The Phalanx of Cyberax

By Renard Vulpez.

Author’s note: This is a story that occurs after the novel, "Fabric of Society". This means that Star Wolf is in a Cornerian jail and that Andross is dead. Truly dead, not just hiding from the Lylat System, but in a long wooden box, six feet (or more) under ground. He is pushing up daisies, he has kicked the bucket, he is six feet under, he is no more, he is a late-Andross, he is a deceased mad scientist… etc. etc. etc.

Part One: The Beginning of the End

Cyberax was created by the Cornerian Military as an artificial intelligence program. It was to be an AI virus, but it was stolen by Andross soon after the war ended. The demented monkey planned on using Cyberax to infect every computer and machine on Corneria so he could conquer it with ease. He also planned on protecting a few small companies, which he had bought shares from. Doing that would mean he would get rich as well as powerful. He was finally killed by Star Fox, and Cyberax was destroyed. Its back-up reboot disks were also destroyed, therefore destroying the threat of Cyberax.

Andrew Kyron was a different story. He was a white tiger, and a Lieutenant under Andross’ command during the war. After the Nazis arrived, Kyron was shot in the neck by Andross. He suffered terribly, and was unable to move anything apart from his right arm, and his head. Thus, he was disabled. After the war, he was mistaken for a Venomian prisoner and freed from jail.

He soon came across Cyberax on the Internet, and was intrigued. He set up his own business, Kyron Industries. It was a major success. He even had the Cyberax program copied to the main hard drives of one of his computers. Soon, it would be time for him to get his revenge on Corneria.

Chapter 1: Welcome to your Nightmare!

Andrew Kyron had an automatic wheel chair that was able to levitate! It was amazing for the time. He had a computer connected in to it, and had the visuals placed on to his retractable Virtual Reality visors. He turned round to a gigantic computer within the Kyron Dome, a place that he had built. His company had its headquarters in Banepolis, the capital of Venom. The dome sat on top of his gigantic company HQ.

On the screen was one word, Cyberax. At the sides of the screen was a double helix, DNA strand made up of number 1s and 0s.

" Go Cyberax," said Kyron. Thanks to Andross, his head was tilted to one side and he couldn’t move his lips. He speaks much in the same way Stephen Hawking does. His voice sounded like it was recorded on a bad quality tape, but at least it sound remotely human. The name on the screen suddenly swivelled round and curved into the top of a head. Cyberax’s face was like the face of a robot with a square jaw. The mouth opened.

" It is time, Kyron," said Cyberax in an electronic voice. When Cyberax spoke, the mouth stayed open but didn’t move. Whenever it spoke, its forehead rippled, like the surface of water when someone drops a stone into it. These ripples rippled in synchronisation to the voice. " Let the entire Lylat System know that Cyberax is back, again."

General Pepper was typing on his computer when It infected his computer.

" No," he cried, backing away from it. " No, this can’t be. We destroyed you. We destroyed all your back-up and reboot disks."

" But you didn’t," said Cyberax, who was now on Gen. Pepper’s computer. " I was saved by someone who saw my full potential. I now have several hundred back-up copies and reboot disks, Pepper. You let your precious Star Fox Team destroy me, twice. Now I will destroy you and all you hold dear." Cyberax’s mouth was open in a wide, evil grin. Gen. Pepper backed off in fear, as the screen suddenly went incredibly hazy. The entire computer suddenly burst into flames. It was time to call the Star Fox Team.

They were in the Great Fox, when they received the call. They were all in the rec room, apart from Fox.

" What’s up Fox?" asked Slippy, as he saw Fox come in, with a pale expression on his face.

" General Pepper just called," replied Fox coldly. " Cyberax is back." The room fell silent. " We have to report back at the Cornerian Defence Force HQ as soon as possible." None of them could speak, the sheer force of the words, Cyberax is Back, had silenced them. They began wondering whether they could ever be free from this terror, that the Cornerian Government had created.

The entire Star Fox Team and Gen. Pepper sat in silence, as the Great Fox flew to Venom.

" I must thank you for willing to come on this assignment," said Gen. Pepper almost weakly. " I realise that Cyberax is quite a trauma for quite a lot of you, especially for Fox and Slippy." They all remembered the trauma that Cyberax managed to put them all through. Cyberax had almost killed Fox, twice. The same went for Slippy. The AI program was more efficient than Andross could ever be.

It was one hour later, and they were there at Banepolis. Humanoid robots escorted them through the corridors of Kyron Industries HQ. It wasn’t long, before they were inside the Kyron Dome. They all looked around at the technology that surrounded them. In front of them was a gigantic computer, on which Cyberax was looking at them from.

" I’m glad you could make it, General Pepper," said Cyberax, opening its mouth to speak.

" How could you ever be glad?" asked Pepper, as he bravely stepped forward to the screen. "We didn’t program you to be glad." Cyberax’s mouth stayed open in an evil smile. It zoomed in, so that only the eyes and the bottom of its forehead could be seen.

" I programmed it in myself," replied Cyberax.

" Ah, General Pepper, I see you have met Cyberax," said Kyron, as he wheeled out from the darkness. He turned to see Star Fox, who were still standing next to the humanoid robots. " Aren’t they wonderful, those robots? They are of my design. They are soldiers and police at the same time. Their helmet shaped heads, make it difficult to break."

" What do you want, Kyron?" asked Fox.

" Recognition," replied Kyron, " and revenge. Andross is dead, so I can not take out my revenge on him anymore. However, Corneria, the same Government that failed to destroy Andross, is still present. I will rule the entire Lylat System, and perfect it. Don’t bother reaching for your guns. My robots will kill you if you do. You are under arrest for High Treason against Cyberax."

Chapter 2: Welcome to the Phalanx!

The Star Fox Team and Gen. Pepper were marched towards a certain part in the HQ of Kyron Industries. There seemed to be a screen everywhere, and Cyberax watched them from every one. Kyron drove next to them.

" Welcome to Cyberax’s Phalanx," said Kyron. " It is not quite an Empire, but it is a Phalanx, a close collection of people, united with one goal, to serve Cyberax and me." They stopped outside a gigantic cylinder. Standing outside it, next to a control panel was a scientist. However, something seemed to be wrong. He had a small Cyberax Biofeedback Headset on his head, and some kind of metallic gauntlet attached to his hand. His nose had pipes going into it, which were connected to cylinders of gases, which were strapped to his back.

" Welcome to my Assimilator," welcomed Cyberax, from a big screen above the machine. " Do you see that scientist by the control panel? Those cylinders he is wearing are full of gases. One contains his breathed out air, while the other contains oxygen. He has been assimilated. The biofeedback headset he wears is connected to his brain, sending it signals directly from me. I control him completely now. That gauntlet has a syringe in it. Through that syringe, he receives nutrients directly into his bloodstream instead of eating whole food. He is practically a robot now, a human robot. He is one with me, I am him, and he is me. You shall be a drone like him."

One of the robots jerked Fox towards the assimilator.

" There are many other assimilator units, Fox," said Kyron. " They will be installed in all the planets that Cyberax conquers. You shall all be assimilated into the Phalanx. You will only break for nutrient intake, faeces expulsion, sleep, and the replenishing and emptying of the gas cylinders. This will occur at 8:00, 12:00 and 23:00 hours exactly every day like clockwork. There are no tardy people like in other places. Tardiness will never happen. In other words, we have created a perfect society."

Fox struggled to get free from the robot that held him.

" And I thought you were twisted before!" cried Fox. " Cyberax, you’re even more mad than ever."

" That is impossible," replied Cyberax. " Madness is a biological quality, not a technological one. It is impossible for me to be mad, and the same will go for you after you are assimilated. Think about it, Fox. There will never be any more suffering again. Everyone will be equal. They will receive the same amount of nutrients and they will receive the same treatment. However, they will do different work. That is the only difference."

A laser flew through the air and pierced the robot’s head. It fell down to the ground, leaving Fox free. He whirled round and started firing at the robots that held his friends. They raised their left arms. Small laser guns appeared from a secret compartment and were trained on to Fox. They fired. He ducked behind the control panel, pushing the drone aside.

