Star Fox: The Harmony of the Many

by NamaFox

The Aparoid Wars are over, and the Lylat System is recovering. Team Star Fox receives a distress call from just beyond the edge of the Lylat System. What starts as a rescue mission soon becomes something much more than the team anticipated. Fox McCloud soon finds himself contending with horrors beyond imagination, and it will take all his wits and courage just to survive.

1. Prologue

(Hello. Thank you for checking this story out. This is basically a Star Fox story with some strong elements from System Shock 2. I don't think it's a crossover, precisely, as none of the characters are direct copies, but a couple are very similar in terms of personality and one even shares the same name as their inspiration. I tried to put my own spin on it, and I hope it was enough to be entertaining. If you've not played System Shock 2, I highly recommend you do. This story is just a littleto that incredible game, as well as the wonderful universe of Star Fox. This is the first fanfiction that I've written and posted anywhere online. I've never finished a project like this before.)

(Rated Mature for occasional minor language (Nothing obscene), a small amount of sensuality in the prologue and final chapters (Brief and nothing obscene), and some violence, gore, and dark themes such as suicide. Basically, if you've played System Shock 2, you know what to expect in terms of mature content. I don't think it's any worse than that.)

(I hope you enjoy!)

"You've got one on your tail, Gold Two."

The fighter pilot had only moments to react. The pilot gave a sharp tug on the control stick, causing the craft to veer to the right, narrowly evading a laser blast. The vessel rocked from just how close the bolt of energy came to piercing the shields. With a flip of a switch and pulling the control stick all the way back, Gold Two soared vertically, a barrage of laser fire shooting by.

The radio sputtered to life with a frantic yell. "This is Gold Three, my left thruster has been taken out, I can't..." The transmission was abruptly cut short. Gold Three was gone.

Not even a thought could be spared for the loss, as even an instantaneous lack of concentration would spell doom. Gold Two continued to act evasively, still managing to just keep clear of enemy fire.

There was another radio transmission. "Gold Two, this is Gold One. I've got your back. Stand by." A steady stream of laser blasts continued to shoot past Gold Two's ship, visible from the cockpit. The laser fire then came to an abrupt stop. The radio crackled again. "Got him! Gold Two, you are in the clear."

Gold Two veered upwards in a sharp loop until the ship was facing the opposite direction it had been going. Gold One was in sight, already bringing himself around to join the ship he had just saved.

Only too late did the pilot notice three interceptors speeding toward Gold One. There was no time to think, hardly any time to even react. Gold Two shouted a warning over the comms, then turned toward the interceptors, squeezing the trigger and firing a barrage of laser fire. One of the interceptors took a glancing hit, causing it to tilt to the side. That put it directly on the path of one of the other laser blasts, splitting open the cockpit and resulting in a satisfying explosion.

The other two interceptors, however, were untouched, and despite the best efforts of Gold Two, the interceptors managed to scream by, forcing the pilot to adjust course in order to get the interceptors back in the sights. "They came out of nowhere, I can't lose them!" A dull roar emitted from the comm, the sound of lasers impacting a shield. "Gold Two, sorry but you're on your..." There was a scream, then only static emitted from the radio.

Gold Two continued the turn, attempting to get behind the remaining interceptors. They were both veering in opposite directions, one to the left and one to the right. Gold Two immediately went for the left. The kill would have to be made fast. If the other interceptor joined the fray, Gold Two would have little chance of victory. The interceptor darted and weaved about in an erratic manner, attempting to shake the opposing pilot. Gold Two studied the interceptors movements for a while, matching its speed and remaining right behind the enemy. When Gold Two thought there might be a shot, the pilot took a deep breath, steadying the ship before squeezing the trigger. Bolt after bolt of energy pierced through the empty blackness of space. The first few rounds missed, but as the interceptor turned to dodge, Gold Two altered course ever so slightly so that the lasers followed. Just as predicted, the interceptor plowed straight into them, exploding into a careening fireball.

There was no time to celebrate. The pilot's ship was rocked as the shields were struck by enemy fire. The other interceptor had returned, and now it had the advantage. Gold Two began evasive maneuvers almost immediately, pulling up and increasing speed in order to try to shake the aggressor. The enemy fighter matched movements, staying right behind Gold Two, firing its lasers all the while.

It didn't matter which way Gold Two went, the interceptor was there. It had an almost perfect match of velocity and course. It twisted and turned whichever way Gold Two did. Thus far, it wasn't managing to land any more hits, but it was only a matter of time. To make matters worse, the fuel light began blinking. The pilot was running out of options.

There was one possible solution that Gold Two could think of. It wasn't pleasant to contemplate, but it was do or die time. The pilot reached up and flipped a couple of switches on the top of the cockpit. There was an immediate warning light that flashed, but that was to be ignored. Gold Two straightened out the craft then shoved the throttle forward. The ship lurched ahead with a fantastic boost of speed. Not hesitating for even a moment, the pilot cut the engine and pulled down the control stick as far as it would go. Instead of changing the trajectory, the ship simply started to launch into a rapid vertical spin. After a few moments of this, Gold Two released the control stick, flipped the same switches as earlier, then seized hold of the control stick once more. There were still laser blasts flying by, but they weren't connecting. And they appeared to be coming from...

Gold Two saw the moment. Snapping the throttle forward, the ship launched itself directly towards the attacker at lightning speed. If the interceptor was taken aback, it didn't show it. It continued to fire at Gold Two, and the shields wouldn't sustain any more hits. Gold Two bobbed up and down before firing off a volley at the interceptor, veering away after discharging its lasers in order to avoid the other interceptor's fire. The enemy wasn't so lucky. The interceptor sustained multiple direct hits, resulting in a brilliant detonation, small bits of debris flying every which way.

It was over. After easing down the throttle and disengaging all non-critical systems, Gold Two let out a long sigh and slumped back in the seat. The stress and tension was unreal, like it had been worked into every single muscle of the pilot's body. Gold Two was drained with nothing left to give.

"Gold Two, this is the Von Dross." A crisp, clear voice spoke to the pilot through the radio. "Outstanding work. You're cleared for return, Starboard Hangar B will be awaiting your arrival." With that, the transmission ended.

The pilot was tired, but also eager to get back aboard for some R & R. The vessel that Gold Two approached was gigantic. It didn't take long to find the correct hangar, as the pilot knew the Von Dross well. The hangar was entered without incident, and there was already a docking pad cleared for the latest arrival, all lit up and ready for use. As Gold Two approached, the pilot noticed that there was someone already waiting down there, standing on the platform attached to the landing pad.

The auto-dock system engaged. Sometimes, the pilot preferred to dock manually, but fatigue was having its own say in the matter right now. The ship approached in a slow and steady manner, hovered over the pad for a moment, then gently set down to dock with a faint jolt as the ship made contact with the landing pad. The pilot flipped a few more switches, turning off everything before reaching for the lever that popped open the cockpit. There was already a ladder propped up against the ship, waiting for the pilot's descent. Despite being so tired, Gold Two managed to climb out of the cockpit and descend the ladder with at least some degree of grace.

Once the pilot's feet made contact with the ground, Gold Two turned around to see the officer who had been waiting for her. He was a middle-aged bull-dog with grizzled fur and sagging jowls, clothed in a red uniform with a brimmed cap to match. He happened to be about the same size she was and stood with perfect, rigid posture. She knew him as Lieutenant Dreyfus, though she usually just called him "Sir." His expression was completely neutral. When he spoke, it was in a completely professional tone. "I'm afraid you've just lost me a good bit of money, Gold Two."

Gold Two chuckled, then grabbed hold of the helmet attached to the pilot's head. There was a hissing noise as a switch was pressed, then the helmet came free, revealing the feminine vulpine features of the pilot. "Sorry about that, sir."

"Oh, don't be sorry, Ms. Phoenix." He waved his hand about in front of him as if to dispel her apology. The neutral expression had given way to a bright and pleasant smile. "I couldn't be happier, truly! We were certain we'd beat you this time. That the drones were perfect." He chuckled, shaking his head with a bemused look on his face. "You're something else, you know that?" He paused for a brief moment, looking past her, studying her ship. There was a look approaching awe on his face. "Incredible. Simply incredible."

She smiled, joining him in his examination of her fighter-craft. It was an old ship, and to most it might not look like all that much. But to her, it was beautiful, her pride and joy. She'd won it years ago in a flight competition back on Corneria. Before the Lylat Wars. She did everything she could to keep it looking pristine, but the old girl was starting to show her age. No amount of paint, wax, or anything else was going to change that.

