FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

X

Chapter -4- Getting the Band Back Together

Peppy Hare's transport shuttle touched down on the glossy runway deck plates. The shuttle grunted with a hiss of air from the struts beneath the landing rails. The side door opened, and he stepped into the bright lighting above the hanger deck. His eyes immediately went to the luminous blue disc built into the ceiling.

Peppy wore a red uniform out of yester-year, along with his old silver flight jacket, gloves, and matching silver footwear.

Krystal approached him with a soft smile. "The glasses are larger than last time I saw you."

"Along with my goatee beard and decrepit posture. It's good to see you, Krystal - you haven't aged a day since I saw you ... last week."

She grinned. "I mean that you look the same as you did the last time you wore that outfit. Except that your glasses are larger."

"And my beard," Peppy added again.

"Yes, the beard is more ... becoming of, say, a proud papa." Krystal feigned a thin smile. "I, uh ... it reminds me of my father's muzzle beard." She abruptly changed the subject. "Speaking of proud papas, where is your daughter?"

"At home." Peppy studied Krystal's facial expression for a moment.

"I'm ... sorry, Peppy. I can't really talk about my father with a battle looming ahead, because it's distracting to me."

"Didn't you once tell me that his name was Marcus?"

Krystal nodded. "Yes. Marcus. Also, I shouldn't ask you to think of your family, either. I was just ... I was trying to make small-talk."

"Krystal, it's all right. I know you were trying to change the subject because you miss your folks. Insofar as my wonderful daughter, well, Lucy is taking care of Vivian."

"Would it be rude to ask?"

"Vivian is..." Peppy offered a tired, forced smile, followed by a gentle sigh. "She's not handling old age nearly as well as I am. But, do me a favor and don't tell Fox. I don't want him distracted with that until we're finished with Andrew."

"Then why tell me?"

"Because I know better than to keep things from a telepath."

Krystal's soft smile returned. "Fair enough. Come with me. The boys are upstairs and they're excited to give you the tour. We're staying around the backside of Miracle's orbit to keep our distance from Oikonny. For now, at least. I'll show you to the bridge."

Peppy gestured for her to lead the way. "I see you still have that sparkler on your paw."

Krystal glanced down at the ring on her finger. "I may have to put it somewhere safe if we have to go planet-side to hunt down Oikonny."

"I'm sure Fox will understand."

"He will. But I'll miss wearing it. All the more reason to wrap up this mission and put Oikonny where he belongs - a Cornerian prison."

"That's complicated, actually." Peppy fell into cadence along with her. The two stepped onto the lift and stood side-by-side. "Okay, so, let me explain it this way: Corneria tries to respect the laws of its neighboring planets. Well, on Venom, Andrew isn't a criminal. So, in order for Corneria to hold Andrew as a prisoner, he would have to be a 'prisoner of war,' but there's currently no war between Corneria and Venom. So, Andrew would have to be found guilty of being a war criminal, but Andrew never attacked Corneria, nor did he attack any known civilians during his tenure as the leader of Venom's forces."

Krystal frowned. "He attacked the Space Dynamics facility, earlier."

"No one died in the attack, so there is no war crime, just a trespassing crime, and the crime of threatening a moon in what he believed to be self-defense. And, now, Andrew is publicly claiming that Space Dynamics is making weapons of war for a war that isn't currently official. So, it could stand to reason that he was attacking a facility that could be making weapons to be used against Venom. Preemptive attack, yes, but not enough to label him as a 'war criminal.' Corneria will investigate and learn that Space Dynamics was building a ship for a mercenary squadron, and Oikonny's complaint will be dropped."

"What can Corneria do, legally speaking?"

Peppy looked up at the ceiling of the lift, watching as the interior of the shaft passed by. "I ... suppose Corneria could sue for peace. They might try to force Oikonny to sign a peace treaty, so that if he attacks in the future, it would be in breach of the treaty."

"I see." Krystal gazed at the shiny reflective surface of the elevator shaft, beyond the lift's forcefield. She stared at her own reflection. The engagement ring dazzled on her left paw, illuminated by the lights set in the lift shaft. Her dark blue flight suit was reminiscent of the one she wore during the Aparoid invasion, but slightly updated to stay current with the latest fashions sweeping Corneria's Capital City.

She lifted her gaze to the emerald-tipped tierra adorning her forehead. Finally, she cut her eyes to Peppy's reflection on the shaft walling. "I'm sorry I asked about Lucy and Vivian. That was none of my business."

