
"I don't know, with the way things seem to be turning out, a slow days might be far and few if we do expand," chirped the avian.
Peppy shrugged, looking at his watch, "Alright boys, were cutting it late, and with touchdown coming soon, I think we should turn in, well want to catalogue our things in case they need us to transfer them off during the upgrade phase, no use losing anything important that we don't want to!"
The other two nodded in agreement, collecting their tablets and bidding each other a good night.
For once the Great Fox was whole again with its team, the different lights in its portholes and bay windows dimming away.
Well I do hope the technical aspect wasn't too much, things will begin to build up, I assure you all.
Also, any idea why tabs don't show up? it kinda helps with the layout me thinks, I must be doing something wrong.
Hope you all enjoy, read review.
Oh right Star Fox is owned by Nintendo and yeah we get the idea!