Star Fox

                      by Theodore P. Perrotti
----------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING:  This story has been written and posted free of charge
solely for entertainment purposes.  Star Fox, Fox McCloud Jr, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare,
Slippy Toad, Venom, Corneria, Fara Phoenix, General Pepper, Andross, and all other principle
characters, places, and other indica created by Nintendo are TM and copyright (C) 1993 Nintendo
of America Inc. Used without permission.

     Vessic and all other characters, places, and other indica  created by me, Theodore P. Perrotti,
are copyright (C) 1996 Theodore P. Perrotti. (However, feel free to use all of this story's
characters, events, and places as you wish as long as you abide by the conditions described in the
next paragraph.)

     This story may be redistributed, stored, or archived in any
way just so long as it is unaltered, this entire disclaimer
remains with it, and such action is taken free of charge.  In
short: DON'T SELL OR ALTER THIS STORY!  Also, please ask my
permission before using any of my creations (any characters or
events I've created) and give me credit.

     Parts of this story were based on characters, places, and
events in both the Star Fox video game and the Star Fox comic
which appeared in Nintendo Power.

     This story has also been influenced by the "Star Trek: The
Next Generation" episode "The Defector", as well as the movie
"Star Wars" and the TV series "Babylon 5".

     Those of you who are familiar with the comic and the
backstory established in the game's instruction booklet will
probably notice that, in some places, my version deviates from
the "cannon" version presented by those sources.  I tried to keep
the basic story intact, and made only changes that I felt would
result in a better story.  You can think of this story as an
alternate version of the events that led up to the attack on
Venom.  I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor.

WARNING:  Recommended for mature readers only.  Contains some
adult subject matter.  (Seriously, this story is darker than its
predecessor, Star Fox: Armageddon)

     I welcome your comments.  Please e-mail them to me at
author@galaxycorp.com.
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     Chapter 14: The Trials of War

     Fara Phoenix was glad to be on duty again.  After the McNare's destruction, she had been
temporarily assigned 
ground duty on a starbase until her transfer to a new ship went through.
     Now she stood aboard the battleship Celeste.  Like before, they were patrolling the
Federation border.  However, Fara noted, that border was now much smaller than it had once
been.  It was with a sense of uneasiness, then, that she first noticed the ship as she passed by a
portal.  It was a small craft, though it was travelling far too fast for her to make out any detail.  It
seemed to be headed right for them.  Her curiosity aroused, she headed toward the docking bay.
     "What's going on?" she asked one of the docking bay workers as the bay doors started to
open.
     "Apparently one of our guys was able to escape from Macbeth.  We picked up his distress
signal a couple minutes ago."
     Fara watched as Slippy's ship touched down.  The Commander of the Celeste walked in
just as the amphibioid disembarked.  She followed the Commander toward him, curious to hear
exactly what had happened from one who had actually been there.
     "Sgt. Toad, welcome aboard the Celeste," the Commander greeted Slippy.  "We're glad
you made it through that ordeal."
     "I-I'm glad I m-made it, too, S-Sir," Slippy added, only now realizing just how exhausted
he was.
     "You must be tired after all that," the Commander commented, politely ignoring Slippy's
stuttering.  "I'll escort you to sick bay.  Then, once we're sure you're all right, I'll see about
making
arrangements for a place for you to rest."
     "I-I'd appreciate that, S-Sir," Slippy replied.
     Just then, a voice came over the Commander's hand comm.  "Sir, there's a priority message
for you from the Federation Head Council."
     "Alright.  Tell them I'm on my way."  The Commander then turned toward Slippy, "I guess
someone else is going to have to..."
     "I'll take him to sick bay, Sir," Fara offered.  "I just got off duty, anyway."
     "Lt. Phoenix.  I didn't see you there.  Well, all right.  Lt. Fara Phoenix, this is Sgt. Slippy
Toad.  Now, if you'll excuse me, it's not a good idea to keep the Council waiting," the
Commander
said, walking toward the door.
     Fara motioned toward the door with her paw.  "Follow me Sgt."
     They walked out the door and started toward sick bay.  Fara wanted to ask him what had
happened, but wasn't sure how to begin.  Talking to people she had just met had never been easy
for her, at least not in a non-command situation.
     Finally, she decided the direct approach was the only way to go.  "Just what happened
back there?  If you don't mind my asking."
     "N-no.  I d-don't mind,"  Slippy replied.  He yawned, and then proceeded to tell her what
had happened.
     After he had finished, Fara looked at him for a long moment.  Then she said, "At least the
Lizards didn't get their hands on Macbeth.  That couldn't have been easy for you to do, though."
     "W-what?" Slippy asked, suppressing another yawn.
     "Blowing the station when you didn't know if there were still other SpaceForce personnel
there.  They teach us how to deal with situations like that at the Academy, but I hope that I never
have to make a choice like that for real."
     "It was hard," Slippy conceded.  "I hope I never have to make a choice like that again."
     They talked that way until the end of Slippy's examination.  After the examination, the
doctor thought it best that Slippy remain a short while for observation.  Seeing as how he didn't
have much else to do at the time, Slippy got some well-deserved rest in one of the sic bay beds. 
Fara went to her quarters.  
     "In fact, we just came across a second survivor of the takeover of Macbeth," the
Commander explained.  He was speaking over the comm unit in his quarters to ensure maximum
privacy for the message.
     The brisk voice of General Clarkson came through the air.  "Good.  I'm glad at least some
of our people got out of there.  So far, none of the others have been seen or heard from.  Have
you been able to find out from them just what happened back there?  What caused that explosion
we picked up?"
     "Perhaps.  Sgt. Toad was very tired from the ordeal.  I thought he'd be able to provide
more coherent information once he'd had a little rest.  The other survivor, a Sgt. Gazek, said that
all he knows is that the base was ordered destroyed by the Base Commander."
     "Where is Sgt. Toad now, Commander?"
     "One of my people took him to our sick bay for a complete physical," the Commander
replied.  "He's probably still there."  Then, anticipating the General's next question, he added, "I'll
talk to him about the incident myself as soon as he wakes, Sir."
     "You may have to do it sooner than that, Commander," replied
the General.  "That explosion has caused much tension around here.  The base was surrendered
unconditionally.  That means without resistance."
     "With all do respect, Sir, handing that base over to a madman like Andross would have
been suicide.  Much of our 
ship-building equipment was there.  If he were to get his hands on that technology...,"
     "That he's a madman is exactly why there should have been no resistance!  He's holding all
the cards right now and there's no telling what he might do if he feels he's been cheated!" replied
the General excitedly.
     "He already has impressive technology, General!  We'll never stop him by giving in to
appease him.  If I had been in command of that base, I'd have blown it to Hell, too!"  the
Commander replied.
     "Enough!" screamed the General.  Then, more softly, he said, "Do you know what has
been going on throughout the Federation?  People have been rioting against us!  They're
frightened.  They're afraid that if this fighting isn't ended soon, they will be destroyed!  This
fighting must stop and no one, including you or anyone on Macbeth would help any by adding
fuel
to the fire!  Now, find out what happened and then report back to me before Andross strikes
again
in retaliation for this fiasco!  Is that clear?"
     "Aye, Sir," replied the Commander.
     "By the way," Clarkson added, calmly this time.  "I'm going to send a transport ship for
Sgt. Gazek.  Perhaps we can find something out you haven't been able to."
