A New War : Part Two Fara Pheonix stood with Bill Grey as they watched the Great Fox mother ship land on the runway. "I haven't seen Fox in such a long time,I wonder how's he's been doing,"Fara told the husky. "From what General Pepper told me,Fox isn't taking this real well." "Here he comes,"Fara brushed past him to meet the StarFox leader as he came off the ship,"Fox!!" "Fara?"Fox held up a paw to shade his eyes to see her better.When he realized it was her he wrapped her in a hug,"Fara,I've missed you so much." "I know,I've missed you too,"Fara gave him a peck on the cheek. Peppy came out after him,followed by Falco and Slippy. Fox reached out and shook Bill's paw."Hey Bill,buddy,old pal of mine,how's it been?" Bill gave a sly smile,"Keeping an eye out for chicks,why?" "Sure,Bill,"Falco rolled his eyes and shook his paw. That was also when Bill noticed Fox wince as they released paws.His friend rubbed his paws ruefully,apparently in pain. "Fox,you okay?" He looked up."Yeah,just uh....um,don't worry about it,I'm fine." Bill gave his a puzzled look,but let it go at his word. "I've been wishing to speak with the General.Bill,have any idea where he is?"Peppy flicked his long ears. "He's with his staff at a meeting in the main council room,you should be able to catch him there." "Thanks,I'll catch you guys later,"The old hare,walked off. "Hey Fara,Bill,fill us in will ya,"Slippy closed the main doors and followed after his team as they headed for the main hanger. "Don't ask me,ask Bill,he can tell you more than I know,"Fara clasped Fox's paw gently,she swore she felt bandages around it beneath his glove. "Really,to tell you the truth,I don't really know what is going on myself.Our superiors left all us pilots hanging,we're going blind." "What do you mean by that,we're just sitting around,twiddling ours thumbs,and doing nothing?"Everyone heard the hatred in Fox's voice,and turned to look at him. "Hey,Fox,let's not get radical until we figure out what is really going on,"Falco put a wing on his shoulder,"Chill." Fox clenched his teeth,took a deep breath,and shook his head.Fara smoothed his ears back,causing him to look down at her and smile. "Oh,I've got a few friends of mine I want you to meet,"Fara mentioned as they entered the hanger,pointing. Among the many pilots and ground crew moving about,the team spotted a pink cat waving to them.Falco was the one to recognize her first,and pushed forward."Katt!Is that you?!I don't believe it!!" "Hey Falco!"Katt Monroe laughed as he caught her in a hug,"It's good to see ya!All of ya!" Paw shakes and hugs went around. "Where have you been,we haven't seen you around lately?"Slippy asked after a hug from her. "Oh,around,adventuring.When I heard about this new war,I came here as fast as I could.Would you mind if I joined your team,for this one?It's been so lonely." "Sure,Katt,glad to have the company,I know what it's like to be alone,"Fox gave her a half smile. "Wait a minute.Katt,where are Jenna and Kim?" "Jenna's a' talkin' with some friends around here somewhere.Kimmy's over there with Lily." "They all turned to where she pointed,and saw a brightly colored treefrog in a white tanktop and camo jeans working on Fara's fighter.Seeing them,she waved,picked up a a little girl that looked almost like her,and slid down."Hi everyone." "Hi,you're..."Fox shook her hand. "Kim Henson,and this is my daughter Lily." "How old is she?"Falco smiled at the little girl as he also shook wing and hand. "She's two and a half,and if you're wondering,I just turned eighteen last week,"She sounded a little hurt. "Falco didn't mean anything by that,really,"Slippy shook hands,and was surprised when Lily reached out to him.Before Kimmy could say anything,Slippy took her daughter from her arms. "Hello,Lily,aren't you cute,"He pulled off his cap and put it on her head,causing the little treefrog to laugh. Kimmy smiled,"I've never seen her do that before,she really likes you." "Slip likes kids,"Bill laughed. "Hey Kim,where's Jenna?"Fara asked her friend,"I don't see her anywhere." "Cause you're not looking in the right place,go take a look at the sky outside,"Kimmy giggled. "Oh,"Fara caught on,"Come'on you guys!" As they went outside,Katt pointed at a jet as it roared overhead,"There she is!" They watched as the silver blue fighter pulled a couple of loops,some barrel rolls,and a U-turn.Then it's pilot