New Recruit

Chapter 1: 1 out of 10

“The Pirate killers was a squad made for the sole sake of ridding Lylat of pirates. We’ve always done quit nicely with 4, why must we have 5 now?” ~Sgt. Finnius Krill, Pirate Killers, Corneria

Finnius stood in the doorway of his living quarters. He impatiently tapped the end of his fin on his elbow and sighed. FlyerFox was sure taking his sweet time. He knew that they had to report to headquarters in exactly 30 minutes. There were some new recruits that Pepper had told him to select at least 1 from.

“FLYER!” Fin screamed. “What are you doing?! We have to be at the base in half an hour! Lyn is probably already on her way!” He slumped against the door panel and gave out a frustrated growl.

“I’m coming I’m coming…” Flyer walked out of his room and impishly jumped out of the door and onto the pavement. “Let’s go, I want to get this over with.”

“Good.” Fin sounded serious. “I don’t like them much either. We never find anyone good enough, but this time Pepper said we had to choose.” Finnius opened up his car door and jumped in the driver’s seat. Flyer walked over to the passenger’s side, Fin leaned over and unlocked that side, and Flyer climbed in.

“Hey Fin, can I drive sometime?” Flyer asked anxiously.

“When Pigma can fly like Fox McCloud!”

“Why not? I’m nearly 18!”

“Not for another 2 and a half months! And the way you drive, you’ll scratch it or worse, crash!”

“I haven’t before…” Flyer sulked and looked away angrily.

“I don’t want to chance it.”

“Lyn Veaver? Where is the rest of your squadron?” General Pepper asked in his intimidating voice. Lyn wasn’t phased, or so it seemed, by him though. “I don’t know sir. They should be here soon though.”

“Well, when they get here, tell them to report in and have them come into my office.”

“Yes sir.”

Tourican Down came down the hallway, holding 2 coffees. He gave one to Lyn and kept the other for himself. “They here yet?”

“Nope.” Lyn sipped her coffee.

At that Flyer came jogging down the hallway, with Fin jumping after him as fast as he could.

“Sorry about that guys. But ol Fin here had to go the speed limit.” Flyer joked as he came up. Lyn and Tourican both giggled a little.

“Well unlike you FlyerFox I abide to the law.” Finnius scowled a little.

“Yeah, yeah you 2, pepper said to report in and go into his office.” Lyn sipped her coffee again.

After checking in, the 4 went into the General’s office. There, the hound was fussing over a laptop computer. He looked up to the 4 saluting.

“At ease. Sgt. Finnius Krill, I have some promising recruits that I want you to look at. I want you to pick at least 1 this time.”

Fin sighed. The last 5 times he had to go through this, all the applicants were under-qualified, or were still in training. “OK sir, where’s the list?”

“Here you go.” Pepper turned the laptop so that Finnius could see it. Lyn, Tourican, and Flyer all looked over his shoulder. There was a list of names that were all linked to pages about the recruit. There weren’t that many, only about 10 on the whole list.

“Is this it sir? I thought there’d be more?” Finnius asked.

“Nope. I want you to take this laptop with you. Look at all the applicants, and decide on one by Tuesday. You have 2 days to decide or I will decide myself for you.”

“Yes sir.”

The 4 walked out with the laptop. Finnius had closed it, and Lyn, Tourican, and Flyer were anxious to see all the information on it. When they got back to their dorms, Finnius opened it again. After about 3 hours of searching through the entire list, he had narrowed the choices to 3 applicants. One profile was of a Doberman named Spencer Baily. He was a good ground soldier, a good pilot, but was a bit lazy. Another was a Hare named Rebby Folklar. He was supposedly a good mechanic, and was very smart, but couldn’t fly all that well. The last was a Cheetah named Claudia Jensen, and in brackets next to the name was CJ. She was supposedly a great pilot, and had vast medical experience; her only faults were she was a bit cocky and sometimes a smart aleck. The other 2 had pictures with them, but her’s was the only one without.

