FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Clear Heavens

By Bluevirage

This story is copyright © 2003-2005 to Bluevirage.

Harmony Gold holds the copyrights and trademarks to Robotech and all associated material and characters. Nintendo's Star Fox and all associated material and characters are copyrighted and trademarked by them.

Spoiler Warnings! For those who have not played through Robotech Battle Cry to the end. This story deals with the aftermath of that final battle and the future of that game's protagonist.

Part One

At the end of his clash with enemy Zentraedi commander Zeraal; Jack Archer sat in his Veritech's cockpit telling his story to his cockpit recorder; hoping someday someone would retrieve his body and the message he left.

He spoke about the war and what lead up to his final confrontation and victory against the last Zentraedi he would ever face. He realized as he spoke that he did not embellish his story one bit; he was being truthful because it was the end for him it seemed.

"And that is the story, at least from my perspective. Air is getting pretty thin so I will stop talking now. The future is looking pretty bright." Jack said as he drew the Robotech Defense Force emblem on his fogy cockpit window.

He closed his eyes as a bright light enveloped his vision that was as bright as the sun. He briefly thought of the afterlife and felt more relaxed than he had been in a long while; as lost consciousness within moments as the last of his air was used up.

Maybe he would see everyone he cherished yet lost in life. Including Hiro, his friend he had killed by accident so an enemy commander could receive a fair trial. He had wondered then was it worth it; yet he had no real regrets as his life faded away to become only a memory in the hearts of all his remaining living friends.

~_--_-_--_~

Jack opened his eyes and found a yellow suited figure standing over him. Blinking he wondered where he could be and who could have saved him from death in that debris field in orbit of Saturn. He wondered if that light he had seen before he lost consciousness was actually a ship performing a space fold maneuver.

One of the yellow suited beings spoke to Jack in a muted voice. "Hello, do you understand me?"

Jack took a breath and studied the suits closely before replying. The suits looked like an old bio-hazard suit like the ones worn in horror movies Jack had seen as a young boy.

Looking into the black visor at his own reflection Jack nodded but laid still; he had no thought as to who was under the helmet. Or any idea what they could possibly do to him if he acted in any manner. So he laid there for the time being.

"Good we retrieved your alien craft after we brought it here. Well by that I mean, oh this is going to be difficult." The figure said in a badly muffled voice; no one hearing it could determine its gender off the bat.

"Retrieved my alien craft after you brought it where?" Jack asked suddenly realizing the figure was holding back.

The figure sighed loudly as if trying to come up with a way to sugarcoat the situation. "We accidentally opened a tear in reality and brought your ship to our Universe. You are no longer wherever you come from. I am very sorry but you will never see another of your kind again; considering our equipment was destroyed during the experiment."

Jack felt his breath leave him as he tried to comprehend what had happened. After a few moments Jack finally said what was on his mind.

"Am I doomed to have probes shoved up my rear for the rest of my life?" Jack asked as he sat up on his elbows cracking a wry smile despite feeling like he wanted to throw up.

His RDF uniform was still on his body mostly, still soaked in the blood and sweat of dozens of sorties; it would never be cleansed of the memories of those thrilling battles past. And it seemed he would never return home to make sure his people got the bright future they deserved. The one he wanted for them more than anything as he fought alien invaders off in the skies and on the ground.

"No, we revived you after we found you unconscious and frozen in your cockpit after your life-support failed completely. Why would we want to conduct experiments on a living being we saved from death in the first place?" The figure asked in an agitated voice. "We have computer technology capable of providing accurate simulated data on any subject." The figure stated with a smile hidden behind their visor.

Jack said the first thing that came to mind. "Interrogate me first then kill me when you feel you have gotten enough out of me." Jack finished speaking and moved to get off the bed.

It was a big mistake. As soon as his feet touched the ground his legs fell out from under him. Two other suited figures raced to his side to grab him and hoist him back upon the bed from the floor.

The figure that had addressed him first helped him lay back down and pulled a blanket over him. "You're still going to be hospitalized for a bit. It is a good thing most of your internal organs and genetic makeup match closely enough to our own. You can be treated effectively by our equipment." The figure paused. "We took the liberty of replacing your, um; suit's waste bag while you were still in surgery."

"You performed surgery without removing my suit?" Jack asked before realizing his suit smelled freshly cleaned.

"We laundered it and put it back on you once we were done treating you. You have been under for at least twelve hours; not counting the time you were a popsicle. Luckily none of the vacuum of space entered you cockpit. Otherwise you would have given us quite the mess to try and work with."

