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The Swarm War

Chapter 7

Back with fox and the rest of his team who were with Lupa on the bridge it was just as Krystal was leaving that Slippy wondered "What is the Alpha protocol?" Fox was worried because Lupa looked very upset. When she answered he understood why.

"The alpha protocol" she began "is a protocol specific to the Pretorian guard that is to be enacted after a specific requirement has been fulfilled. In the event of establishing ties with a new race or faction. If the human emissary is killed in battle his assets are to be transferred to the group in question if he so desired."

"So he doesn't think that he will survive the siege?" Fox pondered to himself quietly.

"Yes the defense force most likely will be insufficient in rebuffing this splinter fleet." She softly spoke.

"Then why is he going!" Falco yelled obviously confused as to why he would go anyway.

"He goes because it is his duty." Fox said clearly understanding more then Falco.

"Fox is correct" Lupa acknowledged "his duty is to protect the weak above all else."

"Even if it is hopeless?" Slippy wondered.

"Especially when it's hopeless that is what one of tenants of being a Pretorian is. Always protecting the weak no matter the cost even if they lose, the empire will know they tried and that is all that can be asked of them."

Before they could continue down that morbid train of thought they were derailed when Lupa suddenly spoke out "Varrus wishes for us to rendezvous at the mess hall for lunch."

"I could go for a bite to eat" Peppy blurted out his statement supported by the sudden growl emitted by his stomach much to his chargin.

"Try to keep it in old man" Falco said humorously. The group laughed as they headed down to the mess hall for lunch. Yet fox couldn't stop thinking about what she said and was preoccupied the whole way there.

The first ones to arrive were Varrus and Krystal once she saw the inside of the hall she was awestruck it was a huge chamber obviously meant to house a full ships crew. It was as silent as a tomb and she found it unsettling. Varrus saw how uneasy she was and tried to ease her mind. "Hey Krystal how about we head to the kitchen and get ready for your friends."

She turned to look at him "that sounds like a good idea."

Glad that his attempt was successful they made their way to the kitchen and Varrus gave her the grand tour as he was finishing up the others arrived. "Alright now that everyone is here I would like to know if any of you guys would like to try some food from my home.... Uh hello?" When they didn't answer immediately he realized they were all staring at him. Krystal upon seeing that there stares were making him uncomfortable barges in to the conversation.

"Guys!" She yelled. After that they seemed to have awoken from their trance and realized what they were doing and looked down guiltily.

"Sorry but we've never seen a human before" fox muttered embarrassedly his tail trailing the floor.

"It's all good man I doubt that will be the last time someone stares. So with that out of the way how about I make us some good old fashioned food from my home planet huh?"

Glad that the awkward moment was over they hurriedly agreed. so he lead them to one of the many tables and got them situated. "Ok sit tight and I'll be back when I'm done getting the grub ready."

"Grub?" Falco said confusedly. "Your people eat bugs?"

"No, no, no it's just a figure of speech. I won't be cooking up any insects no need to panic unless Slippy wants any."

Slippy looked up from his seat at the table "why would I want to eat bugs?"

"W-w-ell" Varrus stuttered "your a.... You know a.... You know what never mind I'll just go to the kitchen." With that Varrus hurried over to the kitchen door and vanished from sight. The team sat there trying to process his weird behavior.

Meanwhile in the kitchen Varrus was leaning his back against the door where he let out a sigh "that could have gone better." He then took a moment to observe his surroundings and walked towards the food storage area. He took a quick glance at the inventory and decided that since most of them were a predatory species that he would cook up some sort of meat. He landed his gaze upon some sirloin and thought that even though it wasn't necessarily a lunch meat that it would be perfect to use. So he grabbed it and looked for something to accompany it. "Some mashed potatoes would be great"he thought as he grabbed them and headed towards the portion of the kitchen dedicated to cooking. He then began to work on the dishes he was going to make.

While this was happening Fox and his friends were sitting at a table and discussing there next course of events. "So what are we going to do?" He asked his team.

That's when Lupa appeared next to their table to offer advice. "If you would like I can show you one of his older mission recordings.

Fox decided to take a moment to think it over. When Falco decided to answer for him "yeah let's see if he is all that he's cracked up to be." Fox scowled at Falco's rude remark.

Before he could chastise him Lupa interjected "very well then all of his missions have been cleared for view except for one." Krystal was intrigued "Why was it classified?"

"The events that transpired are classified because the people of the empire do not need to worry about another danger."

Fox was curious "there is another threat to the Terran Empire?"

"Yes although the threat is officially dealt with the empire is unsure as to wether it won't come back."

"So why can't we see it" Falco grumbled clearly upset "we're not a part of the empire so it shouldn't matter if we watch it."

Lupa decided to explain a little bit more "the recording is also kind of personal for Varrus."

"How so?" Krystal wondered.

Meanwhile Varrus was finishing up when a thought occurred to him what if they can't eat this? So with that thought he left the kitchen and walked back into the mess and saw the group deep in a conversation. "Hey!" He called grabbing their attention "do you guys have feral animals on your planet?"

"Yeah" Fox replied

"Do you guys eat them?"

"Duh" Falco retorted

Fox looked to Falco "seriously are you always gonna be an ass?"

"It's who I am" Falco said stubbornly.

"It's okay Fox." Varrus said trying to diffuse the situation "he doesn't mean any real harm by it and it dosent bother me so don't worry about it. Anyways that's all I wanted to know." After that he made his way back to the kitchen not wanting to cause more problems.

"Captain" Lupa said "starfox has requested to view a video."

"Well then let them watch it" Varrus said distractedly on his way back to the kitchen

"But sir it's..."

"Don't worry about it just put it on."

"But..."

"Just put it on" he said already half way through the door.

Once he disappeared she turned to the crew "well I guess you guys get to watch it."

"Yaaaaay!" Slippy shouted "video!" With that being said Lupa called down a huge screen that was on a track that moved to their table.

"Well I'll be that's one heck of a screen" Peppy said in awe.

"That's the screen the crew used when they were gathered after missions in the mess and wanted to relax."

Varrus was in the kitchen and had just finished preparing the meal and went out to deliver it. He saw the screen set up aas he started to set down the plates of food. "Alright Bon appetite" they looked at him confusedly.

"What?" Krystal said.

"Never mind" Varrus sighed "anyways unfortunately I need to plan for the siege in my command center aboard the ship and so I will take my meal up there. Feel free to watch the video though. I won't be back so when you guys are done you canwhatever you want within reason." With that he made his way out of the mess with his plate.

While he was leaving Lupa made one last attempt to warn him on what video they were going to watch. "Captain I really don't thi..."

"Don't worry Lupa just play the video it can't be that bad." He door closed behind his retreating figure. She looked back to the team imploringly "he doesn't know what video you guys want to watch are you sure you won't wanna watch a different one?"

Fox was starting to become interested in this video himself "put it on I'm curious as to what the big fuss is all about."

"Alright" Lupa said in resignation "I must warn you it is not for the faint of heart." With that being said she started the video.