     "Why not let us question Sgt. Toad then transport them both simultaneously?  That would
be simpler."
     "I have my reasons.  Now please make the preparations for the transport.  Oh, and don't
tell Sgt. Toad or anyone else about Sgt. Gazek if you haven't already.  That's an order.  Clarkson
out."
     WHY NOT?  The Commander headed slowly toward the door.  It was going to be a long
day.  HOW'D THAT GUY EVER GET TO BE A GENERAL, ANYWAY?  Throughout the
fighting, the Federation had tried without success to negotiate a peaceful resolution with Andross,
and had even promised to use its resources to either restore Venom or help the Lizards to find a
suitable new home.  These offers he had flatly rejected, saying that he doubted the Federation's
sincerity.  
     The Commander agreed that a peaceful solution would be best, but Andross had already
proven that impossible.  Impossible because he was driven by something that could not be
satisfied
in peace.  To the Commander, it seemed, that that 'something' had nothing to do with the Lizards
or Venom.  To Andross, it was personal.  Besides, he was winning.  Why should he negotiate?
     The people didn't want to anger Andross, and the Commander could understand that. 
Andross could snap at any time.  It seemed that he grew crazier and crazier with each passing day. 
But, handing everything over to him was not the answer.
     After making the arrangements for the transport, the Commander set about his next task. 
When the Commander reached the sic bay, he saw Slippy sound asleep on a bed.  He hated to
wake him, but this couldn't wait any longer.  He had to know what had happened.
     The Celeste was in space for several more days after that, and during that time Slippy was
questioned several times about what had happened on Macbeth.
     Then, after once again speaking with General Clarkson, the Commander told his crew to
expect another small transport ship and a contingent of fighter escorts.  He gave the information
as
if he wished he didn't have to.
     Slippy, who was now staying in temporary quarters, walked around wondering why the
SpaceForce hadn't yet given him a new assignment and why he was constantly being asked, nay
interrogated, about Macbeth.  It had only been a matter of days since the destruction of Macbeth,
but Slippy wanted desperately to return to duty doing something to keep his mind off of what had
happened there.  Unfortunately, he was being forced to relive those events over and over again. 
The Commander had given him some temporary duties here on the ship, but hardly the level of
responsibility that he had grown accustomed to.
     Suddenly, there was a noise outside his door.  Slippy looked up and said, "H-hello?"
     Then, the door opened and three officers rushed in.  Slippy
froze when one of them pointed a blaster at him.  One officer stood several feet away from Slippy,
ready for action.  The third quickly moved in behind Slippy and pulled his arms around back of
him, then placed them in binders.
     "Wh-what's g-going on here?" Slippy blurted out.
     The officer holding the blaster on him replied, "Don't move... Sgt. Slippy Toad, you're
under arrest for treason!"
     Behind him, Slippy could see the Commander standing in the hallway, shaking his head.
     Chapter 15: An Eye for an Eye...

     "You were warned not to resist!" Andross screamed.  "I'd advise you not to break any
more agreements with me, or I will destroy you!"
     "Really, Andross.  You didn't seriously expect us to just give up one of our bases, did
you?" Kao replied calmly, trying to downplay the importance that that particular base had held for
the SpaceForce.
     Fox glared at the screen, wishing that Andross had been on that base when it went up.  The
only reason he wasn't fully out of his mind right now was his gratitude for the fact that Slippy had
made it out alive, though many others weren't so lucky.
     The Ambassador, who had been listening in from Titania, now spoke up.  "You can rest
assured that we are not taking this event lightly, Emperor.  The matter is being investigated, so I
urge you not to take drastic actions that we'll all regret."  Personally, part of him agreed with what
had been done on Macbeth.  However, the other part of him knew that Andross was dangerously
unstable, and that any provocation could result in deadly retaliation.  So, he had to be cautious.
     "An investigation is not enough!" Andross screamed.  "Many of my men died because of
the dishonorable actions of one of your officers.  I want him!"
     "Since when have you cared about honor, Andross?" Fox challenged, glaring at Andross.
     "Oh, I care, Lieutenant," Andross replied, his voice now filled with repressed anger.  Then,
he suddenly broke off contact.
     "Try to re-establish contact," Kao ordered, glaring at Fox.  No answer.  "Are there any
signs of activity by Andross' troops?"  Kao asked one of his officers.
     "No, Sir."
     "Contact all border stations and have them maintain continuous surveillance.  I want them
to report directly to me hourly on an encoded frequency, priority message protocol."  WELL, AT
LEAST HE DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ATTACKED US OUTRIGHT.
     Someone then tapped on the Ambassador's (he was still in contact with Corneria) shoulder
to get his attention.  He turned and was handed a message.  His face crinkled up into a scowl as
he
read it.  He then put the message down, took a deep breath, and chose his words carefully.
     "One of the surviving members of the Guilford crew has just been arrested for treason." 
He announced.
     WHO'S BEEN ARRESTED?  Fox thought.  "Who?" he blurted out.  He was out of order,
he knew, but he didn't care.  General Kao glared at him, but said nothing.
     Not noticing the General's dirty look, Fox once again prodded, "Who was arrested?" 
     The Ambassador saw the worry and anger in Fox's eyes and said uncomfortably, "Sgt.
Slippy Toad.  A team of security personnel on board the Celeste was apparently performing a
routine investigation of his fighter's computer's communication logs in an investigation of the
destruction of Guilford when they came across some messages encrypted in what appeared to be a
code used by the Venom lizards.  They then called the Security Council and the ship was taken to
the Security Council's headquarters for further examination.  They found the code to be the same
one used in several messages intercepted from Venom.  Only, these messages were addressed to
Andross' ships and were in Cornerian."
     "What exactly did the messages say?  It seems unlikely that a sergeant would have access to
much sensitive information,"  Kao replied.
     "The sender identified himself only as the Commander.  The messages contained, among
other things, the remote access codes for the early warning transmitters that were destroyed and
the abort destruct code for Guilford."
     "And Guilford oversaw the operation of that early warning system," Fox noted flatly. 
"Someone there would have known the
access codes.  Someone, but not Slippy.  After all, as General Kao said, he's only a sergeant!"
     "He could have been a courier of some sort for someone else on Macbeth," the
Ambassador noted.
     That was all Fox could take.  He had been seething ever since the start of the conversation,
but this was too much.  He had to get out of there.
     The General took one look at Fox's face and told him to be in Kao's office in 5.2 minutes,
then dismissed him.  Fox stormed out of the room.  Out in the hallway, Fox once again heard that
annoyingly smug voice in his head.  SO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MCCLOUD.  JUST
THOUGHT I'D CHECK IN ON YOU AND SEE HOW YOU WERE DOING.  IT'S BEEN
SUCH A LONG TIME SINCE WE LAST TALKED PERSON-TO-PERSON, AFTER ALL.
     "Get the $&*%*! outta' my head, you maniac!" Fox cried.  He was so angry that he tried
to take a swing at Andross even though Andross wasn't really there.  In so doing, he almost
punched a passing Private right in the head!
     The Private saw the blow coming and ducked out of the way.  He flashed a startled look at
Fox.
     Fox, with the voice gone now, calmed down and realized what he had done.  "Sorry,
Private," he apologized.  "I thought I saw a... really big bug.  I hate bugs."  Fox cringed slightly
when he heard himself say that, and then walked away.  The Private just stood there with a
stunned look on his face.
