Venom, 100 years after the Lylat Wars: A lone warship streaked towards the planet under fire by several Cornerian Defense Force fighters. The warship belonged to the pirate group the Red Hammer. The Red Hammer group had recently led a failed attack on Corneria City and had lost all of their forces except the one ship they were in. The leader of the Red Hammer was a great white shark named Anklor. Despite the situation he continued to urge his crew on.
"All we have to do is reach the surface and its canyons and we can loose these CDF scum," said Anklor.
"Sir! We've already lost our entire fleet, isn't it foolish to press on? I say surrender is a viable option," said one of his subordinates. Anklor pulled out a blaster and shot him.
"I don't tolerate insubordination," said Anklor.
"Entering Venom atmosphere," said the pilot of the ship named Greg who was a monkey.
"Excellent. As soon as we're through, head for the immense canyons we used for our training simulations," said Anklor.
"Right," responded Greg. A loud explosion rocked the ship and sparks flew everywhere.
"Shields down to 16%. We're not going to make the canyons under this beating," said the tactical officer Samson, a gorilla.
"Options," said Anklor.
"There's a level 5 sandstorm brewing nearby. I say we go for it," said Porpoise, a porpoise.
"I guess we have no choice. Lay in a course," commanded Anklor. The ship cruised to the right while still under continuous bombardment from the CDF fighters.
"Entering the storm," said Greg. The warship bravely entered into the storm and the CDF fighters broke off the pursuit for fear of crashing.
"Run away! You can't defeat me. Ha, ha, ha, ha," laughed Anklor. Suddenly a lightning bolt struck the ship.
"There goes the main propulsion unit," said engineer Porpoise. The ship suddenly dived towards the surface.
"Impact in three, two, one," said Greg. The ship slammed into the ground and skidded for a few feet. The whole bridge was turned into shambles because of the impact. Immediately after the impact the storm died.
"Come! We've got to evacuate this ship before those meddling CDF forces arrive!" exclaimed Anklor. The team evacuated the ship and stood outside.
"Okay let's see here. We've got me, Porpoise, Greg, Samson, and a few minions composing of rats, simians, foxes, and otters. All right, according to our last scans the nearest town is about fifty miles that way. If we're lucky we'll manage to avoid the CDF agents when we get there and steal a transport. After that we'll blast off for home. Let's move, we can't afford to be discovered by the CDF fighters already on our trail!" exclaimed Anklor. The team started running away from the warship and through the desert. They continued walking for what seemed like ages when suddenly another sandstorm starting brewing.
"Arrgh! Press on troops!" yelled Anklor. Anklor pushed forward through the blinding sand toward the city. Then the ground opened up and the whole team tumbled down a set of submerged stairs and through a door before finally landing in an underground bunker.
"Ouch!" said Greg. Everyone looked at their surroundings and saw a lot of canisters with a type of white powder in them. Then, out of the shadows a robed figure appeared.
"Welcome," said the figure.
Red Hammer Warship: Four CDF fighters landed outside the ship and the pilots emerged with blasters drawn.
"Proceed inside," said the squad leader Harpo(a mouse, they all are). The members cautiously entered into the ship and started searching for members of the Red Hammer. After fifteen minutes of searching they realized that the ship was definitely deserted.
"They must have abandoned the craft and headed into the desert. The nearest town is fifty miles to the southwest and that must be where they went so let's get moving," said Harpo walking towards his ship. A couple of minutes later, the four fighters blasted into the sky moving slowly toward the town.
Underground Bunker: "Who are you?" demanded Anklor.
"I am a hard light holographic representation of Andrew Oikonny. But that's not important. You need my help," said the hologram.
"We don't need anyone's help. The Red Hammer work alone," said Anklor preparing to leave.
"Don't you want to hear what I have to say first?" asked the hologram. Anklor stopped.
"Fine. Hurry up because the CDF is on our trail," said Anklor.
"After what I'm about to show you, the CDF will be nothing more than mere annoying insects. I was created by Andrew Oikonny to safeguard this underground bunker full of Viral Weapon X-7. I hope you know what that is," said the hologram.
"X-7 is a myth. The thought that a virus could dissolve living tissue is impossible," said Anklor.
"That's were you're wrong. The X-7 did exist and Andrew used it to infect thousands of Cornerians. Those Cornerians died a horrible and painful death, but it took an entire week to work. That was too long so Andrew used his knowledge about biotechnology to modify the virus to take effect in mere minutes. Think about it. Instant fatalities with no mess and no incriminating evidence," the hologram said.
"I'm listening. What do you want?" asked Anklor.