Peppy turned to her with a soft shake of his head. "Krystal, we're family. We've been through so much, together, that we're family. You have the right to ask about my blood anytime ... for any reason."

"I appreciate that sentiment but ... I have never understood how people, who fight together, can consider themselves family stronger than blood..."

"Because the blood of the covenant is, sometimes, thicker than the water of the womb. That's the saying, anyhow. People who had their bonds forged in the pits and trenches of literal hell, and who trust one another to defend one another in combat ... well, they share something that blood cousins and siblings can never understand. So, yes, you're family."

"But ... how?"

"The same way two spouses are a family, even though they were born to different parents."

"Ah. I ... can understand that. I fought alongside Fox on Sauria and the Aparoid home-world during that campaign, and I knew he had my back. I trusted myself to feel safe at his side during those missions. After that, I felt closer to him than ever before."

"See?" Peppy gave her shoulder a firm pat. "That's family. This team is a family. It always has been. Its bonds grow stronger with every fight we survive together. So far, every battle has been a victory, and ... maybe I'm a sentimental old man, but I see you as a stepdaughter, just the way I see Fox as a stepson."

Krystal looked away and dabbed at her eyes with the backside of her left thumb. "That was really rather sweet, Peppy. Lucy and Vivian are lucky to have you in their lives. I hope your residential family never begrudges you your time spent with this one."

"This is my work family. That's my home family. Both respect the other. I've been a lucky man to have two families."

"Well, let's go see your stepsons. Or ... in-laws. Whichever." She grinned.

The elevator slowed to a stop and its lift-gate opened.

Falco, Fox, and Slippy looked up from where they stood around a holographic table depicting the lunar surface of Miracle, at the rear center of the bridge.

Peppy grinned. "Time to go and greet all my sons. Y'know, the lapine race is supposed to be known for having tons of kids ... Cornerians joke about it all the time. But I only ever sired Lucy. At least I have my sons."

"You may have sired one daughter, but you'll always have two." She leaned up a bit and kissed the side of the elder rabbit's face. "Now, go get those boys whipped into shape, Papa, so we can cash in and put our feet up again."

Peppy's grin broadened into a genuine smile. "Thanks for making me feel like a proud father, Krystal." He stepped off the elevator and opened his arms. "Boys! Up against Andrew Oikonny, armed with a ship and a handful of fighters. This has a familiar feel!"

Slippy was the first to respond. "Yeah, except there are no corny posters on the walls, no pizza boxes or beer cans on the floor, and..."

"It's a new ship," Falco interrupted. "Give it time. We'll have this place looking like home in a Cornerian-minute."

Fox smirked. "Not this one. We got too comfortable in my father's ship...."

Falco scoffed. "Oh, shaddap. We kept it clean after the refit."

Slippy scoffed in reply. "Yeah, because it got crashed into the Aparoid homeworld before you had a chance to junk it up, Falco."

Fox raised his volume to finish his sentence. "...But we moved out of Dad's house and got our own. So! Let's treat it better. All right, everybody?"

Krystal beamed. "Agreed!"

"Aw geeze," Falco grumbled. "Don't kill the fun by playing house, you two. I need a familiar operating space to do my best work."

Fox smirked at his friend. "Feel free to trash your Sky Claw."

"Can I at least trash the Combat Room?" Falco grinned.

Slippy rolled his eyes. "Let's just start with Andrew and see where we go from there. And, for the record, Falco, we're not kids anymore. We can live like men, not like teenagers."

Falco groaned. "Froggie, you're just saying that because you've got a girlfriend, now. Fox got a girlfriend. And Peppy is married, so whatever. Other than Pep, the rest of you are still technically bachelors until you're married. So, stop acting like there's something wrong with bachelorhood. Jeeze."

Krystal opened her mouth but paused. She wanted to warn Falco that his loneliness was symptomatic of his fear of disappointing a woman. She wanted to scold him. She wanted to tell him that he didn't have to be afraid of Katt Monroe, or of being a kept man. She wanted to firmly announce that his behavior was, in no uncertain terms, excusable, and that he had no right to expect his friends to follow the same path ... but she couldn't bring herself to admonish his masculinity, especially in front of his peers. Instead, she closed her mouth and folded her hands.

"If you got something to add, sister, then spit it out."