Falco broke away from the robots, and started firing at them. Kyron quickly disappeared. Soon, the robots were all downed. Fox and Falco rejoined their teams.

" Emergency at Quadrant 12, Assimilator," announced Cyberax, the scientist, and one of the robots that wasn’t completely damaged, all simultaneously, as if they were one person. " All nearby and available Security droids, must apprehend all non-Phalanx organisms and deliver them to the Quadrant 79 Assimilator."

Fox suddenly saw the origin of the mysterious laser that freed him.

" Star!" he exclaimed.

" Hurry up, guys," she cried. " I’ve found a way out of here." The Star Fox Team and General Pepper darted towards Star as quickly as they could.

" Take us out of here then," said Fox, as soon as he closed in on her. She smiled, turned round and quickly showed them the way. They were running through the corridors, avoiding all Security Droids (the humanoid robots). It was difficult, as Cyberax had a control over everything in the HQ and on Venom.

Ahead of them was an assimilator unit. They had gone full circle.

" Star, you said this was the way out," exclaimed Falco.

" But I thought it was," she exclaimed. " I don’t understand. This was the way I came in." She looked around her baffled. They were in Quadrant 79. " We’re in the wrong quadrant! We should be in Quadrant 81!" The room suddenly filled up with Security robots. They all armed themselves and aimed at the Star Fox Team. General Pepper saw that they were surrounded, and saw that Cyberax’s face had appeared on a screen above the assimilator.

" Assimilate the female spy, first," ordered Cyberax.

" No!" cried Fox, as he darted out to stop the robots, but it was too late. They had already grabbed her by the arms and dragged her to the assimilator. Cyberax had opened its mouth up into an evil, wide-mouthed grin.

" You can not stop my Phalanx," said Cyberax. " It is unstoppable, and the entire Lylat System will be under my grasp. As we speak, Macbeth and Titania are being attacked and assimilated." Fox watched helplessly as Star was strapped on to a table, which had titled to a vertical position. The table tilted back down to horizontal, and the doors of the assimilator closed, as it began operating on her. He felt his heart plunge into the deepest regions of hell, when the doors opened to reveal an assimilated Star McCloud. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. He had lost his sister.

Chapter 3: I Wish it would Rain Down

Peppy sighed and looked out of the window into the darkness of space. Out there was the Cyberax’s Phalanx, which had assimilated Fox’s sister and nearly assimilated Slippy as well. The unassimilated planets of Aquas, Fortuna, Katina and Corneria were devastated when they learnt that Fox McCloud had disappeared. Gen. Pepper nearly committed suicide after learning this fact. No one knew where Fox had disappeared to, but everyone knew why.

Fox stood at the bus stop in the pouring rain. It drenched him, but he didn’t seem to care. The rain seemed to merge with his tears and dribbled off him. No one could tell that he had been crying, as he waited for the bus out of Corneria. It was only a week after his sister had been assimilated, but it had been quite an eventful week for the Phalanx. They had conquered Macbeth, Titania, Sector Z, Sector X and Zoness in one week. Fox couldn’t stand to see any more killing any more. He had to leave; the entire Lylat System reminded him too much of his sister and of his lost family.

He remembered the good times he had had with his family. He remembered his mother, his father, his sister, and none of the memories would make him feel better. He would be better off in another solar system, far, far away. He looked up at the grey Cornerian sky.

" I’m sorry guys," he muttered under his breath. " I have to leave. I just want to be left alone." His ride would arrive soon.

He had planned this the entire week after.

" I’ve only got the memory of your face, sis," he thought. " Lylat is not a place to live. It’s just one war after another, no rest for anyone whatsoever." He was going to leave the Lylat System on a ship that was heading away from the Lylat System to a distant planet called Aster.

The phone rang, as the remaining Star Fox Team sat quietly in the rec room. They were all thinking. Fara was the one to answer the phone.

" Hello? Fox? You’ve seen him? Where? Great! Thanks!" she exclaimed. " Guys, Fox was spotted a bus stop outside the Great Northern Café." Hope was raised. They had only hope to go on.

Fox remembered another almost happy moment with his sister, Star. Once, he was playing in the woods with her and Bill Grey, when they were once kids. Fox tripped and cut his leg open on a rock. It was so bad he could have bled to death, but Star stitched it up too quick. She had always been a good sister to him. He smiled at that moment, but his smile turned to a look of sadness, when he realised that he would never see her face again.

The ship arrived. It was time for him to leave Corneria, to leave Lylat, for good. He looked around him one more time, before he boarded.

" Goodbye, Corneria," muttered Fox, as he boarded.

Fara and the rest of the Star Fox Team rushed up the street. There was no one there; there was nothing there. Falco looked up into the sky, only to see a ship pass by. He wasn’t there. He had left. Every one of them turned round and headed back to their ship, with their heads hung down low in disappointment. A tear fell from Falco’s eye. They had lost a friend.

Fox looked back at Corneria, as the ship flew away.

" That’s the past," he thought. " It’s no use looking back at the past. What’s done is done." He looked at the other passengers. They were fleeing from Lylat, since they heard that Aster was peaceful and had work. Fox hoped to forget about his entire life there, on Planet Aster.

Fox leaned back into his seat. He decided to get some shuteye, since it was a long trip to his new home and destination. His sleep was not peaceful however. He was plagued with dreams of his family. All of his family had been assimilated in this dream, and he was next. It was a twisted dream. He dreamt of his father, James McCloud. One moment, he was there. The next, he had torn his face off to reveal that he was Andross. At that point, Fox woke up in a cold sweat. He looked around him.

" Perhaps this is a bad idea," he thought as they finally left the Lylat System.

Chapter 4: Separate Lives

" You sure this is a good idea?" asked Falco. " I mean, we’re talking about Star Wolf here. They tried to kill us." Fara didn’t listen. She wanted revenge on Cyberax and Kyron, the ones who had caused Fox to leave in the first place. She knew that it was their fault that Fox was gone. They marched through the corridors the Cornerian Sector 51 Prison, the most notorious prison in Corneria. It was said that no one could escape Cornerian Sector 51.

The cell doors were opened by the security guards, two lean lizards. The Star Fox Team walked in to the cell. Star Wolf stared at them. For what seemed like a damned eternity, they just stared at each other with malice and hate.

" What do you want?" asked Wolf.

" Your help," replied Fara with coldness that seemed to almost make the temperature in the room drop.

" With what?" asked Leon.

" Destroying Cyberax," replied Fara. " We need your help in destroying Cyberax." Pigma shook his head.

" We’ll never work with you," replied Pigma. Fara grabbed Pigma by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

" Would you rather be assimilated by Cyberax, when its Phalanx finally invades and assimilates Corneria?" asked Fara. " It’s a fate much worse than death, cos you slave away forever and then die. You become no one. You won’t have children and no one will remember you." Wolf formed a plan. He and his team would escape after they were freed.

" Sure we’d help you," replied Wolf.

" Oh no you don’t Wolf," cried Falco, who saw through his trick. " You won’t escape pal, because if you fight with us against Cyberax, it’s in your best interest. Everyone you know, everyone you have become friends with are now assimilated, technically alive, but emotionally and mentally dead." Falco quickly convinced the entire Star Wolf to behave.

Fox looked across at Asterpolis, the capital of Planet Aster. They had recently finished a civil war against the evil Empire, destroying the Emperor and his evil henchman, Field Marshal Sellerton. He looked at the wonderfully tall tower, the Millennium Tower. It was a great achievement, ordered to be built by Sellerton. It was such a magnificent structure, that it was the only Imperial Building that survived after the Civil War.

It was supposed to be over 1 mile tall, and its express lifts were supposed to be lifted up by electromagnets. The elevator cars were supposed to be able to be shifted from one shaft to another, because of the electromagnets. Fox was to work here, in Manna Inc. which had its HQ in the Millennium Tower. He was to work there in order to create life and not to destroy it.

