Blindness of the Powerful

[That Ain't Falco]

Very open to criticism on this one. I really could have done better. What I won't take criticism about is my particular use of one theory.Just like everyone has their own idea as to what kind of bird Falco is, everyone has a stance on the amputation theory, and I'm not blasting yours.

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I had been waiting in the reception area for hours. Nobody had gone into the general's office. Nobody had come out. His receptionist had assured me he was in, and I could hear him pacing through the wall. They wanted me gone, and were making it obvious. Three hours hadn't deterred me yet. I would wait another three, if need be. At last, an event that seemed to be too long overdue occurred. The carved, oaken, doors swung open, and the general stepped forward.
"Fox, I'm not entirely sure what you're doing here, but I believe I have a good idea as to why. Good to see you're back to walking, though. That amputation was rough on you."
I sighed.
"It's rough on everyone, sir. Frankly, it's just barbaric. We should be upgrading the technology, not mutilating our own bodies."
"I couldn't agree more. I have scientists working on the issue as we speak."
He paused, accepting that the topic couldn't be delayed forever.
"Sir-"
"Come inside. This is a private matter."
He gestured for me to enter his office. As he followed behind me, he held up a few fingers to the receptionist, who nodded, and flicked a switch on a set of controls I had noticed earlier. Something shifted within the walls. The general shut the door behind himself. His voice was deep, and knowledgable.
"Soundproofing. We are about to discuss information of public importance. Nothing we say leaves this room."
"Understood, sir."
He looked at me for a moment, expectantly.
"Well? Sit down. I ask for brilliant pilots out of the academy, and all they can manage are regulation obsessed... Never mind. They're good pilots, none the less."
I ignored what he said, and sat down.
"I'm here to talk about Andross."
The old war dog sighed.
"I was afraid you'd say that. No matter what you tell me, his sentence can not, and will not, be made more severe."
There was a minute of empty silence as I considered my options.
"Sir, Venom isn't harsh enough. He'll survive. He'll find a way. He'll do this again!"
"Fox, calm down. Genius or not, he is still a man. Venom's atmosphere is so toxic that it corrodes the hull of any craft foolish enough to enter it, shielded or no. Imagine what it would do to the lungs and throat of a living creature. If anything, this is less humane than a laser round to the head."
"He's a scientist, Pepper."
"You aren't the first one who's been to me about this."
"I'd assume not, sir."
"Funny thing, the surname of the previous bearer of complaints was also McCloud."
"I would expect so."
"You're just like your father. Almost dangerously so. Always wanting to push harder, question deeper, see what you aren't supposed to. Thankfully, the pair of you do this all for Cornerian good. Who knows what would have happened if either of you had wound up like O'Donnell, or worse, Andross. I think we'd be out of a planet, if that came to pass."
He laughed, seeming to forget that we were discussing the death of another man.
"Sir, you know that the subject of Andross is a personal one to me."
"To you, maybe. We don't see it as such. He was never convicted, and is considered innocent of that crime."
I felt rage well up inside of me. He couldn't even say her name. I stood up and slammed my fist down onto the desk.
"SHE HAD A NAME, YOU OLD DOG. MY MOTHER HAD A NAME."
He remained calm.
"And yet you can't bring yourself to mention it, either."
"There's no way around it. Dr. Andross murdered my mother in cold blood. You know it. I know it. The whole of Corneria knows it!"
"I strongly advise that you drop this subject, as well as your temper."
"Or what? Andross is a lunatic and a murderer, and he should be treated as such!"
"Or I will see to it that you are expelled from the flight academy."
His words hit me hard. Everything I had worked for could be gone with a snap of his fingers.
"Sir... I-"
"Enough. This conversation is over. If anyone hears a word out of you about Andross that isn't praising his capture and exile, it's done. You're never getting airborne again. I'm advising that you go home, now. Your father has returned from his most recent mission."
"Yes, sir."

Defeated and dejected, I walked out of the room, the general's cold gaze following my every step. Someday, he'd realize just how wrong he was. Someday.

[Clearwater]

Seems rather interesting to read, but I'm not overly sure about Fox having an amputation...of any kind, at all. Either way, good read so far. Keep it up!

[That Ain't Falco]

10 hours ago, Clearwater said:

Seems rather interesting to read, but I'm not overly sure about Fox having an amputation...of any kind, at all. Either way, good read so far. Keep it up!

This is definitely a piece that will be edited. I wrote it on my phone in the middle of the night. That particular theory is one that has pretty equal evidence for and against it. I only really brought it into this to show Pepper attempting to change the topic to something else, anything else.