"Just do 'you,' Falco. But don't judge us by your choices, please."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She sighed softly with a shake of her head. "Be as single as you like, but I'm the last of my race, and I deserve to be loved. Please don't judge me for dating your best friend."

Awkward silence.

Slippy stuck his tongue out at Falco. In a soft voice, he whispered, "She told you."

Falco whispered back, "Uh-huh, whatever. I, for one, am happy for her, I just don't want it for myself right now, so you can shut it, Froggie."

Fox cleared his throat and turned to the rabbit with a weak smile. "Well, Peppy, you walk onto the bridge and we're back to acting just like the last time you saw us all together. I bet you missed this, didn't you?"

"You bet I did," said Peppy with a wry expression tugging at the corners of his maw. "Now, let's get to work, boys. We charted Sauria, now let's be the first to map Miracle, and then put Andrew Oikonny on trial. Hopefully, he'll be the problem of Cornerian politicians by this time tomorrow, and we'll all be grilling Brahm-beast steaks and knocking back a few pints. Except me - my liver is retired."

Falco chuckled. "I'll drink one for you."

Peppy nodded firmly at the falcon. "Perfect. You do that, Falco."

Fox cleared his throat. "No, you won't, Falco."

Falco groaned. "Look, just because I went to some AA meetings doesn't mean I have to have my chip, okay? I can control it, now. I'm not a damn teenager anymore. I was never an alcoholic, I was a dumb kid."

Peppy frowned. "No, Fox is right. I shouldn't have encouraged you."

"Jeeze la'WEEEEZE, you guys!"

Peppy smirked, and said, "Okay, where are we on Andrew's location?"

"Hidden on the other side of the moon," Slippy announced, followed by a soft sigh. "So ... now what?"

Peppy approached the table and reached his paw out through the holograph. Because of the emitters above and below the table, the image didn't distort. He feigned a smile. "It's got those new high definition holographic projectors ... nice touch." He cut his gaze to Fox and said, "How about you and I go for a walk?"

"Peppy, c'mon..." Fox tilted his head, eyeing the older man. "You can say whatever you have to say in front of everyone else."

"No, no, Fox. I'm not talking about leaving the bridge to have a private conversation. I'm talking about you and me headed down to Miracle's surface - the air is breathable ... nearly the same concentration as Papetoon and Katina. Fascinating for such a small chunk of space rock, huh?"

"You want to go down to the surface? Just the two of us?"

"Just the three," said Peppy, gesturing to Krystal. "We'll need a telepath to make sure that no one has spotted us. She'll know if someone is alerted. She'll feel it. My transport shuttle has a cloaking device, which lasts a while."

"How long?" asked Falco.

Peppy said, "Enough to hightail it down to the surface and scout the initial area. We'll scout the area, map the ruins, and decide whether or not we'll need bunker busters ... or if we can just surround him and force him to surrender."

Falco crossed his arms over his chest. "Why d'you get all the fun, old man?"

Fox turned to glare at Falco.

Peppy took the wisecrack in stride. "Because, young man, I'm getting paid by a third party to map the surface of Miracle. I can do half of that with topography scans from the ship. I can do the sub-surface scans with a sonic device from the shuttle when we land. The rest will be by handheld scanner sensors, and that has to be done in person. Besides, how will you know where to drop ordinance if we don't have a look through those ruins?"

Falco sighed.

Slippy smirked at Falco, then he cut his gaze to Peppy and Fox. "Should I have a Landmaster on standby just in case you need ground support?"

Peppy smiled at the idea. "Actually, Slippy, that is smart. Fox?"

Fox chuckled. "God, just like old times. Only Slippy is more prepared this time, and Krystal has more field experience than in the past."

Krystal beamed from his praise. She loved feeling useful, and comments like that made her feel proud of her hard work. "Thank you, Fox. I appreciate your encouragement."

Falco grunted. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't end up like Fara Phoenix, or Fox will never forgive himself."

Fox's eyes went cold. He turned to Falco and glowered in silence.

"What, Fox?! Don't even pretend that it's 'too soon' to bring her up. That was a zillion years ago. We were eighteen years old. All I'm saying is for Krystal to watch her tail down there, because if she kicks the bucket, you'll shut down again. Then we'll all go broke." He cut his gaze to Krystal, adding, "See? I care - I don't want you to go pushing up pansies ... or daisies, or whatever the flower is."

