Episode 4: Lylat

        Trixxy fiddled with the Transporter. She looked up.

        "Everyone ready?" She asked.

        "Maybe we should shift forms first," Blu suggested, "The natives might not know about shapeshifting and Aliroos."

        Trixxy giggled. "Its funny to think that they haven't heard of Aliroos. You'd think they would've realized that we travel around constantly in their space! But its still funny, and you're right. "

        "The people of Lylat have human-like animal forms. Anthromorphs, they're called, I think. More commonly refered to as Furries. How odd!" Blu said, suppressing a chuckle, "What should we do?"

        "We might each pick an animal that corresponds with our color, and then halfway shift it into a human form," Cruisor suggested. That seemed reasonable. After pondering animals, they charged up the Transporter and jumped through.

        Cruisor was pleased with his Lylat Form. He chose a squirrel, one of the least common animals. It was VERY strange, though, to have the senses of an animal, and the physical structure of a human. But Lylat was still known for its wonderful spaceships and fleets.

        He and the rest loved to race. The loved to race anything. To this foursome, speed was everything. That was one reason they had chosen Lylat. It had fast ships.

        "You know, we're going to have to go through training to be able to get our own Team," Cruisor said.

        Trixxy had chosen a raccoon 'Morph. Of course, she kept her trademark bandanna and spectacles, which she wore even in normal form. Blu took a less original stance, and adapted her form as an aliroo. Strype had chosen a stunning tiger form.

        "You're right," Blu said, donning her favorite pair of sunglasses, "We should go and enroll now! Right away! Lets get started, this'll be a he**uva of a game!"

         They all grinned, and wandered the Cornerian streets until they finally found the Academy.

        "Wow."

        One word described it all; The Academy was even more impressive than the Alirooan high Council building.

        "Are you sure we can just enroll, right off the bat?" Cruisor asked.

        "Why not?" Trixxy asked, hanging on Strype's arm.

        They crossed the threshold, into a large lobby. Blu advanced the secretary.

        "Um, excuse, me, ma'am," she started, "We'd like to enroll in the Cornerian Alliance Training Program."

        "CAT?" The secretary asked. She was a cat herself. Looking old and distinguished. "You'll have to fill out these forms. CAT is free to anyone younger than thirty years of age. We can always have more Teams."

        Blu grinned as she took the clipboards and handed them out. She sat next to Trixxy in the lobby.

        "Name, age....All the regular stuff. I wonder how long it is until we get to fly some ships?"

~*~

Chapter 2 (Lylat)

        Trixxy grinned widely at Blu. She excitedly settled into the two-person ship for training. The first ship that they would get outside of the simulations! Blu sat in front of her, taking the main nav. Parallel with them were Strype and Cruisor, and to their right were two other wingmates, Falco Lombardi and Fox McCloud. As the protective glass shield whisked over them, Trixxy caught Blu's reflection as she glanced at the dash. Trixxy giggled to herself excitedly.

        She turned and blew a kiss to Strype, who grinned and returned.

        The green lights in the hangar snapped on, and the garage door opened into the runway. Trixxy stopped daydreaming, and clicked back into reality.

        "We've got engines one...Two...Three...And four online," she announced. "G-Diffuser system up and running. I believe we are good to go!"

        Blu glanced over her shoulder at her friend, and set her hands on the nav-stick. Trixxy jammed down on the boost clutch, and the steel bars holding the D-Wing unlatched. She flipped another switch, and the thrusters were online.

        "Ready?" She asked.

        "You bet. Lets make some tracks!" Blu replied. She pulled up a handle, and the thrusters hummed. The humming got louder as she raised the lever, until they started gliding forwards. Blu pushed the lever up as far as it would go, then returned to the nav. She guided the steadily accelerating D-Wing into the runway, and the speed began to pick up.

        "We'll reach minimum lift off speed in five....four.....three...two...one!"

        Trixxy counted down. On 'one,' Blu pulled gently up on the nav, and the wing lifted of the ground.