did something really different.They watched as the nose of the jet came up,the engine cut off almost totally.The fighter was perfectly vertical,but it's pilot brought the nose further and further back,until the jet was on it's back,falling rapidly,backwards.The pilot brought the engine roaring back to life,did a barrel roll to turn back over,and kicked the boost.The fighter shot straight as a rocket,up to the clouds,before turning back and coming in for a landing. "Alright,Jen!"Fara pushed by ground crew and other pilots who were admiring and cheering on her friend. The cockpit opened,the pilot with a cornerian airforce uniform stood up.She pulled off her helmet,revealing the face of a brown and white husky. Fox elbowed Bill,whistled.Bill swung a slow punch at him,Fox ducked. Jenna howled and jumped from her fighter,"What an awesome ride!" "Cool job,Jenna!"Fara grabbed her arm,"Hey,there's some pilots I wan't you to meet." She led her back through the crowd to the team."This is Fox McCloud,Slippy Toad,Falco Lombardi,and of course you've seen Bill Grey around.Guys,Jenna Darrenger." "I can't believe I'm actually talking to you.The mercenary StarFox pilots ,"She shook paws,hand and wing with each of them. Bill felt a jolt as she shook his paw,his mouth dry as he looked at her. She was a rich brown,with slightly lighter hair that hung in loose waves down her back.Her eyes were an emerald green,alive and happy from the thrill of flight.White fur came up around her eyes,forking into a blaze at her forehead,and going back to her cheeks and down her throat. "Boy is it me,or is it hot?"She pulled off her leather jacket,leaving the green issued shirt.Bill also saw her paws were white,all the way up to her just below her shoulders,and the underside of her tail was white all the way to the tip. "Jen and Kim also want to join you guys,if you don't mind having some more members,"Fara looked at the StarFox team. "The more pilots,the better.Bill,you're coming along with us too,aren't you?"Fox asked his friend. Bill tore his eyes from Jenna,"Huh...wha'....what did you say,Fox?" Fox smiled,hearing Falco snicker,"You're coming with us,right?" "Uh...yeah,right,for now anyways,"He felt his cheeks burn when he saw Jenna smiling at him. "Come'on then,we'll head back to GreatFox for now,wait till Peppy gets back with news from the General,"Fox clasped Fara's paw again. They left the hanger,a bigger team than before. ......................................................................... ................................................................. Later that evening,after eating a pizza Slippy and Falco had ordered,the young pilots gathered in the den room.Peppy still hadn't come back yet from the meeting. "Where are you from anyways,Jenna?"Bill sat by Jenna on the couch. She smiled,"Fortuna originally,until my family moved to Corneria City,so I could begin my training as a pilot." "You are good Jenna,I don't know very many pilots who would do stunts like you did this morning,"Falco came from the kitchen,drinking a soda. "I love to fly I guess,I get a high every time I do it." Fox laughed,sitting in the big reclining chair with Fara on his lap. "Are you two still going out,or what?"Slippy poked the question as Lily sat down beside him and her mother in one of the big beanbag seat on the floor. "Course we are,we never broke up,"Fara snuggled closer to Fox. This got a couple of whistles and howls from Bill and Falco that caused everyone to break out into laughter. "Hey,Kim,not wanting to pry,but how did Lily come along anyways?"Slippy asked her. Kimmy smiled,and sighed,"I didn't pick my boyfriends too well I guess.The last one I had took advantage of me,and I'm sure you can figure out the rest." Everyone got quiet,before Slippy whispered guiltily,"I'm sorry,I didn't mean to-" Kim slapped his knee playfully,"Nah,don't worry about it.Ya know now,so let's talk about something else that's more fun." "Boy,it's been a long time since I've seen all of you,It's great to get to hang with all of ya,"Katt plopped down in the other beanbag seat,and was soon joined by Falco. "Yep.And what about you guys,going into a longterm relationship or what?" Fox snickered,knowing how Falco would react. His friend shrugged and shook a fist at him,"None of your business is it now,McCloud?" "Oh,I wouldn't know,"Fox got up from his seat. "I guess you