     Fox didn't know what he could do to help Slippy, but he knew he had to help his friend
somehow.  He felt that Falco should know about this as well, and he'd rather Falco hear it from
him than from someone he didn't know.  So, as Fox entered his quarters, he took out his hand
comm to give Falco the bad news.  He then turned around and shut the door.  Once he was
certain
that they would not be overheard, Fox activated the hand comm.
     "This is Lt. Fox McCloud with a personal message for
Sgt. Falco Lombardi on Starbase Alexus,"  Fox spoke into the comm unit.
     Fox heard nothing for several seconds, then Falco's voice answered casually.  "Fox, long
time no hear.  What's up?"
     Fox got right to the point.  "Slippy's been arrested for giving SpaceForce secrets to
Andross."
     "You're kidding!  That's crazy!"  Falco exclaimed.
     "I wish I were kidding," Fox replied.  "Apparently the Security Council found some top
secret SpaceForce data on his ship's communication log, indicating that he had transmitted the
information to Andross."
     "When did this happen?  Why didn't I hear about it before now?"  Falco asked, justifiably
angry.
     HELLO AGAIN, LT.  I JUST THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT I'VE
ARRANGED A SMALL DEMONSTRATION OF JUST HOW MUCH I CARE.  YOU WILL
SEE IT SOON.
     "See what?" Fox asked no one in particular.
     "What was that, Fox?" asked Falco, bringing Fox back to reality.  "Are you OK?"
     "Oh, yeah...  I'm fine.  Anyway, it only happened a little while ago, so I guess it hasn't been
announced publicly yet,"  Fox explained, too upset and confused himself to even attempt to calm
Falco. "I just found out about it a few moments ago from a Federation ambassador."
     "When's the trial?" asked Falco impatiently.
     "I don't know!" said Fox, speaking a bit louder than he wanted to.  Then, calming himself a
little, he said, "As I said, it just happened a short time ago.  A trial date probably won't be set for
some time."
     "They holding him on McCallah?"  Falco asked.
     "Probably, though there's been no official word on that yet either," Fox replied.  "I'll let
you know when I find something out for sure."
     Falco sighed.  "And I'll let you know if I hear anything, too.  I just wish I knew where he
was now, so I could go see him or at least talk to him.  He probably could really use some friends
right now."
     "I know," Fox answered.  He started to sign off, but then one more thing came to mind. 
"One last thing, Falco - Don't do anything stupid over this,"  Fox warned.  "One friend in jail is
more than enough."
     "Funny.  I was just about to tell you the same thing," Falco replied, sounding deadly
serious.
     "Fox out," was all Fox said as he deactivated his hand-comm.
     Then, Fox's thoughts returned to Andross' words.  A DEMONSTRATION?  WHAT
DOES HE MEAN?  DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SLIPPY?
     Fox's questions were soon answered.
     On Venom, Vessic put down his communicator and turned to face Andross.  "The
prisoners are in position and the cave is sealed off.  But, just what do you plan to do to them?"
     "You'll see momentarily," Andross assured him.  "Have the containers been put in with
them?"
     "Yes," Vessic replied.  I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS.  BUT,... NO.  HE
KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING.  "If I might ask, Emperor, just what is in those containers?"
     "Just a little something I whipped up for situations like this.  You need not concern yourself
with it," Andross replied calmly.  He then turned away from Vessic, and thought, I'M MERELY
DOING WHAT MUST BE DONE, MY FRIEND.  I ASSURE YOU OF THAT.
     That strange feeling of invasion returned to Vessic's mind.  "Of course, Emperor."
     "General Kao," Andross announced on the main view screen.  General Kao turned to face
the image of the large ape and spoke.  "To what do we owe this honor, Emperor?" 
     "You owe it to unfinished business.  Now, where is 
Lt. McCloud?  I really wanted him to see this most of all."
     "I'm here, Andross," Fox said, walking in from the corridor.  "I thought you'd call back
eventually.  Now, what's this 'demonstration' you mentioned?"
     "Demonstration?" Kao mouthed to Fox.  However, Fox's attention was totally focused on
the viewscreen.  Kao made a mental note to have another little talk with Fox after Andross signed
off, then focused his attention on the viewscreen as well.
     The view switched to a group of prisoners.  Fox recognized most of the races as being
native to Federation planets.  Fox was, at first, surprised to see a Venom Lizard among them. 
Then, he remembered and understood- Almost fifteen years earlier, a small group of Lizards had
fled the fighting on Venom.  They came to the Federation in search of a better life, and eventually
managed to gain full citizenship in the Federation.
     Unfortunately, the Lizards that had remained on Venom had come to regard them as
cowards, as something less than Lizards.  And now, one of them was among the captives of those
Lizards.  But what did Andross have in store for them?
     As everyone watched nervously, Andross began to speak once again.  "As you can see,
there are a great many people here, sealed in one of Venom's many underground caves.  There is
one being there for every one of my men lost on Guilford."  He then held up a small remote
control unit.  "In with them are several canisters filled with a deadly poison.  Once inhaled, it kills
in a matter of seconds, though it will seem like hours to them.  Once I press this button, that
poison
will be released by those canisters, killing all inside.  Next time you want to cross me, don't!"
     Fox knew he had to speak up.  "Andross, you don't have to do this!  If this is about what I
said earlier..."
     Andross cut him off.  "This is about Guilford!  This is about obedience!  Nothing else!"
Andross screamed, pounding on the button.  At once, the gas began spewing out of the
containers. 
Fox heard several screams of agony, and saw many drop to the ground... never to rise.  The
Lizard, having been bred for war, held out longer than most of the others, but went in the end. 
Fox and the others could only watch in stunned silence.
     Vessic, unnoticed by Andross, turned to bolt out the door.  He just couldn't let this happen. 
But, as he turned, the screams stopped and he heard Andross announce calmly, "It is done."
     He then looked at Andross' viewscreen.  Through the poisonous mist, he could make out a
group of figures lying on the ground, motionless.  He quickly turned away, and ran outside for air
as if he had been suffocating.
     When he got outside, he was reminded of how much his people needed a new home. 
Andross was their only hope, right?  But did the ends justify the means?  
     Vessic's doubts were now more profound than ever, and he wasn't sure how much longer
he would be able to hide them from Andross.  Indeed, they probably would have been disclosed
when Andross pushed that button, had Andross not been so distracted by the SpaceForce.  He
was
going to have to make some very difficult choices.  And the first step, he felt, would be to actually
talk with their prisoners (in secret, of course).
     Vessic looked out toward a clearing and, remembering a day more than eight years earlier,
wondered if he had made a grave error.
     Chapter 16: Friends in Need

     Fox wanted to be there for Slippy, and he was soon presented with an opportunity to do
so.  It was now about six months after Slippy's arrest, and Slippy's defender was interviewing
possible character witnesses.  While he knew that the burden of proof was on the prosecution, the
Counselor had seen the damaging evidence they had against his client.  More importantly, he
knew
that the judge was not perfect, and thus might be swayed by personal feelings about treachery.
     Indeed, the other side had a strong case.  Slippy's own ship's records contained top-secret
information, information that he never should have had (but could have obtained if the 
second-in-command were in on it with him, and he wasn't alive to either confirm or deny that). 
And, Slippy's being a fighter pilot stationed at a base so near the border between the Federation
and the Lizard's space made him an ideal courier.
