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M** ission Seven: "Extraterrestrials"**

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When General Pepper's inquiry about "extraterrestrials" had been voiced to the rest of the passengers aboard the elevator slowly lowering towards UCDF's ground floor, there was naught but silence for a long time shared between pondering everyone. In the meantime, in his own wise, attentive way, the blood hound commander in chief looked upon his friends, closely studying their quiet reactions to his odd question. For although his question was indeed very mysterious, although the subject of discussing organic life different from that which was known today had been started from out of the blue, it was very important that Star Fox be honest.

For although they couldn't even begin to guess at the moment, the heroic mercenaries team's oncoming mission to Sauria... depended on their point of views towards extraterrestrials.

After having been asked what his thoughts were on alien life, Fox exchanged a curious glance with Peppy who looked just as mystified about the topic. What was there to wonder about?

Regardless of the fact that the age of Lylat was one of traveling through space, aliens were honestly a kind of laughing matter when brought up. Yes, they were thought of as a thing of fiction. Sure, looking at Krystal herself, being somewhat foreign to Cornerian space as a Cerinian, there were acceptations that there were some foreign civilizations out there in the Lylat System not of Cornerian origin; like Sauria's dinosaurs, for example.

However, the dinosaurs of Dinosaur Planet weren't anything to fear nor question. They were relatable enough. They ate, worked as well as cooperated with CDF without complaint.

No, the true example of hostile aliens had been the arrival of the Aparoids several years ago whose home world, thanks to the combined efforts from the Cornerian Military and the genius minds of Corneria's Research Academy all spear headed by Star Fox, had been ultimately wiped out several years ago. Still, during that said war, before the defeat, those damnable alien bugs had put up a devastating struggle for dominance over the known galaxy. They'd destroyed many lives, infected so many machines as well as almost brought the modernized world to its knees when they'd full on - by surprise - invaded Lylat's capital of Corneria.

Nevertheless, despite their power, despite their numbers, Lylat had remained free of Aparoid tyranny. The Lylatian people - brave and true, commoner and soldier alike, worker at home and fighter on the front lines - had valiantly pushed back the bugs along with, for the greater good, removed them from existence. And about that said extinction, maybe some folks - a rare few - had felt bad about destroying a whole species that day.

However, if they'd been given the chance, it was common knowledge that those bugs would have eradicated every Lylatian. That was if, anyhow, they hadn't been stopped at their core; the destruction of their merciless queen.

Without realizing it, General Pepper's simple inquiry about extraterrestrials had set off a kind of mind blowing experience for the members of Star Fox. So many thoughts ran through the heads of the team's leader, telepath, old man, ace pilot, engineer as well support-interceptor pilots. Truly, what were their thoughts of aliens? Did they take the topic seriously or not? Why had the question been asked?

Finally, wringing her hands together, looking uncertain of how exactly to react to the tense occasion at hand, Fay was the first to break the silence in the elevator.

"What do we... think of extraterrestrials, general, sir?" The white poodle girl wondered softly, swaying slightly from side to side on the balls of her feet to give her nervousness something to do, "What? Do you mean what do we, Star Fox, think of aliens?"

"Precisely, my good girl." The general replied professionally, the elevator lowering beyond the fourteenth floor as he went on talking, "Tell me, all of you here, when I ask you about aliens, what goes through your mind? I would like to hear your opinions here and now before I go into details about your oncoming mission."

"Why?" Falco cut in, looking suspicious, "Something's fishy here. What does this have to do with Dinosaur Planet? Are there aliens on Sauria, general?"

"Just answer the question, if you would be so kind." Pepper argued back coolly, not revealing anything but revealing things at the same time with his dodging questions now. At the mention of aliens being on Sauria, he actually avoided Krystal's eyes. "Please, all of you, tell me what you think about the topic of civilizations apart for our own in this universe. Your own questions will be solved in due time but for now, I have some that need solving."