"Oh well thank you for your help." Jack replied while wondering if they took photos to examine later. Being an unconscious centerfold is not my idea of a good time. Jack thought with a frown.

"And we found your mission logs and data recorders within compressed storage media on your ship. With your permission, we would like to adapt them to our technology and view the data."

Jack smiled again as he remembered all the yapping he did for countless hours over his radio; and at the end of his last fight how he went over his life story. He wanted someone to hear it so he nodded and said nothing for a while longer as figures came and went; still suited with their faces hidden by the black visors of their helmets. The big ambiguous shape of their individual helmet did not offer any clue as to what they really looked like.

The terran watched as they performed scans of his body with hand held devices and large machinery in the room. They ran various tests that he did not mind agreeing to that involved taking additional blood samples.

Their friendly bedside manner implied that they did not mind their strange patient. And Jack watched one, whom he assumed was a nurse, lift his right wrist and take his pulse. They explained it was still done that way just incase the scanners were faulty. But Jack suspected it was to help them believe the fact that he was a real living alien being in their presence.

I wonder when they will let me see their faces, said our genetics were close enough. I wonder if this could be an alternate reality. Hell my whole life has been a science fiction novel; so why not have the final chapter end in some far off universe? Jack thought sarcastically to himself. Note to self; do not throw up if they are butt ugly. Jack smiled at that thought and turned his head as the figure from before, he recognized their height, came to his bedside again. "Well what is up?" Jack asked.

"From analyzing the data and briefly viewing some virtual extrapolations of various battles you have been in created by our computers. My government has taken a sympathetic ear. Our leaders have decided not to hide you away in some base where you will never see the light of day.

"We have come to understand how you have been a pilot of that machine for years and how you would know it better than anyone else. So when you're up to it we would like to study it and possibly repair it. There is interest in the technology and knowledge that could be gained; as well as the new research routes presented to me and my colleges by what we discover."

"Listen to me very carefully." Jack said with a frown aimed squarely at the figure before him. "If you heard the voice box, and analyzed whatever. You know that technology has caused my race nothing but grief! Billions of people died because of it and I wish the human race had never found the SDF-1! Things were better when the world wars were still going on. At least then I could have remained in my own universe; and I would have never ended up here! Surrounded by beings that have yet to show me what they look like." Jack added finally as he allowed the isolation he felt get to him.

"I do not care what you look like. All I want to see is a face."

The yellow suited figure suddenly grasped the sides of its helmet, twisted, and removed it in a smooth motion. Jack blinked and shook his head incredulously as relief filled him.

"What?" The woman before him asked. "Am I horrible looking or something? We wanted to prevent any adverse reaction such as you being horrified... are you laughing?" The woman asked as she grew agitated by Jack's reaction.

"Sorry, but you look like a wolf. Before you think I am trying to insult you. It is that most wolves that still exist where I come from are on all fours; and they generally do not have societies that can hop between stars." said Jack with a smile.

"Oh, well, wolves like me are not generally in control here. Many races come from and live in the Lylat System as well as others. I am Dr. Helena Miranoff, lead scientist involved in the study of Protoculture material; and other technologies on the research ship Epoch. From our understanding, your race came into contact with some highly advanced technology and repaired it; thus learning greatly from it.

"I would only hope to study your ship with my comrades and figure out how to use Protoculture properly as well. It would revolutionize how we travel the stars. And since your ship was built based on technology powered by Protoculture in the first place; I believe we can get the answers we seek." Helena said with a gentle smile.

"It could also revolutionize how you wage war on your fellows and enemies." Jack snapped. "All I would want from your supposedly sympathetic government is my ship repaired and some star charts. Seek out other forms of space travel or figure out another way to power your space fold engines. From the expression on your face I figure I am right on the money with my assumption." said Jack while looking Helena in her dark eyes.

Helena was surprised by Jack's intuition but knew she should have not been. A pilot like him would have had to hone his skills to near paranormal levels to have survived as long as he had.

"Yes a proper power source with sufficient output is needed. Protoculture is the key to this situation since it originally is what powered the technologies we found." Helena admitted.

"I would rather kill myself than see another civilization fall because of robotechnology." Jack said surprising himself more than he did the others listening in on his conversation.

"Suicide?" Helena asked as her ears twitched with agitation. "You want to just go off somewhere and die? There are opportunities to learn from each other! We can,"

"Learn what?" Jack asked in an angry tone. "I cannot go home while a war is being waged for survival. I cannot help let alone see anyone I know again." Jack let out a depressed sigh and closed his eyes before continuing. He knew he would just shout profanity at her and he did not want to make a fool of himself any longer. "Just leave me alone."