"Enough." Peppy's voice was firm and fatherly. "Falco, Fox doesn't need the reminder. That was the first, and so far, the only person to..." he trailed off, cleared his throat, then continued, "...under his command. Show some empathy."

Falco looked away with a sigh, but he didn't challenge the admonishment.

Peppy turned to Fox again. "That was not your fault. Since becoming acting General, I've learned that she was apparently working for Pepper and moonlighting with Star Fox, so when you sent her out on a patrol..."

Fox lifted his paw to stop Peppy from explaining further. "No. Stop. On this team, we always make sure someone has your back. I should have sent Falco, you, or myself with her. She should have had backup. But she was out there on her own, doing a patrol, and I'm the one that had to apologize to her father for what happened to his only daughter."

Falco grimaced, still looking away from the group. "Damn. I, uh ... I remember that. He acted like he knew more about what happened than you."

Fox shook his head with a grunt. "He didn't want to hear my excuses, Falco. The man had just lost his daughter and didn't want to hear excuses from the guy that didn't have what it took to protect his little girl. Look, I'm done talking about that, okay? Zerda Phoenix lost something I'll never understand, so I have no right to even talk about it"

Falco sighed.

"I'm done talking about her." Fox glared at the back of Falco's head. "And if you were anyone else, I'd have decked the shit out of you for even bringing it up."

Falco sighed again. "Look, I'm sorry. My bad, okay?"

Peppy groaned. "God, this has been a sour reunion so far. Let's get our heads out of our tail-holes, boys. We need to get back to brass tacks. We have a job ahead of us!"

"Agreed," Fox said bluntly.

"Agreed," Krystal chimed in.

"Fine by me," Falco said in a monotone voice.

Slippy nodded in agreement with the team. "So, what's the plan, guys? Fox, Krystal, and Peppy going down to the planet?"

Fox nodded at his long-time school-hood friend. "Yeah, Slip. Time to explore some fancy old ruins."

"And make the guy with the money pay," said Peppy with a grin.

Falco rolled his eyes. "Don't even start with that right now. Times have changed."

"Indeed, they have," Peppy replied with a firm nod. "But we're still snappy dressers." He gestured to Falco's black jacket, open button-up-shirt, and denim pants. "You fly in that?"

"I did. I might again." Falco pointed back at Peppy's shin-length silver aviator jacket and old fashion red flight jumpsuit. "You going down to the planet looking like a Holiday Tree?"

"No. I flew a transport shuttle in it. I'll wear something less intrusive for my visit to Miracle."

"Good. Because that's not considered 'snappy' fashion, anymore. Hasn't been for fifteen years." A smug smirk tugged at the corners of the falcon's beak. "Let me know if you boys need me to drop ordinance and I'll do a flyby. In the meantime, I'll get started on decorating my new quarters."

Fox glanced back at Falco. "Since when do you decorate?"

"What? I got shit to put on the walls to make it feel less like a goddamn military ship and more like a mercenary's ship." Falco picked up the poster that was draped across a helm console and carried it off the bridge. "See ya, losers." The elevator doors slid shut behind him and he was gone.

Slippy shook his head. "Boy, he sure left in a hurry after making things awkward."

Krystal frowned. "That's his way of handling stress and anxiety. He realized he touched a nerve, felt awkward, and quickly bowed out."

"Par for the course," said Peppy. "Nothing's changed for that boy, even after all these years."

Fox rolled his eyes and shook his head. "All right. Everyone, get dressed."

Krystal arched her brows. "Fox, we don't have any of our personal belongings on this ship, yet."

Fox cut his gaze to her dark blue body suit. "Oh, yeah. Right, that's true. I'm just used to ... well, whatever." He glanced back at Peppy. "You said you're wearing something other than that red jumpsuit, right?"

"Unlike you boys, I packed gear." Peppy's smile broadened a bit, he stole a glance at ROB64 at the other side of the bridge, then looked back at Fox, Krystal, and Slippy. "I might've brought some things for you three, as well. Clothes, toiletries, sock-drawer accoutrements."

Krystal furrowed her brows a bit. "You went through our personal sock drawers?"

"I did ... well, sort of. I stopped by the old Great Fox on my way here, I went to each of your quarters, and I raided your dresser drawers, and I packed the contents into duffle bags, zipped them shut, and brought what I thought you'd need. I'm not trying to handle your undies, everybody. I just wanted to make sure I had the right sizes." He cut his gaze to the blue-furred vixen, and said, "I mean, technically, Lucy gathered your things, Krystal. Wasn't sure how long we'd be - so she helped me pack."

