Author: WATERPHOENIX
Subject: The Starfox Beginning
Posted: APRIL 27, 1998 17:18
Chapter 2 

"Hey, James, what's wrong with you?" Beltino Toad asked as his
friend staggered into his room. Beltino was the Director of the
Engineering at Arspace Dynamics Co. 
"I just found out that Vixy's pregnant," James answered weakly.
"Big deal," Beltino sneered,"Natalie's pregnant, too, and you
don't see me walking around the place like a zombie. Get a hold
of yourself." 
"What are you working on?" James soon asked. 
"Oh, this?" Beltino asked,"It's a new prototype of the Arwing." 
"Really? What's so new about this one?" 
"I'm glad you asked. This model's got about everything the
original has except for the fact that this one has an NTD-FX1
plasma engine with a Gravity Diffusion System, of G-Diffuser for short." 
"What does this G-Diffuser do?"
"Well, it's kind of complicated, but I'll keep it as short as
possible. The G-Diffuser adds a small mechanism in the Arwing's
booster, causing it to tilt upwards a few degrees on command,
enabling the Arwing to perform numerous loops and mid-air turns
to avoid enemy shots more effectively." 
"That's really cool!" James exclaimed. "I know," Beltino
said,"Too bad the G-Diffuser has a ton of bugs in it, otherwise
you can test fly it now." 
"Hey, Beltino, what're these?" James inquired as he reached for a
roll of blueprints on a shelf. "Oh, those? Those are ideas for some
future models I want to create," Beltino answered. "I really like
this one," James said, after searching through them. "That's a
submarine I plan to work on in the future, but I don't have the
time since General Pepper expects me to create more
prototypes," Beltino replied. "Well, if you can't find the time to
work on this, maybe your future son could," James joked. "Ha,Ha," Beltino
laughed sarcastically,"Oh, before I forget: General Pepper wants to talk to
you later." "Okay, I'll go talk to him now," James said,"See you
later." "See ya," Beltino called as James left. 
As James walked to Pepper's office, he was halted by a heavy
voice,"How're things going with you and Vixy?" James turned
around to see who it was,"Hello, Andross." "That's Dr. Andross
to you," Andross corrected,"So, what's up? You wobbled
yourself down the hall after talking to Vixy. What happened?" "I
just found out that Vixy's...." James paused, realizing where this
conversation would lead to,"that Vixy's maxed out her credit card
and wanted to use mine," he finished. "Hmm..., well, better hope
that she doesn't max out yours," Andross joked. James tried to
force a laugh, but found himself walking away, thinking to himself:
'If Andross finds out what's really happened, I just know that
Vixy would be in trouble.' 
As Andross saw James turn the corner, he thought to himself:
'McCloud isn't telling me the truth, and he's got Hell to pay if I
find out what it is.'