After Falco's question and the general's dodge, with Star Fox feeling increasingly ominous, Krystal glanced worriedly at Fox who took the initiative to keep the discussion rolling.

What was all of this sudden talk about extraterrestrials? What did such a subject have to do with Sauria? As Falco had wondered a moment ago, were there aliens on Dinosaur Planet?

Pepper, being the determined military leader that he was, never talked about anything - even aliens - that wasn't worthwhile. And in the past, Sauria had been visited by an alien species; the aparoids.

Wait... Aliens?... Aparoids?... Sauria?... Oh no!

"General, sir, please, has something happened to Tricky's planet?" Krystal exclaimed before Fox could begin speaking for everyone, "What is this asking about aliens? What does it have to do with the mission of going to Sauria? Have the aparoids attacked the planet again? That can't be! I've been in contact with prince Tricky weekly since those stupid bugs invaded his home world and-"

"Krystal, Krystal, Krystal, take several deep breaths, calm yourself, my dear." The blood hound general instantly reassured, placing a comforting hand upon the a panicking blue vixen's shoulder. His fatherly voice, his calm eyes, his gentle tone of voice, his touch, it instantly did the trick of calming Krystal down. Next, looking stern, pressing a button on the elevator that halted them in between floors five and six, he stated firmly, "Now, I know that my question is an odd on. I know that it is a subject of strangeness. Nonetheless, you heard what I said back in my office. This mission I wish to convey unto you is one of the highest importance if not secrecy."

Standing straight to attention, arms crossed behind his back, looking to each of his friend's faces staring back at him in the elevator, General Pepper said firmly, "And if we are to proceed any further with this meeting... I will hear your thoughts on extraterrestrials here and now, Star Fox. Answer my question. In turn, I will answer yours. I apologize for all of this secrecy. I trust you more than any other organization at this moment. That is why you are here. However, it is for the best that we talk at this moment before you see the nature of the mission I have for you."

There was a pause of silence. Then, chuckling to himself, having been friends with the blood hound since his younger days, the old hare of the team spoke his mind.

"We understand your need for secrecy, general. Especially if it has you doing all of these dances around us, concealing something of a miraculous and revolutionary nature." Peppy admitted sagely, easing the tension at hand, "Heh, you've always had your reasons for doing things your way, old friend. And why wouldn't you be secretive about such a thing as miraculous and revolutionary, hm? You never know where the eyes and ears of the enemy could be."

"Come off it, old man!" Falco angrily snarled next, pushing Peppy roughly, "Why would you say such a thing? Star Fox is Star Fox, not some group of sneaking rats. None of us here are working for any scum over by Venom or Sector Z or anything! I should knock your head in for even mentioning-"

"Falco, stop, it's alright. Peppy wasn't hinting towards any one of us here being the eyes or ears for the enemy." Fox exclaimed, separating the avian from the hare. Next, the leader of the team looked around at the elevator and noticed how all of the security cameras were shut down. Something big was in the works; due to all of this secrecy, this tension, it could be felt in the air. "All of us here in the elevator, we're completely alone. Look, the cams aren't on which means that security doesn't even have vision on us back in the monitor room, you guys. At this moment, General Pepper's trusting us above all others. We've actually vanished off of CDF's radar."

"No kiddin"? Er, well, sorry about that, Pep. Kinda went and let myself get all worked up over nothing." Falco admitted guiltily, looking at the floor.

"There's no hard feelings, my boy. I'm rather quite proud of you." The hare chuckled, dusting himself off humbly, "Hah, why would I be proud of you? Only because you showed your undying loyalty towards your team with such an outburst. It's good to know that despite what we put you through, Falco, you still believe in your team. Truly, good show on your part."

"General, ultimately, we're alone with you right now, no?" Fox next asked of the blood hound, winning back everyone's attention at this, "CDF headquarters is the most secured place on the face of Corneria. Yet, here we all are sitting in this elevator without anyone anywhere taking notice. If it's possible, we're sitting in CDF's blind spot. That's incredible if not unpredicted. You really do trust my team more than anything else in this system, don't you?"

