Star Fox Arena: Story Modes - Krystal (Preview!)
Folks on twitter have spoken and want to see a preview of Krystal’s story mode, so I have decided that, instead of making a google doc, I’ll post the first two scenes here on Twitter.
STAR FOX ARENA
Story Mode
Character: Krystal
Italics indicates unspoken inner monologue/narration
General Synopsis: Forty years ago, the “revolutionary” self-sustaining space colony Fortinbras disappeared. Now, it has suddenly returned, with no one responding to any transmissions sent to it.
The Star Fox team becomes involved when General Pepper sends them to investigate—namely, to locate a man named Jack Redmond, commander of the Warhounds militia who went to investigate the colony and sent out a distress call before going silent.
———
(A view of space.)
Space is a fascinating contradiction in and of itself. Vast, open emptiness, and yet so full of…things. Planets. Meteoroids. Lifeless detritus from decades of war, and millennia of astral objects both coming into existence and ceasing to be.
There are those who are fascinated by the vastness of space, and others who are utterly terrified by it. Honestly, I can see both cases.
If you ask me, there’s one thing that’s for absolutely certain: No matter who you are, there is a place for you in this vast universe.
Or at least, there was at one point.
Even having comfortably adjusted to my life as it is now…there are still pangs of yearning. The place where I was born and raised. I hadn’t even seen the entirety of the planet, gone beyond my homeland’s own borders, and it was wrenched away from me in an instant.
Everything, just a memory.
INT. GREAT FOX, KRYSTAL’S ROOM
The sound of the intercom pulls me from my thoughts.
R.O.B. 64
Attention, Star Fox Team: All personnel to the bridge.
We have a job, then? At least, a potential one. I stretch as I rise to my feet, making my way for the door. I can already hear the very distinct sound of Slippy running past on the other side.
The hall leading to the bridge is actually not that long, but as my memories continue to pull at me, it seems to extend before my very eyes.
And then, to my embarrassment, I understand it’s because my pace has slowed down. I pick up the pace to go to the bridge.
INT. GREAT FOX BRIDGE
I’m the last to arrive. Fox gives me a warm smile and a nod as I walk into the room. Falco is seated off to the side, distracted by a tablet in one hand as his other arm is resting atop the back of his chair. Peppy is at his own desk, and from what I can see of the screen, it appears he’s looking at criminal dossiers—in the time I’ve been part of Star Fox, I can recognize some of the faces that flash on the screen as career criminals. Slippy, in the middle of a conversation with Fox, gets distracted by something on Peppy’s screen and walks over to look. With that, Fox turns his attention to me.
FOX
You okay? You look kinda tired.
KRYSTAL
I’m fine, thanks—just got pulled out of my meditation unexpectedly.
FOX
Sorry about that. But a job like this can’t wait. General Pepper should be contacting us shortly, so I wanted everyone already present on the bridge.
KRYSTAL
I admit you have me curious.
FOX
I’m afraid I don’t know much myself—but the General said it was of the utmost importance.
I can sense a slight tinge of excitement from Fox. I can’t help but smile—while peace is the ideal, the thrill of a potential exciting battle is something that will always pull at him.
R.O.B. 64 interrupts.
R.O.B. 64
Incoming transmission from General Pepper.
FOX
On screen.
The bridge’s main computer flashes to a video feed—General Pepper, seated in his office, a grim expression upon his features. The rest of the team makes their way over to gather around the screen.
GENERAL PEPPER
Star Fox—I’m grateful that you happen to be available. There have been some…developments that I would like to see dealt with as swiftly as possible.
FALCO
Nothing ominous about your tone, there.
SLIPPY
Falco!
FOX
Go ahead, General. What seems to be the problem?
GENERAL PEPPER
Are all of you familiar with the legend of the Fortinbras?
The others all seem to be immediately interested.
PEPPY
That’s a name I haven’t heard in decades…
SLIPPY
There’s so many theories about what happened…
FALCO
I’ve only heard the name.
KRYSTAL
I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar…
SLIPPY
Oh, that’s right! You likely wouldn’t know!
FOX
General, mind giving a general summary for Krystal?
GENERAL PEPPER
With pleasure.
GENERAL PEPPER
You see, decades ago there were plans to assemble a revolutionary, self-sustaining space colony. Some of the Lylat System’s greatest minds contributed to its design and construction. Even Andross himself was said to have worked on the project, before his…decline.
SLIPPY
The colony was supposed to be just the first of its kind!
GENERAL PEPPER
Yes. The colony was dubbed Fortinbras, and for five years it ran smoothly, as expected. Then, approximately forty years ago, it just….vanished.
KRYSTAL
Vanished?
GENERAL PEPPER
It went completely off the radar, along with the hundred-something people who were aboard. There were no indications before then that anything was out of the ordinary.
FOX
And if you’re bringing it up now, that could only mean…
GENERAL PEPPER
Yes. Approximately a week ago, the Fortinbras resurfaced, in the far reaches of our system. Any attempt to establish communication has failed. However, there are signs of electrical activity aboard the satellite.