Kyron was exploring a Virtual Reality Program that Cyberax had recently manufactured, through the VR Visor that Cyberax’s Maintenance droids had built for him.

" Cyberax, this program is amazing," exclaimed Kyron’s poor quality voice. " With this, I can actually see the layout of cyberspace. The very files are out here for me to change physically. It’s like being in another world, it’s as if my body is whole and healthy again." Cyberax turned the program off.

" I think you have had enough," said Cyberax. " It is time for you to return to the Real World." Kyron turned round and glared at Cyberax.

" I was just beginning to enjoy that," snarled Kyron, as best as he could. " Oh well, I probably couldn’t survive in cyberspace anyway. So, any status reports for me to look at?" Cyberax nodded.

" You know there are," replied Cyberax. " Fox McCloud has recently left Corneria. Our spies have informed us, that they are on a planet called Aster. Reports show that the planet is suitable for life, and has life on it. Reports also show that there is a suitable population for us to assimilate. We need more Drones." Kyron attempted a smile but failed due to his weak and crippled body.

" The perfect planet to plunder," exclaimed Kyron. " They won’t be able to defend themselves against the Phalanx Army." Cyberax nodded.

" Exactly," replied Cyberax. " Exactly. It will be… how does the phrase go? It will be like taking candy from a baby." Kyron’s rule was unchallenged, since the Kyron Dome was built to withstand even nuclear detonations. It would be almost impossible to overthrow Kyron and Cyberax, since all of Cyberax’s files were stored in the Kyron Dome.

Gen. Pepper addressed the new Star Ace Team, which comprised of the old Star Fox Team and the entire Star Wolf Team, all eight people.

" We have reason to believe that the Phalanx is planning another attack," said Gen. Pepper as the slides changed to show a picture of a military base in Macbeth. " They’re building even more Soldier droids, and I fear that they’ll be concentrating their forces on Katina. We expect that they probably want more drones and Katina would be the perfect place to supply the Phalanx with them." Wolf raised his hand. " Yes, O’Donnell?"

" Could it be possible that they’re planning on taking Fortuna?" asked Wolf. " After all, Fortuna is undeveloped and a perfect place to build more factories. They could be running out of space within the Phalanx." Gen. Pepper shook his head.

" I’m afraid not, Wolf," replied Gen. Pepper. " They’re not ready to take on Fortuna. Fortuna’s cold environment would probably be deadly to the robots, since they are made out of metal. They would be frozen stiff before they kill their first victim." Andrew raised his hand.

" Permission to speak freely, sir," barked Andrew. Gen. Pepper gave the go ahead. " Could it be possible that they are mounting an attack on a planet outside of Lylat?" he asked. " Like… well… er Planet Aster?" General Pepper raised an eyebrow. Perhaps this was possible. Planet Aster was a peaceful planet, and their army wasn’t that powerful. They had been conquered before; what could stop the Phalanx from conquering them again?

Fox wasn’t so sure about this. He was a security guard in Manna Inc. This company he now worked for, worked on creating and discovering new food substances. Recently, they had discovered a new kind of algae called Photex. It was a versatile substance and could, if manipulated correctly, taste and look like any food or drink substance known to man.

Fox looked down the corridor and back into the screens of the security system. Nothing. This was an important project for peace. He looked down at his ID. Here he was known as Renard Mcleod. No one here knew about Fox McCloud, and no one would ever recognise him. He had chosen the perfect place.

Chapter 5: First Mission

" Isn’t this air just great?" exclaimed Slippy, as he choked on the fumes that were produced by the factories of the Phalanx. They had managed to slip into Banepolis, the capital of Venom. The pollution was great, which was probably why the drones all had cylinders of gas that supplied them with the air they breathed.

" Yeah, as much as I want to kiss Kyron," said Falco sarcastically. Slippy, Andrew and Falco were a team of three all working together. They were to infiltrate the Phalanx HQ, and perhaps the Kyron Dome, and try to extract information out of the main computers.

" This is going to be really difficult," said Andrew worriedly. He had never hacked into enemy computers from within enemy lines before. It was a new experience for him.

" Stop whining," cried Falco. They remained hiding in the almost dead bushes until the signal. Fara, Wolf and Leon were working on shutting down one of the power plants. This would provide Falco and his unit with enough time to infiltrate the Phalanx HQ without being noticed, before the emergency back-up power was switched on. " Duck!" he cried, as Sentinels marched past. The Sentinels were no different from the red and yellow humanoid Soldier robots. Both were humanoid and had helmet shaped heads. The Sentinels however, were black and white instead of red and yellow.

" Phew, that was a close one," sighed Slippy, as the Sentinels marched away. He looked around him. There were security cameras everywhere, each one controlled by Cyberax. The moment those cameras caught them, Cyberax would know, and the Sentinels would know that they were there.

Wolf led Leon and Fara deeper into the power plant. It was run by coal, unlike the other plants.

" How do you know about this plant’s layout, Wolf?" asked Leon. Wolf smiled.

" Guess Andross didn’t tell you about the mission I had here," said Wolf. " My first solo mission was to find a bomb in this power plant and defuse it. I must admit, it took me quite some time, and by the end of that mission, I knew this place like the back of my hand." They heard the sound of metal clashing against metal in a rhythmic pounding. They looked around each other in a panic.

" Quick!" cried Fara. " Behind these barrels!" Wolf and Leon dived behind the barrels, after Fara. It wouldn’t be long. A patrol of Sentinels past them. Although the plant was relatively dark, the Sentinels could still see. Their visor like eyes glowed a deep red. They marched past. Fara peered over the barrels. " Okay, the coast is clear."

" You’re quite good at hiding," joked Leon. " Do you do it every time you were attacked?" Fara hit him in the face, before rising up from the hiding place. " Ow!" he exclaimed, rubbing his scaly cheek.

" Wolf, where to from here?" asked Fara. Wolf smiled and led the way through the dark, industrial corridors of the power plant. They twisted through the snake like corridors, before reaching the core.

" There we are," said Wolf, " the main computers. We overload them, then the entire plant’s systems will go kaput!" Fara sighed. She wished that Star hadn’t been assimilated. Star would have helped them out a great deal. They broke into the room, without too much trouble.

" What is taking them so long?" exclaimed Falco, as he looked at his watch. They were 12 minutes behind schedule. Both Andrew and Slippy were looking around them nervously. Could it have been possible that Fara and her unit had been captured and assimilated? " No," thought Falco. "That would never have happened. Fara’s too careful." Suddenly, the entire city came to a screeching standstill. The lights went out, and darkness ruled over Banepolis. " Either someone didn’t pay the electricity bill, or they did it! Okay, guys! Let’s move out!"

Fara looked back at the main computers in the power plant. They were on fire and blazing wildly.

" Can you get us out of here, now there’s no lights on?" asked Fara. Wolf nodded his head.

" Sure thing," replied Wolf. " Although we’re gonna have some difficulty."

" Huh?" exclaimed Fara. Leon pointed out the problem to her. They were surrounded by Sentinels.

" You are under arrest in the name of the Phalanx of Cyberax," said all the Sentinels simultaneously. " You are to be assimilated. Resist and die." Six Sentinels advanced towards Fara, Wolf and Leon.

" Looks like we’re in big trouble," exclaimed Fara, as the robots advanced towards them, armed with their lasers. " I wish Fox were here."

Meanwhile, Falco and his team of nerds were hacking their way through a main terminal in the Phalanx HQ.

" Wow! I’ve never seen security like this," exclaimed Andrew. He was pretty impressed with Cyberax’s security initiative. " Cyberax keeps moving the top secret files. They never stay in one place for more than half an hour."

Falco looked over Slippy’s shoulders.

" Any luck yet?" asked Falco.

" No," replied Slippy. " By the time I crack through the security codes, Cyberax moves the files somewhere else. Then I have to start all over again, as he swaps the security codes from one file to another. It’s almost impossible to outwit it." Suddenly, the screen went blank. The Cyberax logo appeared, and soon changed into the face of the artificial intelligence program itself.