don't!"Falco got up from his and swung a playful punch at his friend.Fox ducked,bringing a cheer from the others.They locked paws and wings. "I've got you now,Fox!" Fox suddenly cried out,in pain,Falco instantly let go.His friend fell to his knees,clasping one of his paws. "Fox,are you okay?"Fara got up from her own seat,as did Bill. "Fox,what did I do?"Falco knelt by his friend. Fox hissed a breath of pain,"Nothinbg,Falco,it wasn't you." "Then what's wrong?"Bill helped him stand up,gasping when he saw the blood that soaked his friend's gloves. "What happened?"Fara grasped his arm gently. "I had an accident yesterday,it's no big deal." "It's not is it?"Jenna came forward and grabbed him by the wrist,"That's an awful lot of blood for it not to be a big deal." "Hey,Slip,you probably know where the medical kit is on this ship,grab it for me.Falco,get me a couple of towels,"Katt began to pull off Fox's gloves. They hurried after what she asked for. "I was wondering why you were favoring your paws this morning,"Bill winced when he saw the bandages wrapped about his friend's paws as Katt exposed them. "How did it happen?"Fara began to gently unwrap the bandaging,Jenna worked on the other paw while Katt threw the gloves away. Fox didn't answer her,she didn't push it. "Oh,Fox,"Katt gasped as the last of the bandages were pulled away,revealing torn, raw skin and bloody matted fur,"This looks bad." "Here let me see,"Jenna looked them over,"I think it would be best if we washed them first.There's alot of dried blood that needs to go." "How do you know?"Falco and Slippy returned,Falco handed Katt the towels. "I was an Army medical officer for almost two years,before getting my wings,this shouldn't be too hard to do.I've seen worse." Kimmy came from the kitchen,Lily toddling after her,"I cleaned out the kitchen sink really well,Jen,you can wash them in there." "Thank's Kim,come'on,Fox,"She led him into the kitchen. "Let me Jen,I'll do it,"Fara motioned more with her eyes,that she wanted to be alone with him. Jenna understood,herding the others out,leaving them alone. Fox cried out as she immersed his paws into the soapy water.She rubbed them gently,rinsing away all the dried blood and shed fur."Are you okay,Fox,and I don't mean this." He looked at her."Then what do you mean?" "You seem so....so....depressed,so angry,what's wrong?" He didn't answer at first,before finaly whispering,"I feel like I'm a failure,Fara." "What?" "After all that happened,all those who died in the first battle,I didn't fulfill my mission." "I don't know what you mean?"She looked into his eyes,trying to understand. "I never finished off Andross like I had promised my father I'd do.What I promised everyone I'd do,I failed everyone,"He hung his head in shame,a sob caught his body and shook him. Fara pulled his paws from the water,and made him sit at the table.As carefully as she could began to dry his wounds.With a free paw she put it under his chin and raised his head to meet her eyes,"That's not true." "Yes it is,look around.If I had killed Andross like I was ordered to do and promised to do,this wouldn't be happening." "You don't know that.Fox....."She pulled his eyes to hers."This isn't your fault.Sometimes we will lose a battle,you can't win them all.You'll lose loved ones,that's part of being a pilot and a soldier.But I do know this..." "What?" "She knows..."Bill's paw suddenly clasped his shoulder,causing Fox to look up at his friend,"She knows that this team needs you right now.So,stand up proud and move on.You fought Andross once and beat him,you can do it again." "With our help,that is,"Falco came to table.He sat down beside him and smiled cockily. "We ain't beaten yet,hon',"Katt joined them too,followed by Jenna,Slippy,and Kimmy carrying Lily. "We'll show him.Andross has pushed us for the last time,"Slippy held his hand out,palm down,"Who here agrees?" "I do,"Kimmy put her hand on top of his. "So do I,"Falco put his wing on hers. "Count me in,"Katt placed her paw on Falco's wing. "Me too,"Jenna followed with her own paw. "I'm in,"Bill put a paw down on hers. "So am I,"Fara placed her paw down too,and looked up,"Fox,are ya with us?" He looked at the each of him.He looked away for a second,then turned back around.He broke into a smile,and placed his own wounded paw on top of Fara's,"You bet I am!" His team let out a cheer. "Okay,let's get those paws of yours bandaged,we don't want to risk infection,"Jenna reached for the first-aid kit. As she wrapped his paws Falco turned to him,"So mi amigo,what do we do first?" Fox smiled,"First-ouch!