Chapter 33
James and Maverick quickly fled from Corneria and James asked, "Is anything on the radar behind us?"
"No, I think we've got a good head start from Thanos and his army" Maverick stated, "do you want me to set the coordinates for Fichina?"
"That'd be great, Mav" James replied, "how are you feeling?"
"Physically or emotionally?" Maverick asked.
"I'm open for either" James shrugged.
"Lana's dead, James" Maverick stated, beginning to cry "I can't believe I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"You did your best, Mav" James stated, placing his paw on the wolf's paw "Thanos just took advantage of you."
"I find it curious that he chose to invade Corneria when the two of us were separated" Maverick stated, "speaking of which, how did you get here so fast?"
"I honestly had this feeling that something bad was happening" James admitted, "I don't know how, but I just knew you were in trouble and that I needed to come save you."
"You trusted your instincts" Maverick smiled, "but you said you knew I was in trouble. No one else?"
"No, I was on Papetoon watching Fox and Aki playing with each other, then it was as if I had read your mind" James explained, "only your mind."
The wolf looked at the fox, smirking. "What do you think that means?" he asked.
"I have no idea" James replied, "maybe we're psychically linked?"
Maverick burst out laughing, "Psychically linked? Really? That's what you're going with?"
"Yes! That's the only explanation" James insisted.
"Seriously?" Maverick asked, still laughing.
"I'm completely serious, Mav" James replied, "why are you laughing?"
"Because it just sounds totally insane" he replied.
"I know it sounds ridiculous, but we've been through so much together that I wouldn't be surprised if we became psychically linked" James pointed out.
"Alright, James, I'll play along" Maverick stated, "what am I thinking about right now?"
"You really want me to do this while we're escaping Thanos' army?" James asked.
"Hey, you're the one who said we were psychically linked" Maverick pointed out, "if you don't think you can do it, then it's okay to admit it."
"Fine!" James exclaimed, keeping his concentration on the ship "You're wanting to turn around and attack Thanos."
"That doesn't count" Maverick stated, "of course I'm going to be thinking about that. It's fresh in my mind."
"You told me to say what you were thinking about right now and I did that" James replied, "you try it."
"Try what? Reading your mind?" Maverick asked.
"Mav, I don't know what else it could be" James stated, "How else would I have known that you and only you were in danger all the way on Papetoon?"
"I don't know, James, instincts can do amazing things" Maverick pointed out.
The radar suddenly started beeping. "Oh shit!" James stated, "They caught up with us a bit."
"Can this thing go any faster?" Maverick asked.
"Yes it can" James smiled, "hold on, Mav."
As James said that the stars began racing past them. Maverick glanced at James saying, "This is how you got to Corneria so fast."
"Sure, this is Carol's ship" James stated.
"You left Carol on Papetoon?" Maverick asked.
"No, I left Carol on Corneria" James said, as his communicator rang "Hey Carol, we were just talking about you."
"James, Thanos and his army are gone. Where are you?" she asked.
"Back in space running away from Thanos' army" James replied.
"You ditched me?" she questioned, "You better have saved Maverick!"
"I did. He's here with me" James said, "say hi, Mav."
"Hi, Carol, I didn't know James left you" Maverick replied.
"Where are you guys going?" she asked, "I can catch up."
"No, stay there, Carol!" James stated, "We'll be back as soon as possible. I'm just trying to lead Thanos away from Corneria."
"Okay, my ship better be in one piece by the time you get back" she said, "stay safe."
"Wow, she really cares about her ship" Maverick stated, when the call ended.
"You're telling me" James chuckled, "I had to beg her to let me take it when we got to Corneria."
"Do you really think we can lose them on Fichina?" Maverick asked.
"Only one way to find out" James stated.
They quickly approached a planet that seemed significantly smaller than Corneria. The planet seemed to be a mixture of dark and light blues and an intense light blue aura was radiating around the planet itself.
"That can't be a fun place to be" Maverick stated, seeing the aura "I don't see anyone living there."
"Well, we won't have to leave the ship" James explained, "all we need to do is find a place to land quickly and wait out the Titan."
As they crossed into the atmosphere, they were greeted by an instant snow storm. The further they went; it became increasingly more difficult to see where they were going. "James, this was a terrible idea!" Maverick exclaimed, as they just barely avoided a giant rock structure "Thanos won't need to come finish the job, because we'll already be dead!"
"I thought you said you trusted me" James said.
"I did until we got here" the lupine stated, "you almost flew into like three rocks! There's no way we're getting off this planet."
"Hey, I was still able to land us safely" James pointed out, "we shouldn't be here longer than a couple hours."
"How will we even know if one of their ships are here?" Maverick asked.
"The radar works even when the engine is killed" James stated.
"Yeah, but…" Maverick stated, before being interrupted.
"A spacecraft just entered the Fichina atmosphere" a robotic voice stated.
"Her ship has an AI?" Maverick stated, "Did you know this?"
"No, but we need to cloak ourselves and kill the engine now" James stated, pressing a few buttons.
