Chapter V
Shattered
Chapter V
Alexander awoke from his nap. The day before had ended after his conversation with Krystal. He took the time as he lay in bed to go over recent events. He was in a different universe, which was most likely entirely populated by animal people, he was going to join a mercenary company called Starfox, and so far he hasn't felt any aftereffects of the marker signal. Which was in fact due to the necklace he never ever took off.
The pendant looked like a marker, but it canceled out the markers signal. It also prevents the growth of his current dementia. This little bit of technology was made during the war to stop the soldiers from going insane after prolonged exposure to the artifacts.
After he was done rerunning the last days events in his mind Alexander got out of bed to where his armor was. Once he was stripped down to his body suit and had stored his civilian outfit he climbed back into his armor. It sealed back up around him. He took a bit of time to run the basic movement exercises to make sure the joints still moved properly. Satisfied with its functionality Alexander was ready for the day. His good mood was broken by one innocent thought.
How was he supposed to contact anyone?
He had neglected to ask for a communication device or anything of the like, neither did he have an inkling of where they might be. His desperate dilemma was solved when he heard a knock on the door. Anxious he quickly went over to open it.
Standing there was a blue and red avian. Alexander thought it was Falco. "Uh...Falco is it?"
The avian nodded his head. "Yeah the names Falco, Fox forgot to get you a communicator and so he sent me down here to retrieve you."
"Alright then."
"So just follow me and I'll take you to him."
"Sound like a plan." Falco was obviously not a patient bird. Right after Alexander said that he swiveled around and left, hopefully to where ever Fox was. With his guide swiftly disappearing he had no choice but to go after him. Falco was quiet for the entire trip.
As they walked in silence Alexander found himself gently rubbing the pendant around his neck with his gloved hands. It was his salvation and damnation. It was the only reason he was not insane, unfortunately it was also condemning him. As per its design it emitted a undetectable frequency that while preventing his insanity, did not reverse it, and in point of fact was killing him slowly. The frequency over a very long period of time corrupted brain function. Eventually it will cause his organs to fail and he will die. Before the collapse the sovereign colonies had a solution for the markers effects but it was lost when earth fell. Perhaps with the help of the cornerians he could rediscover the cure.
Deciding that now was not the time to think of his demise Alexander focused on following Falco. He was by this time opening a door and holding it for Alexander. "Well are ya coming?" He asked sarcasticly.
With a sigh Alexander walked into the room. In the room was Fox, General Pepper, Krystal, a frog, and a hare. He could only deduce that the frog was Slippy and the hare was Peppy. When Fox saw him he smiled widely Krystal was also. "Morning Alexander! I see you decided to join the land of the living." Poor Fox did not know how ironic that was.
"Yes I did, and I have to say for military cots those beds are exceedingly comfortable."
Fox laughed. "Yeah first time I slept here I said the same thing."
"Good morning Alexander." Krystal said still smiling.
"To you as well." Alexander replied. "It is nice to see you."
"Alright let's get to business." Fox cut the pleasantries short. "I take it you have made your decision?"
"Yes I have, I've come to conclude that your offer is right for me."
"That's good to hear! You will be a great asset to he team!" Fox exclaimed enthusiastically.
"I'll just be glad to have a purpose again."
"Well, now that that's settled we should get going. I know it sound kinda rushed but we have allot of stuff to do." Fox said.
Pepper interjected after that. "I should warn you Alexander that I will be addressing the cornerian people today about you. Do not worry I will leave out the circumstances leading up to your appearance. I will just be informing them of your presence so that they will know and not spread panic or the like. I'm sorry to say but you will most likely be asked to be interviewed. Of course you don't have to accept. I just wanted to warn you in advance."
"Thank you for the warning general. I'll know what to do when the time comes." He then looked to Fox. "I'm ready to go sir, it's not like I have anything to carry with me."
"None of that sir stuff, just call me fox. I don't feel like a sir." Fox corrected Alexander.
"Okay Fox."
Fox nodded. "Good, alright let's go, further introductions can be done later." They walked out of the room after saying goodbye to Pepper. Fox and the others led the way while Alexander and Krystal lagged behind.
"So Alexander," Krystal began. "Are you happy your coming with us ?"
"Yes I am Krystal, to be honest with you the deciding factor for me was you." He answered honestly.
She smiled warmly at that, her eyes sparkled like emeralds. "That's a kind think for you to say."