Looks weren't everything, though. That ship was like an extension of herself. It wasn't a big ship, even for a personal star-fighter. The shields were weak, and it only had a couple of laser cannons on it. But there wasn't a ship in galaxy that could match it for sheer speed and maneuverability, in part thanks to some modifications that she'd managed to have done over the years. She had never found another ship that had made her feel quite so comfortable as this one. She knew just how it handled, how hard it could be pushed, what it liked. It was almost like a living thing to her, like a child.

"I don't know how you did it." The lieutenant shook his head, his voice quiet and reflecting his genuine amazement. "You shouldn't have won that battle. Yet you did."

That's what she liked about him. He was a very sincere man, told people what exactly what he was thinking. She imagined it had made him a few enemies in the past, but she had only found him to be endearing. "I'm just a pilot. I love to fly."

"Just a pilot?!" The officer chuckled, shaking his head. "And Corneria is just a planet." His attention had shifted back to her. "Your performance today was nothing short of extraordinary. And because of you, the eggheads in the labs are going to be busy making the AI even better. Well done."

"Thank you sir." Fara smiled, blushing from the compliment. "I did my best."

"Right, well that's enough of that." The officer straightened up and began to look decidedly more serious. There was still a hint of warmth in his demeanor, but otherwise he acted as was expected of a ranking officer. "Walk with me, Ms. Phoenix."

The two set out side by side, Fara still holding on to her helmet and the lieutenant having his hands clasped behind his back. They walked along the catwalk that extended from the landing pad to the larger central platform, then continued along toward the hangar's entrance. He spoke to her as they proceeded. "We'll be analyzing the data from the battle simulation. We will also retrieve the debris of the destroyed drones for analysis. It'll keep the team busy for a while."

Though she was listening to what he was saying, she couldn't help but look around the bay. She was always amazed at how large the hangar was. Of course, she had seen larger facilities on Corneria, but never anything this size on a space-faring vessel. This hangar was huge, and there were three others across the ship, though only one of them was as large as this. Fara was convinced that the Von Dross was the largest starship ever built. She didn't know that for certain, of course, but had yet to have seen its like.

"I believe a few of the lab boys were having a premature celebration of the drones' victory." The officer gave a low laugh, his mouth just barely open. "Now they're going to be working double shifts until they improve the combat performance. I don't think you're going to be very popular with them for a while, so I'd advise staying out of their fur. And you should certainly stay away from Vector. He's going to be livid over this setback. Please don't agitate him further."

"Got it." Fara acknowledged, still looking around at the hangar. There were personnel coming through, but all of them were careful not to get in the way of the officer and the woman he was escorting. The platform was easily big enough for a number of people to comfortably walk by each other. "I'll stay away from them if I can." She hesitated, then added, "But I do like visiting the AI labs. I'm no scientist, but I like to learn new things."

The lieutenant shook his head, a bemused smile on his face. "Can't keep out of trouble, can you? Well, I won't stop you. You can go there if you like, but you'll fetch some angry looks, I'm certain."

"I think I can handle that." Fara said with a smile.

"I am certain you can. Just stay out of the scientists' way. In particular, out of Doctor Aiten's way. You have spoken to him before, have you not?"

She nodded her head. "Yes." In truth, she'd met him more than once. He was the mind behind the artificial intelligence aboard the Von Dross, and most of the designs came from him. He was quite intelligent. They hadn't really talked beyond exchanging pleasantries. She had seen him a couple of times, even passed him by in the corridor once, just a day ago. He barely even acknowledged her. He seemed to be quite intent on whatever was on his data pad, and he looked rather worried about something. She couldn't help but wonder what was occupying his mind, or if perhaps he was always like that.

"He has been a bit...distracted lately." Dreyfus continued. He frowned for a moment, stroking his chin. "And seeing as how we have been contracted to develop these new AI systems, I would prefer if you did not detain him further. He needs to be focused, as we do have deadlines."

"Right. So stay out of Aiten's way and try not to rile up the lab boys, since I cost them a bet with my performance."

"Indeed."

"Sheesh, it sounds like I'm getting into hot water just for winning." Fara spoke with a playful tone. She wasn't too concerned with what the scientists thought. "If it made things easier, I could lose on purpose."

The lieutenant barked out a sharp laugh. "Right. Even if it would help, somehow I don't think you could do that. You strike me as the type that always gives her best, no matter what."

"I like to think so."

They had almost reached the airlock door, which separated the hangar from the rest of the ship. Technically, they didn't need an airlock. The hangar had force fields that kept out the vacuum of space, and even when ships entered or left, the force-fields stayed on. There a number of safety and reserve systems in place. It was perfectly safe. It would take an unmitigated disaster for it all to fail. Still, better safe than sorry, she supposed.

The officer pressed a switch on the wall by the door, and she could hear the sound of the mechanism within the door clicking and groaning. There was a hissing noise as the large door slid open. After they both stepped inside, the door closed behind them. The room they were in was empty, dimly illuminated with a dull red light. The room merely acted as a buffer between the hangar and the rest of the ship, just in case of an emergency. There was a long pause as the door behind them locked back into place, then the door in front of them began the opening process.

During this lull, the lieutenant spoke again. "Your friends are waiting for you in the mess hall. I recommend you join them. I think you could use a good meal and some rest. You and your team have the next shift off. You've earned it." The door hissed opened as he finished, and both of them stepped into the next room.

They were in the common area now, a room with white walls that connected with corridors that stretched out to the left and right. There was a manned security terminal across from the entrance to the hangar with two motionless security mechs standing against the far wall. The wizened old dog on duty was engrossed in a holo-magazine. He spared the two a glance, then simply resumed reading. Some of the crew mulled about, men and women of all different species. Apes, birds, lizards, cats, dogs, and more. Fara was always pleased to see the diversity and how well everyone worked together. There was tension sometimes, but nothing serious, at least as far as she knew. The Von Dross was a fine ship with a fine crew.

"Well, I've got to return to my other duties. File a few reports." He spared a quick glance towards the security guard, his eyes narrowing for a split second before adding, "And possibly conducting a random inspection of security personnel." They had both come to a stop, as their respective destinations were in opposite directions. He turned to regard her one last time. "Outstanding work, Ms. Phoenix. Dismissed."

Fara offered a brisk salute, one which he returned. He smiled again, then lowered his hand and turned on his heel, marching down the hallway with his hands still clasped behind him. Only when his back was turned did Fara lower her hand, but not before offering a little wave goodbye, even though she knew he wouldn't see it. She really liked him. She had worked with a fair share of military officers during the course of her career, and there were only two that she'd ever cared for. One was General Pepper of the Cornerian Army, and the other was the lieutenant she currently served under on the Von Dross.

Now it was time for her to relax. She turned and started for the mess hall. There were always people wandering around the corridors as they traveled from one place to another, but never an overabundance of them. The way was not crowded, just a few people here and there. Some traveled in pairs, colleagues enjoying conversation as they went to their next post, friends just keeping each other company. Most of them were alone though, sparing little attention to the people around them. Few seemed to notice Fara. She also passed by a maintenance droid working on an open panel in the wall. It ignored her. Most of the droids ignored everything except whatever their current task was.

When she had first arrived on the Von Dross, the ship had been so confusing. Even with a holo-map, she still lost her way. The corridors winded this way and that, she always ended up in the wrong room, and sometimes even back where she started. The ship was just so big. But she learned quickly. After only being aboard a couple of months, she knew the ship inside and out. She didn't need help figuring out where she needed to go. She knew what turns to take, what doors to pass through.

As she walked, she heard the ship's PA system crackle to life with a customary chime. It was an announcement from ship's artificial intelligence, in a monotone voice that spoke in a precise manner and with a faint accent. "This is DARIUS. All crew members are reminded that the Hydroponics Deck is currently closed to all non-essential personnel. Any personnel found in violation of this restriction will be subject to immediate dismissal. Please remember that such restrictions are made with your safety in mind."

That was one of the few things she had trouble getting used to. The computer, DARIUS, made constant announcements. There was no warmth or feeling in the AI's voice, even when it was programmed to wish them a pleasant day or announced a birthday. The voice was always cold. It creeped her out just a little little.

Most of the time when DARIUS spoke, it wasn't anything very important. Generally they were basic reminders of safety or protocol with the occasional special announcement. This one, though, was a little strange. Not that the announcement itself was unique, Deck 3 had been off-limits for a week or so now, and DARIUS had made that known multiple times a day for the entire crew. What bothered her was how long it had been closed. Even in a bad accident, she couldn't imagine shutting down an entire deck. Whatever could cause that had to be big. Really big. There's no way it could be kept under wraps. Even the teeniest irregularity in the ship's schedule led to a flood of gossip, rumor blended with half-truths. This time, though, there was only speculation. No one seemed to know anything about what was going on down there. It was the biggest mystery on the ship. Every day, she thought she might hear DARIUS announce that the deck was open again. Every day she was disappointed. It was a shame, as there were some lovely gardens on that deck that she enjoyed visiting.