They listened as the wind grew more intense and heard something zoom past them. "A spacecraft just flew past" the AI stated.
James looked at the radar and saw there was only one ship. "I wonder if Thanos sent Andross" James stated.
"A spacecraft just flew past" the AI repeated.
"Whoever it is keeps going back and forth" Maverick pointed out, "they're looking for something."
This continued for another hour and the AI stated, "A spacecraft is hovering above us."
"They couldn't have found us, could they?" Maverick asked.
"No, I'm sure we would've already been shot at if they had" James said, keeping an eye on the radar.
A few more minutes past as the unknown ship remained in place. Then the radar showed the ship moved away from them. "A spacecraft just exited the Fichina atmosphere" the ship's AI informed them.
"Do you think it's safe for us to leave?" Maverick whispered.
"Why are you whispering, Mav?" James asked, "If the AI didn't give us away, I think they can't hear us."
"I said do you think it's safe for us to leave" the wolf asked, speaking up.
"I heard you the first time" James chuckled, "I'm sure if we fly super slow, we'll just miss them and we can go back to Corneria."
"Then can we come up with a plan to rescue Wolf?" Maverick asked.
"Are you sure?" James asked, "Don't you want to take some time to mourn about Lana's death, before we go get ourselves killed?"
"I'm fine, James" Maverick replied.
"Mav, you saw how well I handled Vixy's death" James replied, "it felt a lot like how you're feeling now."
"How do you know what I'm feeling, James?" the lupine asked.
"Because I was here right where you are now only a couple months ago" James explained, "I'm sure right now you're feeling a tremendous amount of pain and rage, making an immediate plan to go take on Thanos and his army is reckless and will get you killed."
"But I have to rescue Wolf, James" Maverick replied.
"I know, Mav" James said, calmly "and if our roles were reversed, I'm sure I'd be asking for your help to go get Fox."
"Then you understand why I can't stay on Corneria, while Wolf is being held captive by Thanos" Maverick stated.
"I do understand, but going in without a lot of strategizing is suicide" James replied.
"You don't have to come, James" Maverick stated, "you have Fox and Aki to raise and a life to live."
"Mav, do you really think there's anything that would keep me from going with you?" James asked, "You're my best friend. If you go try to rescue Wolf, I'm coming with you."
"Then are we going after him when we return to Corneria?" Maverick asked.
"Can we let Carol's ship refuel before we head off?" James questioned.
"I mean, yeah we can refuel and make a strategy for how we're going to infiltrate Thanos' base and save Wolf" Maverick agreed.
As they reentered the Cornerian atmosphere, they saw the wreckage Thanos and his army left. "Wow, it's shocking how much destruction one army can cause" James said, seeing the mess.
"Thanos has to be stopped" Maverick stated.
"Incoming call from a Bandit Hare" the AI stated.
"James, is that your ship that just entered the atmosphere?" the hare asked, "Answer quickly, because some of these boys want to blow up whoever just flew into our airspace."
"Yes, Bandit, I'm back" James replied, "I led Thanos away from the planet."
"Okay, I really wasn't in the mood for another dogfight" he sighed.
"I need to get this ship refueled" James said, "I'll see you later, Bandit."
"Okay, I'll let Pepper know it's you and also let Carol know you made it back" Bandit insisted.
After they landed, James turned to Maverick saying, "Should we go get some rest?"
"Sleep sounds amazing" Maverick replied.
As they walked into Robin and Marian's house, they were greeted by Carol sitting on the couch. "I thought you'd come here" she said, without turning her head.
"Oh, hi, Carol" James said, "it's nice to see you."
"Is it? Because you certainly took your sweet time returning my ship to me" she said.
"You're mad about me taking your ship?" James asked, "I told you what was happening."
"No, I'm glad you and Maverick are safe" Carol said, "but next time don't leave me here to defend your planet alone."
"If you didn't want to defend Corneria by yourself, then why did you even offer to come?" Maverick asked.
"I thought James and I would be fighting this army together" Carol stated.
"I'm sorry I didn't fight them with you, but me saving Maverick was my sole reason for coming here today" James countered, "me saving Mav will always come before fighting with you."
"Well, you won't be using my ship for any more missions" Carol exclaimed.
"Let me see if I understand you correctly" James said, "because I saved my best friend, you're refusing to let me use your ship."
"Sounds about right" she replied.
"If this is how you feel, why are you even dating me?" James asked, "You knew Mav and his family would come first."
"Are you breaking up with me?" she asked, shocked.
"Are you going to keep getting angry when I choose Mav over you?" James asked.
"I guess we're done" Carol stated, "I'll be taking Aki somewhere else after my ship is done refueling."
"Mav and I were going to try to go get Wolf back" James stated.
"Not with my ship you're not!" she crossed her arms.
"Fine, we don't need your help!" James shouted.
Carol walked out of the house, slamming the door behind her. "Well, that just happened" Maverick stated, "are you okay?"