     He would be just the one to do the dirty work for whoever was in charge.  Much of the
SpaceForce's ship development was done at Guilford.  If the Lizards knew that, they would want
the base intact.  So, if someone were to activate the self-destruct mechanism on that base, a
double-agent could have both the incentive and the knowledge to deactivate it.
     Also, the ship's logs showed Slippy leaving Macbeth ten minutes before Slippy claimed that
he restarted the sequence.  That gap would have given Slippy plenty of time to abort the
self-destruct and then leave the station to make it look like he thought that the self-destruct was
still
activated.
     Under most circumstances, that evidence would merely have been damaging.  But, in the
atmosphere of McCarthyism that had pervaded the Federation since the beginning of the apparent
information leaks, it was all but damning.
     He knew that bringing into question the prosecution's evidence would not be enough.  He
also needed to show the judge that Slippy was simply too loyal to the Federation to betray it.  To
that end, he had Fox, Falco, Darla, Peppy, and several other friends and acquaintances of Slippy's
summoned to McCallah to testify on his behalf.  
     Fox arrived first, with the others arriving soon thereafter.  There were crowds of people
milling around, asking questions.  It would seem that the Security Council was as intent on
making
this trial a public affair as they had been on keeping Andross' trial a secret.  Fox looked at the
spectacle around him with silent disgust.  Everything he had heard about Slippy's arrest thus far
told him one thing: the Federation would do whatever it had to to find his friend guilty.
     The Federation public had already learned of the problems the SpaceForce was having
with traitors, and the Federation was looking for a way to assure them that the situation was well
in
paw.  From what had been going on ever since Slippy's arrest, Fox figured the Federation felt
certain that Slippy would be convicted and punished, and wanted to use the trial to convince the
people that they were in control.  Slippy had been vilified by the media, which had portrayed him
as the traitor who had gotten caught.  Slippy was expendable to the Federation, a fact which
infuriated Fox to no end.
     However, Slippy needed him to be calm right now, so as to lend credibility to his
testimony.  As Fox walked away from his ship, he was approached by a reporter.
     "Are you Lt. Fox McCloud?"  the reporter asked.
     "That's what it says on my uniform," Fox replied simply and kept on walking.
     Keeping pace with Fox, the reporter then asked, "Do you think that the charge against Sgt.
Toad could be true?"
     Not wanting to start a conversation, Fox simply replied, "No comment."
     Not ready to give up yet, the reporter sped up his pace and stepped in Fox's path.  Fox shot
him an icy glare that told the reporter that he was treading on very thin ice and best not pursue the
matter any further.  So, the reporter quickly stepped aside and let Fox pass.
     Frustrated, the reporter called after Fox, "Fine then!  I'll just have to find Sgt. Lombardi
and get what I need from him."  Fox stopped and turned to face the reporter.  "Yeah.  You do
that.  I'm sure Falco'll give you more than you expect," Fox said in a quiet voice.  Then, he turned
around and continued on his way.
     For the first several days of the trial, the prosecution presented the evidence against Slippy:
the records from Slippy's ship... and the testimony of an eye-witness, a survivor of Macbeth.
     Fox looked around the courtroom to see who was in attendance.  The Council had allowed
the public in, as long as they didn't cause a ruckus.  Sitting beside Fox were Falco (who had been
walking on eggshells ever since an incident with a certain reporter soon after his arrival), Peppy,
and Darla (who looked as if she were in the middle of a bad dream), and 
Dr. Katts, a computer expert that Slippy's defender had hired to examine the computer on Slippy's
ship to find any evidence of possible tampering.  Sitting amongst the crowd behind them was
someone Fox recognized as Sgt. Pepper (who apparently had gone on furlough) and someone else
that he recognized as being the Federation's chief negotiator with Andross.  There was one other
there whom Fox knew he had seen before, but couldn't remember where.  Slippy, Fox noted, was
sitting nervously two rows in front of him.
     Then, Fox's attention returned to the trial as the prosecutor began to question his key
witness.  "Sgt. Grey," the prosecutor began as the court watched with keen interest, "Tell us
exactly what happened on base Guilford at the time in question."
     "Well, the Commander announced over the comm system that the base had been
unconditionally surrendered to the Lizards, but that he was going to destroy it rather than let it
fall
into their hands.  He then ordered us to evacuate."
     "And where were you at this time?"
     "I was in Command Central trying to fix a malfunctioning circuit board in the planetary
door controls,"  said Grey, flashing a quick glance at someone in the crowd.  "I knew that people
might not be able to get out of the blast range in time if we didn't open the doors before ships
started taking off.  So, I stayed and tried to fix them.  I had to be sure the doors would open."
     "Was there anyone besides you and the Commander in Command Central when the
Commander started the countdown?"
     "No.  We were alone at first."
     "You say you were alone at first.  When were you not alone?"
     "About a minute after the countdown had started, I saw 
Major Dael, our second-in-command, come in.  The commander had locked the door
electronically before starting the countdown so no one could get in.  But, Maj. Dael must have
known the override code, because he had no trouble opening the door," Grey said, once again
stealing a glance at the crowd.  "Once he was inside, he simply drew his blaster and shot the
Commander in the chest!  He then turned his gun on me.  I wasn't armed, so I got up and tried to
grab him, but he knocked me back against the wall.  I was dazed for a minute or two, and he
must've thought I was dead or something, because he completely ignored me from that point on. 
I
saw him move over to the control panel and key in something.
     That was when I saw Sgt. Toad enter.  He looked around the room, then walked toward
the Major.  The Major saw him and gave him an angry look.  Sgt. Toad then asked whether the
countdown had been stopped yet, as the audible countdown was no longer sounding.
     Just about then, I was able to gather enough strength to get up again.  I then started back
toward them as quietly as I could.  I managed to get within a foot of Sgt. Toad before he saw me. 
I grabbed for his gun.  The two of us struggled for it, and the gun went off, hitting the Major.  He
fell...dead, I think.
     Anyway, Sgt. Toad and I continued to struggle for the gun.  One of us must have
inadvertently switched it from kill to stun, because it went off again and hit me.  But, I survived.  
Sgt. Toad must have escaped while I was unconscious, because he wasn't there when I woke up."
     "He probably thought you were dead and wouldn't be any more trouble," the Prosecutor
stated.  "Please, continue."
     "When I woke up, I heard a groan from somewhere behind me.  I got up and looked over
to where the groan had come from.  I saw the Commander pointing toward me.  He wanted me to
come closer.  So, I did.  He was barely able to give me the destruct code before he died,"  Grey
said, and then bowed his head.
     "Do you know what time it was when Maj. Dael entered Command Central?"
     "It was 0610 hours."
     "How long after that did Sgt. Toad enter the room?"
     "Objection!" yelled the Defender, standing up.  "He was in no mental condition to judge
time!"
     "Let me re-phrase my question," the Prosecutor replied.  Then, to Grey, he asked, "Do you
know at what time Sgt. Toad entered Command Central?"
     "Yeah.  It was 0615 hours.  I saw it on a display near where I was lying."
     "And his own ship's records indicate that he took off from the station at 0635 hours, plenty
of time for him to struggle with you and get from Command Central to the hangar.  Correct?"
     "Yes, I guess so," Grey replied.
     The questioning went on like that for many days, with the prosecution calling witnesses and
Slippy's defender
cross-examining them.  Through most of it, Slippy sat silently.  The only reactions from him that
Fox noticed were an angry glare at Grey and a long gaze into the crowd behind Fox.  Just who he
was gazing at, Fox didn't know.