"It is true. You have been very nice to me. Not only that your the person I know the most here." Alexander then looked apologetic. "I would also like to apologize profusely for my...antics when I first showed up here."
"It's alright you were just reacting. You can't be blamed for that."
"In any case I just wanted you to know how sorry I am." The group then arrived at an elevator.
"This will take is to he surface." Fox told Alexander as he pressed the button. The doors closed and they rode up in silence. Soon the doors opened and they walked into the buildings foyer. Across from them was a registration desk with two guards alongside it.
As they got closer Alexander saw that they were the dogs who escorted him the day before. When the younger one saw him he waved vigorously. "Hi mister Alexander sir!"
He waved back. "Hello corporal, what are you doing here?"
"We had guard duty up here today so we got to see you off."
"That's good, it's nice seeing familiar faces."
"Well yeah sir we just wanted to see you off."
"Thanks I appreciate it." Alexander said gratefully.
When they finished their farewells Alexander and the others left the military compound. He traveled with them to a large vehicle that was hovering a short walk from the building they had emerged from. They all crammed inside with Alexander stuffed into the back with Krystal and Slippy.
Fox took the controls and the hovercar glided up into he air. As fox took them to wherever he had planned. Alexander was talking with Krystal, but was interrupted by Slippy. "H-hi I'm Slippy." The jittery toad stuck out a shaking hand. He was obviously nervous due to him.
"Hi Slippy as you no doubt know I am Alexander."
"Y-yeah I-I do."
"Are you okay?" Alexander asked with concern.
"I-I'm alright it's j-just that I've never seen a-a human before."
"I am sorry for making you uncomfortable."
"Oh no! It's not you, it's just a little condition I have. It happens whenever I feel even a little bit nervous. I just learned to live with it." At this time he was talking normally so Alexander attributed that to the fact he was no longer nervous. "Anyways I wanted to talk to you about your equipment."
"Really?"
"Yeah! It's amazing. Your people developed the technology to carry a portable storage device!"
"Not really, it was only given to soldiers and other officials. We didn't really give it to everyone. The device also has more functions then that."
"No way!" Krystal was also listening as she was interested in his people and wants to learn everything she could about them.
"Way. The wrist device also had a telekinetic engine and stasis module."
Slippys eyes practically exploded from their sockets. "Telekinesis!"
"Correct. Both of the devices can pick up objects and manipulate them."
"That is so cool!" Krystal exclaimed. "But what is stasis?"
"Stasis is a newer piece of tech that can temporarily produce a time dilation."
Slippy was slack jawed. Krystal not being a science nerd did not understand.
"Time dilation?"
Slippy explained. "A time dilation is something that can manipulate time. For us though it is still hypothetical. So I'm not hundred percent sure I'm correct.
"You are correct Slippy this device," Alexander pointed out the one one his left. "Can stop time for specific objects that it directly effects and interacts with."
Poor Krystal was befuddled. "What does that mean?"
"Basically it slows down people and objects." Alexander elucidated.
They spent the remainder of the trip talking. Alexander got to know Slippy pretty well. The toad was a friend of Fox since they went to school together. Fox and Falco had always looked out for him. Alexander liked Slippy, he was a smart guy and was pretty funny given the chance. Krystal and Alexander were laughing at one of slippy's stories about school as the hovercar landed at the starport.
Alexander could not figure something out. Sure he was having fun right now, but he felt so...empty inside. He missed everyone. He missed Santiago and all his other friends that had died. Most of all he missed his mother and sister. She was only three years old. She might have been adopted but that didn't matter she was family, and now they were all dead. He didn't understand why now this was hitting him. His depressing pondering was interrupted by Fox's voice.
"Alright we're here." Fox said as he shut down the hover car and opened his door. They quickly filed out of the car and walked to the landing field. Alexander suppressed all his grievances as he saw the great fox.
It was huge. The ship was over two thousand feet long. While not the biggest vessel he had ever laid eyes on it was still an impressive sight. The steel grey/white hull was beautiful in its own way. Alexander also noticed the symbol on the side of it. It was the same on all of the teams clothing. A four legged fox with wings. "You have a magnificent ship Fox."
The vulpine smiled clearly pleased with his comment. "She sure is isn't she. My dad ordered it before his disappearance. Since then I've been taking care of it."
"From what I can see it has been treated well."
They walked towards the ship and fox pressed a button on his bracer. This caused a section of the hull to split and a ramp to come out. "Let's get inside." He said.