“ I wonder what she looks like.” Tourican wondered. “I think she’s the best out of them all.”

“Well, If you all agree, I’ll call Pepper up and tell ‘em we made a decision.” Finnius agreed with Tourican for once.

“I guess. She sounds good enough.” Lyn tossed her cup into the trash can.

“OK.” Was all Flyer said.

One month ago…

A dark figure stepped from the shadows. It was very late, and there weren’t many others around. The figure had on a long trench coat, which hid any signs of it being either male or female. And a Dick Tracy like hat hid their face. The figure stepped up to the “Zoness Inter-Lylat Space Train Station” booth. There a sleepy Hamster awoke from a near nap.

“I would like to buy a ticket to the next flight to Corneria please.” A feminine voice was the only thing that distinguished the figure’s sex.

“Um yes ma’am. What class?” The hamster asked groggily.

“How much would 100 credits get me?” The figure lifted its head to reveal a female cheetah’s face. Some blond hair covered part of a bright blue eye.

“That can get you a second class ticket miss. Next shuttle leaves in 20 minutes.” He gave her the ticket, which she took and went and sat in the waiting area. The Shuttle flew in and came to a halt at a boarding booth. The cheetah got up, took off the trench coat and left it on the chair, then boarded the shuttle. She got a window seat and looked out at the waiting area. A little later, an Armadillo with an officer’s uniform came along, saw the trench coat, and looked around for more clues.

“Can’t bring me back this time.” The cheetah thought to herself. “I may only be 17, but in a month I’ll be old enough to choose where I go.” She glared out the window at the officer, who didn’t see her. A few minutes later, the shuttle took off, destination, Corneria.

Chapter 2: Arrival

“I don’t know what the big deal is. We were all new once at some point, but for some reason everyone makes such a fuss now. I don’t think it’s fair to the new one.” ~Lyn Veaver, Pirate Killers, Corneria.

It had been 3 months since the cheetah’s departure from Zoness. Apon her arrival to Corneria, she rented an apartment, and got a job as a temporary nurse at the military hospital. Now today, she had to go meet with Pepper, and have herself assigned to a squad.

“Miss. Jensen I presume?” Pepper looked up to the cheetah who was saluting, but not as formally as she should. “At ease. Are you ready to be assigned?”

“Yes sir. I’ve been told that the squad I’m being assigned to though isn’t all that large.” She whipped a stray lock of hair from her face. She was dressed in her new green Cornerian uniform, complete with a black jacket, and dark brown boots. Her hair was tied in ponytail, and a small part of it was braided down the middle. 2 small bands and a dot on both her sleeves indicated she was a Sgt., and a small white cross on her right sleeve indicated she was a medic.

“You’re squad is fairly new. The original members of it have only been in it for nearly a year. But other than that, it’s one of our more important ones. Sit down and read this.” Pepper handed her a bunch of papers with info about the squad, profoundly named the “Pirate Killers”.

“Nice. So where are my new…partners?” She looked up from the papers.

“They’re waiting to meet you in the rec. room. I’ll accompany you if you wa-”

“No thanks sir, I’m a big girl, I’ll find it.” She smirked a little. “And by the way sir, call me CJ please.”

“Very well. Dismissed.”

“What are you doing here Fox?” Lyn was playing Ping-Pong with Flyer when Fox McCloud came in.

“I’m waiting for Falco.” Fox answered. “He’s getting yelled at for making a pass at some general’s niece.”

“As usual!” Lyn laughed a little. She hit the ball so hard that it went flying off the table and across the floor, and finally stopping at the door. Flyer ran after it.

“Where do you think the “new one” is?” Tourican cracked a walnut with his beak.

“Dunno. Pepper said she’d be here by 3 though.” Finnius read a “Katina Weekly” magazine.

“Well I hope she gets here soon. I’m tired of playing Ping-Pong!” Flyer knelt down to get the ball when the door opened suddenly, and sent him falling on his side. “Ah! Hey who-?”