Helena turned and walked away with a hurt expression on her face. Outside of the room Jack resided in stood a man in a military uniform. He was a lynx who seemed highly agitated as well by the situation.

The feline addressed Helena after she stepped out of the room. "Doctor he could have attacked any of you." He said.

"I understood that much. But this Jack Archer, is a unique individual. One I feel would not harm anyone else unless they surely needed it. A warriors' warrior as you said earlier when you marveled at his kill count from records of that skirmish in orbit of his home world Terra. Against a force of millions I might add." Helena smiled. "I would dare say you are impressed with the man General Schwartz."

"Being impressed is one thing, gauging intention is another. He could still decide that living is not worth it and give us a reason to kill him. I have seen that look before on a few faces; the look of a man who has lost everything to live for. He needs a reason to live and helping to scientifically advance a culture after what happened to his; is not something he wants to draw reason to live from.

"We both saw the records. His planet was devastated after gaining so much from alien technology." General Schwartz looked at Doctor Helena with a stern expression. "I noticed how he looked at you strangely from here. I think he associates your name with someone he could have been very familiar with."

Doctor Helena stopped herself from slapping the General and growled. She wanted to slap her superior right then and there for suggesting such a degrading thing. "Are you suggesting I initiate a relationship with him to gain information?"

"We could learn a lot about his people. From what we do know, they are very adaptable. Living on a world that is a virtual wasteland after being devastated by an alien armada is a damn near impossible feat without some survival skills. If something like that happened to Corneria... we would have left for another planet a long time ago if unable to fix it; like we did after Andross used that weapon on the general populace. Before we banished him hoping he would instead use the solitude to gain peace. Not build up an army and try and take over the entire Lylat System." General Schwartz said.

"But as it stands we are still far off from complete restoration of the planet's ecosystems; for the same reasons his people did not just leave their home world. We have to stay and fix everything that was broken by that madman. With space fold technology we could move supplies faster than we do now. The next generation light speed engines are only in the developmental phase; testing is a few years off. And even then the warp factor is only up to six."

"The Lylat Wars devastated cities and planets all over the solar system. Protoculture could provide the means we need easily to repair worlds and such faster as you pointed out." Helena admitted. "We could even find a way to return him home. But Jack is still so upset and probably a little foggy after being revived. I understand why you said what you said; but I have no intention of sleeping with him to get him to open up."

General Schwartz nodded. "So, tell him exactly what you just told me. I believe you can convince him easily enough to aid us." With that said General Schwartz walked to the nearest lift to return to his office. Leaving Helena alone to think about what he had suggested to her.

~_--_-_--_~

Jack did not hear from Helena again for a while. However over the next few days he was able to get acquainted with the research team on the ship he was on. It consisted of scientists who dabbled in all fields of research from all walks of local life.

There was Ashton Lockheed, an avian with green and white feathers grey eyes and a yellow beak. When Jack explained how his name was associated with an aviation company back on his home world they shared a laugh at the irony.

There was also Kate Snowsong and her twin sister Beth. Both looked like the cougars found back on earth. They came from a family that previously roamed the plains on the planet of Corneria; living off the land while society radically advanced all around them.

Jack recalled how the United States government had killed off the nomadic culture that predated its own when they moved in and took over a big chunk of North America.

Kate and Beth seemed to relate seeing as how a war bringer known as Andross had devastated the very plains their family had grown accustomed to living on. So they ended up in an orphanage after their parents died.

They then dedicated themselves to attempting the restoration of the devastated Lylat System using new technologies they had hoped to help create.

Rick Feral as well, a feline descended from varied stock and a pilot; became fast friends with Jack as he helped him become strong enough to move around on his own again. Rick was only seventeen, which amazed Jack to no end because he was also the team's lead test pilot and a scientist as well. With a reported I.Q. that was around four hundred points. Jack suspected Rick jokingly had told him that number but was not sure.

Jack also got to test wills with Rene Briggs, Rick's feline girlfriend who was about as smart as Rick was if not smarter. She also served as a test pilot. The team was developing weaponry as well as environmental restorative tech. It consisted of land-based craft as well as aerial vehicles. Rene saw the Veritech as something that could dominate the air as well as provide the new template for future technologies.

Jack saw it as a pain in the ass and told her so openly. But he admitted it was a reliable craft thanks to its transformational abilities.

Rene had debates with Jack about how they could repair and or update his craft. Jack was finally won over when she explained flatly to him that he could not get far in his ship without at least an engine update.

Jack considered helping them out in exchange for enhancing his Veritech. But he decided for the time being that he would just like his ship restored to the way it was, and then see how things went from there.

