Star Fox 40,000: Realm of Chaos Chapter 16a: Declaration of War, a Star Fox + Warhammer Crossover fanfic

Disclaimer: See the Prologue

A/N: Recently I just got hold of The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer. After reading through it, I have come to one conclusion…the Imperium despises you in every way – especially intellectually.

Sorry I'm once again late, probably because this was a long one to write. A two part chapter answering lots of questions including James McCloud and his history with the Ultramarines. Best to get all this out of the way and let the next few chapters be nothing but continuous action, dogfighting, holy war and righteous bloodshed.

16b will be up soon, but for now I appreciate your comments for this part until then. I know one way or another I need to work on my style and ways of storytelling, and I want you to point that out…constructively.

Chapter 16a – Declaration of War

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
- Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the Former United States of America, 2nd Millennium

Do you not see him, Chief Librarian, Master of the Sanctity? Do you not see how he has grown?

Aye, I do Lord Macragge. The lad has grown indeed. Thirteen years to this day and already he looks like a man.

Yet, he looks so much like his mother.

Is that the Ordo Xeno's and Inquisitor Kryptmann's doing, Brother Cassius?

Quite possibly. If they had not, he would have some of his father's features.

Does he not have his father's eyes? How they shine brightly with the power he holds within him. How they a combination of his family's bloodline and the Emperor's divine force?

I see them, Chief Librarian. They make him appear…human. More human than I expected.

From where he comes from, can we even consider him human? Can we even consider him worth saving? He is not an abomination?

His blood is as pure as any other human being, Cassius. His dormant energies purify him and redeem him before our Master. He is no abomination, though he is his father's son. Chief Librarian?

Lord Macragge?

Can you fully sense his power?

Aye. Though he appears to not know of it, in time he will come to realize it.

And after what he has accomplished today, my two closest Brothers…that shall come to pass very soon.

What of those he has grown up alongside? What will become of them, both human and xenogen?

They will perish, Cassius. His losses will make him stronger. It will strengthen his resolve.

And what is that, Lord Macragge?

To redeem humanity before the universe, Chief Librarian.

It was springtime, possibly the best season on this part of the planet. The sun was high in the cloudless sky, the flowers were in bloom and full of fragrance, the fields and crops were plentiful and giving and the rivers were streaming clear and full of bounty. It was another day in paradise, and everyone knew that as they stepped out of the wooden and brick-made houses as they prepared for the midday hours of work. Most of the younger children were at play, kicking to one another an elastic red spheroid in a large field some distance away from the village. They laughed merrily as human, kemono, Eldar, Kroot and Tau kicked the ball to one another and tried to kick it within reach as long as possibly before they lost it to someone else.

A brown/green quilled Kroot hatchling with a translator vox strapped around his neck stopped to catch his breath, having ran non-stop for fifteen minutes, which was enough for someone his age. He looked around and saw that something was amiss. He scratched the quills on his forehead and cawed out in his native language.

"Where is David?" the Kroot's translator expressed himself in gothic.

The other children stopped playing and finally noticed that one of their own wasn't among them. The oldest of them, a black-haired thirteen-year-old human boy of African descent in a green linen shirt and pants put his hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

"I dunno," the boy responded, "He said he'd come around once he's finished his chores for the morning. And if I know Fox-Man…"

He smirked.

"…his parents are slave drivers."

A short-blue haired Eldar girl clad in a body-hugging purple wraithbone suit shook her head and rubbed her chin, "That is highly illogical. His parents are always good to him and his brothers and sisters."

The boy, Kroot and some of the other children rolled their eyes at the Eldar's girl flaunting her supposed superior intellect towards them, a couple of which giggled slightly. The boy said, "Do you ever listen to me when I ask you to loosen up, Ares? Honestly."

The Kroot hatchling appeared to smile as he suddenly snatched the ball from the boy and begun bouncing it on one knee, "I should not worry about David. Seven always finds out where his lazy butt is."

Everyone else nodded, with one bespectacled skunk boy of twelve said in agreement, "Yeah. She's never gonna leave him alone. In fact…"

He pulled out a notepad and pen out of his pant's pockets and begun scribbling in it.

"…who says he'll agree to take her to the Spring Festive Dance tomorrow? All bets are in starting…now!"

Everyone present begun shouting out childishly and holding their arms up, crowding around the skunk boy. Except the Eldar girl known as Ares, who crossed her arms and shook her head in dissatisfaction. She turned her back on them and looked away from them over the village, appearing to be ashamed.

'And I promised father I would try to interact with the other village young,' she thought, 'I do not understand why we cannot return to the Craftworld.'

Just some yards away the young brown-haired boy of thirteen years sighed pleasantly as he lay down on the green grass by the river, staring lazily up at the leaves of the tree branches hanging above him, providing him with shade from the sun. Dressed in green singlet with brown sewn pants, he did absolutely nothing but think about what he was going to do tomorrow at the Spring Festival with his family and friends. His smile faded when he also thought about a certain someone expected to hassle him once again on his favorite day of the year.

It was probably just him but somehow he could feel her coming towards him right now, covertly sneaking through the bushes behind him. He sat up on his behind, hands firmly on the ground to support to himself. His head turned to the left side slightly and his eyes rolled to the back of his head, noticing the bushes rustle slightly.

Suddenly she smiled a big wolfy smile and leapt at him from out the bushes, a twelve-year old grey wolf in a shirt and skirt, and tackled David, her laughing out loud and the boy grunting in discomfort as they rolled around the ground. He then smiled, quickly grabbing her by the arms and pinning her roughly to the ground, eliciting a cry of surprise from her lip.

David shook his head in mock sadness and said, "You shouldn't really disturb someone when they're trying to soak up the sun in Springtime, Seven."

"Oh, phooey!" Seven pouted childishly, "It's that time of the year again. You know what that means?"

David rolled his eyes and got off her, standing up and stretching his neck slightly, "Can't you wait till tomorrow to bug me? Honestly…"

He looked down at her in annoyance, before looking over the river, the currents of the water strong enough to carry the full weight of a person down river.

"…can't a guy spend the last remaining minutes of morning flat on his back to enjoy the scenery?"

Seven sat up on her bottom and mock glared at David, "You really are a lazy jerk, Fox-Man."

"Don't call me that."

Seven smirked, "Why look at the scenery when you can enjoy it head on?"

"What are you…AH!"

Seven suddenly growled and tackled David, wrapping her arms around his torso and sending the both of them into the river, eliciting a cry of surprise from the boy and a loud splash as they fell into the water, the current immediately dragging them along. David felt like screaming in horror, eliciting another small cry of surprise, while Seven simply laughed out loud.

"What's the matter?" Seven smirked as their heads were above water as they gently went with the flow, "Davy don't like water, huh?"

Now David was annoyed, "Get real!"

Ares head jerked upwards as she thought she heard someone feminine laugh and someone masculine gasp, followed by a loud splash into a river.

"Hey, what's up?" the skunk boy asked her, patting her on the shoulder, "Hear Seven blindside David again?"

She frowned, not liking the fact the everyone was crowding around her, "You would like that, wouldn't you Pep?"

"Yeah, we would," the skunk boy known as Pep responded, "Let it out already?"

"Yes."

Everyone around the Eldar girl broke out into laughter, further adding to her annoyance.

David spluttered and coughed out water as he dragged himself out of the river and onto dry land after being carried by the torrents a few yards away from his place under the tree. He ran a hand through his hair and moaned in frustration, feeling bits of dirt and leaves embedded in it. Seven was sitting nearby and giggled as he begun picking crap out of his hair, muttering incomprehensibly as he did so. He noticed her looking at him…

"That wasn't funny, Seven."

"Heh, which part wasn't? Me spear-tackling you into the river? Getting your clothes wet? Or is it…hey!"

She noticed that David was now staring past her, towards something that was shining past the bushes that led further into the community's massive cornfields. He got up onto his feet and ran another hand through his hair, rinsing as much moisture he could from it. He then turned to Seven and offered his hand, helping her to her feet as well. He pointed to the direction of the shining.

Seven's was aghast, "What's that?"

David shook his head, "I have no idea."

Seven smiled, "You wanna check it out?"

He frowned, "Do you always have to be so impul…HEY!"

Seven grabbed him by the hand and inexplicably wandered into the forest with him in tow, her pulling so hard that he was almost hopping along on one leg. She soon contained her excitement and he was able to walk normally, and even then she refused to let go of David's hand, still grinning. The boy on the other hand blushed.

After trudging through the corn crops for more than a minute, what they saw would break the heart of all the community's crop growers. They stood before a large crop imprint shaped like the Imperial Double Eagle aquilae, and in the centre of it was a large two-handed power sword with a gold hilt and a silver blade. But what caught their eye was that it was embedded what looks like a large grey rock.

After getting past her initial shock, Seven asked, "You don't suppose it fell from the sky, right David?"

The boy shook his head, "A rock that size? We would have felt it hit the ground."

"I suppose."

She then nearly jumped when she felt him squeeze her hand gently, causing her to turn blush. David appeared to frown, then begun walking over towards the centre of the Imperial 'crop circle' and the sword embedded in rock, Seven finding herself unwillingly following him this time, and this made her somehow uncomfortable.

They stood before the large rock, where David let go of her hand to shield his eyes from the sun bearing down on them. He then reached his hand in order to touch the blade…

"STAY YOUR HAND!"

…then cringed and felt his blood chill, finding himself frozen in place as a rough, near holy tone of voice. Seven spun around and would have screamed in fright if her throat hadn't clinched itself with fright. She instead prodded David's backside and he looked behind, and he too would have cried out if he could. Instead his eyes widened at the sight before him.

A eight-foot Space Marine Chaplain in black-coloured power armour with a synthetic right eye apparatus and green laurel on his head stood behind them, armed with a Crozius Arcanum Power Mace in his right hand and a flame-spewing melta-gun in his left. He appeared to smile at the two youngsters, who edged themselves closer to the rock and as far away as they could from the Space Marine.

