A/N: Sorry that this chapter took an eternity to write! School has been beaming down on me so I couldn't really write, but now that it's over I can really start destroying that post chapter button! Enjoy!
3. The Great Falcon
Far away from Corneria, on the edge of the Lylat system, two Cornerian Cruisers were conducting a routine patrol. On the bridge of the lead ship, Captain Gerald Dimitri, a light brown canine, sat in his silver chair and eyed the proximity radar on a monitor that extended from the right side of his seat. "Lieutenant Song, where is the navigation buoy we were supposed to rendezvous with?", the captain said as he turned his body to view the attractive and snow white canine that stood at a station behind him. "I don't know captain, you are right that it isn't showing up on radar, but these are the correct coordinates for it. It should be here", her voice carried a heavy English accent. Gerald stood up and walked over to large and thick glass shield that lay between the bridge and space, his hands behind his back. "Sir, I'm picking up something. It's a lot larger than a regular navigation buoy", a young fox named Pickard Jeremiah informed the captain. "Put it on-screen", the captain only turned about half-way, just enough so he can see the Ensign, and he turned back to face the shield. The image that appeared on the shield brought out a a mix of gasps and moans. "What... is that", the captain asked as he stared directly at the image. Shown on the view-screen was a large ship about the same size as their own. The main body was a solid black with red stripes and it had several protruding black antennas. "Unknown sir, that class of ship isn't showing up in the database", a female canine responded. "Open a communication channel with that ship", the captain said as he turned and walked back over to his seat. "Yes sir, opening communications channel now", Lieutenant Song said as she pressed a series of buttons and panels in front of her on the station. "Unknown vessel, this is the Cornerian Cruiser Santorum, you have entered a restricted space. Please present the proper identification or leave this area immediately.", the captain presented as he sat down, now gazing upon the vessel through the large glass shield. They waited for several minutes, but the ghostly black ship did not return communication. The captain repeated his message, but still to no avail. Everyone on the bridge held their breath as both ships glared right back at the other.
Fox could not believe what he was seeing, he had never gazed upon such a large and stunning ship. Every corridor was a sleek steel color and the green light strips that shined from the ceiling reflected off the floors beautifully. There were a great many rooms around the ship, most of which were bare. Fox didn't understand why such a gigantic ship would be made for such a small crew of twelve individuals. He could only see this as a symbol of the financial prowess of Star Falco.
"Man, you guys seriously over did it with this", Fox's voice echoed of the walls and the great glass shield of the bridge. "Nah Foxy, this baby is perfect for us", Katt teased as she laid her hand on the side of one of the two top workstations of the bridge, which silently stood over the remaining three below them. Fox chuckled at Katt's remark, and Falco slightly nudged him. "Fox was sleeping like a baby while we were on our way here, snorin' and everything", Falco laughed at his own comment as he was nudged back by Fox, "I do not snore", Fox retorted and caused the group to laugh. The laughter faded away soon and was replaced by slight smiles. It had been so long since they all had a good laugh, with all the work being done. Fox had continued racing in the grand Lylat Prix, and the members of Star Falco had missions of all sorts to complete. Dash sighed and walked over and sat in a chair in front of a workstation. "These days, I don't really get time to hang out with old friends anymore. So much work has to be done by me as emperor, having to attend press conferences every other day, parades, senate gatherings, and a ton of calls. Oh, and did I mention the very little privacy I get despite living in the biggest mansion in Lylat", Dash sat up and sighed. "I just wish we were all still living in the old days". Fox nodded at the last comment, it had been so long since he had flown out in space without the confines of a raceway. "Yeah, just thinking about the days back when I was still in the academy and when I looked up to the great and legendary Star Fox team gives me a feeling of nostalgia so great. I can't even describe it", Dash looked over the faces of his companions, they all were deep in their own thoughts about the past. Fox however, noticed something in what Dash said that put him on edge. '...Star...Fox...', he thought to himself. It was such a distant memory, like something out of a dream. Fox sighed and squeezed his neck to wake him up before he could continue to think of his past life even more. "You alright Fox?", Falco asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. Can I go...take a shower?"
"Sure, head down to the floor below this one, first door on the left is your room", Falco grinned and put his hand on his old comrades shoulder. Fox smiled back and nodded, then slowly took his leave.
Fox followed what Falco had told him, going down to the floor below the bridge and taking the first door on his left. To the side of the door sat a blue glass slate with the name "Fox McCloud" displayed. Fox sighed as he pressed a thin green button, the door opened and he disappeared inside.
Captain Dimitri and the crew of his ship and its follower were still engaged in the staring contest with the salient black and red vessel. Two against one seems like good odds, but the opposite vessel had not shown what it can do. Gerald was beginning to lose his patience with the ship ahead, it had already halted the patrol and it sat in now identified debris of a military navigation buoy. "Hail the vessel again", the captain stood out of his chair and glared out at the ship. "Communications channel open, sir", a female canine reported. "Unknown vessel, this is a military patrol by the vessels Santorum and Rakshasa. You are interfering with this operation and are not responding to hails. If you continue to disobey our command to respond, we will be forced to open fire upon your ship", the captains tone was dark and serious, but once again the ship did not respond.
