Star Fox: ELPH - Chapter 2
#2 of Star Fox: ELPH
Chapter 2! Cover art is again, old. May update one day.
The dreadnought sailed through the sea of stars steadily, the bright red emblem of a feral vulpine with stylized wings standing out stark against the polished white surface. Or rather, what had once been polished, now becoming more and more gray with time and repairs made on a budget. The StarFox team may have been famous system-wide for helping in the Lylat Wars, effectively ending Andross and his ambitions of conquering the entire system, but that fame alone did not put money in their pockets. StarFox was, first and foremost, a mercenary team. The arwings, symbolic craft of their crew, held superiority over almost any military space-fighter in speed, firepower potential, maneuverability, and durability. That superiority cost money to maintain, as did their ground combat kit, and unfortunately that meant for the leader of the band of pilots once again found himself consuming a cup of noodles. Fancy eats were not part of their budget at the moment.
At least he had his music, despite the eldest member of their crew complaining about it repeatedly that the noise gave him a headache and would force him into retirement before any enemy ship did. The tunes helped make going through the tedium of paperwork regarding keeping his home flying easier if nothing else, as he punched buttons on the touchscreen built into the arm of the captain's chair he currently reclined in. Paperwork had a habit of putting him in a foul mood as of late, more so than usual when it came to paying bills. Paperwork had lead to the fact that their team was currently sitting at 3, rather than the usual preference of four, as an argument over getting said paperwork done was what had caused his best and worst friend wing-mate to fly off in a huff some months ago without any contact since.
"Hey Fox, can you turn it down? I'm trying to work over here!" Speak of the devil, the old hare that was unofficial team dad was on him about it again, his ears bent down to try and tune out the noise level. Fox rolled his eyes before spinning his chair to face him. "Alright Peppy. You heard 'em Slip, can you get the volume?" He asked the amphibious engineer before turning his eyes back to the paperwork before him. His attention was quickly drawn back up as in a rare moment of anger for the frog, Slippy had decided to turn the volume down on the jukebox by smacking it with one of his wrenches.
Complaints from the young leader were cut off by the ship's robotic aid, R.O.B.64 coming in over the intercom system. "Attention Fox, incoming transmission from General Pepper." Fox straightened up and ran a quick hand over the front of his flight jacket to smooth it out. "Put him through ROB."
The canine commander of Corneria's head appeared as an oversized hologram in the center of the bridge. The bloodhound's stern expression was hard to read, with the exception of maybe by Peppy as the two had been friends going back further than the founding of the original StarFox "General Pepper, StarFox here, what can we do for you?" Fox asked, trying to contain his enthusiasm for the potential of a new job.
"StarFox, I have a job for you, something that will require a more... deft hand, than the Cornerian Military finds itself able to deploy at the moment." Pepper paused, his eyes sweeping across the bridge. Fox was suddenly very glad that the view did not include his chair's drink holder that was currently being used to hold his cup noodles. "We have received a distress call from a civilian cargo vessel." Fox raised his eyebrow, but remained silent, expecting the general to continue. "The vessel itself we don't know the current registered owner's identity, but that is less important. The distress signal's origin is on a large station that was previously unmapped... A station with multiple terraformed land masses tethered to it. To our knowledge, it currently holds an unknown number of endangered species as a form of preserve. Both sentient and feral, several thought to be extinct if Intel is to be believed. Going in guns blazing would endanger those species. We need you to put boots on the ground investigating the station, as well as aiding any sentients that may be currently trapped therein."
"...Not to look a gift paycheck in the mouth General," Fox shifted in his chair. "We usually are less of an infiltrate and information gather team and more a fly in and 'save the day' as the media likes to put it sort of team. What is it about this space station that has you coming to us?" Peppy nodded as he moved to stand near Fox, his hand stroking the graying fur on his chin.
"For that part," the general glanced backwards, muttering something about cutting the recording and making sure the channel was secure. "for that part, we have to go off the record," he continued. "...The the station in question is a research station. One constructed and overseen by Andross." At the mention of the name the whole of the Great Fox felt just a bit chillier. "Andross as you know, was a brilliant mind before I was forced to banish him to Venom, holding degrees in many fields, from biology, to engineering, hell the eggheads are still going over his old research papers on theoretical physics. Whatever is on this rock, it could be dangerous, or... much as I hate to admit it, of great boon to the Lylat. We need access to the station."