"Please, younglings," the Chaplain said, "I do not wish to harm you…though one of you is a non-human, I suppose I can let that pass."

David's eyes widened at his somewhat friendly gesture. He stepped forward, making sure to keep his friend Seven right behind him. He gulped, feeling scared about those five-hour school lessons every day every second week. Every History lesson always taught them that the Space Marines of the oppressive fascist Imperium of Man were as honourable as they were bloodthirsty, with the Ultramarines chapter somewhat an exception as they had held back the Tyranids from the system which Eden was a part of. He silently prayed that the Marine before him was a Ultramarine.

David gulped and stepped forward, "What…what do you want?"

The Chaplain walked over towards him, David compelling himself to stand his ground. He looked up to meet the Chaplain's eyes as he stood before him – the Space Marine towering over the frail looking boy.

"I have come to reclaim what belongs to my Chapter, young man," the Chaplain replied, "I have flown all the way from Ultramar itself in search of this holy relic and now that I have found it, I will require your assistance badly to help me bring it home."

"Huh?" David looked both ways of his himself as he responded, "Me?"

The Chaplain appeared stern, "Yes, you. I seek those worthy of wielding the blade of the Emperor, and should I find him he and his people shall receive the protection and goodwill of Macragge. Should he fail, however, and his life, his people and his world are forfeit."

"W…worthy?" David stuttered slightly, feeling scared, "Of…of your Emperor?"

The Chaplain nodded, "Of course. Surely humanity on this world know of, and worships, the name of the Emperor…despite resenting the very Imperium he sacrificed himself to forge."

The Chaplain gave a weary glance to Seven, deliberately excluding her and her race from the mere thought of worshipping the Emperor. David noticed that and nodded, "Ye…yeah of course. But I…I never thought the Immortal Emperor would notice me."

"I am sure He will find you worthy if you pull the sword from the rock and present it to me. And I will find it in my heart to spare this xeno-infested rock from judgement."

"WHAT?!"

"You heard me. I, Cassius, Master of Sanctity, command you to pull the sword from the rock…thereby making you worthy of the Emperor's blessing, and sparing your world from Holy Fire, made to cleanse those unworthy of service to him."

David slumped his posture as he looked at him, wrecked with fright as he tried to keep a straight face. He then glanced over at the rock and swore he could see light shining down exclusively on it. He then somehow felt his bravery and resolve return to him, knowing that the fate of the entire world rested on his shoulders. He then turned to the Chaplain known as Cassius and nodded.

"Alright. I'll do it. Then you'll leave us alone."

"You have the word of Gulliman himself, young one."

He stepped towards the rock and stretched his arms upwards, grabbing hold of it and pulling himself up onto it. He stood above it and wrapped his hands around the golden hilt. Seven stepped away to give him room and marvelled of how the light shine down on him, almost from the heavens.

"Like a hero from the old legends from Terra," she whispered to herself, glad that she was still alive and that the Ultramarine Chaplain appeared to tolerate being in the presence of non-humans.

Cassius and Seven watched closely from both sides as David gripped the hilt of the sword and pulled with all his might, gritting his teeth (gently, not enough to crack them) and somehow had the desire to prove himself to the Space Marine Chaplain. Though he wanted nothing to do with the Angels of Death he felt compelled to be judged worthy by them, so they wouldn't seem him as weak and add another tally to the Imperial hypocrisy.

Seven pressed his index fingers together anxiously, eyes beginning to waver, knowing the future of their planet rested on the strength of her best friend.

'C'mon Davy,' she thought to herself, 'Make that holy man eat his words.'

He soon begun to struggle, feeling like the blade was being sunk deeper into the stone. After about a minute he felt himself give and let go, slumping forward and using the sword as leverage so he wanted topple over with exhaustion. Seven looked as if she was going to panic, while Cassius appeared disappointed.

The Chaplain crossed his arms, "Tch tch tch, David. You disappoint me…"

David gasped lightly, remembering the Chaplain's ultimatum earlier. He felt his blood run cold.

Cassius sighed, as if to mock David, "I guess Ultramar will not judge this planet and it's heretical populace worthy of it's discretion after all."

David heard Seven choke with shock at hearing that. As she begun to sob he felt his heart tear itself in two, and he felt many things after that: The boiling of his blood, the rapid beating of his now miraculously sewn back together heart and his adrenalin pumping through his system. But most of all he felt the desire to take that sword and shove it through that techno-barbarian who had threatened to kill him, his family, his friends and more or less the entire planet.

He felt his eyes twitch as he angrily stared at the Ultramarine, hand wrapping themselves around the sword's hilt.

"I'll make you eat those words, Space Marine!" he exclaimed out loud, "I'll show you!"

And with all his might he pulled as hard as he could, bringing his feet up onto the stone and using them as leverage as he pulled, and pulled hard. Seven eyes widened as he struggled to get the sword embedded in the rock, a seemingly impossible feat. Cassius smiled; happy he was able to serve as both inspiration and ultimatum for the Chapter's hopes and dreams.

But what he didn't count on was David actually tearing the sword out from the rock, in the process splitting the stone in half, scattering pieces of it in the air and causing Cassius to cover his face. Not because of the bits of stone scattered everywhere but because the sword was now shining brightly as something begun feeding it power. David cried out in surprised as he was sent flying backwards into the air and Seven watched in amazement as he flipped in the air as if he was about to land on his feet. But his landing wasn't as graceful and instead he landed flat on his back, the sword landing right next to his face and stuck into the ground, it's shine beginning to fade.

Cassius watched as Seven rushed to his side…

"DAVID!"

…and tried to not feel disgusted as the kemono fell to her knees and tried to wake David from his gaze, her appearing affectionate to the human as she felt his cheek soothingly, and almost recoiled away as it felt like she was burnt. David opened his eyes and found Seven smiling down at him with relief.

"Dave!" she exclaimed joyously, "You're alright."

He then glanced over at the sword at the right side of his face, then over at the approaching Ultramarine Chaplain. He moved his hands to her shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes, causing her smile to fade as he shook his head solemnly. He then glared and dug his fingers into her shoulders, before gently despotising her aside and leapt back up onto his feet.

He then grabbed the heavy sword by the hilt with both hands and pulled it out of the ground, and shakily because of the weight he pointed it towards the Chaplain, ferocity overcoming the boy as he now sought to defend himself, his best friend and the entire planet. Cassius saw David stand in front of Seven, keeping himself between her and himself.

'Hmm…' Cassius pondered as he stood his ground, his power mace to his side, 'His willingness to protect that beastgirl xenogen…this planet is slowly beginning to contaminate his mind. Time to see if he is truly worth our time…'

"Hey!" David cried with contempt, "What are you doing?"

"Pardon, David?"

"You said if I pulled the sword of the rock that would prove there is one worthy human on this, and I quote, 'xeno infested rock.'," David reminded him, the word xeno somehow leaving a bad taste in his mouth, "Well…'

He waved the sword around with both hands.'

"Here's the sword in my hands. Now leave us alone!"

Cassius just looked at him for a few seconds, before he smiled and gripped his Crozius Arcanum, lifting it off the ground and holding with both hands. David's eyes widened while Seven gripped hold of him by the shoulders and trying to hide herself behind him, frightened.

"Wha…what are you…?"

"REPENT SINNER AS YOU FEEL THE EMPEROR'S WRATH!"

Cassius charged the couple, gripping his mace with one hand that sailed behind him as he charged. Thinking fast through his instinctive yell of terror he pushed Seven clear of Cassius just as he brought his power mace down with both hands, both of which landed roughly and painfully on their shoulders as the mace made impact with the ground, causing a massive crack to appear…

…and Ares senses to go off at the same time. She froze in her place, fright crossing over her face.

"Er…Ares?" the lead boy asked, eyes wide.

"Did…did you hear that?" Ares cried, "Those two words bellowed into the air Emperor's Wrath?"

All within earshot of Ares all felt themselves stood still in fear, with Pep shaking uncontrollably (mostly I his legs), the lead boy clasping his hands together which begun to fidget with nervousness, but the Kroot hatchling sprung into action.

"We must alert the rest of our Kindred immediately!" he cackled and growled, his vox translator translating almost with difficulty, "Our first hunt shall soon begin!"

He then grabbed the ball and darted off towards the village, the other kids all looking at one another.

"HEY! WAIT UP HA'KHA!" the lead boy yelled after him, then called out to the others, "C'mon!"

"Right behind you, Nisan!" Pep cried.

David quickly got up and gripped the heavy blade in his delicate hands, shakily raising it. He gripped it tightly in his hands as Cassius waved his mace around and prepared to strike again. Cassius smiled, before charging him, yelling out…

"SWING YOUR BLADE, MAN-BOY!"

…and swung his mace. David ducked to avoid it, then he swung his sword overarm and it made contact with Cassius' face, slicing him between the eyes and splitting his nose slightly. The Chaplain continued to smile, when he then looked down to find David on one knee, head bowed and eyes on the ground, his sword to raised above his head. Hot tears pricked his eyes and fell from his face as he visibly shivered with fright, never having swung a power sword in all his life.

Cassius felt his face. The wound wasn't too deep, and his nose could be repaired quite easily. What really intrigued him was that he could act like a child one second, become defiant the next, then another mere amount of seconds later he would revert back to being the child he is. But as with most of all the other recruits and Neophytes to enter the ranks of the Adeptus Astartes, it will all pass in time.

"Well…despite your reluctance to wield a blade of the Emperor, you do indeed have the strength of will to do so," Cassius commented, then frowned, "Even if it is to the defence of non-humans."

David lowered his blade and looked up towards Chaplain, eyes quivering, "W…why are you doing…this?"

Just as sudden as he had appeared, Chaplain Cassius had disappeared, leaving only a faint trace of blood on the corn at their feet. He looked over across at Seven, who eyes widened with additional bewilderment.

'What happened?' David mouthed towards her.

Seven shook her head gently, "He…he disappeared. As if he teleported…"

David didn't want to deal with any of this any more, and so compelled himself to pass out. Seven was immediately at his side and…

"Anyone over there?"