The mess hall wasn't far now, she was almost at the door. Just before she reached it, she heard the sound of whirring machinery and a clanking noise. She froze, turning so she could investigate the source of the sound.

There was a maintenance droid down the hallway. All of the droids aboard the ship had a similar design, save for the large security bots which were considerably more formidable. Standard droids were about the same height as most sentient species, being made up of metal plates, wiring, chipsets, and various other electronic components. Though their general outline and shape was similar to that of a living creature, they couldn't possibly be mistaken for one, considering all of the wires and panels visible.

This one was twitching erratically with a high pitched whine emanating from within. There was a humming sound, like it was charging up with power. It tried to speak, but all that came out was a line of indecipherable gargle, its voice frantically changing pitch and filled with static.

"aa-aa-a-a Darius aa-a-a-a errorerrorerror-a-aaa-a-aaat-att-aaaa-at-attempt-attempt-attempt-attempt overr―over-a-a-aaa-aaa-aaaa-a..."

Fara had no idea what the thing was babbling about. She could barely make out any of the words, aside from "Darius" and "attempt." The thing was clearly malfunctioning, so it probably was just gibberish. Bizarre.

Whatever the case, she knew what she needed to do. She reached for the intercom positioned right by the mess hall door. Just before she could press it, the noise stopped. She looked at the maintenance droid again. It had straightened itself, no longer twitching or jerking erratically. All of the strange noises were gone. It spoke aloud, seemingly to itself. "Unit A732 online. Current Status: Awaiting orders." There were a series of mechanical chirps before it continued. "Orders received, continue maintenance work on flight deck. Proceeding." It whirled towards Fara, then started forward.

Fara's heart skipped a beat as it approached her. For a brief moment, she wondered if the thing was still broken. She might not be safe.

Much to her relief, her fears seemed unjustified. It turned to her as it walked by, its upper torso twisting so that it could face while its lower health continued on. "Crew Member ID: 7X39, designation Phoenix, Fara. Please enjoy your well-earned-break." The machine just kept on walking, its torso rotating away from her when it finished speaking, and eventually disappeared around the corner. Fara couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when it was gone. There was a voice in her head that said she should know better, and the voice was right. These things were very reliable, and statistically speaking the chances of them harming anyone were remarkably slim. But the odds didn't mean much if the statistically unlikely just happened to happen to you, she thought.

The thing that Fara hated most about the machines was the artificial nature of their voice. The voice was trying to emulate enthusiasm and being eager to please, but it came across as so unnatural in her mind. They were even worse than DARIUS.

Well, now she had to decide what to do. She was hungry and needed some rest but...she really needed to report this.

She reached for the intercom again. It was a large dark-tinted panel with a smooth surface. The buttons were on the interface, behind the tinted panel. All she had to do was move her finger over one of the buttons for a few moments and it lit up. She only had to wait a short while before a voice spoke through the speaker. "Yes? What do you need?"

"This is Fara Phoenix, I'm outside the mess hall of the Flight Deck. I would like to report a malfunctioning robot?"

There wasn't even a moment's hesitation. "Understood. A mechanic will be notified and someone will be sent when possible. Are you injured?"

Fara blinked in surprise. "No, I'm fine. But don't you want more information or anything like that?"

"No need," came the response. "It's a simple mechanical failure. A number of malfunctions have been reported. They are being dealt with as they come up. There's no cause for concern. You may return to your duties, Ms. Phoenix." There was a loud clicking sound, then the panel went dark. Well, that was the end of that.

That was a bit strange, Fara thought to herself. So there were more droids malfunctioning elsewhere on the ship? She didn't like the sound of that. Something else bothered her. Why did the person on the other end immediately ask Fara if she had been injured? That made her wonder if perhaps others had been hurt. That was a scary thought. Still, whoever it was said not to worry. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was a simple issue. It was probably best to put it out of her mind for now. Fara let out a soft sigh, then turned and punched the button for the mess hall door. The door slid open, thankfully much faster than the ones that led in and out of the hangar.

The mess hall was designated for the flight crew, be they pilots, technicians, or officers. While the room was simple, she found it pleasant. There were two rows of tables where everyone ate and a small kitchen area in the back, where the robot worked tirelessly to prepare the food and set it out for the others to enjoy, though "enjoy" might be too strong a word. There were a couple of machines on the wall, replicators that would provide much high quality food of your choice, but it would cost credits, which were hard to come by. God knows she couldn't spare any.

There weren't usually too many other people around when she went in. This time there were a scattering of souls throughout the room, most of them small groups huddled in their own sections of the mess hall, with a few eating in solitude. Some joked and laughed with their friends, some looked like they were engrossed in deep, more serious conversation. It was always that way when she came here.

What she liked most about the room was the large porthole at the far end, giving a breathtaking view of space. Her favorite place to eat was right there at the end of the table, by the window. Usually, it was already taken. As she looked down there, a wolf stood up and waved at her in an overly enthusiastic and exaggerated motion. He was grinning, and she couldn't help but grin back.

A mechanical voice spoke to her, drawing her attention back to the counter where the food was. "Good day, Crewman Fara Phoenix. I hope you find today's selection to your liking." The droid was watching her from the other side of the counter. It didn't really have much of a face, so it had no expression, a machine with a copper coating. It sported a comically sized white chef's hat, indicating it was the cook. The voice was much like that of the maintenance droids, enthusiastic and eager to please. Perhaps it had been repurposed as a cook, she didn't know.

She looked down at the displayed foods. Not much of a choice today. There were boiled noodles, thin slabs of meat, mixed vegetables, and some kind of soup. They also had a variety of nutrition packets and supplements that anyone of any species could eat. Very bland though. Still, she had to be polite, even if they were machines and a bit eerie. "Oh, yes it's, um...it's great. It's fine."

"My auditory sensors detect that you are displeased." The robot offered her an apologetic nod. "I offer my humblest apologies, Miss Fara Phoenix. I shall do better next time!" It extended a metal hand over the pot of noodles, simmering in a boiling golden liquid."Meanwhile, I must recommend the noodles. It has been our most popular item for the last few shifts. Some of the crew have referred to them as "flavorful""

Fara just smiled and shook her head. "Alright, I'll try those. Thanks."

"I shall make it my mission to please you with the next meal, Ms. Fara Phoenix. Please do enjoy the rest of your day." The droid retreated back to the kitchen, no doubt to prepare more food for anyone else that might enter the mess hall. Fara sighed before walking away. He was a robot, but he seemed like he was genuinely trying. He didn't creep her out as much as the others did, though he was undoubtedly of similar make.

The wolf was still waiting impatiently for her where she had last seen him. He kept beckoning for her to come faster, but she wasn't about to sprint over there just for his benefit.

He watched her as she approached, shaking his head and clucking his tongue a few times. "You're so slow, Fara! You're killing me, here!" The wolf patted a spot next to him that he had been saving for her.

Fara set down her tray and sat where the wolf had indicated. As she took her seat, she said, with a great deal of seriousness, "Killing you, huh? But I thought you were already dead, "Gold One." She spoke the title with great emphasis, only just managing to keep a straight face.

Opposite of the wolf, there was another canine, a Cornerian. He had been tearing into his food with gusto, but when he heard Fara's remark, his head jerked up and he emitted a muffled snort. There were still noodles hanging out of his mouth, and Fara couldn't help but giggle at the sight. After slurping them up noisily, he drawled, "Oooooooh! She jus' killed ya all over again, Raphael! There's no recoverin' from them burns! I'm gonna have to call the med-bay."

"Oh, shut up Josh, you died in that simulation before I did." The wolf growled. The other dog, Josh, just returned to his food, though there was the occasional sound of muffled laughter. Raphael turned back to Fara. "I seem to recall bailing you out before I went down."

"It was all part of the plan." Fara started to wrap her fork around the steaming noodles and held it over her plate while she waited for the bite to cool. She blew on it, causing the steam to bend away from her. "I had him right where I wanted him."

"I guess next time I'll just let your butt fry, that's what I'll do." The wolf declared, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Then you'd lose, Raphael." Fara said, raising the noodle laden fork to her mouth and biting into them. To her surprise, it was much better than the bland taste she had expected, and what she was used to by now. The robot cook must have added a little more seasoning than usual.