Krystal breathed a sigh of relief. "No worries. I literally only keep undergarments in my sock drawer."

Peppy shook his head with a sigh. "Unlike Falco, who keeps vintage edition unsavory reading material in protective plastic sleeves."

Slippy blinked. "But he uses his communicator for that stuff, now. Why would he keep old porno mags?"

Fox chuckled. "Because vintage magazines, unopened, are said to be worth a lot?"

Krystal grimaced. "No, Fox. It's because Katt Monroe did a centerpiece."

Everyone's eyes widened.

Krystal frowned. "It was years ago, when she needed money right after the Lylat Wars. Falco keeps it for that. For her."

Peppy cringed. "I ... did not know that."

Fox and Slippy both murmured in unison. "Eww..."

Krystal shrugged her shoulders. "As I have occasionally told you boys in the past ... telepathy can be a curse at times."

"Awkward," Fox murmured.

Peppy cleared his throat loud to change the subject. "I'm going to change. I suggest the three of you come down to the transport ship and gather your belongings to suit up with whatever you may need. Ship leaves in an hour."

Fox chuckled. "You don't have to change, Pep." He down-nodded at Peppy's attire. "That's fine. It even has plenty of pockets."

Peppy scoffed. "Fine, maybe I will keep this on."

"Good." Fox smirked.

Peppy looked down at his clothes. "It sure feels snappy to me."

Slippy and Fox grinned at their mentor.

Slippy added, "Falco wouldn't know style if it bit him on the ass."

Fox decided now was a good time to act professional again. "I'm taking the new Arwing to escort the transport shuttle. Just in case you need protection." He cut his gaze to Krystal. "You'll go with Peppy?"

She nodded. "I like the new Arwings, but I would rather take John Salt up on his offer to make personalized ships. Those extra Arwings? You fly them, Fox."

"Oh, I will. Trust me. We have enough for me to fly a different one every day of the week." Fox grinned.

Slippy said, "Like having five extra men in reserve before you have to use a continue."

"I ... guess." Fox shrugged. He faced Slippy and asked, "You coming down to get your stuff off the transport shuttle?"

"Yeah, then I'm going to look at the new Landmaster. Good luck down on the surface of that moon, gang."

ROB64 waved a metallic hand. "I'll just ... stay right here and finish integrating myself into the new ship's systems."

The lift doors opened. The elevator was empty.

ROB murmured, "Don't mind me..."

"Just in time," said Peppy. He picked up a blue feather from the elevator flooring. "Looks like someone isn't a spring-chicken anymore."

ROB added, "...Not that you ever do unless I'm sending you a crate of supplies."

Fox chuckled at Peppy. "You're one to talk, old man."

"Yeah, yeah..." Peppy flashed a spry ole' grin.

Fox, Krystal, Slippy, and Peppy boarded the empty lift. The doors slid shut, and the group headed for the flight deck.

ROB shook his head. "It is my burden to carry this team. I have half a mind to start praying to a deity, so I'd have someone to whom I could complain. But, I doubt anyone is listening..." He turned back to face his station at the helm.

X

X

Lunar Surface of Miracle...

Krystal stepped off the back deck of the transport shuttle , with Peppy in tow behind her.

She offered a smile to Fox, whose arms were folded while he leaned up against his brand new Arwing II, which sat majestically in the middle of a grassy clearing at the edge of a tree line.

She offered him a flirty smile, quick to notice he was posing for her.

Fox offered her a smile. "Ready, team?" He wore an updated version of his green flight suit, along with something he hadn't used in a while - his old red neck wrap.

Krystal noticed it right away. "Retro look?"

Fox reached up and touched the red fabric around his neck. "For luck," he replied with a wan smile.

Peppy chuckled. "Falco would call you a 'Holiday Tree.' Heh."

Fox chuckled but continued speaking to Krystal. "I found it packed in the stuff that Peppy brought from my sock drawer." He gave a tug at his silver vest jacket. The sleeves had been removed for the mission. "Ready, you two?"

Peppy popped the collar on his silvery long coat. He still wore a red jumpsuit, but it wasn't as bright as the one he used earlier. He wore a yellow ascot and long sleeves.

Fox furrowed his brows at Peppy. "How are you not melting in that?"