"I do, Fox. Yes. You and your comrades have done the impossible before countless times. You've protected the people that need protecting. You've saved this universe from certain doom not once but a number of times." The general explained, clarifying for everyone his faith in them. The aged canine actually bowed his head as a sign of respect to his friends as he implored, "Which is why I approach you firstly before anyone else... about what needs to be done in Sauria soon."

"And in Sauria, general, sir... Is it truly a big thing?" Krystal wondered, unable to get over her feeling of concern. When the general gave her a comforting look, she got her answer. "No... It's going to be miraculous and revolutionary, just as you keep saying?"

"I will admit, the mission to Sauria I wish to give you all will be not like anything seen before now. It will, without question, be destined to change everything that we thought we knew about our plain of existence." General Pepper admitted slowly, removing his hat, wearily scratching his bald head, then replacing his hat, "Yes, Star Fox, miracles and revolution are bound to come our way in the future. But only if I hear your thoughts on aliens first. Come now"

Things were becoming clearer about this mission to Sauria. The members of Star Fox were beginning to understand that there was something possibly HUGE in the works upon Dinosaur Planet; something that they were apparently worthy of taking on. What an honor. Still, what in Corneria was it that had the general so tongue tied, so secretive, so reluctant to just reveal what he obviously wanted to reveal rather than keep them in the dark?

Once more, what did aliens... have to do with anything at the moment?

Well, there was only one way to find out which was to proceed with the mission update at hand. And to do that, to get on with the mission update, a question had to be answered; a question that, taking in a breath, standing straighter, Fox McCloud was the first to answer as best as he could.

"When I was very little, whenever he would return home from his missions, I remember asking my dad over and over again if he ever saw any aliens during his jobs. Did they have tentacles? Did they have wings? Were they like us? What did they eat? My dad used to humor me. So did you, Peppy." Star Fox's leader gently explained, doing his best to remember the fantastic family man, hero as well as Arwing pilot that'd been his popular father, James. Smiling Peppy looked a bit lost in thoughts, listening to James's son speak of his dad. General Pepper himself grinned at remembering Star Fox's former leader, an old time friend of his. "Heh, I was so little during those days that I believed whole heartedly what my dad used to tell me. He said that there were crab people on Katina, that there were jelly-like personages on Aquas, that there were demons on Fortuna... But none of it was true. During my own years out in Lylat space, I've come to know that extraterrestrials don't exist. They're just fantasies, nothing more."

Fox rubbed the back of his head in a shy kind of way. He must have sounded silly when talking about his childhood like that. However, he looked a bit surprised as well as felt grateful when smiling Krystal reassuringly squeezed his hand in hers. Encouraged by the blue vixen's show of affection, the red vulpine went on explaining, "Either way, whether or not there are such things as aliens, general, sir, the closest example to extraterrestrial life is when you had me save Dinosaur Planet. When you say, alien... I think of Tricky, of the Cloudrunners, of the Earthwalkers, of the Thorntails, of all of the dinosaurs. I think of peace. I think of primitive."

"That sounds about right." Miyu admitted, nodding her head, "I remember that my cousin, a colonist, used to tell me all of the time that there were aliens who were always invisible around us. He convinced me that they didn't show themselves unless we really worked hard at making them our friends. So I worked hard, I behaved, I grew up and learned... that my cousin was a lying jerk and that he'd tricked me into talking to thin air rather than to an invisible alien!"

"Aw, don't worry, Miyu-yu. I suffered right alongside you." Fay chuckled, hugging her best friend who scoffed bitterly, "Because of your cousin and my brother, we both went around talking to nothing until we grew wise to their game. Hey, at least our invisible friends led us to each other, right?"