Chapter 3

"You wanted to see me, Sir?" James asked as he entered General
Pepper's office. "Yes, James," Gen. Pepper replied,"We were
just about to start. Please, sit down." James took his place at
Gen. Pepper's wide conferenceing table. All around him were
Colonels, Lieutenants, and Officers from the Academy. "Now
then," Gen. Pepper began,"Since we're all here, let's get started.
A big problem has manifested on our new base on Fortuna. The
main computer there malfunctioned, and the entire base has lost
power. No ships and leave the dock bay, and communications
are lost. We sent a supply ship to Fortuna, but it can't make it
through because a meteor storm has been located between us."
Everybody began muttering. James raised his hand,"Uh, Sir, what
do you want me for?" "I was just getting to that," Gen. Pepper
answered,"We need you to guide the ship through the storm.
Your skills can outmaneuver and shoot down almost any enemy,
and there is no enemy worse than a meteor storm. Later we plan
to redesign the ship, but our Engineering Department has been
held up lately." "Yes, Sir!" James said, and took off. "Oh, before
you go," Gen. Pepper called as James was about to close the
door,"I want you to see Xander Lombardi, who's in charge of
Mission Control, I believe you already know him?" "Yes, Sir,"
James said. "Oh, and Congratulations on your soon-to-be-born
son!" James paused, "H-How do you know about my son?"
"Xander's wife, Phoebe, who is the Academy's secretary, is the
biggest gossip here. News is traveled in less than 10 minutes if
she hears it first. You should've had you conversation privately."
James left, with a sheepish expression on his face.
"Hey, J! What's shakin'?" Pigma Dengar asked as James left
Pepper's office. "Nothing much, I just got another boring mission
from the General." "Oh, is that all?" Pigma asked,
dissappointed,"Too bad I can't go with you, Andross wanted to see
me about something Top Secret." "Probably for a weight-loss formula,"
James muttered, snickering. "I'm not fat!!"
Pigma exclaimed,"Anyway, shouldn't you be taking off now?
Who know what'll happen to that meteor storm." "How did you
know about the storm?" James asked. "Uh.. the secretary told
me. She's the biggest gossip in the Academy." "Oh," James said
uncertainly, and walked off towards Mission Control.
Pigma watched as James walked away, and went towards the
Lab. "It's about time you got here, Pigma," Andross said as he
entered the Lab, "Is James on his way to Fortuna?" "Yes, he is,"
Pigma answered,"Speaking of which, you never told me why you
did this." "Isn't it obvious?" Andross asked with a chuckle.
"Ummmm....No, it isn't," Pigma replied. "It was a rhetorical
question you twit," Andross snapped,"With James gone
temporarily, I could spend some quality time with Vixy."
"Couldn't you just visit her when she's not here?" Pigma asked.
"Because she comes here everyday!" Andross exclaimed,"If she
knows that James is out on a mission, she has to stay home on
Papetoon." "Ahhh.." Pigma said, realizing the situation. "Well,
anyway, I'm off to visit Vixy!" Andross said cheerfully and
skipped away. "Weird," Pigma concluded and left. On his way he
met up with Peppy Hare, "Hello, Pigma, is James around?" "No,
he isn't," Pigma said,"He went to Mission Control. You can try
and catch him there. What do you want him for?" "Oh, I just want
to congratulate him on his soon-to-be-born baby." "Whoa, whoa,
whoa! You mean James' having a baby?!" "Of course. Havn't you
heard it yet? The Academy's secretary is the biggest gossip here.
I gotta go, I want to get to him before it's too late," Peppy said
and ran off. 
'Awwww, Man!' Pigma thought as he walked off, 'Andross is
gonna pop a vein if he hears this!'


Chapter 4

"Okay, just a little farther to the left," Xander Lombardi called out
to the Satellite Maitenance Repair robot. The SMR is just a small
device created to stop the hassle of repairing satellites by hand,
but Xander thinks otherwise. "No! No! Too far! Go back
right.......Too far!
Left....Right.....Left....Right..CCCCRRRRRRAAASSSSSSHHHHHHH
Stupid robot." 
"Xander, did I come at a bad time?" James asked as he entered
the room. "No, of course not!" Xander exclaimed, "It's just that
the SMR is getting more and more rusty in the command chip.
We're not getting enough money to build a new one, because
most of the funding is going to Andross' Top Secret project. It's
so secret even the General doesn't know what it's about.
Anyway, what are you here for?" "The General told me to come
here for an update on the meteor storm." "Oh, yes, that storm,"
Xander said, turning on a holographic image of the Lylat
System,"It's not really a storm now, just a giant field of
meteorites. They just drift there slowly, but now they're twicw as
dangerous." "Why is that?" James asked. "The meteorites are
being exposed to large amounts of gamma rays, giving them
deadly side effects, such as explosions, swelling, etc." "This
assignment is sounding more and more interesting by the minute!"
James exclaimed,"Is there anything else I should know about this
field?" "Just that this field could stay here for approximately 20
years before they become pure gamma." "Umm... what happens
when they become pure gamma?" James asked worriedly.
"They'll just dissolve and wonder the universe aimlessly. You
don't need to be worried." James sighed with relief,"Well, I have
to get going, I'm so excited about this mission now!"
"Oh, James, before you go," Xander said,"you want to see
pictures of Falco? He's a year old today!" "Uhh.. sure," James
said, not wanting to hurt his friend. The pictures were just like
any ones Fathers would take of their children: standing, sitting,
laughing, crying, eating, sleeping. James hoped that he didn't turn
out like this, and walked off towards the docking bay.