        "Engage boost!" Blu directed. Trixxy flipped the proper switch. She ship shot forward, causing temporary dizziness. The three D-Wings shot into space.

~*~

        Upon a successful landing, Blu walked towards her locker. She intended to take a shower, and perhaps retire from this exhausting bi-pedal form. She walked down the hall with Trixxy. Cruisor and Strype left for the mess hall. As they turned the corner and headed up the stairs to the dorm level, Blu heard a familiar chatting.

        "Shh! Wait," she said to Trixxy. She peered around the corner.

        She saw Falco and Fox. Falco was a handsome bird. Literally. He was a Cornerian Falcon. But the blue feathers attracted her, and his cocky attitude appealed to her. He would definitely be a good person to have on one's side. She was careful not to get to know him to well, she never wanted to become too involved in a minor species. So far, so good.

        "Hey, Trix, lemmee get a soda," she said. The pop machine was down that hall. She turned the corner after making sure her uniform hung in the proper carefree fashion that portrayed freedom and authority. A strange mix, but she seemed to have captured the essence.

        One of the best things about Falco was that he was loyal. He had a girlfriend, even, and so he kept well away from Blu. That made it all the more fun. She wanted to know him. Be friends. A Trusting friendship. Katt Monroe could do what she wanted with him, but Blu wanted the trust. Of all the characters at the Academy, Falco had the best trust. The hardest trust to get, but the best. And that was the challenge.

        Blu walked past him. She didn't know if Trixxy followed. She walked past the two guys. Fox was a fox. Again, literally. Blu almost burst out laughing. The people of this world certainly were funny.

        She nodded as she passed, and smiled as she aquired the desired response. They both stopped talking. Perfect! She wanted to spur the curiosity. Everyone knew that there was something different about Blu Flyer and her friends.

        She took out her ID card, and slipped it through the return slot of the pop machine. She punched in a sparkling grape juice drink. It materialized, and she picked it up. The two hadn't returned to talking yet.

        Blu walked past them, and turned back across the corner. Trixxy was still waiting there. Blu sat down and opened her drink.

        "There's something about her," Falco remarked, "Something Other-Worldly about her."        

~*~

        Strype sat at a mess hall table, and looked across the table at Trixxy. Even here on the strange world of Corneria, she was cute. No matter what form, there was something about her eyes; Something cocky about her smile and a special energetic sparkle about her movements. And of course, she looked even cuter with her little spectacles and bandanna.

        He looked beside her at Blu. Blu Flyer. Blu Flyer wasn't cute. She was attractive, but not all of it was physical. Her posture, her movements, her smile; Every gesture and word she spoke dripped with confidence. He had known both girls since he could remember.

        Cruisor, beside him, laughed. Had they been talking? Strype sighed. He had a tendency to miss things. He looked at Cruisor as he continued talking.

        ".....So I said, 'Aw, c'mon, dontcha have anything 'sides rice and potaters?'"

        Trixxy laughed, and Blu smiled and shook her head, then looked around, and then she waved at Fox. He was sitting at a separate table with three other wingmates. It was so great that they were their own team now! Blu Flyer had been elected team Leader for obvious reasons, and currently they were Star Flyer. Fox McCloud had been chosen for the other group, and they were now Star Fox. That was a catchy title. Although it was strange that they had used his first name. Although Star Blu and Star 'Roo didn't sound quite right. Maybe they were in the wrong? Well, nevertheless, the two teams were the best of the best; the leading teams in the Cornerian Alliance.

        Strype and the rest had been staying in Corneria for three Earth years now. A long time. They froze time occasionally for vacations at home.

        He sipped on his pop. That was all.

        Something on Blu's watch beeped. She looked at it. Then she glanced at Fox. She stood up, as did Star Fox. Blu motioned for them to follow.

        They followed her to the transport. Strype was suprised when the entered the transport, and both Blu and Fox ordered the computer to take them to Alliance HQ.

        The transport took off, and soon enough, they arrived at HQ.

        "What's going on?" Trixxy asked Blu.

        "There's been a breach of perimeter."

