Arwing Down part 1

Arwing Down Part I

Prologue

Starlog 23:48:09

            Capt. Fox McCloud-  I've recovered from my initial injuries.  I'm okay from trauma, I survived with a broken leg and three snapped ribs.  For the record, I've just been stranded on several worlds after what happened while Space Dynamics tried to create a handheld gate transfer device.  I know aperture had just finished with their design of the single room transfer portal, and Black Mesa had just finished their design for the multi-dimension portal.  Space Dynamic didn't take into account combat matters and when the portal fried I didn't know about it.  I wound up at exactly all of the wrong places.

Chapter I-  Briefing

            Fox strode impressively down the street, knowing that he'd be the test subject for Space Dynamic's new fighter portal.  With a slight smirk on his face he strode down the street.  The sky was clear save little clouds.  Fox stopped at the street corner to take a breath of the warm, night air.  Breathing heavy through his nostrils studied a bar across the street.  I am really parched...Maybe some Lager!  He strode across the street, noticing Falco coming down the sidewalk.  Falco waved to Fox.  "Ay Fox!  Stopping for a drink?"  Fox turned as he waved back.              "Yeah, actually thinking about it."  Falco patted his old friend on the back as they stepped into the bar. 

            "What's new Foxie?"  Falco knew that Fox had been at Space Dynamic.  They sat down at a booth as drinks were brought to the table.  Falco pulled cards out of his pocket.  "Man, I wish I went to Dynamic.  I was bored off my feathers today."  Fox took a drink.

            "Well, wasn't much fun there either."  The waitress arrived at the table once again. 

            "Can I get you boys something to eat?"  Fox looked up at her.

            "Fries please, I'm starving."  Falco nodded at the decision.  The waitress left as the two continued their conversation.

            "I've been stuck at Dynamic for four hours. I hadn't eaten today since breakfast."

            "Yeah, you won't believe what we had for lunch today.  Just as you left."  Fox tilted his head. 

            "Let me guess... Cheeseburgers."  Falco nodded.

            "With the extra tomato."

            "And ketchup?"  Falco replied.

            "And ketchup."  Fox leaned back.

            "You know what-" Almost on cue, the waitress walked to the table with a bucket of fries.  "Miss?  Could I please have a cheeseburger with extra tomatoes?"  She nodded and walked off.  Falco tilted his head for a second and looked back up at Fox who was munching on his fries. 

            "Smooth... Fox."  Fox stopped as the drink has just exited his mouth.  He put the drink down.

            "Falco, you look like something's off."  Falco shook his head.

            "No... What happened at Dynamic corp.?"  Fox looked up. 

            "They told me that our team is going to be a test subject for the new micro gate transfer device."  Falco smiled with delight and excitement. 

            "Really?  This is great!  I mean...I'm all for technological advancements!  I mean...I...uhh...I."  Fox laughed as he found Falco was speechless.

            "Yes Falco, that means we have to go assist some Cornerian fleets."  Falco nodded.  The waitress came up with Fox's cheeseburger.  Falco quickly turned and ordered an Italian cold cut.  The two enjoyed their meal and headed back to the Great Fox hanger.  Stepping into the ship somewhat impaired from the alcohol.

Chapter II- As long as you didn't notice

            Fox strode into the living room and plopped down on the couch.  Fox sighed with a glass of water in his hands.  He flicked on the TV across the room and proceeded to watch Space Dynamic's press conference.  He noticed that they were coming to the hangar tomorrow morning before the launch.  Fox realized that everyone else had already seen it.  Falco sat next to Fox on the couch.

            "Hey Fox.  Krystal wants you in your room."  Falco announced.  Fox paused, he studied Falco for a second.

            "Wait...MY room?"  Falco nodded, trying not to break his poker face.  Fox staggered into the sleeping quarters, not knowing what to expect.  Krystal straightened herself up in a 'Draw me like one of your French girls' position.  The blue-and-white beauty was wearing white thong underwear and an almost too revealing bra.  The door opened and Fox stood in the door, jaw half open, half smiling.

            "Wow.  I uh...That's..."  Fox opened his mouth again to try and pull something smooth out of it.  Krystal just giggled.  Sliding off the bed she walked over to Fox.  She pulled his vest off of him.  Fox took care of slipping off his boots and pulling his shirt off.  Krystal took him by the hand, leading him over to the bed.  Minutes later, they were perfectly comfortable on Fox's warm bed.  Fox laid straight with his right arm over Krystal who held onto his torso, whilst snuggling up to his face and under his chin.  

            "How was the meeting Fox?"  Krystal finally asked, her voice sweet and smooth like chocolate.

            "It went pretty well."  Fox looked over at his blue beauty.  "I don't suppose you already know."  Krystal's eyes widened.  Fox had other words in mind, but chickened himself out.  I can already tell you that  it wasn't the same 'I love you' phrase.  Krystal was certain of that.  "We were picked by Space Dynamic to test their new fighter size portal."  Krystal smiled. 

            "When do we launch?"

            "Tomorrow at ten.  Press conference at nine fifty five."  Krystal's eyes narrowed.  She leaned up to kiss her vulpine boyfriend on the cheek.  That kiss led to a kiss back by Fox.  They then began to fully kiss.  Things began to progress...

Chapter III- Launching in three...two..

            It was nine fifty four and the area just outside the hangar bay was buzzing with excitement.  Nine fifty five.  Fox began his speech.  With everyone satisfied with what they heard, the team piled into the Great Fox.  In moments they were soaring above Corneria, and soon through the Lylat system.  On the deck of the ship, the main screen displayed General Pepper. 