Chapter 5

"Should we go through the drill again?" Stacy Monroe asked a
few minutes after their recent one. "Maybe later," Vixy said,
exhausted,"I'm worn out." "But youll never know when the baby
comes, so we must keep alert," Stacy explained. "I know, I
know," Vixy said with an exasperated sigh. "Sooooo, tell me.."
Stacy said,"When did Doctor Velop say Fox was coming?" "She
said that judging from the contractions, Fox'll should come out by
the end of the week," Vixy said,"Too bad James can't be here to
see this." "What about Andross?" "Who cares about that chimp?
I'd rather live in an airlock than to spend 5 minutes with him." "He
isn't going to leave you alone, ya know," Stacy said with a
shudder," He's gonna keep following you to the ends of the Lylat
System, or farther. He thinks that moment you two had was
bliss." "Puh-Leeze!! All I did was whack him in the nose with my
clipboard. Can we talk about something else?" "Sure. How about
schooling?" "Well, I was thinking of sending him to the Cornerian
Flight Academy, but I don't want to worry about 24 hours a day
like I do with James." Stacy chuckled, "What about schools on
other planets? Katina has some of the best schools." "Probably.
Maybe I'll let James handle it." "Good idea maybe he can also
decide if~ DING DONG~ Who could that be?" "I'd better go
get it," Vixy said, attempting to get up. "No, don't. I'll get it,"
Stacy insisted. She got up to open the door, and gasped. On the
other side of the open doorway towered the unmistakeable figure
of Andross. "Why, hello, Stacy!" Andross greeted,"I see you
haven't changed since the last time we were together." "Drop
dead," Stacy declared,"What are you doing here?" "I came to see
Vixy, of course," Andross said, smiling smugly,"I just don't see
why you're here." "So I can keep her from being visited by
creeps like you." With that, Stacy attempted to slam the door, but
Andross' foot stopped it,"Still a little upset from last time? I
understand if you weren't yourself in bed." "Ya know, Why don't you
take you sorry excuse of a di~" "Stace?" Vixy asked, not wanting the
conversation to turn from bad to ugly,"Help me up." "Hold on,"
Stacy growled and closed the door,"What is it?" "I need to
handle this for myself," Vixy said. "You can't face him like that!"
Stacy protested,"Who knows what he might do to you." "I have
to." Stacy hesitated, but didn't argue. She helped her friend to the
door. "Andross," Vixy said, trying to hide her nervousness. "My
God, Vixy!" Andross exclaimed,"You've gotten so depressed in
my absence, you ate yourself silly!" Stacy made a gagging sound,
but Andross ignored it. "I'm not fat," Vixy said, worried about the
reaction to the rest of her sentence,"I'm pregnant." Vixy closed
her eyes and protected her belly, awaiting any blows that may
come from Andross. Stacy quickly jumped in between the pair,
deciding to take most of the hits. Andross just stood there, in
front of the two cowering animals in front of him. 'Pregnant?!'
Andross' mind whrirled through all the possible emotions he has,
finally choosing his worst. "I guess I have nothing else to do with
you, Vixy," Andross said understandingly. It was the girls's turn to
stand there dumbfounded. "I'll leave you alone," Andross said
apologetically and turned and walked off. After the girls closed
the door, Andross couldn't hold his rage anymore. He pounded a
few holes in the James' brick mailbox, kicked trees, and clawed
the earth, all while screaming in anger. Finally, Andross cooled
down a little. 'Oooooo, they'll all pay!' Andross sneered. He
quickly looked around James' property and, after searching for
what he needed, laughed as loud and hysterical as he can. A few
kids looking at the whole scene fled in terror. ~this happened to
me so I felt like writing it there~ 

"He didn't take it the way we thought," Vixy said feeling relieved.
"Yeah he did," Stacy corrected,"He just didn't want to show it."
"But still, he'd at least say something about it otherwise~AHH! Stace! I
think it's happening!" Vixy cried. Stacy was already going through
the drill. First, she would call Doctor Velop to tell her about the
baby. Then, she would gather all of Vixy's belongings and put
them in her car. Then, she would get Vixy into the car and drive
to the hospital. Thanks to all the parctice she had, she got through
the drill quickly and were on their way to the hospital 10 minutes
early. She heard her friend gasping and crying, so she tried to
comfort her as best as she could,"Don't worry, Vixy, we'll get
there in time." "Just shut up and drive!!" Vixy screamed. 'It's just
the pregnancy that's doing this,' Stacy thought to
herself,' Remember, you were like this too.' That last thought
suddenly triggered a chain of events that Stacy wanted to forget.....

"UHH! AHH!" Stacy wailed,"It hurts!" "I know," the doctor said.
'How would he know,' Stacy thought to herself,'He's not the one
who's lying here on the cold table.' Stacy pushed again. The pain
was unbearable. "Okay, you're doing just fine." "SHUT UP!!!"
Stacy cried at the top of her lungs, squeezing the nurses hands
until they cried out in pain. "Okay, I see the head. Keep pushing."
Stacy screamed in protest, but continued pushing. Eventually,
crying was heard in the room along with the nurses' screams.
Stacy watched as the doctor left with a small package under his
arms, drying it off and wrapping it in a towel, and walking back
towards her. "Congratulations, Stacy, it's a kit." Stacy breathed
with joy as she was handed her daughter. "Hi, Katt! I'm your
Mommy!" The small kitten began guiding her nose towards the
scent of her mother. "Now, Stacy, all we need is the name of the
father and you'll be able to go home."
Stacy just looked at the doctor. She didn't want to say of even
think about Katt's father,"She has no father." The doctor just
wrote on his clipboard and left the room.

