Chapter Five

Fox’s growl resonated in the medical chamber, rumbled off the smooth metal surfaces. He was shirtless, standing with his arms propped on a metal counter, leaning his weight into them. The hefty blood sample taken not five minutes earlier still had him light-headed, even though he had given blood before. His muscles were locked and his jaw was clenched, anger burning in his eyes.
Ash had been overcome from the blood sample, and was sitting nearby, sprawled nearly limp in the chair, a good deal paler then she was supposed to be. Her ears were slicked back, though, in response to Fox’s almost continual growl.
“So. What else is on the immediate agenda?” Fox finally asked.
“One more thing, for now.” Andross replied, standing nearby with his back turned, adjusting some biotech equipment. He was confident enough to turn his back to Corneria’s best soldier and fighter, because he knew he had Fox cowed. “Monitor. Keep dibs on your vital signs and brain activity.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Absolutely. Crucial to what I’m trying to learn.” Andross moved from the counter, carrying what looked like a strange white half-circle in one hand, almost like an odd headband. He stepped in behind Fox, and only gave one warning. “If I were you, I’d get a good hold on that counter.”
Then two burning stings went through Fox’s spine, the fire of pain licking through him. He reeled reflexively; heard Ash gave a small muffled cry in response to his pain. Then his vision came back into focus slowly, and he lifted a hand. The white half-circle now wrapped the back of his neck just below the base of his skull. He could feel the bumps of lights, and near as he could tell; the thing had sunk two prongs into the back of his neck to anchor there.
“Don’t try to remove it yourself.” Andross advised, wiping away the two drips of blood with a flip of his wrist. “It’d be a rather painful form of suicide, more or less.”
“This thing just hooked into my nervous system, didn’t it?” Fox asked, voice a bare snarl.
“I’m afraid so. And I’m afraid that’s the other reason you won’t want to struggle. That can deliver electric shocks right to your spine and brain. Not healthy, and not comfortable.”
Fox growled, but said nothing.
“You’re going to have to stand, young lady. You’re next.” Andross turned to Ash.
Ash whimpered. “Please no…”
“Sorry it’s necessary…”
Fox elbowed Andross aside, scooped Ash up with a single move of his arms, then sat in the chair, holding her in his lap so her back was turned to Andross. “We don’t have a choice.” He told her somewhat grimly. “If we want to live through this…”
She nodded, getting a grip on his shirt and arm, fingers digging in when the monitor dug into the back of her neck. Fox felt the pain lance through him again, but it was distant somehow, it was Ash feeling it. Ash had no problem with letting of a high-pitched, keening yelp when it connected, then went limp in Fox’s arms, unconscious.
“You really are a bastard, you know that Andross?” Fox remarked, holding his friend close.
“I’m a scientist, McCloud. A pioneer in my field. I don’t expect you to understand that. You’re participating, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Andross wove a hand, and Star Wolf walked in moments later.
“Now isn’t that sweet?” Pigma drawled. “McCloud and his little girlfriend.”
“She isn’t my girlfriend.” Fox stood, still carrying Ash. “She’s my Other.”
Star Wolf looked at him as if he was either a very dim bulb or ready for the straight jackets.
“I don’t expect you to understand that.” He said heavily. “Now, are we going to some sort of private quarters or what? She needs to sleep this off, and so do I.”

Falco sighed, wandering down one of the Great Fox’s long corridors, arms folded, head bowed. Now that they had lost their leader, the whole ship as well as the crew seemed different. Laughter no longer echoed through the hallways, music didn’t vibrate the walls, even the glow of the metal seemed dim. The Star Fox team had lost its spirit and soul, the driving force behind it.
“No one will be able to take over, will they?”
He looked over, and saw Katt leaning on a doorframe, watching him with empty, worried eyes. “No.” He finally said. “Star Fox is gone until Fox returns.”
“That’s more then likely just what Andross wants. He wants us to loose morale.”
“He’s accomplished that mission then.” Falco sighed, shoulders slumped. “Katt. No one else can ever lead. It won’t feel right. We are without our leader, without the very thing that holds us together, and we all feel it.”
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder. He slowly returned the hug, a strange whimper coming from his throat.
“I know, baby. I feel it too.” She whispered.

