Chapter Fourteen

Inconvenient Location

"Eladard? What in blazes is it doing there?" Pepper looked at his aide with wide eyed astonishment.

"I don't know sir," the aide, a young bulldog, shook his head. "Intel is still working on that. But they wanted to let you know as soon as they had a location."

Pepper grunted. Military Intelligence was, in his opinion, one of the greatest oxymorons of the modern military establishment. Sometimes he doubted the analysts they employed knew the difference between an ass and elbow. "Thank you Bradson," Pepper said, looking at his aide. "Dismissed."

"Sir." Bradson snapped off a salute and then left the hound's office. The door clicked shut behind him.

Pepper stood up and walked over to the small, locked cabinet in his office. Taking the key from his pocket he turned it in the lock and pulled out a bottle of brownish liquid. If this report was accurate, and despite his feelings about Military Intelligence it probably was, things had just gotten a lot more complicated. Pouring himself two fingers of the aged whiskey, Pepper sat back down at his desk and took a sip, letting the burn travel down his throat, calming any emerging nerves. As his father had told him, the best thing to do when things got complicated was to sit back, pour yourself something, and think about it.

The Lylat Federation and the Eladardian Republic, despite sharing the same two suns, shared very little else in common. Eladard was ruled by corporations, with its civilian government little more than a front for powerful interests like the Marcross Consortium. The military wasn't much more independant, frequently finding itself in conflicts and deployments ostensibly related to Eladardian security, but more often linked to matters of debt collection and patent enforcement. Which means, if it's on Eladard, the government can probably be counted out. Whoever is behind this will have kept them in the dark about it.

Pepper could think of more than a few organizations on Eladard that would enjoy getting their hands on the Arwing, from corporate groups and their political backers, to rebels and terrorists fighting against what they knew was a corrupt government. Eladardian allies of the Anglar Empire on Venom might, if they thought it in their interest, attempt a theft to then share the information with the Anglars, Eladard's primary ally. But, once again, that would imply that the Eladardian government had something to do with the theft, and it just didn't seem in character for them to do something like that on their own initiative. Besides, the current Anglar Emperor is an isolationist, so I doubt he would want to get involved with something like this.

Business wise there was really only one viable candidate: Marcross Space Technologies. Eladard, if it had any true claim to fame, had it because of the technologies that MST had invented over the years. Their invention of the I-diffuser, centuries ago, had revolutionized space travel. It had unlocked speeds that made interplanetary travel a matter of days when it was first invented, and with refinements made since a ship could feasibly travel from Corneria to, say, Fortuna in a matter of hours. Still though, they're the dominant force for military production for both Eladard and Venom. The Arwing wouldn't change that. Unless...

The G-diffuser. It made sense as Pepper thought about it, taking another sip of his whiskey. That invention had the potential to not only revolutionize space manufacturing and travel, but also to relegate the I-diffuser to a single chapter in a history of engineering textbook. If Space Dynamics

proved that the G-diffuser truly worked, it would only be a matter of time before the company dominated the realm of space manufacturing. Would they go that far though?

Terrorist groups were one other possibility. Pepper could name a dozen offhand that would have wanted to try and pull something like this off. Wanting to and being able to, however, were two entirely different things. The only organization that might have had the capacity to do so was Simian Sunrise, but they were based on Fortuna, and had no known ties to anyone on Eladard. Which leaves me with MST. And with the more basic problem: it's on Eladard.

Pepper rubbed his forehead in frustration. If it had been on a Federation world this all would have been so much simpler. BR-558, despite the debacle that had turned out to be, had been nothing in comparison to this situation. Crespo had been a Federation company, technically under the government's jurisdiction, even if it was made indirect by Meteo's neutrality. Eladard was its own sovereign planet. Any attempt at a military operation would come with severe diplomatic headaches, and would need to be signed off on by the President. And considering we're in the middle of an election cycle that's giving him hell I doubt Farris will be interested in doing anything that would make his life any more difficult.