"STOP!!" Stacy heard the scream just as soon as she was going
to crash into an oncoming 18-wheeler. Stacy swerved violently to
the right, inches before the truck hit them. "Dammit, Stace! What
are you trying to do, kill us?!" "Sorry, Vixy," Stacy said, still
thinking about Katt's father. Soon, the two reached the hospital's
Emergency Room. "Don't worry," the receptionist said as they
entered, "Vixy'll be fine right now. Do you want to wait in the
waiting room?" "That's all right," Stacy said, and left.

"Whew! That's a lot of work!" Andross declared as he put the
finishing touches on his work,"This oughtta destroy James for
good!" Andross closed the hood, covering the now inaudible
ticking sound......... 

A few hours later Andross just arrived on Corneria, greeted by a
small pile of letters. Andross just chose two messages that
sounded the most important to him.

Dr. Andross:

The Inferis is almost completed. We've come across a new metal
that is indestructible to almost anything! We need your analysis on
this so we can see if it can be made artificially.

"Idiots," Andross chuckled, "They can't do anything without me."

A problem has menifested in your plan. James has completed his
mission and we fear that~

"DAMN!!" Andross screamed, "All my plans are ruined!"
Suddenly, Andross just remembered what he did, and laughed.
He forgot he had the other message in his hand.

Dr. Andross:

I have had reports about one of your student's 'unecessary
research' on the anatomies of my soldiers. They have been found
on surgical tables gutted and mangled. We've apprehended a
Leon Powalski who admits to these heinous acts. We feel that
since he is a student of your university, you should be in charge
with dealing this person with fairness and justice.
General Pepper

Andross just laughed, "Looks like someone finally earned his degree."

"There you go, Vixy, that wasn't so bad," Doctor Velop said
when she finished the procedure. Vixy just lied there on the
hospital bed, holding her pup against her breast.

Author: TENGI
Subject: The Starfox Beginning
Posted: MAY 30, 1998 19:10

Chapter 6

"You said you wanted to see me," Leon said, walking into Andross' office.
"Yes, I did," Andross replied, sounding amused,"I've heard reports of your
'unecesary research' on the Academy's soldiers." "I assure you that I am
only doing this in order to preserve vital organs for future use," Leon
announced. "Do you feel you're doing the Academy a favor?" Leon began to
perspire, "Yes, I do." Andross tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't stop
it from coming out. "What's so funny?" Leon asked, looking at the laughing
ape. "I apologize, I just couldn't keep up this lying," Andross said,
gasping,"Now really, what are your true intentions?" "How did you know I
was lying?" Leon inquired. "It wasn't hard to figure out," Andross said,
walking over to pat Leon's shoulder,"I've seen how the soldiers look, and
the reports have been explaining bloody screams coming from the surgery
ward. So, I thought that the only possible way to put it, is that you like
the concept of torture." Leon was surprised at the ape's remarkable
logic,"I guess you know," "I just wanted to hear what you have to say,"
Andross said,"Anyway, I might need you for something so I want you to stay
here with me for a while." "But if Pepper finds me, he'll have my head."
"Then stay in my lab," Andross said,"I have to go back there anyway to see
to my project, so I'll show you around." "Is the project you're talking
about the one that you've been secretly creating?" Leon asked. "Of
course," Andross answered smugly. "What is it about?" Leon asked, suddenly
interested. "Inferis is giant, bionuclear bomb I created composed of
highly toxic mutagens, which I also created. A drill bot carries it to the
center of Corneria. When it reaches there, or close to it, the intense
heat will trigger the bomb, causing magma to rise to the surface. At the
same time, the mutagen seeps and dissolves into the magma. When the lava
does reach the surface, the mutagen will by then become an unstoppable gas
that will infest all inhabitants of Corneria with different, unstoppable
viruses. Eventually, all living things will die, and any that live, will
suffer through a nuclear winter, and then die." "How come Inferis didn't
finish sooner?" Leon asked,"It would've taken at least two years to make
it." Andross began explaining the story,"I Lost funding from my best
friend, Jonathan O'Donnel. He was once the leader of the trading planet of
MacBeth, until James arrested him for overtaxing the inhabitants and
killing anybody who opposed him." Leon remembered his friend who talked
about the same event. "Here we are," Andross said, stopping in front two
doors, who opened simultaneously after scanning his handprint,"My
laboratory."

