EarthSiege Introduction F.J. McCloud, Starfoxandwolf, Sovan Jedi June, 1998 The Arwing launched upward amid the explosions enshrouding the entrance to Andross' Venomian base. Smoke and orange flames soon gave way to a brilliant white shockwave that silhouetted Fox McCloud's ship and finally demolished the crippled headquarters. Faster and faster the mighty Arwing accelerated as it left Venom's gravity. The evil brown atmosphere cleared into a star-filled sky and the Star Fox team quickly assembled around the Great Fox. "You DID it, Fox! You DID IT!" Slippy yelled. "Okay, I'll admit it. You did good, Fox," Falco congratulated. Fox looked anxiously around him hoping to find the one thing only his wildest dreams could fathom. "What's wrong, Fox?" Peppy inquired in an almost worried tone. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong," Fox hesitantly replied as tears glistened in his eyes. "Come in, Corneria!" "This is Corneria. Pepper speaking. Congratulations on a job well done." "Roger! I'm heading back to Corneria." With that the Arwings and Great Fox rocketed into a hyper boost to their well-deserved reception. Victory was finally theirs. Andross strained in frustration and anger as pure madness and adrenaline nearly drove his fist into the console that once commanded his mighty Telekinetic Amplifier. "AHH!! I don't believe it! The miserable whelp defeated me three times! My masterpiece and conquest are both destroyed!" Andross' eyes burned with rage and resentment for Star Fox, adding fear and fury to the dimly lit cavern serving as his war bunker one hundred miles into Venom's thick crust. "Emperor," a high-ranking lizard general barged in. "Star Wolf cannot be reached. We fear the worst. Your remaining troops await instructions." Andross reached for his light lance to slay the general before cooling down and echoing his evil laugh throughout the chamber. "Let the pitiful 'Star Wolf' team fend for itself if its members are even alive. They failed in their mission. Tell the troops to assemble in proximity to the black hole. We will let the Lylatians savor their victory for now. We need to rebuild the army, and the easiest way to do that is to ravage the OTHER star system!" In the days that followed all of Lylat celebrated. Rebuilding of damaged cities began and parades lined the streets. Star Fox was universally praised and the team toured each populated planet of the system before returning to Corneria for some rest. "Gee, this is the first time in years we can dock Great Fox without fear of attack--from Andross OR autograph hounds!" Slippy casually commented as Corneria's military defense command scaled into view. "I really hate it when people make a fuss," Fox replied. "Get with the program, guys! We're heroes now. Money, fame, glory...they're finally ours!" Falco reclined in his chair. "It IS better than raiding imperial scows, but I'll be happy to see old friends," Peppy stated to unanimous agreement. Several friends awaited the team, in fact. Foremost, of course, was General Pepper himself, followed by Bill Grey, the normally elusive Katt Monroe, and Fara Phoenix. Pepper, finally able to relax himself, sighed a bit as the team safely disembarked. Katt ran over to Falco, who also seemed in a better mood. Fox hugged Fara as Bill clapped Slippy and Peppy on the back. The warm reunion was cut short, however, as a streak of flaring yellow light plummeted toward the nearby fields and exploded on impact. The craft was unrecognizable and no one expected any survivors until a dark figure plodded between the flaming wreckage. The figure seemed fairly young yet almost gnarled from a life of danger and irreverance. All anyone could see as he staggered forward were a dark eyepatch and a determined, clearly once merciless, expression. "Wolf O'Donnel!" Fox was the first to shout out as army medics and security personnel flooded the area. "But I took you down on Venom!" "Down, but not out," coughed a weak Wolf. "Please. I'm not here to harm you." "Yeah, sure! That's why you and your team practically took us out before," Falco interrupted. "Please believe me!" Wolf almost toppled. "He's not finished. Andross has bigger plans than we could imagine. I'm on your side now. Help me..." the gray wolf collapsed into unconsciousness. A blurry view of the infirmary ceiling greeted Wolf as he woke up. Startled, he turned and saw himself surrounded by General Pepper and the Star Fox team. The atmosphere was tense. No one trusted Wolf even in his medical state. "Well, well! Look who's awake!" Falco's sarcasm seemed stronger than usual. "I'm NOT your enemy any more," Wolf's voice wavered a bit coming from a dry throat. "I can't explain it. Not long after Fox shot me down on Venom something happened. It was as if my head seemed clearer. Most of my former comrades were out cold, except for Pigma Dengar, who babbled on about some data to deliver to Area 6's remaining battle cruisers. The delirious fool also mentioned that HE killed my father, not Star Fox. I didn't know what to think so I attacked him like I've never fought anyone before. He's probably dead now, but I took the holodata pak Andross gave him to deliver. Andrew's new Wolfen2 fighter was still functional, so I started reading the pak in it. When I realized the scope of Andross' mad plan, I knew I had to find my former nemesis." "And we're supposed to believe this? You probably crashed here to infiltrate us or something!" Falco's anger nearly boiled over. "This holopak of yours. Do you still have it?" the general inquired, breaking the tension somewhat. "Yes, general. Here, see for yourself what I mean," Wolf pulled out the pak from his flight suit and gave it to Pepper, who in turn gave it to Slippy. "I'll get on it immediately!" Slippy saluted. Peppy followed him into the nearby numeric analysis lab. The conversation continued. Wolf sighed in relief that he'd succeeded in his mission and gladly filled in Fox and General Pepper on more details of his service with Andross. Several minutes later, Bill rushed into the room. "Uh, guys, um, and sir..." Bill seemed a bit shaken. "I think you'd better see what Peppy and the Slipster have up on the screen." "We're on our way, Bill," Fox started to leave but Wolf's paw grabbed his. "Listen, Fox. I don't expect anyone to believe me, let alone you. Please understand that I have neither a means nor a reason to harm you now. I am genuinely sorry. Back in the academy I always looked up to you. Did you know that? I thought I was good, but you were always better. Now all I can do is humbly beg your forgiveness. Whatever you may think of me, however, please stop Andross at any cost. He's insane and he doesn't want to stop with