Eventually Jack got to see Helena again; it was when he was strong enough to explore the ship without the aid of a wheelchair. When he entered the docking bay area set aside for his alien craft. He caught sight of her looking at him from across the room while studying what appeared to be a parts list.

"Well go on and check her out." Rick said patting Jack on the back surprising him. "We have all the parts needed to fix her right up littered around in crates. Though we could not completely learn much on our own from studying her; I dare say we got the Veritech parts that needed replacing sitting in here."

"Right," Jack replied. "At first I thought you were talking about Helena." Jack smirked while Rick laughed. "Well you seem to have all I need to piece her back together, but what is the catch?" Jack asked sensing they would not allow him any progress or help in repairing his Veritech. Not unless he complied with some demand that remained unseen.

"We heard from your recounting of your life that you worked in the engineering section of the SDF-1. You may have heard calculations being tossed about as you worked on repairing that vessel. What we want to know is the output settings used on the SDF-1's space fold generator." Helena said bluntly.

Jack knew exactly what they wanted in fact he knew more than they could possibly suspect. He had a fascination with the SDF-1; one of the main reasons he had worked on it was to discover the secrets of the universe. When he was younger, he considered being a scientist or a doctor who helped people. In the end his life had taken so many twists and turns he ended up a pilot defending the human survivors of the Zentraedi invasion.

"Fine, you can get your calculations and whatever. I memorized a lot of stuff when I was repairing the Super Dimensional Fortress; I know exactly what you need." Jack stated flatly. "I know some of this technology inside out."

"It is to be expected. According to the psychological profile I made on you. You're still trying to understand a lot of what motivated your enemy. And understanding their weapons is only a small part of that correct?" Helena said coldly deliberately trying to provoke Jack into an argument with her choice of words. "Some of the complex calculations involved are not something one could just offhandedly remember. You wanted to be something other than a pilot right? The war was what forced you into the air away from the trouble on the ground." Helena stated rather than asked or guessed.

"Your point...." Jack replied dryly as the tension in the air grew so thick one could cut it with a knife.

"I thought you were a smart member of your species. Just glad to know you're willing to help." Helena said while wearing a false smile.

"Whatever," Jack muttered while crossing his arms over his chest. "Now, can I meet the military man who is obviously dishing out your orders?" Jack asked as he glared at Helena. "I figure it's the guy in the uniform with the four stars who watched me at times while I lay in that bed. Sort of creepy but studying your enemy is what any fighter pilot does best as well. That is if they want to live a long life."

General Schwartz entered the large room with two armed escorts. "Jack Archer, you and I are men cut from the same cloth. My name is Thaddeus Schwartz and I know you have suffered greatly. But why not just drop all the anger and hurt feelings and work with us? Hard work can help one forget many things." General Schwartz said with an even voice.

Jack rolled his eyes while smiling at the lynx. "I have yet to meet anyone I can fully trust, no offence guy. So why should I just hang around and help after I get what I need?"

The research team stared blankly at the general and Jack. Except for Rick who nodded in understanding as Jack freely spoke his mind.

"I need to talk to someone who actually knows what I have been through; someone who is still there." said Jack while studying the general's stern features.

General Schwartz nodded in agreement. "I know who you need to see and after a hefty retainer fee we paid on your behalf he came immediately. Just to talk to you man to man. And also assist if at all possible. He is somewhat of an expert along with his team when it comes to flying experimental craft and beating the odds in combat."

Jack raised an eyebrow as he listened to the general's words. It was clear whomever he was speaking of had impressed him.

"A mercenary by chance? Not what I meant General." Jack said. "Though I used to be a damn good one myself."

The doors of the docking bay slid open and in stepped a group of six. From right to left there were two foxes, a toad, a hare, a bobcat and a white dog that looked like a cocker spaniel. All wore military uniforms different from the others Jack had seen people wearing around the research ship he was on. Taking a step forward first was the only male fox of the group.

"Hello General Schwartz," The red fox said as his team moved in closer behind him. "How may the Star Fox team be of service?" Fox asked before spotting the alien. "Is he some kind of ape mutant?" Fox muttered before Krystal shot him a dirty look. "Sorry," Fox replied quickly to his girlfriend.

"I shall ignore that comment." Jack smirked as he sized them up and they did the same.

He knew they were all pilots, even the aging hare in the middle of the group; he could almost see and taste the skill they obviously had. When in the presence of pilots as good if not better than you are; it was not hard for Jack to feel some semblance of respect for them.

General Schwartz cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Here is the visitor we have had for the last week or so. You two share a lot in common. Jack, this is Fox McCloud. Fox McCloud, this is Jack Archer a Veritech pilot from another universe, surprising as that may seem."