…just as Eden Planetary Defence Force soldiers rustled through the cornfield from all sides towards them, the flak-armoured troops armed with Tau pulse rifles. The sergeant was startled at the sight of seeing David unconscious and clutching an Imperial power sword to himself.

"What's this?" the sergeant cried at Seven, "Where did this meteorite come form?"

Seven laid David's head on her lap as she faced the PDF Sergeant, responding softly, "I have no idea."

25 Years Later
The Battle Barge 'Emperor Incarnatus', Ultramarines Chapter of the Space Marines

From everything that Cassius told him that evening Calgar could easily picture that whole thing happening, as if it were a film. And it was then that an innocent youth that fought only to protect his xeno friend at the cost of his fragility. That had put him on the road to which he was being shaped into the warrior that he was today. It was his first fifteen years on Eden that also shaped him up to become a powerful, determined yet very complicated and somewhat confused servant of the Emperor, seeing no difference between human and non-human, and that they all must be protected at all costs.

Lord Macragge, we are on approach to Venom and the Air Defence Zones. Their weapons are primed, armed and are aimed at the fleet. Reducing speed…

In the massive armoury on board the Emperor Incarnatus, Lord Calgar sighed as he moved his armoured mechanical left hand to scratch his left eye. He opened them to glance at the Gauntlets of Ultramar being sealed into their protective case by three of the Chapter's serfs, or servants as they themselves preferred. He was clad in his gold-studded Artificer Armour and was accompanied by his five loyal Honour Guards; each clad in equally impressive golden-decorated ornate power armour and helmets.

Cassius and Tigerius stood nearby, with the Librarian being the first to speak, "My Lord, is it wise to deny yourself protection from the Cornerians should we be able to communicate with them in person and they turn foul on us?"

Calgar turned to him, "Chief Librarian, I know a some of these so-called 'furries', and they hold high-rank. With the current situation with Chaos, and our own suppressive numbers, they would not dear point their blaster rifles our way."

Cassius snorted lightly, "I suppose our mission to cleanse the kemono animae is now void, as they now prove to be harmless enough."

The Lord Macragge nodded, "I did not know why I let the Gauntlets out of their case in the first place. Truly, the Lylatian dogs and foxes have proven themselves more co-operative and somewhat trustworthy than other xeno species so far encountered."

"Yes, but even with the Kronus 1st, the Cadian 412th, and possibly the entire Lylatian military, we will be desperately outmatched by every Chaos Legion now at the Imperium's back door," Tigerius explained.

The Chaplain then cleared his throat.

"Would it be wise to request reinforcements from one of the Reserve Companies, or even a full battle-group consisting of several Imperial Guard regiments, Space Marine companies and Inquisitorial forces down from the Ordo Malleus and Ordo Hereticus? They could be here in approximately…two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Calgar questioned.

"One week for our message to reach Ultramar, Pacificus Segmentum Command and the Departmento Munitorum on Terra, and another for reinforcements to enter and exit Warp space in arriving here," Cassius added.

"And during those two bothersome two weeks we would have to hold out here," Calgar responded gruffly, "Which is why I am urging all Space Marine squads to rely on Protocol 18 – Defence. Whilst our initial battle plans will be discussed in full detail with Sturnn, Mortensen and Pepper, what I can tell you know is…"

He narrowed his eyes.

"…we will hold our ground against this daemon scum until either reinforcements come, or a miracle happens."

Tigerius was intrigued, "A miracle? Shall I ask what that may be?"

Before Calgar could respond his vox beeped.

My Lord Macragge. We are in communication range of the Venom Air Defence Zone. You are needed in the com room.

The Chapter-Master glanced over at Tigerius as he and his Honour Guard headed for the exit, "You should ask me another time, Chief Librarian."

Tigerius eyed Cassius questioningly, who glanced over at the exiting form of Calgar. He frowned, before he followed his master out of the room, the Chaplain following suit. Cassius then thought to himself, remembering seeing that other human in the trenchcoat over Tau armour and lapping after that Tau Ethereal.

'I could have sworn I have seen him as well somewhere?' he thought sinisterly, 'Damnation, everyone seems familiar these da…?'

He stopped when his remaining eye widened.

'Borealis – Jakob the 'Ghost'.'

To: Departmento Munitorum and Pacificus Segumentum Command

From: Cadian 412th Regiment of the Imperial Guard, Part of the Lylatian Battlegroup

Subject: Mobilisation of Immediate Reinforcement to Lylat System. Chaos Invasion of Segmentum Pacificus Imminent.

Thought for the Day: Never forget, Never forgive.

Our original mission to apprehend the heretical Grey Knight known as Jacques Mortensen has now taken a horrifying turn. We have evidence that the Forces of Chaos are operating in the Lylat System once again, having managed to use the local populace's technology as a back doorway to the Imperium, approximately one million light years away from Segmentum Pacificus. As of right now, legions of Traitor Marines are advancing through the system and we have reason to believe that the heretic known as Abaddon is launching another crusade in the wake of his failed thirteenth attempt on the Cadian Gate months ago.

By the time you receive this message we would have either been destroyed by the combined forces of the entire Traitor Legions and Cults under Abaddon's command, or are desperately still holding out. We request, no, demand that Segmentum's Solar and Pacificus mobilise and send reinforcements to keep them out of our galaxy. We demand that the Inquisition itself mobilise all three of it's orders as well as significant numbers of Imperial Guard and Adeptus Astartes.

We believe that this is the darkest year for the Imperium has finally come, and it is only months away from the beginning of the 42nd Millennium.

Your servant,

Sturnn

"That will do."

The Scribe-Skull clicked and whirred as it finished writing on a piece of parchment positioned at the end of the table in the briefing room. Hours after their meeting with their alien 'allies' Sturnn, Plymouth, Nero and the senior Cadian officers hadn't budged from their seats, electing to instead discuss more relevant news including the need for reinforcements. They had now being joined by many of Nero's own naval officers, not even filling up the rather large room and table.

I estimate that it shall take one week for this message to reach Cadia and Holy Terra simultaneously,

Admiral, a withered voice sounded off over the vox channel. And since the highest command will consider this top priority and will not waste a single day in making decisions, the reinforcements will arrive here via the Warp in another week.

"Thank you Astropath Vakarian," Nero responded to the vox, "Send the message immediatly."

Admiral then addressed both Sturnn and Plymouth, the Commissar still standing by Sturnn's seat and the General appearing more than exasperated.

"I'm no Psyker, Admiral," Sturnn said, "But I know what you're thinking. We really do have to rely on the Lylatians to hold the line until the reinforcements. And after that…they won't matter."

Admiral was smug as he twiddled his fingers. "The combined forces of the Emperor will make quick work of both Chaos and Lylat. The Imperium was meant to stretch beyond the borders of our galaxy, and we will start on…"

"Spare me, Nero," Sturnn held out a flat palm in protest, "We should be thankful we can sense the Emperor's divine light all the way here in the first place. Any further from Segmentum Pacificus and we'd be lost forever."

He then turned and looked up at Plymouth.

"And now, back to you Commissar."

The plump political officer didn't appear amused, "I told you everything I know about Governor-Militant Lukas Alexander, his campaign and banishment from Kronus and what the Ministorum fabricated about the strength of his fleet. They were Kronus' own ships, not supplied by the Cadian 301st."

Sturnn nodded and said, "The propaganda has got a lot to answer for regarding Alexander's loyalty to the Emperor, and if Eden was truly a Chaos experiment with mixing humans with xeno. I never though they would lie about something like that."

One senior officer spoke up, "My Lord, what will do once we reach Venom? We cannot be expected to ally with the aliens? The reinforcements in two weeks time will deem us heretical if we do so."

"Command did not call us heretical when we allied with the Eldar back on Lorn V, major," Sturnn reminded him, "Yet I was the one who paid for it."

"So what do we say once they arrive, sir?"

"We will hand control of this operation over to them," the General continued, "And we will state that this time allying with non-humans would have paid off with the death of Warmaster Abaddon and the total destruction of the Traitor Marine Legions once and for all."

"If I may be so bold to ask, General Sturnn," Plymouth asked, "What should be our battle-plans concerning taking and holding whatever worlds Chaos has not controlled yet in the system?"

Sturnn crossed his arms and stated unevenly, "That…we will put off until we meet next with Calgar and whatever still holds authority over the Lylatian forces."

The vox communication system sounded off again, the following words drawing complete silence and some anxiety from the officers present.

Lord Admiral, we are approaching the Venom Air Defence Zone. Lord Macragge has requested we offer parlay towards the combined Cornerian and Venomians fleets.

"Venomian!" Nero exclaimed, "They are still here?"

Er…yes, Lord Admiral.

"Very well. We will attempt communication. Signal the fleet to stand by."

Acknowledged, lord.

Sturnn stood up from his seat, followed by his Cadian officers, "Now is the time to put the furries to proper use, gentlemen."

Nero nodded as Sturnn and his officers left the board room for the communications chamber. He then addressed his own officers, "Return to your posts. This meeting is adjourned."

Fox yawned and rubbed his eyes as he heard the vox caster's beeps blare throughout the room.

"Ah, still sleepy," he moaned tiredly to himself, before reaching over towards the bedside vox and pressing the red button down, "Yeah?"

Fox, Jacques spoke, You best direct yourself to communications. We are approaching the Venomian defence zone, and their weapons are the first that are going to greet us.

Surprised that those words caused him to be now fully awake, Fox pulled the covers off him and reached for his pants, "I'll be right there! Promise!"

He put both feet through the legs of his pants, then threw on his green shirt and white vest, quickly making a mental note to change his now stinking clothes the second he stepped back on the Great Fox II. He stank of both blood and perspiration and believed a shower wouldn't hurt as well…also once he was back on the Great Fox, he didn't feel comfortable relying on human ways of cleansing one's self.

He stepped out of his room to find two naval armsmen waiting for him.

"McCloud," they greeted with a salute, "We're here to escort you to the communications centre along with the rest of your crew."