the Lylat system. We both lost family to that mad ape, Fox. Stop him, Fox. Stop him..." Wolf fell asleep. When Fox and General Pepper reached the lab they found Fara, Katt, and Bill already converging for what ultimately became the briefing for their next mission. "Looks like Wolf was right after all," Peppy began. "Our victory looks pretty temporary. Andross didn't give up on his Lylat conquest and is instead planning to rebuild his army all over again." "Andross found a stable warp field in his black hole that leads to several regions of another star system on the far side of the galaxy," Slippy continued. "It turns out that one of this system's worlds, called Earth, is inhabited. Andross intends to conquer the system, dominate earth's industrial resources, and enslave its people to rebuild his army. Afterwards, Lylat will be his target again." The shock silenced everyone. Andross' cruelty evidently knew no limits if it extended to life outside of Lylat. "What data do we have on this planet earth?" the general quickly regained composure. "Pretty much everything, sir," Peppy called up a holographic voxel model of earth. "As well as the rest of the system. It seems Andross knew of this system for many years and had survey teams and equipment gathering data for him. Earth has resources comparable to those of Corneria and Titania and biomes comparable to those of Corneria and Fortuna. Its people are bipedal and lylatoid in construction. They're sophisticated and relatively advanced, as you can see from these city images, but incapable of planetary defense." "Do they know Andross is on his way?" Bill asked. "No, Andross has done a good job of shielding his ships from earth's tracking systems and militaries," Slippy answered. "Moreover, a simpler Telekinetic Amplifier has been broadcasting his mind control experiments for the last seven earth years. Andross wasn't sure how to fully enslave the entire planet, so the amplifier let his teams periodically make attempts or just observe its society discretely. Here's where the story gets weird. Evidently one person WAS able to subconsciously understand Andross' transmissions. He is a game designer for a company that produces electronic video games. Currently there are two games in existence that accurately portray much of Lylat--including us and our war. One is 'Star Fox' and the other is 'Star Fox 64.'" All jaws in the lab dropped at the thought. "All RIGHT! How about THAT, Fox?! We even have our own games!" Falco practically shouted. "And that's not all!" Wolf added as he entered the lab with renewed resolve. "From his monitoring of communications channels Andross found that there are many fans around the planet. Andross sees these game players as both a potential threat and a potential resource. Their experience may not be with real spacecraft, but it could be twisted to his advantage if they could be enslaved. Now do you see why I had to tell you this? I don't want ANYONE else to fall victim to that mad ape like I did!" "Wait, there's something I don't understand," Fara spoke up. "How could Andross understand the languages of an alien world?" "Oh, yeah!" Slippy seemed a bit excited. "There are hundreds of languages on the planet, but only a few are widely spoken--especially by these particular game players. The earth people, called humans, produce the same range of vocalizations we do, first of all. Amazingly, many of their words are identical or close to ours to begin with. Andross developed a conversion table for use with the old translator chips. They're the same chips that were used to bridge the languages and dialects of our own worlds many generations ago. The chips were initially useful for his own troops and a perfect understanding of the Lylatian language was broadcast to as many of the humans as possible so that they could fluently understand it! Speaking it won't be a problem for them either, for similar reasons, once they are spoken to in Lylatian for the first time. It's sort of a post-hypnotic suggestion that will trigger an innate knowledge of Lylatian. We'll have no problem understanding each other. Again, much of their syntax and grammer is identical to ours anyway." "Diseases won't be an obstacle, either. There's data here for making a universal vaccine for us and Andross has conducted experiments with the human food supply so that they can tolerate Lylatian sicknesses," Peppy added. "Well, everyone, it looks like the war isn't over," General Pepper concluded. "Do we have information on any of these game players and can we train them to help fight?" "Yes, they're a bit young, but given the circumstances they may be our best bet. We have some older fighters we can rig up to be very easy to learn, including a couple of old Wolfen class ships salvaged from the war," Slipy said. Wolf cringed a bit. "From monitoring their networks and profiles, we know their nicknames and where they live." With that a list of names scrolled up a screen. "Sovan Jedi, Silverfox?, Ace McLeod?, F.J. McCloud? Wow, I guess we DO have fans!" Fox began the list of Nsider names. Wolf sighed a bit as Katt continued the list. "Thesilentassassin, Frankenroc, Tengi, Catlinatabby, Starfoxandwolf..." Wolf's ears perked up at that. "These are dangerous times. Neither system is safe. I want some of you here alongside the army to protect Lylat. The rest of you take one of the black hoole warps and gather as many of these 'Nsiders' as possible. Hopefully it isn't too late," Pepper commanded. "We can only hope to form another team to help us!" With that the preparations began. Slippy, with the help of Peppy and several technicians, outfitted a large squadron of older spacecraft and a couple of older Wolfen ships with modified gravity diffusers, twin photon burst hyper lasers, sophisticated imaging systems, and an instinctive flight guidance subsystem. "Well, they're not full Arwings," Slippy told the team at last, "but to the humans they'll feel about the same. The ships can survive the black hole, shoot the same weapons we can, and assist the pilot in complex maneuvers. The realtime image correction display feature can project a less disorienting view of the outside world to them, too. These ships should be very easy to learn!" "Great job, Slippy," Fox praised. "You came through again. Now who's staying and who's coming with us?" "Katt and Bill are staying here with me," Fara replied. "We'll help the army guard Lylat, especially by the black hole." "Which reminds me," Fox continued. "Can we expect Andross to have troops waiting for us?" "Not likely, Fox," Wolf said. "He's concentrating his forces near their asteroid belt and the planet Mars first. His first priority is to quietly build some