“Oh you’re here.” Finnius got up and hopped to the doorway. “I’m Lt. Finnius Krill. You must be Claudia.”

“Yeah I am. Who’s behind the door?” Claudia stepped into the room and looked around the door.

“That’s just Flyer. Really nothing to be surprised about by him. That’s Lyn Veaver, over there, and Tourican Down by the bar. We’re your new team mates.”

“Glad to be a part of it all. And call me CJ, please.”

Flyer got up, his ego was hurt a little, but other than that he was fine. “I wondered what you looked like.”

“Flyer…” Fin scolded him with a glare.

“Well I can tell you the reason for that, Flyer.” CJ began. “I enlisted when I was a month too young, and to keep from being tracked down I declined in having any photos taken of me. Luckily though, no one really noticed or cared all that much about it.”

“That’s cool.” Lyn walked over. “And how old are you?”

“I’m precisely 18 years and 1 day old. Legally old enough now where I came from to enlist.”

“And where are you from?” Tourican added.

“I’ll tell you later. I have to check those goofy sparrows got my bags to my dorm.”

“That would be our dorms then.” Lyn chirped. “I’ll show you where they are.”

“Thanks. Lead the way.” CJ followed Lyn out of the rec. room.

“Well, we might as well head to the dorms as well. I don’t see any reason why we have to stay here.” Finnius hopped down the hallway, while Tourican and Flyer walked out as well.

Chapter 3: Surprise, Surprise.

“I only joined the Cornerian military cause I wanted to get away from my past. And so far, I’ve done just that.” Claudia Jensen (CJ), Pirate Killers, Corneria.

The Arwing squad Starfox was flying over Macbeth. There had just been a battle here between Venom and Corneria, and they were instructed to search for any wounded survivors. They had searched the whole area at least twice over.

“Any readings yet Slip?” Fox asked impatiently. He hated Macbeth. It was always hot, dry, and rocky here. The only civilizations around were small mining towns that hardly had anything to make them considered a town.

“Nope. Oh wait…I’m getting a reading now. But it’s not a lifeform.” Slippy announced.

“Where is it?”

“It’s……..It’s right under us!” Slippy nearly screamed.

“What the-? All aircraft break away!”

The 5 Arwings all split up, but not fast enough. A huge thing leapt from the ground and shot straight up through the group, tearing off wings, and damaging shields greatly. The thing dove down again, and burrowed back into the ground. As it burrowed, the body of it followed. After the last of it was again under ground, only 2 big holes, big enough to fit a Landmaster in, were left.

“What the hell was that?!” Falco yelled.

“I don’t know Falco, but that’s no Venomian monstrosity!” Fara’s com was staticy.

The thing again attacked. Only this time it stayed above ground. It looked like a giant Centipede, only with larger jaws with drills on the ends, and it only had legs in the front. The rest of it lay there only moving when the front end moved around. The head of it fired lasers at the team, who scattered in all directions.

“Attack it!” Fox ordered. He lay a barrage of fire onto its middle, but there was no affect, the armor on it was to tough for lasers.

“Fox! I don’t see any weak spots on it!” Slippy screamed in, making everyone’s ears hurt.

The battle went on. Starfox fired everything they had at the monster. Lasers, smart bombs, nova bombs, you name it. There was either little or no affect on it, and its attacks on them had them retreating in less than 15 minutes.

“Are you all OK?” Peppy asked. “We’re going to have to figure out something for that thing!”

“We’ll head back to GreatFox for repairs and come back to take it out.” Fox said, his voice clearly noted he was frustrated.

There was silence after that, but a high pitched whine broke it. The machine had fired a missile at the team, and when they finally noticed, it was too late. It blew up in a huge explosion that sent all the Arwings spinning out of control into the rocky surface.

It had been a week since CJ arrived, and she was already a part of the daily routine for the Pirate Killers. She became a part of the local scene at “The Arwing”, a famous coffee shop and bar. She was introduced to Finord, Finnius’s brother, Zaphir, Tourican’s cousin, and the entire Starfox team. Lyn and her would sometimes go shopping at the new department stores in Cornerian City Square, where they both bought matching jackets. Though they were bright pink, they looked good on both of them. One day, Finnius came in with a mission.