        The doors whisked open into General Pepper's office. Both Teams walked in, solemn in the small room.

        General Pepper glanced up. Blu and Fox saluted. Pepper stood up and nodded.

        "Star Fox. Star Flyer," he said, nodding. He surveyed the eight young team members.

        "Reporting for mission duty, sir," Fox said. Pepper beamed on him.

        "Just like your father. Good show." He cleared his throat. "Now then. The eight of you are the best of the best. There has been an armed breach of perimeter by invading forces. Our posts have been disarmed and taken hostage. We are sending you two teams to try and take out the enemy forces. We've already sent Star Drake to help. And Lt. Flyer."

        They'd sent Drake Whitewind? AND Boomer? Strype thought. His older sister, Darla, was on Star Drake. It was headed by Drake Whitewind, a greenish aliroo had taken a dragon as his form. Team Whitewind consisted of all Aliroos, just like Team Flyer. Boomer was one of the best pilots in the Fleet.

        "They are waiting for your support at this very moment. There are eight Arwings docked and ready for you at the HQ Fleet. " Pepper paused, and glanced out the window. "You'd better get going and help out your teams." He saluted, sat in his chair, and turned it so they stared at the back of his chair.

        They boarded their Arwings. Three years of hard training, and they were on their first mission. Cruisor jumped in his Arwing jubilantly, and adjusted his aviator shades. He snapped the switch that would slide the glass cover. Then he geared up the engines, and tapped the release. The sliding board his Arwing was mounted it on shot forward, and propelled his ship into the atmosphere.

        He gained altitude, and he, Strype, and Trixxy took standard position behind Blu's Arwing. To his left, Star Fox took the same positions.

        "All right guys, lets do this!" Blu's voice came over the intercom. "This is Blu Flyer, reporting to the Team and Fox McCloud. Everyone, lets have our comms on channel 27." Cruisor turned his comm to the correct channel.

        "Breaker, breaker," Fox's voice came over the comm.

        "Read ya loud an' clear!" Cruisor replied.

        "All right, we're heading towards Sector Y perim. Everyone check your G-Diffuser system."

        "This is Peppy. All systems go."

        "Slippy's ready."

        "This is Fox, I'm good to go!"

        "Flyer in, we're on-line."

        "Trixxy is rockin!"

        "Falco here, I'm fine."

        "Got it down."

        "Lets do it!" Cruisor called, grinning. He pulled hard on his nav, and rolled away from the group. The others did the same, and they shot into space.

        They neared the Sector Y perim in hardly no time. Blu maintained a steady course towards the perim. Soon she could see the ships buzzing around the post like bees in a hive.

        "All right, guys. Its all for one and one for all. You help me, I help you. Our main objective is to protect the base and get those UnMentionables outta there! Let's rock and roll!"

        She pulled up, and shot up above the melee. She held the trigger, and focused the laser. She dived down towards the base, and spotted a previously mentioned Unmentionable. Pulling down the computer visor, she locked on and fired.

        The ship exploded with a nice "poof."

        "You made it!" Called a female voice over the comm.

        "Darla!" Strype said.

        "There's something strange going on....These ships contain no life. And they're weak. I'm thinking something bigger is coming," said Drake in his silky voice.

        "Just help us out. With three teams and the Lieutenant, we can clean em out easy," added Cobalt.

        "Where is Boomer?" Blu asked.

        "I don't know. He went off chasing a band of baddies," replied the familiar voice of Raya. The transmissioned paused as the ships spread wide and began hunting down enemy ships.

        "Hey Fox, make sure you don't hurt yourself with those maneuvers," Falco's sarcastical remark came over the comm. He did a barrel roll around Fox's ship and then a U-turn, and at the same time, firing lasers accuratly.

        "Shut up Falco, and start shooting." Fox replied. Blu could hear him grinning.

        "Betchya I can shoot more than you," Falco shot back, his voice buzzing with competition. He completed a V-turn and continued to shoot.

        "All right....." Fox paused, as a ship blew up, "I'll bet you five holodeck passes."