"It's cooling fabric. It wicks away the humidity. It also keeps the mosquitos off me, and ... what's that look for, Fox? I'm an old man. I don't know if the UV levels are dangerous on this moon - I don't know if the atmosphere magnifies or mitigates it. We don't know anything about this moon, yet. You wear layers, and strip down to whatever is comfortable. That's dressing-for-battle-101."

Krystal wore the same bodysuit from earlier. "I suppose I should've gone with the tribal clothes I fashioned for my visit to Sauria. Fox would've liked that."

Fox bit his lower lip and looked away. "Funny."

"I know." She sauntered by him with a smile, flitting her tail from left to right. "So ... this moon has been abandoned for roughly two millennia until the separation of Sauria caused Miracle's atmosphere to return, a few years ago ... and just look at all the jungle fauna that has grown over the last couple of years since regaining its atmosphere. No doubt caused by pollen and seeds that came from the part of Sauria that touched this moon's surface. I wonder how it looked before all these plants grew...? It looks like splendid growth rate for only a few years' time."

Peppy withdrew a handheld scanner from his long coat and scanned the immediate area. "None of these plants are more than a few years old. The real question is ... how was the lunar soil still fertile after a couple thousand years without any atmosphere?"

Fox shook his head. "Look around, you two. Look at the tall weeds growing up through the cracks in the crumbling streets. See the palm trees growing up through that collapsed building at the edge of the clearing? Plants don't do that in two years. That takes decades. Peppy, if your scanner is right, then there's only one explanation."

Peppy arched his brows. "And that is?"

"Andross was terraforming this moon when he came to Sauria all those years ago. He did something to change the soil, so that the plants would grow rapidly. Whatever he did, he did something to oxidize the air, adding Carbon Dioxide so that it would be breathable to plants and people."

"Well that's genius." Peppy gestured by rolling his paw at the wrist. "Not Andross, but that you figured all of that out."

Fox deadpanned at his childhood mentor. "Remember, Peppy? Andross did the same for the Venom surface in some areas."

Krystal said, "No, Fox, he's right. Your quick deduction was rather brilliant. He's not being cheeky."

Fox feigned a smile, loving her complement, but wondering if Peppy was following. He cut his gaze back to Hare, adding, "You remember, Peppy? It's one of the only experiments Andross did that didn't involve weaponizing lifeforms."

Peppy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Andross wanted to try and return Venom to its so-called former glory. That's how he bought the lizards' loyalty. Just the same, most of Venom is _still_a barren wasteland. He was only able to help a few areas."

"Yeah." Fox shook his head. "Well, that's probably because the oceans are acidic. Let's stick together. How far are we from the heart of the ruins?"

"Fifteen minutes by foot," said Peppy. "Tops. I'm still pretty quick in my old age. One good thing about being a rabbit, I guess."

"Peppy, stop." Fox gave the older man a firm pat on the shoulder. "Don't let racist Cornerians 'dog you' for being a rabbit. You don't run away. You don't run in fear. You're not a 'stupid bunny.' And, yes, I've heard you say that about yourself more than once."

"All right, all right." Peppy offered Fox a wry smile.

Krystal fell into step with Fox and Peppy. She reached behind herself and touched her Cerenian weapon staff, which was telescopically shortened to fit at the small of her back.

Peppy feigned a smile back at her, having seen her out of the corner of his eyes. "Your rod, your staff, it comforts you, huh?"

Krystal nodded. "It does."

Fox followed Peppy into the foliage, which grew up over the ancient road. "He's quoting Cornerian scripture, Krystal. From the Lion born of a Tigress. I never got into religious stuff, myself. Peppy, here, got old ... and he started looking at things more religiously, because he's afraid of what comes after getting old. And, I hate to agree with Falco on this, but it's just silly to do that."

Peppy rolled his eyes. "Embracing one's mortality is a part of ageing. You'll get there soon enough."

"Just don't die before you tell me what you promised to tell me."

Peppy grimaced. "You mean about your father?"

"I keep asking you. I've been asking you for years. Eventually you'll tell me."

"Eventually I will," Peppy agreed. "I thought you were going to die, but it seems I have a little more time."

Krystal glanced between the two ... the surrogate father and the unofficially adopted son. She licked her lips but said nothing. Instead, she followed them down the overgrown road, shaded by trees roughly five-to-six meters in height, which lined the crumbling road.