At this news, at being reminded that her brother's foolishness and her believing in something as dumb as invisible aliens, Miyu pondered to herself for a moment. Then, the feline smiled happily, showing her fangs.

"That's right." The lynx laughed, rubbing her childhood friend's head happily, "I suppose our imagined friends brought us together, didn't they? Thanks, Fay."

"To be perfectly frank, if there is anyone who closely resembles alien ways of life, it is our very own Krystal, general." Peppy softly explained, not meaning any offense towards his daughter of a friend who didn't take it with any hard feelings. For while they'd been around, the tribal, culture rich and tranquil Cerinian people had been quite isolate. Their world had been a mysterious thing to Corneria up to the point of its ruin. It still was, even with its lone survivor having been in Star Fox for the last few years. "Krystal, my dear, you are an invaluable friend, a dedicated warrior as well as a fantastic asset to this team. However, if it is not plain to you already, you have always given off a kind of... foreign air wherever you go. Your beauty, your behavior, everything about you, has been different. Lovably so, don't get me wrong."

"Oh relax, you charmer. Stop with the praises." The blue vixen giggled modestly, hugging her second father figure tightly to help him know that she wasn't offended. Her embrace relieved the hare greatly. "It is no shock that I have always been different in the Lylat system. Every time I pass by Cornerians on the street, heads turn and eyes follow me. Nevertheless, if I truly give off the aura that I am an alien... I feel that I am a welcomed one."

Smiling brightly, turning to look at the rest of her comrades, the sapphire vixen stated, "With Star Fox, I've always felt like a welcomed one. And for that I am eternally grateful."

Yet, where everyone was agreeing that the dinosaurs of Dinosaur Planet and Krystal of Cerinia were the best examples of alien life known in Lylat, Slippy as well as Falco didn't exactly seem to agree. Keeping to themselves, they'd been quiet during all of the talking; with the amphibian wringing his hands and the avian coolly looking anywhere else but at his fellows. There were many thoughts going through the young members' minds. Good? Bad? Only they knew.

Still, never having been a man to miss anything, General pepper noticed the two Star Fox members' silence. With a clearing of his throat as well as nodding of his head, he brought their isolation to everyone's attention next moment.

"Falco. Slippy. What is going through your minds? What do you think of when I ask you about extraterrestrial life?"

"I... I don't know where to begin..." Slippy admitted uncertainly. He looked a little spooked. It was evident that the thought of aliens seemed to frighten the toad.

"Well, I do." Falco stated, acting tough. He uncrossed his arms, balled his hands into fists and began to explain steely, "I admit that the few aliens or close to aliens we've met in our system have been friendly to our civilization. Tricky and his folk are decent enough. Krystal is a fantastic ally and it's a shame that there are no more of her people to call upon. The loss of Cerinia was a punch in the face for Corneria."

"Thank you, Falco..." Krystal admitted, feeling very heartened all of a sudden. Towards her, the avian was getting into a mood rarely seen; appreciative. "Yes, if only things hadn't worked out like they had... I know Cerinia, alongside Corneria, would have proven to be an excellent ally to keeping the peace of this universe."

"Yep. Corneria and Cerinia would have been unstoppable. If that would have happened, perhaps my thoughts on aliens would be a bit optimistic." Falco went on, looking grim now, "Still, there's always two sides to every coin, right, general? Where you may find good aliens, you're just as likely to run into the bad. And when it comes to bad aliens, Lylat got a taste of that when the-"

"Aparoids showed their faces." Slippy interrupted, earning a cuff on the head from annoyed Falco in turn. The bird had been in his element. And of course, the toad had deadpanned him. "Sorry, Falco, sorry, but you're right. General, when you say aliens, I do think of Sauria and Cerinia but... it's the aparoids that stand out the most. They were, well, evil. They were destructive, heartless, relentless, cruel along with so much more. They didn't listen to our truces or words. They went on attacking us like... like they wanted us removed from existence."