"Besides being pilots, what could we have in common?" Fox asked suddenly causing looks from his teammates. The look in his eyes having overcome the shock of meeting the human; was akin to the same look Fox gained when thinking of one other person in the universe.

Wolf O'Donnell.

"A macho ego for one possibly," The blue vixen next to Fox said in a dissatisfied tone. "Could you at least try to hide that look in your eyes?"

"What look?" Fox asked genuinely confused as to what he did to upset his girlfriend. "Are you accusing me of something I did not do?"

"Drop it Kris, Foxy has problems remembering to put the lid down remember?" Miyu smirked as her comment got chuckles out of the group except for Jack and Fox who were still dead serious.

Jack knew immediately the foxes were a couple and a cute one at that. He also could sense the bobcat was seeing the cocker spaniel. It was just something that he could see clearly for some reason; besides the fact he caught the bobcat checking the dog out.

"Well, what do we have here?" The bobcat said as she approached Jack suddenly as their eyes locked for a split second.

Jack folded his arms over his chest again, a defensive reaction; he could not get over the bobcat's toothy smile she gave him. Or maybe it was the fact she was giving him signals. In any case he replied quickly.

"A pissed off human." Jack said jokingly.

"Aww, Well my name is Miyu; I suppose I could handle the introductions Fox?" Miyu asked as she glanced at him and found he was distracted by the Veritech.

"Sure," Fox said as he looked over the Veritech fighter. It was larger than his Arwing and in need of serious repair to its aft section. "Pretty much in one piece, tough looking cookie considering it lacks shields." Fox rapped the Veritech's armored hull. "Titanium, you still use that stuff?"

General Schwartz slipped out of view realizing the Earth born Jack would have to socialize for a bit if all was to go well. Motioning for Helena to come to his side he spoke to her briefly.

"Why are you being so nasty to Jack? Whatever is bothering you I want you to get over it fast understood? We need him as much as he needs us. Furthermore, if there are any immediate results concerning the second attempt made at controlling Protoculture driven technology let me know." said General Schwartz.

"No worries sir, I am sure great progress will be made." Helena said while suddenly finding her notes interesting.

"I would hope so." General Schwartz said with a knowing smile that bewildered Helena.

After that General Schwartz left the docking bay area to file a report with his superiors; leaving Helena with her own feelings to sort out about Jack Archer. The alien who seemed more complex than the wolf thought at first glance.

~_--_-_--_~

Jack was introduced to Peppy, Slippy, Krystal, and Fay in short order by Miyu while Fox gazed at the Veritech still. Jack joined him and started up a conversation.

"I hear your one of the best pilots in your business. Care to elaborate?" Jack asked.

"If you're as good as I think you are with this ship; maybe we both should elaborate in the sky. If you catch my meaning Jack," Fox replied with a grin.

"Oooh, is that a challenge? Well by all means I accept. Guys we need to finish this as soon as possible." Jack said waving the research team over. "Got a fox here that needs a lesson in aerial ballet with machine guns guys."

"Bring it on you hairless ape," Fox snickered. "I can beat you with my wings shot off."

"And because of the g-diffuser balancing him out in the event that happens; Fox could!" Slippy added.

Jack cut Slippy off at the knees with a glare that made the frog look away. "Oh real cute comment, at least I was not named after what I am. Could you imagine Human Archer? Sounds like some damn RPG character class." Jack quipped.

"It is a damn fine name Humon," Fox replied.

"It's Human!" Jack barked back.

"Mon damn it!" Fox yelled.

"Fox?" Krystal said sweetly.

"Yes?" Fox replied without looking away from Jack.

"You like sleeping on the couch right." Krystal stated dryly.

"Someone is in the dog house." Jack snickered. "Ow!" Jack suddenly cried out as an apple bounced off his head. Jack looked behind him at Helena who was innocently chewing on another apple while looking over her notes and schematics.

"I think she took offense to that comment." Fox shrugged sympathetically as Jack rubbed the back of his head.

Eventually focus returned to talk of fixing Jack's aerospace fighter; with Rene going over its armor strength.

"The armor cannot take a lot of direct hits from an Arwing's blasters Jack. If we finish the Veritech repairs; you will end up full of holes if you take Fox on without an update. Here look at this." Rene handed Jack a digital pad displaying the statistics of Fox's current Arwing type versus Jack's current Veritech.

All the stats were about even except for speed and maneuverability. The Arwing's power was completely out of range of the Veritech's considering the different weapons systems in place. But Jack spotted one difference he thought could take advantage of.