"Actually, I'm fine" James said, "I still have you. I'm sorry, Mav, we won't be going after Wolf as soon as you'd like."
"We don't have any more ships here?" Maverick asked.
"Not unless you've got another ship lying around Corneria somewhere" James stated.
"Oh yeah, I flew my ship into a building didn't I?" Maverick chuckled, "What about the Berserk?"
"That's on Papetoon with my parents, Fox and Aki" James stated, "I have no idea how we're gunna get that if Carol and I are truly broken up."
"We can finish working on the Arwing prototype" Maverick suggested.
"Is it close enough to being functional?" James asked, "I don't know if we've really worked on it since Vixy died."
"Can you call Robin and ask him to fly here, then?" Maverick asked, realizing he was running out of options.
"I can but he won't be able to get here as fast as I did" James said.
"Well then, what do you suggest we do?" the wolf asked.
"I do like the idea of finishing the Arwing prototype, but we won't be able to go hunt down Thanos and get Wolf back for a while" James said.
Maverick sighed, "I guess Wolf will be okay till we can get the Arwing functional. Actually we'd need to have two, since it's only built for one."
A knock came on the door and James answered, only to see it was Bandit standing in the entrance. "Oh hey, Bandit, what's up?" James asked.
"Pepper sent me to ask if you two would consider rejoining the Army" Bandit said, "after today, he doesn't want anything like this to happen again."
"Trust me, Bandit, neither of us want what happened today to happen again" Maverick stated, "but James and I were making preparations to become a mercenary team and we plan to move forward with that."
"Yeah, I thought that would be your answer" he said, "oh, Peppy also wanted me to let you know that he's been working on getting your Arwing functional."
"Really? How far is he from getting it finished?" James asked.
"He'll be able to get it ready for its first test flight after the holidays" Bandit replied.
James looked at Maverick and they shrugged, "Does he want help getting it finished?" the fox asked.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind getting help from the ones who started this project" Bandit stated, crossing his arms.
"We'll gladly help him out with that" James said, "do you know anyone who's got a ship big enough for three?"
"Other than you guys and Carol?" he asked, "Not at all. I don't think normal people have ships that large."
"My parents have a large ship" James countered, "they flew it to Papetoon earlier this week."
"Why don't you just ask Carol to fly you guys to Papetoon to get James' ship?" Bandit asked.
"I don't think she's in the mood for flying James anywhere" Maverick stated.
"Why? What'd you do, James?" Bandit asked.
"I didn't do anything" James stated, "Carol got jealous because I chose saving Mav over fighting by her side."
"Did she expect you to do anything less?" Bandit questioned, "I mean the two of you always find a way to be there for each other."
"Yes, exactly!" James exclaimed, "I don't know why she thought any different."
"So, when are you guys starting up your mercenary team?" Bandit asked.
"We're thinking maybe after the new year" Maverick replied.
"We're still working out the little details" James added.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Like the team name" James stated, "we've got a couple options so far."
"What have you come up with so far?" Bandit asked.
"Team Jamerick is my favorite" James stated, "see it combines our names."
"How about you, Maverick?" Bandit asked, turning to the wolf.
"I think it should have something to do with space" Maverick stated, "so how about Astro Pups?"
"Oo, I like that one" Bandit stated, "what do you guys think about Star Pups?"
"I like Star Pups" James smiled, "though Star Wolf would be cool, too."
"Really, Star Wolf?" Maverick questioned, raising an eyebrow "Isn't that a little too generic?"
"Sometimes generic is the best way to go" Bandit stated.
"If that's the case, why not call it Star Fox?" Maverick suggested, "I mean James was the one who suggested we become mercenaries in the first place."
"That's a good compromise" Bandit stated, turning to James.
"I don't want people to only think of me when they see the word 'fox', though" James stated.
"You really think they wouldn't think of just me when they see the word 'wolf', James?" Maverick asked, "Naming our team either Star Wolf or Star Fox will put one of us as the face of the team. Which face do you think will draw more people, yours or mine?"
"Seeing as how you're both pretty well known around many galaxies, I'm sure it won't matter who is the face of the team" Bandit insisted, "why don't you guys just go with Star Pups that way it doesn't single out one of you?"
James and Maverick looked at each other, then shrugged. "I can get behind that" James smiled.
"Alright, look out world, team Star Pups is coming for you" Maverick stated, putting his arm around the fox's shoulder.
"I'm looking forward to that" Bandit stated, "I'll leave you two, so you can get some sleep."
"Alright, good night Bandit" James said, closing the door behind the hare.
As the two canines were heading to bed James asked, "Are you sure you're okay waiting until the Arwings are finished to start looking for Wolf?"
"I'm sure, James" Maverick replied, sitting on their bed "will I be impatient? Absolutely, but we don't have many options for ships at the moment."
"Okay, well, we can let my parents know everything is safe and get some sleep" James suggested, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, James" Maverick said, hugging the fox "thanks, again for saving me from Thanos."
"Of course, I'll always be there for you" James smiled, laying down "good night, Mav."