Fox folded his arms in thought, closing his eyes and breathing a sigh. "This makes me like the idea of going in without our usual firepower even less, not gonna lie General." He looked up at the hologram again. "I understand Fox... But I'm afraid we don't have much else to turn to. Stealth Ops aren't equipped to deal with this, and even if they were, Your team has more firsthand experience with Andross's style of defenses than anyone." The bloodhound's eyes shut as well for a moment, before opening again. "Andross was a man obsessed. I won't sleep well until I know for certain every trace of his mad ambitions aren't able to threaten the Lylat."
"...When you put it like that, not like I was going to refuse the job anyway." Fox cracked a grin. One that General Pepper returned, or at least he THOUGHT it was a returned one, hard to tell given the General's natural jowls. "I suppose the estimated payment I forwarded doesn't hurt either does it McCloud? Regardless," the general cleared his throat, Fox and the others assumed it was to resume the recording on official channels. "We've received your agreement to the contract. We're Counting on you StarFox Pepper out."
Fox checked over his docking procedure one more time. The intel was one thing, seeing the station was another altogether. It was massive and sprawling, a single centralized 'hub' with numerous hemispherical domes spread out around it, connected by long struts back to the center, and a few extending between one another. Altogether it reminded him of a Dandelion head. Slippy was drowning his ear with the technicalities of maintaining that kind of force-field and artificial atmosphere simultaneously on a mass that should be too small to hold onto one of it's own. They had shot down large assault stations during the Lylat war, but this was a much different scale.
"Whatever he was doing on this thing, Andross certainly made efforts to make sure nobody found out it was here." Fox glanced to Peppy's face on the communications display. "Our scanners didn't pick up anything about it... How do you hide something that big?" Fox asked, his hands steady on the controls. "It has to do with the force-field Fox! It blocks transmission signals from inside, so even when our scanners ping against the surface, its blocked from returning, making it seem like the signal just keeps stretching off into space." Slippy explained in his usual slightly-too-happy-explaining-enemy-tech tone.
"Wait, if it blocks transmission signals from within, then how did the distress signal get through?" "The landing dock is the only spot not shielded. It's small enough to be mistaken as chunk of debris or an asteroid if a scan manages to pick up on it." "So our missing person is the only reason Corneria's finest even found out about this place. Not sure if that's lucky or unlucky."
"We'll find out I assume once you get inside." Peppy's tone was tinged with regret. In his age it was getting to be a bit too much trying to do ground missions, even flying an arwing was becoming a bit much for the aging rabbit. "You be careful down there Fox. Remember you'll be on your own until we can find a way for communications to bypass that shield. Be cautious, and trust your instincts!"
Fox had said the last part in time with Peppy, a grin on his face. "Always do Pep'... should I do a barrel roll while I'm at it?" He couldn't resist teasing the older man, trying to alleviate some of the tension of the situation from both of them. "While I'm in there, I'll be counting on both of you out here to work on finding out as much as you can about this station to relay to me once we reestablish contact... I'm beginning my landing. Fox out."
"Good Luck Fox!" Slippy called out as his arwing began it's descent into the landing dock.
With a steady hand and practiced ease, Fox felt the landing gear snap into place against the grav-panels. He popped his harness free and reached for the canopy release, the readouts on his display already confirming he was good to breathe long before touch-down.
"Greetings unknown visitor!" Fox nearly stumbled to a fall out of his ship at the sudden bright cheery artificial voice. He whipped his head around, hand instinctively going for the blaster that was nowhere on his person. "Welcome to the Endangered Lifeform Preservation Habitat, also known as the ELPH. Please identify yourself and what is your purpose for this visit." Fox exhaled in relief at the sight of the hologram representing the AI he was now speaking with. "Umm, Fox... Just Fox for now." Probably better to not mention his family name until he knew if the AI was going to open guns blazing on him.
"Scans have already confirmed you appear to be vulpine in Origin. Please identify your legal name, and purpose for this visit." The AI repeated in the same pleasant cheerful tone. "Fox IS my legal first name," he insisted. "As for the purpose of my visit... I was hoping to learn something about this, Preservation Habitat you called it?"