" Thank you for the compliments, Slippy Toad and Andrew Oikonny," said Cyberax. " I know what you are looking for." A small window appeared on the screen, displaying the files they were looking for. " Is this what you were looking for? I’m sure it is. Transferring file to Attack Fleet 12. Transferring back-up file to Kyron Dome." Andrew cursed himself for being so slow. " Now let me toy with you. The Phalanx Army is preparing not to conquer a planet in the Lylat System, but a planet outside the system; Planet Aster."

" I knew it!" cried Andrew.

" That planet is where Fox McCloud is right now," continued Cyberax. Falco and Slippy gasped at the sound of the news. " Security alert in Quadrant 63. Three unassimilated intruders to be apprehended." Cyberax then switched off every computer in the terminal.

" Oh-oh, we’re in deep trouble," exclaimed Slippy.

" No, duh, Mr. Obvious," exclaimed both Andrew and Falco simultaneously.

Chapter 6: Recognising the Enemy

Fox sat at his desk in the Millennium Tower. It was quite a boring job, since he was protecting an algae. He sighed, as he switched on a small TV, which he managed to bring with him to work. He switched it on and watched as the news reeled on to the screen. What he saw next surprised him. Planet Aster was aware of the threat of Cyberax and its Phalanx. Aster troops were preparing themselves for a defence of their planet.

" Looks like I can never escape Cyberax," thought Fox. " Perhaps I should leave."

His co-worker sat next to him. Fox looked at him. He was a German Shepherd and had a rasping, German accent, not that Fox knew that it was German.

" So, back so soon?" exclaimed Fox. His co-worker, Hans Reinhard, looked at the TV.

" Watching the news, eh?" asked Hans. Fox nodded in reply.

" Yeah," replied Fox. " The situation looks bad. The troops are preparing to defend the planet against the Phalanx. I just hope that the Phalanx doesn’t plant to attack us." Wolf didn’t want the Phalanx to attack either. He had also escaped Lylat for a job and to get away from the Phalanx. If Cyberax was to attack, then he would leave. " Sometimes I wonder if all this war is necessary. Lylat has experienced how many years of war, exactly? I’m not sure, but all I know is that its non-stop and been going on for as long as I can remember. Hans agreed.

" Well, war happens," said Hans. " It’s not big deal." Fox glared at him angrily.

" What do you mean, it’s no bid deal?" shouted Fox.

" I mean that it’s no big deal," replied Hans. " I’ve been fighting in the war. I’ve seen the death. After a while, you get used to the killing. You lose all your emotions. Sure, it shouldn’t happen, but it does happen all the time. If it weren’t for leaders don’t admit that they are wrong, then we wouldn’t have this problem."

" And if it weren’t for Andross, Cyberax wouldn’t be invading Lylat," said Fox.

Fara, Wolf and Leon were hiding behind the cover of a jeep, as they fired at the Sentinels that seemed to be attacking them.

" More of them are coming," cried Fara, as she fought off as many Sentinels as possible. " We can’t fend them all off!"

" They just keep coming!" exclaimed Leon. " We need to get back to the ship, before Peppy and Pigma have to leave without us!" He brought out a grenade and pulled the pin out, before lobbing it at the enemy.

" You have a grenade?" exclaimed Wolf. Leon nodded. " Got any more?" Leon handed both Fara and Wolf a few more grenades. " Thanks, buddy," said before pulling out a pin and tossing behind them. He ducked behind the jeep again, as the explosion tore through a patrol of Sentinels. " I wonder how Andrew and the others are doing?"

Slippy led them through the air ventilation shaft as quickly as possible.

" How do you know where to go?" asked Falco.

" Easy," replied Slippy. " I found a layout of the HQ when I was hacking through the files. It’s used by all Phalanx units so they don’t get lost. Course, it’s only used by Phalanx Units that work in the HQ obviously." Falco looked behind him nervously.

" Hurry up, guys!" cried Falco. " I think one of the maintenance drones is catching up with us." They crawled further along the ventilation shaft with even more speed. Falco could see the head of the maintenance drone… no… it couldn’t be. It was Star!

Kyron looked through the files.

" It looks as if Falco Lombardi was a brilliant pilot," exclaimed Kyron. " If we assimilate him, then the Starwing Jetfighters will gain more skills. They will be able to fly like him." He turned round to face Cyberax. " He must be assimilated and not killed."

" It does not matter if he is killed," said Cyberax. " If we assimilate Fox McCloud, then the skill of our jetfighters will improve drastically." Kyron protested.

" Yes, but for now we have to settle with Falco Lombardi," argued Kyron. " We have to settle with him for now." Kyron hovered over to a few Maintenance Drones on stand-by. He parked next to them, as Cyberax commanded them to ease Kyron in the white light of the Kyron Dome.

Fox sat talking to Hans and his brother, Wolf Reinhard, who both sat in the café.

" Yeah, we fled from the Cornerian Base on Zoness after Phalanx invaded," said Wolf. " It was difficult, but we had to do it. We had to leave our homes, but we managed to take our families with us. Some poor people had to leave their families."

Fox looked over at Hans.

" It’s so difficult to think about Cyberax," said Fox. " I… I have encountered Cyberax before. It was in Corneria. Cyberax had been stolen from the Cornerian Military. It was my job to investigate the Ventura Corporation, which had taken it. It took a few of my friends." Fox was on the verge of breaking down into tears. He was being reminded more and more of his sister who was now emotionally and possibly mentally dead.

" You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to," said Hans. Wolf agreed.

" Yeah," agreed Wolf. " All we have to do, is to remember that the computers and their programs are only as smart as the people who program them." Fox looked at Wolf and Hans.

" But Cyberax has become smarter than them," said Fox.

Chapter 7: The Invasion

Slippy kicked the metal grille out of the way. He looked out.

" Oh no," he exclaimed, as he saw the grille fly down. They were 25 storeys up, and needed to escape quickly. He looked behind him. They were trapped. Below them was a 25-storey drop, enough to kill them. " Is it possible for you guys to… well… go back?" Falco sighed.

" Don’t tell me you screwed up again," sighed Falco.

" I didn’t," protested Slippy. He looked down. " Okay, so I did." He looked around him. " Hey, I think I can see a ledge down there." He slowly crawled into the proper position, and crawled out. He hung on to the edge with his bare hands and dangled off the edge of the vent. " It isn’t too far a drop," he thought. He let go and immediately landed on the ledge. He beckoned Andrew and Falco to do the same. They did so, and landed gracefully beside Slippy.

" This isn’t a ledge, you idiot," exclaimed Falco.

" Sentinels!" cried Andrew, as he saw five Sentinels side step their way towards them. He went for his gun and started shooting at the robots. They toppled over and fell of the edge to their doom. "So, how do we get down from here?" asked Andrew. Each of them shrugged their shoulders. Falco went for his com-link.

Peppy saw Fara, Wolf and Leon run towards the ship.

" What took you guys?" asked Peppy, as he stood on the gangplank.

" Never mind," cried Fara. " Where’s Falco and the others?" Peppy shrugged his shoulders. She looked behind her. The Sentinels were approaching fast. They had to leave. Wolf and Leon reached for their guns. " No, we can’t fend them off. We have to leave."

" That’s a decision that I didn’t expect you to have the guts to make," said Wolf with a smile. She tried not to slap him, even though she really wanted to hit him. A voice called out from inside the ship.

" Hey, guys!" exclaimed Pigma. " I’ve got a message from Falco. They’re stuck on the outside of the Phalanx HQ, on the south side, 25 storeys up!" Fara’s hopes were up. If they were outside, then it would be easy to rescue them.

" Okay, everyone get in," cried Wolf. The Sentinels arrived and starting shooting fiercely at the ship and at the Star Ace Team. He fired back, and managed to take out a few Sentinels, but that didn’t help. He got in, as the gangplank raised and the doors closed. The ship’s boosters roared to life, and it took off into the skies.

" Sir, our radar stations have picked up a huge fleet of unidentified objects," reported the Corporal. The General took a look at the report. " We can’t identify any of the objects, but we do have reason to believe that they may be from the same solar system that those aliens came from." The General scrutinised the report.