"Says here his defense readout is the same as my own. Guess Earth tech could put a dent in your flying arrow eh Fox?" Jack said while pointing.

Fox said nothing and waited for Jack's expression to change as he learned the hard truth.

"Oh sorry I forgot to include shield readouts." Rene said pressing an onscreen button on the pad.

Jack's jaw dropped. He recovered enough from his shock to realize that if he wanted to compete he would have to update his aircraft, no doubt about it was in his mind.

"Alright, an update first then me and Fox can elaborate in the air." Jack said feeling the urge to take to the skies again kick in.

Fox slipped away to converse with his own team. They had been handed readouts of Jack's Veritech as well by Rick no less. Spotting this Jack shot Rick a playful betrayed look. The feline played coy and got interested in an invisible yarn ball. Rolling around on the deck he only stopped when Rene kicked him in the butt.

"Hey they want to help." Rick said after composing himself. "And it is the pilot as well as the machine that ends up winning. Besides pilots like me can benefit from this collaboration greatly; Slippy here is a research and development madman as well as an above decent wingman." Rick said with excitement in his voice. "With his help along with our combined teams, we can have your Veritech updated into a new class of fighter previously unseen in this universe or your own."

"I kind of do not like the sound of that given previous circumstances." Jack sighed. "But if we have to do it, let's do it well." Jack nodded.

And so the work began on the repair and redevelopment of Jack's Veritech fighter. The first thing done was the reconstruction of his damaged fighter. Its aft section was totaled. Plans stored in the onboard computer, as well as Jack's detailed memory; were what had yielded all the replacement parts previously, including brand-new wings.

Dozen's of hours of manpower went into the work and everyone helped out. About halfway into the repair job the topic of personal motivations to fly came up.

"I take it some of you cockpit jockeys learned to fly just like I did originally?" Jack asked while removing a brand-new fabricated part from a crate and passing it to Fox.

"Videogames," Fay, Miyu, and Jack said simultaneously.

Everyone else laughed for a moment before Slippy spoke up.

"Same here," Slippy said. "Really had no friends back when I started tinkering with technology; so I played a few air simulator games and I had a knack for them. It sort of influenced my decision to work with the Star Fox team."

"What Slip leaves out is the part about how he has one of the highest scores on the lounge arcade machine. He probably set the score while we were all on break. So I doubt he has only a knack." Rick said with a chuckle.

"So you're ACE?" Miyu asked sounding surprised. "I am surprised you're so good at that game."

"Actually I am ACE. The rest of you are PEP, DOG, and CAT along with a certain FOX respectively." Jack said with a grin.

Everyone laughed again and Jack smiled wider. The conversation was starting to remind Jack of his friends he had lost and left back home. Pushing his thoughts of the past aside he found Helena looking at him as she reached for a component. Their gazes rested on each other for a moment before he looked away to resume work on his Veritech; and converse with the new allies who assisted him.

"So how did Fox and the rest recruit you?" Jack asked while using a wrench to tighten a coupling.

"Who me?" Slippy asked.

"Yea Slippy, I know how Krystal and Fay and Miyu joined. And how Peppy was apart of the original team. How about you, any interesting stories?" Jack asked from the other end of the large aircraft.

Fox chuckled with a sheepish grin on his face. "Slippy, can I tell the story?" Fox asked.

"The way you tell it, I seem like a drunk." Slippy replied with a laugh.

"Let Fox tell it, then I can tell you all some stories about how much noise he and Krystal make...from two decks up!" Miyu said with a snicker.

Krystal blushed and Fox sighed embarrassedly. Jack shook his head and knew he was in for quite a day.

After various tales that left more than a few faces red. Jack found himself in the crew lounge taking a break with Fox instead of immediately showering and going to bed. Fox had brought out a bottle of Cornerian wine and both had drunk quite a bit and were lightly smashed.

"So Fox, your family was taken out by that bum Andross right?" Jack asked with a slightly slurred voice.

"Yea," Fox replied in his normal tone. He could handle drinks better than Jack slightly it seemed. "But I got that asshole. Jerk never gave up on taking over the damn galaxy...but you know what? It all doesn't matter, 'cause I have Krystal now. Nothing matters but her man."

"I hear that." Jack said while he refilled his glass.

"What about you? You have anyone back home?" Fox asked while Jack took a swig from the bottle forgetting his glass.

"Damn straight I did, two of 'em. My Commanding Officer Helena something or another, she could be mean but damn she was hot. And my best bud from the academy Izzy Randle. She was a hell of a pilot to have on your wing I might add."