When they stepped inside a curiosa Falco had a question to ask Their new team member. "Hey Alex?"
He turned to the inquisitive avian. "Yeah."
"How big were ships in your reality?"
"Well Falco they usually could be anywhere from three to five kilometers, the smallest being three."
Falco whistled. "That's bigger then anything we got."
"That may be so but it didn't save my people from annihilation."
"Yeah...." Falco said awkwardly.
Alexander then was distracted by the hanger he found himself in. It was large, and had five strange looking aircraft. "Hey Falco what are those?"
He looked over. "Ah those are Arwings, basically they are fighters. Although our's are heavily modified."
"Cool, I piloted a fighter for a year before the marker war."
Falco was surprised. "You did!"
"Yep I was a squadron leader for six months."
Falco looked a little bit more impressed. "Got any stories?"
"More then I could I tell." Alexander replied wistfully.
"Well if you feel like sharing don't be afraid to hit me up. I always like to swap war tales." Falco said as he walked deeper into the ship.
Alexander stood in the middle of the hanger a minute. He didn't know where to go. Luckily Fox came to the rescue. "Hey Krystal why don't you show our new team member his quarters."
Krystal all but jumped at the chance for a little alone time with Alexander. "Right away Fox!" Immediately after that she grabbed Alexander's hand and led him deeper into the ship.
Fox stood by Peppy as he watched the two run off. "She has fallen head over heals for him."
"I can only hope her love can fix his shattered soul." Peppy said sadly.
Alexander was being dragged down a long corridor while Krystal babbled almost to herself. "This is gonna be so great! You'll be here in the ship and we can talk and do fun things and you can teach me things and you can tell me about your people and I can tell you about mine and we will be great friends!"
Alexander looked upon her in horror. She must not need to breath! "Slow down Krystal I still need to get settled in." He begged.
She slowed down a tiny bit and talked slower. He was incredible thankful for that. "Yeah okay sure." Now that she was some what normal again he could actually talk to her. They talked until she stopped in front of a door. "Here's your room. I am right over there," she pointed to a room a few doors down. "Don't be a stranger!" She merrily skipped away to her own room whistling innocently.
With a bewildered sigh and shake of his head he stepped into his room. It was big. The room was larger then his at the barracks before his unbelievable transition into another reality. More then a hundred square feet in total. It had a bed and all the standard amenities. Alexander walked to the bed and fiddled with his storage device. A short time later he had all of the few personal effects he always carried with him on it. He had a picture of Santiago and all of his friends, one of his mother and sister, a medal for valorous conduct on Talivon, and couple other things. He put the pictures up on a desk that was facing a window. Then he placed the medal on a clip built into the wall by the desk. He looked at his now homelier area and was content. Alexander thought about taking off his armor but decided against it. He still felt safer inside it. Even though the necromorphs were gone a small part of him was still afraid. He subconsciously held on to his pendent.
When he finished his room Alexander left to find Slippy. He wanted to show the frog some human technology. He needed to in case something were to happen to him, and so that it will not be lost. He wandered directionless, he really needed to stop and familiarize himself with every place he went, it was getting a little frustrating. Once more he was saved, but not by whom he expected.
"DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE?"
He spun around to see a golden robot it was very tall. In fact it was on eye level with him.
"Yeah, who are you?"
"I AM ROB 64, robotic operator of The Great Fox." It answered in a toneless voice.
This was something Alexander had not expected. Humanity stopped any research in robotics after focusing on shock point drives. He had never thought he would ever see a real automaton. But it was hardly the most mind blowing thing he has seen since his arrival.
"Well in that case do you think you can take me to Slippy?"
"AFFIRMATIVE." ROB unceremoniously turned and left.
Taking the hint Alexander followed him until he found himself at the frogs door. He was about to thank the robot when he saw it leaving already. With a shrug he dismissed it and went inside.
While Alexander was in Slippy's room Fox was on the bridge talking with Falco and Peppy. He had ordered ROB to take them into orbit so that they could by ready for any new assignments. "So guys what's your take on our newest crew member? I want your honest opinions."
"I think he is a pretty cool guy." Falco said.
Fox looked startled. "Really? Usually you don't have a very...friendly opinion on anyone."
"He seems like an alright kind of guy. Can't I have a opinion that isn't mean?" Falco retorted.
"Okay jeez I was just surprised that's all." Fox defended himself. "So Peppy, what's yours?"