" We can’t take any chances," exclaimed the General. " I hear one of them is a military man. Get him to examine this." The Corporal saluted the General and walked out. The General didn’t like the look of what was coming one bit.

In Asterpolis, old Imperial air raid sirens wailed once more, as the alarm was raised. Asters and other civilians rushed to bomb shelters in fear, as they prepared for the worst. The Aster troops marched out and flew out to intercept the Phalanx Army. It was not right though. They were being shot down like flies.

" This is Harper, we have the enemy in sight," announced the leader of one air squadron. The Starwings swarmed towards them quickly. " We’re preparing to take them out." He banked to his left and shot at the rear of a Starwing. It wasn’t long before it burst into flames and crashed into the side of a building. Unlike any other air force, the Phalanx’s jetfighters and Interceptors did not have pilots. The plane piloted itself. Therefore there was no loss of life.

The Phalanx Ground Troops marched through the streets of Asterpolis. The bullets of the Aster guns were not penetrating the metallic skin of the Soldier Units. A lone jeep drove towards the Aster who were bravely fighting off the Phalanx Army.

" It’s no use!" cried one of the soldiers. " They’re still coming." A shell flew through the air and exploded, tearing apart the Soldier Units that advanced towards them.

The jeep stopped and a General Westmoreland got off.

" How are things going?" asked Fox.

" Not good," replied one of the soldiers, nervously. " They’re still advancing on us." The General nodded.

" Just make sure they don’t get anywhere the telephone lines or any wires for that matter," said the General. He brought out his gun and fired in the direction of the robots. He managed to shoot five down in five perfect shots. " There’s five down. Keep up the good work. I’m sure that help is on the way."

Gen. Pepper looked at the report that sat on his desk. He had not read it, and was not sure that he wanted to. It just sat there like a bad omen. Gingerly, he picked it up and started reading. The news was good. The fleet that he had sent out to help the Planet Aster. He hoped that they didn’t arrive too late. Suddenly, the door burst wide open and Fara marched into the office.

" What is the meaning of this?" exclaimed Gen. Pepper.

" Why is it that we aren’t allowed to go and help the troops on Aster?" asked Fara, who wanted nothing more than to see Fox again. " Well?"

" Please, Fara, sit down," said Gen. Pepper quietly. " Let’s not make a big deal out of this. It is no big deal. We just feel that you are better off here, defending the Lylat System from Cyberax." Fara was about to protest, but Gen. Pepper cut her short. " You are better off here. We have sent skilled troops to Planet Aster, but we need the more skilled troops back at home, to protect us. After all, Cyberax is more dangerous up close, than it is far away."

Chapter 8: Help has Arrived

Fox saw the Cornerian jetfighters skim past in the air, firing at the Phalanx Starwings. They were being shot down like flies. Fox’s heart immediately leapt up with joy. Aster had a chance of survival. He suddenly saw a Bulldog fighter. The Husky Unit was here! That meant only one thing to Fox.

" Okay guys, take out as many as you can," ordered Bill Grey, as he flew past an Aster jet and fired at a few gun turrets on a Phalanx Cruiser. " Take out as many communications satellite dishes as possible." He banked to his left, as a formation of five Phalanx Starwings tried to shoot him down. " I don’t think so, Cyberax," muttered Bill, as he pulled off a somersault and blew up the Starwings with one shot. He saw a few satellite dishes, spinning round on the top of one cruiser. "You’re going down pal." He aimed and fired a volley of lasers at it. The dish was destroyed.

The Soldier Units marched down the street further and were heading towards the Community Bomb Shelter that had recently been made. Fox saw the Soldier robots push through the line of defence with ease, killing every soldier that got in the way. He knew that he had to fend as many off as possible, until help arrived. He reached for his gun, knowing exactly what to do. He aimed and fired furiously at the Soldier robots. Ten fell, but twenty were still left.

" Identifying," announced one of the robots. " Unit identified as Fox McCloud, Capture Priority 1."

" Priority 1, eh?" exclaimed Fox. " Kyron must really want me bad." He grinned before firing at the robots again. Some returned the fire. He ducked behind a couple of bins for cover, as the Soldiers kept firing at him. The lasers pummelled into the bin, denting it completely. " Boy are they determined," he thought, as the Soldiers started to advance on him, even though he was firing at them. They certainly weren’t concerned about themselves.

Bill flew over a congregation of Soldier robots. They seemed to be firing at some poor guy in an alley. He decided to help him out. He smiled, as he pushed the control stick of his jetfighter forward. The nose dipped down and the plane dived down towards the Soldier robots. He sprayed lasers in their general direction, taking out no less than 15 Soldier Units.

" Bill," exclaimed Fox, who realised that that could only be his best friend. " Thanks buddy," he said, even though Bill would never hear it.

He got up from behind the bins and stepped out into the street. More Soldier Units were marching towards him, and the Aster troops had only just arrived. But there weren’t enough. He had to go and defend the citizens as well as he could.

Wolf Reinhard was fighting off as many of the Soldier Units as he could, as the Phalanx Army advanced towards the shelter. It was going to be difficult, since he had only one rifle. He was helped by Asters, both criminals and law-abiding citizens. They fought fiercely, and some were actually slain by the Solider Units.

" Keep firing," cried Wolf. " Those who can, fire into their eyes!" He knew the bullets would break the glass and perhaps damage the circuitry within.

A human raised his gun and fired. The glass was shattered, and the Soldier Unit fell backwards, crushing another Soldier robot to the floor. The sounds of gunshot echoed through the entrance of the shelter and into the ears of the citizens. They could sense that the battle was intense.

A laser pierced Wolf’s skull, covering the walls with his blood. He collapsed to the ground as dead as the Soldier Units.

" Oh my god!" cried Hans, his brother. " He’s dead," he cried. There was only one thing for it. Through his tears, he grabbed Wolf’s rifle and fired violently at the Soldier Units.

" Keep it up," exclaimed Bill, as he shot down another Starwing. " They’ve got to give up some time." He banked to his left and started firing furiously at a group of Phalanx Bombers. The lasers seared through the metal body and hit the bombs being carried inside. One Phalanx Bomber exploded, taking out the others in a chain reaction of explosions. " Yes!" he cried, as the remains of the Phalanx Bombers showered down on to the near empty streets.

Fox jumped over several carcasses, as he ran towards the main fight. He aimed and fired at a few of the Soldier Units. The lasers pierced them through the back and the robots collapsed to the ground with a metallic thud. A few of the robots turned round, raising their arms towards Fox. They fired. With amazing speed, Fox ducked to the ground. The lasers flew overhead. He lifted up the carcass of a Phalanx Solider Unit. It acted as a shield between him and the lasers. Slowly he moved towards the robots and fired at them.

" Guys! I think help is on the way," exclaimed Hans, as he fired into the head of an advancing Soldier Unit. The sparks flew, as it collapsed to the ground. One Soldier flew a clenched fist towards him. He blocked it quickly with his brother’s rifle. " Oh no you don’t," he cried, and using all his strength, he pushed the rifle into the robot’s face and fired. The metal casing was dented, damaging the circuits. It spun round firing lasers randomly, before one Soldier Unit delivered the fatal blow to its ‘comrade’.

" Take cover!" cried a voice from somewhere behind the Soldier robots. They all did as they were told, and dived back into the shelter. An explosion ripped through the unit of Soldier Robots, destroying them. Fox looked at the destruction the grenade had caused. " That was a close one," he sighed, as he got up from behind his makeshift wall of fallen Phalanx soldiers.

" Kyron, the Aster Offensive is failing," exclaimed Cyberax. Kyron wasn’t listening. He was too engrossed in the VR Program, exploring the files of the Cornerian Military. " Kyron. Kyron, are you listening?" Cyberax pulled Kyron out of VR. " Kyron logging off." Kyron turned his wheelchair round.

" What did you do that for?" asked Kyron angrily.