Fox returned the salute, before he looked over left armsman's shoulder and saw the rest of his crew, standing there questioningly in the hallway. Falco appeared annoyed as he directed it toward another armsmen standing before him. Krystal however appeared calm, though she was eyeing the autopistol sidearms they had holstered to their sides.

"Hey!" Falco exclaimed, keeping Katt close to him, "We don't need to be babysat. We can easily find…"

One of the armsmen rolled his eyes, "Governor-Militant Alexander has insisted you be directed to communications as quick, and if need be as painlessly, as possible. And seeing how you are prone to getting lost on board Imperial vessels, I believe that is in order."

That revelation kept Falco's tongue behind his beak. Fox shrugged, "Fine with me. Lead the way."

It was clear to most Imperial scholars that the planet Venom could be classified as a Death World besides Titania. Centuries of blatant neglect from the technological Venomian simians and their reptilian allies through industrialisation had scorched the once beautiful blue sky and poisoned the waters, turning them into acid that could chew through almost any metal that did not have an attached shield. For hundreds of years the people found themselves living below the ground or insides hills and mountains, with massive communities sprawling all over below the surface. These were all connected to each other, and were supported by numerous military installations, which were used during the First Lylat War when the exiled Cornerian scientist known as Andross had united the warring simian clans through technological prowess and knowledge.

The planet once thought to have been abandoned by it's simian masters were now the home of possibly millions of kemono refugees, all squeezed together underground living within the tunnels and the communities, forcing them to share with whatever Venomians still lived on the planet. Thousands and thousands more worth of military personnel and technology also hunkered down, each one biding his or her time in getting ready to take back Lylat.

Within one of the largest of these communities situated inside a large rock mountain and stretching downwards below the surface were all the survivors of Corneria, and the headquarters of whatever is left of the Cornerian Military, which is to say about 50,000 strong. All the best military strategists and officials were all at once contemplating and concocting plans in defending what planets were yet to be invaded by the Chaos Marines and their Chaos cult supporters.

Technicians, aides, officers and advisers frequented deep within command control, with General Peppy Hare besides his top officers stood before a massive video screen transmitting smaller screens of all the hotspots and conflict zones in Lylat. On one screen he saw Black Legion Chaos Marine marching through the ruined streets of Corneria city, on another screen there were Cornerian soldiers on some unidentified wasteland world defending against kemono and skinhead human cultists. And on another were daemons of varying shapes and sizes tearing up a down Cornerian frigate.

Peppy ran a hand over his head fur, "MacBeth?"

A raccoon colonel beside him received a clipboard from his aide nearby, "Reports say that the defences orbiting the Western Hemisphere have been destroyed. Several landing craft have managed to land and occupy one of our larger bases. Commander O'Reilly is ordering all standing ground forces to increase defences on all sides."

"Fortuna?"

"Defences have completely fallen. Nearly every civilian centre and military installation have been overrun. But so far, reports of civilian casualties have been minimal at best."

"Katina?"

"Orbital defences are still holding out, but a taking a pounding."

Peppy nodded, absorbing all that data. He then asked, "Fichina?"

"Still no contact."

Peppy sighed and gripped some his own head fur, trying to hold back his worry and anxiety. He said softly, "Lucy."

"Sir? If I may ask…what is our next course of action?"

Peppy had no idea how to answer that. If the Imperium had attacked from the outside rather then the Forces of Chaos engaging from within, he may have been able to formulate a clear, tactical assessment. With the enemy moving in from all sides and attacking nearly every point they held, the chances of a successful counterattack with the numbers they have was nigh impossible.

"GENERAL!"

All heads spun towards a panicked male stag officer turning towards them away from the orbital control console.

"Report!" Peppy ordered.

"Nineteen Imperial vessels are approaching the Venomian orbital defence zones! All guns are now charged and ready to fire!"

"Oh dear God," Peppy groaned silently. When he believed he could formulate a battle plan against the Imperium, he didn't mean right now with Chaos' foul breath already down their necks. He regained his composure and asked, "What are their classes and designations?"

"Hold on, sir!" the officer responded, looking over the shoulder of the technician. He then said, "We're also detecting a Tau cruiser…"

Peppy was now surprised, 'Tau?'

"…and…the Great Fox?" the stag officer now exclaimed, confused.

Now Peppy couldn't help but feel overjoyed amidst the calamity of the situation. He said almost aloud, "Fox? He…he survived after all?"

The raccoon officer was now suspicious, evident by his queered eyebrows, "And playing some angle. He's completely surrounded by the Imperium."

Peppy shook his head and stepped over towards the communications officer at his console, "Contact the defence zone! Tell them to hold their fire!"

Half a mile away from the planet's atmosphere, the large Imperial fleet alongside Eden, the Tau and Star Fox hovered there before the dozens of Cornerian and Venomian capital ships and space defence guns' weapons primed at them. The Imperial lances and the Emperor-class Pacifier's might Nova Cannon ready and able to fire and though the Imperial ships may be thousands of years hold and seemingly outdated, they were able to tear up half the combined Venomian defences forces before their counterattack would force them to withdraw. As the defence cannons were capable of punching hold through their iron hulls.

From the lead Venomian cruiser the gorilla in charge of the Air Defence Zone knew that for a fact as he sat in his command seat and stared hatefully at the massive line of Imperium starships lining up side by side just outside the kill zone.

He shook his head slowly, "So the dogs couldn't hold the fucking skinnies back so they drag them all the way here."

A smaller ape officer looked up at him and almost gasped, "C…Colonel Dids, sir? Those aren't the ships described by General Hare. Those are Imperium craft, sir…plus one identified cruiser and the Great Fox."

"Star Fox?" Colonel Dids sneered, "Three times as worse as the Imperium."

He then suddenly barked out loud.

"Are they in the killzone yet? Report!"

"Sir!" another Venomian exclaimed, "New orders from General Hare. We have to stand down!"

Dids was angry, "We don't take orders from the dogs."

The Venomian technician cleared his throat and added, "The Praetor demands you follow orders, sir."

Dids gritted his teeth as he faced the technician at the back, before he inhaled gently and tried to calm down. He nodded and ordered, "Power down all weapon systems, and hope that the true heir to the Emperor Andross knows what he's doing."

"Sir," the technician continued, "We're detected live transmission feed from Central HQ broadcasting towards the Imperial Fleets. Three ships have intercepted it, identifying itself as the Augustus, the Pacifier and the Infinity."

"Can we intercept and listen in?"

"We can, sir."

"Do it."

The helmsmen all waited outside as Fox and his crew stepped through the door into the communications room, which in itself also of gothic décor with communication equipment, interface and lines appearing thousands of years old and outdated. Smaller video screens dotted all the walls, and servi-skull hologram projectors hung from the ceiling on stand by. Slippy, Jacques, Alexander and Vash were waiting for them on a separate platform away from the door, which was connected by a small bridge. Alexander was seated while the Grey Knight and carapace-armoured colonel opted to stand beside him.

Falco looked around himself, "Heh…reminds me of my great-great-great grandfather in the Falconian airforce."

Fox looked curiously at the technology before him. He asked, "I have to ask you. Does all your technology look so…gothic?"

"Sorry McCloud," Vash spoke, "Science and Technology officially stopped the moment the Emperor ascended. But at least we don't need to use any Psykers as we've got Mortensen here to broadcast our signal."

"That is true," Jacques said.

Vash then turned to the Governor-Militant and saluted.

"We are ready to begin communication, my lord."

Alexander then, then addressed Fox and crew, "You should probably stand here if you want to be part of the conversation."

Fox, Falco, Katt and Krystal stepped forward across onto the platform, each feelings the servi-skull looking down on them, making them all the more uncomfortable.

"Right on schedule," Alexander looked at one of screens which mentioned Shared Communications, "The Infinity and the Pacifier are being hailed as well."

"Right," Fox nodded, "Let's hope the Imperials can keep their xenophobia to themselves."

O'Shovah trailed through the Infinity under escort by one Farsight Fire Warrior and one T'au Fire Warrior, to the left and right of his respectively. He appeared dignified and smug as he passed by the several Earth Caste workers still performing maintenance on the ship. He shook his head gently, remembering how easy it was for him and his men to dispatch their share of Chaos Marines that had entered his quarters.

He had practically surprised all three of them. They had teleported into his quarters while he was still practicing drill, and he didn't waste a second in grabbing his Dawn Blade off his battlesuit. Despite his perceived advanced age he impaled one flamer equipped Marine, before having pulled the blade out and swung it, slicing the head off another Marine. His disciples quickly set upon the last Night Lord Marine, an Aspiring Champion. The Aspirant managed to kill two of them, before he met his end by a combination of plasma fire and blade.

He stepped into the communications room, finding Aun'shi and a fair number of the Water Caste waiting for him. They were all standing around a holograph projector, with Aun'shi's back turned to the doorway. O'Shovah smirked and stepped inside, his escorts guarding the door from both sides.

Aun'shi turned around, "So you decided to join us, O'Shovah."

The renegade Commander still looked smug, "This concerns the Farsight Enclaves as much as T'au itself. Especially now we know that the spawn of James McCloud is involved."

Aun'shi tapped his staff on the ground a couple of times, drawing all the Water Caste diplomat's attention. "I would be happy if his father was here. Hopefully he will be waiting for us on the other end of that hologram-projector. A man of his exceptional skill and valour would no doubt have ascertained high rank in Lylat after thirty-eight years."

O'Shovah tapped his forehead, still smiling, "No doubt he is still thinking about dedicating his services to the Greater Good. If it has taken him three decades for him to decide, then so be it."

Sturnn, Plymouth and Nero were present in the Pacifier's communications room, with several Adeptus Mechanicus communication specialists and technicians were wired into their equipment and machinery, ready to begin broadcasting their vox signal across the void of space, through the atmosphere of Venom and into some alien communicator equipment.

"General, Admiral," Plymouth begun, looking smarter then usual when he wore his greatcoat, "What are we to say to the Cornerian commander-in-chief regarding this unholy alliance we are about to seek.?"

