So before we begin I want to say sorry for the delay, work picked up hard and I had my entire schedule reorganized. Yes, the votes are and have been heard. In reply to the guest reviews, I was using the OS designations of the ships and how they are swapped between Patrol Ships and Patrol Cruisers. The timeline is not 1:1 with the remake or OS but integrates both with some liberties of fan designs acting as stop gaps while the Earth Federation still recovers from the war with Gatlantis, as such the Excalibur (a modified New York class vessel from a 90s era fan work) is present. The wave motion shields being "weaker" is more both because star fox doesn't have concrete numbers to its weapon output and damage, and also to make it to where Earth Fed ships don't just shrug off everything. If that would be the case then a Kongo-Kai II could take on entire fleets (Before you type it, Yuunagi was a Kai I variant.) And while I know people would love to see just a complete stomp to Andross' forces outroght, it doesn't do well for adding stakes and tension. It'd be like firing a 20in. cannon at a guy holding a piece of paper. This will be a shorter chapter as to set up establishing items for the story ahead, don't worry though as now with a set and stone schedule I can fully dedicate time to this in my off hours. Anyways, with that out of the way, onto the chapter.
EFCF HQ, New Capital
Japan, Earth
Earth Time 15:22 Hours
Date: October 20, 2204
"Well...I don't exactly know for certain sir." James replied, using his uninjured hand to scratch the back of his neck. This caused a small frown to form on the faces of the three Earth Fed officials, especially Serizawa's. James slightly sighed as all 4 humans would look upon him, causing a mild sense of discomfort not felt since he graduated flight school. The fox had his ears flatten slightly as a sign of this discomfort.
"Not even the faintest idea how you and your Venomite persuers would up near Pluto's orbit?" Serizawa asked with a bit of an annoyed tone in his voice, though it was hard to read the real intent behind it. While the emotion of anger was there, knowing if it was genuine or not would be another matter. "Certainly you must have some idea at the very least." He pressed though he'd stop when the hand of the President rose up a bit to calm his tirade.
"While you probably don't have the inner workings or technical knowledge of the device used to make the subspace portal..." The Earth Fed president stated while pausing a bit. "You understand that it is never the less a major security risk for our people. We just need to know what we are facing." He added in a calmer tone, one still very guarded but trying a different angle of approach to the situation.
"I understand sir, but after getting my wing shot off the next thing I remember was waking up in the medical bay of Captain Green's vessel." James replied honestly, his ears a little lowered due to the lack of ability to provide proper context to how he arrived. The two officers and the president sat in controlled silence. Serizawa casting a suspicious gaze to the vulpine before Captain Green broke the silence.
"My flight crews did report the 'Ar-wing' James was piloting was opperating on emergency power and adrift. I am inclined to believe Mr. McCloud until information proves otherwise." Green stated evenly, vouching for the fox beside her.
"I concur with her assesment. Though we should interogate the prisoners we aquired from the battlefield, see if they can shed light on this mystery." Todo replied while nodding his head a bit. "As for the matter of returning you to Lylat Mr. McCloud, I am afraid that is a bit more complicated of a mater." James looked like he was about to protest but was cut off my the President.
"I am sure you understand due to the recent events that as of now, security must be tightened more than before." The President stated whild sighing softly.
"What about the Dawn? She suffered only minor damage during the assault." Green suggested. Sarizawa was the first to comment on this proposal.
"Battlecarriers especially are needed for home defensive operations. The Dawn and ships like her are to precious to expend at the moment." Sarizawa stated while crossing his arms.
"But you must underdstand..." James said as he tensed up a bit. "I need to get back and report what has happened."
"I do understand Mr. McCloud, but you must also see our perspective. Earth may have driven off that fleet but we have no guarantees it will remain that way." The President stated with a sigh, it was here that Todo coughed a bit to draw attendion to himself.
"We do have...that...project nearing completion sir." Todo suggested, causing Serizawa to sputter and turn angrily to his colleague.
"Absolutely not! We cannot just ship out an expedition without even the slightest hints of the risks along the way. This is no time to play 'explorer.'" Serizawa affirmed with a huff.
"But isn't that the purpose of the project to begin with?" The President stated, causing Serizawa to stare in disbelief. "Heikuro's proposal is sound enough."
"But sir you can't be serious!" Serizawa protested, earing a raised hand in reply.
"I am serious. This kind of task is what the 'Arizona Project' was designed for." The president replied.
"'Arizona Project' sir?" Green asked while raising a brow, James would also be confused as well to the topic but would keep quiet as the Earth Fed. Officers spoke. Serizawa sighed as he decided it would be best to explain.
"The 'Arizona Project' is a program to build a new exploration vessel for extended deployments far away from immediate Earth Federation influence, think of those old probes we used to launch before we had proper space travel." He stated folding his arms and closing his eyes. "Though she is an experimental ship at heart and is not to be just flown for a joy ride!"