"That's because they did want us gone, Slip." Falco clarified, knowing his words were true, "But we beat them to it first. We stomped them under our heel before they could."

"That's what scares me though, Falco. One of our species was destroyed in the end. A whole entire civilization was destroyed because we couldn't get along." Star Fox's engineer admitted, looking increasingly pale. It seemed the destruction of the aparoids had left a certain mark on the toady. Krysta, wanting to help him, hugged Slippy from behind and he, at feeling her presence, calmed enough to go on voicing his opinion. "Yet, what was all of the fighting about? Why did those bugs want us gone so badly? What was the point of all of the loss of life, all of the torn worlds, all of the shattered families?"

When Fox looked to explain like Falco that the bugs couldn't be reasoned with, Slippy exclaimed sagely, "Yes, yes, the aparoids were evil. I know that, but why? Why couldn't they have been like Krystal of Tricky? Why couldn't they have listened to us and made peace? If there are aliens out there... are there other space faring civilizations just like the aparoids? And if we meet them, will we have to kill them before they kill us? Ooh, that's so scary. My head is hurting."

"What Slippy is trying to say, guys, is that aliens can either be a blessing or a curse unto this universe." Falco rather wisely explained, earning nod from his amphibian companion beside him, "I hate to sound harsh but where we got lucky with Krystal and Tricky, we didn't when we met the aparoids. And heck, who even knows if we really did beat those bugs for good. As far as I know, bugs are the trickiest things to kill. Where one survives, it can breed a million more before you realize-"

"Please, Falco, my boy, there is no need to erupt into a political debate over who destroyed who and what hasn't happened since the aparoid war." The blood hound general cut in gently, causing the rambling avian to cease his building up lecture. As he swiped his card again in the elevator panel, as the elevator began to lower itself down past the ground floor and even ventured underground next where lights blinked on around Star Fox, Pepper spoke his mind. "I appreciate your honesty, all of you. You have shown me that you know many a thing about what I asked. You are aware that although it's something of a myth to the general public, there have been such things as alien life in our system. Some, such as Sauria, have been good. Others, like the aparoids, have proven to be bad."

There was a moment of quiet where the general dusted off his outfit, straightened his hat as well as cleared his throat. Once finished in doing such, looking to each face around him, he explained professionally, "During the days of the first ever space run of Corneria where colonists were venturing to the first established colony on the face of Katina, the topic of aliens was a major if not feared topic on everyone's minds. Our space faring race was so young then. We were so unfamiliar with the stars, the planets, the void around us. Hell, heh, where we can teleport there today, it took about fifty-odd years for a colonial fleet filled with frozen colonists in cryo chambers to venture from our capital world to Katina."

"Where the idea of meeting an alien struck many children as grand, though, their parents were more than against the idea. And it was that attitude, apart for our lack of tech then, which had been the cause of the slow rate of space pioneers. Venturing out into the universe to locate new, habitable areas for our ever growing populace to fill wasn't exactly something exciting when no one knew what to expect around every nook, every corner, every turn." The general spoke to his friends of something they hadn't thought about. His wisdom cranked their minds into gear, "The darkness of space... what was hidden there? Were the theories about advanced civilizations watching over us true? Were they still watching us then as we'd colonized Katina, founded Aquas, seized control of Fortuna?"

General Pepper allowed everyone to think about their peoples' past, to think about the days of Lokien Mi'gard where Katina had been the next frontier for Corneria to conquer, to think over how no one had known then like they did now... that there were no such things as extraterrestrials watching them from some untold part of the universe.

Truly, it must have been a bit scary then, venturing off of your home world into the emptiness of space to begin a new life on a small colony out in the middle of what had been uncharted territory; the newest planet of Katina. Still, in the end, everything had turned out alright. Indeed, everything was fine these days.