"Ah, I see." There was a short sound that Fox would compare to a 'hmm' if it came from another Cornerian. "Well, there is only so much I am able to share with a visitor. This station was constructed with the express purpose of protecting endangered species, as well as restoring their populations and ensuring genetic diversity to bring the species back to stability."
"...I understand this station was built by a, Dr. Andross?" Fox asked tentatively, hand still resting on his arwing just in case he had to jump back inside and bring the twin-lasers back online in a hurry. "Oh yes. Dr. Andross was responsible for the construction and operation of the ELPH. Unfortunately Dr. Andross has not set foot aboard the ELPH in several solar cycles. As has any authorized personnel for that matter." There was that 'hmm' sound again.
"...Am I allowed to go inside?" Fox asked, pointing with a thumb towards the doorway he saw near the far end of the docking platform. The civilian cargo vessel was also docked not far from where he had placed his arwing. That would have to come later however. Making sure this AI wouldn't lock him out took priority.
"Unfortunately due to the rules of the ELPH, this unit is unable to allow admittance except to those who have authorization." Damn, Fox thought. "However, this unit does find itself in need of a new authorized individual aboard the ELPH for a specific purpose."
"...And what purpose might that be?" Fox asked, red flags starting to go up in his mind. "The ELPH has recently gained a member of what was previously thought an extinct species. However the subject has shown great distress at their placement within the ELPH, as such this unit is capable of authorizing an individual for the purposes of seeing to this subject's needs and assisting with efforts in creating a new stable population."
"Hmm. I see." Fox considered this. If he was 'hired' it would allow him to enter the station without having to worry about being shot at any given moment, and would allow a great deal more freedom... Loath as he was to the idea of an AI marking him as an employee of someplace built by Andross of all people, this was probably the simplest way to do the job he was here for. And if this 'subject' was recently acquired, it could be the missing person. Likely a victim of some glitch in the system marking them as something that was thought long extinct by a station that hadn't been checked up on by its creators in years.
"Alright, what do I have to do?" "Excellent. This unit has a few inquiries for you to answer to ensure the safety of the species aboard the ELPH, then we shall conclude with a physical evaluation."
Fox answered what he could of the series of questions, dodging any answers that might make the AI decide 'ENEMY OF ANDROSS, DIE!' upon learning his identity. The AI remained its same pleasant cheerful self throughout. Then came the physical evaluation. "Please step into the examination room. You may wish to disrobe for potions of the examination."
"Wait what?" "The examination requires confirming no foreign insects or bacteria potentially harmful to the endangered lifeforms are present. For the later a blood sample can confirm, however for the former, clothing may obstruct."
Fox flushed, getting naked aboard an Andross-made space station for an AI... not how he had pictured this going.
"Do you have any hospital gown or anything for this part...?" "No. Rest assured however, there are no lifeforms other than yourself present. You will have utmost privacy. Now please have a seat."
Fox was flushed brightly as he walked over to the chair, hands in front of his crotch out of self consciousness despite the assurances. The fur on his tail stood on end as he took a seat, the sterile surface more than a bit chilly. "Please place your arm in the blood pressure sleeve." Fox closed his eyes, just telling himself over and over in his head that he was alone, and nobody was there to watch the hero of the Lylat wars in his birthday suit being shy around an AI concerning a basic medical evaluation.
It was not to stay basic, as he soon realized after having his blood taken and his form picked over for any sign of bugs or other foreign contaminants, that his head was starting to swim.
"Blood analysis suggests compatibility with existing subject. Sample collection of candidate's semen necessary."
"Wait what?!" Fox asked aloud, sitting upright, or rather attempting to as he realized he was held in place by the blood pressure cuff. A seat belt like strap suddenly went across his lap, holding his hips in place as well. "What the?! Let me go! I do not consent to this evaluation!"
"Potential Breeding Subject showing signs of distress. Normal collection methods may be unsuccessful due to male sentient lifeform requiring arousal for semen collection. Calculating an alternative collection method..."
"H-Hey! Stay away from me!" Fox tried to use his free arm, only to find a robotic arm pop out from behind the chair to grab him by the wrist and hold him in place. "Candidate subject is distressed. Applying relaxant and aphrodisiac injections." There was a hiss as another needle jabbed into his arm from where his blood had been drawn before. "Shit shit shit." He muttered as he realized just how he had basically walked into what very easily could be a death trap for him, willingly.
