Darkness Returns

Ch16 Making a Decision

War continues to loom over the galaxy, with neither side gaining the edge of the other. The Empire continues to harass Republic strongholds. The Empire sifted the efforts on the naval institute on Anaxes. The bombing of the Anaxes citadel killed many young navy cadets and many civilains that worked there. During the seige of Ralltir the Shadow Serpents destroyed three Stardestroyers including their flagship the ISD Grim Reaper and killed six members of Col Soontir Fel's elite 181 first Tie Interceptor wing. Meanwhile back in Lylat the Imperial forces launch an ivasion on Zoness and set up a base on it's floating platforms. On Macbeth the Imperial army continues their onslaught and conqured another major city and bombed Macbeths largest weapons factory. The explosion was nearly 10 kilotons and killed hundreds of civilians. Colonel Madison's commando unit managed score a minor victory by setting demo charges on a ammo storage container inside of an Impperial camp, killing around sixty imperial troops. Three of the commandos were killed during the mission.

Cornerian High Command 19.8 ABY three days later.

As Fox and his team walk the hall ways of the command center they notice that the building was very quiet, for wartime conditions there's usually more actitity there. Fox just let it brush past him. Once they reach the Generals office Peppy's secritary tells them that they are expected and to walk in. As the team walks in to the office Fox notices that there are no other officals besides Peppy there. This brought some concern to him.

"I'm glad you could get here as quickly as you did. How are you feeling Krystal?"

"I'm still a little sore, but I'll be ok."

"May I ask sir whats going on, and why couldn't you just given us this breifing back on Macbeth?" Fox asked.

"Fox I have a questional request for you and your team, one that I want to keep on the down low to avoid a panic."

"I don't like the sound of this sir." Fox was getting even more suspisious.

"Fox you and I both know if the course of this war doesn't change soon there won't be much of a Lylat left to defend. We know nothing about our enemy and we can't stop them from taking of territories. Were losing this war and it doesn't seem like things are going to get better any time soon."

Fox gives Peppy a look of confusion, not really knowing what he was trying to get at.

"What are saying sir?"

Before Peppy was about to speak Falco jumps in.

"He's probabley going to send us to go blow up their base on Kew right."

"No Falco, that would be suicide, and you know it." Peppy comments.

"Then what sir?" Fox asks.

"This is hard for me to ask, Fox I want you and your team to leave the system and find help."

The who whole team was in shock and didn't say anything.

"But sir what about our troops, we just can't leave them. Plus you know how long that could, what if it takes weeks or months to find help? Lylat would be burned to the ground by then." Fox protested.

"You've gotta be kidding, I never run from a fight." Falco added.

"For the first time in years I actually agree with Falco, we just can't run." Katt added.

"I know that you disagree with my request, and granted I don't like the idea either, but something has to be done. We can't keep this up. As much skill and commitment as all have your still only five pilots. If all you get killed from fighting an enemy that we have no information about, then were as good as dead already."

"Ya but who do we turn to? None of the surounding systems know anything about them either." Bill adds.

"Thats the problem, I don't know and thats why I'm turning to you. Your the only ones here qualified for a mission of such great importance."

For the next five minutes or so, Fox just stood there quietly thinking while the rest of the teams debates with Peppy over his request. Then after abit Fox speaks up.

"I'll go." he says.

The team just looks at him with question.

"I think the general might be right. I'll go and find help while the rest of you stay here and continue to fight. Our forces are going to need your help. If I go alone, that will also keep the suspision down and keep our troops morale high."

"Fox your crazy. Traveling that far away by yourself. Its too dangerous. No Fox I won't let you do it. I'm going with you." Krystal protested.

"The level of danger is all the more reason for you stay here Krys. Besides the rest of the team will need you."

Fox could see that Krystal was starting to get mad.

"You listen here Fox. Your my fiancee and I'm not going to sit here, while you trapes around the galaxy alone for god only knows how long just get lost or killed. I couldn't live with myself if something happed to you. and besides wouldn't you miss me?"

"Ya your right Krys. Ok you can come with. Everyone else will stay here, and continue the operations. Peppy is there any possibility that you might have a lead or somewhere for the two of us to start from?"

