Chapter 6

The next morning came faster then James was ready for, it seemed like he just closed his eyes for a few moments and it was dawn. He stretched out and yawned, then he flicked his tail as he worked his way, still half asleep towards the bathroom to start getting ready for the day. He brushed his fur and his tail. Then he brushed his teeth, got dressed in his flight uniform.

James yawned again then went to the kitchen and grabbed something quick to eat, which turned out to be some toast and a cup of coffee. He heard a banging at the door and realized that it was just after 8. James downed the java and ate the toast as he ran for the door. He was greeted with an upset looking hare.

"Looks like I was right, you slept in." Peppy said with crossed arms. James ate his toast slowly trying to buy time to think of something to say.

"No I didn't forget. I was trying to get ready and have something to eat." James said, but Peppy knew differently.

The old hare sighed, "Whatever. Now shall we head to the base. Pigma called me ahead of time and said he'll meet us there. Now lets get going." They jumped into Peppy's car and they headed to the R&D Department. Pigma was already talking with the scientists about what to expect. He then looked over and seen Peppy and James walking into the now empty hanger.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." James said as he shook Pigma's hand, "You ready for this?" Both Pigma and Peppy nodded. James then turned to the scientist that Pigma was talking to. "Go ahead and inform the general that we are as ready as we'll ever be."

"Already told him that you where here, he said and I quote. 'I don't care what they say at this point. They are going to launch weather or not they are ready.' Then he laughed. But we are ready for you to get into your ships and start your checklist. The general will catch Peppy and Pigma up to speed with what to expect, I'm sure that you already told them what to expect as far as equipment issues once the magnets are powered up. Right, James?"

"Yup I did, but its better to remind them and me about what will happen." James agreed then he turned to his team, "Lets get ready."

The StarFox team went to their respective ships and went through their normal pre-launch checklists and their normal good luck rituals that they started when they first got into flying.

As they went through their normal routine, General Pepper's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "ATTENTION: ALL PERSONNEL PLEASE CLEAR THE FLOOR, WE ARE ABOUT READY TO PREPARE THE RAIL-GUN LAUNCHER. I REPEAT: ALL PERSONNEL PLEASE CLEAR THE FLOOR, WE ARE ABOUT READY TO PREPARE THE RAIL-GUN LAUNCHER. GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED STARFOX!"

"Dammit Pepper!" James grumbled, his ears where ringing. "Did you forget the volume was all the way up again?" Once the ringing subsided he motioned to where the scientists and the engineers moved too, that he was ready whenever they where. Shortly after James signaled he was ready, Peppy signaled he was ready as well. Then Pigma did so also.

The lead scientist called over the comms to the team, "Okay, we'll begin to move your ships into position momentarily." Within a span of a few minutes the team's ships where moved into position automatically. Then the rail-gun launch started to raise up from under the floor. As it raised up, the team was reminded of what to expect from the electromagnets. Since James had the most experience with the magnets, he was first. The rail-gun launcher raised up about twenty feet then stopped, then the magnets powered up and lifted James' ship up off the supports and then the supports where moved far out of the way.

Once the automated supports where clear, the floor under James opened up and then the ceiling opened up. Then the rail-gun raised the rest of the way. During this process, James was suspended over nothing but complicated looking machinery that he couldn't begin to understand how it worked.

Once the rain-gun was at full extension, which was about 80 stories high, the electromagnets slowly lowered James to the bottom. As they lowered him, the magnets rotated him 90 degrees so he was pointed up. James was impressed that they built this in such a short time.

"Preparations complete. Ready to launch. Before we do, be ready for an insane amount of G-forces. Everything you have experienced thus far is nothing to what your going to be put through now." Announced the scientist over the loudspeaker so James could hear. The magnets have already effected his comms. James gave a thumbs up, he was ready. "James is ready. General Pepper, ready to launch on your count."

General Pepper nodded, then placed his fingers on the launch button. "Launching in t-minus 10 seconds. 10."