-we'll see what orders Peppy recieved from the General-ow!-then we'll get Bill's,Fara's,and her friend's fighters into the docking bay,and practice some manuevers tomorrow.-ouch!-Then we'll wait to see what Andross throws at us." "What do you think will happen?"Katt pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I don't know,There is now wat to know what Andross has planned for us now,we'll just have to be ready." "And Lily,can I bring her with us?"Kimmy held her tiny daughter. "That is your decision,Kim,but if we have to scramble,she'll be all alone on this big ship.Do you have any relatives she can stay with?" "My parents would love to have her for awhile.I guess that would be best,I don't want her hurt,"Kimmy cast a glance at Lily. "We probably won't be leaving Corneria for awhile.You'll have time to make arrangements,and she can stay with us till then." "Thanks,Fox." "There you go,"Jenna finished with the bandages,"Keep those gloves off for awhile.You don't want these wrapping to rub against the wounds and cause them to bleed again." "What wounds?"Peppy suddenly entered the room,"What happened,Fox?" "I.....uh...I had an accident,I'm okay,Peppy"Fox stood up to face him,"What did the General tell you?" "He wished you had been there at the meeting.He's really under some pressure from his own superiors of the council." "What did he say?"Katt joined into the conversation. "Wait a second,"Peppy stared at her,"Where did you come from lass?Fox,who are these other friends you have here?" "Oh,of course you know Bill,Katt,and Fara.This is Jenna Darrenger,and this is Kimmy Henson and her daughter Lily." He shook paws and hands with each of them."So our team is a little larger than before." "Can't hurt nothing,"Slippy smiled at the senior hare. "What did the General say,Peppy?"Fox asked again. Peppy eyes cast downward,his voice became quiet and solemn."He said...he recieved reports from some of our scout jets out in space.The bases we had dug into MacBeth and Titania have been completely destroyed." There was a shock of silence,the veteran pilot continued,"We were lucky that the bases had been stipped of military information and abandoned only a few days before it happened.But still,Andross has gained two worlds,two very strategic locations we'll have to get through first to get at him on Venom. Pepper met with his fellow four-star Generals of the Army and the Navy.They're planning for the worst.A third of the Army and the entire Navy are staying here to protect Corneria,the rest of Army we'll be taken by transport for the ground assault that is to come." "So,in other terms,all hell is gonna break loose,"Katt put it flatly. Peppy nodded,"The airforce,it's entire five-thousand strong is moving out by space carriers and will be along with the destroyers and cruisers that will be leaving home in the next week.Probably eight or nine-hundred will stay here to ward off attacks,but us pilots are leading the assault." "What were the orders given to us?"Fox didn't like what he saw in Peppy's eyes. "Pepper is relying on us heavily,Fox,we have been given a target.But we stay here until further orders are given.For now,we stand as a barrricade of defense for our base,and Corneria." "What's the target?"Fara felt sudden dread. They all felt it,knowing what his answer would be. "Venom.We're to attack and destroy Andross at his very core of operations.Even if it means destroying the entire planet to do it." "That's suicide!Pepper can't possibly think we'll do something that radical!"Falco slammed a fist down on the table. "You forget,Falco...."Fox got up from his seat,staring out the main window,watching the base preparation for operations,"We were radical enough once a year ago to take on that assignment." The room became quiet again,every member of the team staring at their leader. Fox's voice was strangely flat and dark,"I made a promise long ago,to my father,that I would avenge his death and destroy Andross once and for all,free the Lylat System of him.This will be the deciding battle,and I vow to keep that promise." ......................................................................... ................................