" You were not paying attention," replied Cyberax. It zoomed in, so that only the eyes and the forehead of Cyberax’s face was visible. " I want full attention from you. Until I can duplicate the biological brain perfectly, and thus be able to come up with emotionally sound ideas, you are to live separately from Cyberax. You must pay attention, or I will have to terminate you." Kyron sighed.

" What is it this time?" asked Kyron.

" Our offensive on Aster has failed due to Fox McCloud, and interference from Corneria," replied Cyberax. " We may have to change our plans considerably. I want you to lure Fox McCloud back to Lylat, and destroy Star Ace." Cyberax zoomed back out. Kyron attempted a smile.

" Do not worry," said Kyron. " Fox McCloud will be ours and so will Star Ace."

Chapter 9: The Zoness Fortress

A week after the end of the failed offensive, Corneria and Aster had signed a pact. They were allies against Cyberax’s Phalanx. The Star Ace Team still couldn’t find Fox McCloud, and he was still missing. Now, they were to be called into General Pepper’s office for something important.

" Star Ace, I called you here because of disturbing news," announced Gen. Pepper. " The Phalanx has created a huge battleship, which is supposed to be able to defeat an entire planet without the help of an army. We’re not quite sure how it works, but we do know this. You must destroy it, if the citizens of Lylat are to be free."

Gen. Pepper handed out schematics and floor layouts of the battleship.

" Here, take one of these each," said Gen. Pepper. " Now, this battleship is called the Zoness Fortress. Spies have recently reported that it will be able to contain the following: 200,001 Maintenance Drones, 500,090 Maintenance Robots, two Soldier Manufacturing Plants, one Starwing Manufacturing Plant, 1,500,200 Soldier Robots, 980,946 Sentinels, 1,200,906 Starwing Defence Fighters and 500,000 of Worker Drones and Robots each." He looked around him. " You are to destroy the Zoness Fortress by any means. Any questions?"

" Yeah," replied Andrew. " How many computer terminals?" General Pepper shrugged his shoulders. Slippy raised his hand.

" What does it run on?" asked Slippy.

" The Zoness Fortress?" exclaimed Gen. Pepper. " It has five power plants. Three back-up, and two main power plants. Three of them are fusion, while the other two are… well… surprisingly enough… coal run power plants." Eyebrows raised in confusion. Coal? That was so outdated! " Never mind if it’s outdated. They just have it, okay? We just want you to destroy it as quickly as possible. Remember, Lylat and Planet Aster are counting on you."

The Great Ace flew over the still-polluted waters of Zoness. The plan was simple. Everyone was in the briefing room, to discuss the plan.

" So, here’s the plan," explained Wolf, as he stood up, looking down on the schematics. " We’re to split up into four groups of two. Falco goes with Leon; you’re Delta Unit. Pigma goes with Peppy; you’re Gamma Unit. Slippy goes with Andrew; you’ll be Beta Unit and Fara goes with me; obviously, we’ll be Alpha Unit." Fara pushed Wolf aside.

" Thank you for that inspiring plan, Wolf," said Fara. " Now, Delta Unit is to go and take out the power stations. It’s simple. Plant a bomb in one of the fusion power plants, and let it go off. The explosion would cause a chain reaction, destroying all the power plants. However, you’re not to detonate, until you get the signal from us, Alpha Unit. Gamma Unit is to cause a distraction in the Prison Sector, by freeing as many prisoners as possible before they get assimilated. Beta Unit…"

" Beta Unit is to extract as much information as possible out of the computers," interrupted Wolf. " We, however, will be causing a distraction at the assimilators, namely destroying them. Remember, you’ve got to report to the others regularly, so we know that you’re not captured. Use a low frequency to avoid detection."

Kyron arrived at the Zoness Fortress that morning and was escorted through the corridors by 10 Sentinels, towards the Main Control Chamber in Quadrant ZF78. That was also where most of the assimilation units were, and was close to the Drone Refuelling Chambers in Quadrants ZF70-ZF75.

" I understand that everything is in order, and that this battleship is ready for its first test," said Kyron.

" Affirmative," replied one of the Sentinels, as they moved through the dark, industrial corridors that had been repainted from Ocean Grey to Military Grey. Kyron knew that Fox McCloud would come to the Zoness Fortress. The trap was set.

They sneaked through the corridors quietly and carefully.

" Hey, get off my foot!" cried Andrew.

" Sorry," apologised Slippy, quietly. " Hey, we’re here!" he exclaimed. " Quadrant ZF50, Red Section R20, a computer sub-terminal." He rubbed his hands in glee. From that sub-terminal, they could gain access to the many files onboard the Zoness Fortress. " But how do we get in?" he asked, as he saw the two Sentinels on either side of the door to Quadrant ZF50, Section R20. Andrew smiled.

" Leave that to me," replied Andrew. " Just shoot them both." Slippy just shrugged his shoulders, and aimed. " Okay, we’ve got to take them both out at the same time. So, get ready. 3, 2, 1… Fire!" The lasers flew through the air and hit both robots at the same time. They both collapsed to the ground at the same time. Slippy went over to the door.

" It’s locked!" he cried. Andrew bent over one of the Sentinels and raised its palm. He placed it against what looked like a Paw-print Scanner Security Device (otherwise known as a PS Security Lock).

" Reading Security ID information," announced the PS. " Security Level 12. Sufficient security level. Access granted." The door clicked open, and the two of them sneaked in to the room, filled with computers.

Peppy and Pigma found their way into the Prison Sector of the Zoness Fortress.

" It’s quiet… too quiet," muttered Peppy, as they crept through the corridors.

" I agree," muttered Pigma. The two were worst of enemies, but were now best of friends again. " You know Peppy, I think Cyberax had done everyone a bit of good. We’re now all working together like one big, happy family." Peppy looked at the cells.

" There aren’t any prisoners," exclaimed Peppy. " They must have all been assimilated." The marching of Sentinels suddenly got their attention.

" Looks like we’re still going to cause a commotion, though," grinned Pigma, as he got out his gun. " Let’s show these ’bots what we’re made out of!" He readied the gun, and aimed down the corridor, waiting for the Sentinels to arrive.

Falco and Lombardi crept through the corridors.

" Darn it!" exclaimed Leon. " A security toll! We’ll never get past that." Falco looked at the schematics, and tried to find another way around it. He looked around him. A grille, hiding an air shaft!

" Leon, I guess that means only one thing," said Falco. " We’ll have to go through the ventilation shafts." He sighed. " Give me a boost, will ya?" Leon nodded, and clasped his hands together. Falco placed one foot on, and Leon tried his best to boost him up. Falco grabbed on to the grille. He pushed on it and pulled on it, until it eventually gave way. He threw it into the vent, and climbed in.

" Hurry up," cried Leon. Falco popped his top half back out, and reached for Leon. The hands grasped on to each other, before Falco pulled Leon into the ventilation shaft. " Pull harder, I can’t get a grip on these walls!"

" I am," said Falco through clenched teeth. He slid back into the ventilation shaft, as Leon managed to slide in. The grille was handed to Leon and put back in place, as a patrol of Sentinels marched past underneath.

Chapter 10: Like a Prayer

Fara and Wolf both stepped into the Main Control Chamber. It didn’t seem to be very well guarded. There, against one wall was a row of 10 Assimilation Units. The doors to the circular Main Control Chamber suddenly closed shut. They looked around them in a panic.

" Impressive, isn’t it?" asked Kyron, as he looked down on them. Fara and Wolf looked up to the floor above, and saw Kyron staring down at them.

" So, Kyron, we finally meet," said Wolf. " You failed Andross big time. I’m glad he disabled you." Fara remembered exactly what Kyron had done during the War against Andross. He had slaughtered several families, just for the fun of it.

" Wolf, Fara, I expect that you have come to destroy this battleship, am I right?" exclaimed Kyron. " I expect it is." Six Sentinels suddenly stepped into the room. " Well, you won’t survive for long. Take them out. Destroy Wolf O’Donnell and Fara Phoenix." The Sentinels did as they were told, and advanced towards the two.

