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Shattered: Redux

Chapter V: ...There Is Light

By the light of night, the day becomes...

-Pamela Leigh Richards

The first thing he remembered was the light.

The man correspondingly recalled the weightlessness and extreme cold; it was hard to recollect anything else. He had faint flashes of recent memory, but they were far too jumbled to be of any use, flickers of shadows, images, voices, and bone blades fluttered through his disorientated cognizance as he faded in and out.

But he did know that at some point the weightlessness dissipated and the bite of heat began to thaw his body. He could also hear many panicked voices and the feeling of a cluster of hands lift him off of some hard surface. The man was carried away to someplace that had even brighter lights and a faint beeping noise pierced through his muddled senses. The noise blared quite a few times before it stabilized.

From there he completely faded and embraced the blackness.

**********

A pair of golden eyes shot open and was greeted by a soft white colored ceiling. As they observed the bland color, the owner tried to sift around their brain and pluck memories out of the disorderly chaos. Soon, concrete thoughts began to form and the memories came flooding back.

He had been on the derelict, and he had somehow escaped, although that part was still fuzzy.

Alex slowly rose a few inches and swiveled his head to either side of him, trying to figure where it was he found himself now. He picked out a small bank of machines to his left and a soft beeping persevered in the open air. To his right, was a long row of beds with a similar setup, but he appeared to be the only occupant in the room. All the other cots lay in disuse.

Soon after his sight came back, his feeling did as well. And there was a soft aching pain that persisted, running from a little to the side of his left eye and down to his chin, passing just under his jaw. Curious, he ran a single finger across and felt that the area had been covered in some sort of cotton-like gauze. He felt around the wrapping for a little bit before he returned his hand to his side.

There was another source of pain, on the right side of his throat, and when he did a preliminary observation with his hand, he discovered that the area had also been bandaged in much the same manner. Aside from the other various aches and pains encompassing his body, he appeared to be in good health. And that came as a rather pleasant surprise.

For once nothing hurt.

But of course that did not include emotional pain. He knew that he would suffer from it for the rest of his life, (however long it may be). It would always be there, hovering over him. He was the last, no one else remained. Humanity was not but dust in the wind now, just an ocean of memories contained in a single mind. And when he died, they would be forgotten.

As he sat there on the bed, consumed by depression, the door to the ward whispered open and he lifted his head to see who was entering. And when he identified the blue furred individual that sedately strolled over and took a seat beside his bed, he studied her curiously.

The cerulean vixen was dressed in a dress that was a soft purple color. Her claws and her fur were immaculately groomed and she sat with a dignified poise. It was quite obvious to him now, that she was some sort of royalty.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"I'll live." Alex replied. "Although at the moment whether that is a good thing remains to be seen. What happened, how did I get here?"

"The cruiser we were in recovered you; they found you floating outside of the airlock." She explained as she delicately picked at her tail with her black claws.

He vaguely recalled the events that led up to his rapid exit of the ship. "What sort of condition was I in?"

Krystal became silent for a few moments before replying. "Your helmet had been breached and you were partially frozen when they retrieved you."

"Partially frozen..." He muttered with a faint smile. "That must have been interesting."

"I assure you it was not. We all were rather worried about you." She retorted softly as her muzzle seemed to study her lap as if something thought-provoking sat there."

"Why would you be worried about me? No one knew me for that long. I would hardly call it a travesty if I were to die." He said honestly.

At that she huffed. "It is a travesty if any good life is cut short. And while you may not think that we all considered you a friend, the truth lies in the opposite."

"So you think of me as a friend?" He asked with a small grin, which only irritated his cheek.

"....I do." She said slowly, looking up from her lap and revealing her creamy white muzzle with the glowing blue backdrop. Her black canine lips were curled up into a small smile.

"That's nice, haven't had friends in a long time." He leaned back onto the bed and sighed. "Where are the others?"

"Fox is talking with the General, Falco went with him, and Slippy is with his father. No one thought that you would wake up so soon." She informed as she ran a paw down her thigh, swiping away non-existent dirt.

"So why are you here so early?" He asked curiously.

"I have been around here, waiting for you to wake up." Krystal explained.

"How long was I out for?"

"It has only been a day and a half since you were recovered."

"You waited that long?" He inquired with a surprised expression.