"In due time, as we moved on from Katina to Fortuna and even landed for the first time on Fichina where we established the weather control base, the Cornerian people came to accept the fact that there was no one in Lylat apart for themselves. Truly, by the time our ancestors reached the snow planet, they should have met an alien - another sentient being - by then." Pepper admitted, looking humored, "So, for the last few centuries, the term _extraterrestrial_has been treated something of a joke, fiction, not to be believed in. Even after the arrival of the aparoids and their destruction, it's something that hasn't ever been taken seriously."

There was another pause of silence where everyone in the elevator thought to themselves. Then, General Pepper sighed something that made his fellows freeze in place, "For there hasn't ever been a need to take aliens seriously... not until now, anyhow."

Not until now? Wait... what in Lylat did that mean?!

"General, sir, my old friend, what exactly is it that you are saying?" Peppy questioned softly, trying his best to keep up with the conversation taking place. He was used to surprises, mind. His years of piloting an Arwing in combat had filled him with shocks. His experience with surprises had saved him when Pigma had betrayed James to Andross. Still, this surprise in question... it had even made the hare's heart stop for a second. "You've never been one to bring up topics of nothing, general. There is a reason that we're talking about extraterrestrial life at this moment, isn't there?"

"Didn't I say it earlier?" Falco cut in, smirking, "Cough it up, general. Just say it. There are aliens on Sauria, right? Right."

There was a very tense moment that seemed to go on forever in the elevator still lowering itself deeper, deeper, deeper underground towards the Restricted Floor.

Then, clearing his throat again, the blood hound general said, "The reason that our people have never found a vastness of aliens in this system is because there are none. We, Lylatians, occupy this portion of the galaxy. This is our home. Yet, commonly known, the galaxy is a big place and this universe of ours is only one of many. No, the reason we haven't met another space faring race... is because we never thought about the other galaxies. Not until a month ago when one clearly made itself known to us."

Shock. That was the shared experience felt throughout the members of Star Fox who dumbly looked at each other.

Had they just heard right? Had the general just admitted that for the first time in known history, Corneria had made contact with another space faring civilization from another galaxy?! If so, who were they?! How were they; good or evil?! Most importantly, how had the contact been made?!

By the gods, it was becoming clear to the mercenary team now why this discussion was one of the highest secrecy. Such a thing as Lylat making contact with another galaxy was truly a miraculous if not revolutionary indeed.

The only question was... what did Sauria have to do with anything? What was this mission that General Pepper had in mind for Star Fox?

"General Pepper, do you mean to tell us that Lylat has communicated with another system and was answered in turn?" Peppy questioned, looking thoroughly dumbstruck, "What do you mean a month ago? Is that when the contact was made?"

"Rather, old friend, from what I've gathered and heard during the course of this last month since it occurred, it was not Lylat that tried to make contact with anything or anyone. It was another system entirely that made contact with us. Unknowingly but plainly, if you will." The blood hound explained, doing his best to keep his friends focused on the subject rather than have them lose their minds at the impossibility being talked over, "My friends, I know it is hard to believe what I'm saying but truly, Lylat is no longer alone in the space race. How I know this I cannot put into words. It would be too much for even me. However, I can show you through numerous resources, videos, people. Come."

The elevator, after having hummed downwards for the last twenty tense minutes, finally came to a gentle stop. Turning away from his friends, the general stepped up to the doors as a panel with buttons flipped out. He tapped out some button orders, had his eyes scanned, then stated the motto of the CDF when asked by a female, robotic voice for authorization; "Lylat deserves peace. Lylat deserves prosperity. Lylat deserves a future. I am the warrior that will keep the peace, bring prosperity and give my universe a future."

"Welcome General Adam Isaacson Pepper." The robotic female voice welcomed, "WARNING: You have several unknown identities with you. Please, name them and explain the reason for their presence."

"These unknown identities are members of the Star Fox Team. I authorize code X66YL71HNL5. They are cleared to enter the area with me." The blood hound, like the leader he was, stated swiftly if not boldly.