bases and weapons in the humans' system." "Right," Slippy agreed. "We can exit the black hole nearer to earth on the other side of the system." "Wolf's coming with us, Fox," Falco said to everyone's amazement. "This way I can keep an eye on him!" "You have nothing to fear from me, Falco," Wolf replied, "but thanks. I think we ALL have a score to settle with Andross." "Good luck, Fox," General Pepper finished the conversation. With that Wolf and the Star Fox team boarded the Great Fox, now filled with Arwings and the first several fighters. The giant ship gracefully left the morning skies of Corneria and proceded unimpeded to the the black hole. "Okay, everyone, here we go!" Slippy said as Great Fox spiraled into the black hole's spinning vortex. Shades of blue, red, and lavender streaked by the windows--colors from the odd energy fields surrounding the warp. ROB64 followed the parabolic flight tragectories automatically. Every movement left trailing afterimages. Suddenly stars seemed to rush past the ship as Earth loomed into view. "Everyone," Fox was the first to speak, "looks like we made it! Let's find these 'Star Fox' fans!" The adventure of a lifetime was about to begin! Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-EarthSiege cont. Posted: JUNE 20, 1998 20:55 The Oval Office, Washington D.C., USA "Mr. President, we have received this message." "What is it?" the President responded. "Apparantely, every government on Earth has received it. It appears alien. We don't know if it conveys peace or hostility." "What should we do?" the President asked. "We've got an idea..." FBI Headquarters "They've ask to see the blueprints from the ship." "Which one?" "The secret ship. Apparently they feel we might need it to defend the Earth." "Aliens?" "Possibly." "Ah, I see another cover up coming." "I wouldn't be so sure about that." "Alright, then send them the blueprints. God help us if we need to use it." At Geneva "Welcome everyone. You all have been sent from you country to discuss what has been learned. Plans for a defense are underway. Yet, we still hope there is a chance that peace is possible. In defense, a ship is being created. The U.S. Government has the blueprints. It comes from a ship they uncovered that crashed about fifty years ago at what is now called Area 51. It apparently is a incredible ship that has laser capabilities and many other useful features. It has technology that has not been ever created, but the U.S. government feels they, with the help of the world's best, can duplicate the plane. Pilots will need special training to deal with the fact that this plane can flip and U-turn. Video game players around the world, along with Air Force pilots, have been gathered. Those with experience playing certain games, Star Fox 64 for example, are already used to the planes. That is all for now." --------------------------------------------- How's that? Hope it's okay. -KillerThunder Author: PENGUINIO Subject: IS-EarthSiege cont. Posted: JUNE 20, 1998 21:32 Hoot Canaveral, a small time crook and fair pilot, flew in formation with his fellow Venomian pilots. Several hours ago, he came to this planeta sickly green and blue, too bright and colorful for his tasteswith the rest of the Venomian fleet. His Wolfen 3 sped through the atmosphere, waiting for the signal from Andross. "Steady the G-Diffusers, we are within 245 Rps of the target." Hoot sent his Wolfen into a spiraling run toward the surface of the planet Earth, followed behind by his six Wolfen escorts. The words WASHINGTON TARGET LOCKED appeared on his viewscreen. "Alright, boys, fire up your laser cannons." Hoot quickly set up his Comm Chanel on a frequency recievable by his targets. He quickly punched in the button that would send the message. "Okay, let's give them 15 KNPs, then go in full force." Mr. President, we have recieved another message from the alien visitors" a federal agent approached the president. "What do they say?" The man handed the paper to the president. "We come in peace? Well, that's good to hear, isn't it, Jenson?" The agent nodded slightly, then gave him the second print out. "Oh my. . ." The second print out featured an image of a skull and a short message below. "WE HAVE A DIFFERENT DEFFINITION OF PEACE." "Now!" The seven Venomian fighters spiraled closer to the ground and let loose an impressive bravo of laser blasts and bombs. The humans never knew what hit them. "There, how did the other teams fare?" Author: PENGUINIO Subject: IS-EarthSiege cont. Posted: JUNE 20, 1998 21:48 Andross sat in his immense hover chair, quietly studdying the reports of his offensive. A short nervous officer stood before Andross. "Sir, Captain Garnor and Baron Duchet are awaiting your orders." Andross looked up. "Very well, tell them to blockade the planet. Make sure they use their cloaking devices, we don't want them picking us up on radar, do we?" The small terrapin was unsure of how to answer. "uh, no, sir." Andross smiled wickedly and sent the officer away. He reclined in his chair and relaxedly watched the Imperial Armada close in on the doomed planet. "General, I think we are too late." Fox McCloud hurried into General Pepper's office aboard the Great Fox. "Yes, Fox, I know, Intelligence reports that all the major worldwide cities have been totally obliterated." "Just like on Corneria!" Fox exclaimed. "Yes, but I doubt they will follow the same battle plan. Two Saucerer assault ships have been spotted on the south western area near a region called Australia." Fox looked up from the papers on Pepper's desk. "Well, we'd better get in there, huh?" Pepper stood up. "Fox, we barely have enough men. We need to recruit some of these...Humans to help." "The sooner we get in there, the more humans there will be to recruit, sir" With that said, Fox trotted out of the office and to his fellow pilots. "C'mon guys, we're gonna defend Earth!" The gathered pilots exclaimed their feelings and ran to their fighters. They were Star Fox Squadron. 