"Of course, it was not that long. And besides, there is nothing really to do here anyways." The vixen shrugged off simply.

His grin returned with full force. "Either way, I appreciate that."

She inclined her muzzle daintily. "Your appreciation is welcomed. Besides, I would be lying if I did not have an ulterior motive."

"And that is?" He wondered.

"I was hoping that you would speak to me of your people. I would very much like to listen." Krystal looked at him intently, her long bushy tail gracefully wagging in her lap.

Alex was honestly surprised to hear that. "You want to know about them?"

"Why certainly." She responded.

"Why are you so interested?"

"No memories should ever completely die. And perhaps in that instance we can help each other." The vixen suggested.

"Really...how would we do that?"

"My people are gone, much like yours."

"Your people are gone?" He asked, confused.

"Yes, I am not from Lylat, but rather from a planet far from here. But it was destroyed and I was the only survivor." She explained; a small hint of pain lingered in her voice, even with such a brief explanation.

He nodded in understanding. "I see, so how can we help each other?"

"It is simple, you will tell me of your people, and I will tell you of mine. And in that way, we both will carry each other's stories." She explained with a flick of her ear.

At that he smiled, well and truly, for the first time in a very long time. "I think that is a wonderful idea."

She returned his smile, and her tail began to flop in her lap much faster than before as she yipped. "Excellent, I hoped you might agree!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and he found the grim thoughts from before fade as he began to recount the tale of humanity, both the good and the bad. He did what he could to remain truthful, but he was no historian, so he recognized that some parts were either going to be incomplete or would be heavily embellished. But that didn't matter to him, what did matter was that he was enjoying himself, for the first time in a very long time. It also occurred to him, that as he spoke, it became not only easier to talk about, but it also helped bring acceptance.

As Alex talked, the hours quickly passed and soon he realized that he had been mouthing for quite some time. He had been quick to correct that, telling her to begin her tale in return. She smiled thankfully at that and quietly cleared her throat before speaking.

As she talked of wondrous things and amazing tales, he became enraptured in her pleasant and smooth accented tone. She spoke of things he could only think were magical and sounded like they belonged in fanciful stories. But not once did he think she was lying, instead he was amazed at what her people were like and found that he felt sorrow at their passing.

Sadly, it seemed all too soon that she paused. "We shall continue this another time, for we area about to have visitors." She declared, moments before Fox, Falco, and Slippy entered together. The trio grabbed chairs and brought them over to his bed.

"Hey, good to see you awake." Fox said with a grin as he sat down.

"And you're chatting up Krystal too eh!" Falco said with a knowing chuckle.

"We were just sharing stories." Alex countered, his face getting heated.

"I thought it was rather pleasant." The vixen added, giving him a smile.

"Either way, it is good to see that you turned out okay. You had us all worried there." Fox cut in before Falco could open his beak again. "It looks like that ship beat you over one."

"That it did, and I am glad that I never have to set foot on it again." He replied. "When is it going to be destroyed?"

"They were going to do it as soon as you were recovered but Peppy managed to postpone it. He knew that you would want to be there." The vulpine answered.

Alex nodded. "I do, I'll have to thank him when I get the chance."

"So, what did you get?" Slippy cut in excitedly.

All they knew for sure was that he had grabbed a holo and a box. And they could not ask him outright, because he would know that they had been watching him through the entire thing. And through all the terrible things that had happened to him. It still troubled them and they wanted to get a few answers from him, but the chance of his incurred wrath for treading into private territory was not worth the risk. So for now they would have to be content in their silence.

"I picked up a few personal things, pictures and the like." He replied before suddenly frowning. "Where is my stuff?"

"Peppy had it placed under guard until you were well enough to retrieve it. You can go get it when they clear you from the hospital." Fox placated him.

Alex sighed in relief. "That's good. Am I on the station once more?" He inquired.

"Nah," Falco replied. "Once they grabbed ya, you were taken to Corneria Medical, the best damn hospital on the planet."

"So we're planetside then." Alex muttered thoughtfully. He had not been on the surface of planet in four years. That was four years without a scent on the breeze, or indeed a breeze in general, or of the wonderful greenery that was life and the open expanses that a ship denied him. "When am I going to be released, and what is going to happen to me?"

He had no idea what lay in store for him. Now that he had what he wanted from the ship, he allowed himself to think about the future.

And it was uncertain.