"I'm sure Captain Green has no intention of treating it as such...do you Captain?" The President asked with a chuckle. Captain Green took pause hearing the question, realization dawning upon her as she looked to the President in surprise.
"You mean...?" Green trailed off.
"You have the most experience with people from the Lylat system. Even if it is only in single combat. And you have made friendly relations with Mr. McCloud here, so I hear-by transfer your command to the EFCF Arizona effective immediately." The President replied, Todo and Serizawa both nodded though the latter let out a near faint annoyed huff. Amanda took pause and widdened her eyes a bit as she stood up to salute the President.
"Yes sir." She replied which caused Todo to speak up.
"Now the Arizona will not be finished construction for another predicted 4 months. In that time it would be purdent for you to select a crew for tye voyage ahead." Heikuro Todo added while smiling a bit. "And Mr. McCloud it would be best if you gave us a complete political run down and force assesment to the best of your memory of what they would be walking into."
"I can do that." James replied as his expression perked up. "Nothing classified that I am privy to of course." This cause Heikuro to chuckle and nod expectingly.
"The general aspects will do fine." Todo replied.
"You will also be having a diplomatic envoy accompany you on the voyage as well. For obvious reasons of course." The President joined in while interlocking his palms on the table.
"And what of the fighter that McCloud was found in?" Serizawa asked while looking to the others.
"May I make a suggestion?" James asked while raising his hand similar to a school student. It caused a few chuckles in the room before he was gestured to proceed. "With how tense the situation may be...it might be better to repair my ship. That way at least Cornerian forces don't get skittish and jumpy. Having a familiar signature might even cause us to clear security without to much issue."
"It would help roll out the welcome mat..." Green added while rubbing her chin in thought.
"It would still be beneficial for us to examine the craft fully so we can know what kind of technologies we may be up against should the Venomites return with less than peacful interests." Serizawa commented, earning a nod from the President.
"Would that be a compromise you are willing to accept?" The President asked James, the vulpine nodding in his chair. "Then I believe this sovles the preliminary issues, we will put together a full briefing and send it to your personal device Captain Green. You two are dismissed for now." He finished, causing Green to salute and James to stand up befofe the two turned and left the room, leaving the three officials alone. They sat in silence before the President turned to the two officers. "Impressions?"
"The vulpine didn't seem to be lying if that's what you are asking." Serizawa commented. "Though with interogations underway we can learn more of the story in the coming hour."
"Good." The President stated before turning to Todo. "Is the prototype engine ready?"
"It was finished 2 weeks ago and is undergoing simulated trials at the moment. If all goes to plan then we should see almost 1.5x the output efficiency of the Andromeda. Though with the way the defenses are laid out...it is almost a requirement at this stage of development." Todo replied with a sigh. "If only we could send the Yamato."
"We all know she departs in a few months to follow a request from the Garmilans to help with the evacuation process..." Serizawa replied.
"And we cannot rely on theYamato when any crisis arises. We have to be more reliant on the rest of the fleet." The President added causing the other two to go silent. "For now...we need to examine the wrecks and question our prisoners. The informatiom we gather can only benefit the launch in a few months going forward."
Location: Planet Venom
Capitol City
Shortly After Portal Collapse
In a darkly lit office illuminated by the dull amber glow of the ceiling lights rested 3 very nervous anthropormorphised animals, 2 apes and a wolf respectivelhly. Their bodies trembled as they looked ahead go another figure who would be sitting in a leather padded chair and having their arms resting on a rather ornate wooden desk. the figure's face only being illuminated by the lit cigar in their mouth which occasionally dimmed and rekindled.
The figure then rose up and stepped to the other side of the table, now bathing their body in the
red hue to reveal an anthropormorphised ape with greying hair and wrinkles indicating his age, piercing eyes that bore into the souls of those before him, and a rather well made tuxedo styled suit with white stripes to accent the black base color. The ape took another drag of the cigar before he spoke, his voice even and yet laced with fury and rage. "I will ask this once, and only once..." The ape paused and took another drag. "40 ships...how is it possible you lose 40 ships trying to retrieve just one wreckd Arwing?"
"Emperor Andross sir...we didn't expect the fleet there to be that strong. Our scans from the other side of the portal the prototype device opened showed readings we can't make sense of." The wolf said as he regained his composure, his brown fur raised a bit in a defensive posture as he tugged a bit at the collar of his uniform. "T-those Earth ships are stronger than anything Corneria could muster..."
"Which is exactly I gave the order to not attack any unknowns." Andross stated calmly. "An order I expected you to relay to the one in charge of that fleet detatchment..." All 3 of the officers before Andross clammed up after that which caused the older ape to grit his teeth some and exhale in an annoyed fashion. "16 of those ships alone were defeated by just 3 warships!" He exclaimed as his fist hit the woodgrain desk, causing an audible thud to echo across the office.