James was just taking off from Fortuna, when the image of Gen. Pepper
appeared on his monitor,"I see you've finished guiding the ship to
Fortuna?" "You didn't tell me that it would be so cold!!" James yelled,"I
froze my tail waiting for that ship, it's so slow!" "Well, then maybe
you'd like to build your own ship?" Gen. Pepper said, chuckling. "That's a
great idea, General!" James exclaimed. Gen. Pepper choked on his last
chuckle,"That's not what I mean. I mean, yes, but where will you get the
money, supplies, and engineers?" "Beltino can so all that for me," James
said,"He owes me for all the money I lent him over the years." "It's none
of my business," Gen. Pepper said,"As long as I'm not involved." The image
faded out, followed by a "You've Got Mail!" voice, and a picture of a
mailbox with mail in it. "I've got to change that," James said, and
clicked on the image of the mailbox. A message from Peppy appeared, and
Fox read it eagerly:

James, if you finished your mission, hurry home. Fox was born and~

"ALL RIGHT!!!" James screamed, and flipped the arwing. He deleted the
message and hurried to the Academy, and never noticed the rest of the
message:

~and I suspect that Andross is planning to do something terrible to you. I
heard screams and sawing, and then I saw blood and Andross looking
maniacally and a chameleon. It may sound weird, but hurry home.

"Sorry I couldn't come sooner, Vixy," Stacy said. "No problem," Vixy
said,"I would have waited, but the food was so bad I was hoping you'd
come." Stacy laughed,"Peppy dropped by house when I got there. He wanted
to know if James came back yet. He was pretty worried." Stacy braked at
the traffic light,"What are you going to do when you get home?" "I'm going
to the Academy to tell James about Fox and drag him home," Vixy said.
"Can't I just drop you off at the bus depot now?" Stacy asked. "No, I
don't want to bring Fox along, yet. Besides, I also need to get some
rest," Vixy said, yawning,"I'll ask Peppy to baby-sit him for a while."

James darted into Gen. Pepper's office, trying to hold his excitement.
Andross followed at a short distance, stopping at the side of the doorway
as to eavesdrop. "Gen. Sir, I need to go back to Papetoon." "Lemme guess,
James, Fox was born?" "How did you er.. the secretary know?" James asked.
"Peppy told Beltino who told Xander who told her." "I should have
guessed," James muttered,"Anyway, I need to leave." After hearing this,
Andross hurried to the nearest interplanetary expressway to Papetoon. "You
don't need to," Gen. Pepper said,"Vixy called and said that she'll be on
her way in a few hours. So you can stay here and wait for her." "Oh,
Okay," James said,"By the way, Sir, I talked to Beltino about the ship,
and he said he'd be happy to do it." "That's good" Gen. Pepper said,
trying not to sound too displeased," Why don't you go over the details
with him and I come by a little later so you can explain it to me?" "Yes,
Sir," James said. "Have you given a name to this ship of yours?" Gen.
Pepper asked. "I think I'll name it after my newborn son," James said,"the
Great Fox!"

"So you want me to baby-sit Fox while you're gone?" Peppy asked. "Sure,"
Stacy said,"Vixy's sleeping and I still have more errands to run back on
Zoness." "I don't have much experience with baby-sitting," Peppy
protested. "Don't worry," Stacy said,"Fox'll be sleeping most of the time.
You shouldn't have much trouble. I'll come back ASAP, okay?" "Sure," Peppy
said, holding Fox in his arms.

"This is how you want the ship designed?" Beltino asked, looking over
James' blueprints,"3 G-Diffusers and 2 hyper lasers?! You think it's that
simple? I spent 3 months alone on one G-Diffuser!" Beltino shoved the
plans to James. "That was by yourself," James reminded him,"You've got
dozens of other mechanics under your hand this time." James shoved the
plans back to Beltino. "But they won't be willing to go along with this,"
Beltino complained, shoving the plans back to James. "The General won't be
happy when he finds out you won't go along with this," James said in a
low, warning voice,"He personally agreed on this project." Beltino gulped.
He certainly didn't want to mess with the General again,"On second
thought...." beltino grabbed the plans from James' hands and rushed to
outside.

Author: TENGI
Subject: The Starfox Beginning
Posted: MAY 31, 1998 16:58

Chapter 7

'What is taking so long?' Andross thought as he waited impatiently in
front of the McCloud residance.