"I want to assist you in conquering the Lylat System. I want to know that evil finally has triumphed over good. Use the virus and let it help you," said the hologram.
"And die when infected by it? I don't think so," said Greg. A panel retracted on one of the walls and a cart emerged with several needles and syringes on it.
"The vaccine," said the hologram.
"How can we trust you?" asked Porpoise.
"Anyone under attack by the CDF is a friend of mine," the hologram said simply. A roar was heard and one of the minions ran back to the group.
"The CDF has found us! Four fighters just landed outside and they're demanding our surrender!" said the otter. Anklor looked at the hologram and then to the vaccine and then to the rows of X-7.
"Fine! We've got no choice. Everyone take the vaccine and we'll try out this mythical virus and see if it works. Move folks," said Anklor. The troops and Anklor took the vaccine before Anklor grabbed a canister of X-7 before they all proceeded outside.
"Surrender Anklor!" yelled Harpo.
"Not when you see this!" exclaimed Anklor. Anklor held out the canister of X-7 only to hear a few laughs from the CDF pilots.
"You're canister of sand isn't going to scare us. Give up now!" yelled Harpo. Anklor popped open the top of the canister and with a flick of the wrist dispelled the contents into the wind and it drifted over to the pilots.
"You're sand won't affect us!" yelled Harpo.
"It was worth a shot," said Anklor. One of the pilots kneeled over and started having spasms. A couple of seconds later the rest were. Anklor walked over to Harpo who was on the ground.
"What have you done?" asked Harpo with a bloody mouth.
"I've won," said Anklor. Then Harpo and his team dissolved.
"We've won our first victory men," said Anklor. Cheers arose from the Red Hammer's. The hologram exited the bunker and approached the group.
"So, do we have a deal? With my expertise and knowledge together your leadership, and together we'll conquer the Lylat System once and for all," said the hologram.
"Agreed Andrew," said Anklor. The two shook on it and started laughing.
"One last thing. Andrew is gone. He's been dead for a long time now. The name's A.I.ndrew," said A.I.ndrew.
"Come. Let us continue our trek towards the city. Once we're there we can plan our course of action," said Anklor. Together the two madmen and the rest of the team advanced toward the city in the distance.
Corneria: The Great Fox2 hung in orbit of the planet while down below the StarFox team, which currently consisted of twins Jeff and Jennifer McCloud(both foxes), Karrie Monroe(a cat), and Jerry Mingham(a beaver minus the buckteeth), were having a meeting with the ex-President Pepper. Pepper had lived a very long life due to advances in medicine, but had recently relinquished control of the presidency due to his weakened condition.
"I'd like to thank you for your help in fighting off the Red Hammer," said Pepper.
"Did the CDF capture Anklor?" asked Jerry.
"Unfortunately no. Anklor made it to Venom and disappeared into a sandstorm. When his vessel was eventually discovered on the surface of the planet, Anklor and whatever crewmen survived the impact had already abandoned the ship," said Pepper.
"Are you sending a data recovery team to sift through the ship's databanks?" asked Jennifer.
"Yeah, they left a few minutes ago. I've got to tell you that I'm worried. The Red Hammer weren't one of the larger remnants of the old Venomian Forces, but if they were willing to go all out in a futile attack on Corneria, that worries me. Sure they lost, but the fact that they had bothered to attack at all says something about their determination. I'm afraid as to what the future might hold as far as Corneria's defense is concerned," said Pepper.
"Well you don't have anything to worry about as long as the StarFox team is here!" exclaimed Karrie.
"I admire your optimism. Now then, after I've paid you, I want you to go on another assignment for me," said Pepper.
Venom: Anklor and A.I.ndrew were at the front of the team while those at the back were pulling a large cart with several canisters of X-7 loaded on it. Before they had left, the team had refilled the steps leading to the bunker with sand so it wouldn't be discovered by accident.
"So after we make it back to your base you'll arrange a weekly transport back to the bunker to pick up more canisters. The best part is that it's the gift that keeps on giving because Andrew installed a device that makes even more of the virus. That means that we have an unlimited supply of the plague for whatever purposes we see fit," said A.I.ndrew.
"Excellent. Once we get to our base we'll set you up at a terminal so you can download all current information about what's happened over the past century," said Anklor.
"Thank you," responded A.I.ndrew. Then the city appeared in the distance.
"All right folks look sharp. We can't let anyone see us enter the city and we've got to make it to the spaceport without being noticed. Once we enter the city, we'll split up and enter the city in different directions, the team dragging the cart will stay together and make their way in as cargo haulers. We won't appear to be in a hurry to get to the port, but we should all try and make good time. I'll expect you all there by 1500. That gives you three hours. Let's move people!" yelled Anklor. The team advanced into the city and immediately split up.