Fox sighed, settling Ash onto the small, hard bed and pulling the thin sheets up over her. He doubted it would be enough to keep her warm in the cold of the lab, but it was the best he could do for now.
He looked down at her for a moment, as she curled up reflexively, tucking her muzzle under one of her hands. His other. The person who shared his mind as a young child and shared his mind now. The person who had his DNA…
Wolf shoved him from behind to catch his attention, and he spun to face his enemy, gaze frigid.
“Don’t touch me, O’Donnel.” He said in a soft, harsh voice. “You wouldn’t want to anger your Emperor by damaging his subject, now would you?”
“You’re not as valuable as you think.” Wolf replied, voice equally low, visible eye blue as ice and just as cold.
“Heh. Well, that has yet to be proven.” Fox looked back to Ash, then crossed his arms and looked at Wolf. “So are you going to escort me to my quarters or what?”
Less then a minute later he stood in the room that was across from Ash’s, and Wolf had already left, the door sealing shut behind him. Fox sighed, reaching up a hand to brush the monitor. God only knew what all Andross picked up from it. Brain activity as well as vital signs, Andross had said. It probably tracked other things as well…
He sighed and flopped back on the bed, looking at the ceiling, folding his arms over his chest.
So what could he do now? He was in a helpless position. If he tried to struggle or run, he would be shocked to unconsciousness. Even if he could stand the shocks, he’d more likely then not be forced to watch as Ash was executed right in front of him. He wasn’t sure, but he had a strong suspicion that killing Ash would kill him as well, and vice versa.
“All right, so how does this work? Our DNA is intertwined. So? We don’t look alike, we don’t act alike, or think alike. What’s the connection? Why is it so important to Andross?” He asked the ceiling. “And what… oh what do I do now…” He moaned the last bit to himself.
His team would probably be a bit lost without him. He was leader. It had been a unanimous decision when it had been made, and no one else had led since. He had come to rather like the position, actually, and they supported him. Now he was gone, trapped on one of Andross’ cruisers with no way out.
So what then? Quit? Give up? Let Andross experiment and test until he wasted away or died in shock from one of the tests? It’d be a cold day in Hell before he gave up. But there was nothing he could do.
At least, right now.
Which meant he had to wait.
Watch and wait for his opportunity, and hope to God one comes in the first place…

“Find out anything new?”
“Revitalized old data, in any effect.” Andross replied, moving his wrist in a circle to swirl the blood in a flask. The chemicals added had turned it into a rather purple color. “I have their DNA codes remapped, and in greater detail, as well as their brain patterns. In fact the moment I put the monitor on the girl the computers were flooded with information.”
“I still don’t understand this.” Wolf hopped up to sit on the metal counter, watching his Emperor move around the expansive laboratory.
“Their DNA is intertwined, O’Donnel. I’ve said that many times.” Andross brought up a 3D model, the two codes wrapped around each other in a death grip that could never be split apart, becoming almost a skeletal column.
“So they basically have the same DNA codes. But what’s the effect? They’re nowhere near twins.”
“The similarities aren’t superficial. They go much, much deeper, to the very cores of their beings.” Andross held the beaker up to look at the contents. “Fox McCloud is Military. He was practically brought up that way since his mother died. He’s a black belt in Karate, a top-class sniper and sharp shooter, best at the Flight Academy, the whole nine yards. I’m sure you knew all that. But did you know, O’Donnel, that McCloud is an artist?” Andross smiled at Wolf. “He can paint, O’Donnel. The girl is a professional artist on Zoness. Does huge murals for the resorts for a living. Beautiful work. I’ve seen them in person. A year ago, she bought herself a Gloc for no known reason, and according to records held by gun ranges, since the first day she’s been getting bullseyes. Do you start to see the connection?”
Wolf sank into thought. “Wait. You’re saying… they share talents?”
“No, O’Donnel. I am saying they share minds.”
Wolf’s jaw dropped. “Jeeezus. You did that just with their DNA?”
“Didn’t mean to, in truth. It was a rather sketchy process when we injected them as newborns with the serum. Now, at least, I can see the full effects.” He chuckled. “Which is probably better for them then not.”
“I doubt they want to die in your labs, no offence.”
“None taken. You see, O’Donnel… they are linked so close they feel each other’s pain. Each other’s pleasure. But they have identical DNA.”
Wolf burst into laughter. “God Boss did you screw them over! I was considering taking leave, but I think I’m going to stick around just for entertainment purposes.”
“Glad you are. I believe the rest of your team is as well.”
“Even Andrew with his weak stomach?”
“Ah I put him to work watching the data come in. No blood, no shots, just information. By the way, thank you for putting up with him. I very nearly can’t.”
“Not a problem, Emperor.”