GENERAL PEPPER
It had to have warped in somehow; there’s no way it could have done it on its own, and if it had drifted into Lylat we would have detected it long ago.
SLIPPY
Warping tech was just a concept back then, and even now it’s just basically a relay…could someone have outfitted it with some sort of relay to allow it to fast travel?
GENERAL PEPPER
That has been theorized, yes. We do not know who is aboard that colony right now, and I had planned to send the Warhounds faction in to conduct a sweep of it.
A hologram appears. The upper half of a canine, male, a bit older than most of us.
GENERAL PEPPER
This is Commander Jack Redmond of the Warhounds. He apparently scouted ahead to ensure the path was clear of hostiles for his team, but his ship has also fallen off the radar. However, as of twelve hours ago, a distress signal reached the Warhounds’ central command. It was brief, but it was just detectable.
GENERAL PEPPER
This is where Star Fox comes in. Your primary goal is to find out what happened to Commander Redmond. You may have to board the colony to do just that—be prepared, as the colony’s oxygen systems may not be active in parts of such a large, old facility to conserve power; who knows if it’s had routine maintenance?
I look toward Fox, as he crosses his arms in thought. Everyone seems to be studying him, waiting for a decision from their dependable leader. Fox has to consider not just his own safety, but all of ours. It’s a tough position for him to be in.
He turns to face the rest of us.
FOX
Thoughts?
FALCO
Why not search the junker, yeah?
SLIPPY
It’s a piece of engineering history! We have a chance to be the first people to board it in decades!
KRYSTAL
You’re assuming people aren’t already on board and just not answering any communications.
FOX
Think you’d be able to detect anyone on there if we get close, Krystal?
KRYSTAL
I can certainly try. If there are living people aboard, they’ll have brain waves.
FOX
We can establish if people are on board, and then move on from there.
Fox turns back to the General.
FOX
We’ll do it, General!
The ensuing conversation, and confirmation of details, slips away. My eyes focus on Fox, Falco and Slippy coming together. The three look thrilled at the prospect of this mission. There’s a clear, strong camaraderie between them. Sometimes, I’m kind of envious. It makes me think of the bonds I had back on Cerinia. Friends from all paths of life, coming together...laughing, crying, playing, comforting one another…
All of them…
I feel a lump in my throat, but force it back down. It occurs to me that Fox is looking at me. As the team disperses, he draws near and gingerly puts his hand on my shoulder.
FOX
You alright?
KRYSTAL
…yes. Thank you.
FOX
Any time. Just let me know; door’s always open.
Fox pulls his hand back and exits the room. I suppose it’s time I prepare myself, too.
SCENE 2
EXT. SECTOR Z
Sector Z is a graveyard of ships from battles long since past. In recent years due to a mix of scavengers and attempts at cleanup, the area has admittedly cleared up a fair bit. To think such great battles were happening in the skies above inhabited planets…
We disembarked from the Great Fox a while back to navigate the detritus floating about the area more easily. Falco’s taking the opportunity to show off a bit, zipping between two coasting, empty vessels about to collide with one another.
SLIPPY
Is now really the time, Falco!?
FALCO
Gotta make my own fun, sometimes.
FOX
Nothing’s coming up on radar yet…but we’re nearing the coordinates the distress signal was sent from.
SLIPPY
This place never stops creeping me out…
FALCO
Relax, Slip. We’re the only ones here other than a few scavengers, and they probably took off when the Great Fox arrived.
FOX
Hang on—what’s that?
The drifting vessels and debris move aside to reveal something large in the distance. Definitely not a wrecked ship.
SLIPPY
That’s gotta be it! Let’s move in closer!
FOX
Agreed, but everyone stay close together.
We proceed forward through the sector, until it becomes clearer—a large, intact vessel. The exterior looks like it’s seen better days, but it’s lit up.
FOX
No doubt about it—that’s the Fortinbras.
FALCO
It’s definitely active, so why’s no one responding to communications?
FOX
Krystal, do you feel anything?
I close my eyes and focus. My mind tries to feel the aether. I can feel something, but not sure what…
Like blips on a radar. Flashes. People. Life.
(Note: The following cinematic is the same for all Star Fox story modes.)
[The Star Fox team hovers in formation before the Fortinbras. Krystal has her hand out, eyes closed.]
KRYSTAL
It had to have warped in somehow; there’s no way it could have done it on its own, and if it had drifted into Lylat we would have detected it long ago.
There’s definitely people aboard. The feelings, though…they’re a mix.
FOX
A mix? What do you mean?
KRYSTAL
I don’t know how else to explain it…for one thing, what I do feel is very faint.
FALCO
Guys, don’t look now, but…the lights got brighter.
[The lights on the Fortinbras begin to grow brighter, then start fading. Slippy checks his screen.]
SLIPPY
Whoah! Electrical activity is building…!
[Krystal’s eyes snap open, as a bright green shockwave shoots out from the colony, catching the whole team in it as the screen fades to white.]
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