The man did not know what this new place meant for him. It was a world in which he did not belong, he was never meant to be here. And so now that he was, it remained to be seen what happened and what would become of him.

"Well, the Prime Minister came to a decision yesterday. She is going to allow you to integrate into our society. You will be given an ID, a bank account, a starting credit sum, and the pick of any field of job you wish to aspire to." Krystal explained to him.

That in itself was daunting to him, to be released into an alien society, among the masses of fur and tails. He was fine interacting with these few, but to suddenly find himself propped in a society of living beings, after being alone on a ship filled with nightmares, he felt a great unease stir in his stomach.

Krystal picked up on his unease, without having to resort to her telepathy. She had been in a situation almost identical to his own not too long ago. And while she may have looked the same, she still felt like an outsider. "Don't worry; we'll help you get settled in."

"Yeah, you can count on us!" Slippy backed her up with his trademark enthusiasm.

Falco simply nodded his head and Fox smiled.

With such support the nervousness in his gut diminished to a bearable level. "Thanks, that means a lot to me. It will be hard to adjust, I know it. But I think that I will be able find a place here." He said gratefully as he gave another genuine and rare smile.

**********

It had been a week since he was dismissed from the hospital, and the first thing he had done was go back into orbit and watch as the cornerian fleet bombarded the derelict with high intensity lasers.

He thought that he would be smiling as he watched the hull boil away and every trace of the evil that had plagued him for the majority of his life was annihilated. Instead, he almost broke down on the bridge of the ship he was viewing the destruction from.

That ship was the last physical manifestation of humanity that he would ever see. All he would have left was his armor, his weapons, and the few mementos he almost lost his life to retrieve. Everything else would be erased by the unforgiving red and green beams.

And so as he had watched the fleet methodically incinerate every last particle, a single tear made its solemn and isolated way down his now scarred visage.

His last sojourn into the ship had not come without a physical gift.

He had a nasty healing scar running down his face from where the bullet had whizzed by his skull, leaving a craggy furrow in its wake. It had been close but his quick reflexes had prevented his death, but he had not escaped unscathed.

It would always seek to remind him of what he had lost, every time he looked into his reflection. But at the lease the necromorphs would never again plague him or anyone else. Their infernal malevolence was gone for good.

Or at least that's what he thought.....

For a single piece of debris escaped the systematic destruction, a diminutive and unassuming chunk of rock, that glowed with an ominous red light. As it vanished into the vast blackness of space, it had one motive.

It would once more bring convergence to the unenlightened; they needed to be placed onto the proper path...

Once he thought that his past and most of its painful memories were behind him, he tried to start on his new life.

It was a monotonous undertaking.

He first had to become a registered citizen of Corneria, and all the paperwork that required. Thankfully he had help in that department, Krystal had been kind enough to sit with him and help him, considering that she had done the same before.

Alex was beginning to really appreciate the vixen's presence, she always was there when he needed help and she seemed to be the only one that could truly understand what he was going through. It was nice to find such kinship in this world he now found himself stuck in.

Likewise, the vixen was glad to have someone who she could find a common thread in, even if it was based on suffering. And it was rather nice to have a man who seemed to treat her as if she was not made of glass. In fact the more time she spent with him, the looser she became, throwing off a little of her regal bearing and letting herself try and be just another girl. It was a pleasant change.

In the days after the destruction of the ship and his registration, lylatian society was in a tumult. The news finally hit the airwaves about the massive ship that had been floating above the capital world. Most of it was doctored though. The story was that the ship had arrived in space above the planet with a plea for help. And while the government had done everything they could, only one of the aliens survived.

And in sympathy, they allowed him to live amongst them, so that he could at least have a decent life. Nothing had been released of the deadly necromorph outbreak in the bowels of the ship, or of the means as to which it appeared. And while there where many conspiracy theorists out there, who were actually pretty close to the truth, they were discarded as usual.

It was then that he found himself at an impasse.

Alex was sitting in the office of General Peppy in the CDF headquarters, as the hare talked to him. It was time for him to find a means of employment. And he had a few options.

Leers had requested that he be allowed to run for the 48th commando program, practically any branch of the CDF was open to him. The soldier had expressed that he did not want to change professions; he was a warrior through and through. And while he may no longer have a race of his own to fight for, he was willing to work with the best alternative.