"Hey! I take offense to that!" The wolf cried out, then raised one finger and tilted it up and down in a scolding manner. "You know darn well that...well..." Raphael paused, with his finger frozen in mid air. Finally, he sighed, lowering his hand in defeat. "Okay, you're right, we'd lose. What can I say? Life's not fair sometimes. I can't compete with the best pilot in the system."

As she cleaned off her fork, she went for another bite, cooling it with her breath just as before. "I'm not the best in the system, you know that. There's pilots better than I am. Star Fox, for instance."

"Yeah, yeah, you're right. Probably couldn't take them on. Okay, not the best pilot." The wolf conceded. Then a sly smile spread across his face. She knew that smile. He was about to say something colossally stupid. He winked at her before saying. "But if not the best, then you've got to be the hottest."

Fara sputtered with surprise, clapping a hand to her mouth in order to prevent herself from spitting out her food. She recovered, forcing herself to swallow before turning to him. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Real smooth, Romeo." Josh spoke up, his words barely intelligible between gulps of food.

"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad!" The wolf raised his head up, looking between Fara and Josh, searching for some kind of approval. Unfortunately for him, there was none to be found. Fara simply shook her head with disappointment. Josh had even stopped eating for the time being, looking at his friend with a knowing smirk. It was Josh's expression that caused him to scowl. Though his words were harsh, there was a subtle joviality in his tone. "You wipe that stupid grin off your face, Josh, or I'm going to wipe it off for you."

"Oh, I'm real scared. I'm shakin' in my boots." Josh leaned his head closer to his friend before continuing. "If you fight as well as you woo the ladies, you'll probably knock yourself unconscious without me throwing a punch."

"Yeah?!" Raphael brought his head closer to Josh's, close enough that their snouts were practically touching one another. The combination of how ridiculous they looked and the barbs they threw at each other made Fara emit a soft laugh. She didn't know if they could hear her or not, but Raphael continued regardless. "It's on now, buddy boy. We're going to the sparring room and I am gonna wipe the walls with you." Raphael sniffed. "Also, my love life is just fine. I don't need any help, definitely not from you."

"You know I care too much to abandon you when you need me most!" Josh looked at his friend with something akin to pity. "You're hopeless. So I'll tell you what, I'll give you this one for free." Josh cleared his throat, then pointed at Fara. "Pretty sure all girls love brutally honest comments on their figure. So start with that."

The wolf opened his mouth, but Fara cut him off with a glare. "One word, and you're dead."

"Perish the thought, m'lady!" Raphael protested. "I wasn't going to say anything rude! You wound me, thinking I'm some crass, vulgar low-life!"

"Aren't you?" Josh immediately asked. Raphael froze, then slowly turned his head toward Josh. Fara held a hand over her mouth in order to hide her smile. Her body trembled as she struggled to contain her laughter.

Raphael gave the other canine a dagger-filled glare. "Josh, you keep your trap shut before I shut it for you." Josh didn't seem particularly intimidated by the threats. He just grinned back, shrugged his shoulders and returned to his food. Raphael and Josh provided endless amusement for Fara. At first, she'd been appalled at how they treated each other. Over time, she got used to it. She even started to look forward to it. Even though they ribbed each other constantly and threatened to come to blows, she'd never actually seen them fight. And deep down, she sensed they were quite close.

Raphael turned his attention to his food, though he continued to converse whenever his mouth wasn't full. "So what are you guys planning to do with your free time?"

"I think I'm going to take a shower and then crawl into bed." Fara said. "I'm exhausted."

Josh took a moment to lift his face away from his food, nodding his head. "Yup. I'm going to do the same. Just maybe without the shower part." Fara wrinkled her nose, as Josh was one of those people that needed to shower the most and took them the least. That was one reason why Fara and Raphael always sat opposite of him when they ate. "I'm just gonna veg in my quarters and watch some holo-screen."

"You guys are depressing me." Raphael was shaking his head in a slow, disappointed manner. Even though he wasn't being entirely serious, she sensed there was some earnestness in his words. "Normally it's just work, eat, and sleep, but for once we can spend some time however we please. Let's go to the rec deck, get some drinks!" He jerked his thumb up to indicate where they should go. Fara didn't even bother to point out that the rec deck was below them, not above them.

"Hey, man, you're not wrong." Josh held up his hands, a smug smile etched on his face. "We do get to do what we want. And you know what I want? A double helping of some holo-time and sleep." He took in a long breath before letting it all out in a deep contented sigh. "This is gonna be awesome."

"Seriously?" Raphael scoffed, rolling his eyes. "We get a day off, and you're going to waste it in your quarters rather than being with your friends. Nice."

"Oh, don't be like that." Josh looked up at Raphael and Fara with a devious grin served with an equally mischievous wink. "Besides, I seem to recall a certain pal of mine spendin' time in his quarters when a friend (Being me) wanted to take him out for a drink. And it's the darndest thing, Fara wasn't available that night either!" Fara froze, her meal momentarily forgotten. Josh was looking directly at the vixen now, his grin looking for all of the world like it was about to split his face in half. Fara blinked her eyes, her mouth opening ever so slightly in surprise, hoping that he didn't mean what she thought he meant. His next words, delivered with the highest degree of smugness, only confirmed her fears. "Or maybe it wasn't your quarters that night, ol' buddy. Maybe it was hers!"

Fara felt the blood rushing up to her face, causing the fur on cheeks to flush with embarrassment. Even Raphael, for once, seemed to be at a loss for words. His jaw worked itself up and down a few times, but he never managed to speak.

Josh's serious expression immediately melted away into mirth. He started laughing, quietly at first, but it grew louder and louder. Raphael finally managed to find his voice, snarling, "What did I tell you about keeping your trap shut, Josh?! I'm gonna blast you into space dust for this!"

That only made the other dog laugh harder. He was laughing so hard, he had to prop his arms up against the table to keep his balance. He kept trying to speak, but was unable to finish his sentence. "You guys should've...you guys...you guys should have..." Even though Fara was still blushing, Josh's laughter was a bit infectious. Try as she might, she couldn't stop a smile from spreading across her face, though she did cover her mouth to prevent anyone from seeing it. Josh looked so ridiculous right now. He was really trying so hard to stop laughing, and he just couldn't do it. Raphael wasn't laughing, but he didn't look as angry now either. He seemed to be struggling to look stern.

At last, Josh's laughter began to subside. He wiped away tears from his eyes before apologizing. "Sorry guys. I haven't laughed that hard in...hoo! I don't even know. The looks on your faces were jus' priceless." He shook his head, looking like he was struggling to contain another bout of laughter. "I needed that. Anyway, see you guys."

"Yeah, see you." Rapahel glared at the other dog as he left, then called out after him "And maybe keep those thoughts to yourself next time, huh?"

The dog responded without looking back, waving at them with the back of his hand. "Sure thing, Romeo. See you around, Fara."

The two of them were quiet for a while. Fara could sense a few wandering eyes looking their way, probably wondering what all that exchange had been all about. When she worked up the nerve to look around, nobody was looking in their direction. Fara picked at her food idly, not quite as hungry as she once was. "I didn't think he knew," she murmured to herself.

Raphael sighed. "Yeah...I should have warned you." He looked toward the door, where Josh had just departed from. "He keeps everything close to the chest. He knows a lot more than he lets on. He just acts like a fool sometimes."

Fara nodded her head, then turned towards Raphael and offered him a coy smile. "So kind of like you, then?"

"Ha!" Raphael barked out a laugh, then shook his head, grinning from ear to ear. "Dear lady, I'll have you know that I have no need to act like a fool. I am above such deceptions and lies!" He raised his head in a proud and dramatic fashion, as if to add solemnity to his next words. "I -am- a fool, thank you very much. No pretending required!"

Fara giggled. That's something she really liked him about him. He could really make her laugh. And he liked making self deprecating jokes. Even so, she thought it would be good if she were a bit more encouraging. She knew firsthand that sometimes people could be laughing on the outside, but not so much on the inside. "You're not a fool. You're sensitive, sweet, and smart."

The wolf quirked an eyebrow at her, the bemused grin never leaving his face. "Well, I make it a point never to argue with a lady. So you must be right! I guess I really am the best."

Fara paused, flicking her eyes to the side as if thinking about something. "Okay, well, maybe sometimes you're a fool..."

"Argh!" The wolf clasped his hands around his heart as though he'd been shot. "The pain! The pain!" Despite his words, there was a great deal of mirth in the wolf's eyes and face. This was good. She didn't want to actually hurt his feelings. After a moment, he gestured towards her tray, filled with food that was cooling down. "You gonna finish that?"