     Finally, it was the defence's turn to present their case.  The first witness called to the stand
was Dr. Katts.  "Doctor, is it true that you were one of the original designers of the 
M-class fighter's computer system?" the defender asked.
     "That's true," she replied.  "I was part of the original project team.  And I've been working
with it, trying to improve it, ever since."
     "Then it's safe to say that you know the system well."
     "Yes, it is."
     "Exactly how is a message recorded in the ship's communications log?"
     "As the message is either sent out or received by the ship's transmitter, it is converted to a
series of electrical impulses which are then passed through a translator device which converts the
impulses to written text.  The text is then permanently stored in the computer's memory for later
review for security purposes."
     "Now, I'm no pilot, but it seems to me that all the messages received or sent by most pilots
would fill up the computer's permanent memory rather quickly."
     "That's true.  Once every three months, the data is automatically transmitted by the ship's
computer to a database here.  After that, the messages are allowed to be overwritten by new
messages.  Even then, some messages can remain intact on the ship's computer for up to a year. 
The ship's permanent memory is surprisingly large."
     "I see.  I believe you maintain that database.  Correct?"
     Dr. Katts nodded.
     "Still, that's a lot of information, even for the most powerful computer," the defender
continued.  "Has it ever been necessary to delete older messages from your database in order to
conserve system resources?"
     "Sometimes we've had to do that.  Yes."
     "So, these messages can be accessed by some people.  Can they be edited while they still
reside on the fighter's computer?"
     "If you mean changed, anything's possible if you know how."
     "If a message were more than three months old, could they still be edited, or perhaps even
created, on the fighter's computer?"
     "It's possible."
     "And, could the same message then be planted in your database, making it look as if the
message had actually been sent?"
     "Yes, I suppose it could be."
     Then, it was the prosecutor's turn.
     "Doctor, you mentioned that someone could edit a message stored in a ship's
communications log 'if they know how'," the prosecutor started.  "I assume you were referring to
some security feature built in to the computer system?"
     "Correct.  The system was designed to be nearly impossible for anyone, save someone with
Top Level security clearance, to get into," Dr. Katts announced proudly.  "And even if anyone
were able to hack into the system, there would be certain markers left in the changed messages to
reveal that illegal access."
     "You and some of your colleagues inspected Sgt. Toad's ship's computer system for any
such signs of illegal access," the prosecutor stated.  "Did you find any signs?"
     "No, but we weren't able to..."
     "In your opinion," the prosecutor interrupted, "was the log in Sgt. Toad's ship accessed
illegally?"
     "No.  I don't believe it was."
     "Also, hadn't you been asked to investigate a series of transmissions that had been sent
from Macbeth to Andross' forces several months before Macbeth's destruction?"
     "I'm afraid I can't answer that question in public."
     "No matter.  I'm satisfied with what you've told the court."
     Doctor Katts was then dismissed from the witness stand on the condition that she remain in
the area in case she was needed
again.
     The judge heard testimony from Fox, Falco, and Peppy after that, and then called a recess. 
Fox got up to stretch.  As he did so, his gaze fell on Slippy, who was being placed in restraints by
a couple guards.  Fox sighed.  Falco, who was standing next to Fox, was fuming inside due to
frustration over his inability to help his friend.  Fox noticed Slippy once again staring intently
toward one of the members of the "audience", and followed his stare to its recipient.  It was the
same man that had seemed familiar to Fox earlier.
     A few hours later, Fox and Falco approached the Defender, who had just finished
consulting with Slippy.  "How is he holding up?" Fox asked.
     "Pretty well, considering what he's going through."
     "If only we could talk to him ourselves," said Falco, smacking his claws together in
frustration.
     "Unfortunately, witnesses aren't allowed to talk to defendants," the defender explained. 
"However, there was something he wanted me to pass on to you- He thinks that one of the men in
the audience was stationed on Macbeth at the time of the incident.  He doesn't know the guy's
name."
     "Another survivor?" Fox questioned.
     "Possibly," replied the defender.
     "Which one was it?" Falco asked.
     "Middle row, center seat."
     Thinking back for a moment, Fox realized that that was the same man he had recognized. 
It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.
     "Thanks," said Fox, grabbing Falco by the arm as he quickly walked away.  They were
going to find some answers.
     Before looking for this mysterious person, Fox and Falco sought out Peppy's advise on the
matter.  "Did Slippy say where exactly he knew the guy from?"
     "Only that he may have been stationed on Macbeth," Falco replied.
     "It could be merely a coincidence.  Perhaps he just looks like someone on Macbeth,"
Peppy noted.  "If he was stationed on Macbeth and survived the explosion, I would think that we
would have heard something about him in connection with the trial.  After all, there were very few
survivors."
     "Also, I think I recognized him from somewhere," Fox chimed in.
     "You did?" Falco asked, amazed.
     Intrigued, Peppy asked, "Where from?"
     "Like Slippy, I'm not sure," answered Fox, shrugging.  "He just seems familiar to me."
     "Well, chances still are that it's a coincidence," Peppy considered.  "But, the only way to
find out for sure is by finding this man and asking him.  I suggest we look for him before the trial
resumes."  Then he added, "And remember...If he is connected to this trial in any way, he may not
want anyone to know who he is.  So be careful."
     "If he tries anything, I'll be ready," Falco assured him.
     Saying nothing, Fox and Peppy walked down the hall.  A moment later, Falco did so as
well.  "I suggest we spread out a little," Fox advised.  "We don't want him bolting before I can
talk
to him.  I'll wave my paw at you if I see him."
     With that, the trio fanned out so as not to appear to be together.  Fox carefully searched all
those around them visually to attempt to spot the man.  Nearly an hour later, Fox still had had no
luck.  It was beginning to look hopeless.  The man they sought could be anywhere on the station,
if
he hadn't left the station, that is.
     Then, Fox saw him standing by a corner.  He quickly waved his paw at Falco and Peppy,
who were still following him from a distance.  Fox walked up to the man casually, pretending not
to see him.
     Then, as Fox walked by him, he looked toward the man and turned to face him.  "Excuse
me.  Hello.  I'm Fox McCloud," Fox greeted, all the while taking in every detail of the man.  Yes,
this was the man he had recognized.  "I saw you in the courtroom earlier and could swear I'd seen
you somewhere before.  Have you ever served on Corneria?"
     "No, not that I can remember," the man stated coolly.  "Why do you ask?"
     "No reason.  It's just that that's where I'm stationed and I thought maybe I'd seen you
there."
     "Well, obviously you're mistaken.  The closest I've been to Corneria is Papetoon."
     "It must've been rough, what with Andross being right on Papetoon's doorstep and all,"
Fox noted.  "By the way, what's your name?"
     "Sgt. Bolz.  Now, if you'll excuse me, Lieutenant.  I've got to be going."
     Falco watched nervously as Fox talked with Bolz.  Falco wanted a shot at the guy himself
and just couldn't wait anymore.  He started moving forward quickly.
     "Oh.  Just one more thing..." Fox started, but he was interrupted by some commotion
behind him.  He turned around to see what had happened.  Falco was pushing his way through the
crowd hurriedly.  On the other side of the hall and a little in back of Falco, Peppy likewise was
running forward, wearing a disgusted look on his face.  Fox quickly turned back around and just
caught a glimpse of Bolz as he quickly rounded a corner.