With a gulp Pepper finished his drink. He looked out his window and sighed. The suns had gone down. It was late. He had gone off duty hours ago. By all rights he should be back in his apartment, eating dinner and unbuttoning his uniform. Well, where's the fun in that?

Tapping the comm panel on his desk he said, "Get me Argus Phoenix, on the double."

Argus could feel his stress begin to melt away with the bubbles of the hot tub at the top of his apartment building. It was a beautiful night out, cool but not cold, and with a gentle breeze coming in from the ocean, carrying with it the scent of salt and clean water. Even so, Argus knew he wouldn't be able to relax completely until his Arwing was retrieved, and the bungled attempt on BR-558 had left him feeling somewhat dejected. Of course it isn't Star Fox's fault Crespo decided to stage a crackdown.

No, James McCloud and his team were not the ones Argus found himself frustrated with. Rather it was Pepper and the Federation military. He had signed off on their plan, but in retrospect he probably shouldn't have. It had had all the hallmarks of a disaster waiting to happen. They'd needed subtlety, but instead they'd gone in with a blatant show of force. And, in doing so, they had seriously underestimated both the pirates they had been chasing, and whoever was truly behind the Arwing's theft. Because I refuse to believe it was a simple act of piracy. Especially since the tracking signal is no longer working.

Then again, the tracking signal could still have been working, even if it hadn't been detected anywhere inside the Federation. A few of the analysts he'd spoken to had floated the idea that it might be somewhere outside the system, but Argus doubted that. More likely it was squirreled away in one of the gas clouds orbiting Solar, all of which were under the control of either the Anglars or the Eladardians. Because of this the Federation was reluctant to point the kinds of high intensity scanners they would need to pick up the Arwing's unique radiolytic signature at them, for fear of triggering a diplomatic incident. Ascended forbid it's actually on Venom or Eladard.

Once they managed to pick up the Arwing's trail again, because he couldn't bear to think of it as anything other than certain, Argus intended to keep the military, and every Federation agency in the system as far away from the retrieval mission as possible. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Only this time it's more 'fail me once...'

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Argus opened his eyes and smiled at the owner of the soft, feminine voice. "Darla. Please." Argus waved for her to join him in the water, grateful for the interruption to a thought process he'd been having over and over for the past seven days.

The black furred poodle stepped into the water, gasping momentarily at the heat before sinking down to her chin. "You look troubled."

"Is it that obvious?" Argus asked, a hint of a smile playing across his muzzle. Darla Roussel was an executive at Corneria Geothermal, a power company servicing a number of communities across the planet, as well as military installations in the volcanic regions of the planet. They maintained their headquarters here in Corneria City, like most of the big companies in the more northern regions of Corneria.

"I make it a point to pay attention to the subtle physical cues people can't control," Darla said, smiling and showing off a set of glimmering, healthy teeth and gums. "It helps in negotiation."

"Mmm." Argus looked at her, tilting his head back down and away from the pitifully few stars in the sky. "If you're smart enough to do that, I'm sure you know why I'm troubled."

"Your prototype?" Darla guessed.

"Mmhmm."

"Anything you can talk about?" the poodle asked, an interested glimmer in her eyes.

"Not really." Argus shook his head. "I wish I could. But until all this is settled..."

"I understand."

The two of them were silent for a few minutes. Argus enjoyed Darla's company. He'd never felt anything romantic towards her, though he would admit to finding her quite attractive. And besides, she wasn't the only one who could read subtle signs. Or not so subtle. Both of the other hot tubs up here are empty.

"I saw that interview you did. I was a little surprised. You don't usually do that sort of thing," Darla said, breaking the quiet between them.

"It was a favor for a friend," Argus told her. "I'm sure you know who." He smiled again at her, shifting around to close some of the distance between them, signaling his interest as he made eye contact.