        "Done!" Falco remarked. He veered away and shot another ship.

        Blu couldn't stand it. She hit the comm button.

        "I bet I can beat both of you," she added. "Ten holodeck passes."

        Cruisor's chuckling came over the comm.

        Nothing came back, so she shrugged, and turned her ship in a U-turn and dove down on towards another ship.

        "Arwing networked computer, keep track of destroyed targets by each ship," Fox said. The computer chimed. The challenge was on.

        Blu chased a drone ship behind the post, and locked on. As it neared another badnik, she fired.

        "Ha! Two in one!" She taunted over the comm. Then she spotted a cluster of ships nearing them. A group of four ships. Suddenly the computer chimed, and then made a blarking noise. A new voice came over the comm.

        "Long time, no see, Star Fox."

        "Star Wolf!" Fox called angrily into the comm, "Stay outta this!"

        Blu pushed the comm button as she maneuvered out of an attack.

        "The notorious Star Wolf?" She called.

        "That's right, " said another voice.

        Blu growled. The four dark ships showed up on her radar. She arched around, positioning her Arwing behind one of them. She rapidly fired her lasers, scoring hits. The ship reared up in a back flip. Childish fools. Blu hit the brakes.

        An Arwing or Arwing shaped ship can only do a backflip in a limited radius. The enemy ship came back down from it's loop right in front of her. She locked on, and fired a bomb.

        The ship flew out, looking battered but not beaten.

        "Haven't they gotten the idea yet?" Falco hissed over the comm. "Aw, shoot, someone get him off my back!"

        "I got it," Blu called, leaving others to save themselves. She glanced at the radar, and swerved around.

        "Hurry it up, Flyer," Falco called urgently. Blu almost made a joke, but decided now was not the time. She turned until his ship came into site. She boosted up, and started firing shots at the ship.

        "Get outta there, Falco, I'm nukin' the sucker!" She called. She gave him five seconds, and fired a bomb. Falco did a roll, down and to the left.

        "You will pay for that, Flyer," said a voice over the comm.

        "Computer, identify enemy ship pilots," Blu hissed to the computer.

        The computer chimed.

        "Enemy ships identified. Star Wolf. Lead by Wolf O'Conner. Members include Pigma Dengar, Andrew (ARGH! Help me out, I can't remember his last name!), and Leon Powalski."

        "Computer, identify the ship I'm about to blow up," Blu commanded, maneuvering her ship behind the enemy ship. Falco fell into line behind her, matching her speed and angle.

        "Leon Powalski. Wolfen Ship; very fast and highly maneuverable."

        "Can I blow it up?" She asked.

        "Affirmative."

        Blu grinned. Then the computer continued.

        "...Ship will be blocked after one hit. Recommended strategy: Dual assault."

        "All right. Now, Computer....Shut up." Then, "Flyer to Falco, lock on and fire when I say!"

        "Gotcha, Flyer," Falco said. He sped up, and Blu locked on.

        "Leon, I have two words for you to describe me," Blu said.

        "Oh? And what might those be?" He replied.

        "Pure .... Evil."

        "Pure Evil?" said Falco and Leon at the same time. Instead of responding, she yelled,

        "FIRE!"

        Two bombs shot out from the two Arwings, targeted on Leon's ship. They both hit, and the ship went spinning. It made a somewhat crash landing right into the docking bay on the post. So maybe he wouldn't die. Hmm...He'd go to prison. Good.

        "Can't explain Pure Evil," Blu said over the comm, grinning, "I have ten holodeck passes at stake."

        "No one can explain Pure Evil," Trixxy added. All of the other Aliroos under cover agreed.

        Blu swerved her Arwing over again, locking on to another ship. She fired, but it was only a lifeless drone ship. Suddenly her whole Arwing shook. A light blinked on the dash.

        "Blu Flyer. I've heard of you. Took care of your ignorant brother on the way over here," called Wolf over the comm.

        They got Boomer?

        "I doubt it, O'Conner," she said, doing a U-Turn.

