Chapter Text
“James do you copy” general peppers voice echos from the intercom.
“Yes, general,” he replied in a cool tone, awaiting the general’s instructions.
“I need your missionary team to investigate Veno–”
“Why might that be necessary?” James' said, voice pierced through the intercom.
James knew even from just the sound of general pepper’s voice that this mission was going to be a gamble.
“It’s about Andross James,” Pepper responded in a serious tone.
“Wait Andross?” He pauses gathering his thoughts. “Didn’t he kick the bucket back when he was exiled to Venom?”
“That is what I presumed too but, recent reports showed bioweaponary activity on Venom.
Pepper’s voice flattened as he murmured under his breath, “I should have killed him while I had the chance.”
James knew Pepper couldn’t stand the thought of killing his former colleague. He would rather banish him away to another planet, far away enough where Pepper couldn’t possibly think about Andross. Admittingly, James shared this weakness with Pepper, but he didn’t see it as one. He believed with his whole heart that loyalty and trust was what made everyone a living being.
“Pepper, it’s okay you just did what you thought was necessary at the time.” James said.
*Sighs* “Well I hope that choice doesn’t bite me back, but that’s why I entrust you and your te-”
“Okay but, general this mission can be highl-”
James' voice concerned and distressed yet managed to keep its calm tone, before getting cut off by general peppers’ last plea.
“Please James! This is an urgent matter, we suspect Andross has continued his cruel experiments on Venom.” Pepper’s voice is desperate, but unwavering. “James, this investigation can give us more information on Andross status, and prevent harm to Corneria.”
James started analyzing the facts, this mission could possibly help pay for the great fox, which loan he still had yet to pay off. This wasn’t just about money though, he knew what Andross was capable of and if he somehow survived Venom, he could cause havoc on the entire Lylat System. Normally he would automatically say yes with a danger that looms so large, but the risk he was putting himself, his team, and even the one thing he cared about most Fox. His loyalty for the Corneria Army was strong, he served the army for years, with Pepper and Peppy, but he still couldn’t feel right putting that much on the line for it. His love for his team and his son was a piece of his life he couldn’t part with, but if he didn’t take this mission then not only he would be at risk of Andross’s wrath the entirety of Lylat would be in jeopardy.
“Hey James are you still –”
“ We will take the mission.”
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Later on the Great Fox:
“James are you MAD?” Peppy exclaimed. “Do you know who we might be dealing with! Andross' prior experiments on Corneria almost destroyed the entire city, who knows what else he’s capable of!”
“I know, I know, Peppy, but I just have a feeling that if we don’t investigate Venom now Andross might put the entire Lylat system in grave danger. Plus Pepper insisted on us being the ones to take the mission.” James insisted.
“Plus Peppy, Pepper will probably pay us with the big bucks” Pigma snorted.
James never understood why Pigma was so obsessed with money. The team was basically swimming in it, yet this hog still wanted more. He never kicked him off the team because no matter how greedy this pig was he still was quite cunning and always a step ahead when planning missions.
Peppy rolls his eyes at Pigma before responding back to James.
“Well, do you even have a plan for the investigation on Venom?”
James sat there silently.. He hasn’t come up with a plan yet...
“James..”
“Peppy please! I feel it in my gut that Andross is up to no good. You’ve always supported my decisions even if they're reckless. James pleaded “What happened to trusting our instincts?”
“Okay, Okay I get it, but only because Lylat might be in trouble if we don’t act.” Peppy said peeved yet understanding.
“Are you sure it ain't just because General Pepper insisted on us to do this mission.” Pigma teased.
“Shut it Pigma!”
“Hey, It's still weird that you have a lock of Pepper’s hair on you at all times!”
“Stop bickering you two! We are leaving for Venom tomorrow.”
“We better get all the rest we can get if we may encounter Andross’s bioweapon.” Peppy replied.
“This rabbit finally got one bright idea,” Pigma crakled.
“And this hog finally said something that doesn’t have to do with getting paid.”
James rolled his eyes, Peppy and Pigma never could have a day where they weren’t at each other's necks.
‘“Shut up you two!
Peppy and Pigma stare distastefully before pulling their attention back to James.
Like Peppy said we need to get as much sleep before this mission. Goodnight Starfox team, be ready for Venom tomorrow.”
“Yes James.” Peppy and Pigma said in unison
Pigma scurried back to his quarters while Peppy lingered.
“I hope you know what you're doing James”
“Yes, Peppy.”
“I will trust your instincts,” Peppy said before walking back to his quarter.
James lingered inside the great fox’s meeting room. The room was pretty comfortable for being a basically all steel room. It had 3 white leather seats gathered around a table. The seats have the Starfox logo plastered onto them. The floors are shiny from being still a new ship but scuffed from daily wear. James still couldn’t believe the size of the loan he had to take out in order to get this ship built. It was still more convenient to travel in the great fox, but damn the price. Peppy was concerned about the price of building the Great Fox; he thought it was an “Unreasonable purchase,” but he thought it was a worthy investment for a mercenary team always on the move. He has slowly warmed up to the vessel acknowledging that it does take less time to get from place to place.
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James finally got back to his quarter, and that’s when the mission really sank in. He has done probably hundreds of missions before that were probably even more risky than this one. Like what are the chances they were even going to see Andross? They just have to investigate the scene then report updates back to the Cornerian government. Easy peasy. Hopefully nothing unexpected happens; he couldn’t leave Fox fatherless, he’s already been through too much.
“Fox..” James whispers under his breath.
Even if Fox was now 15 he still thinks of him as a young kit. His big emerald green eyes that he got from his mother, his tiny ears, and his charming but dorky laugh and smile. He knows that it would kill him if he ever told him that in person he laughed to himself. James hopes he can see his son after this mission, see that smile again, see his growth, hear about how his school day was. He loves Fox so dearly, a kind of love only a parent would know. He hopes in the future he lives a life with no regrets and no fears. A person not afraid of being himself. James checks the time, deciding it’s about time for him to go to sleep, he puts his glasses on his nightstand and tucks himself in. He looks at the picture of him and Fox on the first day of Kindergarten, his smile shiny like a star.
“Goodnight Fox.” he whispers as he drifts off to sleep.