Darla favored him with another smile of her own, their eyes meeting. Argus could feel the subtle crackle of electricity that told him his interest was appreciated, and that she was more than willing. "If I don't, I'm sure I can figure it out."

"I'm sure you could too," Argus responded. "Tell me something?"

"Sure."

"Any reason you decided to come to the hot tub tonight?"

Darla blushed a little, and Argus felt a rush of excitement as she scooted right next to him. "To tell you the truth? I didn't have a reason. Just thought I might get...lucky."

Argus grinned and put an arm around her. She settled into him with a happy little noise. "Well, did you?"

Darla was about to answer when Argus' phone started buzzing. He squeezed his eyes shut and pursed his lips, holding back the urge to pick up the phone and throw it into the water. He hadn't had an opportunity like this in months. Darla, however, didn't seem put off in the slightest. Sitting up she brushed her lips against one of his oversized ears and said, "Go ahead. I don't mind."

Nodding he picked up the phone and frowned when he saw the letters C.P. on the screen. Tapping the answer button he held it to his ear and said, "Yes?"

"Argus. I just got word about that package that got misdirected."

The fennec sat bolt upright. "Where is it?"

"I'd rather not discuss it over the phone."

"You know my phone is fine," Argus said, a bit of frustration seeping into his voice. His phone was probably more secure than the President's, and he didn't have the time or the inclination for cloak and dagger games.

"Even so. I'm at my office, if it isn't inconvenient."

Sucking in a frustrated breath he glanced at Darla, sitting there, nodding in understanding. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." He didn't bother waiting for Pepper to respond before ending the call. Argus turned to the poodle sharing the hot water with him. "Sorry. You know how it is."

"Of course. I understand," Darla replied. "Go do whatever you need to do."

"Thanks."

Argus stood up and started to climb out of the hot tub. Just as he was setting foot on cool pavement, Darla said to him, "You know my apartment number?"

He stopped and looked back at her. "2007."

She smiled and gave him a look that could have melted tritanium alloy. "Just knock. My door's always open for you."

"I will. See you around," Argus said, tail wagging behind him. This had better be worth it Pepper.

"It's on Eladard," Pepper said as soon as Argus stormed into his office, looking like he was about to chew out the Colonel and anyone else within five hundred meters.

The fennec froze in his tracks at the name of the planet. Since the debacle at BR-558 Argus had been mentally classifying all the planets the Arwing could end up on in terms of the headache they would cause. Eladard had been at the very top of the list.

The door clicked shut behind him and Argus sagged against it, his anger and frustration replaced with exhaustion."Eladard. Of course. It all makes perfect sense now."

"Industrial espionage," Pepper said, looking grim and somewhat dyspeptic.

"Yes. MST. I just never thought they'd be bold enough to try and pull something like this," Argus told the hound, rubbing his muzzle with one hand. Edgar Marcross. Bastard.

Pepper looked considerate for a moment, hands clasped in his lap at he stared down at his desk. When he looked up Argus knew what he was going to say, "I can't be involved in this. Neither can the Federation government."

You have no idea what a relief that is, Argus thought to himself. What he said instead was, "I understand. You also know that I'm not going to let this go. I need that prototype back."

"Yes. I know." Pepper nodded, setting a hand on his desk and drumming his fingers on the surface.

Silence settled on the office. Argus glanced around for a moment, noting his surroundings. The coffee table had several empty mugs and twice as many paper cups sitting on it. Even if things hadn't gone the hound's or Argus' way in the last week, the fennec could at least appreciate the tireless energy the Colonel brought to his occupation.

Outside the glow of Corneria City lit the room with a soft yellow light, casting shadows across parts of the room. The only other light came from the lamp sitting on Pepper's desk. Very cloak and dagger.

"Whatever you do, I don't want to know anything about it," Pepper said, standing up and unbuttoning the top button of his uniform jacket. It was the closest to being out of uniform Argus thought the hound had ever been. He probably sleeps in the damn thing. Whatever else, you can't question his dedication. "The less I know the better."