        "Don't doubt it," he replied, firing again. The Arwing shook again, and the main lights went out. Blu maneuvered the ship in a sharp V, trying to dodge the red lasers being issued by Wolf. Only the red emergency light made her controls visible. Blu took off her glasses and hung them on her shirt. She did a forward roll, and then shot straight up.

        "Fancy moves will only bide you time," Wolf said. He merely looped up and followed her. He began shooting the lasers again. Blu tapped the nav, and began a series of roll-dives. As the Arwing rolled, the lasers bounced off. But there was no loosing him. She hated to call for help, but...

        "This is Flyer, I could use some help, here!" She called.

        "Won't do any good," Wolf replied smugly, "I've cut your communication distance. You're out of range."

        Blu ground her teeth. She kept up the roll dives.

        "Give it up," Wolf said, issuing more shots.

        Blu sped towards a piece of space debris on her own accord. At least he hadn't hit any of her wings off, or damaged her life supply. She neared the large piece of debris. Ten feet before hitting, she whipped up in a vertical V, nearly colliding with the close following Star Wolf. She fired a bomb and sped out.

        "Tricky, tricky," he said. Not quite as confident as he had been, perhaps a bit shaken.

        He fired a shot, and suddenly Blu's Arwing spun out of control. She managed to regain equilibrium, but discovered that one half of the right wing had been blown off. She cursed silently.

        "Hang in there, Blu," said a reassuringly familiar voice over the comm.

        "Boomer...." Blu said, sighing and wiping sweat off her brow.

        An Arwing sped out of the stars, bombarding Star Wolf with high powered lasers. As a Lieutenant, Boomer was entitled to higher-powered ships. Wolf's ship started on fire, as his oxygen hissed out into space. He spun towards the debris. Boomer didn't bother to finish him off with a bomb.

        Blu managed to get the hand of flying a lop-sided ship.

        "Shall we?" Boomer asked, speeding on back to the post.

        Blu grinned, and followed him, shooting more bad-guys on her way.

~*~

        Blu sat in next to her wing mates. All three teams, plus Boomer, were in the mess hall. They had pulled together the tables and all sat together for celebrating.

        Blu held up her wine.

        "To the Teams!" She said.

        "And the Lieutenant," Trixxy added, winking at Boomer.

        Boomer chuckled and raised his glass.

        Blu surveyed the Team members. Peppy was older...Older then anyone else. He had been part of Star Fox back when James McCloud had been head. Slippy was a toad. And an engineer. Blu didn't like him much...He was very unstable. Falco had suffered a slight concussion, but otherwise seemed fine. Strype, Trix, and Cruise had come out clean. The other team members were part of Star Drake.

        Drake Whitewind was a tall dragon. In his natural form he was even tall. Sort of a rustic green. He and the rest of his Team were all a year older then Team Flyer. They had all been the ones that had gotten their little siblings into Corneria...Boomer had been here first. Then he had shown it to Drake, who in turn brought Darla, Cobalt and Raya in.

        Darla was Strype's sister. His colors were black and reddish gold...Hers were black and yellow-gold. She chose a tiger 'morph, so they matched.

        Raya was a deep blue aliroo. Her 'morph form was a raven, reflecting her shapely body even in a humanish form. She always kept her hair up in a high ponytail, and wore form-fitting clothes. Blu had never really liked her, but Raya McCall *did* have a way with firearms that any macho guy would envy. She also had talents with knives, martial arts, and fencing.

        Cobalt was a cobra in Corneria. He had a good sense of humor. He always wore a baseball cap backwards on his head. He was the basic mechanic on Team Whitewind...Like Slippy on Star Fox, and Cruise on Star Flyer.

        Blu looked her older brother. Boomer was twenty-three, having been in Corneria almost ten years. He had taken a 'Roo form, with his normal deep red color. Blu had taken her form after his....It was easier to claim relationship, and she liked the form.

        Blu tipped the glass back, and let the cool liquid slide down her throat. A sort of menthol after taste seeped into her nose.