"Just leave the talking to me, Lord Commissar," Sturnn simply responded, "No mentioning of extermination, purge or cleansing anywhere near them. It tends to make them nervous."

Nero glared with contempt at this predicament, 'If Sturnn is good at anything it's becoming bedfellows with xenos and letting them roll over him.'

Peppy stood alone in the communication centre, standing on a circular glowing holo-platform, which would broadcast his image towards the ships miles away from Venom's surface and just in front of the Venomian Air Defence Zone. He prayed silently that his meeting with the Imperium would not go wrong in any way, that his former team isn't hurt in any way, and the Tau would continue to stick to their ideals.

He removed his hat and straightened his head fur. He then muttered as he replaced his cap on his head, "Here goes everything."

The vid screen before him generated a three-way image of the interiors of the communication room belonging to the Infinity, the Augustus and the Pacifier. On the Augustus, Fox, Slippy, Amanda and Krystal immediately beamed upon seeing Peppy's face. Falco appeared amused, Katt smiled lightly, and the humans on screen – Jacques, Alexander and Vash – appeared emotionless. Jacques however soon dropped his current façade in favour of a light smile.

On the Pacifier, all Imperials in view all appeared hard faced, especially in the case of the man in a naval uniform that appeared to be visibly disgusted at the sight of him. The grey-haired man standing in front appeared to be the leader, judging from his uniform and his medals, and the elderly man in the scarlet greatcoat and hat looked to be the Regimental Lord Commissar.

On another screen was the Ultramarines Calgar, Cassius and Tigerius, looking as determined and disciplined as a good Space Marine should.

On the final screen were two blueskinned Tau, whom were very familiar to him. O'Shovah smiled and stated, Airman Hare.

"That's General Hare, Commander Farsight," Peppy corrected with slight, and mock, ire.

General Hare, this is Sturnn of the Cadian 412th Regiment of the Imperial Guard, Sturnn begun, Behind me is Lord Admiral Dylanis Horatio Nero and Regimental Commissar Rowan Plymouth. Once again, fate as backed us all into the corner.

"So I've noticed," Peppy said, "Just when we thought that all the Daemon Gates had been destroyed, Chaos once again enters through the back door. And this time, I'm not so sure how we're going to survive this."

I think we'll stand a better chance if we pool our everything together, sir, Fox frowned at calling him that, though it was out of respect, Weapons, manpower, armour, everything.

Peppy wiggled his nose a bit in discomfort and asked, "Are you suggesting an alliance, McCloud? The Kemono/Human Agreement ended after Evergreen."

And the Administratum is willing to renegotiate terms if you will help us keep the heretical Space Marines and their daemonic allies out of our galaxy, Sturnn continued, speaking as reasonably and formally as he could, At this moment the Cadian 412th and the Imperial Navy under Admiral Nero is willing discuss terms of a temporary alliance until the Segmentum Solar receives our request in reinforcing our Pacifiicus defences and directly sending aid to Lylat.

That is something we should really discuss, General Hare of Lylat, Aun'shi spoke now, More gue'la, both Imperial and Chaos, will be trampling through here in a small window of time and it is recommended that you prepare.

Peppy sighed. He knew that things weren't going to be easy, but he didn't expect this much trouble in just trying to secure a peaceful agreement between Corneria and the denizens of the neighbouring galaxy.

General Hare, Alexander now spoke, I am Governor-Militant Lukas Alexander of the 1st Kronus Regiment, currently broken from the Imperium and are siding with the remnants of the planet Eden and Jacques Mortensen. We stand ready to assist you any way we can.

Alexander was surprised at Alexander's friendly gesture, "You are, Governor?"

It is true, Jacques now spoke, General Hare.

Peppy smiled, seeing Jacques face and hearing his voice, "It's good to see you again, Jacques."

Thank you, Peppy Hare. Our weapons and manpower will greatly add to your own shoulder you agree to meet with us in person and discuss terms of formal alliance and plans for counterattack against the Chaos hordes. The Imperial forces here, both Guard and Astartes, are willing to rally beside us to the defence of this system.

Peppy turned to the Ultramarine's screen, "Is this true?"

Calgar nodded, Every single word, Hare.

Peppy contemplated all this for nearly a full minute, and what he said next caused hearts to both calm down in rhythm, or quicken with disgust and shame over allying with xeno once again.

"So it's agreed," Peppy smugly said, "Move your fleet into the defence zone and I will meet you all in person. You may all bring escorts, but unarmed. Calgar, for security reasons your Battle-Barge can be in proximity to the surface and Fox, we will take remote control of the Great Fox II and bring it into dry dock. Have we reached an understanding?"

Sturnn nodded slowly, Alright, we will play it your way for now.

Sound good, General, Fox stated, We will be seeing you.

Peppy smiled, "General Hare signing off."

Peppy exhaled as the screens faded and deactivated as he closed the channel and stepped down from the platform. He removed his cap and wiped his brow with his handkerchief, glad to have kept the Imperium of Lylat's back for the time being, and that the closest person he ever had to a son was still alive.

"James," he spoke quietly to himself, "Your son and his big brother still live."

The Cornerian and Venomian capital ships made way for the massive Coalition fleet to pass by the defences and head on straight towards Venom, much to the Air Defence Zone personnel's horror and dismay, but they knew that orders were orders. The Great Fox II was soon under the control of the Cornerian High Command via remote and along with the Ultramarine Battle-Barge Emperor Incarnatus they proceeded to head directly towards the planet surface, albeit at a slow rate.

Very soon four different transport shuttles left the fleet and descended down towards the planet, bearing the heat of the atmosphere and breaking through it half-a-minute later. Two Thunderhawks, one Aquila Lander and one Orca dropship were each distance away from the other as they begun soaring over the cliffs and canyons of the planet Venom. Their destination, a massive rocky mountain where deep within it was the command centre of the Cornerian/Venomian armies.

The Emperor Incarnatus and the Great Fox II followed close behind, with the latter on auto pilot and directly taking the same route as the smaller transports while the Emperor Incarnatus kept it's distance away from the other ships. It's boatload of fifty Marines and nearly a hundred more serfs keeping cool on board right behind their masters.

On the cliff edge of a canyon, two Venomian soldiers on patrol stood next to their four-wheeled ATV as they stared up at the massive Battle-Barge. It casted a shadow over them and the hill they stood on as it blotted out the sun and from their point of view much of the sky. One of the simians gulped and struggled to hold onto his bladder as he begun to believe that the Apocalypse had finally come to Lylat in the form of the Imperium, and not Chaos.

On board the Aquila Lander, the pilots checked their navigation equipment and discovered that their coordinates had changed, that they were assigned a different location than the other transports.

"The xenos are separating us from the other shuttles," the co-pilot complained.

"Better call it in," the main pilot commanded, "They could plan to pick us off away from the xeno-lovers."

In the passenger cabin, Sturnn looked out the window to find themselves flying over the rocky canyons and acidic seas of Venom, after a surprisingly smooth re-entry through the planet's atmosphere. He had to wonder why the inhabitants could even deem this planet as hospitable, which added to the lore that was Venomian madness rumoured brought upon by the ambitions of the former 'emperor' Andross, which no doubt spread to his nephew Andrew.

Sturnn looked over at the seat next to him to find edgy, nervous Admiral Nero. Though his face appeared stoic, his eyes and the jittery movements of his hands betrayed him.

"If I remember correctly, Nero," Sturnn said, "The Cornerians are willing to ally with us, henceforth won't even try to raise arms against us."

Nero turned his head and glared at the general. He snorted, "I am not concerned about the xeno, General. I am concerned about what the Inquisition will do to us once they arrive here in two weeks."

Sturnn looked hard and was about to speak when the cabin vox caster sounded off.

Gentlemen, we have been given different coordinates to that of the Tau, Eden and Ultramarines entourages. Shall we proceed?

"Do it," Sturnn ordered, then uttered toward Nero, "Probably no worse than what Cornerians will do to us first chance they get."

It was obvious that trust was still going to be an issue for the duration of said Alliance.

All transports, please proceed to docking bay #15 and await further instructions. Great Fox II Navigation Computer, direct towards Bay #15 and shut down all engines.

Two blue-coloured Thunderhawks and one T'au Orca descended towards the mountain. Upon getting closer, them heading directly towards the designated coordinates, they approached a series of massive hangar doors with a massive white coloured numbers ranging from 10 to 20 imprinted on them. Door number 15 opened and the ships flew in.

Inside the Venomian décored hangar both canine and simian support personnel and guards rushed everywhere in anticipation of both their human and non-human arrivals. Many armed personnel immediately held their guns to themselves nervously as the three transport ships landed, wary of the Tau vessel was nearly frightened of the Imperials ships.

Peppy shooks his head sadly as he watched from the hangar control room window which surveyed the whole massive hangar area, from Bays #10 to #20. There was no way that the people of Lylat were ever going to get over their fear of humanity, that he knew for sure. He spirits immediately brightened when the Great Fox II pulled into Bay #16 right beside the transports.

He stepped out of the control room and towards the nearest flight of stairs, which would take him down to the hangar. It would be a long walk towards Bay #15, but he didn't mind.

"Shit, that's close to overkill," Falco groaned as he looked at the vid screen in the Eden Thunderhawk, "Those apes are all packing anti-armour rifles, as if the tincans are the only kind of human here."

Fox unclasped himself from his safety harness and stood up, straightening and creaking his back, "You were expecting a different kind of welcoming committee, Falco?"

Alexander looked hard as he stepped towards the door leading out of the passenger cabin, "By rights they should be prepared for an attack by the Emperor's armies. They were the ones who brought Chaos to Lylat in the first place."

"Yes," Krystal said, a bit heated, "Andrew."

Alexander stopped before he stepped through the doorway and turned to the vixen. He hissed, "Before him, actually. If you recall Cerinia and how Chaos was really behind it's destruction."