Jack looked out a porthole at the inky white-specked sight of space lost in deep thoughts for a moment. Fox did not push him to continue and drank from his half full glass as he waited for Jack to finish talking.

"But nothing ever happened between me and either of them. It does not matter now that I think about it. Can't go home, so I figure I might as well work with people like you guys." Jack sighed as he capped the bottle and pulled it away from Fox. "I think we both have had enough."

Fox nodded but conveniently forgetting to mention someone had invented pills that prevented alcohol's side effects within ten minutes. Fox figured he would pop one on the walk back to the Great Fox which was docked with the Epoch. "Keep the bottle; share it with someone you dig." Fox said chuckling in a drunken manner as he prepared to leave; the alcohol finally having a visible effect on him.

Jack smiled as he watched his new drinking partner walk out of the nearly empty lounge. "Your quite the drinking buddy you know that Fox?"

Fox stopped at the door and nodded. "Yea well I could out drink and out fly my friend Falco anytime." Fox said with a sad sigh.

"Oh, did he die?" Jack asked carefully. "Buddy of mine named Hiro passed away. Now that was a man who could down a bottle of whiskey!"

"No, he is off somewhere flying around with a feline acquaintance of the team. A hell of an annoying fan-girl pilot named Katt Monroe; she actually took one of the enemy ships during the war and converted it for her own personal use. But she did come in handy in aiding us during some close fights." Fox stood up from the table. "Just try to start over Jack. The others and I like you a lot. So it would be good if you could hang around."

Jack leant back in his chair and thought for a moment. It had finally hit him then why he and Helena had been so hostile. I never thought I would be another Max Sterling. Jack thought with a smile as he thought of Helena's soft curves and commanding attitude. "Why do I like tough women?" Jack asked himself aloud as he drifted off in his seat for a bit.

~_--_-_--_~

The next morning on the Great Fox in Miyu and Fay's quarters.

A white cocker spaniel lay sleeping soundly wrapped up in a sheet on a bed. Next to her laid a lightly sleeping bobcat that was still dressed in black leather garments.

Around her neck was a gold studded choker and around her arms were gold studded leather bands. Her short ears flicked back and forth as she blinked a few times as she awoke.

The room they were in had various items intended for bondage games littered about the floor; as the previous night's activities did not allow time for clean up after the two had their fun.

Her personal A.I. Beta alerted her that it was time to arise for the day seconds after she had awoke.

"Mistress Miyu." The computer said in a soft masculine voice. "Mistress?"

"I am awake Beta so quiet down and display tasks for the day on the wall screen please." Miyu said yawning showing her gleaming white fangs.

A section of room's wall that was coated with ultra-thin polymers allowed it to act as a screen. A green pasture faded into existence on it as words scrolled down it.

Miyu's eyes darted over the screen as she refreshed her mind with her and her mate's planned tasks for the day. Mostly they had to work on Jack's Veritech again; Miyu idly wondered if she could get him into bed with her and Fay. It would prove an interesting experience given he was unique in their universe as far as she knew.

Reaching for Fay she gently shook her awake. "Fay, it is time to get up." Miyu said softly.

"What is it that you would have me do Mistress?" Fay said as she sat up slowly.

Miyu ran a claw tip under Fay's chin. "Remain as beautiful as you are to me." Miyu kissed Fay softly on the lips. Parting from the kiss she smiled. "We have work to do on Jack's Veritech again."

"Do we have time to play?" Fay asked in a timid voice.

"We must save our energy for showering and the work to come; rather than use it to sate our lust my lovely one."

Miyu slid out of bed and removed the leather wrapped around her arms carefully. She watched as Fay got up and removed the Egyptian like gold bands she wore around her body. Including a pair of energy cuffs she dropped into a receptacle along with the rest of her costume.

Fay's white fur covered the dozens of bruises and scars she had gained over the years. But her passion for what she did with her mistress took her mind away from them. She enjoyed their daily passion and strained her body to the limit for it at times. The pain and control of the pain came from putting herself into her place at her Mistress's feet. And the pleasure was most rewarding that came from her eventual release at the nimble hands of Miyu.

"Mistress?" Fay asked while looking over the tasks on the wall opposite of Miyu.

"What is it pet?" Miyu asked as she prepared to enter the shower. Her nude black spotted and orange furred body was lean yet muscular. She held a large black towel in hand as she waited for an answer. "Do you wish to wash with me? We cannot play, so be forewarned that any touching that I do not approve of will not be tolerated."

Fay nodded as she faced Miyu. "Yes I want to bathe with you. But I have a feeling our day is going to be interesting."