        A knock came on the door.

        "Who is it?" Falco called.

        "Requested Computer records," came a voice. It was naggingly familiar. Blu glanced around. Trixxy was stock still. Who was it that would scare Trixxy...?

        "Come in," Blu called.

        The door opened, and Blu turned to see a young raccoon 'morph. He looked familiarly like...

        "Ricky!" Blu called, "Hey! How ya doin'?"

        "Hi, Blu," said Ricky. He handed the print out to Fox. "Hi Trix." He grinned.

        "Ricky! What are you doing here??" Trixxy asked.

        "Who is this?" Asked Peppy.

        "Trixxy's little brother," Strype answered, smirking. Cruisor giggled.

        "So I guess you got your license?" Boomer asked nonchalantly, but putting special emphasis on "license."

        "Yup, sure did," Ricky said, "Followed you guys all the way here."

        "From where?" Asked Slippy.

        Ricky got a panicky look on his face.

        "From Earth," Blu improvised.

        "Where?"

        "It's a blue planet in the Milky Way," Strype agreed.

        "Oh." Slippy shrugged.

        "Um, I gotta go. I'm on errand work until I can get off the waiting list and into ACAT."

        "Waiting list?" Blu asked.

        "Yeah," Ricky agreed, "Ever since you three teams have made such an impression, everyone wants to get into CAT and meet you and be part of the teams."

        The three teams exchanged glanced.

        "Cheers to that," Blu said, raising her glass again.

        "Oh, Blu, Joey wants to talk to you and Boomer."

        "Joey's here, too??" Blu asked. She groaned. "Boomer, why do we have to have a little brother?" She asked rhetorically.

        Boomer patted her on the back. "Well, I'm lucky I have a little sister. You take him for granted. You weren't always a little angel, you know."

        Blu grinned. Then she stood up and snatched the print out from Fox.

        "Hey..." he started, grinning.

        "I won, didn't I?" She asked, scanning through the paper.

        "Well...."

        Blu found her name on the chart.

        "Ha!" She exclaimed victoriously. She folded the paper for better viewing and handed it to Boomer.

        "Tie?" He said. He chuckled. "Well, I guess Falco owes you both. You and Fox'll have to work this out later."

        Fox grinned. So did Blu.

~*~

        Blu glanced across the pool table at Fox. The lights were dimmed in Laurie's Café. She turned to her cue, and waited for Trixxy to finish her shot. They were playing teams; Blu and Trix against Fox and Falco. So far it was pretty much even.

        Laurie was older than most of them. She was a light dusty blue Aliroo, but took a unicorn 'morph form. She had been in Lylat almost as long as Boomer, and instead of going into CAT, she had gotten a cute little place in the downtown area of Corneria City. Laurie's Café. Pool tables, ice cream, and free passes for Aliroos.

        Boomer pulled up a barstool next to Blu.

        "I talked to Joe last night," he said, "He got into ACAT yesterday, with Ricky. They might even have their own team someday. He says their wingmates are cute."

        "Well, that's nice." Blu turned back to her cue.

        "What's wrong?"

        "Its just that now, I'm going to have to play baby sitter for him! And I have other things to do." Blu stood up as Falco completed his shot, knocking the 7-Stripe into the center hole. He tried for another one, but went a bit wide.

        Blu walked over and surveyed the table. She chose an angle and managed to bounce two balls into the corner holes. She took another survey, and punched another ball home. She and Trix only had three more balls till they would go after the eight. Blu went for the next one, and got it. The next one was nearly impossible without hitting the eight, so she just maneuvered the cue ball to a position where it would be tough to get any more stripes for Fox. She sat back down in her chair and sipped her pop.

        "Blu, its not that bad. You'll probably never see him. But you should make time."

        Blu sighed. She watched Fox try and go for one of the stripes, but ended up sticking the eight ball out in the open. This game was done, if Trix could get the last of theirs.

        "It always turns out that way," she commented, "I always end up taking care of him. He's just too alecky for ACAT. He'll get himself reprimanded with the way he mouths off. He's a smart kid, but he's just....."

