Lost
By Magus732
Piper's POV
Squadron Log – Page # 513
Here we are, once again, completely and hopelessly stuck.
Thanks to Stork's brilliant flying, we managed to avoid being splattered along the bottom of the Wastelands. Unfortunately, we also burned out our last engine crystals. So, as we tried to collect ourselves, Aerrow and I started to go over our options...
"Piper, any ideas?" The Sky Knight turned to look at me with those big green eyes.
"I dunno, Aerrow. I mean, we're kinda in the middle of nowhere. It's not like we can fly around for a few hours on our Skimmers and just magically find a depot." I answered anxiously. I looked up to eye the rest of the team; they were taking the news particularly hard.
"Do not worry... I know where we can acquire replacement crystals..." Max suddenly stated enigmatically.
"Really? Mind sharing, Max?" Starling smiled warmly. When he turned and glared at her, she frowned.
"I cannot tell you where it is... I'm afraid I shall have to venture out... alone..." He replied sternly.
"No one's going out alone, Max... we need to stick together..." Aerrow stated, eyeing the hybrid pointedly. The Onyxian scoffed loudly, rolled his eyes and turned to walk out.
"Wait!" I shouted. Everybody turned to look at me, even the angry warrior at the back of the bridge.
"If it's alright with you, Aerrow, I'll go with him..." I sighed softly; this wasn't going to be fun, but I wasn't about to let him just take off.
"Piper, are you sure?" The redhead insisted; I know Aerrow, and he was just trying to be a good leader. Sometimes, I wish he'd keep the Sky Knight routine to himself, though.
"Yeah, Aerrow... I'm sure..."
"It doesn't matter; I will be going alone, and that is all there is to it..."
"Now, Max, just hold on a minute; Aerrow's right, we shouldn't just go running off in all directions... I think it might be a good idea if someone goes with you..." Starling added. The tall hybrid sighed loudly, crossing his arms and averting his gaze.
"Fine..." He relented. It isn't easy for Max to swallow his pride. Especially when it means accepting someone's help.
"Be ready to leave in an hour..." He shot my way as he walked out. Finn and Junko exchanged a look as I turned to face the meeting table again.
"What?" I asked defensively. Junko merely shrugged.
"You've never seemed to want to go anywhere with him, let alone on a solo mission for who knows how long..." The blond answered matter-of-factly.
"Yeah? Well, maybe it's because he's a arrogant, selfish, 'holier than thou' jerk of an ally!" I shot back angrily.
"Yes, he is... but he does know what he's doing..." Starling said bluntly.
"Maybe... he still doesn't have any right to act that way, Starling..."
"Yes, he does, Piper... you just can't see it because, like the rest of this merry little band, you've got your head shoved up your ass!" The Interceptor stormed out, leaving us all stunned; I've never seen her get so mad with anybody before.
"What was that all about?" Aerrow finally broke the silence.
"Dunno... maybe you said something that upset her, Piper..." Junko answered hesitantly. I rolled my eyes to no one in particular.
"I didn't say anything that you all aren't also thinking..." I challenged.
"Maybe, but that doesn't make what you said sound any better..." The redhead scolded.
"Aerrow, how can you say that? You've seen how he acts around us! Don't you think-"
"What I think doesn't matter, Piper. You know better than to say something without thinking about it first. Max is our ally now; you can't just go insulting him like that, especially not in front of his lover." Aerrow reminded me. I sighed; he was right, after all.
"You're right, Aerrow... it's just... sometimes, I wish I knew why he says and acts the way he does..." I said after a brief but awkward silence.
"Well, maybe you can ask 'im while you're out gettin' the crystals, Piper..." Junko offered helpfully. I smiled; I guess I could.
"Yeah... if she wants to die..." Finn said rudely. I jabbed him in the gut with my elbow. Finn had a point, though; Max wouldn't be easy to talk to...