Vixy lied face up on her bed, staring at the cracks on teh ceiling. 'James
said he'd fix those,' she thought. Vixy looked out the window and realized
how late it was,"Oh man!" Vixy cried, "I was supposed to be at the Academy
hours ago!" Vixy jumped out of bed and rushed to the shower. 
Peppy woke with a start, realizing he had nodded off. He cradled Fox in
his arms, amazed that he was still sleeping after what seemed like 12
hours. Suddenly, Peppy saw Vixy dash into the kitchen carrying some
clothes half-naked and blushed tomatoe red. He looked away quickly, and
noticed a small photo album standing on its bottom on a shelf. Peppy
decided to look at it, and discovered that it contained pictures of James
and Vixy's wedding day, all taken by himself.
"Peppy?" Vixy asked as soon as came out of the kitchen. Peppy turned
around, dropping the album on the floor, but still holding Fox in his
hands,"What is it?" "I'm leaving for Corneria right now. I need you to
hold on to Fox for the night." "Stacy already told me," Peppy said. "Oh,
okay," Vixy said, then, after looking at Fox,"Has Fox been sleeping all
this time?" "I'm afraid so," Peppy said sheepishly,"He may be like this
till you come back. Speaking of leaving, you should hurry, the depot
closes in about 25 minutes." "Geez, you're right!" Vixy exclaimed, looking
at her watch. She took her car keys, and rushed out the door.

Andross began nodding off until he heard a door slam. He abruptly focused
his attention on the origin of the sound. He noticed that the sun was
setting and the entire area was engulfed in a dark shadow. Andross saw a
figure walk towards the car, but he couldn't make out who it was. The
silouhette opened the driver's side of the car door and step inside. Even
in the light inside the car Andross couldn't make out the mysterious
figure. Andross tried to hold himself from exploding in laughter. This
time he was successful. 'Well, James,' Andross thought,'It's over.'

Peppy picked up the album and turned the pages, admiring his
photographical experience, when a sharp explosion rang throughout the
house made him stop. Fox, upset from the sudden disturbance of his long
nap, began crying incessantly. Peppy ran out of the house and was greeted
by a blast of intensive heat. He looked around the yard and realized
James' car exploded.

Author: TENGI
Subject: Starfox Beginning
Posted: AUGUST 09, 1998 08:34

Chapter 8

"Oh my God," Peppy said quietly. He collapsed onto his knees, holding the
crying fox in his arms. People came out of their houses to look at what
had happened. Peppy turned his head away from the burning wreckage and
slowly made his way inside.

Back at the Academy, Andross couldn't help but replay that scene in his
mind over and over. He laughed every time he heard the explosion. Just
then, a small salamander ran up to him. "Dr. Andross," he began. "What is
it?" Andross demanded. "General Pepper is coming to the lab in a few
minutes to check on your project. What should we do?" "Let him come,"
Andross said,"It's almost over, anyway. 

Xander was walking down the hall until he noticed James sitting in the rec
room. "James, what's up?" He said. James looked at who called him. "Hi,
Xander," James greeted, sounding dull. "What's wrong?" Xander asked. James
sighed and looked out the window,"What's taking Vixy so long? I'm really
anxious to meet Fox." "Maybe the there was a delay and she couldn't come,"
Xander suggested. James was silent for a few seconds. "How about we go to
a movie?" Xander asked. "Sure," James replied, turning his head from the
window.

General Pepper was on his way to his office until a small salamander ran
up to him. "General Pepper," the salamander began,"Andross is ready for
your questioning." "Very well," General Pepper said.

Andross sat at his desk in the lab typing up data reports until he heard a
knock on the door. "Who is it?" he called. "General Pepper," the voice
called back. Andross got up and answered the door. "I came to question a
certain project you have been working on for the past 5 years." "I know,"
Andross said with a smile,"It's in the main room." Andross and Gen. Pepper
walked over to the main room of the lab. Pepper was surprised to see the
room empty. "Where is everyone?" Pepper asked. "I sent them to gather some
plants in Aquas," Andross answered. He then walked over to one of the
machines and pressed a few buttons. A metal cylinder emerged from the
floor. Andross walked over to it, opened a panel, and took out a small
black box. "Is that what you've been working on for the past 5 years?!"
the General demanded. "Of course not," Andross replied smugly. Suddenly,
Pepper felt himself rising off the ground and being thrown back. He
slammed hard on the back wall and fell ina crumpled heap. "This is my
'Telekinetic Amplifier'," Andross explained, holding the box up,"It does
what it's called. It amplifies the holder's telekinetic ability. My
natural telekinetic ability was already strong to begin
with..........................." Pepper lost conciousness before he could
continue.