Fara nodded before returning to her meal. Raphael watched her for a few more moments before joining her, attacking his own food in short order. There was silence between the two of them for a while as they ate.

A familiar chime came over the ship's PA system. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a few other heads turning toward the source of the sound. Everything in the room grew quiet, just in time for the AI to deliver its message. Only when it started speaking did she raise her head, listening to whatever the computer had to say.

"This is Darius. Due to the current influx of patients in the medical ward, Deck 2 is now only to be freely accessed by authorized personnel only. All other crew mates must schedule an appointment. If you are in need of medical attention, please submit the request on an appropriate terminal. We apologize for any inconvenience."

As the AI's message came to an end, there were scattered murmurs throughout the mess hall. Fara lowered her head, staring blankly at her meal. More bad news. People were getting sick, droids were malfunctioning, a deck remained closed. She wondered if it all meant anything. Separate simultaneous coincidences? Or something more than that? Maybe she was just being paranoid.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt Raphael scooting closer to her. He didn't seem to care about his meal at all. She felt his arm snake around her shoulder as he leaned closer. There was a familiar warmth as his body pressed against hers. A comfortable warmth. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he nibbled at it. She allowed it only for a moment before shoving his muzzle away. "Stop that! Not here, not when everybody can see us!"

"I know, I'm sorry. I just...I can't help myself sometimes." Though Raphael pulled his face away, his arm remained draped around her.

She just continued eating while he held her. She was almost finished. She spared a glance toward his tray, still half full with food before asking him "Aren't you going to eat that?"

"Nah. I'm not really hungry right now." His hand started to slip down her shoulder, trailing down her sides. "Got something else on my mind."

"I'm sure you do." Fara ignored him, continuing with her meal. An idea came to her mind. She wrapped some noodles around her fork, then very slowly lifted them to her mouth. She took her time, savoring each bite for as long as she could. Of course, the food itself wasn't the reason why. It was better than usual, sure, but not so good that she'd want to draw out the eating process. She did, however, know that it would drive Raphael absolutely crazy.

It didn't take long for it to work. She had noticed that whenever he was restless, the heel of one of his feet started rapidly going up and down, which caused his whole leg to bounce. His chair seemed like it was vibrating, so she knew some part of him was moving even if she couldn't see it. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his tail swishing behind him. The plan was working. She leaned back, making a "mmm" sound as she enjoyed her food. When she at last swallowed, she turned toward Raphael with a knowing smile.

His face was a mixture of emotion. She knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and dash for her quarters at maximum speed Fortunately, while Raphael had little control of his mouth, he did exercise some degree of restraint with the rest of his body. Some. "You're doing this on purpose!" He grumbled, removing his arm from her shoulders and crossing his arms, his muzzle drawn into a frown.

"Maybe." She teased him, going for more food. Once again, she moved as slow as possible. "You're cute when you sulk."

"I am not sulking!" Raphael declared. He brought his hand up to his forehead in an overly dramatic manner. "Dear lady, I am far too refined to sulk. It's beneath me! I am simply...uh..." He seemed to struggle to come up with an alternative description of his behavior. "Pining! That's it, I'm pining!"

Fara rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "Pining for what?"

"I don't know yet. I didn't get that far before you interrupted with your vicious sulk insinuations."

She looked down at her food, sizing up what was left. She really wasn't hungry anymore. She pushed her tray forward, then rose to her feet. Raphael didn't miss a beat, practically on his feet before she was.

When she started for the door, he was right behind her. Almost everyone had left by this point. There were still a few people enjoying their meals, but Fara didn't really recognize any of them. Besides, she just wanted to rest, more than anything. Though, judging by the way Raphael was looking at her, he had other plans for the two of them. "I'll walk you to the elevator. Figure we're both going that far, at least."

"Oh, you're such a gentleman." Fara stifled a laugh and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you don't have any ulterior motives."

"Of course not!" Raphael grinned. "It's like you just said. I'm a gentleman."

Once the doors of the mess hall had closed behind them, Raphael reached down and took hold of Fara's hand, giving it a soft squeeze. There was no one around at the moment, the corridor was virtually deserted. She gave him a little squeeze back. They walked like that down the corridor, hand in hand. Neither of them talked. It was a pleasant moment. Sometimes, it was nice to enjoy the little things.

Of course, such quiet moments rarely lasted long with Raphael. While they were still walking hand in hand down the corridor, he posed a question. "You know what I've been doing during my shifts? When we're not flying together?"

"What?" She asked, curious where he was going with this.

"I made up this game where I try to see how long I can go without thinking of you." She looked up at him, but he wasn't looking at her. He ran one of his hands up across the top of his head, slicking back the fur between his ears. "What a moron, right?"

"Now that you mention it..." Fara teased him with a smile. But inside, she felt a faint yet persistent tug on her heart, a faint and almost indiscernible ache. She had a feeling she knew what was coming.

"No, I'm serious Fara!" He suddenly came to a stop, and his hold on her hand forced her to stop too. He looked down at her. She sometimes forgot how tall he was. He was a big wolf, she only came up to his shoulders. But it wasn't his height that drew her attention at the moment, it was his face. His eyes. She had always liked his eyes. Bright and blazing like a distant blue star. That was the first thing that struck her when she had met him. He was a bit of a goof most of the time, but she had to admit he was very attractive. His eyes burned now, filled with passionate emotion, with lust. But there was something deeper dwelling in his countenance now as he looked at her. "Look, Fara, I...I just..."

Fara closed her eyes for a moment, sighing. She had been right. She knew exactly where this was going. "Don't say it. We've had this conversation already."

"I know, but...I love you, Fara." He raised up her hand so that it was between them, then clasped his other hand over hers. "I know it's stupid, and I know we've talked about it, but...I want to be with you. I want to stay by your side, beyond the Von Dross." He released her hand, instead gently caressing her face. "Please."

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, turning her head so that her nose was brushing against his arm. She reached up and clasped her hand over his. She just held him there for a while, breathing in his scent. She liked him, she really did. It wasn't just physical, though she certainly enjoyed that as well. She hadn't been romantically involved with anyone in years, at least until she had met Raphael. He was also a charming companion that made her smile and laugh often. And yet...

"I just..." Fara began, still holding his hand clasped against her face. "I just...I'm sorry. I can't." Fara released his hand, and Raphael let it drop. She could see the crushing disappointment revealed in his eyes and the frown he now had. His shoulders sagged and his head drooped forward. Even his ears pinned back. He didn't say anything for a long while, just stood there silent and depressed. She didn't know what to say. But she had to try. "I like you, Raphael. I really do. You're sweet, you're funny, and I enjoy being with you. But..."

"But what?" He asked. His voice was not sharp, not filled with anger or bitterness. This somewhat surprised her, as she felt he was entitled to those emotions. It would almost be easier if he did get enraged. But he didn't. He just seemed hurt. And knowing that she had hurt him brought up a terrible pain within her heart as well. She had never intended for this. He wasn't going to drop this, so she had to give him an answer.

"Ahem."

Fara jerked her head to the side, startled by the sound. One of the security personnel, a cat, was watching them with one eyebrow raised. Fara's cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she gave a tenuous wave at the security guard. The cat just snickered to herself and moved on, shaking her head all the while. She wasn't the only one in sight, though. There were others around now, and this wasn't the kind of conversation that Fara wanted to have in public. It was a bit of a miracle that they'd made it as far as they did without running into anyone. "We can talk more in the elevator."

"If we're alone..." Raphael muttered, sounding a bit miffed. Though she didn't know if he was upset because of the interruption or because of the nature of the conversation.

Fara didn't know what the wolf was thinking. He wasn't holding her hand anymore. It could be that he was just being discreet, or it could be that he just didn't feel like it. Maybe he was too angry or hurt. She kept her eyes glued forward, couldn't allow herself to look at him. She didn't want to see his expression. She was afraid of what she might find.

As they reached the elevator, the door slid open. A couple of technicians popped out, quickly walking past Fara and Raphael while engrossed in their own conversation, some sort of argument over technical difficulties they'd been having with something or another. There was no one else inside and no one else who seemed to want to get on, which meant the vixen and wolf would have it all to themselves. Once inside, Fara pressed the button for Deck 4. The doors slid shut, then they were on their way.

"So..." Raphael spoke slowly. He was staring intently at her with a very serious look on his face. There was no humor or mirth in him now. Just a desperate hunger for the answers he needed "You were going to tell me why we can't stay together?"