Wolf was the first to bring out his gun. He fired furiously, as Fara did the same. The lasers pierced through the metallic bodies, and destroyed the six robots.

" Well done," congratulated Kyron. " Now, see if you can defeat them without your weapons." Two robotic birds swooped down and wrenched the guns out of their grasp, as 6 more Sentinels appeared. Kyron laughed menacingly. " I do so love a good fight, especially if it is to the death."

Andrew and Slippy hacked through the files as quickly as they could.

" You know, I think I’m getting better at this," exclaimed Slippy, as he managed to crack the code in a record of under 20 minutes. " I just hope that I can download the info in time, before Cyberax moves it."

Andrew hacked away through the computer terminal.

" Wolf and Fara are in trouble," he exclaimed, as he managed to hack his way through into the security system. He saw them fighting six Sentinel robots with their bare hands. " What happened to their guns?" Slippy hacked through another file.

" Hey! Come and have a look at this," exclaimed Slippy. Andrew left his computer terminal, and looked at Slippy’s. " I think I’ve found something."

" The Doomsday Project?" exclaimed Andrew. " I wonder what it is." Suddenly, the computer screen went blank. " Oh no! We’ve been found out." They heard the lock of the door. They were trapped! The screen suddenly changed, and Cyberax appeared on it.

" Welcome to the Zoness Fortress," welcomed Cyberax. " Are we hacking through files again? It’s not polite to hack through someone else’s files." Slippy saw the message displayed on the computer screen, in a small window in the corner of the screen. Download completed, it said. " Oh, downloading my files are we? Well, I’ll see to it that they’re useless. Erasing files." Andrew quickly pushed on the button, and the disk was ejected out. He snatched the disk out, before Cyberax could get it back in and erase the contents.

" Ha! I guess I’m too quick for you," exclaimed Andrew.

" Don’t taunt it," cried Slippy.

" Really?" exclaimed Cyberax. " Too quick for me? We’ll see about that. Emergency! Biological virus detected in Quadrant ZF50, Section R20. Beginning sterilisation." The heat was suddenly turned up. Slippy began to sweat considerably. " All worker drones to build computer terminals for Quadrant ZF50, Section R20." Lasers shot through the room, forming a grid of lasers at the ceiling. It suddenly descended slowly towards them.

" We’re gonna be fried!" exclaimed Slippy. " This is all your fault!"

" My fault?" exclaimed Andrew. " I think that it’s your fault, for not turning the computer off before he could do any damage to us!"

Falco and Leon crawled through the ventilation shaft.

" Hey, I think I can hear the turbines," exclaimed Falco. " We must be close!" They came to a dead end. Falco quickly kicked out the grille, and peered out. " Oops!" he exclaimed, as he saw the grille fall a long distance towards the toxic waters of Zoness. " Leon, turn around. We’re in the wrong place!"

Wolf managed to smash the head of one Sentinel against the other, thus destroying their circuitry. They collapsed to the ground, sparks flying off them.

" There, that’s the last one," panted Wolf from the exhaustion. Fara was also quite exhausted from fighting the robots bare handed. It was quite difficult, but they managed to destroy each one, by tricking the other Sentinels, to punch each other, and by smashing one Sentinel against another.

" I’m impressed," exclaimed Kyron. " Such talented fighters as you two should not be killed. I would rather have you assimilated. Join the Phalanx, become a part of Cyberax." Four Sentinels marched in, followed closely by a Maintenance Drone, Star McCloud. Fara and Wolf backed off from the Sentinels, as Star prepared one of the assimilators.

" Looks like we’re gonna be assimilated," exclaimed Fara. She began muttering a prayer under her breath. Her life was going to end right here on the battleship she was assigned to destroy.

" Our number’s not up yet," exclaimed Wolf. He quickly went for power sub-terminal, and tore out the wires. The Sentinels advanced on him. He shoved the wires into the Sentinels, giving them a huge electric shock. The robots collapsed to the ground, writhing uncontrollably.

" Star, apprehend them," ordered Kyron.

" Affirmative," replied Star coldly, and turned to face Wolf and Fara. She walked towards them with a cold, determined face. Star grabbed Fara and marched her to the assimilator. Wolf darted forward to try and save her, but it was futile. Kyron pressed a few buttons on his wheelchair, and a laser gun appeared. It aimed and fired, paralysing Wolf.

" No!" cried Fara. " Please don’t do this. It’s me, Fara, your friend, remember?" She tried to struggle free, but Star’s grip was too harsh. " No, please! Remember! Please remember! I’m your friend. Fight Cyberax. Fight it! Do it for your brother, if not me!" Star didn’t respond. Fara wished that Fox was there. She wished that he would return and prayed for it.

" Star!" cried a voice. Everyone looked at the source of the voice. It was Fox, and he was standing on the level above Kyron. " Star, don’t do this! Please! I’m begging you, as your brother, please don’t assimilate Fara. I know you can fight Cyberax. Fight it! Ignore its commands." Kyron hovered down to the floor that the assimilators, Fara, Star and Wolf were on.

" I don’t think that you can help, McCloud," exclaimed Kyron. " Your sister belongs to the Phalanx now. She is a part of Cyberax." Fox refused to believe it. As he ran down to the floor that his sister was, he tried communicating with her telepathically. Perhaps he could get through to her telepathically.

Chapter 11: The Final Countdown

Slippy and Andrew tried their best to get out of the room, but it was to no avail. The door was sealed tight, and the grid of lasers was closing down on them.

" I think we should stop arguing," panted Slippy, as he lay on the floor, the grid of lasers, only 16 inches away from his body.

" I agree," agreed Andrew. " We shouldn’t spend our last moments arguing." He looked around him. He was beginning to sweat considerably. The lasers were closing in on them. They would be roasted to death any second. Something caught the attention of his eye. " Hey! Isn’t that a grille? As in, one that covers a ventilation shaft?" Slippy looked over at what Andrew saw.

" Yeah, it is!" exclaimed Slippy. He crawled over to it, as did Andrew. They tugged on to the grille as hard as they could.

" Come on, put some more effort in to it," cried Andrew.

" I am," cried Slippy. " Why don’t you try putting more effort in it?" Suddenly, the grille gave way. Slippy slid in first, followed by Andrew. Just in time. As they disappeared into the ventilation shaft, the grid of lasers touched the floor, frying all germs that inhabited it.

Falco and Leon were right near the reactor core of the first fusion power generator.

" You sure this is how to connect it?" asked Falco, as he held two of the bomb’s wires in his two wings. Leon nodded

" Hey, you remember the bomb on Fortuna?" asked Leon. Falco nodded. " Well that was planted by me. I did a really good job of that one."

" You couldn’t possibly have planted that bomb," exclaimed Falco. " You weren’t anywhere near the base, until you showed up to stop us defusing it." Leon snarled at Falco.

" Just connect the wires, okay?" snarled Leon. Falco shrugged and muttered something under his breath, before he connected the wires together. Leon smiled. It won’t be long before the Zoness Fortress was plunging into the toxic waters of Zoness. " Done it? Okay, connect the red wire to the green terminal, but only after you disconnect the purple wire from the purple terminal…"

Fox didn’t want to do it, but he had to. He clenched his fist and threw it into Star’s face. She was flung to the floor, releasing Fara.

" Fox!" she cried, and flung herself into Fox’s arms and hugged him.

" Fara! This is not the time," choked Fox, as Fara held him tightly, almost constricting the air from Fox. Kyron wasn’t pleased. He had to stop them. Wolf turned on Kyron. He pushed the wheelchair over, and managed to snatch Fara’s and his gun away from the disabled tyrant. He quickly handed it over to Fara.

" We’ve got to get out of here," cried Wolf.

" I’m with you," exclaimed Fox, as he placed something in to his pocket. Fara went for her com-link.

" Falco, Leon, is the bomb ready?" she asked. " It is? Great! Set the timer now, and get out of here! Slippy, Andrew, you guys okay?" The reply was positive. " Okay, get out of here, the bomb’s been set." Wolf led both Fox and Fara through the Quadrants, until they came to Quadrant 75.

