Beware of Spoilers! Nova 7: Emergence was written on the basis that this story would be the only one, hence why it will mention things that are/will be highlighted in the upcoming sequel(s). Continue reading at your own peril~
Epilogue
And that's how this story ended. The story of "Metro Society" as the Sheriff called it. But history did not end with the collapse of this society. Instead, it returned to Corneria City, which in turn was liberated by both Star Fox and brave soldiers like Corporal Trevor.
I think he got the happy ending he was craving for. After he was extracted from the station, he was reunited with his lost partner and introduced Ashley to her. From what I could gather, it went pretty well given that they managed to stick together throughout the liberation of Corneria.
Where Trevor was reunited with his girlfriend after not having seen her in months. However, the lady had not been sitting still or hiding. She was fighting those things too, which I suppose made him both equally excited and concerned. And I assume that he was also quite happy she did not get jealous when his girl-friends showed up.
The vital Aparoid core that was acquired during the battle in the underground, proved to help a tremendous amount in locating the Aparoid homeworld. And when Corneria City was being decontaminated, by that point the fighting had largely left the continent and the skies in order for the battle for the atmosphere to commence. Protecting the Orbital Gate that would allow them transport to the Aparoid Homeworld. The fleet went and kicked some ass.
Corneria City and by extension the entirety of Corneria was officially declared liberated about two days later. The Orbital Gate was secured and the fleet went in. And with the help of Star Fox, the Aparoid Homeworld was breached and the threat of the Aparoids forever neutralized.
Because of the vital work done by Trevor, his unit, the 35th SRF, had earned honor status. Alongside its only surviving member. Even though the unit was officially disbanded after being decimated in the first days of the Aparoid invasion, the "35th" prefix was allowed to be kept as part of the honor status.
This left Trevor with a tough situation; was he going to leave the military? He was now decorated and could have a prosperous future ahead of him. But on the other hand, there was still the deal he made. He needed to convince his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, the effective alliance of military personnel and otherwise non-combatants showed that there was a desire to cooperate with each other. Complimenting each other. Hardening the civilians as Militia and making sure that the soldiers remain in contact with normality so they can rest and relate. To not lose themselves to the horrors of violence that war brings.
The MilCiv Initiative was created in response, bringing otherwise normal civilians closer to the military and vice versa. Not always in combat roles however, technicians and more bureaucratic positions were also needed. Militia roles were elevated to the equal position of a regular Private but were not expected to join full-time unless they wanted to become a Private proper.
Trevor saw the popularity of the Initiative getting progressively higher and this made leaving the army even more difficult. Good thing that his girlfriend was not going to make it any harder; not only could Trevor stay where he liked it, she would join him! Turns out that she had tasted the blood of her enemies and wanted more.
Trevor therefore needed no convincing. However, he would not show this to the higher-ups. He still had some theater chops left. With some promises made and concessions done, he agreed formally to remain. But he would not be put back with the regulars completely. A different idea was thought up. Something a little more special. Bearing the title of the 35th but more secretive...
This eventually resulted in the formation of the 35th Special Vanguard Unit with the help of MilCiv. With Corporal... sorry, Sergeant Trevor as the leader of it. Callsign: Nova 7. With Nelson as their liaison and contact.
A five-person team formed for mainly reconnaissance but it could also perform infiltration, sabotage and assassination missions if required. Of course, he would require some good people. And one of the concessions done was that he may pick his own team.
So chose who he knew best. His partner, Kip Starnova chose to remain as a Militia, as she did not want to be confined by the military. Conflicting priorities. But whenever Trevor would call on her, she'd be there.
Of course, he would not leave without the person he would essentially see as his XO: Ashley Hare. Or simply known as Patches. In contrast to his partner, she did go for the military path. And after completing basic training, she became an official Private First Class instead of just a ceremonial one. And eventually would end up with the rank of Specialist with the 35th. Turns out she was not too old or expensive for the military after all.
Trevor's girlfriend joined up, but only in a Militia capacity. Doing the same as Kip did however in a much more close-to-the-leader type thing. They got engaged later on and as far as I know are still together on the frontlines. Maybe even married, who knows?
The last member of the five-man team was an old colleague from Trevor's Macbeth years. I was not allowed to know his name but from what I heard he has white fur with rust colored spots everywhere and an oxygen tube up his nose for health reasons. Not sure how that would benefit a team but I know better than to question Trevor's choices.
The 35th SVU remained in use throughout the system, despite there being no system-wide threat.
During the Anglar Invasion, they were used for their intended purpose. They were credited with the discovery of the instrument that could neutralize the acid in the Venom Sea on Titania. To make it habitable afterwards. And various other exploits which I am sure will cause me to cease existing if I publish those.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Let us stay more in the present. That was Trevor's side and focus of the story. Pretty much the best way he could see it end for him personally. What about the epilogue for the others?