“OK guys. We have to go to Macbeth, there’s been reports of a Pirate group hanging about.” Finnius announced one day at the breakfast table.

“Macbeth…Of all places why there?!” Tourican whined.

“No more complaining about it, we have to get going, now!” With that, Fin hopped out the door to his car. “Anyone need a lift?”

“I do.” Flyer jumped in the passenger’s side. Tourican jumped in the back.

“I’ve got a car, want a ride Lyn?” CJ asked. She bought the car just yesterday, and was dying to try it out.

“Yeah!” Lyn got in passenger’s side and CJ the driver’s. CJ followed Finnius to the hangers where their Class B Arwings were being kept. After all the preparations, the 5 finally took off towards Macbeth.

Chapter 4: First Mission

“It truly amazes me. If we are considered an important squad, then why are we only called in for backup?” ~FlyerFox, Pirate Killers, Corneria.

The Pirate Killers got to Macbeth too late for the battle, so they looked around for signs of life anywhere.

“I guess we’re late.” Flyer joked.

“Gee when did you notice?” Lyn joked back.

A garbled message shut off the conversation. It was from Fox. Though his message was very hard to understand, they could hear something about crashing, and some coordinates.

“What they do this time?” Lyn sighed.

“I wonder what happened.” CJ thought for a moment.

“Doesn’t matter. Let’s go help them out.” Fin steered in the direction the coordinates said.

“Falco. Falco!” Fox tried to get his friend awake, which he was successful in, but Falco was even too weak to keep his eyes open long.

“F-F-F-Fox ….?” Falco asked shakily. “What happened?”

“We crashed, and you’re badly hurt. Help is on the way though-ack!” Fox cringed at the pain in his legs. They were bleeding like crazy, and he was feeling a little dizzy.

The sound of jet engines rang through the air. The Class-B’s landed about 100 feet away from the wounded Falco and Fox. Fox became even dizzier at the sight of this, and fainted.

“Uh oh!” CJ reached behind her seat and pulled out a large briefcase. She took it and ran to Fox, and immediately began wrapping up his cut legs, and stopping the bleeding.

“Are they OK?” Flyer ran up to her.

“Fox’ll be fine. But Falco is another matter.” She said seriously, not taking her eyes off what she was doing.

“I’ll go get the other ones!” Flyer started to run off, but CJ stopped him.

“No! I need you to help me here. Go tell Lyn, Fin, and Tourican to get the others. You stay here and help me.”

Flyer did just that. He ran to Lyn to tell Fin and Tourican to go get the others, then he ran back to CJ who was done with Fox and tending to Falco.

“What can I do?” He asked.

“See my briefcase? When I ask for something in it, give it to me.”

Falco’s condition was bad. He was cut all over his head due to the windshield of his Arwing falling in on him, and his femur (a bone in the leg) was broken. CJ kept at him, wrapping his head nearly all the way to stop the bleeding, and made a cast for him out of a board and gauze. He was still unconscience, but he was stable. Lyn brought Slippy over, who wasn’t as badly hurt, but it was still bad. He had a large bump on his head and a small gash in his side. CJ sewed up the gash, and instructed Lyn to put a cold pack on the bump. Tourican brought Fara, who had a torn ear, and a twisted knee. A quick bandage on the ear, and a bit of chiropracting (putting the knee back in place) kept her happy. Finnius came with Peppy, who was in the best condition of the all. He ejected before he crashed, so he only suffered a few cuts and minor burns. After she was done with the rest, CJ went back to Fox.

“Flyer, in a pocket there’s a candy bar. Let me have it.” She ordered.

“Wha? You want to eat now?”

“It’s not for me! Fox has lost a lot of blood, and he needs it. She snatched the bar from Flyer, sat Fox up, shook him a little to get him awake, and held the candy bar to his mouth. “Common Fox. I know you’re awake. I’ve got something for you.”