     (%^(%%!!! thought Fox as he tore off after Bolz.  Around that corner, Fox saw at least a
dozen security guards running toward him.  One guard grabbed him and held him still.  Fox didn't
resist.  Soon Peppy and Falco were also seized, though (despite Fox's hinting) Falco didn't go
quietly.  Fox glared slightly at Falco as they were taken to a room to be questioned.  What they
had
been doing chasing a guy around the station was going to be difficult enough to explain, let alone
why Falco had resisted a security guard.
     Fortunately, none of them had been armed at the time and no one could seem to find the
guy they were running after (so there was no one to press any charges against them), so they were
let out in time for the trial to resume.  After a full background check on each of them had revealed
nothing, the matter was dropped.  
     Fox, Falco, and Peppy were now more determined than ever to find out who Bolz really
was and what he seemed to be hiding.  Every moment that they weren't in court, the three of them
used what clearance they had to try to find out anything they could about him.  They asked
around
McCallah and contacted their other friends, but no one seemed to know anything about Bolz. 
They knew they might have better luck if they had a picture of Bolz, but he had made himself
quite scarce since their encounter in the hallway.  They also looked up his official records with
help from one of the base computer operators, but found nothing to suggest a connection between
him and Slippy's predicament and nothing to explain where Fox and Slippy had seen him before, if
indeed, they had seen him before.  According to those records, Bolz never served on Macbeth or
Corneria.  There was only one thing they could think to do-contact the Commanders of the bases
Bolz had supposedly served on and verify that he had indeed served there.
     One day, Fox, Peppy, and Falco were walking down the hallway when Fox saw Grey
being led down the hallway by a couple men.  Fox shot him a cold, steely look.  Grey merely
looked away from Fox.  As he passed by, a piece of paper dropped from his webbed hand to the
floor by Fox's feet.  A sudden glance from Grey toward the paper piqued Fox's interest.
     Fox quickly picked up the paper and they left to find a more private place to read it.

"Please do not be angry with me.  I know that the SpaceForce will probably punish me somehow
for destroying Macbeth, but that punishment will pale in comparison with whatever Gazek would
have done to me had I not cooperated.  Look at the records for a 
Sgt. Gazek.  He made me do it."

     Peppy then called in a few favors and got them a look at Gazek's military records.
     "That's him," Fox commented, pointing at the picture on Gazek's profile.  "That's the guy I
saw in the courtroom and in the hallway."
     "The man that identified himself as Sgt. Bolz?" Peppy asked.  Fox nodded in reply.
     "According to this," Peppy noted, "Gazek didn't serve on Corneria, but did serve on
Macbeth as a member of the Engineering staff.  He was serving there when the base was
destroyed.  He was shot by a Lizard while trying to escape, but managed to get to his ship, take
off, and transmit a call for help before he died.  His ship was later found adrift by a civilian trading
vessel."
     SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THEM, he thought, watching them from his
hiding place.
     Late one night, after the court had been adjourned for the evening, a figure approached
one of the base's computer consoles.  Once he was settled in in front of the machine, he looked
around to make sure no one had noticed what he was doing, and then started pushing the buttons
on the console.  After about five minutes of entering security codes and answering questions, he
managed to gain access to the remote-access program.  He typed in a request and waited a few
seconds until the screen read "Permission Granted-remote connection established-
Lt. Fox McCloud, Jr."
     The docking bay was relatively quiet at the time, and 
Sgt. Pepper was preparing to depart for Sogno, one of Fortuna's moons, where he had been
staying during the trial.  As he walked toward one of the ships, he noticed that there seemed to be
an unusually large amount of light emanating from the cockpit.  He  then checked the name on the
hull to see whose ship it was.
     "Lt. Peppy Hare.  One of the trial witnesses," he said to himself.  Then, he called one of
the engineers on duty over to him.
     "Is there any maintenance being done on this ship?" Pepper inquired, pointing to Peppy's
fighter.  "The control systems, perhaps?"  Pepper inquired.
     "Not that I'm aware of,"  the amphibioid replied.  "I'll have to check the logs to be sure. 
But, as far as I know, it's just being kept here until Lt. Hare leaves.  Why?"
     "There just seems to be a lot of activity going on in that cockpit for a ship that's 'just being
kept there'," explained Pepper, pointing toward the canopy.
     "Hmmm.  I see what you mean," the amphibioid replied, noting the blinking lights.
     The two of them walked over to the ship.  Pepper waited while the amphibioid brought
over a boarding ladder so they could take a closer look.  Pepper climbed up the ladder and opened
the canopy.  He peered inside, zeroing in on the main computer display, which was showing what
looked like a bunch of messages.  Some of them made sense, while others seemed to be total
nonsense.  Pepper thought he saw something on the screen change, but wasn't able to confirm that
before the screen went blank and the entire computer shut down.
     "You see anything?" the amphibioid asked.
     "Yeah," Pepper replied, climbing back down.  "Looks like someone was accessing the
ship's logs.  Then, suddenly, they shut the whole system down.  Have a look for yourself."
     The amphibioid climbed up and took a look.  "It's down, alright, just as it should have been
all along.  It could have just been the regular automatic upload of messages.  If the ship's
computer's inactive when the procedure starts, it starts the computer, uploads the information,
then
shuts the computer back down again."
     "I'm not so sure," Pepper replied.  "I've been in the cockpit myself during several of those
uploads.  For the last thirty seconds or so of the upload, the display stays the same while the
Council's computer tests the integrity of the transmissions.  This time, I think I saw something on
the display change just before the shutdown.  I'm not sure what changed, but something did."
     "Then, maybe you'd better tell the security chief about this.  It could be important."
     "It just might be at that," Pepper agreed.  "Could you check those logs first, though?  I
don't want to disturb him with a false alarm."
     "Sure."
     Sure enough, the ship was not scheduled for any maintenance.
     About forty minutes after Pepper had contacted the security chief, he was recounting the
event to the security chief, the defender, and the prosecutor.  The chief had felt it important that
both counselors know about an event that might have an effect on the trial, and so had summoned
them both immediately after Pepper had told him what he had seen.
     "About a minute before Sgt. Pepper called," the security chief, a tall, thin Avian, explained,
"I received an anonymous tip that I should check the logs of the ships belonging to
Lt. McCloud, Lt. Hare, and Sgt. Lombardi.  I was told that I might find some important
information there."
     "Do you have any idea who might have given you that tip?" Pepper asked.
     "The message was delivered in person, however, my view of the individual was obstructed
by a wall and they disguised their voice.  So, I don't know who it was who conveyed the message. 
However, I am duty-bound to take that message seriously, regardless of who might have
delivered
it.  I was about to act on the tip when you called."
     "This messenger obviously doesn't want anyone to know who he is," noted the defender. 
"I'm curious why he chose to risk contacting you in person, rather than just calling you on your
comm unit."
     "He might not have had a comm unit," the security chief theorized.  "There are many
non-SpaceForce personnel here because of the trial.  Also, every time someone in the SpaceForce
uses their comm unit, it emits a tone that the base's computer uses to identify the caller.  This
information is then recorded in the computer's memory, as happens with a ship's communication
system.  That record could then be used to identify them."
     The next day, the trial resumed.  Fox, Falco, and Peppy had been told of the previous
night's events by the defender.  As the trial proceedings started, Fox sat down, wondering what
would come of this latest development.  He knew that he had nothing to hide, but something
about
this trial had seemed suspicious to him all along.  On the outside, he appeared cool and collective,
but on the inside he felt very unsettled by recent events.  Falco was much more obvious about his
apprehension, constantly shifting his body in his seat.  Peppy, for his part, showed neither fear nor
any other emotion.  Fox was unsure whether or not Slippy had been informed, and Slippy had
been unusually stoic since the trial started.