27 fighters against an armada and they were gonna give it their all. . . Author: PENGUINIO Subject: IS-EarthSiege cont. -Rep Posted: JUNE 20, 1998 22:53 Fox and his wingmen, Slippy Toad and Cuda Blue, approached the planet at an extremely high speed. "Alright, guys lock wings into attack position." The whole squadron did so. Fox flew straight up at the saphire sphere and spotted some blips on his radar. "Are they crazy? They think they can just fly right in and attack?" Blue spoke up, "Sir, I believe our technology is far more advanced them theirs. They may not be able to detect Andross' ships." Fox shuddered, if he were at home and enemy ships were crowded all around him and he had not known... "It's a Dorisby, go in for the attack!" Fox and his wingmen dove in and began blasting various bulges and launch bays on the vessel. "They're launching! THEY'RE LAUNCHING" Slippy squealed as two Invader fighter targeted his bogy. Fox quickly picked 'em off as Cuda flew in for a strafing run against the Dorisby's hull. "BLUE! NO!!!" The enormous laser cannons targeted Blue's fighter and destroyed him with one single shot. Falco Lombardi and Peppy Hare flew at the rear of the squadron and barely saw the fighter that was once Cuda Blue incinerate. "Fox, why don't we just launch our bombs at it?" Falco demanded. "We need those for Earth, Falco." Fox spiraled around to the rear of the ship. "All fighters, concentrate your fire on the bridge!" Baron Duchet looked around the bridge of his Dorisby. "Coordinate all power on those fighters, Lord Andross wants nothing through to Earth." An ape officer rushed over to Duchet. "Sir? They've taken out the main Power Generators." Duchet's eyes widened. "That's impossible" The officer nodded. "The secondary drives will sustain us, but not for long. We are dabngerously close to their atmosphere, we have a strong possibility of going into reentry." Duchet walked over to his command station. He glanced down at the power charts. "Prepare an escape shuttle for me and the Command Crew. Tell evryone lese they will be charged with treason if they do not go down with their ship. That also means you." The ape looked up at his amphibian leader. Taking the pistol at his hip he smashed the barrell into the commander's face. Then he shot the two officers racing after him twice and ran for the escape shuttle. "They've stopped shooting." Slippy wiped the sweat from his face. "Yeah, something isn't right here." Falco shouted. The ape, Simian Orlando, hastily threw the explosive charges into the command section and hoped into the escape shuttle. Within seconds he was floating in space. "There goes an escape shuttle!" Fox shouted. "LOOK!!!!" Slippy screamed as the entire battle station blew apart before them. Suddenly, a comm chanell opened on Fox's comm unit. "This is Simian Orlanado, requesting permission to dock with the Great Fox. I have provided plans of Andross' conquest of Earth. I was responsible for the destruction of that vessel and I will surely be wanted by Andross. Please accept me." Fox smiled. "Well, the more fighters the better." Fox and his companions sped toward Earth with Simian in the back piloting an escape shuttle. Meanwhile, back in the Lylat System. "We hold this meeting of the Lylat Alliance to discuss the importance of the situation at hand." Grand Admiral Penguinio stood over the table in the command bridge of the Alpha Skyhook. Ace McLeod, fellow Grand Admiral spoke up. "Yes, seemingly, Andross was not killed in the explosion that destroyed his headquarters. Instead while Commander McCloud was battling the holographic version of him, he was gathering his fleet for an operation of even grander scale: the take over of the nearby Solar System." A few of Admirals gasped. High Admiral Wolf looked up. "How will we stop him this time?" Penguinio smiled. "Well, construction has just been completed on the Alpha Cenaturi and Dominion. These two battle ships will lead us into battle with Andross' forces. The ships are larger than any vessel in the Cornerian fleet." Penguinio keyed in a sequence on the holoprojector and a large image of Earth showed up. "The Venomians have blockaded the planet here, here, and here."He said pointing at various points on the globe. The image zoomed out to reveal the planet's satellite and sister-planet, Mars. "Andross and his ships are stationed, here, just outside of the Martian orbit. Is uggest we strike quick and fast." The fellow Admirals agreed and the meeting was adjourned... Author: THELUIGIFAN Subject: IS-EarthSiege Mars Posted: JUNE 21, 1998 20:40 "I see." Fox McCloud said at the communicator. He walked over to the conferencing table on the Great Fox. "Well, group, General Pepper has notified me that the alien's raid is getting forces from a hidden shipyard on Mars. It is our job to take it out. I have also been told that the Humans will be assisting us. I heard that they managed to create an interstellar starfighter. I don't know if they'll be any help, but they will be there. They are our allies. Do not shoot them. The rest of the data you need is on the computers in you Arwings." --- Four Arwings flew towards Mars. "What resistance can we expect." Peppy asked. Fox answered calmly, "I have no idea, we're the front line, that's what we're supposed to find out. All I know is that Andross usually protects his shipyards. The one in Area 6 had 7 squadrons of fighters." Slippy frowned. "Seven squadrons?" He gasped. "Don't worry, Slippy," Falco said, "I'm not even sure Andross has 7 squadrons left." "Underestimating your enemy can be a weakness, you know." Peppy remonished Falco. The bird quickly retorted, "Overestimating your enemy can be a weakness too!" --- An hour later, the ships arived at Mars. "Scanners online," Fox said, "I've got readings. 3 fighter squadrons and two light cruisers. This is going to be a real fight." "Sending the data back to the Great Fox." Slippy said. "I hope they get here quick." "Shut up, froggy, we're going into battle. I read 4 fighters heading our way." Falco said. A strangly familiar voice came through the com channels. "We expected you, Fox." Another voice added, "I'm going to get paid alot for bringing you down." "Star Wolf. Dang!" Peppy exclaimed. "What are you guys doing here?" Fox asked, "I thought you had left Andross." "Sorry, but we've always been with Uncle Andross." Andrew said. 'Idiots,' Slippy thought, 'Just sitting there and talking. I've got a clear shot at Pigma.' Slippy fired a Nova Bomb. The explosion rocked Pigma's ship. "Good work froggy!" Falco exclaimed. Slippy went into a barrel roll to avoid fire from Wolf. "Stop calling me froggy!" He yelled. "Back off, group." Fox ordered. "What!" Peppy exclaimed. "This is our best chance..." "BACK OFF!" Fox yelled. The StarFox team obediently retreated. "We had them." Slippy moaned. "That's why you're almost dead, isn't it." Fox retorted. He calmly pressed a button on his control panel. The whole area around StarWolf exploded, sending them spinning out of control. "Remote Mines." Fox explained. "They do wonders. Now forget these guys and head to the planet." ------- I don't know if this fits the plot or not so if it doesn't, sorry. Tell me if it's any good or of any corrections I need to make. By the way, I'm starting my own IS on the IS BBS board. It's called Star Fox The Great Raid. ~TGR for short.