She sighed, thinking carefully over what she would say next. What she could say. "I wish I could tell you why. It's complicated." She couldn't look in him in the eyes anymore, instead averting her gaze from him. "All I can say is that there's someone else in my life, and that person is more important than anything else. I won't let anyone or anything jeopardize that."

"Right. You said that last time." Raphael was quiet for a while before heaving a heavy sigh. "Well...can you at least tell me this? Is it your husband?"

"No." Fara shook her head. "I'm not married."

"Like a significant other or something?" Rafael persisted.

"Rafael..." Fara started to warn him.

"Please!" He begged.

She didn't know if she should answer him or not. It wasn't really any of his business. And yet, looking at him, she had trouble thinking of any reason why she couldn't at least tell him this much. He was staring intently at her, waiting with bated breath for her answer.

The sorrowful, pleading expression he wore was more than she could bear. At last she relented. "No. It's not a significant other." There was a look of relief which crossed his features. He opened his mouth to say something, but she held up one finger and pressed it against his snout, momentarily silencing him. "I'm sorry. I can't say anymore." She couldn't meet his gaze, even though a part of her mind insisted that she didn't have any reason to feel guilty. There was a raging storm inside her. She should never have allowed herself to get involved with him in the first place. They had both agreed early on that their relationship was to be temporary, just to enjoy things while they lasted. He should have accepted this. And yet, could she truly blame him for not? Their relationship had become intimate, was it truly such a surprise that he wanted to go further? Perhaps it was her fault, and not his.

"I...I see." Raphael's head lowered as he spoke. She knew he was feeling down. She wanted to help, but she couldn't say the words that he wanted, no, needed to hear. She liked him, there was no question of that. If she were to be honest with herself, perhaps she would even admit that she loved him. But it didn't matter. It wouldn't work out. It couldn't. And she hated the situation as much as he did, but she couldn't explain the reason to him. He would never understand. He might even make the situation worse. And that was why it would be best if it just ended here and now.

But Raphael was always full of surprises. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between them. The wolf reached out and stroked her cheek, then cupped her head with both hands and tilted her head upwards so that she was looking into his eyes. She still saw sorrow in them, but there was a faint smile splayed across his face. "My feelings won't change. I'm going to keep trying, Fara. If you tell me to stop and leave you alone forever, I will." He leaned close and planted a kiss on her lips before drawing back. "But I want to be with you. And I'll just keep trying to convince you."

The words sank into Fara's heart, and she felt as though something were melting within. Fara looked up at him, then threw her arms around his neck and pulled his head downward, giving him a passionate kiss. He seemed surprised, at least for a moment. He recovered quickly. His arms soon enclosed around her, one circling her waist while the other wrapped around her neck. He returned her kiss with one of his own, one filled with need and desire.

This was why she was having these problems to begin with. Not only did she have trouble saying no to him, she couldn't even say no to herself. Part of her wanted to break it off right here and right now. A voice that screamed at her, Stop it Fara! This is exactly the problem! Quit leading him on! Pull away from him, just end it! It will be better for you, it will be better for him! It would be better for both of us in the long run. But another part of her, the stronger part, kept goading her forward. All she could think about was how cute he was, how intoxicating his scent was, how comforting she found being held in his arms, and how wonderful it was knowing how much he desired her. It gave her feelings that she hadn't had since...

"I don't care what happens now." The wolf drew away from her, panting heavily. "I don't know if we have a future, and I don't care. I need you now. Please."

"Yes." Fara's answer was immediate, even though there was a voice in her, a faint voice that only grew fainter and fainter, that said to refuse. It was just going to hurt him more down the line. But that voice was little more than a whisper now, and in a moment it would be gone altogether. The rational part of her mind was no longer in control. "My quarters."

The timing couldn't have been better. The elevator announced their arrival to Deck 4 with a ding. The doors had scarcely slid open before they were both out in the corridor. Raphael gazed at her with a lop-sided smile, his eyes betraying the burning desire within. They set off for their destination at a hurried pace. This time, she was taking the lead, her hand seizing hold of his wrist and leading him down the corridor to their destination. He knew where her quarters were, he had been there before. Even so, he seemed content to stay behind her. She could almost feel his gaze boring into her, admiring her form as they went. She knew what he was thinking about. What he was imagining. It was a power she had over him, and she liked it.

There weren't many people around them. The corridors were almost deserted. There was one ape they passed by, but he didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular, seemed like he was just aimlessly wandering, even staggered a little as they passed by. Once they passed him, he turned around. She wondered if maybe he wanted something from them, but he never said anything, and he didn't seem to be trying very hard to keep up. Maybe he was drunk? She might offer to help any other time, but right now she wanted to get to her quarters as fast as possible.

The walk to her quarters felt like it took an eternity when it was, in fact, only about thirty seconds from the elevator. They rounded the corner, and there it was. Second door on the left. There was nothing special about it, at least from the outside. The hallway was white and brightly illuminated, the door was just like the dozens of others that were around. What lay beyond the door was typical of a crew cabin aboard the vessel, mostly just necessities, though the crew of the Von Dross was afforded a bit more comfort and luxury than would be granted to a member of a proper fleet. It was home, or at least as close to at is she would get on board the Von Dross. Right now, home meant privacy, and that was the only thing that mattered to her. To the both of them.

She let go of the wolf's hand in order to reach into the pocket on her jumpsuit, pulling out her Personal Data Assistant. Everyone on board was required to have one and keep it on their person at all times. In addition to the information it provided for everyday use, such as maps, duties, schedules, and other reminders, it also contained a clearance level for each individual on board, allowing them easy access to anywhere they were supposed to be, including their quarters. She it held up to a small flat screen on the wall near the door. The monitor blinked with a green light, then the door slid open. After pocketing the PDA, she turned to Raphael with a sultry smile and walked into her quarters with a faint sway of her hips.

The wolf was on her in a moment. Raphael leaned forward, entwining his arms around Fara's neck and allowing his hands to slide down her body, causing her breath to hitch in her throat. "Finally," he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear and sending a shiver of excitement through her. Grabbing hold of her head and twisting it gently to the side, he planted a kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers, and she moaned ever so softly through the kiss. All rational thought was melting away, and all that remained was burning passion and heated desire. He pressed himself against her backside, releasing her from the kiss only to rest his head on her shoulders, his muzzle buried into the fur along her neck. He spoke, his words muffled. "I love you so much Fara. I can't wait anymore." One of his hands rested atop her belly, while the other reached for the zipper at the top of her jumpsuit. His mouth never stopped working alongside the nape of her neck, and the sensation was driving Fara wild.

THUNK!

Fara's ears twitched at the strange noise, coming from behind her. Raphael moved forward, pushing against her. He either didn't hear what Fara had or he just didn't care. Part of her thought she should just ignore the sound. It would be so easy to let herself get swept away by her lover. She wanted it. She needed it. Maybe the sound was nothing. Maybe it was just her imagination.

THUNK!

The noise again. It had come from the door. This time she pulled herself away from Raphael, causing him to emit a disappointing groan. "Oh for crying out loud, who could that be?! Every time we..."

"Sshhh!" Fara held up her hand, raising one finger to shush the wolf. They both remained where they were, quiet, ears perked up and listening for the slightest sound. The room was silent. Whatever the noise had been, it didn't sound like someone just knocking on the door. It had been too heavy, too loud. And there had been long pauses between the sounds.

As if on cue, the noise came again. Both Raphael and Fara were watching the door when it happened. Fara saw nothing, but she still heard it.

THUNK!

"You know who it probably is?!" Raphael lurched up to his feet, stomping over to the door. "I'm gonna kill 'em." As he approached the door, he bellowed out, "Josh, I know that's you! You're a dead dog!"

"Wait..." Fara grabbed hold of one of Raphael's shoulders with one hand, stopping him mid-stride. When he turned toward her, she could see the confusion displayed upon his face. "Something's off about this. Let me check what's outside."

"Check what's outside?" The wolf blinked as he looked at her. "What are you talking about?"

Fara didn't bother answering him. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her PDA. She dexterously flicked her finger up and down the screen, quickly accessing the particular program she needed. It only took a moment for it to work, and Fara was thus rewarded with a view of the exterior of her quarters. There was someone standing there, leaning against the door. Or more accurately, leaning his head against the door. His arms were dangling at his sides, and he had put himself in a very awkward position, his forehead against the door and his feet stretched out behind him. It almost looked like he had tripped and had decided it was too much trouble to get himself up. "That's peculiar," she murmured to herself. She couldn't see the face very clearly, but the body seemed to be simian. Whoever he was, he was wearing a maintenance technician's uniform.

