Author: RINGSHADOW
Subject: James' Escape
Posted: JULY 12, 1998 18:47

This is not an IS!!!!

Wolf O'Donnel walked into the complex, fidgeting as he ran his ID card
through the scanner. What he was doing was risky, but he had to take the
risk. He felt what he was doing was right. Still, the penalty for treason
to Andross was death...he shook his head to clear the thoughts as the
scanner cleared and let him into the jail facility.
"Sir, are you sceduled to talk to the prisoners?" The guard asked.
"I should be." Wolf winced inwardly. After all, he had forged the
permission slip...
"Wolf O'Donnel?"
"Correct."
"Go on in, sir."
Wolf prevented himself from sighing in relief and entered the jail. It
wasn't large, only about fourteen cells. He cleared his throat. "Ahem? I'm
looking for James McCloud."
"Who want's to know?" Said a jailbird nearby.
"My name is Wolf O'Donnel."
A deep, soft laugh. "O'Donnel? Oh, I remember you. Your group shot me
down."
"No hard feelings, i hope. It wasn't me, sir. It was Pigma who shot you
down, not me."
James McCloud moved from where he had been sitting and leaned on the bars
of his cell, looking out at Wolf, calm. "What do you want with me, enemy
pilot?"
"I bring good news."
"Good to you or good to me?"
"To you, sir. Your son took over the Star Fox team and is kicking butt in
the battles. It seems he has turned the tide of the war."
This interested James. "Oh really? Corneria's winning?"
"Looks like it, sir."
"You guys hear that?" The other jailed people cheered. "We might get out
of here alive yet." He turned back to Wolf. "Thanks."
"No problem. I have continual access to the jail...do you want news on an
annual basis?"
"I'd like that." James smiled, very happy. "I'd like that a lot. Thank you
again, Wolf."

It was later, when it finally happened. Star Fox attacked Andross on
Venom. Wolf landed and ran to the jail complex, screaching to a halt in
front of James' cell.
"What's all the hub-bub, bub?" Said James, confused.
"Other then your son attacking Andross and needing help, we're all just
fine, thanks." Said Wolf sarcastically. "I'm going to get you out of
here."
"I appreciate that, but why?"
"So you can save your son's live, why else?"
"Oh. Of course." James looked stunned.
Wolf let him out of his cell, and before James left, he threw the lever
that opened the other cells, letting his cellmates out, so they could have
a chance to run.
"Come ON!" Said Wolf, breaking into a dead run.
James sprinted to keep up. "My plane blew up, remember?"
"Andross built a trio of experimental arwings, but abandoned the project."
gasped Wolf.
"Thank god for small blessings."
"Amen!"
After several minutes of running, they arrived in a hanger. Wolf's plane
sat next to a rough-out arwing. They didn't exchange any words, just
climbed into their respective fighters and left, hitting supersonic in
their hurry to reach the temple. Soon, they say the Star Fox team's
arwings, flying back and forth, waiting inpatiently for Fox to come out.
"This is as far as i go. I don't dare approach the Star Fox team." Said
Wolf, stopping.
"I'll be back. Wait up for me, okay? Thanks Wolf." James blasted past the
other arwings and entered the temple.
"What was THAT?" Said Falco.
Peppy whooped. "I have an idea, but it's a longshot. I think that was
James McCloud."
"But he's dead...?"
"Don't argue with a gut feeling."
Inside the temple, Fox nearly collided with his father. He backed up some,
looking at the arwing.
"Hey son. Follow me." Said James, doubling back.
Fox didn't ask, just followed his father. It was a wild, dangerous ride to
safety, no time for questions. When Fox emerged into the light, he looked
around for his father, but didn't see him. "Dad?"
"I copy. See you later. I have some business to attend to." Said James.
"No, don't go..." Stammered Fox.
"Oh, you'll see me, in the near future." James flew off, joining Wolf on
the horizon.
" 'Business' ?" Said Wolf.
"Figure I'd stay out of Fox's life for a while, then drop back into his
life. I have no wish to interfere with Fox's leadership."

FJ, this is for you.
Ringshadow smile.