A whistle went off, and suddenly, the three canines realised that they were in deep trouble. The place was lined with what looked like tollbooths. They quickly hid behind one as the doors opened. Hundreds of drones marched in to the room. It was 12 noon, and time for daily nutrient intake. The drones stood in their own tollbooth, while two pipes were connected to their cylinders. The left cylinder was drained off its breathed out air, while the right cylinder was refilled with oxygen. The drones attached a pipe to their gauntlets. A greenish, nutrient fluid was pumped through the pipe, and into their blood streams. They stood there, still and silent.

" We’ve got to get out of here," exclaimed Fara. " But how, the place is guarded by Sentinels?"

Peppy and Pigma reached the ship before anyone else did. Their clothes were tattered, and they were bleeding in parts. But they were relatively okay.

" That was some fight," exclaimed Pigma.

" Yeah," panted Peppy. " I’ve never had to shoot so quickly before." He bent down with hands on his knees as he tried to recover his breath. He looked behind him. Slippy and Andrew ran up to the ship.

" Where’s the others?" asked Slippy. Peppy just shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t know. Andrew looked around him. He hoped that the Sentinels didn’t find their way into that hangar or they would be in deep trouble.

Falco and Leon ran through the corridors as quickly as they could, as the Sentinels shot after them and ran after them.

" Wow, for robots they sure can run quick!" exclaimed Leon.

" Either that, or we must be getting slow," exclaimed Falco, as he turned around just to shoot at one of the Sentinels. The laser pierced the glass, ‘killing’ the Sentinel robot. " Well, any shortcuts?" Leon looked at the floor layout carefully. He shook his head. " Guess that means we’ve got to make a break for it."

" Guess that means we’ve got to make a break for it," exclaimed Fox. He brought out his gun and readied himself. " Okay, on my signal, run for that door. Shoot down as many of the Sentinels as you can." They waited. " Now!" They all burst into a sprint, and headed towards the door. Lasers flew through the air, cutting the circuitry of the Sentinels that got in the way. Robotic carcasses collapsed to the ground, spraying sparks all over the floor.

The door opened, and they darted out of the Qudrant.

" That was a close one," exclaimed Fara, as she shut the door and locked it. " That should hold them for some time now." Wolf looked around him. The corridors branched off this way and that.

" Where to from here?" asked Wolf. Fox looked around. He gave a small shrug. Fara looked around her too. She didn’t know either. Wolf sighed and brought out a compass. " Well, it may help if we knew which way was starboard, and which way was port." They didn’t know that either. " Oh great," he exclaimed sarcastically. Fox brought out something from his pocket.

" Well, it doesn’t matter," said Fox, brightening up suddenly. " I’ve attached a homing device on your ship. We should be able to find it with the help of this." He turned round. " So, let’s go that way," he said, pointing in that direction.

Kyron was helped up by Star and a few other Maintenance Drones.

" Kyron," said Cyberax, over one of the computer screens. " A bomb has been detected on board the battleship. It will be impossible to defuse it before it detonates. The only option is to evacuate, while maintenance drones try to defuse the bomb."

" Of course," exclaimed Kyron. " Maintenance drone 57812-1177000, Star McCloud, come with me." Kyron hovered over to an escape pod, with Star following close behind him. He knew that if Star died, then Fox would fight against the Phalanx with a fury. Kyron didn’t notice it, but Star was smiling, when the doors of the escape pod closed.

" All drones are to report immediately to their Refuelling Chambers, unless engaged in defusing the bomb in Quadrant 10," announced Cyberax over the speakers in the battleship. Falco and Leon smiled. Cyberax was getting desperate, and didn’t want to lose any drones.

" We’re nearly there," exclaimed Falco, as they ran through the corridors. Section 25, Section 24, Section 23! They were there! They darted into the hangar, and quickly shut the doors behind them. Falco looked back at the ship. " Where’s Fara and Wolf?" Peppy shrugged his shoulders in response. Suddenly, there came a knocking from the door.

" Hey, guys let us in!" cried Fara from the outside. " The Sentinels are coming!" Leon opened the door a little, and saw Fara, Wolf and Fox! He quickly opened the doors, and the three animals collapsed into the room.

" Quick, get in the ship!" cried Peppy.

The Sentinels burst into the hangar, only to find that the Star Ace Team had gone. Fifteen seconds to go. The timer ticked the seconds away, before the bomb exploded. The entire fusion core roared through the battleship, as one power generator exploded after another. The battleship dived down, as escape pods shot out of it. It crashed into the toxic waves of Zoness and sank like the Titanic.

Chapter 12: Sorting out Differences

Fox was happier than before. No one in the newly formed Star Ace Team could figure out why, as they sat in the rec room of the Great Fox. Cyberax was still alive, and the Phalanx was much at large. Only Fara dared to ask him.

" Fox, why the happy face?" asked Fara. " You know something we don’t?" Fox smiled and nodded.

" Of course I do, Fara," replied Fox with a smile. He leaned forward. " Oh yeah, I forgot to congratulate you guys. Andrew, Slippy, nice work on getting the info. Falco, Leon, you guys couldn’t have timed that bomb better. Peppy, Pigma, I’m glad you’re working together again. Fara, Wolf, I’m glad you sorted out your differences." He got up and then walked to the door. " Well, I’ve got to be leaving. I’ve got important business. We’ll meet in the bridge in half an hour, okay?" The others nodded their heads. Of course.

They all met in the bridge, one hour later. A large computer screen was turned on, as Fox started his presentation.

" Okay, guys, I’d like to thank Slippy and Andrew for getting this info from Cyberax," said Fox, as he brought out a pointer. " Thanks to them, we know that they’re increasing work on something. But we’re not sure what. More Worker Drones are being sent to Macbeth, to work on components for some weapon. It’s called the Doomsday Project, isn’t it?" Slippy and Andrew nodded.

" Yeah," replied Slippy. Fox turned round to the mouse. He moved it around and clicked on it a few times. The screen changed its display.

" Here is a diagram of Banepolis and Macbeth’s main Industrial Park," explained Fox. " You see those points marked X? Well, if you go there, then you’ll be able to find some info. We’ve got a spy out there in the Phalanx, and I’m happy to report that that spy is none other… than my sister, Star."

" What?" exclaimed Falco. " You mean, she’s not…" Fox shook his head.

" She’s as normal as you and me now," replied Fox. " Although, now she can interact with Cyberax, and send false memos and missions statements to the rest of the Phalanx. Plus, she’ll be spying on Cyberax for us." Fox was now happy. His sister was now emotionally alive and well. He sighed with joy.

It was raining on Macbeth, but Star didn’t care. The metallic parts that were connected to her were galvanised and painted over. They wouldn’t rust. She walked through the dirty and we streets, as the raindrops fell from the sky. She went up to a statue that stood in the middle of the industrial city. She looked around her, checking that the cost was clear, and stood up to the statue. Star reached for the Biofeedback headset, that was connected to her brain. She released a catch, and took out a small microfilm of information, placing it in the statue. She smiled, placing the head back on the statue, before getting back down.

Star looked up at the grey sky. The clouds were beginning to part, letting sunshine stream through. A rainbow rushed through the sky, filling her with a feeling of joy.

" Well, bro, I’m back and now that we’re both alive and well, Cyberax won’t stand a change against us," sighed Star with a smile. Their gap between their separate lives had been bridged, and they were together again, united against Cyberax.

The End.

Credits:

Characters:

Star McCloud is Kay Twilight’s Character.

Jacob Riley, Frederick Mend, Sheila Birling, Erica Redwood, Andrew Kyron and Cyberax are copyrighted by the SA Corporation.

Any other character is copyrighted by Nintendo.

Cyberax was inspired by the British TV Show, Bugs.

Writers:

Renard Vulpez.

Special Thanks to…

Nintendo.

The SA Corporation.

Editors:

Bob, the Prince of Insufficient Light!

The tyrant, Director-General C. Wai.

I would like thank everyone who contributed to this fic, and to everyone who commented on it!