Ash woke up with a start, looking up blankly at the soldier towering over her, muscles tightening. She remembered what had happened. Even as she sat there, a little whisper of green and silver trailed through the back of her mind, a faint brush of emotions and thoughts.
“Up.” Said the Venomian soldier in a hard voice, scowling down at her. “Now.”
She sat up slowly, swinging her feet over the end of the bed, wincing when her stomach growled loudly. She stood, opening her mouth.
“You’ll be fed.” He snapped, pushing her out of her suite. “Just get a move on for now.”
As she stepped out into the hall, the door across from her opened, and Fox came out, pacing another soldier.
“Is it just me, or does their hospitality need work?” He asked with a weak smile.
The soldier escorting him, which was carrying a rather large gun (more out of paranoia then anything, he had been told that Fox was rendered helpless, but rumors do travel), spun and brought his gun up, clipping Fox under his ear. Fox dropped wordlessly to his hands and knees, closing his eyes. Ash reeled, staggering, putting a hand on the wall to steady herself.
“So, wise ass, are we going to keep our mouth shut now?” The soldier snapped, pressing the gun’s barrel to Fox’s temple.
Fox looked at the soldier, and the look held so much fury Ash was surprised he could contain it. “If I wasn’t on your Emperor’s leash, you would already be dead. I think you should thank your great and wonderful leader later on for that.” With that he got to his feet without as much as a wobble, one hand lifting to cover the sore spot.
The following walk down the corridor was silent. At least, as far as the soldiers knew.
‘Fox was that necessary?’ Ash glanced at him from the corners of her eyes, keeping most of her gaze on what was in front of her.
‘Sure blame me.’ He replied, anger exploding through his mind, accompanied by dull, throbbing pain. ‘They hate me Ash. I have to deal with that. I’m so sorry it affects you too…’
‘We’re in this together, Fox.’
‘I know.’ He sighed to himself, and fell silent, keeping his thoughts to himself, though his emotions still leaked into her mind. She considered reaching over to take his hand, started to do so, and drew her hand back. Touch would be overwhelming right now, by far too overwhelming. Once Fox calmed down, she’d try to reassure him. In the mean time, she could only watch and try to comfort him with thoughts and emotions.
They were allowed about fifteen minutes to eat, then about ten to freshen up in different locker rooms. Having already lost his rank badges and wings, Fox was forced to loose his uniform as well, having to fall into wearing a featureless flight suit. He knew why that had been provided to him, too. It would be easy for Andross to access his wrist veins…
Reasonably clean and both wearing different clothing, they were left in Andross’ lab. Fox did some minor stretches then flopped onto one of the medical beds, trying to calm himself. Ash fell into nervous pacing, swinging her arms, tail twitching. Fox’s tail fell into the same rhythm absently.
The door opened from the back, and Leon came in, giving the pair a bright grin. “Well, good morning, McCloud. Heard one of our soldiers had to give you a bit of a bump on the head to teach you respect.”
Fox made a rather rude gesture in Leon’s direction in response and didn’t move from where he was.
“Temper, temper. You ARE at our mercy, you know. You can drop the gung-ho marine bullcrap.”
Fox sat up, swinging his legs around to sit on the edge of the medical bed. “Air Force. Not Marines.”
“My mistake.” Leon smiled and spread his hands. “Andross is running a tad late, I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.”
“Why the hell are you so happy?” Ash asked him, setting her hands on her hips.
“Because he’s contemplating all of the horrible, horrible things he could do to us. I’m willing to bet they’re a good bit more horrible for you then me, unless I have Leon’s orientation wrong…” Fox buffed his nails on the front of the flight suit, looking bored.
Leon tapped a button on his watch, and a very minor jolt singed Fox’s nervous system, making him tremble a bit. Ash bit her lips and shivered, finding a spot to sit and cope with the pain.
‘Sorry…’ Fox’s emotional apology ran through her mind, and she accepted. “What was that for?”
“Show some respect, McCloud.” Leon’s voice was back to normal, hot and oily, a twist to it that suggested complete and utter sadistic insanity.
“Powalski, that was unnecessary.” Andross walked in, shooting Leon a look. “From now on, do not administer such treatment without my explicit permission.”
“He insulted me, boss.” Leon said coldly.
“That doesn’t matter in the scheme of things. What matters to me is that I get my research done, nothing more.” Andross pulled a prepped syringe out of a case and removed the cap, pressing the stopper slightly and watching the liquid come out.
“All right.”
“So, who first?” Andross held up the syringe and looked at Fox and Ash.
Fox stepped forward, shoving his sleeve up and holding out his arm. “Get it over with.”
Andross grabbed Fox’s wrist with one hand and administered the shot with the other. Fox closed his eyes, feeling the burning sensation travel up his arm. Andross was not gentle about shots, he simply got it over with as fast as he could. Fox took a step back and rubbed his arm reflexively, glancing at Ash. She slowly stepped forward and held out a trembling arm, biting her lip as she got the shot.
“So what was in the syringe, pray tell?” Fox asked.
“You wouldn’t understand the name. Let’s just say it isn’t a vaccination.”
Even as Andross said that, Fox’s vision was swimming, and only moments later, both he and Ash crumbled to the floor.