Peppy sat in the now quiet house. He cradled the sleeping Fox in his arms.
For the past two hours, he's been questioned, searched, and falsely
accused. The burned car was taken to the dump and the driveway was cleaned
up. He was just about to nod off until a sharp knock came at the door.
Peppy placed Fox in a crib he made out of pillows and blankets and got up
to answer it. Stacy was waiting on the other side of the door. "Hi,
Peppy," she greeted when he opened the door. Peppy was silent and motioned
her to come in. "Is something wrong?" Stacy asked when she noticed that
Peppy hasn't said anything. Peppy closed the door and sat down. Stacy went
over and sat down beside him. Peppy sighed, thinking of where to begin.
"Did Vixy leave for the Academy?" Stacy asked. Peppy shook his head. "Is
she still here?" Peppy shook his head. "Where is she, then?" Peppy took a
deep breath and let it out. "I didn't know what happened. She went out the
door and a minute later there was an explosion. I ran outside and there
was the car......burning. Vixy was inside it, I could tell." Stacy was
holding back her tears until he finished. Then she collapsed on his chest
and began crying.

Chapter 9

As General Pepper regained conciousness, he tired to clear his blurry
vision. "Are you awake, yet?" a voice asked. Pepper looked to see Andross
staring him in the face. He tried to swing his fist in Andross' face, but
realized he was bound to a chair. "Why are you doing this?" Pepper
demanded. "Isn't it obvious?" Andross asked, stepping back,"I'm just like
those sci-fi villains: a maniacal scientist bent on destroying the world.
But this is real life." Pepper noticed that he was now carrying a wooden
cane with a metal monkey head on the tip. Andross stepped out of the way
so Pepper could see a giant screen with 30:00 flashing in green. "This is
what I've been working on for the past 5 years!" Andross exclaimed. "A
giant LCD clock??" Pepper asked. Andross whacked Pepper on top of the head
with his cane. "No, you idiot!!" Andross yelled. He went over to the
control panel and pressed a few butons, showing some pictures under the
numbers on the screen. "That's what I've been working on for the last 5
years." "Bad photography??" Pepper asked. Andross whacked him again on top
of the head. "It's a bomb!!" Andross yelled. "Why do you want to destroy
this planet?" Pepper demanded after recuperating from the last blow on his
head. "Because I swore I'd get back at everyone who's made fun of me
during my childhood," Andross explained. "Why don't you just kill them
instead of the whole world?" Pepper asked. Andross whacked him on top of
the head three more times. "It's too easy!" Andross answered,"I don't do
things the easy way!" Frustrated, Andross pressed a few more buttons and
the numbers started decreasing. He then stormed out of the room. "Where
are you going?" Pepper demanded. "I'm getting off this planet," Andross
said, and left.

"That wasn't a very good movie," James said back in the Academy. "At least
it got Vixy and Fox out of your mind," Xander said. "At least there's
that," James said. "I'm needed at mission control," Xander said, looking
at his watch,"There's a late launch tonight." "See you later," James said.
James walked to his room, anxious about seeing Fox, until he saw Andross
run down the hall, not noticing him. 'Why's he in such a hurry?' James
thought. He decided to look in the lab and noticed that it was strangel
silent. He looked around for any signs of life until he noticed the large
screen with the decreasing number. 'I wonder what that's for?' James
wondered. He looked beneath the screen and noticed the General sitting
bound to chair. "General, are you all right?" James called, running to
him. James reached him and began untying the ropes. "What happened to your
head?" James asked, noticing the large bumps forming. "Never mind that,"
Pepper said,"Andross made some kind of bomb that'll destroy the planet.
"That's not right," James said.

"Hurry up!" Andross exclaimed,"That bomb's gonna blow up any minute now!!"
"I'm trying," the lizard pilot protested,"It isn't easy. This is my first
day." "I'm gonna make it your last day if you don't hurry up," Andross
threatened. The pilot frantically pushed buttons and pulled levers until a
voice boomed somewhere saying "T-minus 50 seconds and counting."

The counter on the screen continued to decrease. 19:59...19:58...19:57.
After untying Pepper, he and James ran to the control panel to find the
button that stops the countdown. All the buttons were large and neatly
labeled. "What kind of buttons are these?!" Pepper exclaimed,"Mocha,
French Vanilla, Amaretto, Irish Creme!" "Uh, sir," James began,"That's the
cappucino maker." "Oh," the General said with a sheepish grin. James was
at the real control panel looking for the shutdown button while the
counter continued to countdown. 19:09...19:08...19:07. James finally found
a button labeled 'Abort Countdown' and quickly pushed it.