- Patches (Ashley)
As stated before, Patches went on to have a full military career. But before that, she was a key witness and victim to Silva's abuse. During his trial, video evidence was brought up. The old bastard had forgotten about video surveillance. Perhaps too cocky, thinking no one would ever look at these tapes. Or he would keep them for himself. To do whatever with... I dread to think about it.
Live on tape she could be seen being abused by Felix under his orders. Verbal abuse, bullying and intimidation were a regular occurance. And right there for everyone to see, the punch that caused her black eye. The courtroom seemed to suck in air through clenched teeth at the same time witnessing that.
She was not the only victim; her predecessor and perhaps even those before that one suffered as well. It definitely helped put Silva behind bars.
Ashley also frequently visited or invited Peter over to the barracks where the 35th were based as she promised. Furthermore, it seems she eventually got a relationship. She is rather secretive with that aspect of her life so I am unsure of what to say about that.
Her role in the unit would be infiltration and sabotage. Given her smaller than usual stature, she fits easily in vents and other sneaky entrance ways. Still armed with two pistols, controversial choice of ammo and a "mighty boot" ability (aka she can kick really hard), she is no pushover even if caught. Callsign Nova 7-2, Patches.
- Peter
Peter is now receiving help again and also gives lectures on his condition to inform the wider crowd. Spreading knowledge and understanding for veterans and victims of a brutal war. A war unlike anything Lylat had ever seen. A cybernetic assimilating insect race hellbent on consuming all in its path? Who would have thought of that?
Peter furthermore enjoyed his visits to the 35th. To any part of the army in general. Despite the misgivings he had in the past with it, it also carried good memories. His admiration and respect towards it, eventually landed him an honorary membership with the 35th and an ambassadorship for the MilCiv initiative.
In his personal life, he decided to choose himself and his daughter and he divorced Sarah. However, the process was much smoother than with his previous wife and they shared custody over Hope. As the two remained friends, they were still able to raise their daughter as a fully functioning family. Even if they were no longer living in the same house.
- Silva
The bastard. Why am I even using precious ink and time to talk about this heap of old skin flakes? Pff... call me a sucker for completion.
His trial went successful. He was charged for more crimes than I am willing to count but the word "abuse" was mentioned very frequently. His own attitude and choice of words in court did not help his case at all. He was sentenced 20-to-life in jail with no chance at parole. I am very sure he would have gotten the death penalty should that have still been a thing.
- Jane
Personally I did not mind her that much. Until she chose her side in the conflict. And her side lost. Her crimes were less numerous and she did eventually admit defeat. So her trail ended up more positive in comparison.
Her relationship with Silva was done pretty much during the trial. Silva made it clear that she "betrayed" him and he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. This made her seem more sympathetic and Silva more cruel.
She got about 5-to-8 in jail with a chance at parole. Eventually she was released after only two years for "good behavior". Considering her job speciality, I can only guess why that reason was chosen. However, she was back in the slammer quickly. On drug-related charges and illegal prostitution. Who would have thought that old habits die hard?
- Felix
Remember that I found a notebook in the remains of the kiosk? That turned out to be his diary. Turned out that Felix was much more vocal on paper than in real life. Everything he could not say, he wrote down at the end of the day.
It turns out that Patches was not the only one being abused and tormented by Silva; so was he. With limited mental capacity, he was manipulated from the start. Just like Patches said. The control over him was complete but internally he was screaming. A prisoner in his own body.
The diary revealed a few unknown facts about Metro Society. For example, he was ordered to change the code of and block the door to the core room. And the night before the final battle, he was sent into the tunnels in order to bait the Aparoids to come and get them.
The last entry in his diary was made after that excursion. He had a feeling he would not live for much longer. And he gave his sincere apologies to everyone he had hurt. In particular to Patches herself, as he felt the most guilty about abusing her in Silva's name. This gave her the confidence to use his weapon. The one he was forced to give her.
With some of his name now cleared, the Coronet Police Department decided to honor him with a funeral service.
- Darwin
Darwin returned to his radio show and continued to promote peace over the usage of the military. However, his tone was much less vile and he actually invited over veterans to have their say in debates. Making it less one-sided and overall improving the quality. In turn, this led to a more mutual understanding. Maybe not in complete agreement 100% of the time, but agree to disagree would do as well.
- Quinn
As for me, well I went back to what I was good at; wasting my life away behind a desk staring intently at a computer screen. Nah, just kidding. Trevor has inspired me to follow a more journalistic focus. With some writing on the side. In his words: "what madness reality can create that imagination could only dream off"
I decided to start writing and actually made something that was sold. In the end, I chose to become a war correspondent for the Cornerian News Network and it felt right to do this. I enjoyed it and I continue working there.
Sometimes I still see some of those old faces. At least once a year for sure. At the "Metro Society Remembrance Party". Although more of a get-together, we have tons of fun and it has become a tradition for many years to come.
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The End...?