"Understood." Argus held out a hand which Pepper took, the two of them exchanging a firm handshake. "Whatever happens, I do appreciate your efforts," Argus said, before adding privately to himself, As futile and counterproductive as they were.

Pepper chuckled mirthlessly and shook his head. "You don't have to lie Argus. The Federation has screwed you over twice now. And I'm partly to blame."

"Well," Argus said, frowning, "I can't exactly argue with that."

"It's hard to argue with the truth." Pepper straightened up. "Good luck Argus."

"Thank you, Pepper," Argus said. "I'll let you know the minute I have it back."

Having said everything that needed to be said Argus turned and walked out of the office, leaving the Colonel and the Federation military behind, and with a firm idea of exactly who he would be calling in the morning. Something tells me Lylat is going to come to rely on them a lot more than even they realize.

Vixy glanced at her watch. Ten more hours. I hate interplanetary transports. Interplanetary travel came in two varieties: Very fast or very slow. If she and Star Fox had hopped aboard their Switch-Wings, which had booster engines for this type of travel, they could have covered the distance from Corneria to Eladard in a little over an hour. Instead, as part of the effort to keep as low a profile as possible, they were flying in on a cruise liner, which, since leaving Corneria ten hours ago was only halfway to its destination. This is infuriating.

With a growl of frustration Vixy hopped out of the one piece of furniture other than a bed in her cabin, a swivel chair in front of a tiny desk, and slapped the door control. The door slid open and Vixy stepped out into the corridor. She looked right, then left, then right again. She could either go down to the mess hall and see if they had any food, or she could visit one of her travel companions. I'm not hungry.

She turned right, counting the doors until she came to the fifth one past her own. She pressed the chime and waited, tapping her foot impatiently. No one answered so she chimed again. Again no answer. With a growl she tapped the open button and smiled as the door slid aside. He hadn't locked it. "James? James you in there?"

The cabin was identical to hers. A twin bed, a swivel chair bolted to the floor, and a tiny desk. Lying on the bed, one arm behind his head, was James McCloud, looking bored, depressed, and full of an almost manic energy at the same time. He'd been like this for the past week, ever since they'd failed to get the Arwing back on the mining asteroid. James McCloud didn't take failure at all well. He had an annoying habit of blaming himself for anything and everything that went wrong in his life. She knew that in the tod's mind everything could have been saved if he'd just done this differently or that more quickly. It was at once endearing and profoundly narcissistic.

"James?" she said, pulling her tail in just in time to dodge the door as it slid shut. "Hello? Papetoon to James McCloud?"

The male fox turned to look at her. He offered a weak smile and said, "Hey Vix. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just bored out of my skull," Vixy said, plopping herself down on the edge of the bed. "We should have taken our Switch-Wings."

"Can't. It would have drawn too much attention," James said, shaking his head. "And the last thing we need is to draw anymore attention than we already have."

Vixy rolled her eyes. She would have felt a lot better if their insertion and exit strategies had involved the fighters, but as it stood they'd be relying on a civilian carrier that Argus had arranged for them to have at their disposal to get the Arwing off of Eladard. A carrier flown by a ROB-series robot, which I'll have to dock with in orbit. "Uh huh. Look, you can stop blaming yourself for what happened on BR-5-whatever-the-fuck. It wasn't your fault."

"I was in charge of the mission," James said, setting his lips in a firm line, his body tensing. "It was my responsibility."

"Oh. Okay." Vixy rolled her eyes again. "I guess that means you called in those Crespo security goons. Or blew the roof off of that hangar and flew the dropship out to the pirate ship. And I suppose you were the one who decided to do a nearly suicidal warp jump in the middle of an asteroid belt."

"What's your point Vixy?" James said, sitting up and glaring at her.