"I don't have problem with him Fox, although we haven't really talked." Peppy threw in his two cents.
"Alright I can understand that." He was about to say more when his wrist beeped. "Fox here who is this?"
"Hey Fox! Care to talk with some of your old friends?"
Fox was confused until he recognized the voice. "Miyu! What have you been up to?"
"Oh you know, a little this and that, oh and say hi Fay."
"Hiya Fox!" The heard a feminine voice butt in happily.
"It's nice to hear from you guys, but for what reason?"
"We were just wondering if we could rally up the old team, for old time sakes." Miyu explained.
"We'd be glad to have you two on the team again. Where are you guys?"
"We can see your ship from here. We're in orbit nearby."
"Well by all means come on in. The bay doors are opening."
"Alrighty Fox see you in a few." The joyous voice of Miyu said before she ended the call.
Fox was smiling until Falco burst his bubble. "Hey Wise guy!"
"What?"
"Didn't you forget to tell them something important?"
Fox had a blank expression on his face. "Like?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact we have a alien from an alternate reality aboard the ship!"
"Ooooohhh yeah."
Slippy's room was for all intents and purposes a workshop. He had bedding and what not, but the rest of the space was taken up by tools, parts, half assembled components, and a plethora of related objects. The toad was sitting among them with his back to the door in front of a table. Unwilling to startle him Alexander made his presence known.
"Hey Slippy."
The toad turned to him. "Hi Alexander what can I do for you?"
"Actually I was going to ask you the same thing."
"Really?"
"Yeah you were interested in my people's technology and I was wondering if you would like to take a look at it?"
Slippy's face lit up "would I!"
"I thought so." Alexander walked over to the excited toad and took the other empty chair alongside.
"What can I see first?"
Alexander took of his left wrist device carefully and laid it on the table.
Miyu was feeling happy as she flew toward the huge outline of the Great Fox with Fay in their Arwings. Soon they would be running with the old crew. "Fey how you holding up?"
Fay, who was flying in the Arwing next to her replied. "Fantastic, I can't wait to see Fox and the others."
"I can't either Fay. It's been to long." They flew into the hanger and landed with the other fighters. They climbed out and met up at the door. "Let's go."
Fox sat in his captains chair with his muzzle supported by his two paws. He currently was trying to solve a conundrum. He hadn't told miyu and Fay about Alexander. Additionally he did not tell him about them. Somehow he was going to have to do this delicately. Before he could hey anymore time to think the doors to the bridge opened and Miyu walked in with Fay.
Miyu was a orange and black spotted lynx. She was the same age as fox (twenty years old). Fay was a border collie with brown and white fur. She was younger at nineteen, she was as old as Krystal.
"Fox it's good to see yah." Miyu said as she walked in and stopped in front of his chair.
"Likewise Miyu so how's it been?"
So the module recharges slowly until it's ready to use again?" Slippy asked. They had spent half an hour going over the design of the device.
"Correct Slippy! You'll be able to make these in no time!" Alexander congratulated the toad.
"You think so?"
"I know so." Alexander replied as he leaned back into his chair. He was unknowingly fiddling with his pendant again. Slippy noticed this and for the first time got a good look at it. It faintly reminded him of some thing, in a moment he remembered.
"Hey about that thing around your neck?"
"What this?" Alexander motioned to his necklace. Slippy nodded. "This was given to me by my commanding officer. It...helps with a certain issue I have."
"Oh...I just wanted to ask because it looks like the thing we found on Aquas." Slippu said innocently. Alexander froze mid lean back and almost fell out of his chair.
"What!" He shouted.
Slippy was concerned as Alexander seemed to be on the brink of a panic attack. "Yeah... Hehe my father's research team uncovered it month ago. It's what allowed us to upgrade out teleport technology.
Suddenly Alexander yanked his wrist device of the table reattached it as his helmet formed around his head. "Slippy we need to go to Fox now!" He yelled voice distorted by his helm. He jumped up and headed for the door.
"Why?" Slippy asked nervously, he was wringing his hands absently.
"That artifact is a marker." Alexander said seriously.
"Well it sound like you guys were busy." Fox said after Miyu and Fay finished filling him in on the last couple of months. "I also have something to tell you guys. It will probably sound crazy but you gotta believe me. You see yesterday a-"
Without warning the bridge doors flew open and Alexander rushed in completely armored with a sword and pistol strapped to his waist. "Fox!" He shouted.