~ Thanks, The Luigi Fan Author: PENGUINIO Subject: IS-EarthSiege-Lylat Offe Posted: JUNE 22, 1998 14:09 Star Fox Squadron, reeling from the loss of one of their members, flew down hard and fast into the Earthern atmosphere. "Fox, we are about 89 TRPs from the Australia zone." Slippy said over the comm unit. "Good, about how long will it take for the Saucerer to arrive?" It took several seconds for Slippy to reply. "Two standard Earth minutes." "Let's go!" Fox lead his squadron down close to the clear waters of the sea. They could see magnificent coral beneath them, but they needed to concentrate on the task at hand. General Soca quickly marched to the bridge of the Saucerer assault craft HARBRINGER. "We have picked up 26 Arwings on the scanner, sir" Soca looked at the technician on his right. "Really? Star Fox? They stand no chance against the power of Andross. Blast them out of the sky." The technician nodded and returned to his power station. "Put up your shields, guys, this is gonna be hard." Fox spoke into the comm unit. "Enemy shield reading at 95, some damage was done while entering the atmosphere." Slippy replied. Fox came up in an arch to the point where the Saucerer hovered. "Sir, weapons are at maximum capacity." Soca smiled. "FIRE!" Two arwings exploded in a brilliant flash of light as the autolasers aboard the HARBRINGER began firing at each fighter. "EVASIVE MANUEVERING!!!" Fox screamed as a laser bolt flew past his cockpit. Another arwing exploded just to the right of him. "HEEEELLP!!!" Slippy screamed. "Get off me! GET OFF ME!!!" Falco shouted at the thousands of laser blasts hurling through the sky. "I don't know how much more we can take, Fox!" Peppy exclaimed. Fox U-turned to a position just to the right of the HARBRINGER's bridge. "Here goes nothing!" He thought. He squeezed the trigger releasing two Nova Bombs at the bridge. "General! We have been hit on the rear-most bridge! All communications are lost." Soca looked out the viewscreen at the battle in front of him. "Deploy the fighters." Fox swooped up and down trying to avoid the lasers when they suddenly stopped. "What's goin' on?" Suddenly, hudreds of Invader-V fighters flew out of the hatches below the Saucerer. "Oh no!" Author: LUCKYYOSHI Subject: IS-ES Mysterious Allies Posted: JUNE 22, 1998 14:24 I had to shorten EarthSiege so my title could completely fit. In any case, here's something to add a twist to the plot. Gangek Leer piloted his Wolfen 3 through the space near the large jovian planet the humans called Jupiter. Behind him were his three wingmen. Andross had ordered them to make sure the Lylatians had no more surprises waiting to spoil his plans, and had thusly ordered them to check out the planets one by one. Also, if any satellites were found, they were to be destroyed. Leer figured this was an easy enough job, too easy, in fact, to be considered worthy of an officer of his standing. Still, when Andross gave orders, no one dare disobeyed. "We're coming toward Jupiter's largest moon." Cossa Thrug told his leader. "All right then, keep your eyes open fellas. Let's get this mission over with so we can get a better assignment." Leer spoke into his comm. Then he turned it off and moved in on the moon. He had a bad feeling about this place, and his feelings were soon justified. "Commander! My ships picking up some kind of readings from the moon! There's an outpost or something." Thrug spoke up shortly after nearing the moon. "This is bad." Spoke up a third member of the group, Bane Tarkin. "The readings are going wild. Whatever's down there knows we're up here." Alarms went off in Leer's head. It was a trap! "Quick! Everyone pull out! We have to get a bigger team before we try to take out an outpost!" He began to turn his ship, but something stopped him in his tracks. "What the-" From out of no where, two huge defense satellites had appeared. They targeted the two ships nearest them, which happened to be Tarkin and Thrug. Identical beams of light shot out and imprisoned the ships, and while the ships were halted, they didn't remain still. They began to shake violently. Leer knew he should get the heck out of there, but he was entranced by what was going on. Shaking himself out of it, he grabbed the comm. "Thrug! What's happening?!" The voice that responded was heavily tainted with static. "The beam's destabilizing our ships! We're losing structural integrity fast! Oh my-" Then his ship was blown to shards that disintigrated as soon as they seperated. Tarkin's ship met a similar fate. "Quick, Arozz, we have to get out of here now!" Leer commanded his last remaining team member. "You don't have to tell me twice!" The jackal shouted back. Unfortunately, it was too late. The defense satellites captured them too. Leer tried frantically to contact Andross and the fleet, but the signal was jammed. He tried every trick in the book to shake free, but right before he would've succeeded, he too was space dust. The figure watched through the view screen as the satellites recloaked to wait for new victims. She had to admit that the endodroid who'd designed them had done a superb job. She wondered what Andross would think when he found out his scout team wasn't returning. The uncertainty of what happened to them and the fear it might cause was quite satisfying. Bree VanIsle touched them comm on the chair's arm. "Inform Gax that his satellites worked perfectly, and tell him not to recloak the outpost yet. I want to be ready when Andross's next posse comes to check things out." "Are you sure that's wise? We only have two satellites up and running, and surely Andross will assign more ships, maybe even a starship. Can we take on that many?" Bree's science officer, an android named Terec asked. "You forget that the particle de-stabilizer is only one weapon on the satellites. That was just a test run for that particular weapon. The new artificial intelligence computers on board will be able to handle multiple targets at the same time. Trust me, whatever Andross throws at us will be handled easily." "What if Starfox or the Earthers come?" "Then we officially ally ourselves with them. Andross is not going to conquer the only people to help me after my crash. He will be stopped." The silver fox vixen was becoming more and more adamant with every word, until she was practically shouting. "Of course he will. I was just wondering." With that, Terec signed off. Bree sat back down in her chair. She hadn't even realized when she got up. She smiled a maliciously gleeful smile, and waited for the next of Andross's minions to fall into her cleverly placed trap. That's all for now. I'd just like to ask that no one try to explain anything about Bree or the outpost on Jupiter's moon //it's name is Ganeymede if it means anything to