…
…
?
Ash woke up very slowly, eyes fluttering open, breathing slowly. The room she was in was dark, and something was pressed over her lower chest and stomach, not heavy but a weight none the less. She didn’t react until a gentle breeze fluttered over her cheek.
She couldn’t see very well, but she didn’t have to. She knew the scent. Fox was still unconscious next to her, lax from the drug, one arm tossed over her in an almost protective matter. Whoever had carted them out of the lab had dumped them into the same room.
Even asleep, she felt his mind wrapped into hers, closer then before. She had a brief mental image of a Yin-Yang sign. So was that what the drug had been? Something to push their minds closer? Or alter their codes so it’d happen automatically? God only knew what Andross had done to them. All she knew is that she felt very heavy and distant.
Fox very, very slowly stirred, moving as if he was under water, eyes slowly opening, then blinking and clearing. “What happened?” Even when just awake, his voice was calm and clear. She had to wonder how exactly he did that.
“That’s what I was trying to figure out. Whatever Andross shot us up with knocked us flat in seconds, and whatever jerks carted us away decided it would be funny to dump us in the same room.” She replied in a somewhat blurry voice. “And whatever the drug was, I don’t think it’s totally worn off.”
“Doubt it.” Fox shifted slightly, pulling his arm back and resting it on his side. “All I know is that I really hate the damn monitor I’ve been collared with.”
“So do I.”
They lay in silence for a while, about an inch of distance in between them, feeling the drugged sensations slowly fade away. As the drugs wore off, the colors in their minds woke up, and they kept the distance out of fear of being overwhelmed.
“Fox?”
“Mm?”
“What’s going to happen to us?”
He was silent, then said, “I don’t know. I don’t even know if we’re going to get out of here alive.”
She had known the answer before she asked, but it still hit her like a punch in the gut. She whimpered, rolling onto her side and wrapping an arm around him. The fireworks show that went off instantly in her head blinded her eyes, both mentally and physically. Fox wrapped his arm around her, eyes closing as the emotions raced through him.
“If we do get out of here… what will happen to us then? Do you think anyone else will really understand… this?”
“I don’t know, Ash. I just don’t know.”

Andrew sat his coffee cup down, watching as the somewhat calm lines that represented the two prisoners’ brain activity suddenly jumped into life, peaking and plunging at rates he had nearly never seen, then falling into sync, still racing. “Uncle!” He remarked over his shoulder, sitting back to take in all the monitor lines. The monitors dedicated to emotions were also jumping, even more then brain activity.
“Perfect.” Andross smiled when he saw the monitors, sipping his coffee. “And that’s just the response I wanted.”
“What did you do?” Andrew glanced at them.
“Turned up their amplifiers. Now the real research begins.”