Krystal felt her heart beat with panic and horror would have crossed her face if she didn't have the strength of will not to display her emotions. She shrugged it off and instead turned to Katt as she disengaged her harness.

"Katt?"

"Yeah?"

"You know that wallet you received from that soldier back near Beltino Station?"

"What about it?"

She smiled gently, "If you'd like, I'll give it to his wife and break the news."

Katt was surprised at her gesture, but returned the smile and reached into her pocket, giving her the wallet, "Thanks for sparing me from emotional arrows bound to have flown at me."

They all stepped out the passenger cabin, just as the door leading into the cockpit opened and out stepped Jacques. He looked over his comrades and made eye contact with Fox, who likewise returned the determined stare.

"Are you ready to face tenfold of intolerance, bigotry, xenophobia, distrust and possibly betrayal regarding our alliances between Lylat and the Imperium of Man?" Jacques asked them all, "Those who stand beside me, irrelevant of species."

Fox crossed his arms, "I can't say I wasn't born ready, but I think I'll adapt."

"Then let this charade begin."

Peppy waved down the Venomians armed with armour piercing rifles with a stern gaze towards the leading security officer.

"That won't be necessary, sergeant," Peppy told him, "I know these humans and…"

He indicated the Tau Orca.

"…these strangers."

The spider monkey shook his head disdainfully, still holding his rifle, "I only take orders from the Preator, General 'sir'."

Immediately the hangar announcement speaker blurted, All security personnel stand down before Star Fox, the Eden fleet personnel and the Tau. That is an order from your Preator.

The simian Venomian gritted his teeth and groaned, "Orders are orders, general sir."

Peppy nodded in thanks and turned towards the tranports opened and their respective passengers stepped out. For the old hare time appeared to slow down as they all separately walked away from their ships and away from the docks. He thought he had tears of joy streaming down his eyes when he saw Star Fox step forward from the first Thunderhawk. He stepped forward towards an ecstatic Fox, who was now running towards him.

"Peppy!" Fox exclaimed, smiling widely, "Y…you're alive!"

The old hare smiled and gave the young vulpine whom he considered a son a hug, throwing his arms around his neck and holding him close. Fox returned the hug as he heard Peppy laugh, "I've got a good fifty to seventy years left before I'm ready to go."

"Yeah."

Fox let go and allowed Peppy to survey the rest of the crew, including Jacques and the Eden fleet officers. Star Fox and Jacques each looked happy to be seeing Peppy alive and well, and Krystal expressed that thoroughly as she stepped forward next and grasped his left hand gently warmly

"It's good to see you again, Peppy," Krystal smiled, "Or…should I call you General Hare?"

"Just Peppy will do, Krystal," Peppy smiled, then turned to Falco, "Falco."

"Hey old coot," Falco grinned, "You look different in a uniform."

Peppy appeared not amused, "And I could have you thrown in the brig for disrespecting a superior officer, Lombardi."

Falco appeared sour, "Y'know there's other ways you could tell me to shut my beak, Peppy."

"I gave up being direct a long time ago," Peppy sighed, "Anyway…"

He noticed Katt standing next to the avian.

"Hello, Monroe," Peppy greeted with a smile.

"That's Katt to you, Pep," Katt returned the smile and shook his hand, "It's been a while."

Peppy then glanced over at Jacques, Alexander, Vash and other Eden officers present.

"Yes, it has," Peppy finally responded.

Jacques smiled and walked towards Peppy, who craned his neck to look up at the Ultramarine now Grey Knight, which was the first new thing he noticed about Jacques, the second being the 7 shaped scar on his face. Peppy extended his hand, and almost shuddered when it disappeared into Jacques' large silvery gauntlet.

"I see you've changed your wardrobe," Peppy pointed out, "It suits you."

"You have my thanks, Peppy Hare," Jacques said, then added, "I see you have ascertained rank in my absence."

The rabbit nodded, "I have. Pepper couldn't cope with the loss of Papetoon, and did the only reasonable thing."

Jacques raised an eyebrow, "Do you know where he is now? Is he still alive?"

"We have no further information at the moment," Peppy replied, then turned to Alexander.

Alexander straightened his back as he saluted, "Governor-Militant Lukas Alexander of the 1st Kronus Regiment. This is Colonel Vash, my second-in-command."

Vash gave a quick salute, much to Peppy's confusion.

"I understand the Kronus 1st is a breakaway from the rest of the Imperium," Peppy stated, "And that the Cadian 412th and…"

He noticed Calgar, Cassius and Tigerius approaching, flanked by their Honour Guard.

"…the Ultramarines 1st Company have been deployed to apprehend you."

"That is correct," Jacques replied, "I am at fault for bringing them here, but upon sensing the taint building up above Corneria I had to return."

"And where he goes, the Kronus 1st follows," Alexander added, "It's because of him that we and the survivors of Eden have managed to survive for this long."

Peppy nodded in acknowledgment, just as the people before him stood aside to allow Calgar to greet Peppy, first with his immense size and bulk which did nothing to intimidate the old hare. Peppy looked curiously up at the questioned Lord Macragge, who nodded with acknowledgment of his presence. The hare kept a straight face as Calgar spoke with that authoritarian tone he always used.

"General Pepper?" Calgar stated.

"Retired, and whereabouts unknown," Peppy answered, "Lord Macragge."

He then faced Tigerius.

"Chief Librarian."

Tigerius nodded at being called that. Fox looked in silent wonder as Peppy then addressed Cassius.

"Master of the Sanctity."

Cassius smiled, "It has been a long time, is it now Airman Hare."

Fox's eyes widened, "Huh? You people know each other."

Cassius looked at Fox, still smiling, "You do not know? Tis' funny you do not."

Getting frustrated, Fox frowned, "What don't I know?"

"That your father figure and your real father were unwillingly involved in the Emperor's service thirty-eight years ago today, vulpine" Tigerius chipped in.

Fox looked around him frantically, seeing all eyes on him. From Falco, Katt, Krystal, Slippy, Amanda and Jacques; it was confusion. From Alexander and Vash, it was wonder. To the Ultramarines, it was assertion. But to Peppy, it was weariness.

"Wh…what are you guys talking about?" Fox asked.

Peppy sighed and patted Fox's shoulder, "It's a very long story, Fox. Something that your father should have told you…or better yet…I should have told you before last year."

"You mean you haven't told him yet, Airman Hare?"

All eyes now turned to the Tau delegation as they approached from the Orca dropship, parked right next to the docked Great Fox II. O'Shovah was the first to join the conversation, with Aun'shi, the Water Caste diplomats and their Fire Warrior escorts right behind him. La'Jakob kept close to Aun'shi like a good bodyguard should.

"Commander Farsight?" Peppy was now surprised, "Of all places, we find you here."

"It was easy," O'Shovah stated, "Just direct our ship towards the same galactic tear you and McCloud made three decades ago that landed you in our ever-growing section of the universe."

"And we of T'au followed to persuade him to return home to explain himself," Aun'shi added, slightly venomous, "But now, circumstances have made our plans to return home temporary void."

Fox felt another headache coming down on him on top of the one he had been suffering from since his return to the real world after the downing of the Great Fox II. He sighed heavily and ruffled his head-fur, once again catching everyone's attention.

"Alright," Fox raised his hands, "What are we talking about here?"

Peppy frowned and brushed his chin, "Once the Imperial Guard officers land why don't we discuss this in the war room with the rest of my officers."

"Agreed," Aun'shi said, then turned to Fox, "McCloud."

"Yeah."

"I must apologise if we were too direct concerning history involving your father," Aun'shi explained.

Peppy looked at Fox with concern, "Talk to me later on before we begin redeployment of our forces and I'll tell you everything."

Fox appeared plain as he asked plainly, "You promise."

"Yes."

Fox then glanced over at the fully repaired and refurbished Great Fox II.

"I need a shower…"

Imperial Guard transport, proceed to hangar #21 and await further instructions, over.

"Roger that," the main Aquila pilot responded into the vox, "Adjusting course, vector 2-5-7."

The Aquila flew towards the other end of the mountain and towards the Hangar Doors with the number #21 on it. The hangar doors opened and in flew the Aquila. The hangar support personnel on the ground felt nervous at seeing the Double-Headed Eagle on the side of the transport, and Cornerian soldiers and Venomian guards scrambled to greet them. And maybe even defend themselves if their guests' fanatical leanings proved too much and they throw themselves screaming bloody murder at the kemonoes. It has happened before at one pivotal point during the history between Lylat and the Imperium.

Stepping into view of the pilots was a Cornerian mastiff in a military uniform similar to Peppy's, but was a purple colour, and he was smiling as the shuttle touched down. The pilot reached for his vox and pressed TALK down.

"You best watch yourselves once you step out, sirs," the pilot pointed, "General Hare is not here to greet us."

Thank you for the heads up, Sturnn responded, Just keep the shuttle's drives hot in case we need to make a quick exit.

Stepping of the side door first was two armed Commissariat cadets, followed by Plymouth and two more Commissariat escorts. Sturnn and Nero followed suit, flanked by two more escorts. The purple-uniformed mastiff and nearly an entire platoon of his own soldiers stepped forward to greet them. Silence took over as the Cornerian looked straight at the general with a quaint smile.

"I'm Colonel Mick," the mastiff greeted, "General Hare's busy entertaining your Space Marine chums, and so left me deal with you purebreeds."

Sturnn shook his head, "I suppose he pulled your name out of a hat amongst the other officers."

"You could say that," Mick replied, "Now…if you'll just follow me I'll escort you to the command centre. The other Cornerian and Venomian officers are due to all arrive there in about an hour and fifteen, so you'll have to keep yourselves occupied till' then."

"Venomian you say?" Plymouth all but bellowed, "I thought the apes and the dogs were at war."

Mick continued to smile as he looked over his shoulder, turning his back to the Imperials much to their disdain, "In desperate times, we learn to play along in dealing with bigger assholes than we are."

Getting rapidly annoyed by this xeno officers carefree spirit and smart-alecky attitude, Nero demanded, "How do we know those Chaos-worshipping monkeys will not turn on us all, eh?"