you//. You can write the Starfox characters showing up there, or even another ill fated attempt by Andross, but otherwise I'll be covering that in my next story. LuckyYoshi Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-ES-Pepper's Confusion Posted: JUNE 22, 1998 20:51 Pepper appears on screen. "ROB64, are you there?" "Here general. How may I help you?" "Did I just see what I thought I saw. I could swear Star Fox is on Earth, but someone was battling Star Wolf near Mars." "Holographics, sir. Star Fox is on Earth. I was ordered to plant remote mines near Mars. Then, as a test, we used a prerecorded image to make it look like Star Fox was there." "But why would radar pick it up?" "We programmed it so a signal would appear on the enemies radar that would be close to the holograms location." "Great work. Give Slippy my compliments. Oh, and make sure to tell Star Fox to contact me with what they've done so far. I need to know what is happening." --------------------------------------------- So, will that work? -KillerThunder Author: THELUIGIFAN Subject: IS-ES-Stroke of Genius Posted: JUNE 23, 1998 15:04 The Saucerrer Assault Craft released wave after wave of fighter. Falco groaned inside his Arwing. In his own ship, Fox checked the radar. Three new dots had just appeared. "What are those?" He asked his wingmen. "I believe they're called F-16s." Slippy said, "Some human fighter." The Saucerrer turned and with deadly precision vaporized the jets. "So much for Earth help." Falco said. "Wait a minute..." Slippy said. He flew his Arwing away. "Where are you going?" Fox asked as he swung around, avoiding a hail of fire. "To get a mirror." Slippy replied. "A mirror!" Fox said. He u-turned his fighter and launched a Nova Bomb at the Saucerrers core. The giant assault craft shook, but continued it's flight towards an Australian Earth Headquarters building. It flipped over and prepared to launch a laser at the building. Slippy's Arwing came flying in at high speed. A giant mirror rested above the fighter. He flew under the laser gun of the Saucerer and stopped. -- The gunner in the Saucerer contemplated his new target. Shrugging, he fired the Superlaser. -- Fox then realized Slippy's plan. The laser shot towards Earth, hit the mirror... And was reflected straight upward. Not even the Saucerer had enough armour to resist that shot. The great ship exploded, taking out a number of Andross' fighter. "I guess we won this battle." Peppy said. "Quite so." Said Fox, "And if any of Andross' fleet fell for the fake battle we staged out at Mars, they'll go there, leaving Earth at rest, temporarily." ----- I think that should help work my other story into the plot. I didn't intend for that to happen, but I think we've corrected it. Thanks for the help, Killer Thunder Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-ES-Of Wolf and Man Posted: JUNE 23, 1998 21:38 Conversation between Andross and Star Wolf "Wolf, I would like you to perform a task for me. Of course, this being a high risk job, the pay will be high. As you know, I trapped James McCloud in the Black Hole. Where he went was unknown to me. Now I know his location. He warped in time and ended up crashing on Earth about fifty years ago. Humans have taken the ship and the body and are storing it is a place called Area 51. I need you to sneak into this area, destroy the plane, for I fear it may be duplicated, and steal the body of James McCloud. The body is most important. Make sure it is alive, for we need him alive. It should be a good weapon to use against Fox." "It sounds dangerous, but we will go." Wolf replied, grinning as he thought the idea over. "It's time to have some fun with Fox McCloud." "Andross," a pig said as he ran up, "we have an urgent message. The mothership on Earth has been defeated." "Argggghhhhh! Star Wolf, hurry, NOW!" Author: THELUIGIFAN Subject: IS-ES-Reunited Posted: JUNE 25, 1998 15:55 "Oh my...." Slippy sat back from the computer terminal. "Fox, you should see this." "What is it?" The young fox asked as he walked over. "On this PowerPC computer that the humans gave us, I finally accessed the Internet and found a very strange site. It tells about a conspiracy at Roswell, New Mexico and that fifty years ago, a alien ship crashed. They call the place Area 51. But what is really strange is the pictures. Look." Slippy said. "It's an old-model Arwing." Fox said. "Yes." Answered Slippy. "And look at the pilot." "That's my dad." Fox said in amazement. "We should mount a rescue. And soon." Slippy said, "General Pepper sent me a message that he had intercepted a conversation between Andross and Wolf. Star Wolf's mission is to find James McCloud at Area 51 and send him to Andross." "Everyone to your fighters!" Fox ordered. "We leave for New Mexico in 3 minutes." --- Two hours later, the Arwings were parked by the Star Wolf fighters. Fox, Peppy, Slippy, and Falco were about to enter the base. "Set your guns to stun." Fox ordered. "We want prisoners." "Of course." Falco said. He pretended to comply, then reset his gun to kill. 'They might want prisoners, but I want those creeps dead.' He thought. He remembered the torture he had gone through while captured by Star Wolf. He gingerly touched his glass eye. That had been Star Wolf's wickedest deed. They gouged out his eye to make him tell the acess codes to the Great Fox. He hadn't given in, but the pain remained. "I expected as much." Fox said when he walked over to Falco. "Setting your gun to kill. Personal vendettas are not allowed to interfere with missions." Falco lost his temper. "What have you suffered?!" He yelled in rage. Fox's voice turned to ice. "When I fought Andross, I barely escaped alive. My flight suit was on fire, my air supply was out. I told everyone I was going on vacation to celebrate, but in reality I was in 2 months of medical hibernation. What have I suffered? Plenty." "Sorry." Falco muttered. He switched his gun back to stun. "Very well. Let's go in." Fox said. ---- The team found Star Wolf 5 minutes later. They slipped in silently. "I can't shut this stasis field off." Pigma was complaining. "You better." Wolf threatened. "Sometimes," Fox said, "You get taken by surprise." Wolf spun around, his blaster firing. Fox calmly shot him. "I have a bad feeling about this," Leon said as he ducke to the side. Falco fired and hit him. Andrew fired recklessly. One of his shots hit the stasis field generator. The field shut down and James McCloud began to awaken. Slippy calmly targeted and fired. Andrew collapsed unconcious. As he saw that he had lost the fight Pigma squealed, "My beautiful reward, Arrghhhhh!" Peppy took him out with two shots. By then, James had woken up. "Son," He began in amazement, "You have found me." "Andross isn't going to let us win this easily." Peppy said. "We need to get back to battle soon." "Of course." James said. "I hope I can still fly." Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-ES-Earth Conspiracy Posted: JUNE 25, 1998 20:31 Twelve men stand around a tv, viewing the video. "So, the fox has escaped. With help, too." "We can't do anything now. He help Star Fox and Cornerian army possibly defeat Andross." "A plan needs to be developed," the first man replied, "so that this James McCloud will be useless against Andross. We cannot afford a loss, or we will be discovered for going against the human race." "How will we be discovered? No one knows of us." "Andross will reveal us. If he goes down, he'll take others with him." the first man said, nervously thinking of the punishment for their treason. "Is Star Wolf still unconscience at Area 51?" "No, Star Fox took them as prisoners." "I thought Andross said they were top notch. They sound like rookies." "Then why are we still alive?" Wolf said as he walked in. "If your wondering why were here, it is because Andross told us to meet you here for a discussion of the future." "But how did you escape?" "We already had memorized the blueprints for the Great Fox. We just walked out when no one was looking." "Excellent. Get Andross on the video. We need to talk business." --------------------------------------------- I'll probably have to take care of this part of the story, but add to it if you like. -KillerThunder Don't ya just love a good conspiracy? Author: MASTERMOG Subject: Capture of Corneria Part I Posted: JUNE 29, 1998 18:56 The Arwings of the Star Fox team leave trails of exhaust as they enter Corneria's atmosphere. " Oh, man!"exclaimed Falco."Look at this place!" It was true. Corneria was in a state of ruin. It was almost destroyed. The city of Corneria's buildings were toppled, peoplewere runnung in terror. Chaos seemed to reign supreme. The Star Fox team was greeted by a swarm of Androssian ships. Their shield were not holding out well. Andross's ships were far more advanced than in the past. It took the entire team to down one of them. "Let's get out of here!"shouted Fox. ROB64 just completed his analysis of the new Androssian ships. "They are an Invader Class ten." ROB stated "Class TEN?!" Falco shouted. "We're toast." "Don't be so down, Falco." said Peppy. "We'll find a way to beat 'em!" "I sure hope so." was Falco's reply. On the view screen, the Star Fox team continued to watch the carnage that the Androssian fleet had caused. Fox turned away. "I hope we can beat them this time..." he whispered to himself. To be continued..... Note: The team still needs reinforcements. If you wish to help them, please reply. Author: RINGSHADOW Subject: Capture of Corneria Part I -R Posted: JUNE 30, 1998 10:55 "Class 10? Oh really? Well, boys, let's give them hell!" Said a new voice, and a sleek black fighter dove to join the StarFox team. "Who the hell are you?" Falco said. "My name is Brian Starkiller. I've seen everything, for the most part. Class 10. Phew. I'm here to help you guys. Corneria isn't going to let Andross just take over, right?" "Of course not!" Fox said, confused. "The armour is what you're having problems with right?" "Yeah." "Catch." The fighter spun, and shield boosters flew out from the fighter and toward the StarFox team, which whooped and collected them with relief. "I happen to know a little secret about the fighters you're facing." "Which is?" Slippy asked. "The armour around their engines is weak!" Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-ES-M.A.D. Posted: JUNE 30, 1998 21:19 //The story will start after this quick note// I almost hate to do this since F.J. is working on a new part and I don't want to screw the IS up, but no one has posted anything in the last few days and I hate an idea to add to my conspiracy. Let the story continue... --------------------------------------------- With Andross on the screen, Star Wolf sits with the human conspirators. "So Andross," one of the humans says, "what's your plan?" "I've concluded it to this. If you humans decide to come to my side, I will spare them and you will be placed at a high command for turning to me early. If they decline the offer to join me, I will kill you all, except for you conspirators, for you may have some use to me." "So, either us humans agree, or its genocide. I understand." "That sums it up well." Andross replied. "What did you want us here for then?" Wolf asked, annoyed that he had to come back to Earth after escaping Star Fox. "I need you to investigate Earth and find out anything we haven't learned yet. Since we know most of everything about it, all we really need to know is if we've overlooked something humans have that can be useful to them." "Where should we start?" Wolf asked. "What is this Internet I've heard of?" Andross asked the humans, wondering if it was a potential source. "A vast source, if that's what you need. It will help you to investigate Earth, humans, and the way humans are, the way they think, and the way they act. It could prove to be the greatest asset, if you choose to use it. Maybe you could even get on it and use it to convince people to join you." "Very good idea." Andross replied with a smile. "You heard him Wolf, get to it on those searches. As for the manipulation of people with the Internet, I'll have to talk to my technical workers and see if it is possible from our ships. This meeting is over. I'll see you soon, as long as you don't fail me." Author: KILLERTHUNDER Subject: IS-Sweet Dreams Posted: JULY 01, 1998 22:01 A knock on the door. Wolf answers. "Are you Wolf O'Donnell?" the messenger asked. "Yes, what do you want." Wolf growled back. "This is for you. Goodnight." With that the messanger took off. "I wonder what this telegram is." Wolf thought. It read: I know what your up to. If you do not correct this, I will have to come for you, and that is not what you want. The sender is not named. Wolf started to sweat. "How could he know?" Wolf whispered. "Know what?" Pigma said, as he approached Wolf. "Nothing, now go back to your room." Wolf replied in an angry yell. "Okay, what's got to you. What does the telegram say?" "I thought I told you to go away. Now LEAVE!" "I'm going." Wolf went to his room, sweating, scared, and worried of his future. The full moon shown with a bright ambient light against the clear night sky. Stars blanketed the heavens. Ace McLeod yawned as he finished uploading new additions to his web site. Storms flashed lightning on the horizon halfway across the continent as F.J. McCloud sat down for a quick video game. On the west coast, Starfoxandwolf grabbed some