"My point is that you're beating yourself up for something that isn't your fault." Vixy crossed her arms and glared defiantly back at him. "And it's getting really fucking annoying."

"I didn't ask you to come to my cabin you know," James bit back. "If you don't like the company, the door is over there." He pointed towards the door to the corridor.

Vixy growled and stood up, walked one step, then kicked her shoes off. Next came her skirt. Then her shirt. Then bra and panties. Turning around and putting her hands on her hips, she said, "Will you just fuck me so things can go back to normal?"

"What are you talking about?" James asked, his eyes roving up and down her slender body. "This has nothing to do with..."

"Oh yes it does," Vixy interrupted him. She hopped back on the bed and pried his legs apart. "We were between jobs for a week. Argus even paid us despite what happened."

"Not the full amount," James mumbled, looking dangerously self-pitying.

Vixy's eyes spat venom at him. "You got paid. A lot. And you had a week off. Besides, you were the one who told him you didn't feel comfortable taking the full amount even though he offered."

"Where are you going with this?" James said, arms crossed.

"Where am I going with this?" Vixy stared at him, her tail flicking in agitation, her ears pinned back against her head. She was a little insulted he wasn't pushing her into the covers at this point. And it also means something really is wrong. "You need to stop punishing yourself. You got paid and you didn't even drown your sorrows. And, as far as I know, you didn't even try to go out and find some companionship."

"So what?" James asked, shaking his head. "Who cares if I get laid? Maybe I didn't want to, did that ever occur to you?"

Vixy chewed the inside of her lip. It hadn't occurred to her, come to think of it. James, as long as she'd known him, had never been this touchy about sex. He was responsible, and he had ambitions, but he also had needs he was quite faithful about taking care of. "James..."

"I failed that mission." His voice got a bit louder. "I failed that mission, and to top it off I nearly got all of you killed in a firefight that never should have happened."

"James." Vixy snapped and stood up. She'd had enough. "Get your head out of your fucking ass for one second. It was not your fault. That firefight happened because Crespo got spooked when Pepper and all of his uniforms decided to go in there swinging their balls around like they were the pendulum of a goddamn grandfather clock. It was a bad plan. But it wasn't a plan that you made. You got hired, you did your part, and no one got hurt. And that needs to be enough for you."

James stared at her for a moment, and she could see the gears turning in his head. Vixy wondered if she might have gone too far. He was the team's leader, and talking back like this was not something anyone, military, private military, or any other group would have taken kindly too. That's me though. Screaming truth to power. Part of her wanted to apologize, get dressed, and go back to her room. The other part though was too pissed off at him for being the paradoxically selfless ego maniac he was.

Swinging his legs off the bed James leaned his elbows on his knees and said, "You're right."

Relief and surprise coursed through Vixy's veins at those words. "Damn right I am. So, what are you gonna do about it?"

Smirking, James patted the bed next to him. She sat down and he wrapped his arms around her. "I was thinking about breaking that stupid contract I signed with Peppy."

Vixy smiled, nuzzled into her friend's neck and pulled him down onto the sheets. She spread her legs and said, "Come on flyboy, show me all that newfound confidence."

Watching as he pulled his clothes off, baring that powerful, orange and white furred physique to the cool, recycled air of the transport, Vixy felt her heart flutter, even as her loins began burning with desire. What she'd done to deserve a lifelong friend like him she would never know. She giggled as he fluffed up his manhood, then said, "A little tongue first would be appreciated. If it isn't too much trouble."

James gave her a dashing smile and said, "Not at all. I always enjoyed eating out."

Giggling again, her tail beating against the mattress, Vixy beckoned him forward. He came closer, that smile still on his face, and all Vixy could think was: We might just be friends but...I'd do anything to see him smile.

A/N: Awwww. She wants to see him smile.

Vixy: I don't love him.

James: Yeah. We're not in love. No way!

Uh huh. Sure. See you guys next week.