"Hey...how'd you do that?" Raphael leaned close, staring at what her PDA was displaying. "Who is that guy? And how are we seeing this? What is this?"

Fara's eyes flicked briefly at her partner, taking note of the stunned look on his face. "I think it's that guy we passed on the way here. And I'm using one of the ship's security cameras to see outside my quarters."

The wolf stared at her, his jaw hanging open. "Are you...are you serious, Fara?! Do you know how many regulations that breaks? They'd throw you off the ship if they..."

"That doesn't matter right now, does it?!" Fara snapped at the wolf. He blinked, then grew silent. He seemed hurt. Fara felt a twinge of remorse, as he didn't deserve her ire. At the moment, however, there was a more pressing matter to solve. Her attention went back to the screen, and the ape on the other side of the door. When she next spoke, she managed to keep her voice calm and collected. "That ape is still out there. I don't know who it is. And I don't know what he wants. His behavior is..." She hesitated for a moment, searching for the right description, but eventually simply settling for "Troubling."

Raphael sighed, then massaged his forehead with one hand. "Well...let's just ask him to leave or something."

"Hold on." Fara flicked tapped her PDA and slid her finger along an adjuster. Before long, they could hear a voice. It was quiet and difficult to understand, though that was no fault of the equipment. The man was just muttering to himself.

"I am...I am...I am..." He just kept mumbling to himself, over and over again. After a while, he pulled his head back from the door. Fara glanced to her side, noting that Raphael had drawn closer, his eyes glued to the screen. Together, they watched the man take half a step backwards, his head leaned so far back that it looked like he was going to lose his balance. Without warning, he suddenly jerked forward, slamming his head against the door with horrifying force. Fara didn't need her device to hear the result of that.

THUNK!

"What the...what the heck is he doing?!" Raphael's lips curled up in a puzzled grimace. "What's wrong with him?!"

Before Fara could answer, the camera transmitted more sound to the PDA. The ape seemed to be talking to himself. "I am in control. I am, I am...I am..." There was a long pause. Raphael and Fara were both completely silent, transfixed by what they saw upon the screen. When the ape spoke again, his voice had somehow changed, his every word dropping further in pitch. "We are...we are, we are, we are..."

"What's wrong with his voice?" Raphael wanted to know. Fara had noticed the same thing. The voice was fluctuating in a very peculiar manner. Going up and down in pitch, starting out normal and then dropping to a very deep tone.

"Something must be wrong with the equipment," Fara murmured, more to herself than Raphael. "I should have checked..."

"I still don't understand why or how you're using the camera." Raphael turned to her, a concerned look on his face. "I'm supposed to report stuff like this. If someone finds out, we could both be..."

"Focus, Raphael." Fara sighed, then took another look at the display. The ape was still there, mumbling to himself. "I'm more concerned with him right now. I'm not sure what we should do."

The ape had his face planted against the door. He pulled his head away, clutching his head with both hands and slowly dragging his fingers down, clawing at his face. He uttered two words then, a desperate plea that rang out loud and clear. "Help me..."

"I know what to do." Raphael said. He turned away from Fara, marching over to the door. "We gotta help him. I'm going to call med/sci and see if someone can take care of him. He's obviously sick. We either get him to his quarters or get a medic down here."

"No Raphael, we don't..." Fara started to protest.

The wolf silenced her with a "Shhh" and holding a finger up to his grinning lips. "Don't worry, Fara. Wait here. I'll take care of this, then I'll take care of you." He gave her a wink, then reached for the door controls.

Fara stifled a groan and rolled her eyes with a sigh. It was just like Raphael. He always wanted to be the gallant rogue. He just loved to charge in without a thought, whether it a be a simulated battle, a conversation, or a genuine emergency. He got himself into trouble more often than not, but at least his heart was in the right place. She supposed that was another reason why she found herself attracted to him.

Still, there was something about all of this that made her very uncomfortable. First, Raphael was never supposed to know about her access to the some of the ship's security systems. She shouldn't have shown him that. She took another look at the camera monitoring the outside hall. The ape hadn't moved from where he was resting. The door slid open, and the ape tumbled forward into Raphael. The wolf steadied the ape and gently pushed him away, trying to steady the him. It seemed to be working. The ape had head lowered, and Raphael was talking to him. "Alright buddy, you're not looking so good. This isn't your apartment. You need any help?"

The ape just rocked his head back and forth without a word. Raphael opened his mouth to say something more, but he didn't get the chance. To Fara's horror, the ape's hands seized hold of Raphael's throat. Fara gasped at the sight of her lover being assaulted, leaping out of her seat and bolting for the door, slamming her hand against the switch. The door hadn't even opened all the way before she was outside.

The two men were still engaged in a violent struggle. Raphael was much larger than his opponent, and Fara knew he was exceptionally strong. Yet somehow, the ape seemed to be overpowering him, his strength far greater than his size let on. Raphael was thrashing about wildly, attempting to dislodge the ape, but his grip never lessened. Even as they fought, the ape never stopped talking. There were tears streaming down his cheeks as he spoke, "Stop it! Stop it stop it stop it stop it!" It was a pitiful cry full of pain and sorrow, a desperate plea. All of it in stark contrast to his vicious actions.

"Fara!" Raphael managed to pry the ape's hands loose enough for him to hiss out her name in an urgent plea, twisting so he could look at her. It was the first time she ever saw true fear in his eyes. "Go! Save yourself, get out of here!"

Not a chance.

The surveillance equipment was not the only illegal item she had smuggled aboard the ship. She withdrew a small box from her pocket, featureless save for a small switch at the bottom, a dial and what looked like two jagged teeth at the front. She leveled it at the two struggling men. She supposed that she should offer the ape a chance to surrender or give him a warning.

That wasn't about to happen. She pressed down on the button, heard the hum of energy as the weapon charged up, then aimed at as precisely as she could. The hum grew louder and louder until it reached its apex, climaxing with a piercing whine. A bolt of electricity launched itself from her weapon, striking the back of the ape. The effect was instantaneous. The ape let out a loud scream, his hands immediately jerking away from Raphael, violently convulsing as the powerful electrical current went up and down his body. Only when he began to crumple to the floor did Fara release her hand from the button she'd been holding. The weapon charged down, its purpose complete.

Raphael just stood there panting for a long while, coughing and wheezing for breath. Somewhat recovered, he took a step forward, looking down at the unconscious ape, still breathing heavily. "What the heck was that?!" His voice was still sounded a little hoarse. "What the heck was wrong with that guy?! That was...that was insane!"

"Maybe he was having some kind of breakdown." Fara suggested. She still had her weapon aimed at the ape, just in case he didn't stay down. "He shouldn't be dead. I think we should call for help."

"And what was that?!" The wolf whirled to face her. His eyes bulged as he stared at her, and he seemed so terribly confused. "How did...you're not supposed to be armed! Why are you armed?!"

"To protect myself." Fara jerked her head slightly, indicating the fallen ape. "And to protect others. You're welcome, by the way."

The wolf paused for a moment to process what she said, then suddenly rushed her. He threw his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. There was nothing sensual about his touch this time, though. "I'm sorry. Thank you Fara. Oh gods, thank you. You saved my life."

Fara smiled and hugged him back. She had been worried for him, more worried than she cared to say. She wanted to just hold him tight for as long as she could. But she knew there were more important matters at hand. More specifically, what to do about the ape.

Raphael was already thinking about that. Though his arms were still around her, his attention was directed toward the body. "We can't just leave him there. Let's call security."

"Right." Fara nodded, then turned toward the fallen ape. She extricated herself from Raphael's embrace, approaching the body cautiously. There was still that sickening pit of fear in her stomach, even though the threat had been neutralized. As she drew closer, she saw that the ape's chest was rising and falling with this breath, so he was still alive. That was probably for the best. If she'd killed him, there's no telling what kind of trouble she would be in. Even if her actions were justified, she wasn't supposed to have a weapon in the first place. Only the security team and certain high ranking officers had that privilege.

"He alright?" Raphael asked, nodding his head in the direction of the fallen assailant.

"Yes, I think he's..." Fara froze mid-sentence, staring at the ape. She wasn't sure if she could trust her own eyes. "Raphael...do you see this?" She pointed at the ape as the wolf took a few steps closer.

When he reached Fara, he had much the same reaction as she did. His eyes widened as he stared at the ape. "What the heck is that?"

Both of them stood gaping in horror at what was before them. There was something connected to the ape, something that was not supposed to be there. It looked like some kind of worm, but it was much too big. They couldn't see the whole worm's body, the rest of it was buried underneath the ape's clothes, but the protruding tip was wiggling in the air. Fara covered her mouth with one hand, trying not to gag at the repulsive sight.