"Well mabey. Fox back before you were born and before your father even formed StarFox, your father, your mother and I did alot of traveling together. About three parsecs away has some vastly populated systems. I don't really know anything about them besides that their mostly human worlds. You could try there. The coordinates are a bit sketchy but they should be fairly accurate. The Gateway could you there in a about an hour but after that, its up to you."

"Ok thats a start. The GreatFox should be capable of making the trip by now. When do you want us to leave sir?"

"As soon as your ready Fox."

"Arlight Krystal make sure we have enough supplies for the trip we could be gone awhile. While were gone Katt is in command."

Katt didn't know what to say, Falco on the hand had plenty to say.

"WHAT THE HELL FOX, HER, WHY NOT ME! I'M A BETTER PILOT THEN HER." Falco was in an uproar.

"Everyone please excuse us for a minute, I'm going to have a talk with Falco in the hallway."

Fox and Falco then step outside the office. The others could see them arguing through the window.

"Have you lost your damn mind Fox? First you decside to run off now your putting Katt of all people in charge instead of me why?"

"You know why I won't put you charge, its becuase of your DAMN EGO! Your irresposible, you don't do anything but bitch, and when ever something goes wrong you always blame everyone else for it. I'm not going let your pride get someone killed, just because you think that war is a game."

"OK I'll give you that one Fox, but why her, you could have picked Bill?"

"Bill is a great leader and a better pilot than her, but he has only lead small attack units, he has always taken orders from higher ups. Katt on the other hand has the mind set of a mecenary, she thinks more creatively and broader, plus she has more backround skills than Bill, such as mechanics, infiltration, computers, and explosives."

"Ya whatever Fox, I don't need this shit." Falco crosses his arms and turns around.

"You listen here Falco, you can walk away and I won't stop you but as long as you flying under me you will follow my orders or the orders of who ever I designate command. Is that clear?"

Falco then turns back around and stares at Fox for brief moment."As long as I'm getting paid your the Boss Fox."

After they finished fighting the two walked back inside the office. Everyone just starred at them.

"Is everything all right you two?" Bill asks.

"Everythings fine. Do you need anything else from us sir?" Fox as always gets right back to the point.

"Thats all I have you, and Fox, Krystal be careful and come back safe."

"I promise sir we will find someone and soon. Take care Peppy." Fox salutes Peppy and the team walks out.

After a about thirty minutes of preperations Fox and Krystal are ready to head up to the GreatFox, but before they were able to board their Arwings Katt approaches. She had a bit of a concerned look on her face.

"Are you ok Katt?" Fox asks her.

"Fox I'm honored that you trust me being to command our forces, but I don't think I'm up the job."

"You'll be fine Katt. I wouldn't have choose you if I didn't think you right person for the job. In fact if wasn't for you the GreatFox wouldn't even be able to make trip. Give yourself some credit."

"Thanks Fox, but what about Falco. He won't listen to me?"

"Don't worry, if he acts up deal with him in a matter that suits you." He says jokingly.

"Ok Fox, what are my orders then?"

"I have two simple orders for you, learn as much about our enemy as possible, and finally save as many lives as you can. My father always told me to trust my instincts, so should you. Got that?"

"Yes Fox."

"Fox we need to get going, and we don't have alot of time." Krystal says.

"I know."

"Be careful you two and please hurry back."

"We will Katt, and good luck." Fox says as the canopy of his Arwing closes and begins to lifting off. Katt waved as Fox and Krystal left the hanger.

"Please, for all of our sake hurry." Katt thought to herself as walked back inside.

Inside the bridge of the GreatFox thirty minutes later.

With in the bridge Fox, Krystal, and ROB ready the ships systems for the warp.

"ROB does the gateway have our coordinates set yet?"

"Affirmative Fox. Sixty seconds until warp."

"I'm excited Fox, the two of going to the far reaches of the galaxy together. It might be fun."

"Ya mabey your right. I'll try to stay positive."

"Good."

"Fox launch will commence in t-minus .1 GateWay activated." informed ROB.

"Lets move out then." Fox says.

The GreatFox then flies into the massive green glow from the gateway and disappears into the abyss.

Authors notes: Well you think thats was a twist just wait until a little later. So hang tight. Thanks for reading and reviewing.