All Venomians present felt their heads jerk up at the statement, feeling scared that the Imperials had specifically mentioned them. Mick just chuckled and turned around to face them again.

"If they decide not to behave, then we'll deal with them ourselves."

Sturnn smiled himself now, "Alright. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

Mick smirked, "How generous. Maybe you Imperial Guard types aren't so bad after all."

"Do not push the Emperor's generosity, xeno," Nero scorned lightly.

Now Mick was even more amused, "Xeno? Hey buddy, you're not in your own galaxy any more. Here in Lylat, you're not the dominant species, and you're approximately…what…one million light years from the nearest skinny hive world."

He then smiled at the shocked, violated face of the Admiral, and the expressionless looks on Sturnn and Plymouth.

"Out here…you're the xeno."

Plymouth narrowed his eyes and thought, 'How ironic…not to mention drawl.'

Peppy personally led the Tau delegation through the tunnels out of the hangar towards the main command centre, with Aun'shi and O'Shovah walking right behind him with their escorts keeping in step. Jakob now kept to the back, his hands to his pockets and his fingers brushing the handles of his plasma SMGs, readying in case things turn hostile.

"So you actually found that same tear we used to reach the borders of Damocles?" Peppy asked impressed, "That's remarkable."

O'Shovah smiled, "Is it not, General Hare."

"But I'm confused," Peppy continued, "We are you all here in the first place?"

O'Shovah smile faded, "I feel I should not tell you at this time. But rest assured, it is to contribute to the Greater Good."

Peppy shook his head, "It would be impossible for Lylat to integrate, O'Shovah."

"My point exactly, Hare," Aun'shi said, "O'Shovah refuses to listen to reason and to not return with is to T'au."

O'Shovah frowned and looked over at the Ethereal, "I will gladly hand myself over to Aun'va himself once we have completed our mission. And that is to defeat the Forces of Chaos, to stop them from attacking our galaxy from where they least suspect."

Aun'shi and Peppy glanced at one another worriedly. Peppy pondered suriously, 'Methinks I'll have to keep an eye on that Fire Caste commander. He was practically on edge thirty-eight years ago, and I don't think he's taken the time to stop back away from it.'

All the while Jakob was at the back, when suddenly when he passed a corner and some crates he thought he heard a child sobbing. He stopped in his tracks and moved to investigate, his heartstrings already tugged at hearing such distress, reminding him of events so long ago. He looked back at this rapidly disappearing Tau group and Aun'shi, seeing the Ethereal glance at the human and give a solemn nod, before he and the Tau delegation disappeared through a doorway right behind Peppy.

La'Jakob looked behind the crates to find a small wolf girl in a yellow dress standing in the corner, crying gently. His face softened at the sight as he squatted behind her. The girl stopped sobbing and turned, immediately gasping in fright.

The human smiled, almost naively "Hello there."

"D…don't hurt me, mister hyoo-man," the girl squeaked as she backed up against the wall, causing Jakob to lose his smile, "I…I was j…just standing here…"

Jakob mentally slapped his forehead and cursed at himself. He said, "It is alright. I am not here to hurt you or anyone else here."

"B…but you're an Imperial," the girl stuttered, "And my…daddy always says to stay away from Imperial. They are bad men."

Jakob smiled again at this childish revelation, "And he is absolutely right, little one. But I am not an Imperial…"

He pointed at the T'au symbol on his trenchcoat, the girl immediately glancing at it. She reached forward and gently ran a finger over it, appearing awestruck.

"I am part of the Tau," Jakob said, simplifying who he was so that she could understand clearly, "And we do not wish to hurt anyone who is not human. We wish to protect them from the evil Imperium."

The little girl calmed down a bit, "R…really?"

"I have no reason to lie to you."

The girl nodded and smiled, before it quickly faded. Jakob looked concerned, "Why are doing here in such a place reserved for adults?"

The girl rubbed her shoulder and stared at the floor, "I was…trying to find my daddy. He's a soldier, and I thought he would be around here. Mommy said not to leaver her…but I wanted to see daddy."

She then teared up again.

"And now I'm…lost."

Jakob reached forward and caressed her cheek, wiping some of her tears away with her thumb, "You are in luck, little one. Do you wish for me to reunite you with your mother?"

The little girl's eyes brightened at the offer. She shouted happily, "Yes!"

La'Jakob cringed at the volume of the girl's voice, before standing up and taking the little girl's hand in his, "Well, first we have to get out of this place. And you will have to help me guide us. Can you do that?"

The little girl nodded and said, "I'll try Mr…er…"

"Jakob."

"Jakob," the girl said that name herself, trying to familiarise her lips to it, "That's a strange name."

"How do I know yours isn't stranger?"

The girl frowned, "Nina isn't a strange name."

Now grinning, Jakob responded, "No, it's not. Let's go."

Fox was practically beaming when he and the team stepped back on board the Great Fox II, finding themselves down the passage that connected the airlock to the main hallway through the ship, and which led to the main bridge. Jacques kept to the back, observing and silently familiarising himself once again with the décor of the Great Fox. Falco glanced behind his shoulder and noticed his eyes wandering around himself.

He smirked, "You missed being crammed in this tub instead of stretching out on your flying castle?"

Unamused, Jacques responded, "This is what kept me and the gene-seed intact for three months, Falco."

Falco shook his head and chuckled, "Nice to have you back on the team, then."

Fox looked over at Krystal by his side, who smiled back at him, "What is it, Fox?"

The vulpine stretched his arms behind his head, "I didn't think the Tau would mend the Great Fox this quickly, or even this good. Everything looks good as new."

They walked into the bridge, where they found it to be just as they left it when the Great Fox II crashed landed on Titania. Originally it had been completely flattened when the ship crashed head first into the sand back on that Death World, but now it has been completely, with even the computer systems back online. ROB immediately stepped over towards his usual place in the bridge beside the hologram generator and console. Slippy whistled sharply, hands on his hands.

"You stand corrected, Fox," Slippy smiled.

ROB placed hand on the console's keyboard and begun typing with one hand.

"All systems have been repaired and online, just as the Earth Caste had said," ROB reported, "Engines are one-hundred percent functional, weapons systems engaged and standing by, shield generators are at maximum…"

"In short the blueskins are good for something after all," Falco chided, stepping forward so that all could see him. He cracked his knuckles and stretched his arms, "Well…I plan to put my hour to good use. A shower and a new set of clothes have my name stitched into them."

Slippy waved his hand before his nose, "Yeah, I've noticed the air smells bad here."

Falco narrowed his eyes, "So have I. Outta the way…!"

Katt smirked sexily, "Mind if I join you?"

Falco suppressed a blush, but smiled, "In public, Katt?"

They pushed past Fox, Krystal, Slippy and Jacques and disappeared down the hallway. Krystal couldn't help but smile lightly.

"I don't think they will be letting each other out of one another's sights for a long time," she stated, "I just know it."

Jacques smiled lightly as well, "So do I."

Fox simply shrugged and stepped over towards his command chair, saying, "Alright, we've got an hour to remember we're dignified living beings, so get to it."

Knowing he meant that they all needed a nice hot shower, clean clothes and a bite to eat, Krystal noticed he was sitting down in his chair on the bridge. She asked concerned, "What about you?"

"I need to sort some things out," Fox responded, "See you all when I see you."

Krystal was no doubt confused. She then felt Jacques' hand on her shoulder.

"Leave him be, Krystal. What Peppy told him earlier, no doubt it will heavy on his mind."

Krystal nodded lightly and sighed, "No doubt at all."

The vixen exited the bridge and went to her room, leaving Jacques and Slippy standing in the doorway. Slippy turned to the Grey Knight.

"What're are you going to do?" Slippy asked.

Jacques looked down the hallway and door leading into large unused supply room that used to be his own personal quarters. He replied in an emotionless tone, "I left my War Journal and my Codex here."

Without another word he left as well. Slippy shrugged and went straight to his room as well, leaving Fox alone and sitting in his chair on the bridge with his thoughts. The vulpine leaned back into his chair and looked out the main window, seeing the hangar and Cornerian support crews passing by on the elevated gangwalks, tending to both the Great Fox and the Infinity. Many of the Tau Air Caste personnel advising and directing the support crews as to how to tend to their Explorer-vessel.

He wasn't concerned about the Tau's presence among them as much as the Imperium. But what really concerned him about the mysterious bluekins was that Aun'shi, O'Shovah and the Ultramarines had nonchalantly mentioned James McCloud's involvement with them nearly thirty-seven years ago. James McCloud…his father. Peppy had promised to talk to him in private regarding his father and the Tau, and Fox somehow felt nervous about the fact that the McCloud family has had dealings with the neighbouring galaxy before last year.

"What are you hiding from me, Peppy?" Fox whispered to himself, "It's like I don't know who my own old man really was."

Krystal sighed pleasantly as she stripped herself of her blue bodysuit and tossed it nonchalantly to the corner of the bathroom, the slight cold air making her fur stand on end as she reached towards the shower's taps and turned the hot water on slightly. She let it run for a while as she removed her tiara from her forward and put it to the side, before she ran the cold water so that it would be warm, not scalding. She then thanked the gods as she stepped into and let the running water soak her, ridding her of nearly two days worth of sand, dirt and bolter residue as well as the smell of blood and her own sweat.

She picked up a bar of soap and begun lathering herself all over – Starting with her stomach up to her breasts then to her back, all the while thinking about what was happening outside the steel walls of the Great Fox. No doubt by now that the Imperials Sturnn, Plymouth, Nero and their bodyguards would have arrived by now in a separate hangar and were being escorted to the central command by Cornerian and Venomians with hate in their eyes. And that would be the same kind of hate humanity has displayed towards the Lylatians, or furries as they often 'affectionately' called.