The worst was yet to come. The "head" of the worm wrapped itself around the ape's neck, disappearing around the other side of the ape's skull. In that moment, the ape's eyes fluttered open. He turned and regarded them with a blank stare, then started to rise to his feet, emitting a low rumbling growl as he moved. Raphael went to Fara's side, holding an arm in front of her as a shield.

For only a brief moment, Fara hesitated. After all, she didn't know what was wrong with this ape. He might be sick. Perhaps that worm was some kind of parasite. Maybe he was out of his mind and his actions were not his own.

It didn't matter. She couldn't risk her life, and she couldn't risk Raphael's. She lifted her weapon up and aimed at the rising ape. She flicked the dial to a higher setting, then pulled the trigger. Raphael moved away from her before she fired. They seemed to be in agreement on what must be done.

Another bolt of energy launched itself from her weapon at the crazed ape, but this one didn't connect. The ape's movements had been a near blur as he dove away from the blast, the trailing energy missing him by mere inches. The blast struck the paneled floor, generating a great burst of sparks, but nothing more. Before she could ready another shot, he charged and tackled her to the ground, causing the weapon to fly from her grasp, clattering against the floor. She struggled in vain, trying to pry him off, but he was much too strong, his hands now clasped tight against her throat. She struggled against him, but his grip held firm. He spoke now, his voice twisted and distorted, rising and falling. "Can't...silence...the voices..."

"Get off of her!" Raphael grabbed hold of the ape by the scruff of his neck and heaved with all of his might. Fara's attacker was hoisted up, his hands torn from her throat. She gagged and coughed as soon as she was free, but she couldn't allow herself a moment's rest. She had to help Raphael.

Raphael had the advantage for the moment, holding one arm over the mad ape's neck in a stranglehold. The ape was bucking wildly, heaving himself backwards and slamming Raphael against the wall with bone-jarring force. Each blow seemed to come harder and harder, and she could hear the wolf as he let out pained grunts and yelps with every forceful blow.

Fara needed to help. She needed that gun back, she doubted very much she'd be able to physically overpower the attacker. She scanned the corridor, frantically searching for her missing weapon. There it was, lying close to the entrance of her quarters. She darted towards it, bending down in order to scoop it. As soon as her fingers closed around it, she whirled around, ready to take another shot.

She had less than a second to register the fact that something large was hurtling directly at her. Raphael. The ape must have dislodged him and thrown the wolf at her. She tried to get out of the way, but she just couldn't move fast enough. Raphael's heavy form slammed into her, sending them both into a rolling tumble down the corridor, away from the ape.

It took a moment for Fara to get her bearings. She staggered up to her feet, hissing from the onslaught of pain that came from her flank. Her hand involuntarily moved to clutch her side. She'd been struck hard in the ribs. She wasn't sure if anything was broken, but it hurt. Wincing, she looked at Raphael. The poor wolf was trying to get up to his feet. He was on his knees, pushing his hands against the floor in an attempt to pick himself up, but it seemed to be a great struggle for him. That ape had really done a number on him. Speaking of which...

The ape was advancing steadily toward them. His mouth was open and moving, as if he was trying to say something, but no words were coming out. As he advanced, she brought one hand behind her back, the hand that still held her weapon. Her fingers swiped across the screen and adjusted one of the dials. She couldn't see it, but she knew the weapon well enough that she could accurately set it with one hand tied behind her back, which wasn't far from the truth in this case. She could hear a faint hum as the weapon charged, and it was practically vibrating in her hand.

The ape growled, though whether it was because he could sense what she was planning or had merely decided it was time to act. His pace broke out into a charge, and he screamed as he hurled himself at her. He was fast, but this time Fara was faster. She brought the weapon out and slammed her finger on the fire button. There was a loud, high pitched whine as the energy discharged directly into the ape's chest, mere inches away from her. The ape shrieked as the blast of energy launched him into the other direction, his head slamming into the nearby bulkhead with a loud crunch. He fell heavily against the ground, his muscles spasming uncontrollably. The energy was still visibly coursing its way through him before finally dissipating, but the convulsions continued. The stench of burned flesh and fur filled the air, and Fara had to cover her nose.

But that wasn't the worst part. As he lay there twitching on the ground, he emitted the most horrible screams. The voice didn't sound right, like it belonged to someone else. And just like his words before, the tone shifted in a most unnatural manner.

The ape's screams finally died to a murmur, then silence. The convulsions stopped, and the ape lay still. The sound of sizzling flesh was still present. Fara backed away from the ape, then sank to her knees. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking in several deep breaths. She'd had to defend herself before, but...she'd never seen anything like this. She didn't feel remorse. She knew that she had no choice. And yet somehow that fact didn't make her feel any better. She felt something rising in her stomach, and she lurched forward, dropping to her hands and knees. She found herself very much regretting the noodles she'd had earlier.

As she emptied the contents of her stomach, she could hear Raphael speaking, apparently having found the intercom. "Yeah, that's right. We need a security team down here right now. We got attacked. He's down, I think he might be dead." She couldn't hear the reply, as she started gagging again, fighting against her body's need to retch. She struggled, but her stomach heaved again. Nothing came out this time. It felt like her stomach was trying to force its way up her throat and eject itself from her body. She kept gagging and choking. Finally, mercifully, the heaves came to a stop. She lifted her head up until her torso was mostly upright. She would have flopped backward, but she felt something firm against her back. Raphael was behind her, catching her so she wouldn't fall. She found herself staring almost straight up into his eyes, wide with concern. Even so, he managed a smile. "You got a little something on your face."

Fara was too tired to give much of a retort. "Shut up."

"Hey, come on." Gently, the wolf started to ease her upward, standing with her as he lifted her to an upright position. "Easy, easy..." He held her close so she could lean against him. "Let's get you to medical."

"I'm not that hurt..." Fara murmured. She knew it was a lie. She didn't know what happened, but she suddenly felt incredibly tired. She hurt all over, and she could barely keep her eyes open. "Besides...I thought they closed medical..."

"Ah, crap, you're right." Raphael growled. Her face was lying against his chest, and she could feel the rumble of the sound of his voice. "Alright, in your quarters then. I'll put you to bed, and then I'll call 'em up. If they can't get down here, I'll figure something else out."

"Okay." Fara didn't have anything more to say. She liked the sound of rest. She spared a glance at the ape, but he wasn't moving. He didn't even look like he was breathing.

She heard rapidly approaching footsteps, and turned to see security guards approaching from behind. Curiously, they didn't even stop to question them. They ran right up to the body of the ape. There was some sort of stretcher trailing behind them, hovering above the ground, an automated device that could assist where needed. The security guards took up both ends of the body and strained to lift it up and place it on the stretcher. Then they turned and walked away, disappearing from whence they came, the stretcher towed behind them.

"Don't worry about that, Fara," Raphael murmured, slipping his hand into Fara's pocket and withdrawing her PDA. He slid it in front of the door before returning it to her pocket and helping her inside. He led her to the bed before gently lowering her to the mattress, easing her down every step of the way.

Now it was Fara's turn to growl. "C'mon, Raphael, I'm not that bad. I'm just a little banged up."

"Yeah, you're probably right. But you know what? I don't care." With Fara now on the bed, he leaned over and planted a kiss on her forehead. "To me, you're a delicate flower and I got a chance to treat you like it without you being able to smack me."

"I'll get you later, you know." Fara offered the wolf a tired smile. She then allowed her self to sink into the mattress, her head resting comfortably against the pillow. It felt so incredible to be lying here. She wanted to at least change into some night clothes, or better yet clean herself up a bit after what happened in the hallway. But right now, she just wanted to sleep.

"I'm sure you will." He grinned at her. "Anyway, let's get these wounds treated, yeah?" He pulled away from her, rising to his feet and striding over to the intercom in her room. Before he pressed the button, he gave her one last reassuring smile. "Don't worry Fara, we're alright now. Security's got this taken care of. Worst is over, right?"

She felt...something. Her eyes opened momentarily. It was like something was wrong. It was a bizarre feeling, as she had nothing to base it on. Raphael was right, the attacker had been subdued and it seemed likely that, whoever he was, he had just snapped. And yet she couldn't shake that feeling. That terrible feeling that something horrible was about to happen. But maybe that was just the injury and shock talking. The darkness was closing in now. She'd be asleep soon. The feeling, whatever it was, passed as quickly as it had come. She was only able to voice her agreement with Raphael before sleep overcame her.

"Yeah...the worst is over."