"Calculating. Deploying Hard Light hologram."
Fox had clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to see what kind of horror the AI was intending to visit upon his helpless manhood, or his life. However curiosity got the better of him as he felt something... surprisingly gentle start to caress the fur of his sack. He cracked one open, and immediately felt like he would pass out from blood rushing to his face, along with further south.
The figure knelt before him was easily identified as the hard light hologram by the slightly translucent glow around it, but it was... easily the most attractive Vixen the young todd had seen in his lifetime. An Exotic blue coloration, bright sapphire eyes that were looking up into his own as one hand toyed with the white fur over one breast before moving to instead tease at the edge of his sheath. Despite his panic... it was hard not to appreciate the shapely figure playing with his genital area.
"This Hard Light Hologram was taken using scans of the subject you will be assisting should you prove compatible." The AI droned on in the background. Fox was only vaguely aware of it, as the combination of the sight before him, the active stimulation to his balls, and the mix of pheromones and aphrodisiacs pumped into his bloodstream were quickly making his cock slowly poke it's bright red tip out from his sheath. "I... This isn't..." His mind was yelling at him that this was wrong, and he wanted no part of this... his body had other ideas, as with each beat of his heart, a little more of the bright red flesh pushed out stark against his white stomach fur.
The hologram vixen began to gently stroke his length. The hard light was fluid and warm feeling against his manhood. "Why... are you doing this?" Fox managed to ask, his breath catching in his chest for a moment as the hologram flicked it's thumb back and forth over his tip.
"We need to verify that your semen are compatible with the subject's genetics. As the subject is the last of her species, there are no known males of her kind. However, it may be possible to breed a new population of her kind with an appropriate male of a similar species to use as a template." As the AI Spoke, Fox could not take his eyes off the hologram woman wrapping her supple breasts around the base of his dick and begin to squeeze them slowly around him. "Applying topical solution," The AI added as suddenly Fox found the artificial woman's lips part to take his length inside her mouth. The sensation was... odd but hard to ignore. Wet, warm moisture was being spread across his length, too viscus for saliva, that made a tingling sensation run over the skin of his shaft.
Fox grunted and pinched one eye shut, but instincts would not allow him to fully look away from the attentions paid upon his cock. He knew part of it was the cocktail of drugs inside of him messing with his head, but for a brief moment, he was made to forget his captive state, the fact that this woman wasn't really there, and could only think of how his dick throbbed with the desire to shove inside of her, again and again, to release his seed into an eager woman. For all his concentration and will, the todd found himself bucking against his restraints, his sack bouncing softly against the hard light of her breasts as his knot started to swell up between them. Her pressure in squeezing him did not let up as she began to roll her breasts over that growing knob. Something akin to a smile formed on the hologram's face, before the fake throat opened up, and she began to slide her mouth all the way down his length. Something akin to a tongue was lapping and rolling around him, circling his width and stroking it unlike any real tongue could, pulling him in and trying to milk the seed churning inside his balls out. Another pair of hands, the same alien blue fur with translucent glow showing a second hologram, wrapped around his waist. One hand moved to pet his pubic fur, teasing and tickling his testicles, while the other ran through the soft fluff of his tail near the base of his spine. An intimate gesture for any real lover to perform, even as panic fought back against his mating urges, it did much to push him closer and closer to the edge.
It may have been a trick of the situation, a recording of the woman the holograms were based on, or maybe just his drugged up brain telling him what he wanted to hear, but Fox swore he heard a voice whisper into his ear. "Give it to me..." spoke a husky lady's voice, accented in a way he couldn't identify. But that was enough to finally make him let go. His cock pulsed visibly with each spurt of cum into the hologram female's maw, that tongue sensation rolling his spunk up and around his length even as he continued to spill it into her.
Finally, with a soft suction feeling, the hologram withdrew, his cock left standing upright, twitching with his heartbeat as he breathed heavily, his vision blurred and hazy.
"Semen collection successful. Initial analysis shows ideal template male for subject to breed with. This unit shall begin the gradual genetic modifications to bring male in line with Cerinian racial traits for re-population efforts." Even as Fox struggled to recover, he felt another injection, this time near his thigh. Quickly his vision swam again, and he felt himself drift off into a dreamless, deep sleep. "Male subject shall be placed near the female."