Disclaimer: This stuff I'm writing doesn't belong to me, but I'll never say no to gifts anyone decides to buy me! ;-)

Chapter 5: Responsibility

"Slippy is really dead?"

"For the fifth time General Peppy, yes."

"This is just such a shock. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if you had let me send backup-"

"It doesn't matter!" Fox growled, "Slippy's dead and whether you helped or not doesn't really matter now, does it? Star Wolf has gone too far, and we have to act now if they are to pay for their actions."

"Fox," General Peppy said, "you need to focus on the task at hand. The-"

"The task at hand is to avenge Slippy's death or die trying!"

"Fox!" General Peppy said sternly, "Your responsibility to Corneria is to make sure that Star Wolf is captured, or in very least that the parts are given back, understand? Slippy would agree with me, I know it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I was worried about you and Falco fighting alone, so I contacted Slippy to help you, as you already know. When he agreed, he told me that if he died, to tell you it was necessary. He even told his wife and family to not expect him to return. I'm sorry Fox, I should have told you earlier, but I didn't really believe he would be defeated. I've just been living in the past for a long time. It never seemed possible that. . ." Peppy couldn't finish the rest of his sentence.

Fox was choking back a sob. "So he knew. He knew he would die."

Peppy nodded, silently weeping, but doing his best to conceal it.

Falco, who was watching the conversation, stepped forward. "He was a good man, Fox. He sacrificed himself and his family to help us. You know we'll never forget that."

Fox nodded. After a few minutes of pulling himself back together, he said, "We should start right away with the operations. Star Wolf won't stay around for long, they committed a federal crime. Your right General Peppy, it's my duty to make sure the Lylat system is safe."

General Peppy beamed, "And I'm sure Slippy would agree with you."

"What about Krystal?" Falco asked,

"I'll deal with my personal problems later. Right now we need to focus on the mission we were assigned." And without another word, Fox and Falco turned off the monitor and left the bridge of the ship.

Back in Corneria, Peppy sat down behind his desk and sighed, "I just hope those two don't try anything stupid."

Author's Note: Once again, I apologize for the short chapter. I'm just running out of ideas right now. You're welcome to give me suggestions as to how this story progresses.