There was a moment of quiet where everyone didn't do or say anything. They actually took to glancing at each other, not sure of what to expect in this Restricted Area coming up. What was really on their minds, though, was the fact that they were being included into this project; a project that would no doubt forever be known in history as "First Contact" in the books were Lylat first made contact with an unknown universe.

Funny enough, no one on Star Fox knew how to feel about this. They'd faced wars, enemies and plenty of crazy stuff before. But this... this was definitely going to be newer than new for them to handle.

What exactly would they be handling though? What role would they have to play in this revolutionary event? What kind of impact could they, a mercenary team, make?

"Authorization confirmed, General Pepper. Please, proceed at your leisure." The female robot of a voice finally concluded, allowing the elevator doors to slide open and let out the nervous passengers, "Please, enjoy the rest of your day."

Where the Star Fox team emerged into from the elevator was a perfectly clean, white hallway where there were - every few feet - heavily armored as well as armed guards standing to attention on either sides. Everything here in the Restricted Area was utterly silent. For good reason too.

Unknown to the rest of civilization, the highest tech, prototypes of capable weapons, breakthroughs in science, medical improvements, all of it was in the works in this underground stronghold. In the numerous sealed off, sound contained chambers everywhere that read Testing Room 2A or 56B or 1C. Either way, it was none of these doors or rooms that General Pepper silently led his friends to. After several minutes of silent walking, he in fact brought them to the Chamber labeled 34E where they hesitated outside for a moment.

"As I said before Star Fox, I trust you all more than anyone or anything else in this system. I've watched you do the impossible time and time again. What I have to ask of you soon, what mission I will be sending you on to Sauria... there is no one else I believe who could do anything better than yourselves." The blood hound general explained outside of the door of 34E, pressing buttons to open the chamber, "As you have gathered up to this point, as I just revealed, Lylat made contact with another space faring system a month ago. What that could mean for our people is... up for debate still. However, with what I've learned of this first contact during the last month, I will be honest, I have high hopes that this will not be another aparoid occasion."

"That's a... relief. At the moment, anyway." Falco admitted slowly after exchanging a slightly relieved look with Slippy, "There's still a lot of time left for things to change though."

"Ugh. Don't talk like that Falco." The amphibian quoted, shaking his head worriedly, "I have enough making my head ache without hearing stuff like that."

"Unfortunately, Falco speaks true. Which is why, here and now with utmost haste, I am bringing in the best of my friends and acting accordingly before anything changes for the worst." The general explained, opening the chamber door and gesturing for his allies to step inside, "For now, though, first contact has turned out to be promising."

"Sir, if all of this first contact stuff happened a month ago, if it has to do with Sauria... why were we, Star Fox, not alerted immediately rather than now?" Krystal questioned softly, feeling worried for her friendly dinosaurs, "That's, well... It's ridiculous!"

"I am sorry about that, my dear, but... for the first time in a long while, CDF did not know how to proceed with the situation." Pepper admitted, taking everyone by surprise, "Not until now, anyway, which will be explained when you go inside here and the meeting gets underway. And do not worry yourself, Krystal. Although it is the planet of interest, Sauria is safe. I promise you that."

General Pepper wasn't someone who made false promises. He was a man of his word and if he said Sauria was safe, then it was safe. His explanation over having kept this whole event a secret from Star Fox for the last month was understandable also. "First Contact" with a whole new world wasn't exactly something that happened every day, you know. It had only taken thousands of years on Corneria's part to reach this revolution of communicating with another universe.

One way or the other, curious to know what was going on, overcoming their uncertainty, the members of Star Fox entered the chamber of 34E with the general entering behind them.

As the door of the said chamber slid shut, everyone took in that they were standing in a professional, expert looking meeting room colored all white with a long table at its center. There were more than a dozen chairs around the described table. And in some of those chairs were a number of people, both familiar and new. People whom the blood hound general began to introduce before the room exploded into a storm of happy, surprised greetings.