        "Stupid? Yes, socially he can be. But there's one thing I wanted to ask you."

        "Oh?"

        "Yup. Get Fox. We need to go somewhere."

        "Oh?" Blu stood up, puzzled. She signaled Fox.

        "Whats up, Flyer?" He asked.

        "I guess we're going somewhere."

        Fox shrugged.

        "Take care of the game, Trix," Blu called, waving.

        She followed Boomer with Fox.

        "Do you have any idea what its about?" Fox asked.

        "Nope. But I think it has something to do with my little brother. But maybe not. I have no idea." Blu shook her head.

        A blast of warm air hit them as they walked on to Corneria's sunlit sidewalk. Boomer signaled a transport.

        "Alliance HQ," he said.

        Blu kept her amazement under reps. She glanced at Fox, who shrugged.

        The transport took off. They arrived at HQ, and entered the air-conditioned building. The took the lift upwards toward General Pepper's office. Blu tried not to get agitated. Boomer opened the door, and stood back as Fox and Blu walked into Pepper's office. Boomer followed, and closed the door quietly.

        General Pepper was faced towards his window. Boomer cleared his voice gently, and the General swiveled his chair.

        Blu and Fox stood at attention.

        "Flyer and McCloud, Sir," Boomer said.

        "Yes, yes, I know." Pepper stood up. "Greetings, Leaders," he said, "You two are here under recommendation by other team leaders and lieutenants. After monitoring your performance at the Sector Y perim incident, we have decided to award you with the rank of Lieutenant, under certain conditions." Pepper paused, monitoring the two leader's reactions. Then he continued. "The conditions include, for you Fox, to be on-call at all times for the defense of the Alliance. When we have problems, we'll call you. You must be dedicated to this job, as must be your crew. Are you competent?"

        "Yes, sir!" Fox said.

        Pepper turned to Blu.

        "Blu Flyer, you have shown extraordinary leading capabilities and flying techniques. We would like to station you on the Katina Base, for training of advanced pilots. You and the rest of your team. What do you think?"

        "Sure, Sir," Blu said, beaming.

        Pepper nodded approvingly. He reached into the drawer of his desk and pulled out two envelopes.

        "Then I hereby promote the both of you to rank Lieutenant, under the conditions stated. Congratulations." He slid both envelopes across the desk. Blu picked up hers, as did Fox. Pepper saluted. They followed suit.

        "Dismissed. Transport to Katina leaves at eighteen hundred hours."

        Blu nodded. She and Fox turned and left the room. Boomer followed them.

        The transport took them back to Laurie's. Trixxy was sitting next to Strype, sipping a strawberry milkshake. Falco was seated at the bar, next to a feline. Blu recognized her. She held out her hand as she approached them.

        "Hi. I'm Blu Flyer," she said.

        The cat shook her hand.

        "Katt Monroe," she said.

        Blu withdrew her hand. Katt almost glared at her, as if trying to penetrate into her brain. Blu arched an eyebrow and backed off. Falco glanced between the two of them.

        Blu sat down next to Trix and Strype. Cruisor was on the other side of the room, throwing darts. Fox seated himself next to Blu, and they opened their envelopes. Inside was a Lieutenant rank pin, and a patch for her jacket.

        "Whatchya got?" Trix asked, leaning over.

        "You may now call me," Blu started, withdrawing the small pendant out of the envelope, "Lieutenant Flyer." Blu smiled.

        Trixxy's face light up, and she threw her arms around Blu and hugged her.

        "Wow! Lieutenant! After only three years!" She said, examining the pin.

        "Congrats, Blu," Strype said, grinning.

        "Thanks," Blu said, pinning the pendant on her shirt. "There's something I need to ask you."

        "Sure!"

        "Well, I was promoted after I agreed to teach flying techniques on Katina. I am allowed to invite the three of you to join me."

        "Cool!" Trixxy said, "Of course we will!"

        Then Blu turned to Boomer, who was standing over her.