Fox awoke. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was CJ’s face. For a second he looked straight into her eyes, which were a deep, but bright blue. “You’re beautiful.” He said wearily.

CJ cocked an eyebrow at him. “Uh…thanks.” She turned to her 4 team mates. “He’s delusional.” She whispered. She forced Fox’s mouth open and gave him a piece of the candy bar, then put it in his paw for him to eat himself.

“That was great!” Tourican complimented. “I should learn that!”

“Well I had 2 years of working for a doctor as a trainee on Zoness. So I know a few tricks. And thanks.” CJ walked to her Class-B, reached behind the seat again and took out a water bottle. She threw off her comlink helmet and shook off her head. After taking a big swig out of the water bottle, she poured the rest on her head.

“Well, now we have to call for help and wait till it arrives.” Finnius hopped over to his Class-B and took out a radio.

Chapter 5: Thanks

“It’s not often that a small time squad like us gets a chance to be in the spotlight. I’m glad I was a part of it.” ~Tourican Down, Pirate Killers, Corneria

A month later, the entire Starfox team had gotten out of the hospital and was back in action. The Pirate Killers all received medals of honor for what they did, and CJ received the Cornerian Medical and Bravery Achievement medal. Something only given to the highest doctors. It was given for fast thinking, and quick action, not to mention saving some lives. She didn’t keep it all for herself though. Instead of wearing it on her uniform, she had it framed and hung in the living area of the dorm. A certificate was attached to the medal that said:

For you quick thinking and fast action,

Corneria is proud to award this medal,

To the brave proud and heroic efforts,

Of the Pirate Killers Squadron,

Lt. Finnius Krill,

Sgt. FlyerFox,

Sgt. Lyn Veaver,

Sgt. Tourican Down,

And Sgt. Claudia Jensen,

We thank you for your courage.

General Pepper

The Starfox team voted in on celebrating for the reward. They all went to The Arwing, and ordered “Fortuna Pizza” and drank at the bar. The Starfox team paid for everything, which wasn’t cheap. Falco ordered lots of expensive and potent alcoholic drinks, which led him to getting drunk as usual. But other than that, there was lots of music, food, drinks, and most of all fun! During the later hours though when everything settled down, and Falco had fallen asleep on the couch, Fox caught up with CJ at the barstools.

“Hey.” He greeted her.

“Hi yourself. What do ya want?” She asked a bit tiredly.

“I just want to thanks you again for saving my life, and the rest of the team’s.”

“It wasn’t just me. Fin, Lyn, Flyer, and Tourican all did their part too.”

“Well anyway. Thanks. And you remember when I woke up and said what I said to you?”

“Yeah. You were pretty out of it.” She chuckled.

“Yeah.” He laughed with her. “Well I-”

“LYN!!!” Falco woke up screaming. He stood straight up, his head all wet. Lyn had poured a glass of water on him. “You’re gonna get it!!”

“Oh but you needed to wake up! You snore!” Lyn shot out of the door before Falco could begin to run at her. He ran out the door, chasing her. Everyone in the place was laughing.

“I love it when she does that!” Zaphir, who had joined the group, was laughing so hard her eyes were watering.

Finnius tried to stay solemn, but he couldn’t help it. “She amazes me sometimes!”

Finord has also tagged along, and he was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his wheelchair.

CJ had gotten up and was now laughing with the group. Fox was laughing too, and he forgot what he was going to tell her.

An hour later, both teams headed back to go to bed. When the Pirate Killers got back, they found Lyn in the kitchen waiting for them. Starfox went back to their dorms as well, and found Falco asleep in his bed. Fox sighed a little, and hung up his coat. Peppy noticed this.

“What’s wrong Fox? I thought you had a great time.” He and Fox sat down at their table while the rest went to bed.

“I forgot to tell CJ something.” Fox said causally.

“Oh. What? Common, you can tell me.”

Fox sat silent for awhile. Then he spoke. “I think I like her.”