Fox noticed that Slippy was behind Alexander and looked out of breath.
"Who the hell is that!" Miyu shouted before whipping out her blaster and aiming it at the sudden intruder. Fay looked panicked as she clumsily pulled out her own.
Alexander only spared a second to look at them before he ignored them. "Fox!" He shouted again.
"What Alexander? What could be so important that you startled my old friends?" Fox asked angrily.
"You have a marker on Aquas." Alexander said quickly.
Fox felt a blast of cold rocket threw his nervous system. "Oh god!"
"We need to go there now! There might still be time for me to stop it!" Alexander pleaded desperately.
"What's going on?" Miyu asked confusedly. Some random guy in a full suit of armor just bursts onto the deck and started to yell at Fox.
"No time to explain Miyu, Fay strap in. We're going to overcloak the warp drive." Fox ordered.
Still confused they listened to fox and strapped in. In short order fox had called in the rest of the team. "Okay guys listen up. We need to rush now, strap in with Miyu and Fay."
"What's the matter fox?" Falco asked.
"Alexander said there was a marker on Aquas."
"Oh shit!" Falco shouted. Peppy, Slippy, and Krystal looked scared. Alexander was just standing quietly in the corner. He pulled the blade out of its sheath and was sharpening it.
"We are leaving now, ROB overclock the drives and get us there pronto."
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"You might want to sit down." Fox told Alexander. He just stood there quietly not saying anything and continued to sharpen his sword. Fox just shrugged and belted himself into the captains chair.
"INITIATING WARP." ROB said before the entire bridge shook. They all noticed that while they were pulled tightly into their seats Alexander stood their like a boulder in a river unaffected by the uncontrollable burst of g's. After a few minutes the bridge stopped shaking.
"DESTINATION ARRIVAL AQUAS." ROB informed.
Once it settled down Fox left his chair and turned to Alexander. "What do we do now." Miyu and Fay watched still having no idea what was going on. They had been forgotten in light of this new development.
They all watched as he sheathed his blade and returned Fox's gaze through the helmets slitted visor. "I need someone to drop me off wherever the facility is."
"I have to go with you, I can't let you go alone!" Fox protested.
Alexander stormed over to fox and picked up the vulpine by the collar and lifted him off the deck. "No I go alone! None of you have the experience to survive an outbreak! I will not allow you to be killed!" He shouted at Fox before he let him back down. Everyone was surprised at his sudden display of aggression.
"Okay okay calm down." Fox said.
Alexander calmed down a little bit. "Forgive me Fox, but learning that these thing are here as well has me enraged."
"It's alright I understand, but are you serious, alone?"
"I am indeed none of you know what it's like. I could not protect you. Maybe I'll get there in time and stop it before anyone gets hurt, but that's beside the point I need to go now."
Fox sighed in resignation. "I'll drop you off in the blue-marine."
"I'll go with you fox! Slippy chimed in. I know where the site is." Swiftly the trio disappeared. "Okay what the hell Is going on?" Miyu shouted.
"That will take too long to explain. Let's just wait for Fox to get back." Peppy said quietly.
Less then five minutes later Alexander found himself inside a submerged ship going deeper underwater. "This is good." He told Slippy and Fox. "It's underwater this will buy me extra time."
As they got closer to the site it was revealed. The underwater facility was big. About the size of a small settlement. "Are you absolutely sure I can't go with you?" Fox asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes Fox although I greatly appreciate your concern. It will be much easier for me to go alone. That way I don't have to worry about anyone else." Slippy patted him on the back.
"Your really brave, I couldn't imagine doing this myself."
"It's not about bravery Slippy it's about protecting the innocent and avenging my people." The ship docked at one of the many tubes. With a hiss of pressurized air the hatch opened and Alexander stepped out brandishing a large rifle with three blue lights acting as aiming reticles. There was no one to great them unless you counted the unbearable silence. The room Alexander stepped into was empty and dark. Dried blood was splattered all over the walls. "It is as I feared." He said sadly.
Fox and Slippy felt nervous just standing in the hatch's entrance. "Remember if you need us we will be on the ship." Fox reminded Alexander before closing the hatch. Bathing the room in darkness. His only comfort was the built in flashlight on his gun. He stood in silence as he listened to his only way out leave.
Once they were gone he stopped hiding his anxiety. His hands were shaking and he was breathing shallowly. He gripped his rifle tighter for comfort and opened the rooms door and stepped into the pits of hell.