     The results of the examination of the three ships' logs were not yet known, and the
anticipation was killing them.  Pepper walked in, scanned the room, and then sat down in the same
seat he had sat in every day.
     But, as fate would have it, their wait for the results was soon at an end.  Soon after the trial
proceedings had started, the security chief walked in and nodded to both counselors, indicating
that
the examination had been completed sooner than expected.  The defender was the first one to
speak.  "Your honor," he addressed the judge, who had been informed of the examination soon
after it had started, "This man may have the results of the examination."  He indicated the security
chief.  "May we talk with him momentarily?" he said, indicating himself and his colleague.  The
judge hesitated momentarily, then replied, "I'd like to hear what he has to say as well. 
Counselors,
Chief, please approach the bench."
     Fox watched the three of them approach the bench and waited nervously while they talked
among themselves.  Several times, Fox caught himself tapping his foot and stopped doing so, only
to resume his tapping once his attention had shifted back to the discussion that was taking place in
the front of the courtroom.  Falco was now fidgeting more than ever and looked about ready to
explode.  Even Peppy's normally calm, reassuring face didn't seem quite so calm now.  Slippy
simply looked on with a gaze of confusion.  Then, after what seemed to be an eternity, the group
broke up.
     The two counselors returned to their places and the security chief exited the courtroom. 
The judge then declared, "This court stands adjourned until noon tomorrow."  He then got up and
left.  Fox looked at his friends in confusion, but they were just as baffled as he was.  WHAT'S
GOING ON?  Fox wondered.  The defender motioned for them to follow him while Slippy was
being taken back into custody.
     Once they were outside of the courtroom, the defender took Fox, Peppy, and Falco aside. 
"The results are in.  Meet me in my office in two hours and seven minutes."
     About two hours later, the three of them entered the office.  The defender, who was sitting
at his desk reviewing (via computer) the examination results, saw them and got right to the point. 
"Something was found in the communications logs of each of your ships," he said.  "Encoded
messages like those that were found in Slippy's.  In fact, many of the messages were identical to
those found in Sgt. Toad's log, and they all contained information labelled top-secret by the Head
Council.  Information which could explain several SpaceForce defeats if it fell into Andross'
hands. 
Matching messages were then found in the Security Council's database.  The prosecution intends
to press treason charges against the three of you immediately."
     There was a stunned silence for a few moments, then Peppy spoke up.  "This would seem
to suggest that we're passing the information along using some sort of relay system.  Who were
the
messages supposedly relayed to?"
     "The messages found in your ships' logs were all relayed either from your ship or Lt.
McCloud's to Sgt. Lombardi's.  Then, they were relayed from Sgt. Lombardi's ship to Sgt. Toad's,
and from there to one of Andross' ships."
     Fox could see Falco beginning to shake with rage.  Peppy, on the other hand, was too lost
in thought to notice.  "The relatively short transmission range of M-class fighters would explain
the
need for a relay, and someone would be less likely to be caught transmitting the messages that
way
than he would transmitting them from a base.  He could... hide it in a legitimate message to
another pilot.  After all, the encoding process would make the message sound like static and look
like garbage, making it unrecognizable to all but those who know what to look for.  And Slippy,
being very close to the front, could pass the message on to a Venom pilot during a dogfight."
     "You're not helping!" Falco told him under his breath.
     "If we're being set up, then we'd better figure out how it's being done!" Peppy replied.
     Falco turned away, saying nothing, so Peppy returned to his analysis of the situation.  "The
only thing I don't understand is why any pilot would send top secret information that way when he
knows that all his transmissions are being recorded?  That would be suicide!"
     "Not if he thought the code was unbreakable," Fox replied flatly.  "The prosecutor could
say that we thought we wouldn't get caught because no one would recognize the code."
     "But, someone did recognize it.  Whoever did this probably put the messages in a code he
knew had recently been cracked and then put our names on them.  A nice little frame-up," Peppy
contributed.
     "They'd also have to have known or have been able to find out where each of us was
stationed," Fox continued.  "Only then could they have determined the most logical relay order:
from Peppy or myself on Corneria to Falco around Titania, then from him to Slippy on Macbeth. 
From there, it's just a short trip over to the Lizard's side of the border."
     "But why would he make it so complex?" Falco asked in exasperation.  "Why not send the
message from base to base, or directly from Corneria to Venom?"
     "He may want to get us all out of the way, Falco," Fox said, feeling a little impatient
himself.  "Broadcasting the message from Corneria wouldn't involve you or Slippy at all.  Besides,
most messages sent to bases can be seen by anyone.  The more people that see an encoded
message, the more likely it becomes that one of them will recognize that code.  And a direct
transmission from any of our bases to Venom would require such a high power level that the
transmission would be easily detected.  No one would ever believe either of those scenarios."
     "A better question to ask is, if Maj. Dael was supplying Slippy with the top-secret
information, then why would Slippy need us to relay it to him?"
     "Several of the messages found on Slippy's ship and all those found on your ships
contained information that could have been obtained by someone on Macbeth, but would have
been more easily obtained by someone on Corneria," the Defender supplied.
     "So, Slippy could have gotten some of his information from Dael, while he got the rest
from us through the relay," Fox concluded.  "Seems whoever did this thought of everything,
including using information that could be used to indict more than one person."
     Before long, Fox, Peppy, and Falco were arrested and taken
into custody.  Fox was worried about a lot of things, but most of all about Falco.  He recognized
the look on Falco's face.  An ironclad stare at nothing in particular that usually meant that Falco
was about to lose his temper.
     Then, as they were being led to their cells, it happened.  Falco let out an almost primordial
scream as he swung around and slammed his two bound claws into the guard walking to his right. 
The guard fell to the ground, stunned.  "We've been set up!  Can't you see that, you
#^&#@&!!!'s!," Falco screamed, straddling the guard.
     Fox looked at him, shocked at his madness.  Never before had Fox seen Falco lose his
temper this violently.  Out of the corner of his eye, Fox could see a guard taking aim at Falco with
a blaster.  Fox threw himself at the guard, knocking him
off-balance and knocking the gun loose.  As it lay on the floor, the guard reached for it, so Fox
struck him with his shackled paws, knocking him unconscious.
     "Falco!" yelled Peppy.  "Stop it now!  This isn't helping!" 
He sounded just like he had on that night so long ago after Fox had interrupted Falco's chicken
match.  Falco looked into Peppy's eyes and saw the eyes of authority.  Not official authority, but
authority of a parental nature.  He stopped fighting and allowed himself to be restrained.
     Now guarded by reinforcements in addition to the original contingent, they continued on
toward the cells.
     Slippy stood up as Fox and the others were led in and put into cells.  "Wh-what
happened?!" he asked.
     "Hiya Slippy," Fox greeted.  "We finally found a way to get in to see you," he replied
matter-of-factly.
     And so, Fox, Peppy, and Falco were charged with treason as well.  Though their alleged
crime was intimately related to Slippy's, the judge decided that they should be tried separately but
concurrently, so as to avoid any miscarriages of justice.  They would have their own trial before a
different judge.
     So, a new judge was chosen to preside over their trial, a lawyer was appointed for them,
and a trial date was set in record time.  The Federation, it seemed, disliked having four traitors
among its officers even more than it did having one, and was doing anything it could to get rid of
them as quickly as possible.