As she got started on washing her hair with lavender scented shampoo she thought about the subject of hate, and how there was so much of it in the universe. Hate was what made up one of the virtues of the Dark God Khorne. And the Imperium in their eternal war against the malevolence of the Immaterium fought against him, all the while displaying every shade of hatred there is towards anyone non-humans and towards themselves, and this was another sign of their hypocrisy. She prayed that Jacques does not bring himself to hate as well, even against the enemy, fearing that he may unwillingly bring himself down to their level. She hoped that no one around her succumbs to hatred, which could be considered dangerous as it may allow Chaos itself into his or her hearts.

As for herself, she could never bring herself show hatred to anyone, even against the False Chaos Gods, the Chaos Space Marines and the Despoiler for taking away her homeworld, her people and her family. And for that she was completely beautiful in her mind and soul just as much as she was with her body. She begun to rinse the lather off her furry body, all the while still thinking.

'I have to know for sure,' she reasoned to herself, 'If Jacques is incapable of hate.'

Falco looked at his own naked form in the mirror, feeling completely refreshed from his round in the shower. He ran his own beak up his arm feathers and inhaled, before exhaling pleasantly, pleased that he was finally clean. A equally negligee and still slightly wet Katt snuck up behind him and clung to his back, smiling as she playfully teased him by hiding herself from view

The avian winced and cringed gently as he felt her left arm caress his belly, his feathers nearly sticking on end, "You enjoy tormenting me, don't you kitty?"

Katt's smirked widened, "You know you like it, beak-man."

Falco spun around and gently pushed her into the corner, wrapping her arms around her waist and holding her close. Katt blushed bright red at this sudden bodily contact from her avian lover. Now it was Falco's turn to smile, and quite nastily as well due to the expressions of his kindred feline.

"Do I?"

Their faces inched towards one another, feeling each other's breath on their face. Katt mover her legs around Falco's torso as he hoisted her up gently against the wall. She then devoured him in with a mind-blowing passionate kiss, wrapping her arms around his beck. After a good ten seconds they stopped for breath, with Katt whispering into her bird's ear.

"You tell me."

Slippy was whistling to himself as he put on a spare yellow jumpsuit, which complimented his red cap, and a manilla coloured belt around his waist. He was glad he left some of his clothing and personal effects on the Great Fox when he had left for the Beltino Station. He stepped over towards his cabinet and opened it, revealing a whole array of gadgets stashed in a brown cardboard box, all of which had collected a fair bit of dust.

'Good thing Falco doesn't know the street value of these babies,' he thought as he reached forward, 'Now let's see…Personal Data Assistant, check! Multitool, check! Communicator, check! Screwdriver …eh?'

He realised the screwdriver he held in his hand was that screwdriver. The same on that Jacques had used to brain a Venomian soldier when he first came onto the Great Fox. Slippy stared at it for a while, trying to figure why he wasn't recoiling in disgust or opening his hand to let the tool drop to the floor. He narrowed his eyes and exhaled in annoyance, before attaching it to his belt.

"Check!"

He then looked at himself in the mirror, seeing a seemingly organised green frog staring back at him. There he noticed something was missing.

"I need a weapon."

His eyes widened when he realised he kept one of Jacques' laspistols in his clothes drawer. He skidded over towards his clothes drawer and opened his underwear draw, reaching in and pulling out an orange-coloured laspistol and attached it to his belt behind his back. He then turned towards the mirror and pretended to get into a combat stance.

"Yah!"

He then reached behind him and produced his laspistol and aimed it at the mirror with both hands, where he pretended to fire…

"BZZZ!"

…just when his now loose belt fell down to his legs, and when he awkwardly tried to move he fell over forward and onto his face, still clutching his laspistol. He groaned out loud as he pushed himself up back onto his feet, looking and feeling stupid.

'Glad no one saw that,' he thought as he straightened his belt, 'Falco would make sure we never hear the end of it. And Jacques…'

He looked at his laspistol and cringed.

'I hope he didn't mind me swiping one of his guns. Compared to his other heavy ordinance, this is just a peashooter.'

Jacques frowned as he stood in his room, arms crossed and facing the flag of Ultramar on his bedroom wall, having inadvertently heard Slippy's thought while he was trying to collect himself.

'I should have known I was missing a laspistol the last time I did an inventory on the armoury,' he thought, slightly irritated, 'That backward frog…that las weapon will not be much good against a Noise Marine or a Bloodletter.'

Jacques shook his head gently as he focused back on the blue flag with omega symbol crossing over a human skull. Ever since he had been actively utilising his psychic gifts he had tried to focus a lot harder. Not only because he had to regulate the power that coursed through him bodily systems that also found it's way through his armour and through his weapons, but also to ward off any malevolent beings that traversed the Immaterium that could use him as a gateway into the material universe. That would put all those around him in danger, especially during battle.

The Grey Knight wished he could utilise power the same way Krystal could, and indeed how the ancient Cerinians did during their war against Dark Cerinia. They had used the seemingly obsolete elements of nature – Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind– as their sources of the power, using them in junction with their own bodily energies to cast power and spells equal to the Warp – which they referred to as the Void. And only the Dark Cerinians had wielded the 'Void' during the Cerinia Conflict.

His reason for wanting to do so was that he didn't want to expose himself to the Warp, knowing that it also had the power to taint those who didn't have the strength of will. Jacques was continually worried that one day his strength may fade and his soul would be taken, leaving only a inevitably mutated, Chaos-ridden husk, that would immediately go after those closest to him, and especially Krystal.

Jacques closed his eyes, trying not to think about whatever terrible fate could befall the blue vixen too much as he walked over to his desk and opened a nearby drawer. He reached in and pulled out both his War Journal and his copy of the Codex Astartes, the sacred set of rules the Emperor's Chosen had to abide by and memorise. He saw that they had been collecting dust, a sign that Star Fox hadn't thought of touching them. But Jacques then noticed that they didn't have a problem keeping the rest of his room spotless.

He smiled, 'Like a shrine. A memento to when I was here. Whoever had the idea to keep this room clean…?'

Jacques smile faded when Krystal came into mind, causing him to place his hand to the side of his head and frown as he tried not to think about her again. Ever since last year he had been thinking a lot about her adoptive sister, with almost every waking moment he had wondered how she was doing back in Lylat, hoping that she would be safe, that Fox would protect her, that she would be all right without him. The times he was allowed to sleep for a couple of hours in the barracks on Macragge he would always dream about her, and would unknowingly reach for his necklace, her gift to him, while he slept.

He thought of her so much that it was beginning to disturb him.

'I think about her during battle, when I should be thinking about to bring down my enemy. I think about her during peacetime when I am training. I think about her in my sleep, when dreaming should rarely be impossible for the Astartes,' he deduced in his mind, 'And I…regret my last words to her before I left with Lord Macragge.'

'You have shown me that you can protect yourself far more than I ever could. And you have Fox to defend you if you are unable to. You must understand this.'

He closed his eyes tightly.

'Why do I think so much about her? She is not frail…she can protect herself when I am not around. She is broad-minded and capable, yet I still dread for her. Why is it that I think about her this much?'

He opened his eyes and downcast them.

'What is it about her to make me think like this?'

Krystal stepped out her room, fully dressed in totally new attire. She was now dressed in military-grade khaki-brown pants with several pockets, a black shirt and a khaki-brown vest. She knew this wasn't as extravagant as her blue flight suit, but fashion plays no part on the battlefield. Her blaster was holstered to her side while her staff was in a sheath on her back.

She headed to the bridge, wanting to check up on Fox, and to see if he had budged from his 'thinking position' all this time. She traversed the hallway and stepped into the bridge, nevertheless finding the vulpine was still seated near the holo-projector. Krystal sighed…

"Fox?"

…and caught Fox's attention, who's eyes widened for a second, seeing her dressed totally different.

"Krystal," he smiled lightly, "Are you all set?"

The vixen narrowed her eyes, almost smelling his sweat from the doorway, "I should be asking you that."

Fox sighed and got up from his chair, straightening his pants, "Sorry. I just needed to sort myself out. What we've seen these last couple of days would have been Jacques' entire life as a Space Marine"

Krystal stepped forward, her face softened, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Fox scratched the back of his dirty head confusingly as she stood before Krystal, "I…I don't really know what to talk about. I don't know what to say. This is all messed up."

"What is?"

Fox looked at he as if she was crazy, "Everything! For example the thought that my father is somehow involved in all this, maybe even from the beginning with the Chaos Space Marine finding itself in this system."

"We don't know that," Krystal tried to assure him, "Aun'shi and O'Shovah could be mistaken."

Fox looked glum, "But definitely not Peppy, unless senility hits you at fifty-one. He's probably kept something from me for years, and it's pissing me that's it's only now we're about to go to war he's decided to open his mouth. And of all people it's about my father."

He chuckled sadly.

"And I thought I knew everything about James McCloud, AKA my father."

Krystal didn't know what to say. Never has Fox ever poured his own heart out like this about his father, a topic that rare in conversation between vulpine and vixen. Fox looked into her eyes and saw confusion, not to mention sadness welling within them.

"I'm sorry," he added almost ashamedly, "I must sound so god-awful depressing right now."

Krystal shook her head and smiled lightly, "No, you don't. Whatever Peppy wants to say to you, I'm sure he will mention how should have told you sooner. It's not like Peppy to keep secrets from any of us, and this would also be hard for him."

As she moved to hug him Fox stopped her, stepping back some. Krystal almost gasped lightly, shocked.

He smiled embarrassingly and blushed, "I haven't showered, remember."

Krystal sighed with relief and stepped forward, hugging him gently anyway, much to Fox's dismay. They stayed that way for about a minute, before Fox gently pried her off him and kissed her forehead gently.

"I'm gonna go clean up now," Fox said softly, "Don't wait up."

The vulpine then passed by Krystal to his room, leaving her once again alone. Krystal sighed almost sadly, believing her interaction with Fox wasn't exactly what she had in mind. She wanted him to pour his heart out and to confide in her, but not to get up and abruptly leave like that. She looked down at herself, then turned to head to see Jacques door at the other end of the hallway.

She frowned, before putting one foot in front of the other all the way towards Jacques' door.