"But the portal is closed now those Earthers can't reach us even if they tried." One of the apes tried to say as they fiddled with their visor nervously. Andross huffed a bit, remaining silent for now. "R-right...?"
"...Just because they haven't pressed the advantage, doesnt mean they don't intend to." Andross paused and started wearing his anger a bit more visibly. "Because of your failure, we have to put the entire operation we have only just started preparing for on hold for the forseeable future!" He exclaimed, crushing hia cigar in his hand. The ape would be about to burst out in rage again before a beeping noise from the desk would draw his attention. Andross paused, regained his composure and hit a button on the com device on the desk. "Speak..."
"Emperor Andross sir, the data has been processed like you requested." A male voice said over the communications device, it being audible to everyone in the room.
"The findings...?" Andross asked with and arced brow.
"We managed to track down the star clusters that some of the frigates managed to record before being destroyed. The findings were that the battle took place in a quadrant of the galaxy exactlt opposite to us on the galactic plane." The voice replied calmly. Andross' eyes perked up at that revalation, causing him to briefly enter deep thought about having to dial back the scope of the device for thw practical use later on in the plan.
"So in other news, unless the Earthers can recreate the subspace transfer device, we are relatively secure?" Andross asked.
"I assure you that my Emperor. There is also one more thing the scans found that might be of interest." The voice said, causing the officers behind Andross to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Explain." Andross ordered calmly.
"Stellar drift was more advanced than our current star maps suggest. It was only by calculating the stellar density and travel time of signals that we were able to determine the rough location of this 'Sol' system to begin with." Is what came over the device as Andross blinked.
"How much different?" He asked.
"Half a decade at the least my lord." The voice answered which caused Andross to pause and chuckle to himself.
"Well it seems today hasn't been a total failure after all..." He said before disconnecting the communications signal. The ape would turn to face the threr officers who only tightened their stances a bit at the glare. "It seems you three are on borrowed time. We resume preparations for the conflict ahead, take all scan data avalible and try to find ways to counteract the Earth vessels and defend from those cannons." He stated, causing the three to nod and leave the office in a hurry. Andross watched them leave before turning to face the window of his office, the green light of the poluted atmosphere casting a muddied ray of light which only added further to the dull and lifeless look of the room. The ape chuckled to himself and grit his teeth while deep in thought. "Why rule just one system? When there is apparently a whole galaxy to conquer now..." He mused while rubbing his chin, his grin only broadening as a new plan began to formulate in his mind.
Corneria City, General Pepper's Office
Corneria
Same Time
"And you are saying he just vanished?" A blonde furred k9 in a red military uniform stated from behind the metal desk he sat at. The room in questiom being more bare and devoid of proper furnature, but having the natural light of the star and deep blue hue of the sky flooding in through the transparasteel pane behind him.
Across from him in the only other chair of the room sat a brown and white furred hare in a similar grey jacket, green undershirt, and blue pants as to what James McCloud was discovered in. "That's correct sir..." The hare stated before continuing. "When we both escaped, his ship was hit with some beam of energy before a vortex swallowed up the Ar-wing. Must havr been some form of teleportation device."
"I see..." The k9 replied while looking to be deep in thought, a hand brushing the fur of his chin. "And what of the investigation?"
"He hasn't rebuilt the device sir, but he is assembling a large force for something, possibly to try to stand up to the Cornerian Army." The hare stated as he coughed and shifted in his chair. "At least that's my best guess."
"And what of your number 3?"
"Pigma sold us out and made it easy for us to be captured. It was only pure luck we escaped to begin with." This cause the k9 to mumble while grumbling.
"I never did trust him anyways." The blonde dog stated before sighing. "Have you broken the news yet Peppy?"
"To Fox? I..." Peppy stopped and clenched his fist, a fury of emotuions racing through the hare before he sighed. "Not yet sir. It's going to crush the boy." To that, both animals in the room nodded their heads in agreement.
"I will write an offical report in the morning, llsting James as KIA. I assume you handle the proper proceedings?" The k9 asked.
"I will, it'd be nice if you visited him as well Pepper. Just to help the kid out of the rut he will no doubt try to put himself in." Peppy replied. Pepper nodded softly and sighed.
"After the proceedings I'll make a point to. Thank you for the report old friend." Pepper stated, causing Peppy to stand. The hare gave a salute and a nod befofe turning to head out the door. "And Peppy." The hare paused as the door opened.
"Yes?" He asked while turning to look at Pepper.
"There was nothing you could've done..." Pepper stated in a comforting manner, causing the hare to nod. The door closed soon after, leaving the k9 alone with his thoughts as a new weight pressed upon his shoulders. Guilt gnawed at him as he went back to overseeing planned exhercises for the rest of the afternoon. 'What ever it is you intend to do Andross, Corneria will stand against with it's full might.' Pepper thought as he began drafting a new militady readiness plan to bolster the Corneriam Army.
- End of Chapter