            "StarFox team, the assignment that I have is not necessarily easy, but it means the survival of our frontline Katina outposts."  Images of recent skirmishes shows several of Oikonny's ships approaching the Katina base. As if they are trying to destroy Corneria's frontline defense.  This concerned Fox, with him knowing that Bill Grey, Fox's long time friend, was there trying to defend it.  "I want you to use the new portals provided by Space Dynamic to enter separately.  The smaller gate transmissions have a weaker radar signature than trying to gate the Great fox whole."  Fox quizzed the General.

            "So, we're going to have to approach underneath and go straight into their teeth." Falco spoke up.

            "Just punch 'em in the face?  Sounds good to me!"

            "Man this should be easy, I just finished installing new weapon systems on the Arwings."

            "You've successfully taken Oikonny once.  I expect nothing less this time."  Fox raised his fist.

            "Let's go team!"

Chapter IV- Trouble with the portal

            The team dashed down the hall as the Arwings were prepared for launch.  They arrived at the hangar of the Great Fox.  Falco, Fox, and Krystal stylishly mantled over the side of the cockpit and landed in the seat.  Slippy, on the other hand, tripped on the side and more or less- face planted in the seat.  The team got situated and launched in due time.  They exited the hanger, their engine G-diffusers radiantly glowing green as they prepared their gates, each fired a green ray that opened a circular portal to the combat sector just above Katina.  Fox's radio announced Slippy's voice in an urgent tone.

            "Fox!  Three contacts coming a high velocity." Studying his radar noticed three very familiar looking ships.  Streaking red through space, he noticed a missile flying towards them with grim accuracy.

            "It's the Wolfen!  Evasive maneuvers!"  But it was too late for Fox, the missile had already thrown Fox way off course.  But with luck, Fox landed in the portal.  Slippy, Falco, and Krystal had not yet activated their portals.

            "Oh no...FOX!"  Krystal cried.  Anger surged through her.  Veering her ship around, let loose a barrage of laser fire.  Slippy and Falco did the same. Slippy changed team only radio reception. 

            "So, I guess it's time to try the new weapon system.  So aside from the conventional lasers.  We now have a rapid-fire laser cannon.  It's slightly weaker with a higher rate of fire.  The weapon has unlimited amunition but it is prone to overheat.  The next weapon is a focus beam. It can only be fired at a continuous rate for about ten seconds, so I'd suggest using it on stronger armor.  Next, I've installed a doomsday bazooka that lays waist to everything.  I got it from the Solar system.  It's called the BFG-9000.  Don't ask me what BFG stands for, I'm not going to tell you.  It has thirty shots with a five second reload time.  Charging it will extend the blast radius as well as making the weapon more accurate.  It can lock on just like the regular laser.  It's basically the level one laser on steroids."  Falco took notice of the announcement.  Swapping to his fully automatic, he pursued Leon, with plasma slicing through the Wolfen's armor.  Falco flung past him.  Locking on quick, Leon threw two missiles at Falco.  Slippy came on the speakers again.

            "Oh yeah, and I installed something to deal with those pesky missiles."  Slippy as well had a missile following him.  A wall of red flame lit the air and the missile unsuccessfully attempted to follow the single flames in the wall and the missile exploded in a ball of fire. 

            "Right, flares, great job Slip!"  Falco pressed a trigger and another wall of flame threw the missile back at Leon.  The missile smacked the hull of Leon's Wolfen.  The red craft powered down and Leon was forced to eject.  Falco veered around to confirm his victory. Fist pumping the air, yelled he was victorious.  Slippy tilted his ship left and spiraled upward.  He knew he had to climb higher.  The Wolfen that Wolf piloted was highly superior in firepower, however; Slippy's Arwing was much more maneuverable.  His ship rocked back and forth violently with protest to the heavy pull of the G- Diffuser.  Soon, the system gave out, and Wolf closed on missile range.  A missile fired and Slippy was out of flares,  in moments, the G-Diffuser system rebooted.  Slippy  bolted away, and soon turning his ship back around, with enough distance to change weapons.  His light laser machine gun activated.  Slippy slammed on the brakes, throwing dozens of plasma blasts at Wolf.  Wolf's visor cracked, and his engine gave out.  Slippy retreated to back up Krystal, knowing that Wolf wasn't going anywhere soon.  Now back with Falco and Krystal, the three pursued Panther.  Wolf's ship was out of commission, and therefore punched out and retreated.  Krystal took the lead.  She knew that it was Panther who knocked Fox off course.  Krystal swapped weapons to the BFG-9000, charged her cannons.  The Wolfen was not fully equipped with flares, and his shields were lowered through heavy combat. 

            "This is for Fox."  With the release of the trigger, the green blast had a massive impact on the Wolfen of Panther's.  His ship slowly withered away by intense radiation.  He ejects his escape pod and flew off. 

            "That's it, it's over.  We have to go help the fleet." Krystal and Slippy silently agreed.  They fired their portals and landed perfectly.  "Okay, we'll just have to continue with the plan that we originally had."  Falco thought for a moment.  He turned off Slippy's radio contact momentarily.  And turned to see Krystal in her cockpit.  Staring blankly in the controls.  "Krystal..."  The blue fox jerked her head up and noticed Falco looking into her cockpit.  "Are you going to be okay?"  She paused. 

            "I just hope Fox is alright."