"9" James had the sick mixture of fear and excitement growing in his stomach.

"8"

"7"

"6"

"5" Peppy started sighing, he wasn't looking forward to the coming events.

"4"

"3"

"2" James was grinning ear to ear, he was ready.

"1"

General Pepper paused for a second, "Launch!" He then pressed the button and sent James flying out the base at such a high speed that any ship of a lesser design would have disintegrated before it got a quarter of the way down the launcher.

James watched at light started to trail slightly, and he heard at lest 3 sonic booms before he reached the end of the 80 story high rail-gun launcher. His computer warned him of the excessive speed he was travailing at. James nearly blacked out several times and before he realized it he was off planet and Peppy was right behind him with Pigma just outside the planet's atmosphere.

"All ships report." James called out to the others.

"Peppy here, let's never do that again."

"Pigma, that was one hell of a rush."

After twenty minutes, the StarFox team all caught up with each other. They where on the other side of Solar and about half way to Macbeth. James and the others where making small talk to pass the time since there was nothing they could really do without jeopardizing their energy for the return trip.

"So what else happened, Peppy?" Pigma snorted, Peppy was telling one of his many stories.

"Well I took out the whole lot of them with my bare hands! Ahaha!" Peppy said. James sighed.

"Peppy, you're so full of shit it ain't funny!" James said trying his hardest to sound serious. The threesome enjoyed a good laugh before James' long range comms picked up General Pepper trying to hail them. "StarFox, come in."

"This is StarFox, go." James announced.

"Good to hear you lived through that launch. That was the first and last time it'll ever be used. It took more to power it then we though. Most of the city is still without power."

Pigma whistled in amazement. "Really? I bet it took about the whole city to power it, right?"

"That's right. You should be nearing Macbeth at this point. You should take this next few moments to mentally prepare for things to come. Good luck StarFox! General Pepper out."

"Thanks Pepper. StarFox out." James said as his comms beeped signaling connection was dropped. James sighed, he didn't like it when he was told 'good luck' when he was so far out of his comfort zone. He shook off the feeling and placed his concentration back on the mission at hand.

Another ten minutes passed after the general hailed the team, the threesome was slowing down and where just outside of Macbeth.

"Stay frosty, guys. There could be scouts at any time." James instructed.

"Roger." Peppy confirmed. Pigma grunted his acknowledgment. Before too long they reached Venomian space. "James, something's not right. They should have sent something or someone to investigate us or tried to hail us. But nothing. It's quiet." Peppy stated, James knew it but Peppy was the one to bring it up.

"Keep your eyes pealed. This could be a trap." James instructed. Peppy and Pigma acknowledged the command. But something was really wrong about this, and the old fox's sixth sense was acting up. Every seasoned veteran at one point or another has developed a sixth sense for danger. And his was screaming at him. And just as he suspected, they headed right into a trap.

"Son of a bitch!" James called out, "It's a fucking trap!" He looked around and sen that they where completely surrounded. The whole situation looked grim as every possible getaway point was covered by a powerful looking capital class ships and a good number of smaller frigate class ships. That's when the reality hit home. James wasn't sure that any of them would be going home. "Peppy, if anything happens to me and your able to escape. Tell Fox that I love him and I'll always be watching over him."

Peppy nodded, "Don't say things like that! You're a far better pilot then anything Andross can throw at us. Let's show them why they shouldn't piss with StarFox!"

"Just promise that you'll tell him everything I told you!" James snapped.

"Okay, okay. Let's do this!" Then the StarFox team split up and gave it their all.

Author's note: Sorry it took so long for this chapter. I had a really busy week and 1/2 but i hope you enjoy it and I'll begin working on chapter 7 here directly. once more, if you like or enjoy my story thus far, please review it and let me know. if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate, let me know and I'll take it into account. Thank you for reading my story and I'll see you guys in the next chapter. :D