Miyu smiled and entered the shower area of their living space on the ship with graceful steps. Miyu smoothly started to remove her various body adornments and placed them in a dish one by one. She continued to smile at Fay as she watched her walk in behind her slowly carrying her own towel.

Fay had previously removed all her costume jewelry before following Miyu. Her eyes followed Miyu's every step in removing her rings and body piercings. They soon rested on Miyu's breasts as she removed her nipple rings. Her mouth watered at the sight of the nubs poking out of her fur. But she respected Miyu's wishes and would not act unless she approved of it.

"Mmm. I love the feelings I get when I remove my piercings. You still do not want any Fay?" Miyu smiled as she approached the circular shower platform at the rear of their bathroom.

"Not yet." Fay said stepping onto the platform as well after laying her towel next to Miyu's on a large basin sink.

The two watched as the glass door slid around from behind another to form a circular area around them. Three showerheads emerged from the ceiling and started to apply shampoo mixed with warm water. The women lathered up their fur with their own hands at first. But Miyu slowly reached out and cupped her hand over Fay's vagina as the water rained down on them.

Fay moaned as Miyu's index finger poked her outer folds and slowly started to rub against them. She reached for Miyu but Miyu stopped her.

"Why?" Fay asked with surprise at not being allowed to pleasure her lover.

"Shhh, this is all for you." Miyu said as she got on her knees and cupped Fay's fuzzy ass in her hands. Digging her claws in gently she started to apply her tongue to Fay's clit. She smiled inwardly between laps of her lover's folds.

Fay leaned against the side of the shower as Miyu licked her pussy. She wanted to beg her to reach into her depths with her tongue; but knew it penetrate her after she had been toyed with long enough.

"Ooh. Please continue Mistress." Fay panted as she struggled to keep her knees from buckling.

Miyu liked it when Fay tried to hide her needs from her. But she could read her pet's needs just by looking into her eyes. "You want me to lick your insides don't you?" Miyu asked in a sultry voice as she released Fay's butt to part her vaginal lips with her claw-tips.

"Yes." Fay said through gritted teeth as Miyu poked her hole with a finger as her tongue found her clit once more.

Miyu obliged Fay and started to lap harder against her clit before dragging her tongue downward slowly. Once it reached the pink folds parted by her claw-tips she lashed out at the pinkness and poked her tongue into Fay as far as she could go.

Fay gasped as Miyu did, as she wanted. Her orgasm was fast approaching and she squirmed as Miyu pushed her small muzzle against her vagina. Miyu's tongue worked its way into her cunt deeper and deeper searching for more of her sweet fluids to taste.

Miyu grasped Fay's ass cheeks with her hands once more. The warm shower water invigorated her as it cascaded over Fay's body onto hers. "Come for me now!" Miyu commanded realizing they were on duty in a few moments.

Fay stopped holding back and let it all out with a scream. She cried out with a voice filled with pleasure. Her vagina convulsed, the fluid coming out of it greedily lapped up by Miyu's rough voracious tongue.

Miyu stopped her gentle ministrations on Fay once she lapped up all her sweet juice and stood up to embrace her. The two kissed and shared Fay's lust with one another. Parting from the kiss they went about quickly finishing their shower aiding each other in cleaning themselves.

"I love you Miyu." Fay said hugging Miyu as the water stopped.

"And I love you more." Miyu smiled before nipping Fay playfully on her nose.

Author's Notes

I figured the ending of Robotech Battlecry was open to some of interpretation. I thought at the time when I wrote this story it would be nice that if a Battle Cry sequel was made; and that Jack turned out to be alright. Well they did make a sequel game dealing with the currently last chapter of the Robotech Saga; with a new show on the way sometime in the future already in production.

A lot of fans of the first game figured after seeing the ending that Jack died. I figured that while I was high on whatever hallucinatory I was on at the moment (kidding) I should see to it that I make the first Robotech Star Fox crossover fic. Or what I would hope is the first.

Jack and Fox's pasts as youths are similar enough for them to get a rapport going. So I thought what the heck. I might as well write this thing and I did. But then I left it alone for a long while figuring it was never meant to be released. Something I did on a whim based on a friend's own fan fiction ideas. (Such as Fay and Miyu being in a relationship of the type you read in this story O_o ya know the BSDM type.).

Since I wrote this story Star Fox Assault came out to very mixed reviews. I will not share my opinion on the game. But, consider this story to be an "Alternate Universe" or something like that.

Part two of this story is coming shortly so be on the lookout for it. For now I have to see if I want to finish the sequel to Clear Heavens; reader comments would definitely make me seriously consider finishing and releasing The Clear Victor.

As always e-mail me at [email protected] with questions, comments, and suggestions.