"Rakshasa, give them a warning shot", he turned to another canine whom nodded. Outside, the other gleaming silver ship lit up as a single streak of bright blue light propelled from its side and buzzed past the Santorum. As the streak of blue continued to slice through space, it suddenly exploded into a small combustion of blue plasma. The opposing ships hull had not been hit, instead a transparent, red-colored shield had been, but no damage was seen to have been caused. Gerald frowned, "unknown vessel, that was a warning shot, do not drive us to use lethal force! We order you to tell us who you are and wh-", Gerald was cut short by the sudden charging and firing of a large and blindingly bright blood-red streak that grazed past the Santorum and straight into the Rakshasa, causing a massive incendiary explosion around the outer hull and disabling the shields of the ship.
The bright white and blue lights of the bridge of the Rakshasa were replaced with red warning lights and the raving of alarms. The captain of the Rakshasa, Yatamin Sentura, an older tan colored Canine, had grasped the sides of his large command chair. The explosion had really rocked the ship. "Hail the Santorum", Captain Yatamin commanded with a booming voice. "Yes, sir", a softer male voice responded, "channel open sir". The Captain relinquished his chair and stood to face the new enemy. "Santorum, or shields are down! If we take another hit like that I don't we wi-", Yatamin was cut off as and even more violent shake tossed him over to his side like a rag doll, the great sound of metal crashing and air rushing echoed and trembled through the floor. Yatamin struggled to stand, his entire torso was pinned beneath a heavy support beam that had collapsed from above him. He could hear several members of the crew shouting and yelling at each other yet he could see none, had everyone on the bridge died? Were they trying to get in? The captain tried once more to lift his body but to no avail. "Captain Yatamin! Can you hear me", Captain Dimitri was shouting over the fading communications link. "D-Dimitri", Yatamin struggled to say. "Captain! Are you okay?", Dimitri's voice was overshadowed by static, causing him to sound mechanic. Yatamin breathed heavily, "Dimitri, you need to get you and your crew out of here".
"No! We will not abandon our own", Gerald shouted. "Then you will die like fools", Captain Yatamin yelled then coughed coarsely before continuing in a lighter tone. "You have to get out of here and head for Corneria. You have to warn them about this". Yatamin slowly closed his eyes as another explosion rocked the ship, he knew he wasn't going to last much longer.
"Captain! We need to go before that ship targets us", Lieutenant Song proclaimed suddenly, causing Gerald to sigh and close his eyes, "Song...Get us out of here".
"Roger that, sir", she said and proceeded to tap her workstation screen. Captain Dimitri returned to his commanding seat and prepared for the for the journey back to Corneria. "I'm sorry, Captain Yatamin", Gerald apologized before pressing a button beside him which ended the communications link.
Yatamin opened his eyes to gaze upon the silhouette of the Santorum as it silently glided out of view. He knew that they made the right decision. Yatamin turned his gaze to the other ship, he could see a red glow emanating from it. It was charging for one last barrage on the Rakshasa. Soon, the red glow discharged and cut through space at a blazing fast speed. Yatamin heard nothing as the streak approached the bridge and cast a blinding red blanket over the bridge.
Gerald and the rest of the crew on the Santorum watched a large video-screen in horror as a large explosion was seen engulfing the bridge, followed by several smaller implosions along the hull of the ship and finally the massive explosion of the ships fusion core. The light of the explosion was blinding on the video-screen and it even cast itself upon the silver alloy hull of the Santorum. Soon however, the light faded away and Gerald cut off the video feed. He laid back in his chair and sighed. The terrifying new enemy had not fired a single shot since it destroyed the Rakshasa, it just stood watch over its ruins. Fading into the background of space as the Santorum took its leave.
In Fox' room, the majority of the lights were off and the only sound came from the rushing water from the shower-head in the bathroom. Fox held one arm against the front wall, letting the water run down his back. His soft orange fur blended in with the somewhat dim orange lights in the ceiling above him. Fox was caught in deep thought, his mind was focused on something that sounded so distant now. The Star Fox Mercenary Squadron. It had been a long time since he remembered those days, back when he was a hero and a savior to the people of Lylat and almost every child gazed up at him as a role model. However, those days had long since faded away.
Fox brushed back the damp fur on top of his head and sighed. He reached for a small panel on the wall and pressed it, and suddenly the water stopped flowing. Fox stood up and closed his eyes and listened to the sound of water dripping from his fur, the droplets making soft sploshing sounds beneath him as the remaining water drained from the shower. He then pressed the panel beside him again, instead of water however a wave of heat came from multiple directions. Fox moved his hands through the fur, letting the hot air dry him. His thought of a previous life faded away as the heat subsided and he exited the bathroom. Fox slipped on a pair of black pants with a white tee shirt and his own dark brown racing jacket. He felt better now that he'd changed his clothes.
Suddenly, the door tone rang and caused Fox to jump a little, the door opened and Falco peered in, "Fox! I think you may want to come check this out!". Fox gazed at Falco, he looked worried. "Okay, let's go", Fox said and they both walked down the hall back towards the bridge.