Three Hours Later: The entire team had once again met up in front of the spaceport and was preparing to enter when someone yelled: "Stop them! They're the Red Hammer!" The team whirled around to see the StarFox team.
"Blast it! Open fire!" yelled Anklor. Laser blasts started flying back and forth as the two teams fired at each other.
"Get in there, commandeer a vessel, load the virus, and then come out and get us!" yelled Anklor to some of his minions. The minions nodded and advanced into the port.
"You trust them?" asked Andrew.
"My men would never desert me," said Anklor returning several shots.
"Okay," said A.I.ndrew unenthusiastically. After about twelve minutes of fighting, the CDF had gotten involved.
"This is turning against us," said Samson. One of the minions rushed back towards them.
"We've hijacked a ship and are ready to go," said the fox.
"All right let's carefully retreat!" yelled Anklor. The team started to pull back until only Anklor and A.I.ndrew remained.
"Let's go," said Anklor.
"Hold on," said A.I.ndrew. A.I.ndrew reached into a pouch he had been carrying and grabbed the empty bottle of X-7. A.I.ndrew then launched it at the CDF and StarFox team members. The bottle hit the sand and lay there.
"What was that for?" asked Anklor.
"Just a little something to make Gen. Pepper sleep easy tonight," said A.I.ndew. Then the two of them ran into the spaceport and to the transport. A few seconds later the thing blasted off into space leaving the planet behind.
"Rob, track them," said Jerry. The Great Fox2 watched as the freighter blasted off into space and enter warp.
"The ship has entered warp on a vector towards Zoness," said Rob.
"Great! No we know where there base is," said Jerry confidently.
"Dang it! No we don't," said Jennifer.
"What? Why not?" Jeff asked.
"That doesn't prove anything. They could easily stop halfway and go on another vector. We'll never find their base of operations based on a warp vector," she said frustrated.
"Hey guys! Look at this!" yelled Karrie running over to them. She handed them a canister.
"What is it?" asked Jerry.
"I don't know," responded Karrie. Jennifer found a label on the side.
"Viral Weapon X-7. Property of the CDF, do not open without proper safety gear. That's odd. How could the Red Hammer get their hands on this," she said.
"What's Viral Weapon X-7?" asked Jeff.
"I bet Pepper knows. Let's call him from the local CDF base," said Jerry. The team walked off to the base.
Corneria: Pepper grabbed his chest as he suddenly became short of breath when he saw what the StarFox team had discovered.
"What's wrong?" asked Jeff.
"You've just discovered something I thought had been eradicated a long time ago. You've discovered the worst thing to ever plague this system since Andross," said Pepper.
"What does this X-7 do?" asked Jeff.
"X-7 destroys the molecules and cells in your body. It causes them to break up and makes your body basically disintegrate. There is no evidence that the virus has been is the culprit since the evidence is destroyed when the body dissolves. It was a horrific science project designed during the Lylat Wars for use on the Venomian Units. However a few years later Andrew Oikonny managed to develop a partial immunity to the plague and unleashed it on the population of Coastal City and Corneria City. He was going to release the virus into the atmosphere of Venom but was thankfully stopped before he had the chance. I thought the plague was destroyed then, but it appears that I was wrong. We're in extremely deep trouble," said Pepper.
"I guess that explains the disappearance of the CDF pilots," said Jeff.
"What?" Pepper asked.
"When we arrived here, we were told that the CDF fighters that had been pursuing Anklor's warship had been discovered in the desert but the pilots were nowhere to be found. I guess that explains what happened to them, the virus killed them and dissolved their bodies," said Jennifer.
"The virus was designed to destroy its occupants after a standard week. There's no way it could have done its work in a day, much less a few hours," said Pepper.
"Okay, we'll worry about that later. We have one more dilemma on our hands. Someone was working with the Red Hammer, someone who wasn't stationed on board the ship according to our documents. We don't know who it is, all we have is this one photo," said Jeff. The image sprang up which showed the robed figure next to Anklor. Pepper once again was short of breath.
"It can't be! He's dead," said Pepper.
"Who is it?" asked Karrie.
"It's Andrew Oikonny," said Pepper.
Freighter: The freighter was zipping through warp to its unknown destination. On board in the hold, A.I.ndrew and Anklor were counting up the bottles of X-7.
"Fifty bottles, life is good," said Anklor.
"That it is. With our combined knowledge and resources we can rule the Lylat System for the rest of time," said A.I.ndrew. Anklor nodded.
"Nothing can stop us now!" they both exclaimed.