Andross began to sweat as the countdown almost reached 0.
6...5...4...3...2.... "What happened?!" Andross exclaimed. "The countdown
seems to have been aborted!" the pilot explained, trying to restart it.

"That wasn't it," James said as the countdown continued. "How about that
one?" Pepper asked, sipping his cappucino and pointing to a large, red
button that read 'Abort Bomb Countdown'. James punched it, and the LCD
numbers slowly faded.

Chapter 10
"Hurry it up, will you?!" Andross exclaimed, his impatience rising. "I'm
doing the best I can," the pilot said. Just then, a knock came at the
hatch door of the ship. "Who can that be?" Andross asked, getting up to
answer the door. When he opened the door, he was tackled by a group of
Cornerian soldiers and quickly handcuffed and taken outside. When he came
out, he met face to face with Gen. Pepper. "Hello," Andross greeted
meekly. "Hello," Pepper greeted back and then punched him hard across the
face. "Take him to his cell," Pepper ordered,"His trial is first thing in
the morning.

First thing in the morning.....

James and Xander were in the rec room playing a rousing game of ping pong,
until Pigma barged in carrying an armful of food. The sudden disturbance
caused James to lose his concentration and fall under the table. " I win!"
Xander declared as he walked over and helped James up. "Lucky shot," James
muttered. Pigma sat on the couch and watched some television, soon joined
by James and Xander.
"What happened last night?" Pigma asked in between bites,"I heard
something happened that almost killed us all." "Andross created a bomb
that almost destroyed the planet, if it wasn't for James," Xander
exclaimed. James blushed when he heard his name. "What happened to
Andross?" Pigma asked. "He was captured before he could escape," James
explained,"He had his trial a few hours ago," "What was his sentence?"
Xander asked. "Exile," James answered. "Isn't that harsh?" Pigma asked. "I
know," James said,"But the penalty for killing or attempting to kill an
officer of higher authority is exile." "Couldn't they just give him life
in prison?" Xander asked. James shrugged his shoulders. "Where's he exiled
off to?" Pigma wondered. "Venom," James replied,"He's being sent there in
half an hour," After hearing that, Pigma dashed out the door. "What's
gotten into him?" James asked.
James and Xander slumped on the couch, flipping through the channels until
a sharp knocking surprised them. James mumbled something incoherent as he
got uup to answer the door. As soon as he opened the door, James was
excited to see Peppy with his son in his arms. Before Peppy could say
anything, James quickly grabbed little Fox and began cooing and tickling
him.
"James, there's something I need to tell you," Peppy began, but James
didn't seem to hear him. "Hey, Xander!" James called,"Take a look at Fox!"
Xander came over and held Fox. Peppy sighed, dreading what he would have
to tell him. James and Xander stopped playing as soon as they saw the news
screen on the TV. Peppy opened his mouth to speak again, but Xander
interuppted. "Can you hold on to Fox?" Xander asked,"I'm running late." He
handed Fox to Peppy and ran out of the room.
As soon as Xander left, Peppy was about to talk until he saw what was
showing on the screen. "Tragedy has happened on the small planet of
Papetoon," the reporter began,"A few hours ago last night, this woman,
Vixy Reinard," a picture of Vixy popped on the screen,"This woman was
killed in a bomb explosion in her car. We have a few eyewitnesses to tell
you wha" James let out a cry on anquish and punched the TV screen. It
shattered on impact, cutting his hand and wrist. He collapsed on the
ground and began to cry. Fox saw this and began to cry, too.
Pigma walked into the laboratory, making sure he wasn't followed or anyone
saw him. After making sure everything was safe, he went to one of the
computers that he made sure was the right one. After typing a series of
keys he was taught, the image of Andross appeared on the monitor. "It's
about time you called," Andross said, displeased. "Sorry," Pigma
apologized,"I didn't realize you when you left." "Never mind," Andross
said,"I need you to deliver me some parts I left in the lab." "But all
ships are monitored and guarded," Pigma protested,"It's impossible to
sneak out. Even if I manage, there's a homing device and radar detection
set in each ship." "I have one in the lab," Andross said,"It's stealth, so
you shouldn't have any problems of being seen." "You're making this really
hard for me," Pigma said. "It's all going to be in your reward," Andross
said.
End of Part 1