        "Hey, Boom, what does this have to do with Joey?"

        "Joey and Ricky were too advanced for CAT. They studied up on training just for this reason...They're waiting for you on Katina..."

~*~

        Blu took the transport to Katina. She rode with Strype and Trixxy. Actually, the fact was, she was piloting the transport. They neared Katina's base, a pyramid-like structure.

        Blu unboarded, and paid her respects to the would-be flight attendant. She walked towards the base with her friends.

        Once inside, she was greeted by a rowdy looking bulldog.

        "You must be Bill Grey," she said, holding out her hand.

        He took it and shook heartily. "Yup! Thats me. You are Team Flyer? Please follow me." He led the way to the elevator. They went up two floors and arrived in a small room with an orderly desk. Bill sat behind the desk.

        "Now then. If you would please sign these papers, we can show you your rooms and students." He handed them clipboards. Blu sat down in a lobby chair and began filling it out.

        "Deja Vu," remarked Cruisor.

        After the forms, they were shown adjoining suites.

        "Take a crash, you can meet your students tomorrow," Bill said. He saluted, and returned to his office.

~*~

        Blu surveyed the cadets. All of them were in the advanced CAT program, and had been taken to Katina for further training. As she walked down the row of cadets, she noticed Ricky and Joey. Joey grinned as she passed.

        "Whats your name, kid?" Blu asked sternly.

        The grin flashed off his face as she leaned in.

        "J-Joey Flyer, Lieutenant," he stuttered.

        Blu gave him a good glare, then stood straight.

        "Keep that grin of your face and the stutter outta your words, Flyer," she said, "You're gonna have to deal with me. And I don't take kindly to smart alek remarks. OR babysitting. Got it?"

        "Yes Ma'am."

        "Good."

        The cadets almost looked cute,in their little trim uniforms..

        Blu had been put in charge of the team-work, Communications and Collective Flying skills section of the four-part training of ACAT. Cruisor was heading the Tech class, Trixxy was heading Piloting, and Strype was heading Targeting and Warfare.

        Blu faced the entire group.

        "You all know how to fly an Arwing?" She began.

        "Yes, ma'am."

        "Can you all fly in a tight formation without blowing eachother up?"

        "Uhhh...."

        "Well, that's why you're here. Shall we get started?"

~*~

        After a year of training five different classes, Blu was beginning to get the hang of the job. Joey was turning into a fine, responsible cadet, something that suprised her. He and Ricky were among the best in the class, along with Tayla, a reptilian girl, and Shard, an almost pixish cervine. Neither of them were Aliroos. But they were great on the wings.

        Blu sat in her office, reviewing Shard and Tayla's records. All clean. A knock came on her door.

        "Come in," she said, not taking her eyes of the papers. She stood the files on-end and stacked them neatly in a corner of her desk as the four cadets entered.

        "Be seated," she said. She stood up and looked at the four youngsters. Well, they weren't youngsters anymore. And if they were, it made her feel old. She remembered the carefree cadet days...Now she had carefree Lieutenant days. She smiled inwardly at the thought.

        "Richard Parker, Joey Flyer, Tayla Channey and Chard Simms. Welcome. The four of you have been chosen out of your league to represent this period's finest cadet wings. To this end, we award you with Alliance Jackets, complete with your first patch."

        Blu signaled to the doorman, who passed out the jackets. Blu remembered her first jacket...Clean, black...With the white and blue Star Team patch embroidered on the front, beside her name...She watched with renewed enjoyment as the cadets realized the significance.

        "Take care of your jackets," she said. She saw as Joey examined the front of his jacket. It had the Leader patch, a light yellow "L" embroidered beneath the Star Team patch. "Now, you are the second generation Star Flyer. And," Blu put on a mock serious face and leaned over her desk, "You'd better take care of that title, because I worked hard to earn it."

        She stood up again and saluted them. They stood and saluted. The four of them put on their jackets. They all left, save for Joey who paused at the door and looked back.

        "Thanks," he said.

        Blu nodded and smiled. He turned around and closed the door.