snacks before watching a favorite movie. The rest of the world continued its daily routines blissfully unaware of Andross' presence. On mars and the outer edges of the asteroid belt Andross' battle-weary armada gathered. The newest battle cruisers sat between badly-crippled, war-torn wrecks. Rival imperial units, once at odds with one another, now worked together to repair and salvage what they could. There could be no vying for Andross' favor now. Teamwork was key to survival in the alien system. One by one the smaller crafts came on-line. New hull plating disguised the scorch marks and gouges characteristic of high-energy laser fire. The reduced-friction hydraulic maneuvering systems flexed lightweight wings silently in space. In atmosphere, these systems let the non-aerodynamic fighters handle pretty well. The organic wing movements were fitting for an army led by a bio-engineering genius gone mad. Andross' defeat in the Lylat system only intensified his desire for revenge. Enslavement of earth's people and resources could build an army so strong the Lylatians wouldn't have a chance. The uploading now complete, Ace leaned back in his chair and yawned once again as a new email message arrived. The address was unfamiliar and seemed to be that of a machine rather than a person's account. The message was short: "Don't be afraid, Star Fox player. We're friends and we need each other's help. Look in the sky." "Okay, who's the wiseguy?" Ace mumbled. A flash outside the window caught his attention, though. The glint was radiant and metallic. The moon reflected dully off of the object's surface and its thrust slowly turned from a blue tint to a reddened one. The object became more distinct as it came closer. Ace ran outside to get a closer look. It vaguely resembled an Arwing, but it was larger in back. The craft was silent and skillfully landed via its induction pods. The cockpit opened up and two pilots jumped out. The figures were dark and Ace froze in fear as they came closer. Sweat dripped down his forehead as the two aliens methodically approached. Despite the terror of the situation, a part of Ace held him back from running. It was the slow recognition of the pilots' profiles. "Ace McLeod?" even the voices seemed familiar! "Don't be afraid, friend. I'm..." "Fox McCloud?! And you're Peppy Hare!" Ace's knowledge of English immediately and fluently merged with an understanding of Lylatian. "No WAY! I don't believe it!" "So you DO know us, then?" Fox said as he and Peppy stepped closer to shake paws with an awestruck Ace. "I know this is rather sudden, Ace," Peppy said, "but both of our systems are in danger. We'll explain it all to you later, but first we need to pick up more of your friends. Climb aboard!" Peppy gestured to the small-crew utility transport they arrived in. Meanwhile, Starfoxandwolf finished his movie. The full moon bathed the darkened room in an eerie glow, but nothing seemed unusual about it. Starfoxandwolf sighed as he booted his computer and checked his email once more before heading for bed. "Who's 'aazpro'? Wha...?" the same mass-mailed message flashed up on his screen. Less than a minute later, the moon's glow slowly intensified. Wolf looked up at a nearby window and saw a geometric craft hovering silently outside with its exterior landing lights on. Wolf dashed outside and shielded his brow from the lights' glare in order to get a better look at the ship. Its occupants wasted no time exiting and making contact. "Starfoxandwolf?" the voice was unmistakeable yet unreal at the same time. The silouhetted figures stepped forward in front of the lights. "Wolf O'Donnel and Falco Lombardi!" Both smiled. "Come with us, friend. We have more of your friends to pick up and much to discuss," Wolf O'Donnel extended his paw in greeting. The same story repeated many times throughout the night and early morning across many time zones as Star Fox team members visited Penguinio, Sovan Jedi, F.J. McCloud, Tengi, Catlina, RingShadow, ThePeanutGuy, Thesilentassasin, Twisted Jester, KillerThunder, Spot4, and every other Nsider on the Star Fox 64 board. Bright pink and orange hues danced around the clouds in a beautiful sunrise over England where the crew transports finally converged. //imagine this next part scored to the music of Zoness in SF64// "Everyone," Fox's com.-link broadcast to the three transports, "we're going to dock with Great Fox in orbit above your world!" Everyone smiled, still in awe of what was happening. For the first time they were going to soar into space--with the Star Fox team! Thanks to Slippy's gravity diffusers, the acceleration shock was minimal as the transports turned upward and rocketed straight up. Clouds rushed past the cockpit and the colorful sunrise gave way to a rich blue sky. The color grew deeper and fuller with each moment, then darker. The last shades of blue seemed to streak by as the Cornerian ships left earth's atmosphere. Instantly they were surrounded by the vast black emptiness of space. For once reality almost felt like a game. Stars no longer twinkled behind earth's atmosphere--they were constant sparks of light as the behemoth Great Fox appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Ready for rendez-vous with Great Fox," Falco broke the silence. Excitement ran high as the ships' graceful maneuvering testified to their pilots' expertise. When the Nsiders touched their feet on a solid surface again, it was in the docking bay of the Star Fox team's mother ship. "I can't believe this is happening!" RingShadow spoke as the entire group followed Fox to a conference room. "I KNOW! Fox and the entire team...even Wolf--all REAL! It's like a dream!" KillerThunder replied. The team smiled. These were just the earth people they were looking for. Introductions were long. The Nsider team finally got to meet its heroes and the Star Fox team met "aliens" for the first time, so the excitement was mutual. The briefing went much the same as the one on Corneria, and Slippy also explained how he had tricked the "mailer daemon" programs to send out email straight from the servers. "I know it's asking alot," Fox ended the briefing, "but if we supply you with ships and support will you help us?" "We'll do our best, Fox," F.J. answered for everyone. "Andross won't have his way with US! Long live our 'alliance,' everyone! Long live the Star Fox team!" Cheers filled the halls. Despite the dangers ahead, everyone was happy. Under the leadership and guidance of the Lylatians a new team had been established and new friendships forged. Ships, uniforms, and quarters were assigned to each member, but sleep was hardly on anyone's mind. Tomorrow's next order of business was flight training.