Peppy smiled at that. "I appreciate the sentiment and enthusiasm, and I think that I may just have the perfect solution." The old hare turned from the window and looked directly at the human. "You see, I used to be a member of the Starfox team, but I was getting old and Corneria needed a replacement military leader that was reliable. Now Fox is down a man. You see where I am getting at here Alex?"

The soldier nodded, somewhat comprehending.

"Good, I was wondering, if you would ask to join his team. Fox could use the experienced help, and god knows you have a hell of a lot of experience. And I also think that he would be happy to have you, as would a certain vixen." Peppy chuckled.

"We're just friends' sir, that's all." Alex denied, although his face began to slowly turn a deep shade of crimson.

"Oh I'm sure you are." The hare continued to chuckle. "But either way, I think that this would be the best solution for you. I think it would do you and the others good." Peppy's expression turned serious and he placed a comforting paw on the soldier's shoulder. "You need to learn how to live again son. Remember that there is more to life than just living one more day."

Alex grimaced but nodded. "I get you sir. I'll ask Fox. Perhaps you're right, there is something left for me, even after I lost it all." He smiled as he looked to the hare. "Thank you sir..." He wrapped the hare in a surprising hug. "You remind me of my father, he was a great man."

Peppy smiled warmly and pulled away. "I am honored that you would think of me as so. Now go, tell Fox the news, I'm sure he and the others would be delighted."

Alex backed up and saluted with a beaming smile. "Of course sir right away sir!"

The hare chuckled and saluted before opening the door and motioning for him to walk out. "Just go out there and tell them."

Alex nodded and exited, giving the General one final salute.

He turned from the closed door and walked down the hallway. As he progressed, the cornerians that passed him all waved and greeted him with a cheerful hello, and good-afternoon. He had been here often in the past few days and most of the staff knew him by name. He was somewhat of a minor celebrity now, and he didn't like that one bit.

In response he timidly smiled back and returned the gesture. The man was still a little wary around strangers. He was not used to people walking up happily, not since he had been fifteen.

Thankfully his meager waves seemed to appease them and so they continued on with their daily routine.

Alex entered an elevator and let it take him down to the lobby, it opened and he stepped out, immediately spying his friends waiting for him by the door. He quickly closed the distance to the familiarity he had associated with them. He was far more comfortable when they were around.

"Hey Alex, what did Peppy have to say?" Slippy inquired excitedly. All the others were quite, equally curious.

"He said that there were several positions available for me in the CDF defense force, and 48thcommando division." He informed his friends.

Falco whistled. "Color me impressed man, very few are accepted into their ranks."

Fox and Krystal frowned. "Does that mean you're leaving?" Fox asked, and the cerulean vixen behind him was watching the human with a very worried expression.

Krystal had grown quite attached to Alex, and she felt an odd sense of fear at the thought of him going off and away from her. She began to pick at her clothes and her tail swayed to and fro with obvious anxiety.

"Not exactly, he also suggested another position I could take."

"And what's that?" The vulpine asked.

"Well, he said that this team was down one member and that I should ask you if I could fill that slot. That is if you'll have me?" The human asked, fiddling with his hands and looking up to Fox, showing a surprising amount of worry that he would be rejected.

At that Fox chuckled happily. From what he had seen, Alex was an excellent soldier, and what else, he was his friend. If anyone could join his team it would be him. Besides, he had been ready to ask him anyways, they could use someone that knew their way around a battlefield. "If I'll have you....? Alex, we would love to have you!"

"Yeah, we sure would!" Slippy added with his usual excitability.

"I think that you could be a good team member." Falco muttered. That was high praise from the avian.

All Krystal did was smile widely at him, finding that she was unbelievable giddy at the thought that he would become a permanent fixture in her life.

Alex sighed in relief. "That's great; I hoped you would say yes."

Fox walked beside him and placed a paw on his shoulder, leading him out of the building. "Without a doubt my friend...without a doubt."

Krystal strolled beside the human, her muzzle lifted into a happy grin. She never noticed that her tail had slunk over to wrap around his left arm.

Alex looked down in surprise and kept his mouth shut, instead smiling as he walked out of the building. The massive wave of positive feelings that showered over him did wonders to banish the inner darkness that still festered inside him. He had placed a foot onto the path of emotional healing, and with their help, he would soon become a frequent traveler.