     "Judge Cessa's presiding over the McCloud trial," he said.  "I'll have to pay him a visit as
well."
     Slippy was faring no better in his trial.  As if the odds hadn't been against him before, three
of his character witnesses had just been arrested as accomplices in the crime he had been charged
with, severely damaging his case.  Damaging his case, and leaving him wondering if somehow he
hadn't pulled his friends down with him.
     While Slippy's trial dragged on, the lawyer for Fox and the others found himself with only
one real hope for his clients (in light of all that had happened).
     One day, he proposed this hope to Fox and the others.
"Plea-bargain?" Fox asked incredulously.  "Why?  We haven't done anything!"
     "It doesn't matter what you have or haven't done," he replied.  "The only thing that matters
is what I can prove, and right now, all the evidence points to you three.  And that little incident on
the way to the cells didn't help, either."  He then took in a deep breath and looked straight at
them. 
"Normally I wouldn't say something like this, but I think someone with many powerful
connections
wants to be sure you're found guilty of treason."
     "Like they're doing to Slippy, as well," Fox replied.
     "My guess is they want the spies found so it'll all be over with.  A spy ring is more plausible
than a single spy.  Perhaps you made the wrong person nervous somehow, so now that person's
using their influence to get rid of you," guessed the defender.
     "Can't you ask for a mistrial, then?" Falco asked.
     "Not with just a theory," the lawyer explained.  "I've been trying to build grounds for a
mistrial, but whoever wants you to disappear has covered their tracks masterfully."
     "What about Gazek?" Fox asked.
     "So far, that's proven to be a dead end.  As far as I can tell, he's dead.  But, I'll keep
trying."
     "But we have neither the clearance nor the computer knowledge to obtain the sort of
information found in those messages!" Peppy reasoned.
     "Perhaps someone you were working with did," said the lawyer, playing the devil's
advocate, "And, according to your records, you all know your way around a computer. 
However,
they may reduce the charges against you if you name the one who's been providing you with this
information."
     "We can't name the guy because he doesn't exist!" Falco yelled.  "And he doesn't exist
because we didn't do it!"
     The lawyer could see no other options.  But still, they refused to let him plea-bargain.
     And so, the trials continued.  Pepper sat in disbelief.  The trials seemed so rushed.  Barely
any time had been taken to examine the possibility that the logs on their ships might have been
forged or altered.
     He had approached the judges of both trials about what he had seen in the docking bay,
but both of them had dismissed his testimony on the grounds that he was not an expert on fighter
computer systems!  Unfortunately, there was no higher court in the Federation than this, so there
could be no appeal.
     Two trials or not, Pepper felt sure that someone saw this as one trial to get rid of all of
them.  Why that person wanted to get rid of them, Pepper couldn't even guess.
     Pepper had only met Lt. McCloud and Lt. Hare a couple of times, and had never before
met Sgt.'s Toad and Lombardi.  However, he found it hard to believe that either Lt. or one of
their
friends would betray the SpaceForce.  Lt. Hare was an especially respected officer, still only a
Lieutenant because he was well known to do what he thought was right, no matter what bigwig
might want him to do otherwise.  That knowledge and Pepper's strong sense of justice brought
him
to Sgt. Toad's trial and Lt. McCloud's, Lt. Hare's, and Sgt. Lombardi's trial as well.
     Before long, Slippy sat in the courtroom as the judge revealed his fate.
     "Will the defendant rise," requested the judge.  "I find Sgt. Slippy Toad guilty of treason
and banish him to the planet Papetoon for the rest of his natural life.  Any attempt to leave the
planet or return to Federation space will be punishable by execution."
     Some time later, that scene was practically repeated.  Only, this time there were three
defendants found guilty.  Fox, Falco, and Peppy rose at the judge's request.  Fox looked one last
time for Bolz, who had been curiously absent from their trial.
     Then, the judge rendered his verdict.  "I find Lt. Fox McCloud, Lt. Peppy Hare, and Sgt.
Falco Lombardi guilty of treason and exile them to the planet Papetoon for the rest of their
natural
lives.  Any attempt to leave the planet or return to Federation space will be punishable by
execution."
     PAPETOON? Pepper thought.  THAT'S THE SAME PLACE THE OTHER JUDGE
SENT SGT. TOAD!
     Pepper watched in stunned silence as Fox and the others were led away.  He had only met
Lt. McCloud once or twice before and didn't know any of them personally.  Yet, he knew that a
great injustice had been done, and couldn't help wondering if he could have done more.  He was
sure that the logs had been tampered with, but neither judge had allowed him to testify to that fact
in open court.  He, a lowly sergeant, hadn't the authority to question a judge of the Federation's
highest court.  Still, he had to know why that decision had been made.
     Then, Lt. McCloud turned toward the front of the court and warned, "You can't stop him
this way."  He was then led off with the others.
     Judge Cessa was sitting in his chambers shortly after the trial's conclusion.  Suddenly, the
door opened and Pepper walked in.  The judge looked up to see who it was.  "Sgt. Pepper, isn't
it?" he asked.
     "That's correct, Your Honor," Pepper replied.
     "What can I do for you?"
     "Well, Your Honor, I still don't understand why you didn't let me testify."
     "I thought I made that clear before," the judge replied.  "Your experience as a fighter pilot
simply doesn't qualify you to make conclusions about the operation of fighter computer systems,
especially in a trial of this importance."
     "All I wanted to do was to tell the court what I had seen.  During my years as a pilot, I've
seen many message uploads.  They were nothing like what I saw that night," Pepper countered.
     "I assure you I put much thought into my decision not to use your testimony in reaching the
verdict," the judge replied.  "The things you described couldn't have been part of a normal
download, I agree.  However, in my own experience, I've seen a number of uploads in which
certain transmission problems have required unusual steps to be taken in the upload process.  You
could have simply witnessed that."
     "No offense, Your Honor, but your experience as a judge simply doesn't qualify you to
make conclusions about a fighter's computer system," Pepper replied.
     "I'm sorry, Sergeant, but I really have to get back to work," the judge said, pointing toward
the door.  Pepper got up and left without a word, his eyes never leaving the judge.
     After Pepper left, a voice came out of the darkness behind the judge.  "Good work, I guess
you get to live, after all."
     "Just tell me," the judge asked, still looking toward the door.  "Why'd they have to be
found guilty?  And why did you want them all to be sent to Papetoon?"
     "Sgt. Toad's friends were trying to find out who I am," the voice said.  "I couldn't let them
continue their investigation, lest they succeed in doing so.  And yet, I couldn't risk killing them.  It
would have drawn too much attention.  Now, they're out of the way and I can just fade quietly
into
the background.  As for why I chose Papetoon, well...there are many dangers there, making
accidents likely to happen.  Then, I won't have to worry about them anymore."
     "What about Pepper?"
     "I doubt he'll be much trouble, and he didn't recognize me. But I'll keep an eye on him just
to be sure.  Besides, even these days someone might get suspicious if evidence were to be
suddenly
found indicting him as well.  Oh, by the way-Remember not to mention my involvement in this to
anyone," the voice warned as a paw reached out of the darkness and held a sharp blade to the
judge's throat, "or else!"  He slid the blade across the judge's throat, just breaking the skin.
     The judge put his claws to his throat and felt something warm on them.  He looked at his
claws, both of which now bore patches of blood.